Patent ID: 8540281

Claim:
A steering system for allowing an operator to control the direction of travel of a vehicle propelled on wheels, comprising: a steering input device configured to include a first handle and a second handle pivotally coupled on opposing ends of a linkage assembly that is configured to swivel, wherein the handles are configured to move in the fore and aft direction, wherein the steering input device generates input data based on the position of the linkage assembly and/or at least one handle, the linkage assembly including: a first link including a first end pivotally coupled to the first handle and a second end pivotally coupled to the second handle; a second link including a first end pivotally coupled to the first handle and a second end pivotally coupled to the second handle; and a communication device to communicate the input data received by the steering input device to a lower steering system; wherein the lower steering system is configured to receive the input data from the steering input device and control the direction of the wheels based on the input data received.