Automobile Patents (Class 248/352)
  • Patent number: 5284289
    Abstract: An improvement in process for reinforcing a structure against fatigue failure and the resulting structure are set forth. The structure comprises joined weldable structural portions having adjoining surfaces which meet at a junction and diverge therefrom to form a gap between each other. A brace with weldable terminal feet spans the gap. Each such foot rests against a structural portion, and the brace is plug-welded to at least one of the structural portions through a hole in a foot, or a hole in a structural portion or holes in each such portion where they interface. The invention is especially efficient for bracing an air chamber bracket that is designed for automotive use. A preferred rigid structure has the feet welded at both ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Killian
  • Patent number: 5238213
    Abstract: A hood prop or support tubes two or more telescoping tubular members which are locked together by means of a plate retained within the larger diameter tubular member that is biased by one of the bearing supports for the inner tubular member, and which may be manually released by pushing the plate by the biasing force of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Lisle Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Pool
  • Patent number: 5224311
    Abstract: An anchor structure for fixedly securing a mobile home or trailer tongue relative to an underlying ground support is provided, wherein the organization includes respective right and left parallel legs mounted to a base arranged for subsequent mounting in a subterranean orientation relative to the associated trailer, with each leg pivotally mounting a respective right and left pivot leg and the pivot legs arranged for latching an upper and lower support plate relative to one another, wherein the upper and lower support plates each include a mirror image concave semi-cylindrical recess arranged to receive the trailer tongue therethrough. A modification of the invention includes spaced confronting members, each mounted to a central plate arranged for securement, or alternatively bedding within a cementious or other suitable base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Charles W. Pearce
  • Patent number: 5210903
    Abstract: The roller of a caster mounting an article of furniture is lodged in an upwardly opening diametral groove in a flat circular caster stop having a central aperture in such slot and opposed ramps in the slot sloping oppositely upward with a gentle incline onto which a caster roller can roll from such central aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Jerry L. Horning
  • Patent number: 5209458
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a flexible leveling device for the leveling of various vehicles, particularly recreational vehicles. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible leveling device of the invention generally comprises an elongate member of flexible material, with first and second ends, having a series of separated elements, preferably blocks, of steadily increasing height interconnected thereto. Each of the separated elements is interconnected to the flexible member, starting at the first end thereof with the shortest element, progressing with successively longer elements to form a steady incline, and extending through the length of such member to the second end thereof. Each separated element is disposed on the flexible member so as to provide a uniform space between adjacent elements, allowing the device to be formed into a curved configuration for use, or to be folded over or rolled to facilitate storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventors: Mark A. Eubank, Michael P. Eubank
  • Patent number: 5203533
    Abstract: A vehicle lifting and supporting system for use with a conventional vehicle lifting jack includes a plurality of lifting support adapter elements for positioning beneath and engaging conventional automobile lifting pads located under the automobile. A lifting bar, defining a vehicle lifting jack receiving portion, is provided for positioning beneath the vehicle and in removably engaging relationship with lifting support adapter elements connected to two lifting pads on one side of the vehicle. A plurality of support stands are provided for removable engagement with and beneath the adapter elements for independently supporting the vehicle in cooperation with the adapter elements while enabling removal of the jack from the jack receiving portion of the lifting bar and removal of the lifting bar from engagement with the adapter elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Inventor: H. Peter Karen
  • Patent number: 5199738
    Abstract: A landing gear for semitrailers includes a two speed double reduction gear assembly having fewer, smaller, and simpler parts, resulting in a compact double reduction gear assembly and cost efficient landing gear unit with a unique clutch-shifting mechanism to provide for shifting from one ratio to another. The double reduction gear assembly is disposed on and about in-line input and output shafts further resulting in an easy to crank and shift landing gear unit capable of achieving standard crank handle turn to vertical leg travel distance ratios. The low gear or low speed ratio of the landing gear unit can be varied within a broad range during manufacture, if desired, generally without increasing the overall size or complexity of the two speed double reduction gear assembly. The landing gear can further include a universal mounting feature and is durable and simple to use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Jost International of Grand Haven Michigan
