Support devices including movable segments and methods for operating the same
AssigneeToyota Motor North America, Inc.
InventorsDouglas A. Moore, Dario Jose Villarreal Suarez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A support device includes a base portion, a leg coupled to the base portion, the leg including an upper segment, a central segment pivotally coupled to the upper segment at a front wheel, a lower segment pivotally coupled to the central segment, a rear wheel coupled to the lower segment, and an engagement member coupled to the lower segment, where the engagement member is positionable between a disengaged position, in which at least a portion of the engagement member is positioned above the rear wheel, and an engaged position, in which at least a portion of the engagement member is positioned at or below the rear wheel.
Claims14
A support device comprising:
- a base portion;
- a leg coupled to the base portion, the leg comprising:
- an upper segment;
- a central segment pivotally coupled to the upper segment at a front wheel;
- a lower segment pivotally coupled to the central segment;
- a rear wheel coupled to the lower segment;
- an engagement member coupled to the lower segment, wherein the engagement member is positionable between a disengaged position, in which at least a portion of the engagement member is positioned above the rear wheel, and an engaged position, in which at least a portion of the engagement member is positioned at or below the rear wheel, wherein the engagement member comprises a wheel positioned between the rear wheel and the front wheel.
A method for moving a support device onto an obstacle, the method comprising:
- moving a rear wheel and a front wheel of the support device along a surface, wherein the front wheel and the rear wheel are coupled to a leg that is pivotally coupled to a base portion of the support device, the leg comprising an upper segment, a central segment pivotally coupled to the upper segment at the front wheel, and a lower segment pivotally coupled to the central segment;
- and
- moving an engagement member coupled to the lower segment from a disengaged position, in which the engagement member is positioned above the rear wheel, to an engaged position in which the engagement member is positioned at or below the rear wheel, wherein the engagement member comprises a wheel positioned between the rear wheel and the front wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.