US4243239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catamaran dolly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-09-29
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Granted: 1981-01-06
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Expires: 1998-09-29
Abstract
Abstract The present dolly for catamarans has soft-walled, inflatable tires which expand axially under load to keep the load pressure on each tire not more than 2 psi where the tire tread engages the ground. Self-lubricating needle bearings are engaged between each ground wheel and a hollow axle. The axle is covered by rubber sleeves axially outboard of the tires. Annular hull chocks are attached to the opposite ends of the axle, and each chock has a convex inboard face which is covered with outdoor carpeting. A flexible line extends through the axle and beyond the axle at each end for releasable attachment to the catamaran hulls.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell A. Whitney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:42
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C13/00; F; F16; F16C; F16C19/00; F16C19/22; F16C19/44; F16C19/46; F16C33/00; F16C33/30; F16C33/34; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
In a dolly for a catamaran, said dolly having an axle and a pair of ground wheels having rims spaced apart along said axle, the improvement wherein: each of said ground wheels has an inflatable, soft-walled, low pressure tire which under the weight of the catamaran is expandable axially at its ground-engaging tread to maintain a load of less than about 2 pounds per square inch on the tire thereat; and further comprising plastic anti-friction bearings engaged between the axle and each wheel to permit rotation of the axle within the wheels; and wherein said anti-friction bearings have metal races comprised of the axle and the rims and are needle bearings of self-lubricating plastic material due to wear and accumulation of plastic on said races.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
In a dolly for a catamaran, said dolly having an axle and a pair of ground wheels having rims spaced apart along said axle, the improvement wherein: each of said ground wheels has an inflatable, soft-walled, low pressure tire which under the weight of the catamaran is expandable axially at its ground-engaging tread to maintain a load of less than about 2 pounds per square inch on the tire thereat; and further comprising plastic anti-friction bearings engaged between the axle and each wheel to permit rotation of the axle within the wheels; and wherein said anti-friction bearings have metal races comprised of the axle and the rims and are needle bearings of self-lubricating plastic material due to wear and accumulation of plastic on said races.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A dolly according to claim 1, and further comprising retaining rings attached to the axle at the opposite ends of each needle bearing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A dolly according to claim 2, and further comprising sleeves of rubber material on the outside of the axle axially outboard of the wheels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A dolly according to claim 3, and further comprising a pair of chocks fastened to the axle at each end and each presenting a convex, annular, axially inboard face with a yieldable cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A dolly according to claim 4, wherein said cover is of outdoor carpeting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A dolly according to claim 5, wherein said axle is a hollow elongated cylinder, and further comprising a flexible line extending lengthwise through the axle and beyond its opposite ends for releasable attachment to the catamaran hulls.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A dolly according to claim 1, wherein said axle is a hollow elongated cylinder, and further comprising a flexible line extending lengthwise through the axle and beyond its opposite ends for releasable attachment to the catamaran hulls.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A dolly according to claim 1, wherein each tire has chevron-shaped, outwardly projecting ribs spaced apart in succession along its circumference.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A dolly according to claim 8, and further comprising: retainer rings attached to the axle at opposite ends of each needle bearing; sleeves of rubber material on the outside of the axle axially outboard of the wheels; and a pair of chocks fastened to the axle at each end and each presenting a convex, annular, axially inboard face with a cover of yieldable material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A dolly according to claim 1, and further comprising sleeves of yieldable, frictional material on the outside of the axle axially outboard of the wheels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A dolly according to claim 10, and further comprising a pair of annular chocks fastened to the axle axially outboard of said sleeves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A dolly according to claim 11, wherein said axle is an elongated hollow cylinder, and further comprising a flexible line extending lengthwise through the axle and beyond its opposite ends for releasable attachment to the catamaran hulls.
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) | 1984-01-06 | 1984-07-07 | 1985-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-01-06 | 1988-07-07 | 1989-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-01-06 | 1992-07-07 | 1993-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |