2,400,239 nient traverses uneven ground, is possible with2. A power steering device for a tractor and out interfering with the drive mechiiiism for the traner combinatioii, comprising a pair of memP6,ke@ ste@riiig de'vi 6e., ' With the described strue- bers mounted together for relative rotation about ture stich relatiV6 oteral tilti between the trac- an upstanding axis, means rigidly connecting one . I i, - rig tor @nd together with operation of the memberwith the trailer, means c6nnectirig.the dr'i'v-ing mechanism tok-the steering device, can other member with the iractor in laterally tilt0ccilii r6g@idless of the steeking angle b6tween the able but tractor-steering relation, and tractor tractoi'and trililer'. engine actuated driving mechanism connected A@;ljower Winch is motinted on the power steerbetween said members operative tG cause relaing device in the following manner: tive and reversible rotation therebetween regard10 The top. 36 of the housing 20 su-pports, ahead of less of the lateral tilt of the tractor relative to the clutches 48 and 49, a power winch, indicated the trailer; said last named connecting means goiierally at 54, which includes a pair of upstandincluding a rocking member journaled on the ing cable drums 5,5 ancl 56. Said power winch tractor lengthwise thereof, and said driving 54 is driven from the upper end of constantly 15 niechanism Including I a drive sbaft extending rotating shaft 32 by means of a pinion 57 flxed axially in said rocking iiiember. on said shaft above the top 36 and. withiri the -3. A power steering device for a tractor and base 58 of said power winch. The pinion - 57 trailer combination, comprising a pair of memdrives a gear assembly, one gear of which is bers mounted together for relative rotation about shown at 59, and from which gear assembly the 20 an upstanding axis, means. rigidly connecting one drums 55 and 56 are arranged to be selectively member with the trailer, means connecting the driven. The drums 55 and 56 are normally other member with the tractor in laterally tiltbrake-locked and are adapted tobe released @tnd able but tractor-steering relation, and tractor engaged in driven relation with the gear as- engine actuated drivirig mechanism connected sembly by manually contro,lled means (nOt 25 between said members operative to cause relat shown). The detailed structure of the power and reversible rotation therebetween regardles@ "VInch, its drive and controls form no. part, of the @of the lateral tilt of the tractor relative to the pre@ent invention, although the embo diment, trailer; said driving mechanism including a drive broadly, of a power winch, in combination with shaft iib6iit the axis of which said other member a power steering device of the type described, - is 30 pivots upon lateral tilting thereof, another shaft claimed as a feature of th ' stant invention. joumaled In said other member at a right anglee in The advantage of a power winch so mounted is as to said drive shaft, and meshing bevel gears fixed follows: on adjacent'portions of said shafts. The trailing implement of a vehicle such as 4. A power steering devlce for a tractor and here shown frequently includes cable a ctuated 35 trailer combine@tion, comprising a psir of inemparts, and in the present embodime,nt'the earth- - bers mouiited together for relative rotation about carrying dumpinig wagon includes a -pair of cables 60, one of which advances the'body of the trailer, and the other of which retracts said bod y. Witli the Power winch 54 mounted as a unitary part Of the steering device, and on the housing 20 in fixed relation to the draft tongue 8 and the trailtir, the result @is that th6 @abl6s 60 are always in line, regardless of the steering angle or relative tilt of the tractor, which eliminates the need of fairlead sheaves, as conventionally used when the Power winch is mounted on' and movable with the tractor. E'rom the foregoing description it will b@, readily seen that there ha;s been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein. While this speciflcation sets forth in. detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice suci-i deviations from such detail may be resorted t6 as do not form iL departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful and upon wbich Yetters Patent, is desire.d: , 1. A power ste.ering device for s@ tractor and trailercombination, comprising a oair of meinbers mounted together for relative rotation iabout an upstanding axis, meilns rigidly connecting one member with the trailer, means connecting the other member with the tractor in laterally tiltable but t ractor-steering relation, and tractor engine actuated driving mechanism connected between said members operative to cause relative and reversible rotation therebetween regardless of the lateral. tilt of the tractor relative to the trailer; said driving mechanism Including a drive shaft about the axis of which said other member P!Vots upon lateral tilting thereof. an upstanding axis, means rigidly connecting one member with the trailer, means connecting the other member with the tractor in laterally tilt40 able but tractor-steering relation, -and tractor engine actuated driving mechanism connected between said members operative to cause relative and reversible rotation therebetween regardless of the lateral tilt of the tractor relative to the 45 - trailer; said last named connecting. means including a rocking member journaled on the tractor lengthwise thereof, and said driving mechanism including'a drive shaft joumaled axially in said rocking member, and means driving said 50 shaft. I 5. A device as in claim 4 in which the shaft projects beyond one end of the rocking member;. the driving means connecting with the projecting portion bf the shaft. 55 6. A power steering device for a tractor and tmiler combination, compriting an upstanding king pin, a rocking member joumaled lengthwise on the tractor adjacent the rear thereof, the king pin being rigidly mounted on the rocking member 60 for lateral tilting movement about the axis of the latter, a housing structure mounted on the king Pin In relatively rotatable relation, means connecting the bousing structtire and trailer in rigid relation,. and tractor ingine actuated driving s5 mechanism connected in part between the housIng structure and king pin operative to cause relative and reversible rotation therebetween; said inecliwsm Including a drive shaft about which the rocking member Is rotatable a's an To axis. 7. A power steering device for a tractor and trailer combination, com@rising an upstanding king Pin, a Tocking member journaled lengthwise on the tractor adjacent the rear thereof, the TO king pin being rigidly mounted on the rocking

4 2,400,289 member for lateral tllting movement about the. axis of the latter, a housing structure, mounted on the king pin in relatively rotatable relation, means connecting the housing structure and trailer in rigid relation, and tractor engine actu5 ated driving mechanisni connected in part between the housing structure and king pin operative to cause relative and reversible rotation therebetween; said mechanism Including a drive shaft about which the rocking member is rotat- 10 able as an axis, another shaft extending in turnable r I elation axially through the king pin, meshing bevel gears on adjacent ends of sald shafts, and driving connections actuated by said other shaft connected between the housing structure 15 and the king pin. 8. A power steering device for a tractor and trailer- combiriation, comprising an upstanding king pin, a rocking member journaled lengthwise on the tractor adjacent the rear thereof, the king 20 pin being rigidly mounted on the rocking member - for lateral tilting movement about the axis of the latter, a housing structure mounted on the king pin in relatively rotatable relation, means connecting the housing structure and trailer in rigid 25 relation, and tractor engine actuated driving mechanism connected in part between the housing structure and king pin operative to cause relative and reversible rotation therebetween; said r@iechanism including a drive shaft about 30 which the rockingmember is rotatable as an axis, another shaft extending in turnable relation axialls@ through the king pin, meshing bevel gears on adjacent ends of said shafts, a gear flxed coricentrically in connection with the king pin, a pin- 35 ion journaled on the housing structure and fiieshing with said gear, and drive connections arrariged to reversibly drive the pinion from said other shaft. 9. A power steering device for a tractor and 40 trailer combination, comprising an upstanding king pin, a rocking member journaled lengthwise on the tractor adjacent the rear thereof, the king p@n being rigidly mounted on the iocking member for lateral tilting movement about 45 the axis of the latter, a housing structure mounted on the king pin in relatively rotatable relation, means connecting the housing structure and trailer in rigid relation, and tractor engine actuated driving mechanism connected In part be- 50 tween the housing structure and king pin operative to cause relative and reversible rotation therebetween; said mechanism including a drive shaft about which the rocking member is rotatable as an axis, another shaft extending in turn- 55 able relation axiauy through the king pin, meshing bevel gears on adjacent ends iDt sald shafts, a gear fixed concentricaby in connection with the king pin, a pinion journaled on the housing structure and meshing with said gear, a t shaft journaled in the housing structure, the 14nion being flxed on said third shaft and the latter being paxauel to said other shaft, a master gear on said third shaft@ pinions meshing with said master gear, and means to selectively and reversibly drive said pinions from said other shaft. 10. A device as In claim 9 in which said last named means comprises a pair of meshing gears,. each corresponding to one of said pinions, a clutch between eELch pinion and the corresponding one of said pair of meshing gears, and a separate gear on said other sbaft meshing with one gear of said pair. 11. A device as in claim 9 in which said last named means comprises a pair of meshing gears, each corresponding to one of said pinions, a clutch between each pinion and the corresponding one of said pair of meshing gears, and a separate gear on said other shaft meshing with one gear of said pair; the clutches being normally disengaged, and normally engaged but releasable brake means arranged in holding relation to said master gear. 12. A coupling and power steering assembly between a tractor and trailer comprising an upstanding tubular king pin, a longitudinally extending rocking member joumaled on the tractor at the rear' the king pin upstanding rigidly from the - rocking member for lateral tilting movement about the axis of said member, a structure niounted on and relatively tumable about the king pin, a draft element connecting said structure and the trailer in rigid relation, and tractor engine actuated driving mechanism connected In part between the king pin and structure operative to effect relative rotatioii therebetween and resultant steering of the tractor regardless of the relative l.ateral tilt between the latter and said king pin; said mechanism including a driven shaft extending axially into said rocking member from one end thereof, another shaft,joumaled axially in the king pin, meshing gears between. adjacent ends of the shafts, and Inanually controlled driving conn6etions actuated by said other shaft and connected between said structure and the king pin to relatively rotate the same, reversibly and selectively. R013ERT G. LE TOURNEAU. RICHARD I, AICERS;

Patented May 149 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE 2,400,239 POWER STEERING BMCHANISM FOR VEHICLES Robert G. Le Toumeau and Richard L. Akers, Peoria, ID., assignors to B. G. Le Tourneau, ]Inc., Stockton, CaHf., a corporation of CaUfornia APPUcation December 30, 1944, Serial No. 570,530 12 Cla1mg. (Cl. 180-79.4) This Invention relates to an improved power ber from one end thereof, another shaft journaled steering device for a"vehicle combination comprising a tractor coupled by a draft unit to a trailer, and in particular the pre@ent invention is directed to, and it is an object to provide a 5 novel power steering device incorporated in the draft unit and operative to cause pogitive steering of said tractor relative to the trailer. A further object of this inve'ntion Is to provide a power steering device' for a vehicle com- 10 bination as above, comprising, as a coupling and steering ass@embly, a pair of m6mbers mgunted together for relative rotation about an upstandIng axis, means mounting one member on the tractor adjacent the fear thereof in laterally tilt- 15 able but tractolr-steering relation, means securing the other member in rigid, draft relation to the trailer, aild novel tractor engine actuated driving mechanism connected between said members operative to effect relative rotatign thereof 20 tind resultant steering of the tractor iegardless of the relative lateral tilt between the latter . and said one member. Another object of ti@is invention. is tc> provide a power steering device. as In the preceding - li4ra- 25 graph, In which the driving mechanism includes a driven shaft extend lengthwise of the tractor and Journaled in connection with the mounting means for said one member, relative tilting of the latter being about the shaft as an axis, an- 30 other shaft mounted in connection.with said one member in par&Uel relation thereto, meshing gears between adjacent ends of the shafts, and manually controlled driving connections actuated bY said other shaft and connected between said 35 members to relatively rotate the iame, reversibly and selectively. A still further object of the Invention is to provide a coupung and power steering assembly between a. tractor and trafler comprising an up-. 40 standing tubular king pin, a longitudinally extending rocking member Joumaled on the tractor at the rear, the king pin upstanding rigidly from the rocking member for lateral tilting movement about the axisof the rocking member, a - struc- 45 ture mounted on and relatively tumable about the king Pin, a dmft element connecting said structure and the trafler in rigid relation, and tractor engine actuated driving mechanism connected between the king pin and structure operative 50 to effect relative rotation the,rebetween and resultant steering of the tmetor regardless of the relative lateral tilt between the latter and said king pin; said mechanism including a driven shaft extending axially, into said rocking mem- 55 axially,in the king pin, meshing gears between adjacent e4ds of the shafts, and manually controlled driving connections actuated by said other shait and connected between said structiire and the king Pin to relatively rotate the same, reversibly- and selectively. It is also an object of this invention to provide, in combin9,tion with -a coupling and power steering assembly which co4nects a tractor and trailer in po'wer steerable but independently lateral tiltable relation; a power winch mounted on said assembly in unitary relation, the assembly including a draft element projecting forwardly from the trailer In noriiially rigid relation, and the powet winch being flxed relative to'said draft element whereby operating cables from the power winch may. lead reamardly to cableactuate the trailer wbile remaining in c'onstant relation thereto;regardless of the steering angle or'lateral tilt of the tracto.r. An additional object is to provide a coupling and power steering assembly, together with a, unitary power winch, mounted as in'the preceding pare@graph, wherein both the power steering means and the power winch are driven from the tractor engine through. the medium of drive connections arranged to function regardless of the relative lateral tilt between the tractor and said asiembly. A further object of the invention is. to'produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be ekceedingly effective for the pur I pose for which it is designed. These objects, are accomplished by means of such structuie and relative arrangement of I)arts a@ will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims. In the dr-awings similar characters of reference Indicate corresponding parts in the several views: Mgure 1 is a side elevation of the invention as embodied in a tractor and trailer combina-. tion. p@gure 2 is an enlarge'd longitudinal sectional elevation of the power steering device. Mgure 3 is a top, plan view of said device, with the cover plate removed. I Plgure 4 is a rear end view of th6 power steering device, detached from the trailer draft tongue. Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference. on the drawings, the device Is here shown as embodied In a vehicle combinatioxi which Includes a, tractoi, Indicated generally at 1, of the "Totiriiapull" type, such ti,actor in-

eluding transversely spaced ground)-engaging ,drive wheels 2-supported by a transmission case 3 disposed therebetween, said case 3 being formed at the rear portion thereof with an upwardly facing deck 4. Ahead of the deck 4 the tractor includes an operator's seat 5 enclosed in a colb 8. The power steering device is indicated generally at 7,'being connected between ihe deck 4 of the tractor I and the froiit end of a rigid draft tongue 8 which projects forwardly in fixed relation from a trailer indicated generauy at S. Although the trailer is here shown'as an earth carrying dump wagon including transversely spaced rear wheels 10, obviously other types of tr-ailers may be used with the steering device which is the subject of the present invezition, and which steering device comprises the following structural arrangement. A rocking member I I Is disposed above the deck 4 of the tractor I and ext@nds lengthwisi@ of the latter in a generally horizontal plane; said rocking member being formed at opposite ends with trunnions 12 carried in bearings 13,mounted In connection with and @supported by brackets 14 wmeh are fixed to and 'upstand from the deck 4The rocking member I I is formed, in the present embodiment, as a hollow case, the top 15 of which is circular and faces upw@rdly. A heavy-duty tubular king pin 16 is mounted on and upstands in rigid relation from the rocking member I I centrally of the same, and said king pin relatively rotatably supports a heavyduty sleeve ' 17 by means of top and bottom bearings, indicated at I 8 and IS, respectively. . The sleeve 17 Is formed In unitary relation with a housing, indicated generau@ at 20, which normally projects mainly to the rear of the king pin 16; said housing indluding a rearwardly facing back waR 21 to wmeh the forward end of the draft tongue 8 is detachably connected by means of an attachment plate 22 held in place by cap screws 23. An external ring gear 24 surrounds the l(iwer end portion of the sleeve 17 in concentric relation and is fixedly secured to the top 15 of the roci@ng member I I by means of cal) screws 25; said gear thus-@eing arranged In fixed connection with the rockinik member I I and the king pin 16. By reasori of the above described arrangement, the tractor Is connected in Oaft relation to the trailer, and said tractor Is steerable relative t o said trailer rege@rdles@s of the relative lateral tilt ' the.rebetween as the vehicle combination tmveises uneven ground; the relative steering being possible through, the medium of the relatively turnable Icing pin I 6 and sleeve 17, while the relative lateral tilting between the tfactor and trailer is accomplished through. the use, of t.he rockirig member I I mounted as described. Power steering of the tractor relative to the trailer is effected by means of the fouowing tractor engine actuated driving mechanism: One_.of the trunnions 12 is tubular and a shaft 26 projects from a bearing unit 27 upstanding from the deck outwardly of sa;d trunnion, through the latter, and through a bearing 28 supPorted in the hollow rocking niember I 1. The shaft 26 is driven, adjacent Its outer end, from a tractor -engine actuated shaft (not 'shown) which is disposed within the transmission case 3, by means of an endless drive, indicated generally at 29. TWs is a. constant drive. At its inner end the shaft 26 is fitted with a bevel pinion 30 which meshes-with a downwardly 2,400,230 upstanding shaft 32 journaled axially within the king pin I$ by means of top and bottom bearings 33 and 34, respectively. At its upper end the shaft 32 ProJects through a bearing 35 In the top 38 of the housing 20; the shaft projecting above such top for driving- engagement wlth a power winch,, as will hereinafter appear in detiiil. I 7be'upper end of the king pin 16 terminates below the top 36 of housing 20 and therebetween 10 the shaft 32 is fitted with a gear 37. The gear 37 meshes with one of a pair of meshing gears, indicated at 38 and 39, respectively, joumaled in the housing 20 gen6rally to the rear of the king pin and sleeve assembly. The shafts 40 a@id 41 15 which carry the gears 38 and 39, and to which said gears are fixed, also carry, but in relatively rotatable rielation, pinions 42 and 43. respectively; said pinions both meshing with a master gear 44 likewise disposed in the housing 20 and fixed 20 on an upstanding shaft 45 joumaled in top and bottom bearings 46 and 47. The pinions 42 and 43 are adapted to be connected selectively In driven relation to the shafts 40 and 41 by means of fluid, pressure actuated 25 clutches 48 and 40 corresponding to said pinions; said clutches being disposed above but supported by the top 36 of housing 20. Said clutches are normaby disengaged, and are adapted to be engaged upon introduction of fluid pressure con30 duits, indicated diagrammatically at 50, leading to the clutches for this purpose. Fluid pressure is selectively introduc6d to or relieved from the conduits 50 tliiough the.medium of a fluid pressure system on the tractor which includes a man35 ually controlled valve (iiot shown) which Is disposed adjacent the operator's seat S. A brake unit, Indicated generany at 51, is associated with one of the clutch units so as to normally maintain the corresponding pinion 42 locked against 40 rotation, which In tum-by reason of the described gearing assemblynonnally prevents roItation of the master gear 44 and the shaft 45. 7be brake unit 51 is releasable, b@ any suitable means, simultaneously with engagemeht 6f either 45 clutch 48 or 49. 'At Its lower end the shaft 45 is fltted with a pinion 52 which runs in. constant- mesh with the gear 24; said pinion and geai being enclosed in protective relation in an annular sub-housing 53 50@ which depends from the main housing 20. In op6ratiGn, the above described driving mech-aniarn, functions to cause steering of the tractor relative to the trauer in one direction or the other upon engagement of the clutch 48 or the 55 clutch 41. It will be seen that as the shafts 26 and 32 are constantly rotating In one direction, the gear 37, taiether with the gears 38 and 39, are likewise ronstantly driven, but said latter gears turn in o ite directions, as is obvious., . PPOS 60 Thus, the clutches 48 and 49 provide means whereby the pinions 42 and 43 may be driven iii reverse relation to each other selectively to provide a reversible drive for the g'ear 44 and shaft 45. Such reversible drlve of the shaft 45 as lm65 Parted bY the piwon 52 to the gear 24 produces relotive rotation, in one direction or the other, of the king -pin 16 and -the housing 20 which ineludes sleeve 17. With such relative rotation I , the leverage of the trauer Is such that the king 70 pin 16 turns within the sleeve i7, producing a steering effect ori the tractor through the medium of the.rocking,member I 1. As the shaft 26 enters the rocking member I I axtauy, tilting of the king pin 16 laterally, upon relative lateral iiltfacing bevel gear 31 fixed on the lowe r end of an 75.ing between the tractor and trailer as the imple.