Patent ID: 6186266
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
An improved steering assembly for a vehicle of the type having a frame, a steering axle assembly mounted to the frame and a tag axle assembly mounted to the frame, the steering axle assembly comprising first and second steerable wheels and a first tie rod operatively connecting the first and second steerable wheels, the tag axle assembly comprising third and fourth wheels and a second tie rod operatively connecting the third and fourth wheels, the improvement comprising:a steering axle ram assembly comprising:a first cylinder, a first piston reciprocally housed within the first cylinder, and a first shaft connected to the first piston; anda second cylinder, a second piston reciprocally housed within the second cylinder, and a second shaft connected to the second piston;wherein each cylinder has a diameter;wherein the first and second cylinders are affixed to a chosen one of the frame and the first tie rod and the first and second shafts are affixed to the other of the frame and the first tie rod;a tag axle ram assembly comprising:a third cylinder, a third piston reciprocally housed within the third cylinder, and a third shaft connected to the third piston; anda fourth cylinder, a fourth piston reciprocally housed within the fourth cylinder, and a fourth shaft connected to the fourth piston;wherein each cylinder has a diameter;wherein the third and fourth cylinders are affixed to a chosen one of the frame and the second tie rod and the third and fourth shafts are affixed to the other of the frame and the second tie rod;the third and fourth cylinders having larger diameters than the first and second cylinders; anda conduit system fluidly coupling (1) the first and third cylinders, and (2) the second and fourth cylinders, so a fluid moves through the conduit system between the steering axle ram assembly and the tag axle ram assembly in response to a turning of the first and second steerable wheels, wherein the third and fourth wheels turn in unison with the first and second steerable wheels at lesser distance than the first and second steerable wheels.