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US 6,217,044 B1Granted
Steerable and retractable wheels for multi-purpose carriage
AssigneeBeeche Systems, Corp.
InventorsGregory L. Beeche, Roy Scrafford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Wheel assemblies for attachment to a carriage or a vehicle. The wheel assemblies can be configured for four wheel steering, locked in predetermined directions, or free pivoting. The wheel assemblies further include an apparatus for retracting and extending the wheels of the carriage to support the carriage on fixed length supports.
Claims23
A wheel assembly comprising:
- a mounting bracket for attaching the wheel assembly to a carriage;
- a fixed length support rotatably attached to the mounting bracket, wherein a support pad is attached to a lower end of the fixed length support for contacting a support surface;
- at least one wheel rotatably attached to a wheel retraction apparatus, wherein the wheel retraction apparatus is attached to the fixed length support and provides retraction and extension of each wheel relative to the fixed length support;
- and
- a control system for selecting a wheel positioning mode of the wheel assembly.
2 more elements
A wheel assembly comprising:
- a mounting bracket for attaching the wheel assembly to a carriage;
- a fixed length support rotatably attached to the mounting bracket;
- at least one wheel rotatably attached to a wheel retraction apparatus, wherein the wheel retraction apparatus is attached to the fixed length support and provides retraction and extension of each wheel relative to the fixed length support;
- a control system for selecting a wheel positioning mode of the wheel assembly, wherein the control system of the wheel assembly includes a control element for selecting a wheel positioning mode of the wheel assembly, wherein:
- in a first position, the control element of the wheel assembly selects a wheel positioning mode wherein the wheel assembly is controlled by a steering apparatus;
- in a second position, the control element of the wheel assembly selects a wheel positioning mode wherein the wheel assembly is positioned in a fixed direction;
- and
- in a third position, the control element of the wheel assembly selects a wheel positioning mode wherein the wheel assembly can freely swivel in any direction.
5 more elements
A wheel assembly comprising:
- a mounting bracket for attaching the wheel assembly to a carriage;
- a fixed length support rotatably attached to the mounting bracket;
- at least one wheel rotatably attached to a wheel retraction apparatus, wherein the wheel retraction apparatus is attached to the fixed length support and provides retraction and extension of each wheel relative to the fixed length support;
- and
- a control system for selecting a wheel positioning mode of the wheel assembly, wherein the control system of the wheel assembly includes a control element for selecting a wheel positioning mode of the wheel assembly, and wherein a first end of the control element is pivotally attached to a selector plate attached to the fixed length support.
2 more elements
A wheel assembly comprising:
- a mounting bracket for attaching the wheel assembly to a carriage;
- a fixed length support rotatably attached to the mounting bracket;
- at least one wheel rotatably attached to a wheel retraction apparatus, wherein the wheel retraction apparatus is attached to the fixed length support and provides retraction and extension of each wheel relative to the fixed length support, wherein the wheel retraction apparatus comprises:
- an axle arm pivotally attached to the fixed length support;
- an axle shaft attached to the axle arm, wherein each wheel is rotatably attached to the axle shaft;
- an adjustment system coupled to the axle arm for adjusting a position of the axle shaft relative to the fixed length support to retract or extend each wheel;
- and
- a control system for selecting a wheel positioning mode of the wheel assembly.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.