TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, which is configured to be provided in at least one of a first position corresponding to a first driving position in the vehicle, and a second position corresponding to a second driving position in the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Vehicles such as tractor or other similar vehicles are primarily used in agricultural field operations. Steering system of a vehicle is used to control a directional change in the movement of the vehicle and maintain 10 the vehicle in a position as per the decision of a driver driving the vehicle. Providing a steering control arrangement for a vehicle having multiple driving positions is difficult and is one of the challenges posed to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM).
[003] Therefore, there exists a need for a steering control 15 arrangement for a vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawback.
OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, which is configured to be provided in at least one of a first position corresponding to a first driving 20 position in the vehicle, and a second position corresponding to a second driving position in the vehicle.
[005] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be 25 understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of
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illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 5
[006] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which: 10
[007] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, where the steering control arrangement is in a first position corresponding to a first driving position in the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[008] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the steering control 15 arrangement in a second position corresponding to a second driving position in the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[009] Fig. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the steering control arrangement, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed 20 herein; and
[0010] Fig. 4 depicts another cross-sectional view of the steering control arrangement, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-5 known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples 10 should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0012] The embodiments herein achieve a steering control arrangement for a vehicle, which is configured to be provided in at least one of a first position corresponding to a first driving position in the vehicle, and a second position corresponding to a second driving position in the 15 vehicle. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 through 4, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0013] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a steering control arrangement 600S for a vehicle, where the steering control arrangement 20 600S is in a first position corresponding to a first driving position in the vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the steering control arrangement 600S is configured to be provided in at least one of a first position corresponding to a first driving position in the vehicle (as shown in fig. 1), and a second position 25 corresponding to a second driving position in the vehicle (as shown in fig. 2). In an embodiment, the steering control arrangement 600S (as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 4) includes a steering control assembly 600H (as shown in fig.
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1 to 4), a steering control support member 600B (as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 4), a locking element 600L (as shown in fig. 3 and fig. 4) and a stopper element 600T (as shown in fig. 3 and fig. 4). The steering control assembly 600H is adapted to be movably connected to the steering control support member 600B and movable between a first position corresponding to the 5 first driving position, and a second position corresponding to the second driving position. In an embodiment, the steering control assembly 600H includes a steering control means 600Hm, a shaft 600Hs and a clamp 600Hc. In an embodiment, the steering control assembly 600H is moved to a predefined angle in a predefined direction about a vertical axis 600Hx (as 10 shown in fig. 3) of the shaft 600Hb to position the steering control assembly 600H to the second position. The steering control arrangement 600S is connected to a steering shaft 602 (as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the steering control arrangement 600S is explained herein below with reference to be provided 15 in an agricultural vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to implement/practice the steering control arrangement 600S in an off-road vehicle, any other type of vehicle, a machine, tiller machine and an agricultural machine without otherwise deterring the intended function of the steering control arrangement 600S as can be deduced from the 20 description and corresponding drawings.
[0014] The first position of the steering control arrangement 600S is defined as “ a plurality of arms 600Ha (as shown in fig. 1) of the steering control means 600Hm are positioned towards an operator seat S (as shown in fig. 1) which is at a first seating position Sf corresponding to the first 25 driving position”, where the operator engages the arms 600Ha of the steering control means 600Hm to steer the vehicle from the first driving position. The first driving position in the vehicle is defined as “operator
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operates and drives the vehicle from the first seating position Sf (as shown in fig. 1) which is at a rear-end of the vehicle”.
[0015] The second position of the steering control arrangement 600S is defined as “the plurality of arms 600Ha (as shown in fig. 2) of the steering control means 600Hm are positioned towards the operator’s seat S 5 (as shown in fig. 2) which is at a second seating position Sr corresponding to the second driving position”, where the operator engages the arms 600Ha of the steering control means 600Hm to steer the vehicle from the second driving position. The second driving position in the vehicle is defined as “operator operates and drives the vehicle from the second seating position 10 Sr (as shown in fig. 2) which is at a front end of the vehicle and immediately onto a front bumper assembly of the vehicle”, where the second seating position Sr is opposite to the first seating position Sf.
[0016] The steering control means 600Hm of the steering control assembly 600H is engaged by the operator to control a directional change in 15 the movement of the vehicle and maintain the vehicle in a position as per the decision of the operator driving the vehicle. In an embodiment, the steering control means 600Hm of the steering control assembly 600H is movably connected to the steering control support member 600B and movable between at least one of the first position corresponding to the first 20 driving position in which the arms 600Ha of the steering control means 600Hm are positioned towards the operator’s seat S which is at the first seating position Sf (as shown in fig. 1), and the second position corresponding to the second driving position in which the arms 600Ha of the steering control means 600Hm are positioned towards the operator seat 25 S which is at the second seating position Sr (as shown in fig. 2). The steering control means 600Hm is at least a steering handle 600H. The steering control means 600Hm of the steering control assembly 600H is movably connected to the steering control support member 600B. The
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steering control means 600Hm is connected to the steering shaft 602 through the steering control support member 600B. The steering control means 600H includes a pair of arms 600Ha (as shown in fig. 1 to fig. 4) and an intermediate cross portion 600Hi (as shown in fig. 4). Each arm 600Ha of the steering control means 600Hm is connected to corresponding end of 5 the intermediate cross portion 600Hi of the steering control means 600Hm, and extends in a direction towards the operator’s seat S. The intermediate cross portion 600Hi of the steering control means 600Hm is between the arms 600Ha of the steering control means 600Hm. In one embodiment, the steering control means 600Hm is connected to the shaft 600Hs through 10 the clamp 600Hc. In another embodiment, the steering control means 600Hm is directly connected to the shaft 600Hs. It is also within the scope of the invention to connect the steering control means 600Hm to the shaft 600Hs through any other means. Further, it is within the scope of the invention to provide the steering control means 600Hm in any other shape 15 and size without otherwise deterring the intended function of the steering control means 600Hm as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0017] The shaft 600Hs of the steering control assembly 600H is used to movably connect the steering control means 600Hm to the steering 20 control support member 600B at at least one of the first position and the second position. The shaft 600Hs is connected to the steering control means 600Hm through the clamp 600Hc. The shaft 600Hs extends in a downward direction. The clamp 600Hc of the steering control assembly 600H is used to secure the steering control means 600Hm to the shaft 25 600Hs of the steering control assembly 600H.
[0018] The steering control support member 600B is used for supporting the steering control assembly 600H and to connect the steering control assembly 600H to the steering shaft 602 (as shown in fig. 1 to fig.
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4). The steering control support member 600B is connected the steering shaft 602 and the steering control assembly 600H. The steering control support member 600B is also called as handle holding bracket. The steering control support member 600B includes a first portion 600Bf (as shown in fig. 3), a second portion 600Bs (as shown in fig. 3) and an 5 intermediate portion 600Bi (as shown in fig. 3). The first portion 600Bf of the steering control support member 600B is connected to a top end of the steering shaft 602. The second portion 600Bs of the steering control support member 600B is opposite to the first portion 600Bf of the steering control support member 600B. The second portion 600Bs of the steering 10 control support member 600B is used for supporting the steering control assembly 600H. The intermediate portion 600Bi of the steering control support member 600B is between the first portion 600Bf and the second portion 600Bs of the steering control support member 600B.
[0019] The locking element 600L is used to lock the steering control 15 assembly 600H to the steering control support member 600B. The locking element 600L is at least a locking pin. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other locking arrangement for locking the steering control assembly 600H with the steering control support member 600B. The stopper element 600T is used to restrict a movement of the steering 20 control assembly 600H when the steering control assembly 600H is moved beyond a predefined angle (considered to be at least 180 degree). The stopper element 600T is at least a stopper pin. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide any other stopper arrangement for restricting a movement of the steering control assembly 600H. 25
[0020] When there is a requirement to operate the vehicle from the second driving position, the position of the steering control assembly 600H is changed from the first position to the second position in which the operator removes the stopper element 600T and the locking element 600L
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to unlock the steering control means 600Hm from the steering control support member 600B, and thereafter, the operator moves (rotates) the shaft 600Hs of the steering control assembly 600H to a predefined angle (180 degrees) in a predefined direction about the vertical axis 600Hx to position the steering control assembly 600H to the second position (as shown in fig. 5 2). Thereafter, the operator inserts (fits) the stopper element 600T and the locking element 600L with the steering control assembly 600H and the steering control support member 600B to maintain the steering control assembly 600H in the second position.
[0021] Therefore, a steering control arrangement 600S for a vehicle 10 having a plurality of driving positions is provided.
[0022] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic 15 concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described 20 in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A steering control arrangement 600S comprising:
a steering control assembly 600H; and
a steering control support member 600B adapted to be connected to a steering shaft 602 and said steering control assembly 600H,
wherein
said steering control assembly 600H is adapted to be movably connected to said steering control support member 600B and movable between a first position corresponding to a first driving position, and a second position corresponding to a second driving position.
2. The arrangement 600S as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steering control assembly 600H comprises,
a steering control means 600Hm;
a shaft 600Hs; and
a clamp 600Hc adapted to secure said steering control means 600Hm to said shaft 600Hs.
3. The arrangement 600S as claimed in claim 2, wherein said steering control means 600Hm includes,
a pair of arms 600Ha,
wherein
the arms 600Ha are positioned towards an operator’s seat S which is at a first seating position Sf corresponding to the first driving position in a vehicle; and
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the arms 600Ha are positioned towards an operator’s seat S which is at a second seating position Sr corresponding to the second driving position in the vehicle.
4. The arrangement 600S as claimed in claim 3, wherein said steering control means 600Hm is at least a steering handle,
wherein the first seating position Sf is opposite to the second seating position Sr.
5. The arrangement 600S as claimed in claim 4, wherein said steering control assembly 600H is moved to a predefined angle in a predefined direction about a vertical axis 600Hx of the shaft 600Hb to position said steering control assembly 600H to the second position.
6. The arrangement 600S as claimed in claim 5 comprises a locking element 600L adapted to lock said steering control assembly 600H to said steering control support member 600B.
7. The arrangement 600S as claimed in claim 6 comprises a stopper element 600T adapted to restrict a movement of said steering control assembly 600H when said steering control assembly 600H is moved beyond a predefined angle.
8. The arrangement 600S as claimed in claim 7 is configured to be provided in at least one of a vehicle, a machine, a tiller machine and an agricultural machine.