Dual mode stabilizer assembly

Claim 2

A dual mode stabilizer assembly for a ground-supported vehicle having a frame, comprising p1 a support structure mounted on said frame, ground-engaging means mounted on said support structure at one side of said frame and operable in a pair of alternatively selectable ground-engaging modes, said ground-engaging means including a first member for engaging the ground at one location relative to said side of the frame upon operation in one of said modes, and a second member for engaging the ground at another location toward said side of the frame from said one location upon operation in the other of said modes, means for selecting the operating mode of said ground-engaging means, comprising means for selective, alternative locking of said first and second members against movement relative to said frame, and common powering means operatively connected to both of said members for shifting the unlocked one of the same into engagement with the ground according to the selected operating mode.

Claim 3

The stabilizer of claim 1, wherein said powering means comprises an extensible-contractible fluid motor connected adjacent its opposite ends to said members.

Claim 4

A stabilizer assembly for a ground-supported vehicle having a frame, in operative condition comprising a pair of stabilizing members, each including a ground-engaging pad, mounting means mounting said members on the frame for movement relative thereto and to each other, one of said pair of stabilizing members being mounted for pivotal movement in a substantially vertical plane, and the other being mounted for linear movement in a substantially vertical direction, powering means comprising an extensible-contractible motor operatively interconnecting said members for producing said movement relative to the frame and to each other, and means for selective, alternative locking of said members against movement relative to the frame, whereby, with one element so locked, the other is moved into and out of engagement with the ground with actuation of said motor.

Claim 5

A stabilizer assembly for a ground-supported vehicle having a frame, in operative condition comprising a pair of stabilizing members, each including a ground-engaging pad, mounting means mounting said members on the frame for movement relative thereto and to each other, one of said pair of stabilizing members being mounted for pivotal movement in a substantially vertical plane, and the other being mounted for linear movement in a substantially vertical direction, powering means comprising an extensible-contractible motor operatively interconnecting said members for producing said movement relative to the frame and to each other, and means for selective, alternative locking of said members against movement relative to the frame, whereby, with one element so locked, the other is moved into and out of engagement with the ground with actuation of said motor.

Claim 6

In combination with a ground-supported vehicle having a frame, a stabilizer assembly for said vehicle comprising a support structure secured to the vehicle''s fRame, a first elongate stabilizing member having a ground-engaging pad adjacent one end thereof, means pivotally joining the opposite end of said first member to the support structure and enabling swinging of said member in a substantially vertical plane to shift its ground-engaging pad into and out of contact with the ground at a point laterally outward of said frame, a second elongate stabilizing member having a ground-engaging pad adjacent one end thereof, means mounting said second member on said support structure and enabling linear movement relative thereto in a substantially vertical direction to shift its ground-engaging pad into and out of contact with the ground at a point laterally inward of said first-mentioned point, means for selective, alternative locking of said first and second members to said support structure, and an extensible-contractible motor operatively interconnecting said first and second members and acting on the unlocked one of said members to move it relative to said support structure and shift its ground-engaging pad into and out of contact with the ground.

Claim 7

In combination with a ground-supported vehicle having a frame, a stabilizer assembly for said vehicle comprising a support structure secured to the vehicle''s fRame, a first elongate stabilizing member having a ground-engaging pad adjacent one end thereof, means pivotally joining the opposite end of said first member to the support structure and enabling swinging of said member in a substantially vertical plane to shift its ground-engaging pad into and out of contact with the ground at a point laterally outward of said frame, a second elongate stabilizing member having a ground-engaging pad adjacent one end thereof, means mounting said second member on said support structure and enabling linear movement relative thereto in a substantially vertical direction to shift its ground-engaging pad into and out of contact with the ground at a point laterally inward of said first-mentioned point, means for selective, alternative locking of said first and second members to said support structure, and an extensible-contractible motor operatively interconnecting said first and second members and acting on the unlocked one of said members to move it relative to said support structure and shift its ground-engaging pad into and out of contact with the ground.

Claim 8

A stabilizer assembly for a ground-supported vehicle having a frame, comprising a support structure secured to said frame and including a portion extending laterally outward from the frame, an elongate arm having a ground-engaging pad adjacent one end thereof, means pivotally securing the arm adjacent its opposite end to said portion of the support structure and enabling swinging of the arm in a substantially vertical plane between a carrying position wherein the arm extends generally upward from its mounting point and a stabilizing position wherein its pad engages the ground laterally outward of said frame, an elongate post having a ground-engaging pad adjacent one end thereof, means in said support structure portion defining an elongate guide receiving said post and enabling reciprocal linear movement of the post relative thereto between a carrying position wherein the post is elevated above the ground and a stabilizing position wherein its pad engages the ground beneath said structure portion, means for selective, alternative locking of said arm and post in their respective carrying positions, and linearly extensible-contractible motor means operatively interconnecting said arm and post, actuation of said motor means effecting movement of the unlocked one of said arm and post between its respective carrying and stabilizing positions.

Claim 9

A stabilizer assembly for a ground-supported vehicle having a frame, comprising a support structure secured to said frame and including a portion extending laterally outward from the frame, an elongate arm having a ground-engaging pad adjacent one end thereof, means pivotally securing the arm adjacent its opposite end to said portion of the support structure and enabling swinging of the arm in a substantially vertical plane between a carrying position wherein the arm extends generally upward from its mounting point and a stabilizing position wherein its pad engages the ground laterally outward of said frame, an elongate post having a ground-engaging pad adjacent one end thereof, means in said support structure portion defining an elongate guide receiving said post and enabling reciprocal linear movement of the post relative thereto between a carrying position wherein the post is elevated above the ground and a stabilizing position wherein its pad engages the ground beneath said structure portion, means for selective, alternative locking of said arm and post in their respective carrying positions, and linearly extensible-contractible motor means operatively interconnecting said arm and post, actuation of said motor means effecting movement of the unlocked one of said arm and post between its respective carrying and stabilizing positions.

Claim 10

The stabilizer assembly of claim 5, wherein said motor means comprises a hydraulic ram disposed within said arm, pivotally secured at one of its ends adjacent the pad-bearing end of the arm and at the other of its ends to the upper end of said post.

Claim 11

The stabilizer assembly of claim 5, wherein said locking means comprises means defining a first set of bores in said arm and support structure disposed whereby, with said arm in its carrying position, said bores are axially aligned, means defining a second set of bores in said post and support structure disposed whereby, with said post in its carrying position, said bores are axially aligned, and a pin releasably received in an aligned set of said bores.