DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE INCLINATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL OF A MACHINE, PARTICULARLY A COMBINE HARVESTER

Abstract: A steering column for a machine, particularly, a combine harvester, comprises a substantially vertical fixed tubular housing (2), a lower shaft (4) rotatably mounted in the fixed tubular housing (2) and connected at its lower end to a steer­ ing box (5), an upper shaft connected at one end by a universal joint (6) to the lower shaft and connected at its other end to the steering wheel, a movable housing (9) surrounding the upper shaft (7) and articulated to the fixed tubular housing (2) about a horizontal transverse axis (10) coincident with the universal joint (6), a positioning rod (14) located within the fixed tubular housing (2) and connected to the movable housing (9), locking means carried by the fixed housing (2) arranged to lock the said rod (14) and hence the steering wheel (8) in a predeter­ mined position, resilient means (21) biassing the locking means into their locking condition, and means (20) for disen­ gaging the locking means from their locked condition.

Description: Device for adjusting the inclination of the steering a:hbld4i I machine, Darticularl.y a combine harvester. The present invention relates to steering columns for machines, particularly combine harvesters. The object of the invention is to provide a steering column which allow the inclination of the steering wheel to be adjusted by simple and rapid operations in a safe ana precise manner. The steering column according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises: - a substantially vertical fixed tubular housing, - a lower shaft rotatably mounted in the fixed tubular housing and connected at its lower end to a steering box, - an upper shaft connected at one end by a universal joint to the lower shaft and connected at its other end to the steering wheel, - a movable housing surrounding the upper shaft and articulated to the fixed tubular housing about a horizontal transverse axis coincident with the universal joint, - a positioning rod located within the fixed tubular housing and connected to the movable housing, - locking means carried by the fixed housing and arranged to lock the positioning rod and consequently the steering wheel in a predetermined position, - resilient means biassing the locking means into their locked condition, and - means for disengaging the locking means from their locked condition. Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the appended drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 is a side view in elevation and in section of a steering column according to the invention, and Figures 2 to 4 are sections taken on lines II-II, III-III and IV-IV of Figure 1. In Figure 1 a steering column for a combine harvester is generally indicated 1. This steering column 1 comprises a fixed tubular housing 2 mounted at its lower end on the floor of the driving position (indicated by reference 3). Within the fixed tubular housing 2 is a lower shaft 4 the lower end of which is connected to a steering box 5 and the upper end of which is connected by a universal joint 6 to an upper shaft 7 carrying the steering wheel 8. The upper shaft 7 is located within a movable housing 9 which is articulated to the fixed housing 2 about a horizontal transverse axis 10 coincident with the universal joint 6. With reference to Figure 3, the articulation of the movable housing 9 to the fixed housing 2 is effected by means of two screws 11 which engage the side walls of the housing 9 and the housing 2 as well as two side plates 12 fixed to the movable housing 9 within the latter. With reference to Figure 4, the two plates 12 are connected together by d pin 13 on which the upper end of a positioning rod 14 is articulated, the rod being disposed within the fixed tubular housing 2. With reference to Figures 1, 2 the positioning rod 14 is seated adjacent its lower end in a vertical diametral bore 15 in a bush 16 mounted in a horizontal transverse position on the fixed tubular housing 2. The term "transverse is intended to indicate a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of advance of the vehicle,which is indicated by the arrow A in Figure 1. The bush 16 is internally threaded. The positioning rod 14 is normally clamped within the seat 15 between an adjusting screw 17 screwed into one end of the bush 16 and a threaded shank 18 screwed into the opposite end of the bush 16. The shank 18 has a cranked arm 19 which carries a pedal 20. Reference numeral 21 indicates a spiral spring interposed between the fixed housing 2 and the arm 19 so as to urge the pedal 20 towards a raised position corresponding to the screwed-in condition of the threaded shark 18. In this condition the positioning rod 14 is clÅamped within its seat 15. When it is desired to vary the inclination of the steering wheel 18, it suffices to press the pedal 20 downwardly against the action of the spring 21 so as to cause the unscrewing of the shank 18 and consequently the disengagement. of the latter from the positioning rod 14. This rod ir then free to slide within its seat 15,allowing the operator to adjust the position of the steering wheel as he thinks best by acting directly thereon. Once the desired position has been reached, the operator simply releases the pedal. The spring 21 'hen returns the peda ] to its raised position corresponding to the clamping of the positioning rod and consequently the steering wheel.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Steering volumn for a machine, particularly a combine harvester, characterised in that it comprises - a substantially vertical mixed tubular housing (?), - a lower shaft (4) rotatably mounted in the fixed tubular housing (2) and connected at its lower end to a steering box (5), an upper shaft connected at one end by a universal joint to the lower shaft and connected at its other end to the steering wheel, - a movable housing (9) surrounding the upper shaft (7) and articulated to the fixed tubular housing (2) about a horizontal transverse axis (10) coincident with the universal joint (6), - a positioning rod (14) located within the fixed tubular housing (2) and connected to the movable housing (9) <RTI ID=5.8> locking means (16, 17, 18) carried by the fixed housing (2) and arranged to lock the said rod (14-) and consequently the steering wheel (8) in a predetermined position, - resilient means (21) biassing the locking means into their locked condition, and means (20) for disengaging the locking means from their locked condition. 2. Steering column according to Claim 1, characterised in that the locking means include: an internally threaded bush (16) mounted in a horizontal position in the fixed tubular housing (2) and having a vertical diametral passage IL engageable by thP positioning rod (14), - a screw threaded shank (18) screwed into the bush (16) and arranged to clamp the positioning rod (14) within said bush 3. Steering column according to Claim 2, characterised in that the means for disengaging the locking means are constituted by a pedal (20) connected to the screw threaded shank (18)and in that the resilient means bias the pedal (20) into a raised position corresponding to the engagement of the threaded shank (18) against the positioning' rod (14). 4. Steering column according to Claim 3, characterised in that the threaded shank (18) has an arm (19) which defines the said pedal (20). 5. Steering column according tc Claim 3, characterised in that the resilient means are constituted by a spiral spring (21) interposed between the fixed tubular housing (2) and the said pedal. 6. Steering column according to Claim 3, characterised in that the part of the positioning rod (14) which engages the bush (16) is clamp between the said threaded shank (18) and an adjustable screw (17).

Inventors: RAINERI, GIUSEPPE
Applicants: PIETRO LAVERDA S.P.A.
Application year: 1984
Main classification: B62D1
IPC codes: B62D1