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 Title: |
US4709771:
Speed and steering control for a floor maintenance machine
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Basham, Michael T.; Maple Grove, MN
Berdahl, Robert M.; Plymouth, MN
Field, Bruce E.; Minneapolis, MN
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| Assignee: |
Tennant Company, Minneapolis, MN
other patents from TENNANT COMPANY (568170) (approx. 170)
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| Published / Filed: |
1987-12-01
/ 1986-04-21
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| Application Number: |
US1986000853865
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
A47L 11/28;
A47L 11/40;
B60L 15/28;
B62D 51/00;
B62D 51/04;
IPC-7:
B62D 11/04;
B62D 51/04;
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| ECLA Code: |
B62D51/00B; A47L11/28; A47L11/40C; A47L11/40H; A47L11/40J2; A47L11/40L; B62D51/00; B62D51/00B2; B62D51/04; Y02T10/72D;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
180/006.5;
180/019.3;
180/332;
Original:
180/006.5;
180/019.3;
180/332;
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| Field of Search: |
180/6.5,19.3,65.1,65.5,65.8,332
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| Priority Number: |
| 1986-04-21 |
US1986000853865 |
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| Abstract: |
A drive control for a vehicle such as a floor scrubber, a floor sweeper, a pallet truck or the like, operated by a person walking or riding on a sulky behind it, includes first and second drive motors each arranged to drive a vehicle wheel. Manual means are provided whereby an operator by manipulation of a control may determine vehicle speed; forward and reverse direction; and turning right or left. A variable voltage is responsive to the operator's movements for providing an electrical signal representative of the desired speed in either the forward or reverse direction. Other movements by the operator of the control provide turning in the right or left direction. The means for detecting a turning control signal from the operator is effective to reduce the motor drive signal to the motor on the inside of the desired turn, from the level representative of the existing speed toward a no-speed level at a programmed rate. The control further includes a proximity reverse sensing means effective to stop reverse movement of the vehicle upon sensing the presence of an operator closely adjacent the rear of the vehicle and for providing a short burst of forward movement of the vehicle upon such detection. The control further can provide signals to control operative functions of the controlled vehicle which may be affected by speed or direction of the vehicle.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Kinzer, Plyer, Dorn, McEachran & Jambor ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Love, John J.; McGiehan, Donn
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| Maintenance Status: |
E2 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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Family Legal Status Report
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| Designated Country: |
AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE
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| Family: |
Show 17 known family members
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First Claim:
Show all 11 claims |
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A drive control for a vehicle including,
- first and second drive motors, each arranged to drive a vehicle wheel, means responsive to an operator command for providing an electrical signal representative of a desired speed for the vehicle, means for translating the speed signal into drive signals for each motor,
- binary means for detecting an operator turning command, and means for changing one of the motor drive signals in response thereto, selected in accordance with the turning command, from its level representative of the motor speed just prior to the turning command toward a no-speed level at a programmed rate in accordance with a voltage ramp, with the initial point for the ramp being the motor drive signal representative of the motor current just prior to the turning command and the end point of the ramp being a signal representative of no motor current, and wherein said means for changing the motor drive signal includes means for progressively restoring said one of the motor drive signals when the operator turning command is terminated.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 24 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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