Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In combination: a carrier assembly having front and rear flanged wheels adapted to be mounted upon rails for transportation thereon, said assembly adapted to support a motor vehicle; a motor vehicle having front and rear pneumatic tired wheels, said vehicle rotatably supportable upon the carrier assembly with the front tired wheels raised off the ground and the rear tired wheels raised off the ground and the rear tired wheels supported partially on the ground and partially on the carrier, the carrier being detachable from the motor vehicle; means for lifting and lowering the front tired wheels and for rotatably supporting the vehicle upon the carrier assembly; and means for lifting and lowering the rear tired wheels and for rotatably supporting the vehicle upon the carrier assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In combination: a carrier assembly having front and rear flanged wheels adapted to be mounted upon rails for transportation thereon, said assembly adapted to support a motor vehicle; a motor vehicle having front and rear pneumatic tired wheels, said vehicle rotatably supportable upon the carrier assembly with the front tired wheels raised off the ground and the rear tired wheels raised off the ground and the rear tired wheels supported partially on the ground and partially on the carrier, the carrier being detachable from the motor vehicle; means for lifting and lowering the front tired wheels and for rotatably supporting the vehicle upon the carrier assembly; and means for lifting and lowering the rear tired wheels and for rotatably supporting the vehicle upon the carrier assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A combination as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for lifting and lowering the front tired wheels comprises: a first hydraulic lift cylinder having a rotatable, extensible piston; a first substantially vee-shaped wedge mounted on one end of the piston; a first vee-shaped trough adapted to receive the wedge upon extension of the piston and to nest the wedge on its internal surfaces; and means for operating the first hydraulic lift cylinder and extending and withdrawing the piston.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
A combination as recited in claim 2 wherein the means for lifting and lowering the rear tired wheels comprises: a second hydraulic lift cylinder having a rotatablE extensible piston; a second substantially vee-shaped wedge mounted on one end of the second lift cylinder piston; a second vee-shaped trough adapted to receive the second wedge upon extension of the second piston and to nest the wedge on its internal surfaces; and means for operating the second hydraulic lift cylinder and extending and withdrawing the second piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination as recited in claim 3 wherein the carrier assembly comprises: a front carrier having the front flanged wheels; a rear carrier having the rear flanged wheels; and flexible linkage connecting the front carrier and the rear carrier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A combination as recited in claim 4 wherein: the first hydraulic lift cylinder is mounted on the front carrier at the approximate center; the first trough is mounted on the frame of the motor vehicle at the approximate front and center and above the first hydraulic cylinder; the second hydraulic lift cylinder is mounted on the rear carrier at the approximate center; and the second trough is mounted on the frame of the motor vehicle at the approximate rear and center and above the second hydraulic cylinder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A combination as recited in claim 4 wherein: the first hydraulic lift cylinder is mounted on the frame of the motor vehicle at the approximate front and center; the first trough is mounted in the center of the carrier below the hydraulic lift cylinder; the second hydraulic lift cylinder is mounted on the frame of the motor vehicle at the approximate rear and center; and the second trough is mounted in the center of the rear carrier below the second hydraulic lift cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as recited in claim 6 and further comprising: means to grip the carrier assembly to the underside of the motor vehicle for transportation therewith; and means to release the carrier assembly from the underside of the motor vehicle for placement on the rails.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as recited in claim 7 and further comprising: means for detecting the location of the first hydraulic lift cylinder over the first trough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as recited in claim 8, and further comprising: means for detecting the location of the second hydraulic lift cylinder over the second trough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as recited in claim 9, and further comprising: means for signalling the operator of the motor vehicle of detected location of the first lift cylinder and of the second lift cylinder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A combination as recited in claim 10 and further comprising; front brakes mounted upon the front carrier to prevent rotation of carrier wheels when the wedge is not nesting in the first trough and to allow rotation when the wedge is nesting in the first trough; and rear brakes mounted upon the rear carrier to prevent rotation of the rear carrier wheels when the wedge is not nesting in the second trough and to allow rotation when the wedge is nesting in the second trough.