Patent US3917307A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3917307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vehicle leveling and stabilizing system
Assignee: ATI Industries Inc
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Filing: 1974-06-03
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A system for stabilizing a vehicle while moving and for providing a leveling action when parked, the system being particularly adaptable to campers, motor homes and similar coach type vehicles. The system utilizes four combined leveling and jack units between the wheel axles and the vehicle frame at four corner positions. The units are cross coupled in closed pair loops to provide stabilizing action against roll and away when the vehicle is moving. For leveling when parked, a common fluid pressure system energizes the units, and a valve control panel allows each unit to be adjusted and locked in the required position. All operations, including transition between leveling and stabilizing modes, are controlled from the driver accessible control panel. The system also permits variation of the vehicles ground clearance and aids in changing tires.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold P Shoebridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G17/00; B60G17/02; B60G17/04; B60G17/005; B60G17/033; B60G21/00; B60G21/02; B60G21/06; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/80; B60G2300/00; B60G2300/14; B60G2400/00; B60G2400/60; B60G2400/61; B60G2500/00; B60G2500/30; B60G2600/00; B60G2600/20; B60G2800/00; B60G2800/90; B60G2800/91; B60G2800/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A vehicle leveling and stabilizing system for installation in a vehicle having front and rear wheel axles and a frame supported above the axles, the system comprising: a front pair of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the end portions of the front axle; a rear pair of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the end portions of the rear axle; fluid conducting means connecting the upper end of each cylinder unit in a pair to the lower end of the other cylinder unit in the pair in cross connected closed loops; shut off means for selectively shutting off the closed loop connections; a hydraulic power unit having pressure supply means connected to the upper and lower ends of each of said cylinder units; and control means for applying pressure from said power unit to the upper and lower ends of each cylinder unit selectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A vehicle leveling and stabilizing system for installation in a vehicle having front and rear wheel axles and a frame supported above the axles, the system comprising: a front pair of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the end portions of the front axle; a rear pair of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the end portions of the rear axle; fluid conducting means connecting the upper end of each cylinder unit in a pair to the lower end of the other cylinder unit in the pair in cross connected closed loops; shut off means for selectively shutting off the closed loop connections; a hydraulic power unit having pressure supply means connected to the upper and lower ends of each of said cylinder units; and control means for applying pressure from said power unit to the upper and lower ends of each cylinder unit selectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein each cross connected closed loop has individual shut off means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said power unit has one delivery line connected to the upper ends of all the cylinder units, and another delivery line connected to the lower ends of all the cylinder units; said control means including a selector valve for directing pressure from the power unit to each delivery line selectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
176 words
A vehicle leveling and stabilizing system for installation in a vehicle having front and rear wheel axles and a frame suported above the axles, the system comprising: a front pair of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the end portions of the front axle; a rear pair of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the end portions of the rear axle; fluid conducting means connecting the upper end of each cylinder unit in a pair to the lower end of the other cylinder unit in the pair in cross connection closed loops; shut off means for selectively shutting off the closed loop connections; a hydraulic power unit having one pressure supply delivery line connected to the upper ends of all the cylinder units, and another delivery line connected to the lower ends of all the cylinder units; control means including a selector valve for directing pressure from the power unit to each delivery line selectively; and a check valve between each cylinder unit and the respective delivery line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
176 words
A vehicle leveling and stabilizing system for installation in a vehicle having front and rear wheel axles and a frame suported above the axles, the system comprising: a front pair of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the end portions of the front axle; a rear pair of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the end portions of the rear axle; fluid conducting means connecting the upper end of each cylinder unit in a pair to the lower end of the other cylinder unit in the pair in cross connection closed loops; shut off means for selectively shutting off the closed loop connections; a hydraulic power unit having one pressure supply delivery line connected to the upper ends of all the cylinder units, and another delivery line connected to the lower ends of all the cylinder units; control means including a selector valve for directing pressure from the power unit to each delivery line selectively; and a check valve between each cylinder unit and the respective delivery line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 4, and including actuating means for actuating said check valves individually and collectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 4, and including a valve block in which said check valves are contained each check valve being connected between one end of a cylinder unit and the respective delivery line; and actuating means on the valve block for actuating said check valves selectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 6, wherein each of said check valves has an actuating plunger extending fron the valve block; said actuating means comprising cam shafts having cam portions engaging the plungers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 7, wherein said check valves are spaced along opposite sides of the valve block; the valve block having connecting chambers Therein interconnecting related pairs of check valves; and spring means in each of said chambers holding the related pairs of check valves normally closed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said delivery lines are connected to the associated connecting chambers for the cylinder units interrelated to the pressure supply.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 4, wherein said power unit has a motor driven pump; said selector valve having a switch connected thereto for actuating said pump only when the selector valve is operated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a vehicle having a spring suspension system and pairs of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the opposite ends of the front and rear axles, a source of hydraulic fluid pressure with means for selective connection to opposite ends of each cylinder unit, and fluid interconnections between opposite ends of cylinder units in each pair front and rear, the method of establishing a self-stabilizing action between the cylinder units comprising: closing the interconnections between the pairs of cylinder units; actuating the source of fluid pressure to operate the cylinder units and pull the vehicle down against the spring suspension; shutting off the source of fluid pressure from the cylinder units; and opening the interconnections between the pairs of cylinder units.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a vehicle having a spring suspension system and pairs of double acting hydraulic cylinder units connected between the frame and the opposite ends of the front and rear axles, a source of hydraulic fluid pressure with means for selective connection to opposite ends of each cylinder unit, and fluid interconnections between opposite ends of cylinder units in each pair front and rear, the method of establishing a self-stabilizing action between the cylinder units comprising: closing the interconnections between the pairs of cylinder units; actuating the source of fluid pressure to operate the cylinder units and pull the vehicle down against the spring suspension; shutting off the source of fluid pressure from the cylinder units; and opening the interconnections between the pairs of cylinder units.
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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |