US3877591A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for moving vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-10
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-06-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for moving vehicles is disclosed wherein the apparatus has a frame with two arms extending rearward therefrom. The arms are pivotably connected to the frame in a scissor-like fashion. To the underside of the frame is mounted a turret mounting means for supporting a wheel that is preferably power driven. The turret mounting means allows the wheel to rotate 360* about a vertical axis while it also is capable of rotating on a horizontal surface. The end of each arm is supported by, for example, two casters, one on each side of the respective arm, and each end is supplied with means for engaging a respective wheel on the vehicle and for raising the respective wheel off the ground so that only two wheels of a 4-wheel vehicle rests on the ground. Means are provided to control the scissor-like action between the two arms so that various axle lengths are accommodated by the device. In addition, means are provided to lock the four casters so that they roll only in the forward and rearward direction when the apparatus is not pulling or pushing a vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 John J Howard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:01
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/07; B60P3/12; B60P3/125; B60P3/127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for towing a wheeled vehicle, having a plurality of wheels comprising: a frame; a pair of arms mounted to said frame to extend horizontally and forming an acute angle therebetween; a wheel means including a wheel and mounted under said frame to pivot with respect thereto about a vertical axis; a caster capable of pivoting also about a vertical axis and disposed under each arm to support said respective arm; a cradle means for engaging one of the wheels on said vehicle; and mounting means for mounting said cradle means on the end of each of said respective arms, and including means for lifting said cradle means with respect to said respective arm to lift the respective wheel on said vehicle.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for towing a wheeled vehicle, having a plurality of wheels comprising: a frame; a pair of arms mounted to said frame to extend horizontally and forming an acute angle therebetween; a wheel means including a wheel and mounted under said frame to pivot with respect thereto about a vertical axis; a caster capable of pivoting also about a vertical axis and disposed under each arm to support said respective arm; a cradle means for engaging one of the wheels on said vehicle; and mounting means for mounting said cradle means on the end of each of said respective arms, and including means for lifting said cradle means with respect to said respective arm to lift the respective wheel on said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said frame has at least one annular plate; said wheel means having a round plate, bearing mounted coaxially onto said annular plate to rotate therewith; said wheel of said wheel means is mounted to said round plate to rotate about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said round plate; a power means is mounted to said round plate; and means are provided for coupling power from said power means to said wheel of said wheel means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said frame has two axially spaced annular plates, axially aligned on said vertical axis; a plurality of rollers are mounted between said annular plates, equally distant from the vertical axis thereof, and disposed to rotate about respective axes which are parallel to said vertical axis thereof; said round plate is disposed coaxially between said annual plates; thrust bearings are provided between each of said annular plates and said round plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: a pair of pins are disposed on opposite sides of said annual plates and extending therebetween; said arms are pivotably connected to said pins, respectively; and means are provided to move said arms towards and away from each other, in scissor-like fashion, and to lock said arms with respect to each other, and said frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said arms are mounted to said frame to allow said arms to move toward and away from each other in a scissor-like action.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said arms are mounted to said frame to allow said arms to move toward and away from each other in a scissor-like action.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises: a bell crank disposed to pivot about a horizontal pin and having one arm disposed substantially horizontally and another arm depending substantially downwardly; said cradle means mounted on the end of said horizontal arm of said bell crank; a fluid piston and cylinder assembly disposed and connected to the end of said other arm of said bell crank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said mounting means further comprises: an open box structure having a bottom panel, two opposing side panels and a front panel, wherein said front panel is fixedly mounted to said respective arm of said pair of arms; said piston and cylinder assembly mounted within said box and disposed substantially parallel to said bottom panel; said pin extending inward from said side panel; a pair of wing plates, each extending outwardly from the respective one of said side panels; said caster being fixedly mounted under each one of said wing plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said frame has at least one annular plate; said wheel means having a round plate, bearing mounted coaxially onto said annular plate to rotate therewith; said wheel of said wheel means is mounted to said round plate to rotate about a horizontal axis perpendicular to said round plate; a power means is mounted to said round plate; and means are provided for coupling power from said power means to said wheel of said wheel means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said arms are mounted to said frame to allow said arms to move toward and away from each other in a scissor-like action.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said frame has two axially spaced annular plates, axially aligned on said vertical axis; a plurality of rollers are mounted between said annular plates, equally distant from the vertical axis thereof, and disposed to rotate about respective axes which are parallel to said vertical axis thereof; a round plate having said wheel means mounted thereon is disposed coaxially between said annual plates; thrust bearings are provided between each of said annular plates and said round plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: a pair of pins are disposed on opposite sides of said annual plates and extending therebetween; said arms are pivotably connected to said pins, respectively; and means are provided to move said arms towards and away from each other, in scissor-like fashion, and to lock said arms with respect to each other, and said frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said mounting means further comprises: an open box structure having a bottom panel, two opposing side panels and a front panel, wherein said front panel is fixedly mounted to said respective arm of said pair of arms; said piston and cylinder assembly mounted within said box and disposed substantially parallel to said bottom panel; said pin extending inward from said side panel; a pair of wing plates, each extending outwardly from the respective one of said side panels; said caster being fixedly mounted under each one of said wing plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said arms are mounted to said frame to allow said arms to move toward and away from each other in a scissor-like action.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |