Patent ID: 8152183
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A steering apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: first and second wheel assemblies rotatably disposed on the vehicle, each wheel assembly having a first position corresponding to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle and each wheel assembly capable of rotating greater than 90 degrees from the first position about a substantially vertical axis; a steering shaft having a circumference and rotatably disposed on the vehicle; a first cable segment linking the steering shaft to the first wheel assembly; a second cable segment linking the steering shaft to the second wheel assembly; a third cable segment linking the steering shaft to the second wheel assembly; a fourth cable segment linking the steering shaft to the first wheel assembly; and wherein, when the first wheel assembly is in the first position, a portion of the first cable segment and a portion of the fourth cable segment are wrapped around the circumference of the steering shaft, and when the second wheel assembly is in the first position, a portion of the second cable segment and a portion of the third cable segment are wrapped around the circumference of the steering shaft; wherein rotation of the steering shaft in a first direction causes (i) the first cable segment to wrap around the steering shaft and rotate the first wheel assembly, (ii) the fourth cable segment to unwrap from the steering shaft and permit rotation of the first wheel assembly, (iii) the third cable segment to wrap around the steering shaft and rotate the second wheel assembly, and (iv) the second cable segment to unwrap from the steering shaft and permit rotation of the second wheel assembly; and wherein rotation of the steering shaft in a second direction causes (i) the fourth cable segment to unwrap from the steering shaft and permit rotation of the first wheel assembly, (ii) the first cable segment to unwrap from the steering shaft and permit rotation of the first wheel assembly, (iii) the second cable segment to wrap around the steering shaft and rotate the second wheel assembly, and (iv) the third cable segment to unwrap from the steering shaft and permit rotation of the second wheel assembly.