Quick-connect gravity assisted adapter system
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsEleanor MCCARTHY, Andrew M. GRAY, Wayne M. CHOQUETTE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick-connect gravity assisted adapter system is described. A quick connect plate and receiver can be shaped and oriented to allow for quick coupling and decoupling of a lower support and moveable carriage to each other. The weight of the moveable carriage can rest on the connection surfaces between the plate and receiver and can provide for snug coupling with few or no fasteners used to make or maintain the connection between the lower support and the moveable carriage.
Claims20
A method for attaching a jockey wheel to a moveable carriage, the method comprising:
- providing a quick-connect plate;
- providing a jockey wheel;
- coupling the jockey wheel to the quick-connect plate;
- sliding the quick connect plate into a receiving groove, the receiving groove located on the moveable carriage, the receiving groove having an upper internal surface;
- seating an edge of the quick-connect plate against the upper internal surface, wherein after seating, a weight of the moveable carriage applies a downward force from the upper internal surface onto the edge of the quick-connect plate when the jockey wheel is coupled to the quick-connect-plate and when the jockey wheel is supporting weight of the moveable carriage.
A jockey wheel and moveable carriage with connecting plate system, the system comprising:
- a jockey wheel comprising a wheel and a metallic jockey wheel connection interface;
- a quick-connect plate, the plate comprising an outer edge;
- and
- a moveable carriage with a receiving track, the receiving track having a groove, the groove sized and shaped to removably receive the outer edge of the quick-connect plate, the outer edge positioned within the groove of the receiving track,
- wherein a weight of the moveable carriage applies a downward force from an upper internal surface of the groove of the receiving track, onto an edge of the quick-connect plate when the outer edge is positioned within the groove of the receiving track, and when the jockey wheel is supporting weight of the moveable carriage.
A jockey wheel and moveable carriage with connecting plate system, the system comprising:
- a jockey wheel comprising a wheel, a jack, a connecting shaft positioned between the jack and the wheel, and a jockey wheel connection interface, the jockey wheel connection interface extending outward from the connecting shaft;
- a quick-connect plate connected to the jockey wheel connection interface, the quick-connect plate comprising an outer edge;
- and
- a moveable carriage with a receiving track, the receiving track having a groove, the groove sized and shaped to removably receive the outer edge of the quick-connect plate, the outer edge positioned within the groove of the receiving track,
- wherein a weight of the moveable carriage applies a downward force from an upper internal surface of the groove of the receiving track, onto an edge of the quick-connect plate when the outer edge is positioned within the groove of the receiving track, and when the jockey wheel is supporting weight of the moveable carriage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.