US3684233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Leveling device
Assignee: Lockley Manufacturing Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-13
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1990-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A leveling device supports a portion of a vehicle in a level position when the vehicle is on irregular terrain. The leveling device includes a wheel-receiving surface upon which one of the wheels of the vehicle may be moved. The leveling device also includes a terrain-engaging surface which is curvilinear in configuration, converges toward the wheel-receiving surface and extends at an acute angle with respect to the terrain-engaging surface. A wheel of the vehicle is moved onto the wheel-receiving surface at the narrow end of the leveling device. As the wheel moves along the wheel-receiving surface and the terrain-engaging surface engages the irregular terrain, the device rocks on the terrain. Consequently, the wheel of the vehicle is raised or lowered and thereby the vehicle is leveled.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin J Vukich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:14
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66F; B66F7/00; B66F7/24; B66F7/243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
A leveling device for raising a wheel of a vehicle when the vehicle is on irregular terrain to effect leveling of the vehicle, said device comprising a first structural part providing a wheel-receiving surface along which the wheel of the vehicle rolls, said wheel-receiving surface including a first area which initially engages the wheel and a second area spaced from the first area and which second area engages the wheel due to rolling thereof along the wheel-receiving surface from the first area, said wheel-receiving surface being a curved surface having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of the wheel, and means engageable with the terrain for enabling said device to rock relative to the wheel and terrain to a position to effect said leveling in response to rolling of the vehicle wheel along said wheel-receiving surface, said last-mentioned means including a second structural part having a curved terrain-engaging surface engageable with the terrain and which converges toward said wheel-receiving surface and forms an acute angle portion therewith over which the vehicle wheel rolls into engagement with said first area of said wheel-receiving surface to effect the leveling, said terrain-engaging surface having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of the wheel and greater than the radius of the wheel-receiving surface whereby any force tending to cause sliding of the device on the terrain relative to the vehicle wheel as the wheel rolls along said wheel-receiving surface is minimized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
A leveling device for raising a wheel of a vehicle when the vehicle is on irregular terrain to effect leveling of the vehicle, said device comprising a first structural part providing a wheel-receiving surface along which the wheel of the vehicle rolls, said wheel-receiving surface including a first area which initially engages the wheel and a second area spaced from the first area and which second area engages the wheel due to rolling thereof along the wheel-receiving surface from the first area, said wheel-receiving surface being a curved surface having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of the wheel, and means engageable with the terrain for enabling said device to rock relative to the wheel and terrain to a position to effect said leveling in response to rolling of the vehicle wheel along said wheel-receiving surface, said last-mentioned means including a second structural part having a curved terrain-engaging surface engageable with the terrain and which converges toward said wheel-receiving surface and forms an acute angle portion therewith over which the vehicle wheel rolls into engagement with said first area of said wheel-receiving surface to effect the leveling, said terrain-engaging surface having a radius of curvature greater than the radius of the wheel and greater than the radius of the wheel-receiving surface whereby any force tending to cause sliding of the device on the terrain relative to the vehicle wheel as the wheel rolls along said wheel-receiving surface is minimized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A leveling device as defined in claim 1 wherein said device is generally wedge-shaped and has a wide end portion opposite the acute angle portion, and wherein a first structural support portion extends between said first and second structural parts at said wide end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
A leveling device as defined in claim 2 wherein said wheel-receiving surface and said terrain-engaging surface have equal widths and said first structural support portion has a width equal to the width of said wheel-receiving and terrain-engaging surfaces, and further including an intermediate support portion having a width equal to the width of said first support portion and located intermediate said acute angle portion and said wide end portion and interconnecting said first and second structural parts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
A leveling device as defined in claim 3 wherein a first web portion extends parallel to the extent of said wheel-receiving surface and is located generally centrally thereof and interconnects the central portions of said acute angle portion and said intermediate support portion and the central portions of said first and second structural parts, and a second web portion extends parallel to the extent of said wheel-receiving surface and is locAted centrally thereof and interconnects the central portions of said first support portion and said intermediate support portion and the central portions of said first and second structural parts.
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) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |