US3625542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stabilizer and jack assembly for camping trailers and the like
Assignee: Coleman Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-06-03
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1990-06-03
Abstract
Abstract The combination stabilizer and jack is designed for integration with the frame members of a vehicle adjacent its underside. The brackets for attachment to the vehicle frame includes upper and lower flanges which provide vertically aligned openings for slidably receiving an upright shaft movable from a raised storage position to lowered use positions. Upper and lower gripping plate units are mounted between the flange means for coaction with the shaft, the upper plate means being normally biased to a nongripping alignment by spring means yielding to permit it to be downwardly canted for bitingly engaging the shaft. The lower plate unit is spring biased to a downwardly canted alignment while permitting adjustment to a nongripping alignment so that the shaft can be lowered but not raised with the plate unit in its normal position. The gripping units provide tab means, the tab means of the lower unit being adapted for manual operation, and the tab means of the upper unit for actuating by a tool through a mechanical linkage. Latching means is provided for releasably securing the shaft in its raised storage position, and cover and gasket means are provided for protecting the operative mechanism within the bracket from weather and dirt.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard D Curtis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/32; B60P3/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
335 words
In a vehicle having a wheel-equipped body including an underside and frame members adjacent thereto, a stabilizer and jack assembly comprising: a. bracket means secured to said frame means and providing spaced-apart upper and lower flange means defining vertically aligned openings; b. an upright shaft extending through and slidably received in said openings for vertical movement from a raised storage position to lowered use positions where a portion of said shaft extends below said body underside to the ground; c. upper and lower gripping plate means mounted between said flange means for coaction with said shaft, said plate means having openings therethrough slidably receiving said shaft when said plate means are horizontal and providing gripping edges around said plate openings for bitingly engaging said shaft when said plate means are canted; d. spring means normally biasing said upper plate means to a nongripping generally horizontal alignment while yielding to permit said upper plate means to be downwardly canted, whereby said upper plate means does not normally grip said shaft; e. spring means normally biasing said lower plate means to a downwardly canted alignment while yielding to permit said lower plate means to be moved to a generally horizontal nongripping alignment, whereby said shaft can be lowered but not raised while said lower plate means is in its normal position to facilitate stabilizing adjustments of said shaft; f. upper and lower operating tab means provided respectively by said upper and lower plate means and extending laterally from the portions thereof surrounding said shaft, said lower tab means extending to a point accessible from outside said body for manual actuation thereof to release said shaft for upward movement to said storage position; and g. actuating means having an upper portion connected to said upper tab means for pulling said upper tab means downwardly to cant said upper plate means for gripping said shaft, a lower portion of said actuating means extending below said lower flange means for a distance sufficient to permit engagement by an actuating tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
335 words
In a vehicle having a wheel-equipped body including an underside and frame members adjacent thereto, a stabilizer and jack assembly comprising: a. bracket means secured to said frame means and providing spaced-apart upper and lower flange means defining vertically aligned openings; b. an upright shaft extending through and slidably received in said openings for vertical movement from a raised storage position to lowered use positions where a portion of said shaft extends below said body underside to the ground; c. upper and lower gripping plate means mounted between said flange means for coaction with said shaft, said plate means having openings therethrough slidably receiving said shaft when said plate means are horizontal and providing gripping edges around said plate openings for bitingly engaging said shaft when said plate means are canted; d. spring means normally biasing said upper plate means to a nongripping generally horizontal alignment while yielding to permit said upper plate means to be downwardly canted, whereby said upper plate means does not normally grip said shaft; e. spring means normally biasing said lower plate means to a downwardly canted alignment while yielding to permit said lower plate means to be moved to a generally horizontal nongripping alignment, whereby said shaft can be lowered but not raised while said lower plate means is in its normal position to facilitate stabilizing adjustments of said shaft; f. upper and lower operating tab means provided respectively by said upper and lower plate means and extending laterally from the portions thereof surrounding said shaft, said lower tab means extending to a point accessible from outside said body for manual actuation thereof to release said shaft for upward movement to said storage position; and g. actuating means having an upper portion connected to said upper tab means for pulling said upper tab means downwardly to cant said upper plate means for gripping said shaft, a lower portion of said actuating means extending below said lower flange means for a distance sufficient to permit engagement by an actuating tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said bracket means except for said lower flange means is enclosed within said body, said lower flange means being positioned at substantially the level of said body underside, and said shaft in said raised storage position being substantially entirely within said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 2 in which said body provides four corners and one of said stabilizer and jack assemblies is located adjacent each of said corners, said body having its travel wheels located intermediate the front and rear corners thereof and only one pair of travel wheels being provided.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said actuating means lower end portion is provided with an enlarged head below said lower flange means whereby said lower end portion is adapted for engagement by a forked end of said actuating tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 1 in which a ground-engaging pedestal plate is mounted on the lower end of said shaft, said pedestal plate lying adjacent the underside of said lower flange means when said shaft is in said storage position and means for releasably latching said pedestal plate in said adjacent position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
The combination of claim 1 in which a ground-engaging pedestal plate is mounted on the lower end of said shaft, said pedestal plate lying adjacent the underside of said lower flange means when said shaft is In said storage position, said pedestal plate providing an arcuate keyhole slot, and said actuating means end portion being provided with an enlarged head for cooperation with said slot to releasably latch said pedestal plate in said storage position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 1 in which cover means is provided for substantially enclosing the open sides of said bracket means between said flange means, said lower tab means extending through an oversize opening in said cover, and said oversize opening being closed by flexible gasket means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said actuating means includes a pin having its lower portion slidably extending through an opening in said lower flange means and terminating therebelow in a tool-engageable head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said actuating means includes spring means biasing the lower portion of the actuating means against downward movement, latch means on said shaft selectively engageable with the lower portion of the actuating means whereby said shaft may be releasably latched in said storage position by engaging the latch means with said actuating means lower portion and pulling the shaft downwardly against the bias of the said spring means of the actuating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 9 in which the latch means includes a ground-engaging pedestal plate mounted on the lower end of said shaft and means on said plate for engaging said actuating means lower portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination of claim 9 in which said actuating means includes a pin having its upper portion connected to said upper tab means and its lower portion slidably extending through an opening in said lower flange means and terminating therebelow in an enlarged head, the spring means of the actuating means biasing the pin against downward movement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The stabilizer and jack assembly of claim 9 in which a ground-engaging pedestal plate is mounted on the lower end of said shaft, said pedestal plate lying adjacent the underside of lower flange means when said shaft is in said storage position, and means for releasably latching said pedestal plate in said adjacent position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The combination of claim 10 in which said latching means comprises providing said pedestal plate with an arcuate keyhole slot, and providing the lower end of said actuating means with enlarged head for cooperation with said slot to releasably latch said pedestal plate in said storage position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The stabilizer and jack assembly of claim 9 in which cover means is provided for substantially enclosing the open sides of said bracket means between said flange means, said lower tab means extending through an oversize opening in said cover, and said oversize opening being closed by flexible gasket means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The stabilizer and jack assembly of claim 9 in which said actuating means is a pin having its lower portion slidably extending to an opening in said lower flange means and terminating therebelow in a tool-engageable head.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
194 words
The combination of claim 1 in which a ground-engaging pedestal plate is mounted on the lower end of said shaft, said pedestal plate lying adjacent to the underside of said lower flange means when said shaft is in said storage position, said pedestal plate providing an arcuate keyhole slot having an enlarged portion and a narrow portion, said actuating means including a pin having its upper portion connected to said upper tab means and its lower portion slidably extending to an opening in said lower flange means and terminating therebelow in an enlarged head sized to pass through the enlarged portion of the keyhole slot but not the narrow portion of the keyhole slot, and spring means biasing the pin against downward movement whereby said shaft may be releasably latched in said storage position by raising said shaft and pedestal plate to pass the enlarged head of the pin through the enlarged portion of the keyhole slot, rotating the shaft and pedestal plate to position the enlarged head below the narrow portion of thE keyhole slot, and pulling the shaft, pedestal plate and pin downwardly to tension the spring means of the actuating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
321 words
A stabilizer and jack assembly comprising: a. bracket means having a body for attachment to a vehicle frame and providing spaced-apart upper and lower flange means defining vertically aligned openings: b. an upright shaft extending through and slidably received in said openings for vertical movement from a raised storage position to lowered use positions where a portion of said shaft means extends below said lower flange means; c. upper and lower gripping plate means mounted between said flange means for coaction with said shaft, said plate means having openings therethrough slidably receiving said shaft when said plate means are horizontal and providing gripping edges around said plate openings for bitingly engaging said shaft when said plate means are canted; d. spring means normally biasing said upper plate means to a nongripping generally horizontal alignment while yielding to permit said upper plate means to be downwardly canted, whereby said upper plate means does not normally grip said shaft; e. spring means normally biasing said lower plate means to a downwardly canted alignment while yielding to permit said lower plate means to be moved to a generally horizontal nongripping alignment, whereby said shaft can be lowered but not raised while said upper plate means is in its normal position to facilitate stabilizing adjustments of said shaft; f. upper and lower operating tab means provided respectively by said upper and lower plate means and extending laterally from the portions thereof surrounding said shaft, said lower tab means being accessible from outside said bracket body for manual actuation thereof to release said shaft for upward movement to said storage position; and g. actuating means having an upper portion connected to said upper tab means for pulling said upper tab means downwardly to cant said upper plate means for gripping said shaft, a lower portion of said actuating means extending below said lower flange means for a distance sufficient to permit engagement by an actuating tool.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
321 words
A stabilizer and jack assembly comprising: a. bracket means having a body for attachment to a vehicle frame and providing spaced-apart upper and lower flange means defining vertically aligned openings: b. an upright shaft extending through and slidably received in said openings for vertical movement from a raised storage position to lowered use positions where a portion of said shaft means extends below said lower flange means; c. upper and lower gripping plate means mounted between said flange means for coaction with said shaft, said plate means having openings therethrough slidably receiving said shaft when said plate means are horizontal and providing gripping edges around said plate openings for bitingly engaging said shaft when said plate means are canted; d. spring means normally biasing said upper plate means to a nongripping generally horizontal alignment while yielding to permit said upper plate means to be downwardly canted, whereby said upper plate means does not normally grip said shaft; e. spring means normally biasing said lower plate means to a downwardly canted alignment while yielding to permit said lower plate means to be moved to a generally horizontal nongripping alignment, whereby said shaft can be lowered but not raised while said upper plate means is in its normal position to facilitate stabilizing adjustments of said shaft; f. upper and lower operating tab means provided respectively by said upper and lower plate means and extending laterally from the portions thereof surrounding said shaft, said lower tab means being accessible from outside said bracket body for manual actuation thereof to release said shaft for upward movement to said storage position; and g. actuating means having an upper portion connected to said upper tab means for pulling said upper tab means downwardly to cant said upper plate means for gripping said shaft, a lower portion of said actuating means extending below said lower flange means for a distance sufficient to permit engagement by an actuating tool.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
The combination of claim 17 in which said actuating means includes spring means biasing the lower portion of the actuating means against downward movement, latch means on said shaft selectively engageable with the lower portion of the actuating means whereby said shaft may be releasably latched in said storage position by engaging the latch means with said actuating means lower portion and pulling the shaft downwardly against the bias of the said spring means of the actuating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
194 words
The combination of claim 17 in which a ground-engaging pedestal plate is mounted on the lower end of said shaft, said pedestal plate lying adjacent to the underside of said lower flange means when said shaft is in said storage position, said pedestal plate providing an arcuate keyhole slot having an enlarged portion and a narrow portion, said actuating means including a pin having its upper portion connected to said upper tab means and its lower portion slidably extending to an opening in said lower flange means and terminating therebelow in an enlarged head sized to pass through the enlarged portion of the keyhole slot but not the narrow portion of the keyhole slot, and spring means biasing the pin against downward movement whereby said shaft may be releasably latched in said storage position by raising said shaft and pedestal plate to pass the enlarged head of the pin through the enlarged portion of the keyhole slot, rotating the shaft and pedestal plate to position the enlarged head below the narrow portion of the keyhole slot, and pulling the shaft, pedestal plate and pin downwardly to tension the spring means of the actuating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |