# US 7,744,102 B2 · Steerable carriage apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,102 B2 - Document ID: US7744102B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/859,788 - Filed: 2008-08-31 - Published: 2008-12-18 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2005-07-09 - Inventors: Eric Shawn Bailey; Edward John Grimberg, Jr.; Matthew C. Emenheiser; Michael C. Messaros - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744102B2 ## CPC - B62B 7/04: having more than one wheel axis; Steering devices therefor - B62B: HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES (characterised by animal propulsion B62C; propulsion of sledges by driver or engine B62M) ## Abstract A steerable carriage apparatus for manually transporting a payload across a surface, that includes frame multiple end portions that include rotating elements rotationally attached to each of the frame multiple end portions, with the rotating elements forming contacts on the surface. Additionally, the frame multiple end portions have a pivotal attachment to one another being operational to steer the carriage, with the pivotal attachment having a pivotal axis forming an angle to the surface, the pivotal attachment having the option of selectively controlling the urging, dampening, or locking of the pivotal movement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An articulated steerable carriage apparatus for manually transporting a payload across a surface, comprising: (a) a first frame portion; (b) a second frame portion; (c) a yoke assembly including a pivotal axial axis, said yoke assembly disposed adjacent to said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said yoke facilitating pivotal movement about said pivotal axial axis between said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said yoke further including a means for urging said first frame portion and said second frame portion into a non-turning mode, wherein said means for urging into non turning mode is operational when said articulated steerable carriage apparatus is static in relation to the surface; (d) a first rotating element rotationally attached to said first frame portion and forming a first contact on the surface; and (e) a second rotating element rotationally attached to said second frame portion forming a second contact on the surface, said second rotating element and said second frame portion are operational to be steerable through said pivotal movement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 1 further including a handlebar that is adjacent to said second frame portion, wherein said handlebar is operational to steer said second rotating element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 2 further including a means for an automatic conditional substantial rotational restriction of a second rotating element rotational movement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for an automatic conditional substantial rotational restriction is a control adjacent to said handlebar that must have a grasp by a user for free rotation of said second rotating element, wherein if said user releases said grasp then said second rotational element has said substantial rotational restriction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for urging said first frame portion and said second frame portion into a non-turning mode includes a torsional spring pack that is in rotational engagement contact with a shuttle ring disposed within said yoke assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said shuttle ring further includes an extension that is selectively axially movable along said yoke axial axis, wherein operationally said extension selectively has said rotational engagement contact with said torsional spring pack to place said yoke in a biased state to urge through said pivotal movement said first frame portion and said second frame portion into said non-turning mode, and said extension being selectively axially movable to not have said rotational engagement contact with said torsional spring pack to place said yoke in a non-biased state to not urge through said pivotal movement said first frame portion and said second frame portion into said non-turning mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said shuttle ring further includes a web that is rotationally engaged against said pivotal movement relative to a yoke inner tube, wherein said web is disposed within an aperture in said inner tube that is operational to allow selectable axial movement of said shuttle ring along said yoke axial axis while limiting said shuttle ring rotational movement relative to said inner tube to further allow said extension to be selectively axially movable along said yoke axial axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said selectably axially movable shuttle ring extension includes structure to be remotely controlled from said handlebar by a user. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 2 further including a selectable means for substantially locking and unlocking said pivotal movement. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said selectable means for substantially locking said pivotal movement includes a shuttle ring that selectively removably engages an outer tube of said yoke. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said shuttle ring includes a frustroconical outside diameter that selectively removably engages a mating frustroconical inside diameter of said outer tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said shuttle ring further includes a web that is rotationally engaged against said pivotal movement relative to a yoke inner tube, wherein said web is disposed within an aperture in said inner tube that is operational to allow selectable axial movement of said shuttle ring along said yoke axial axis while limiting said shuttle ring rotational movement relative to said inner tube to further allow said frustroconical outside diameter to removably engage said mating frustroconical inside diameter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said selectable means for substantially locking said pivotal movement includes an element to be remotely controlled from said handlebar by a user. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 1 further including a plurality of first rotating elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 1 further including a plurality of second rotating elements. ### Claim 16 An articulated steerable carriage apparatus for manually transporting a payload across a surface, comprising: (a) a first frame portion; (b) a second frame portion; (c) a yoke assembly including a pivotal axial axis, said yoke assembly disposed adjacent to said first frame portion and said second frame portion, said yoke facilitating pivotal movement about said pivotal axial axis between said first frame portion and said second frame portion said yoke further including a means for urging said first frame portion and said second frame portion into a non-turning mode, wherein said means for urging into non turning mode is operational when said articulated steerable carriage apparatus is static in relation to the surface; (d) a first rotating element rotationally attached to said first frame portion and forming a first contact on the surface; and (e) a second rotating element rotationally attached to said second frame portion forming a second contact on the surface, said first rotating element and said first frame portion are operational to be steerable through said pivotal movement. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 16 further including a handlebar that is adjacent to said first frame portion, wherein said handlebar is operational to steer said first rotating element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 17 further including a means for an automatic conditional substantial rotational restriction of a second rotating element rotational movement. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said means for an automatic conditional substantial rotational restriction is a control adjacent to said handlebar that must have a grasp by a user for free rotation of said second rotating element, wherein if said user releases said grasp then said second rotational element has said substantial rotational restriction. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said means for urging said first frame portion and said second frame portion into a non-turning mode includes a torsional spring pack that is in rotational engagement contact with a shuttle ring disposed within said yoke assembly. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said shuttle ring further includes an extension that is selectively axially movable along said yoke axial axis, wherein operationally said extension selectively has said rotational engagement contact with said torsional spring pack to place said yoke in a biased state to urge through said pivotal movement said first frame portion and said second frame portion into said non-turning mode, and said extension being selectively axially movable to not have said rotational engagement contact with said torsional spring pack to place said yoke in a non-biased state to not urge through said pivotal movement said first frame portion and said second frame portion into said non-turning mode. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said shuttle ring further includes a web that is rotationally engaged against said pivotal movement relative to a yoke inner tube, wherein said web is disposed within an aperture in said inner tube that is operational to allow selectable axial movement of said shuttle ring along said yoke axial axis while limiting said shuttle ring rotational movement relative to said inner tube to further allow said extension to be selectively axially movable along said yoke axial axis. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said selectably axially movable shuttle ring extension includes structure to be remotely controlled from said handlebar by a user. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 17 further including a selectable means for substantially locking and unlocking said pivotal movement. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said selectable means for substantially locking said pivotal movement includes a shuttle ring that selectively removably engages an outer tube of said yoke. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said shuttle ring includes a frustroconical outside diameter that selectively removably engages a mating frustroconical inside diameter of said outer tube. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said shuttle ring further includes a web that is rotationally engaged against said pivotal movement relative to a yoke inner tube, wherein said web is disposed within an aperture in said inner tube that is operational to allow selectable axial movement of said shuttle ring along said yoke axial axis while limiting said shuttle ring rotational movement relative to said inner tube to further allow said frustroconical outside diameter to removably engage said mating frustroconical inside diameter. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said selectable means for substantially locking said pivotal movement includes an element to be remotely controlled from said handlebar by a user. ### Claim 29 (depends on 16) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 16 further including a plurality of first rotating elements. ### Claim 30 (depends on 16) An articulated steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 16 further including a plurality of second rotating elements. ### Claim 31 An adapted steerable carriage apparatus including a head frame portion and a fork for manually transporting a payload across a surface, comprising: (a) a yoke assembly including a pivotal axial axis, said yoke assembly disposed adjacent to said head frame portion and said fork, said yoke facilitating pivotal movement about said pivotal axial axis between said head frame portion and said fork; and (b) a torsional spring pack that is in selectable rotational engagement contact with a shuttle ring that is disposed within said yoke assembly, said torsional spring pack and said shuttle ring are operational to urge said head frame portion and said fork through said pivotal movement into a non turning mode. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said shuttle ring further includes an extension that is selectively axially movable along said yoke axial axis, wherein operationally said extension selectively has said rotational engagement contact with said torsional spring pack to place said yoke in a biased state to urge through said pivotal movement said third frame portion and said fork into said non-turning mode, and said extension being selectively axially movable to not have said rotational engagement contact with said torsional spring pack to place said yoke in a non-biased state to not urge through said pivotal movement said head frame portion and said fork into said non-turning mode. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said shuttle ring further includes a web that is rotationally engaged against said pivotal movement relative to a yoke inner tube, wherein said web is disposed within an aperture in said inner tube that is operational to allow selectable axial movement of said shuttle ring along said yoke axial axis while limiting said shuttle ring rotational movement relative to said inner tube to further allow said extension to be selectively axially movable along said yoke axial axis. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said selectably axially movable shuttle ring extension includes structure to be remotely controlled by a user. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 31 further including a selectable means for substantially locking and unlocking said pivotal movement. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said selectable means for substantially locking said pivotal movement includes said shuttle ring having structure that selectively removably engages an outer tube of said yoke. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said shuttle ring structure includes a frustroconical outside diameter that selectively removably engages a mating frustroconical inside diameter of said outer tube. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said shuttle ring further includes a web that is rotationally engaged against said pivotal movement relative to a yoke inner tube, wherein said web is disposed within an aperture in said inner tube that is operational to allow selectable axial movement of said shuttle ring along said yoke axial axis while limiting said shuttle ring rotational movement relative to said inner tube to further allow said frustroconical outside diameter to removably engage said mating frustroconical inside diameter. ### Claim 39 (depends on 35) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said selectable means for substantially locking said pivotal movement includes an element to be remotely controlled by a user. ### Claim 40 (depends on 31) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 31 further comprising a selectively lockable pivot disposed between said yoke assembly and said head frame portion, wherein said selectively lockable pivot is operational to allow a rake angle to be selectively adjustable, with said rake angle formed between said yoke pivotal axial axis and an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the surface. ### Claim 41 An adapted steerable carriage apparatus including a wheel frame portion and a support element for manually transporting a payload across a surface, comprising: (a) a yoke assembly including a pivotal axial axis, said yoke assembly disposed adjacent to said wheel frame portion and said support element, said yoke facilitating pivotal movement about said pivotal axial axis between said wheel frame portion and said support element; and (b) a torsional spring pack that is in selectable rotational engagement contact with a shuttle ring that is disposed within said yoke assembly, said torsional spring pack and said shuttle ring are operational to urge said wheel frame portion and said support element through said pivotal movement into a non turning mode. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said shuttle ring further includes an extension that is selectively axially movable along said yoke axial axis, wherein operationally said extension selectively has said rotational engagement contact with said torsional spring pack to place said yoke in a biased state to urge through said pivotal movement said wheel frame portion and said support element into said non-turning mode, and said extension being selectively axially movable to not have said rotational engagement contact with said torsional spring pack to place said yoke in a non-biased state to not urge through said pivotal movement said wheel frame portion and said support element into said non-turning mode. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said shuttle ring further includes a web that is rotationally engaged against said pivotal movement relative to a yoke inner tube, wherein said web is disposed within an aperture in said inner tube that is operational to allow selectable axial movement of said shuttle ring along said yoke axial axis while limiting said shuttle ring rotational movement relative to said inner tube to further allow said extension to be selectively axially movable along said yoke axial axis. ### Claim 44 (depends on 42) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 42 wherein said selectably axially movable shuttle ring extension includes structure to be remotely controlled by a user. ### Claim 45 (depends on 41) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 41 further including a selectable means for substantially locking and unlocking said pivotal movement. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 45 wherein said selectable means for substantially locking said pivotal movement includes said shuttle ring having structure that selectively removably engages an outer tube of said yoke. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 46 wherein said shuttle ring structure includes a frustroconical outside diameter that selectively removably engages a mating frustroconical inside diameter of said outer tube. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 47 wherein said shuttle ring further includes a web that is rotationally engaged against said pivotal movement relative to a yoke inner tube, wherein said web is disposed within an aperture in said inner tube that is operational to allow selectable axial movement of said shuttle ring along said yoke axial axis while limiting said shuttle ring rotational movement relative to said inner tube to further allow said frustroconical outside diameter to removably engage said mating frustroconical inside diameter. ### Claim 49 (depends on 45) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 45 wherein said selectable means for substantially locking said pivotal movement includes an element to be remotely controlled by a user. ### Claim 50 (depends on 41) An adapted steerable carriage apparatus according to claim 41 further comprising a linkage assembly pivotally connected to said support element to couple said pivotal movement to an additional support element that is pivotally connected to said wheel frame portion.