    Inventor: Ervin VanDenberg
  • Patent number: 5197311
    Abstract: A lockable stabilizing apparatus for connection to the king pin of a recreational vehicle and including a lockable collar device securable to such king pin. A pair of divergent legs project from such collar to engage the ground in spaced apart relationship to brace such king pin and, consequently, the frame of the recreational vehicle from rocking relative to the axis of the support wheels. The collar may incorporate a slotted arrangement for loose receipt of the legs of a shackle to provide for wobble of the collar relative to the king pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Burney E. Clark
  • Patent number: 5180177
    Abstract: A wheel support device having a base member, a pair of supporting arms attached to the base at each end thereof and attachable to a wheel hub in a common plane which extends through a longitudinal axis defined by the pivotal points of a pair of rotatable casters attached to the base member in spaced relationship to each other. Each caster assembly includes a protective skirt disposed to prevent the engagement between foreign objects and the casters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignees: Deborah Carla Macha, Donald F. Maki
    Inventor: Donald F. Maki
  • Patent number: 5180131
    Abstract: A jack stand apparatus comprising a broad stable base to ensure safe support of a raised object with a selectively positioned vertical support member secured by a ratchet and pawl type engagement mechanism. The jack stand in its free state maintains the pawl in engagement with the ratchet by means of a torque spring which applies sufficient force to ensure engagement of the pawl with the ratchet in any position. This spring biased type pawl ensures engagement of the pawl and ratchet to prevent sudden movement of the vertical support member during transport. A pivot pin handle which carries said pawl and torque spring may be manually rotated with sufficient force to oppose the torque spring thus permitting disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Few
  • Patent number: 5165265
    Abstract: A trailer lock structure is arranged for use by fifth wheel trailers, wherein a mounting plate is fixedly secured to a trailer bottom wall forward end to receive fifth wheel securement linkage within a cylindrical tube mounted orthogonally to the mounting plate extending therethrough. A latch plate is pivotally mounted to the cylindrical tube directed through a slot of the cylindrical tube and latched to effect an abutment within the cylindrical tube permitting undesirable removal over mounting of the structure to unauthorized individuals and associated vehicles. The use of support leg tubes for selectively receiving support legs therewithin permits the stable support of a forward end of an associated trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Alvin Maionchi
  • Patent number: 5152484
    Abstract: My invention is a jack stand having a platform, a pair of uprights on the atform, a post swingable between the uprights, a vehicle engagement member at one end of the post, and a keeper releasably locking the post in a selected position. The keeper has a collar sliding on the post, fingers protruding from the collar, finger guiding rails connected to the uprights, and notches in the uprights which the fingers enter to lock the post in its selected position. The jack stand can have a clutch to arrest the post in a set position until the vehicle engages the jack stand. The jack stand can also have a mechanism to maximize resistance to rotation of the post as the jack stand attempts to leave its selected position. The mechanism may include a foot on the post interferingly engaging the platform as the post leaves the selected position. The mechanism can also include a connective linkage that operates to increase or maximize the arresting effect of the clutch just as the post departs the selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Joseph G. Warner
  • Patent number: 5150557
    Abstract: A handset shoring system for supporting elevated concrete slabs and beams which can readily be integrated into other systems but has benefits of lightweight strength, field adaptability, and an infinitely variable range of sizes for optimum usage. Laminated veneer lumber posts with force-fit steel end cap provide the shoring legs having screw jack and U-heads thereon. An adjustable beam form can also be mounted atop the shoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Robert K. Gregory
  • Patent number: 5141197
    Abstract: A mountable support for a modular unit, such as a camper body, including telescoping support pillars with pivotal pads as well as telescoping arms for longitudinal support against inadvertent forward or rear section rotation from the support position, which is affixed to the body for storage at a reference position and having pivotal forward and rear sections for rotation to a support position for storage of the body after its removal from a transport vehicle bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Great White Northern Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Mackaay
  • Patent number: 5125679
    Abstract: A goose neck trailer includes a ball receiver and an adjacent hydraulic ram having a caster wheel on the lower end thereof. A trailer stand is provided to hold the goose neck off the ground when the trailer is parked. A truck is provided with guide rails directing the trailer caster wheel to a position to locate the ball receiver immediately above the trailer ball. The hydraulic ram is manipulated to transfer the load of the trailer between the ground and the truck at various times in coupling and uncoupling the truck and trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Inventor: Charles G. Delano
