US 12,409,879 B2
Vehicle steering assembly
Jason Carlson, Lindsborg, KS (US)
Assigned to Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., Salina, KS (US)
Filed by Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., Salina, KS (US)
Filed on Sep. 8, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/463,839.
Application 18/463,839 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/721,544, filed on Apr. 15, 2022, granted, now 11,787,462.
Application 17/721,544 is a continuation of application No. 16/540,520, filed on Aug. 14, 2019, granted, now 11,305,806, issued on Apr. 19, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/718,801, filed on Aug. 14, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0415808 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B62D 1/12 (2006.01); B60K 26/02 (2006.01); B62D 11/00 (2006.01); B62D 11/02 (2006.01); E02F 3/34 (2006.01); E02F 3/42 (2006.01); E02F 3/96 (2006.01); E02F 9/02 (2006.01); E02F 9/20 (2006.01); E02F 9/22 (2006.01); G05G 5/02 (2006.01); G05G 5/04 (2006.01); G05G 5/05 (2006.01); G05G 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 1/12 (2013.01) [B60K 26/02 (2013.01); B62D 11/001 (2013.01); B62D 11/02 (2013.01); E02F 3/422 (2013.01); E02F 9/02 (2013.01); E02F 9/2004 (2013.01); E02F 9/2087 (2013.01); E02F 9/225 (2013.01); E02F 9/2253 (2013.01); G05G 5/02 (2013.01); G05G 5/04 (2013.01); G05G 5/05 (2013.01); G05G 9/00 (2013.01); E02F 3/3414 (2013.01); E02F 3/96 (2013.01); E02F 9/2285 (2013.01); G05G 2505/00 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle steering assembly for controlling movement of a vehicle having independently rotatable left and right ground-engaging traction elements, the vehicle comprising a control panel within reach of an operator of the vehicle, the control panel comprising a panel support structure for supporting one or more control or display mechanisms of the vehicle, the steering assembly comprising:
a T-shaped steering handle extending above the panel support structure, wherein the steering handle comprises an upright shaft and a laterally extending crossmember rigidly coupled to the upright shaft;
a steering controller positioned at least partly below the panel support structure, wherein the upright shaft comprises a base that actuates the steering controller;
a flexible protective cover extending around and attached to the shaft, wherein the flexible protective cover is configured to prevent dust and debris from entering the controller at the base of the shaft,
wherein the steering handle is shiftable relative to the panel support structure in forward and rearward directions to thereby cause corresponding forward and rearward rotation of both of the left and right traction elements,
wherein the steering handle is rotatable relative to the panel support structure in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to thereby cause a change in the relative speeds and directions of rotation of the left and right traction elements, and
an attachment ring for attaching the flexible protective cover to the shaft, wherein the flexible protective cover is stretched around the attachment ring to thereby exert a compressive force on the attachment ring.