The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 22, 1994
Filed:
Jul. 13, 1993
Craig B Kelley, Dunlap, IL (US);
David E Nelson, Peoria, IL (US);
Peter M Nelson, Sandwich, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
The design and manufacture of past steering and transmission shifting control devices utilized an upright and rockable control handle for the steering function and an actuating element in close association with the control handle for effecting a speed change function of a multi-speed transmission. The design of the control handle does not offer a rotatable steering member which is familiar and easy to operate. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a steering wheel for steering a vehicle. A means for changing the speed ratio of the transmission is mounted on a front portion of the steering wheel and extends from a front surface so that the changing means may be conveniently accessed by an operator. A means for selecting either the forward or reverse drive condition of the transmission is mounted on the back portion of the steering wheel and extends from the back surface so that the selecting means may be conveniently accessed by the operator. The use of the steering wheel results in a convenient and simple steering and transmission shifting control device.