Patent ID: 7255194
Filing Date: 2007-08-14
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A vehicle having a steering system, the steering system comprising: a forward steering assembly coupled to a steering wheel and a forward set of wheels, the forward steering assembly arranged to receive an input from the steering wheel and rotate the forward set of wheels, the forward steering assembly including a selectively actuateable forward motorized mechanism; a rearward steering assembly coupled to a rear set of wheels and including a selectively acutateable rearward motorized mechanism; and an actuation mechanism coupled to the forward motorized mechanism and the rearward motorized mechanism and arranged to selectively engage the motorized mechanisms; wherein upon selective activation by the actuation mechanism, the forward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the forward steering assembly and rotate the forward set of wheels toward a centerline of the vehicle and the rearward motorized mechanism is arranged to engage the rearward steering assembly and rotate the rearward set of wheels toward the centerline of the vehicle such that the wheels are positioned to allow the vehicle to turn about a central point of the vehicle in a zero-steer configuration; and wherein the forward steering assembly comprises a forward rack and pinion steering assembly and the rearward steering assembly comprises a rearward rack and pinion steering assembly.