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US 11,958,398 B1Granted
Apparatus for moving objects such as small recreational vehicles
OwnerDaniel Zierdeninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for moving an object across a ground surface may include a platform having an upper surface for positioning the object on, and a perimeter. The apparatus may also include a plurality of lift assemblies configured to selectively raise the platform off of the ground surface and permit the apparatus to move across the ground surface with the object carried on the platform. The plurality of lift assemblies may be located along the perimeter of the platform, and each of the lift assemblies may have a deployed condition and a retracted condition. The deployed condition may be characterized by the lift assembly facilitating movement of the platform across the ground surface.
Claims20
An apparatus for moving an object across a ground surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a platform having an upper surface for positioning the object on, the platform having a perimeter;
- and
- a plurality of lift assemblies mounted on the platform, the lift assemblies being located along the perimeter of the platform, each of the lift assemblies comprises:
- an elongated support arm having an inboard end and an outboard end, the support end being pivotally mounted on the platform by a pivot located at the inboard end of the support arm to permit pivot movement of the support arm with respect to the platform;
- a ground contacting element mounted on the support arm at a mount location on the support arm between the pivot at the inboard end and the outboard end of the pivot arm, the mount location being located at a first distance from the pivot at the inboard end and the mount location being located at a second distance from the outboard end;
- and
- wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance such that the support arm acts as a lever when a downward force is applied to the outboard end of the support arm to push the ground contacting element downwardly and the platform upwardly via the pivot to lift the platform and any object thereon upwardly off of the ground surface;
- wherein each lift assembly has a deployed condition and a retracted condition;
- wherein the deployed condition of a said lift assembly is characterized by the lift assembly supporting the platform in an elevated position off of the ground surface and having the ground contacting element in contact with the ground surface to facilitate movement of the platform across the ground surface;
- and
- wherein the retracted condition of a said lift assembly is characterized by the lift assembly not supporting the platform in the elevated position off of the ground surface such that the platform is in a lowered position.
8 more elements
An apparatus for moving an object across a ground surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a platform having an upper surface for positioning the object on, the platform having a perimeter;
- and
- a plurality of lift assemblies configured to selectively raise the platform off of the ground surface and permit the apparatus to move across the ground surface with the object carried on the platform, the plurality of lift assemblies being located along the perimeter of the platform, each of the lift assemblies having a deployed condition and a retracted condition, the deployed condition being characterized by the lift assembly facilitating movement of the platform across the ground surface;
- at least one securing assembly for selectively securing the at least one lift assembly in the deployed condition;
- wherein the at least one lift assembly includes a support arm movably mounted on the platform,
- wherein the at least one securing assembly is configured to engage the support arm to selectively secure the support arm in a deployed position;
- wherein the at least one securing assembly comprises a securing post for engaging a support arm of a said lift assembly when the support arm is in the deployed position;
- and
- wherein the securing post is insertable into an aperture of the support arm when the support arm is in the deployed position.
6 more elements
An apparatus for moving an object across a ground surface, the apparatus comprising:
- a platform having an upper surface for positioning the object on, the platform having a perimeter;
- and
- a plurality of lift assemblies configured to selectively raise the platform off of the ground surface and permit the apparatus to move across the ground surface with the object carried on the platform, the plurality of lift assemblies being located along the perimeter of the platform, each of the lift assemblies having a deployed condition and a retracted condition, the deployed condition being characterized by the lift assembly facilitating movement of the platform across the ground surface;
- wherein each of the lift assemblies additionally comprises a support arm being elongated with an inboard end and an outboard end, the support arm being mounted on the platform by a pivot located toward the inboard end of the support arm and permitting pivot movement of the support arm with respect to the platform;
- wherein, in the deployed condition, the support arm is pivoted downwardly into a position adjacent to the platform to force the ground contacting element downwardly with respect to the platform such that the ground contacting element protrudes below a bottom of the platform such that the ground contacting element lifts the platform upwardly and off of the ground surface;
- wherein, in the retracted condition, the support arm is pivoted upwardly from the position adjacent to the platform of the deployed condition such that the ground contacting element is raised upwardly to permit the platform to move downwardly toward the ground surface;
- wherein the support arm is in a deployed position in the deployed condition of the lift assembly, the deployed position being characterized by the support arm being oriented substantially horizontal;
- and
- wherein the support arm is in a retracted position in the deployed condition of the lift assembly, the retracted position being characterized by the support arm being oriented substantially vertical.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.