Steering Knuckle for a Vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016107685-A1
Application number	US-201514922610-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 26, 2015
Priority date	Dec 23, 2011
Publication date	Apr 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A steering knuckle to be used with the steering assembly of a vehicle such as a farming tractor is disclosed. The steering knuckle comprises preconfigured attachment areas where attachment element(s) or bracket(s) can be releasably yet rigidly secured. The attachment areas may be further reinforced with additional knuckle material (e.g. metal, metallic alloy). The steering knuckle therefore provides predetermined and preconfigured attachment location(s) where a wheel-replacing track system can be secured, thereby allowing the track system to be mounted to the vehicle while avoiding attachment at inconvenient or weak locations.

First claim

1 ) A steering knuckle for use with a steering assembly of a vehicle equipped with a track system, the knuckle comprising:
a) a main portion having an inner side configured to be coupled to a steering assembly to communicate a steering constraint around a vertical axis to a track system attached thereto and an opening configured to receive a power driving mechanism; b) an attachment portion, located underneath and integrated to the main portion, the attachment portion having at least one attachment area configured to mate with an attachment element, the attachment element is configured to pivotally secure the track system to the attachment areas with fasteners.

2 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the track system is pivotally mounted to the attachment portion using an elongated member for allowing the track system to pivot longitudinally about the elongated member.

3 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 2 wherein the attachment portion comprises a groove for at least partially receiving the elongated member.

4 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion comprises an inwardly protruding portion having at least one attachment area located thereto.

5 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion comprises an outwardly protruding portion having at least one attachment area located thereto.

6 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion comprises an inwardly and an outwardly protruding portion and wherein at least one of the inwardly and outwardly protruding portions have a downwardly protruding portion defining a longitudinal channel for receiving the track system.

7 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the attachment areas has at least one opening defining a vertical axis being laterally offset from an axis along a kingpin securing the steering knuckle to the vehicle.

8 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion further comprises an inwardly and an outwardly protruding portion and wherein at least one of the inwardly and outwardly protruding portion projects laterally outside of the main portion.

9 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 3 , wherein at least one attachment area is located on either side of the groove on both a laterally inwardly protruding portion and a laterally outwardly protruding portion.

10 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the attachment area is configured so that the attachment element can be upwardly fastened thereto.

11 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main portion and the attachment portion are unitary.

12 ) A vehicle comprising left and right steering assemblies, the vehicle comprising a pair of steering knuckles as claimed in claim 1 respectively mounted to the left and right steering assemblies.

13 ) A steering knuckle for use with a steering assembly of a vehicle equipped with a track system, the knuckle comprising:
a) an inner side configured to be coupled to a steering assembly to communicate a steering constraint around a vertical axis to a track system attached thereto; b) an opening configured to receive a power driving mechanism; and c) a periphery comprising an inner region inwardly facing the vehicle and an outer region facing outwardly from the vehicle; d) at least one attachment area located on said outer periphery being configured to mate with at least one attachment element, the at least one attachment element being configured to secure the track system to the attachment area;
wherein at least one of the inner and outer regions comprises at least one attachment area.

14 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the attachment areas of the inner region are located about the periphery.

15 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 13 , the steering knuckle further having a stub, wherein the attachment areas of the outer region are located about the stub and parallel thereto.

16 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 13 , the steering knuckle further having a stub, wherein the attachment areas of the outer region surround the stub.

17 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the stub is outwardly spaced to prevent hindrance between the attachment element and a wheel hub mounted to the stub.

18 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 13 , the steering knuckle further having a stub, wherein the outer region has an outwardly protruding portion surrounding the stub.

19 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the attachment area has fastener receiving slot, and wherein the fasteners receiving slots have a lengths equal to the thickness of the knuckle.

20 ) A steering knuckle as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the inner regions comprises attachment areas surrounding the opening for receiving fasteners inserted from the inside out.

21 ) A vehicle comprising left and right steering assemblies, the vehicle comprising a pair of steering knuckles as claimed in claim 13 respectively mounted to the left and right steering assemblies.

Assignees

• Soucy Int Inc

Inventors

• Pare Steeve
• Frechette Steve
• Latulippe Serge
• Gasse William
• Leger Andre
• Todd Andre
• Dubuc Nicolas

Classifications

• B62D55/04

  with tracks and alternative ground wheels, e.g. changeable from endless track vehicle into wheeled vehicle and vice versa {(for multi-purpose tractors B62D49/0635)} · CPC title

• B62D11/20

  Endless-track steering having pivoted bogie carrying track (B62D11/02 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B62D55/065

  Multi-track vehicles, i.e. more than two tracks {(soil-shifting machines E02F; mining machines E21C)} · CPC title

• B62D7/18 Primary

  Steering knuckles; King pins · CPC title

• B62D49/0635

  using additional ground engaging means, e.g. endless tracks (vehicles with endless tracks and either additional or alternative ground wheels B62D55/02, B62D55/04) · CPC title