# US 12,595,003 B2 · Common chassis for ground support tractors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,595,003 B2 - Document ID: US12595003B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 19/198,022 - Filed: 2025-05-03 - Published: 2025-08-21 - Granted: 2026-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2023-09-11 - Assignees: Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc. - Applicants: Textron Ground Support Equipment Inc. - Inventors: Kevin Michael Ayotte; Micael David Ekstrom; Evan Luke Kellams; Soulaxay Phommavongsa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12595003B2 ## CPC - B62D 33/06: Drivers' cabs {(overhead guards, e.g. against loads falling down B60R21/11; roll-over protection B60R21/13)} - B60K 1/04: of the electric storage means for propulsion - B60K 17/00: Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles - B60N 2/005: Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles {, e.g. dismountable auxiliary seats}(B60N2/02 takes precedence {; for railway vehicles B61D1/04}) - B62D 25/14: Dashboards as superstructure sub-units (other dashboard aspects B60K) - B62D 25/16: Mud-guards or wings; Wheel cover panels (equipped with means for freeing wheels or tyres from foreign matter B60S) - B64F 1/225: Vehicles specially adapted therefor, e.g. aircraft tow tractors - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A ground support tractor for providing ground support services at an airport. The ground support tractor has a cab forward configuration and a cab aft configuration. The ground support tractor includes a common chassis having a forward mounting location and an aft mounting location. An operator tub is coupled to the common chassis. In the cab forward configuration, the operator tub is coupled to the forward mounting location. In the cab aft configuration, the operator tub is coupled to the aft mounting location. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A ground support tractor having cab forward and cab aft configurations, the ground support tractor comprising: a common chassis having a forward mounting location and an aft mounting location; an operator tub coupled to the common chassis; and a battery system coupled to the common chassis; wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the operator tub is coupled to the forward mounting location and positioned forward of the battery system; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the operator tub is coupled to the aft mounting location and positioned aft of the battery system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 wherein, the operator tub is a common operator tub. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the battery system is coupled to the aft mounting location; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the battery system is coupled to the forward mounting location. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 wherein, the battery system is a common battery system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 further comprising a dash frame coupled to the operator tub. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 5 wherein, the dash frame is a common dash frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 further comprising a cabin coupled to the common chassis and positioned above the operator tub. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 7 wherein, the cabin is a common cabin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 1 further comprising a seat assembly coupled to the operator tub. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 9 wherein, the seat assembly is a common seat assembly. ### Claim 11 A ground support tractor having cab forward and cab aft configurations, the ground support tractor comprising: a common chassis having a forward mounting location and an aft mounting location; an operator tub coupled to the common chassis; and first and second drive wheels coupled to the common chassis; wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the operator tub is coupled to the forward mounting location and positioned forward of the first and second drive wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the operator tub is coupled to the aft mounting location and positioned at least partially above the first and second drive wheels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 11 wherein, the common chassis further comprises first and second aft wheel wells; and wherein, the first and second drive wheels are respectively positioned within the first and second aft wheel wells. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 11 further comprising a seat assembly coupled to the operator tub; wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the seat assembly is positioned forward of the first and second drive wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the seat assembly is positioned above the first and second drive wheels. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 11 further comprising first and second steering control wheels coupled to the common chassis; wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the operator tub is positioned at least partially above the first and second steering control wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the operator tub is positioned aft of the first and second steering control wheels. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 14 wherein, the common chassis further comprises first and second forward wheel wells; and wherein, the first and second steering control wheels are respectively positioned within the first and second forward wheel wells. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 14 further comprising a seat assembly coupled to the operator tub; wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the seat assembly is positioned above the first and second steering control wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the seat assembly is positioned aft of the first and second steering control wheels. ### Claim 17 A ground support tractor having cab forward and cab aft configurations, the ground support tractor comprising: a common chassis including a frame with first and second forward wheel wells coupled thereto and with first and second aft wheel wells coupled thereto, the common chassis having a forward mounting location positioned above the first and second forward wheel wells and an aft mounting location positioned above the first and second aft wheel wells; and an operator tub coupled to the common chassis; wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the operator tub is coupled to the forward mounting location and positioned at least partially above the first and second forward wheel wells; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the operator tub is coupled to the aft mounting location and positioned at least partially above the first and second aft wheel wells. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 17 further comprising: first and second steering control wheels respectively positioned within the first and second forward wheel wells; and first and second drive wheels respectively positioned within the first and second aft wheel wells. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 18 wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the operator tub is positioned at least partially above the first and second steering control wheels and forward of the first and second drive wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the operator tub is positioned at least partially above the first and second drive wheels and aft of the first and second steering control wheels. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The ground support tractor as recited in claim 18 further comprising a seat assembly coupled to the operator tub; wherein, in the cab forward configuration, the seat assembly is positioned above the first and second steering control wheels; and wherein, in the cab aft configuration, the seat assembly is positioned above the first and second drive wheels.