Land vehicles – Body elevation or tilt – Loading position
Patent
1997-03-13
1999-01-26
Ellis, Christopher P.
Land vehicles
Body elevation or tilt
Loading position
280 6151, 2804145, 280 43, B60S 900
Patent
active
058630490
ABSTRACT:
A retractable and extendable wheel assembly for mounting to a vehicle at wheel positions of the vehicle. The assembly comprises an axle shaft on which a wheel having a central axis can rotate, and a strut having a first end pivotally mounted at a first strut mount site to the axle shaft and a second end pivotally mountable at a second strut mount site to the vehicle. Additionally, the assembly includes an inflatable and deflatable air ram having a first end pivotally mounted to the first end of the strut and a second end pivotally mountable to the vehicle at an upper ram mount site substantially directly above the axle shaft. The second strut mount site is situated forward or rearward from the upper ram mount site. Release of air from an inflated air ram results in a retraction of the ram and the vehicle descends. Simultaneously, the strut pivots to thereby allow the vehicle to descend preferably a distance sufficient to bring the base of the vehicle at a level substantially equal to the center axis of the wheel. Inflation of the air rams restores the vehicle to its original height for road travel. Thus, cargo can be safely loaded and unloaded since ramps or other devices for vertically raising or lowering such cargo can be eliminated.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2443433 (1948-06-01), Sanmori
patent: 2788908 (1957-04-01), Lynd
patent: 2988376 (1961-06-01), Chausson
patent: 3199890 (1965-08-01), Caldwell
patent: 3972544 (1976-08-01), Soot
patent: 4248455 (1981-02-01), Manning
patent: 4374592 (1983-02-01), Geary et al.
patent: 4453737 (1984-06-01), Burchard et al.
patent: 4842302 (1989-06-01), Lauronen et al.
patent: 4850786 (1989-07-01), Oswald et al.
patent: 4886290 (1989-12-01), Pourchon et al.
patent: 4900055 (1990-02-01), Wright
patent: 5058916 (1991-10-01), Hicks
patent: 5090495 (1992-02-01), Christenson
patent: 5340141 (1994-08-01), Thoradyke
patent: 5476274 (1995-12-01), Oberlander
patent: 5560639 (1996-10-01), Nowell et al.
LandOfFree
Retractable and extendable wheel assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Retractable and extendable wheel assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Retractable and extendable wheel assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1444750