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The present invention relates to a steering linkage device which transmits a user's input motion to at least one wheel of a vehicle, wherein the steering linkage device produces an output motion of a particular magnitude. The ratio of the magnitude of the input motion to the magnitude of the output

The present invention relates to a steering linkage device which transmits a user's input motion to at least one wheel of a vehicle, wherein the steering linkage device produces an output motion of a particular magnitude. The ratio of the magnitude of the input motion to the magnitude of the output motion varies, depending upon the magnitude of the input motion. The steering linkage device enhances the steering control of vehicle users by varying the steering responsiveness for different steering motions made by the users.

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1. An apparatus for controlling steering of a vehicle having a frame and at least one drive wheel rotatably connected to the frame, the apparatus comprising:a rotatable steering device adapted to receive input motion of a magnitude; at least one arm having a first end and a second end, the first end

1. An apparatus for controlling steering of a vehicle having a frame and at least one drive wheel rotatably connected to the frame, the apparatus comprising:a rotatable steering device adapted to receive input motion of a magnitude; at least one arm having a first end and a second end, the first end operatively coupled to the rotatable steering device so as to move: (a) forward when the steering device is rotated in one direction; and (b) backward when the steering device is rotated in an opposite direction; at least one cam member having: (a) a first portion pivotally connectable to the arm; (b) a second portion pivotally connectable to the frame of the vehicle; and (c) a slot wall having a plurality of curved portions, each of the curved portions associated with a variable degree of steering responsiveness, the slot wall sized to receive a portion of a follower member, the cam member operable to cause the follower member to have an output motion of a magnitude, the magnitude of the input motion divided by the magnitude of the output motion defining a ratio which varies depending upon the magnitude of the input motion. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slot wall has a plurality of ends, each of which is associated with a maximum pivot rate of the follower member.3. The apparatus of claim 2, which includes a front arm having a first end coupled to the rotatable steering device and a second end coupled to the other arm.4. The apparatus of claim 3, which includes another cam member, said other cam member having one portion coupled to the second end of the front arm, said other cam member having another portion coupled to the first end of the at least one arm.5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the other cam member has a slot wall defining a slot, said slot having one end associated with a backward traveling motion of the vehicle, said slot having another end associated with a forward traveling motion of the vehicle.6. The apparatus of claim 5, which includes a first arm connected to the follower member, a second arm connectable to a steering control shaft of the vehicle, and an adjustable spacing member that connects the said first arm to said second arm, the adjustable spacing member operable to enable a user to set a substantially straight steering setting for the vehicle.7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the vehicle has a plurality of drive wheels operatively coupled to a steering control shaft, the steering control shaft being coupled to the follower member.8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the follower member is movable within a slot defined by the slot wall, the follower member being movable between: (a) a neutral position associated with a substantially straight line of travel; and (b) a plurality of different positions on each side of the neutral position, the different positions associated with changes in a right turn or a left turn of the vehicle.9. The apparatus of claim 7, which includes a securing member adapted to secure the follower member to the steering control shaft.10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a tractor.11. A device for use in conjunction with a steering linkage operatively coupled to a steering control shaft of a vehicle, the vehicle having at least one drive wheel operatively coupled to a drive transmission, the steering linkage having at least one steering arm movable to undergo a plurality of steering arm displacements, the device comprising:a pivotable member operatively coupled to the steering arm, the pivotable member pivotable between a plurality of positions, the pivotable member having at least one non-uniform engaging surface defining a slot having a plurality of ends; and a follower member operatively coupled to the steering control shaft of the vehicle, the follower member having an engagement member that is movable within the slot between: (i) a neutral position associated with a substantially straight line of travel; (ii) a plurality of positions on one side of the neutral position, said positions associated with a right turn of the vehicle; and (iii) a plurality of other positions on another side of the neutral position, said other positions associated with a left turn of the vehicle, follower member movable to produce a first output displacement caused by a first steering arm displacement and a second output displacement caused by a second steering arm displacement, wherein a ratio of the first steering arm displacement to the first output displacement is different than a ratio of the second steering arm displacement to the second output displacement. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the pivotal member has a cam member.13. The device of claim 12, wherein the cam member includes a lever.14. The device of claim 13, wherein the non-uniform engaging surface includes a wall having a plurality of ends and a plurality of curved portions located between said ends, each of the curved portions associated with a range of steering responses.15. The device of claim 14, wherein each of the ranges of the steering responses includes a maximum steering response associated with the position of the engagement member at one of the ends.16. The device of claim 14, wherein the non-uniform engaging surface has a shape defined by a plurality of intersecting lines.17. The device of claim 11, wherein the vehicle has a plurality of drive wheels operatively coupled to the drive transmission of the vehicle.18. The device of claim 17, wherein the follower member includes a follower arm having one portion coupled to the engagement member, the follower arm having another portion coupled to the steering control shaft.19. The device of claim 18, wherein the follower member has another arm, said other arm having one portion connected to the follower arm, said other arm having another portion secured to the steering control shaft.20. The device of claim 11, which includes an adjustable spacing member which connects the follower arm to said other arm, said adjustable spacing member being adjustable to set a steering setting for the vehicle.21. The device of claim 11, wherein the steering control shaft has a plurality of angular positions.22. The device of claim 11, wherein the vehicle is a tractor.23. A vehicle operable on a driving surface, the vehicle comprising:a frame; a plurality of drive wheels rotatably connected to the frame; an engine supported by the frame; a transmission operatively coupled to the engine, the transmission operatively coupled to the drive wheels; and a steering device supported by the frame, the steering device adapted to receive input motion of a magnitude; at least one cam member having one portion operatively coupled to the steering device and another portion pivotably coupled to the frame, the cam member having a non-uniform slot wall defining a non-uniform slot; and a follower member movably engaged with the non-uniform slot wall of the cam member, the follower member movable along the non-uniform slot wall between a plurality of positions including: (a) a neutral position associated with a substantially straight line of travel; (b) a plurality of positions on one side of the neutral position, said positions associated with varying degrees of steering responsiveness for a right turn; and (b) a plurality of other positions on another side of the neutral position, said positions associated with varying degrees of steering responsiveness for a left turn, each of the movements of the follower member producing an output motion of a magnitude, the magnitude of the input motion divided by the magnitude of the output motion defining a ratio which varies depending upon the magnitude of the input motion; and a steering control shaft having: (a) one end coupled to the follower member; and (b) another end operatively coupled to the drive wheels. 24. The vehicle of claim 23, which includes a reverse logic mechanism supported by the frame.25. The vehicle of claim 24, which includes a front arm having a plurality of ends and a rear arm having a plurality of ends, the first end of the front arm coupled to the steering device, the second end of the front arm coupled to one portion of the reverse logic mechanism, the first end of the rear arm coupled to another portion of the reverse logic mechanism, the second end of the rear arm coupled to said at least one cam member.26. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein the reverse logic mechanism has a cam member other than said at least one cam member.27. The vehicle of claim 23, wherein the vehicle is a tractor.28. A steering linkage for a vehicle, comprising:a rotatable hand steering device; a gear set operatively coupled to the rotatable hand steering device; at least one arm operatively coupled to the gear set; a cam member operatively coupled to one end of the arm, the cam member having a non-uniform slot wall; a follower member movably engaged with the non-uniform slot wall of the cam member, the follower member movable along the non-uniform slot wall between a plurality of positions including: (a) a neutral position associated with a substantially straight line of travel; (b) a plurality of positions on one side of the neutral position, said positions associated with varying degrees of steering responsiveness for a right turn; and (b) a plurality of other positions on another side of the neutral position, said positions associated with varying degrees of steering responsiveness for a left turn; and a steering control shaft secured to the follower member. 29. The steering linkage of claim 28, which includes a plurality of arms operatively coupled to the gear set.30. The steering linkage of claim 29, which includes a reverse logic mechanism operatively coupled to the arms.31. The steering linkage of claim 28, wherein the follower member includes an adjustable member operable to set a steering setting for the vehicle.32. A method for changing a direction of travel of a tractor, said method comprising the steps of:(a) enabling a user to input a plurality of rotary user motions of different magnitudes by moving a steering device of the tractor; (b) converting the rotary user motions to forward and backward motions; (c) transmitting the forward and backward motions to a first conversion device, whereby, when the tractor is being driven in reverse, the first conversion device converts the motions of the forward and backward motions to opposite motions; (d) transmitting the forward motions, the backward motions and the opposite motions to a second conversion device; (e) causing the second conversion device to provide a range of conversion factors for converting the forward motions, the backward motions and the opposite motions; (f) automatically using certain conversion factors within the range to produce output motions, the conversion factors used based on the magnitudes of the rotary user motions; and (g) changing the direction of the vehicle based on the output motions. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein step (c) includes the step of transmitting the rotary user motions to a first cam member.34. The method of claim 33, wherein step (d) includes the step of transmitting the rotary user motions to a second cam member.