US3912293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retractable load booster assembly for large cargo trucks
Assignee: Western Unit Corp
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Filing: 1974-05-01
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A retractable load booster assembly for use rearwardly of a large cargo truck to increase the load carrying capacity and including load sensing means for activating the air spring suspension after the assembly reaches and departs from its extended operating position. The power operating means for the assembly is energized by hydraulic fluid stored in accumulator means by an air driven pump supplied by air only after there is an adequate air supply to meet the needs of other air-operated auxiliaries. The control for the booster assembly includes foolproof provision for assuring its retraction before backing the truck and means for cushioning suddenly applied stresses without need for unloading the booster assembly or wasting air from the air bellows. Various auxiliaries governing the operation of the booster assembly are mounted on a strong frame securable as a unit to the midlength of the truck chassis to strengthen it and avoid the need for costly strengthening changes.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry C Harbers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/16; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/04; B60G17/052; B62; B62D; B62D61/00; B62D61/12; B62D61/125; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/40; B60G2204/47; B60G2300/00; B60G2300/03; B60G2300/40; B60G2300/402; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/60; B60G2400/61
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
342 words
In combination, a vehicle having a vehicle structure and supporting wheels therefor, and a retractable load sharing structure connected to the rear end of said vehicle for use in redistributing the load of the vehicle to share the load with the regular supporting wheels therefor, said load sharing structure comprising: a. a foldable main frame comprising an inner frame part and an outer frame part hinged together, the inner frame part being pivoted to the rear part of said vehicle structure so that it may swing in a vertical plane, said main frame being foldable upwardly to a position adjacent to the rear part of said vehicle and unfoldable to extend rearwardly from said vehicle in a generally horizontal direction; b. strut means having one end connected to said vehicle structure at a position above the pivot of said inner frame part and connected at its other end to said outer frame part, said strut means including shortening and lengthening means whereby said strut can be shortened to fold said main frame adjacent the rearward part of said vehicle and elongated to extend said main frame in its generally horizontal position; c. wheel means positioned near the outer end of said outer frame part and in a position below said outer frame part when said foldable main frame is in its extended position; d. inflatable air bellows means positioned between said wheel means and said outer frame part; e. strut operating means operable to actuate said strut shortening and elongating means whereby said main frame may be moved into its extended position without at that time placing any portion of the load of said vehicle on said load sharing structure; and f. means, operable after said foldable main frame and said strut means have been moved into their extended positions, for inflating said bellows means to cause said foldable main frame to move upwardly as a whole relative to said wheel means whereby said load sharing structure may be caused to support at least a part of the load of said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
342 words
In combination, a vehicle having a vehicle structure and supporting wheels therefor, and a retractable load sharing structure connected to the rear end of said vehicle for use in redistributing the load of the vehicle to share the load with the regular supporting wheels therefor, said load sharing structure comprising: a. a foldable main frame comprising an inner frame part and an outer frame part hinged together, the inner frame part being pivoted to the rear part of said vehicle structure so that it may swing in a vertical plane, said main frame being foldable upwardly to a position adjacent to the rear part of said vehicle and unfoldable to extend rearwardly from said vehicle in a generally horizontal direction; b. strut means having one end connected to said vehicle structure at a position above the pivot of said inner frame part and connected at its other end to said outer frame part, said strut means including shortening and lengthening means whereby said strut can be shortened to fold said main frame adjacent the rearward part of said vehicle and elongated to extend said main frame in its generally horizontal position; c. wheel means positioned near the outer end of said outer frame part and in a position below said outer frame part when said foldable main frame is in its extended position; d. inflatable air bellows means positioned between said wheel means and said outer frame part; e. strut operating means operable to actuate said strut shortening and elongating means whereby said main frame may be moved into its extended position without at that time placing any portion of the load of said vehicle on said load sharing structure; and f. means, operable after said foldable main frame and said strut means have been moved into their extended positions, for inflating said bellows means to cause said foldable main frame to move upwardly as a whole relative to said wheel means whereby said load sharing structure may be caused to support at least a part of the load of said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 in which there is means operable to initiate deflation of said air bellows means after said foldable main frame starts to move toward its folded position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 in which the means for shortening and elongating said strut comprises a hydraulic cylinder and in which there is means to lock hydraulic fluid in said hydraulic cylinder so that said strut will hold said main frame against upward movement relative to said vehicle when air is supplied to said bellows means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 in which there is a spring-frame connected to said outer frame part, an axle mounted on said spring frame, and said wheel means being mounted on said spring means and said bellows being positioned between said outer part of said main frame and said spring frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 in which said main frame is provided in the form of a pair of main frame sections separated from each other and in which there is a pair of struts, one for each of said main frame sections, and in which said wheel means is supported by an axle extending between the outer frame parts of said main frame sections.
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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) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |