US3743044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elevating platform transporter
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1971-06-07
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1991-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An article transport vehicle for loading and unloading cargo aircraft has an elevating article-supporting bed which carries on its underside power means for adjusting the disposition of the bed and power means for motivating the vehicle. The bed is uniquely supported on tandem wheel-carrying axles so that it can be elevated to any desirable level and still be stabilized with respect to vertical, side, or fore and aft loads. The bed also possesses roll and pitch capabilities for use on uneven terrain.
Inventors
- 👤 W Scheele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:42
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G5/00; B60G5/02; B60K; B60K17/00; B60K17/36; B64; B64F; B64F1/00; B64F1/32; B64F1/322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A transport vehicle comprising a substantially rectangular platform having front and rear ends, a wheel assembly under each end of the platform with at least one wheel being generally positioned below each of the corners of the platform, motive power means supported by said platform, a flexible drive train connecting said power means to one of said wheel assemblies, a powered extensible member positioned directly between each of said wheels and said platform, universal connecting means securing one end of each extensible member to said platform and the other end to the associated wheel assembly, and a pair of swing beams for stabilizing said vehicle against forces in an end to end direction, each of said swing beams having one end pivotally conNected to a wheel assembly adjacent one end of said platform and the other end pivotally connected to the longitudinal central portion of said platform, said swing beams pivoting relative to said platform as said platform is elevated and moving the wheel assemblies at the opposite ends of said vehicle closer together, and means for individually locking said extensible members in a plurality of extended and contracted positions so as to permit said vehicle to traverse non-level terrain while retaining said platform in a generally horizontal attitude.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A transport vehicle comprising a substantially rectangular platform having front and rear ends, a wheel assembly under each end of the platform with at least one wheel being generally positioned below each of the corners of the platform, motive power means supported by said platform, a flexible drive train connecting said power means to one of said wheel assemblies, a powered extensible member positioned directly between each of said wheels and said platform, universal connecting means securing one end of each extensible member to said platform and the other end to the associated wheel assembly, and a pair of swing beams for stabilizing said vehicle against forces in an end to end direction, each of said swing beams having one end pivotally conNected to a wheel assembly adjacent one end of said platform and the other end pivotally connected to the longitudinal central portion of said platform, said swing beams pivoting relative to said platform as said platform is elevated and moving the wheel assemblies at the opposite ends of said vehicle closer together, and means for individually locking said extensible members in a plurality of extended and contracted positions so as to permit said vehicle to traverse non-level terrain while retaining said platform in a generally horizontal attitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A transport vehicle according to claim 1 including flexible means for pivotally connecting said swing beams to said wheel assemblies and said platform so as to permit a restricted amount of pivotal movement between said swing beams and the remainder of the vehicle structure in a plane transverse to said end to end direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
A transport vehicle according to claim 1 including four upper and four lower struts respectively positioned two at each end of said platform, means for pivotally connecting one end of each lower strut to one of said wheels assemblies, means for pivotally connecting one end of each upper strut to said platform adjacent one of the corners thereof, means for rigidly interconnecting the free ends of said lower struts together and the free ends of said upper struts together, and means connecting each of the two upper struts to the adjacent two lower struts at each end of the platform to permit pivotal movement between the struts in both a longitudinal plane and a transverse plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
181 words
A transport vehicle comprising an elongate load carrying platform having front and rear ends, a wheel assembly positioned beneath each end of said platform, individual swing beams connecting the front and rear wheel assemblies to the longitudinally central portion of said platform to resist fore and aft movement of said platform while accommodating relative vertical movement between said wheel assemblies and said platform, individual folding support frames connecting the front and rear wheel assemblies to said platform to resist lateral movement while accommodating relative vertical movement between said wheel assemblies and said platform, each of said folding support frames including an upper and a lower member interconnected by a hinge, said hinge including means for allowing limited transverse tilting of one of said members relative to the other, the pivot axis of said hinge means extending transversely of said platform so that said hinge accommodates relative vertical movement between said platform and said wheel assemblies, and a pair of laterally spaced fluid operated cylinders supporting said platform from each of said wheel assemblies for regulating the vertical height of said platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
181 words
A transport vehicle comprising an elongate load carrying platform having front and rear ends, a wheel assembly positioned beneath each end of said platform, individual swing beams connecting the front and rear wheel assemblies to the longitudinally central portion of said platform to resist fore and aft movement of said platform while accommodating relative vertical movement between said wheel assemblies and said platform, individual folding support frames connecting the front and rear wheel assemblies to said platform to resist lateral movement while accommodating relative vertical movement between said wheel assemblies and said platform, each of said folding support frames including an upper and a lower member interconnected by a hinge, said hinge including means for allowing limited transverse tilting of one of said members relative to the other, the pivot axis of said hinge means extending transversely of said platform so that said hinge accommodates relative vertical movement between said platform and said wheel assemblies, and a pair of laterally spaced fluid operated cylinders supporting said platform from each of said wheel assemblies for regulating the vertical height of said platform.
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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |