Patent US3838278A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3853231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle counterweight apparatus
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-21
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1992-08-21
Abstract
Abstract The frame of a vehicle has a rearward opening into which a counterweight may be positioned and through which the counterweight may be removed. Support members and forward stop members are associated with the frame to support the counterweight and limit its relative forward movement respectively. In such forward position, the counterweight may be secured relative to the frame. A second counterweight may be fitted to the rear of the frame over the opening to limit removal of the first-mentioned counterweight from the frame. Upper members are associated with the frame to act upon the top portion of the first counterweight to keep it from falling under its own weight while it is being only partially supported by the support means (i.e., as it is being fitted into or removed from the frame). The second counterweight further defines hitching means for towing purposes.
Inventors
- 👤 R Lutrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:06
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
In a vehicle incorporating a frame, a counterweight sized to be shifted in a generally horizontal direction into an opening in a portion of the frame so as to be positioned at least partially disposed within the frame and be removable from said frame portion through said opening in a generally horizontal direction; support means fixed to the frame and in contact with the bottom portion of the counterweight to thereby support the counterweight when the counterweight is so positioned; and, means for selectively securing the counterweight relative to the frame when said counterweight is so positioned, and further comprising a second counterweight adapted to be fixed to the frame portion and removable therefrom, wherein the second counterweight is adapted to be fixed to the frame portion over the opening to limit removal of the positioned first-mentioned counterweight from said frame portion, the second counterweight being removable therefrom to allow said removal of the first counterweight from the frame portion through the opeining, wherein the first counterweight is sized to fit into said opening to be positioned fully disposed within the frame, and further including means for limiting the downward movement of the first counterweight under its own weight when said first counterweight is being fitted into said opening and into position within the frame and is being only partially supported by said support means, wherein said means for limiting downward movement of the counterweight comprise first and second upper members respectively fixed to the first and second sidewalls inwardly thereof and above the first and second support members respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
In a vehicle incorporating a frame, a counterweight sized to be shifted in a generally horizontal direction into an opening in a portion of the frame so as to be positioned at least partially disposed within the frame and be removable from said frame portion through said opening in a generally horizontal direction; support means fixed to the frame and in contact with the bottom portion of the counterweight to thereby support the counterweight when the counterweight is so positioned; and, means for selectively securing the counterweight relative to the frame when said counterweight is so positioned, and further comprising a second counterweight adapted to be fixed to the frame portion and removable therefrom, wherein the second counterweight is adapted to be fixed to the frame portion over the opening to limit removal of the positioned first-mentioned counterweight from said frame portion, the second counterweight being removable therefrom to allow said removal of the first counterweight from the frame portion through the opeining, wherein the first counterweight is sized to fit into said opening to be positioned fully disposed within the frame, and further including means for limiting the downward movement of the first counterweight under its own weight when said first counterweight is being fitted into said opening and into position within the frame and is being only partially supported by said support means, wherein said means for limiting downward movement of the counterweight comprise first and second upper members respectively fixed to the first and second sidewalls inwardly thereof and above the first and second support members respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first and second upper members extend to adjacent the ends of the first and second support members respectively closest to the opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination according to claim 1 and further comprising load-carrying means associated with the forward end of the vehicle, wherein the frame portion comprises a rearwardly extending portion, wherein the opening allows removal of the first counterweight rearwardly of the rearwardly extending portion, and wherein the second counterweight is fixed to the rearwardly extending portion rearwardly of the opening thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising rearwardly-exposed hitching means defined by the second counterweight.
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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |