Wheel positional restraint device and method for using the same
AssigneeTri-Lynx Corporation
InventorsL. Reg Funk, John I. Colak
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi-tiered assembly of leveler units with a vehicle wheel positional restraint is provided. The leveler units each comprise a planar body, with upper and lower surfaces circumscribed by edges. The body of each unit bears a plurality of pins upwardly extending from the upper surface and has a plurality of pockets formed in the lower surface to receive corresponding pins of other similar units. The pins are of slightly smaller size than the corresponding pockets. The positional restraint can interlock with the other leveler units and additionally provide an upper surface with an obstruction to prevent wheel movement.
Claims37
A wheel support leveler assembly for vehicles to lift, support and restrain a position of a wheel of said vehicle in a first direction, said assembly comprising:
- a first planar body with upper and lower surfaces circumscribed by edges, pins upwardly extending from spaced locations on said first planar body upper surface, each of said pins having a circumferential surface, and said first planar body having pin-engaging pockets of contours to matably receive corresponding pins of other similar first planar bodies formed in appropriate locations in said lower surface of said first planar body, said pins being slightly smaller than corresponding pockets of other said first planar bodies so as to provide limited lateral movement between said first planar bodies by means of a loose engagement between certain of said pins of one first planar body and certain of said pockets of another first planar body wherein a clearance is provided about the entire circumferential surface of each said pin between said pin and said corresponding pocket, thereby preventing an interference fit at any portion of said circumferential surface of said pin and said corresponding pocket;
- and
- a second body circumscribed by edges, said second body having a first lower surface with a pin engaging pocket to receive at least a pin of said first planar body, and said second body having an upper surface with an obstruction to restrain movement of said vehicle wheel in said first direction.
A vehicle wheel positional restraint used in a wheel support leveler assembly, the assembly including a first planar body of upper and lower surfaces with pins extending from spaced locations on said first planar body upper surface;
- said positioned restraint comprising:
- a positional restraint body circumscribed by edges, said restraint body having a lower surface with pin engaging pockets to receive pins of a first planar body, in an non-interfering manner;
- and
- an obstruction on an upper surface of said restraint body, said obstruction to prevent movement of said vehicle in a first given direction.
A method of supporting, leveling, and restraining a position of a vehicle wheel in a first direction comprising:
- placing on a surface a first planar body with upper and lower surfaces circumscribed by edges, pins upwardly extending from spaced locations on said first planar body upper surface, each of said pins having a circumferential surface, and said first planar body having pin engaging pockets of squares to receive corresponding pins of other similar first planar bodies formed in appropriate locations in said lower surfaces of said first planar body, said pins being slightly smaller than corresponding pockets of other said first planar bodies so as to provide linear lateral movement between said first planar bodies by means of a loose engagement between certain of said pins of one first planar body and certain of said pockets of another first planar body wherein a clearance is provided about the entire circumferential surface of each said pin between said pin and said corresponding pocket, thereby preventing an interference of any portion of said circumferential surface of said pin and said corresponding pocket;
- and
- mating a said pin of said first planar body into a corresponding pocket of a vehicle wheel positional restraint, said vehicle wheel positional restraint having a lower surface with a pin engaging pocket to receive a pin of said first planar body in a non-interfering manner, said vehicle wheel positional restraint having an obstruction on an upper surface to prevent movement of said vehicle in a first given direction;
- and
- positioning said vehicle wheel to a position wherein said vehicle wheel is adjacent to said obstruction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.