Wheel assembly having a mechanism to adjust the distance between the

Abstract

A vehicle having a pair of front wheels coupled to a wheel assembly is provided. The wheel assembly includes a wheel-spacing mechanism, a pair of spaced-apart spindle assemblies, and a steering mechanism. The wheel-spacing mechanism includes a center axle tube, a pair of axle arms coupled to the center axle tube for axial telescoping movement relative to the center axle tube, and means for extending and retracting the axle arms relative to the center axle tube. Each of the pair of spaced-apart spindle assemblies includes a spindle shaft coupled to the respective axle arm for pivoting movement about a substantially vertical axis. Each wheel is coupled to the respective spindle shaft for rotation about a substantially horizontal wheel axis. The steering mechanism includes a pair of telescoping drive shafts and means for rotating each telescoping drive shaft about a horizontal pivot axis. Each of the telescoping drive shafts includes a first end coupled to the rotating means and a second end coupled to the respective spindle shaft. The second ends of the telescoping drive shafts move axially relative to the first ends as the axle arms are moved relative to the center axle tube. Rotation of the telescoping drive shafts about the horizontal pivot axis pivots the spindle shafts about the respective vertical pivot axes to turn the front wheels in unison.