Patent US4079955A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4079955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking device
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1976-08-09
•
Granted: 1978-03-21
•
Expires: 1996-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A rough terrain articulated vehicle wherein one vehicle section is intercected with a second vehicle section for unrestrained relative rotation around the vehicle roll axis. Roll movement enables the respective vehicle sections to shift in accordance with terrain irregularities, thereby minimizing the need for high wheel travel. A locking or latching mechanism is provided to prevent roll rotation when the vehicle is moving over relatively smooth terrain.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard W. Thorpe
- 👤 Wayne H. Kind
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:14
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G9/00; B60G9/02; B62; B62D; B62D53/00; B62D53/02; B62D53/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
In a rough terrain articulated wheeled vehicle wherein a first vehicle section is interconnected with a second vehicle section for unrestrained relative rotation around the vehicle roll axis: the improvement comprising cooperating latch elements carried by respective ones of the vehicle sections for locking engagement, to thereby prevent rotation of the sections in the roll direction when it is intended to move the vehicle over relatively smooth terrain; said cooperating latch elements comprising a keeper (32) carried by one of the vehicle sections and a plunger mechanism carried by the other vehicle section; said plunger mechanism comprising a slidable plunger (36) having a manual engagement portion (44) for retracting said plunger away from the keeper and spring means (42) for advancing said plunger toward the keeper.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
In a rough terrain articulated wheeled vehicle wherein a first vehicle section is interconnected with a second vehicle section for unrestrained relative rotation around the vehicle roll axis: the improvement comprising cooperating latch elements carried by respective ones of the vehicle sections for locking engagement, to thereby prevent rotation of the sections in the roll direction when it is intended to move the vehicle over relatively smooth terrain; said cooperating latch elements comprising a keeper (32) carried by one of the vehicle sections and a plunger mechanism carried by the other vehicle section; said plunger mechanism comprising a slidable plunger (36) having a manual engagement portion (44) for retracting said plunger away from the keeper and spring means (42) for advancing said plunger toward the keeper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
In the wheeled vehicle of claim 1: the vehicle interconnection comprising a tube (22) extending from one vehicle section into a cooperating sleeve (26) in the other vehicle section; the aforementioned keeper comprising an apertured element (32) extending radially from the tube in the space between the two vehicle sections, and the aforementioned plunger being mounted on the other vehicle section for slidable movement parallel to the tube-sleeve axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3426720A
Cited
US3669469A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-20 | 1981-09-19 | 1982-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-20 | 1985-09-19 | 1986-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-20 | 1989-09-19 | 1990-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |