Retractable wheels
AssigneeCardox Corporation
InventorDavid A. C. Royle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle having a steerable wheel has a mechanism for retracting the wheel into a compartment in the vehicle. The mechanism comprises a pillar (23) mounted to the vehicle within the compartment at two spaced positions, preferably at the top and bottom of the pillar. A steering arm (26) fixed to the pillar is movable to rotate the pillar (23) about its own axis. A collar (22) is slidably mounted on the pillar (23) but rotatable with the pillar. The collar (22) carries wheel forks (21) on which a pair of wheels is mounted on stub axles. The wheels are turned by rotation of the collar as a result of the steering action on the pillar, and their height is altered by raising and lowering the position of the collar on the pillar. The mechanism is applicable for use in amphibious craft.
Claims16
A vehicle having a steerable wheel or pair of wheels and a mechanism for retracting the steerable wheel or pair of wheels into a compartment in the vehicle, wherein the mechanism comprises a pillar pivotally mounted to the vehicle within the compartment, a steering arm connected to rotate the pillar about its own axis, a collar slidably mounted on the pillar but rotationally fixed relative thereto, the steerable wheel or pair of wheels being attached to the collar so that the steerable wheel or pair of wheels can be raised and lowered in use by sliding the collar on the pillar and steered by movement of the steering arm to rotate the pillar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.