Vehicles including truck assemblies configured to selectively decouple a wheel of the truck assembly
AssigneeVolley Automation, Inc.
InventorsDavid Edwin Weldon, Connor James Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle including a plurality of truck assemblies is provided. Each truck assembly includes a truck axle, a first wheel fixed to the truck axle, a second wheel selectively coupled to the truck axle, a motor configured to rotate the truck axle, and a clutch operatively coupled to the second wheel. The clutch is positionable between a coupled position and a decoupled position. When the clutch is in the coupled position, the second wheel rotates with the truck axle, and when the clutch is in the decoupled position, the second wheel is free to rotate relative to the truck axle.
Claims20
A vehicle comprising:
- a plurality of truck assemblies;
- a frame comprising a front rail, a rear rail, and a first side rail extending between the front rail and the rear rail;
- a rear yoke rotatably coupled to the rear rail and rotatable relative to the rear rail about a vehicle longitudinal axis;
- and
- a linkage assembly extending between the rear yoke and the plurality of truck assemblies mounted to the rear yoke, the linkage assembly comprising:
- a first pair of tie rods extending between the first side rail and a first end of the rear yoke;
- and
- a second pair of tie rods extending between the first side rail and a second end of the rear yoke.
A vehicle comprising:
- a lifting assembly comprising a lifting device positionable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting device comprising:
- a proximal end;
- a distal end opposite the proximal end;
- and
- a contact member provided at the distal end, the contact member engaging a receiving member of a platform when the vehicle is positioned under the platform,
- wherein when in the raised position, the lifting device is pivoted at the proximal end of the lifting device.
A method comprising:
- moving a vehicle to be positioned under a platform;
- and
- operating a lifting assembly of the vehicle, the lifting assembly comprising:
- a lifting device positionable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lifting device comprising:
- a proximal end;
- a distal end opposite the proximal end;
- and
- a contact member provided at the distal end, the contact member engaging a receiving member of the platform when the vehicle is positioned under the platform,
- wherein when in the raised position, the lifting device is pivoted at the proximal end of the lifting device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.