A steering mechanism for steering at least two wheels in a parallel manner throughout their arcs of rotation by removing Ackerman and other steering geometries so that the wheels may remain parallel. The steering mechanism includes a central linkage for modifying the arcs of rotation of the wheels. The steering mechanism is controlled by an actuator system that also operates a restriction device to ensure safe operation. The steering mechanism and the actuator system may be included in vehicles such as a bi-directional towed snowplow.

A riding lawn care vehicle may include a frame and a steering assembly. Wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle may be attachable to the frame. The steering assembly may include a steering wheel operably coupled to rear wheels of the riding lawn care vehicle via a cable system. The cable system may include a first cable portion, a second cable portion and a pulley assembly. The first and second cable portions may each contact a steering column pulley at respective first ends of the first and second cable portions. The steering column pulley may be configured to pull a corresponding one of the first cable portion or the second cable portion based on a direction of rotation of the steering wheel. The first and second cable portions may each be in operable communication with a steering disc at respective second ends of the first and second cable portions. The steering disc may provide translation of movement of the first cable portion and the second cable portion into corresponding movement of the rear wheels. The pulley assembly may be configured such that each pulley of the pulley assembly handles both the first cable portion and the second cable portion as the first cable portion and the second cable portion are conveyed from the steering column pulley to the steering disc to translate motion of the steering column pulley to the steering disc.

The damper device includes the shaft, the large diameter portion housing and the impact absorbing member. When the large diameter portion does not apply an impact force on the flange portion, the elastic body is disposed at one of the inner peripheral surface of the housing and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion having a gap and when the large diameter portion applies the impact force on the flange portion, the elastic body is deformed in an axial direction to be deformed and is brought into contact with all of the inner peripheral surface of the housing, the restricting surface, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion and the flange portion. The impact receiving member is restricted from a relative movement relative to the housing by the deformed elastic body and the impact receiving member keeps a non-contact state with the housing.

In the damper device, when the large diameter portion does not apply an impact force on the flange portion, the elastic body is disposed in one of the housing and the cylindrical portion with a gap and when the large diameter portion applies the impact force on the flange portion, the elastic body is compressed by the restricting surface and the flange portion in an axial direction to be deformed into a state that the elastic body is brought into contact with all of the housing, the restricting surface, the cylindrical portion and the flange portion to be filled in the gap. The impact receiving member is restricted from a movement relative to the housing by the deformed elastic body when the end portion of the cylindrical portion is advanced into the relief portion and the impact receiving member keeps a non-contact state with the housing.

A steering system includes a steering control, a steering assist assembly, and two anti-rotation arms. The steering assist assembly includes a housing includes two hollow cylinders formed therein. A piston is slidably arranged within the first cylinder and an axial rod is slidably arranged within the second cylinder. First and second tie rods are connected to first and second axial ends of the axial rod. A shaft operably connected to the steering control is configured to engage with the axial rod such that rotation of the shaft causes axial movement of the axial rod. The axial movement of the axial rod causes axial movement of the first and second tie rods so as to turn the wheels of the vehicle. The anti-rotation arms are operably connected to the piston and to the axial rod and are configured to prevent rotation of the piston and the axial rod.

A steering assembly basically includes a steering gearbox, a bracket, a rotational motion restriction structure, and a translational motion restriction structure. The steering gearbox includes a housing and a steering rack. The steering rack has a first rack end and a second rack end. The bracket is coupled to the first rack end. The bracket includes a first tie rod connection located axially inward of the first rack end and the second rack end with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the steering rack. The rotational motion restriction structure is configured to restrict rotational movement of the bracket relative to the longitudinal center axis of the steering rack. The translational motion restriction structure is configured to limit translational movement of the steering rack along the longitudinal center axis of the steering rack. The rotational motion restriction structure and the translational motion restriction structure are located at different locations.

The chassis system may include a frame of the vehicle forming a base for the vehicle, an axle operably coupled to the frame, the axle having a first portion with a first diameter and a second portion with a second diameter, an electric motor operably coupled to the axle to propel the vehicle, one or more wheel assemblies operably coupled to the axle, and a track bar may be operably coupled to the axle via a first end and operably coupled to the frame via a second end. The second end may be linearly displaced from the first end along a reference line, and the track bar may include a hook portion defining an offset from the reference line, the offset extending away from the axle. The hook portion may extend around a transition between the first portion and the second portion of the axle.

A steering rack support assembly with a support shaft and a sleeve. The support shaft has a first end, a second end, and at least two mounting members. The cross section of the support shaft may be substantially the same along the length of the support shaft. A first of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the first end of the support shaft, while a second of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the second end. Each of the at least two mounting members may be configured to couple to the frame of the vehicle. The sleeve is disposed around an outer surface of the support shaft and is slidably coupled to the support shaft. A bracket affixed to the sleeve may be configured to couple to a rack and pinion assembly, a first tie rod, and a second tie rod.

A front axle assembly includes an axle and a steering assembly. The steering assembly includes a pair of wheel hubs coupled to opposing ends of the axle, a steering gear mechanism configured to be positioned between (a) a first vertical plane defined by a first frame rail of the vehicle and (b) a second vertical plane defined by a second frame rail of the vehicle, and a linkage assembly coupling the steering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubs to facilitate steering the pair of wheel hubs through actuation of the steering gear mechanism. Components of linkage assembly do not extend through the first frame rail or the second frame rail.

A chassis for a vehicle includes a frame assembly, an axle coupled to the frame assembly, and a steering assembly. The steering assembly includes a pair of wheel hubs coupled to opposing ends of the axle, a steering gear mechanism positioned between frame members of the frame assembly, and a linkage assembly coupling the steering gear mechanism to the pair of wheel hubs to facilitate steering the pair of wheel hubs through actuation of the steering gear mechanism. No components of linkage assembly extend through any frame member of the frame assembly.