  • Patent number: 5094423
    Abstract: A security device (10) for a trailer is provided having a body member (12) with an auger (30) projecting from the body member (12). The auger (30) rotatably anchors the body member (12) to the ground. A plug (40) projects from the body member (12) for insertion into a socket portion (62) of the trailer. A bail (46) surrounds a portion of the socket portion (62) and locks to the body member (12) such that movement of the body member (12) relative to the socket portion (62) is restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Kinquist Corporation
    Inventors: Gary S. Almquist, Robert V. Moss, Kenneth A. King
  • Patent number: 5094048
    Abstract: A transportable modular home includes at least four extensible supporting members correspondingly extending therefrom to the ground and a rotatable bearing member mounted to the bottom of the modular home for easily loading and aligning the modular home with a trailer so as to comply with the law and affix the modular home to the trailer for traveling on a public highway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: Chi G. Woo
  • Patent number: 5054805
    Abstract: A cushioned landing gear foot is attached to the landing gear leg by a tubular suspension axle within a housing abutment member on the lower end of the leg, and which abutment engages a resilient pad in a pocket on the foot when under compression load. The abutment member has a rectangular cross section including a flat bottom surface for abutting the pad. The clearance between this flat surface (in elevated condition) and the resilient pad is less than the potential vertical movement of the hollow suspension axle in a pair of slots into which it extends. The pad retaining pocket includes a pair of fore-and-aft inverted L-shaped retaining walls allowing approximately 20 degree fore-and-aft articulation of the foot on the leg, and approximately five degree side-to-side articulation. When the leg and foot are put under load, the pad will be deformed until a predetermined maximum force is applied to it, and then the axle will bear all load exceeding this predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Holland Hitch Company
    Inventors: Gerald W. Hungerink, John P. Heeb
  • Patent number: 4993677
    Abstract: A support leg for trailer tongues which comprises an L-shaped ground support leg having a horizontal portion of square cross-section, a leg mounting bracket having a hollow cylindrical interior capped at one end and open at the other end with a circular cross-section of sufficient diameter to telescopically and rotatively receive the horizontal leg portion and terminating at its closed end in an internal leg-locking cavity of square cross-section, said internal cavity being adapted to telescoping receive said horizontal leg portion and restrain said horizontal leg portion against rotative movement, whereby said horizontal leg portion may be withdrawn from said internal leg locking cavity and rotate in said hollow cylindrical interior from a retracted to an extended position and vice versa and then telescopically inserted back into the internal cavity for locking engagement in the new position, a tension spring to resist telescoping disengagement of said leg horizontal portion from the internal leg locking cav
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Gary W. Patterson
  • Patent number: 4961589
    Abstract: A trailer tongue twister apparatus having an elongated channel-like bedplate including a threaded drive screw disposed longitudinally in the bedplate and supported thereform at the opposite ends of the screw by a pair of journal supports, the method of construction including a hex head nut at one end of the drive screw for rotating the screw through a threaded hole formed within a cylindrically shaped block trunnion affixed to a load-bearing sled that travels along a pair of flanges when the drive screw is rotated, the sled carrying a cylindrical receiver ring fashioned for receiving a support leg of a travel trailer tongue jack, while rotation of the drive screw applied an alignment force to the tongue jack resulting in fine adjustments to the trailer coupler, which simplifies the alignment process and improves the coupler efficiency by permitting alignment between the trailer coupler and a staionary tow vehicle ball hitch in either a horizontal or angular pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Erv Faurenhoff
  • Patent number: 4941765
    Abstract: A clamping system for use in supporting automotive vehicles in secured relation above a floor surface includes an adjustable height pedestal having a base member with a ram member entered in sliding relation therein. Laterally inclined convergent internal side walls serve as guides to keep in mutually centered relation a pair of vertically extending mating faces of the base member and the ram member. These mating faces have laterally extending tooth members standing proud of their surfaces in mutually interengageable relation to lock the members together against vertical displacement. Clearance within the base member sufficient for the lateral disengagement of the respective tooth members permits vertical adjustment of the ram member relative to the base. Jacking screws extending laterally within the base serve to hold the ram member in tooth engaged relation with the mating face of the base, in a locked, pre-set position of a predetermined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Chart Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerald P. Horan, John T. Wickmann, Richard C. Olak
  • Patent number: 4905953
    Abstract: An apparatus for limiting the side sway, or yaw, of fifth wheel recreational trailers when such trailers are parked without being attached to the towing vehicle. Such trailers have a steel housing projecting downward below the front, or cantilevered end. This invention includes two steel tubes, each tube having a pipe tee at one end. One tube is placed on each side of the housing with the teed end in the right angle formed by the housing and the trailer body. The bare end of each tube is supported on a separate baseplate. Each baseplate has a knob projecting upwards. The knob fits partway into the tube, and allows the tube on each side of the trailer to adopt a proper supportive position, almost regardless of the unevenness of the ground. The tubes are connected by a chain which is made and kept taut by a turnbuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Jewell Wilson
  • Patent number: 4898019
    Abstract: A vehicle support assembly for maintaining a vehicle in a stationary position during body straightening operations. A housing supports a horizontally extending arm and a shaft extends through and is supported by the housing. A clamping assembly within the housing includes a clamp with plural spaced-apart hooks which are located beneath a T-shaped tie down track. A lever is supported at one end of the shaft. A C-shaped cam is coupled to the clamp and the lever so that when the lever is operated the C-shaped cam raises the clamp and the spaced-apart hooks are clamped beneath the track thereby securing the vehicle support assembly to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Inventor: John W. Rich
  • Patent number: 4895115
    Abstract: In the representative sound-insulating engine mounts described in the specification, a resilient pad of elastomeric material is disposed between pan-shaped members having side walls which are spaced from the periphery of the resilient pad in the absence of dynamic loads so as to provide resilient stops for the pad deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Otto Weber, Manfred Thesenvitz, Volkmar Keck, Siegfried Grohnert
  • Patent number: 4889357
    Abstract: A parking stand for supporting the tongue of a parked trailer. The parking stand has a coupling ball at its upper end for engagement in the socket of a coupling part on the front end of the trailer tongue and a castor wheel or fixed base at its lower end for supporting the stand on the ground. A clamp on the upper end of the stand acts against the trailer coupling part to secure the stand against swivel movement relative to the trailer tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: John C. Perry
  • Patent number: 4877211
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle leveling device having a wheel receiving plate and a terrain engaging plate that are pivotally hinged to each other at their front ends. Both of these plates have a predetermined curvature along their longitudinal axis. The rear end of the wheel receiving plate has interlocking hinge structure with the top end of a rear spacer plate. The bottom end of the rear spacer plate is detachably received in a slot formed adjacent the rear end of the terrain engaging plate. In its collapsed state, the terrain engaging plate, the wheel receiving plate, and the rear spacer plate can be stacked upon each other to displace a minimum amount of space. Handle slots are formed adjacent the front end of the vehicle leveling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Inventor: Paul I. Orr
  • Patent number: 4856747
    Abstract: A ratchet jack stand assembly intended for supporting a raised load is formed entirely of stamped steel components and is free of any spring-biased members. The assembly includes a base, a housing welded to the base, an elongated post slideably supported by the housing in an upright position, and a gravity-biased handle pivotally mounted on the housing. A plurality of inclined, longitudinally spaced notches are formed in the post and a saddle is welded to its upper end. A pair of inclined, horizontally spaced and aligned slots are formed in the housing. The gravity-biased handle has spaced upper and lower pins attached thereto, and is pivotally mounted on the housing by the lower pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Ganeaux Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Gano
  • Patent number: 4824136
    Abstract: Landing gear for a vehicle such as a trailer, comprising a leg, a foot at the lower end of the leg adapted for engagement with the ground, a pair of generally channel-shaped members forming a tube which extends up from the foot and telescopically receives the lower end of the leg, the members being generally symmetric about a central vertical plane of the tube, an elastomeric member disposed in the tube between the lower end of the leg and the foot, and a bearing plate in the tube interposed between the elastomeric member and the lower end of the leg. The tube is attached to the lower end of the leg to permit limited telescopic movement of the leg and the foot whereby the foot is adapted to move upwardly relative to the leg as the landing gear accepts the weight of the vehicle thereby resiliently to compress the elastomeric member between the foot and the bearing plate. A method of making the foot and tube of the landing gear is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: The Binkley Company
    Inventor: Baxter G. Bobby
  • Patent number: 4811924
    Abstract: A vehicle support stand utilizing a slidable spine member to maintain a vehicle at a desired preselected vertical position. The latter is positively achieved through the use of a control plate which serves a wedging relationship with respect to the spine member at a release position, and for the free vertical movement of the spine member at a manually controlled position. Spring means serve to continually urge the control plate into the aforesaid wedging relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Douglas L. Walters
  • Patent number: 4778135
    Abstract: A device for preventing a hose/cord from being caught between a wheel and ground or from being caught between the wheel and the body of a wheeled vehicle including a frusto-conical member having an opening defined in a side thereof for insertion of the wheel therein, such conical member contacting the ground in front of the wheel, presenting a sloped surface upward and toward the wheel for the hose/cord to move against to prevent the hose/cord from passing and catching between the wheel and the ground and a forwardly protruding lip at the top of the conical portion to prevent the hose/cord from catching between the wheel and portions of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Brian E. Legard
  • Patent number: 4723744
    Abstract: A support for use in conjunction with a camper (carriable by a conveying vehicle) and a plurality of conventional lifting jacks is constructed from square cross section ferrous tubing. The support is collapsible from an assembled state in which it supportively abuts the bottom of the camper when the camper is not carried by the vehicle. The support eases at least a significant portion of the load of the camper from the jacks, so as to avoid buckling of the camper sides by the jacks. Preferably, the jacks are maintained in position to stabilize the camper against transverse movement caused by wind or by movement inside the camper. The support is constructed from a pair of opposing end elements, each having a pair of vertical members connected by a horizontal cross member, and an upwardly opening socket on the upper ends of the vertical members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1988
    Inventors: James D. Baker, Jr., Cecil E. Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4712822
    Abstract: A sight-testing ambulance bus for performing ophthalmologic examinations and providing appropriate spectacles expediently in rural areas, in which the instruments being sensitive against mechanical vibration of the chassis of the bus excited by movement in the bus are supported independently from the bus by support rods extended through holes in the bus-floor and standing on the ground under the bus. The support rods are fixed on the bus floor when the bus is moving and shock-absorbers protecting the instruments from vibrations when the bus is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Latszereszeti Eszkozok Gyara
    Inventors: Antal Janos, Pojbics Jeno
  • Patent number: 4709432
    Abstract: An apparatus for aiding in the mounting of tire chains having a flat base and two upward projecting angle members positioned parallel is disclosed. The angle members have first and second apices respectively positioned relative to one another and the road surface such that an encroaching tire is first engaged across its width by a first apex. The tire is supported on both apices, sized and positioned such that a cross-link of a tire chain positioned therebeneath remains movable, so that a snug and uniform fit of a tire chain is achievable. The apparatus is also useful as a support base for a jack and as a wheel chock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Inventor: Fred A. Barrick
  • Patent number: 4690361
    Abstract: A jack stand and a method for manufacturing a jack stand of the type used in supporting a vehicle. A rectangular sheet metal plate is stamped so as to form at least two elongated parallel slots in the sheet metal plate, said elongated parallel slots being spaced apart from one another and each being spaced from the lateral sides of the sheet metal plate. The slots define three parallel planar legs integrally joined to a transverse body portion of the rectangular sheet metal plate. The rectangular sheet metal plate is bent such that the transverse body portion of the rectangular sheet metal plate forms a cylindrical body. The legs are each bent about a longitudinal axis and the free ends of the legs are bent radially outwardly away from one another so as to define a tetrahedral structure supporting the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Inventor: Philip L. Lundman
  • Patent number: 4674726
    Abstract: A truck with a sidemember (1) resting, by its ends, on two adjustable crossmembers (3) fitted with a plurality of rotatable wheels (4) and including two slides (8), each bearing a support (15,16). The height, the longitudinal position, and the angular orientation of support 15, 16 can be adjusted by various adjustment devices. Each slide (8) has a locking device (9) on the sidemember (1), including a screw adapted to engage a nut in a plate (10) located in the sidemember. Each support (15-16) has a screw-jack (13,14) rests on a pipe (11) interdependent with each slide (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Inventor: Pierre Roux
  • Patent number: 4634144
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a landing gear assembly having legs extending downward from the underframe of a trailer and having a sand shoe at the ground engaging end thereof. The shoe is articulately joined to the ground engaging end of the leg by a collar circumscribing the ground engaging end of the leg. Compressed between the base of the leg and the bottom of the shoe is a wedge-shaped resilient member biasing the shoe into a tilted position relative to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Fruehauf Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen J. Ringe
  • Patent number: 4629146
    Abstract: A hold open rod for holding open a hinged section of a nacelle system for maintenance. The rod includes a tubular member connected to the hinged section and a rod which telescopes within the tubular member and which is connected to the engine contained within the nacelle system. The hold open rod is provided with a novel locking feature which permits telescoping of the rod member within the tubular member only when the hinged section is opened further to permit manual disengagement of a latch member locking the rod member within the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Rohr Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis E. Lymons
  • Patent number: 4585198
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anchoring system and apparatus for positively anchoring a vehicle with respect to a base. The anchoring system includes three or more rigid anchoring apparatus which grasp the pinchwelds of the vehicle to support the vehicle above the base. The apparatus are provided with clamps to secure the support members to the base. The base may be an elevated platform, elevated rails or a concrete floor. The present invention further provides a novel anchoring device insertable into a concrete floor which anchors a rigid anchoring member. The anchoring device cooperates with the clamps and anchoring member to positively anchor the anchoring apparatus to the concrete floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Chart Industries Limited
    Inventors: Guy N. Chartier, John T. Wickmann
  • Patent number: 4560131
    Abstract: An anchor stand supports a vehicle above a floor surface and connects to an anchor pot device installed in a floor. The anchor stand includes an anchor bolt and nut to longitudinally draw the bolt and securely attach the stand to the anchor pot. An adjustable clamp is mounted on an uppermost portion of the stand for selectively attaching the anchor stand to a vehicle frame. Various frame straightening tools are then used to correct damage or misalignment of body and frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Hein-Werner Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard F. Eck
  • Patent number: 4548418
    Abstract: A trailer support stand. The stand includes a base having a plurality of peripheral edges. A series of legs extend upwardly from the base and are connected at their upper ends to a generally flat plate. A ball is mounted in spaced relation above the plate and the peripheral edge of the plate extends radially beyond the outer diameter of the ball. A conventional socket coupling member on the trailer tongue is adapted to be engaged with the ball to thereby support the trailer tongue at trailer hitch height. The stand is non-tipping and when the trailer coupling is locked to the ball, the trailer is theft proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Inventor: Donn Wendorff
  • Patent number: 4540147
    Abstract: A jack stand attachment for use with a conventional support stand is disclosed, the attachment having a socket means that is slidably received on the load rest of the support stand. On the upper surface of the socket means, there is found a V-shaped rest and link means are pivoted to the attachment which have apertures therein near the terminus thereof that will accept a wheel lug bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Inventor: William R. Lincourt
  • Patent number: 4520649
    Abstract: A horizontal base plate structure is provided having a central opening therein and a plurality of marginal portions spaced about the central opening and disposed in a plane slightly spaced below the portions of the base plate structure defining the central opening. Upright central post structure is supported from a central portion of the base plate structure and attaching structure is carried by the upper end portion of the central post structure for attachment to a vehicle frame. Also, anchor structure is carried by the base plate structure and operative through the central opening therein for engagement with and tightly drawing the central portion of the base plate structure downwardly relative to a floor anchor over which the base plate structure may be disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Inventor: George D. Barton, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4462612
    Abstract: A telescopic supporting device for heavy loads of trailers is disclosed which device has a supporting leg projecting from a guiding tube and on the lower end of the supporting leg there is detachably fastened an articulated foot. The foot features a supporting plate which has fastened thereto a holding ring. The lower terminal section of the supporting leg has a ground plate that overlaps the lower edge to laterally jut out. A coupling articulately connects the holding ring with the supporting leg, the coupling being provided with a bolt system traversing diametral circular holes. An elastic compression body is placed between the ground plate and a supporting plate. The upper terminal section of the holding ring overlaps the laterally jutting-out edge section of the ground plate. The supporting leg and the ground plate are separated. To the ground plate there is fastened a supporting tubular sleeve, that fits within the leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Dreyer, Gerald Muller
  • Patent number: 4461491
    Abstract: A trailer sand shoe (10) mounted to the legs of a trailer vehicle includes a rectangular metal base plate (12) and upstanding sides (14) and (16) fixed to the base plate (12). The central portions of the side plates (14) and (16) have openings (32) in the top portion thereof for mounting the sand shoe (10) to the legs of the trailer vehicle. The base plate (12) includes an integral reinforcing portion (34) which extends perpendicularly between the side plates (14) and (16) and is formed from the base plate (12). The reinforcing portion (34) has a generally inverted V-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The central reinforcing portion (34) adds rigidity to the sand shoe (10) as well as reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for a separate reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Fleet Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis E. Eklund
  • Patent number: 4421300
    Abstract: A vehicle ramp is shown housing a platform having an upper surface adapted to support the wheel of a vehicle, a generally vertical leg having an upper end supporting the platform rearward portion and an inclined ramp adapted to support a forward portion of the platform and to permit a vehicle wheel to move up to the platform. The inclined ramp includes a longitudinal axis and having opposite sides, a lower end adapted to engage the ground, and including a blade for engaging the supporting surface as a vehicle wheel engages the lower end of the inclined ramp and applies a downward force on the lower end and so as to prevent movement of the vehicle ramp away from the wheel as the wheel moves up the inclined ramp, the blade being an integral portion of the lower end of the inclined ramp. The ramp also includes brace members for providing rigidity and which are conveniently removably joined at their opposite ends to the leg and the inclined ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Phillip L. Lundman
  • Patent number: 4420164
    Abstract: A simple and sturdy stand for motorcycles known as dirt bikes that may be positioned between the wheels of the dirt bike and operable by the foot of the user for engaging its frame to raise and lower the front wheel of the dirt bike off of its supporting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Inventor: Mark T. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4415182
    Abstract: A mount is provided for securing a jack to the tongue of a trailer, and the like. The mount in one embodiment includes two separate brackets, each having a gusset-like configuration; the brackets being welded or bolted to the tongue in position such that the forward edges of a pair of upright sides of each of the brackets engages the jack in essentially diametrically opposite relationship to the jack. These edges are welded to the jack, and the resulting assembly provides a rugged, rigid, strong and simple mount for the jack. In a second embodiment the mount is formed of a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Inventors: Margie M. Smith-Williams, Robert E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4312520
    Abstract: A semi-trailer having at its front end at least one landing leg (8) which may be supported in its operative position by a strut (12) which is mounted slidably and pivotally to the chassis by means of a mounting (16) and which leg(s) is(are) raisable by a power unit; the strut(s) (12) may be locked by pin or pins (22) engaging in holes (29, 52) in the strut and the pin(s) latched in at least a partially disengaged position for movement of the strut between the operative position of the leg and an inoperative position, the pin(s) being unlatched to engage in a hole (29, 52) by movement of the strut in the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: York Truck Equipment Limited
    Inventor: Keith Burman
  • Patent number: 4268066
    Abstract: An elongated strut having first and second large and small diameter relatively telescoped opposite end portions. The free end of the large diameter end portion includes a mount for mounting a corresponding vehicle side with the strut downwardly and outwardly inclined from the vehicle side. The free end of the small diameter end portion includes a relatively extendable spring biased foot portion for engagement with the ground and a generally horizontal brace is provided including a first end for anchoring relative to the corresponding vehicle side and a second end including clamp structure removably clampingly engaged with the strut small diameter end portion immediately adjacent and abutting the corresponding strut large diameter end portion to limit telescoping of the small diameter strut end portion into the strut large diameter end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Inventor: Vernon E. Davis
  • Patent number: 4245808
    Abstract: An interlocking jack stand has right and left sides of complementary configuration, each supplying two legs of a four-legged stand. Each side is of a sheet material with a semi-circular corner portion merging with legs in right angular relationship and tapered in breadth so as to be wide at the bottom and narrow at the top. The material of one side has slots extending up from the bottom and material of the other side has slots extending down from the top. Slots are respectively at the junction of the semi-circular corner with the legs for one side and part way around the semi-circular corner of the other side so that when the sides are slid together in interlocked relation there is a circular hollow central column partially of double wall thickness in which a vertically adjustable screw support is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: Norco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Julius F. John