Load Surface Below Wheel Axis Patents (Class 280/43.11)
  • Patent number: 11819463
    Abstract: A base floor part made of plastic or composite material for a replacement floor for enlarging a rear cargo space of a motor vehicle, such as a compact car or an off-road vehicle, on which a wheelchair can be stored, is described. The base floor part may be connected to the vehicle body. The base floor part may include a preformed marking at which a front end portion can be separated to enable coupling with an extension floor part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: API CZ S.R.O.
    Inventors: Miroslav Bartos, Marek Huisl
  • Patent number: 11752814
    Abstract: A transport frame for use with a container with top mounting blocks and bottom mounting blocks, and a vehicle with a tow ball, is disclosed. The frame is V-shaped and connects to the top mounting blocks and to the bottom mounting blocks using novel connections. These connections may be pivotally connected to the frame, reducing the stresses on the frame during transport. The frame may also include a winch that facilitates the connection of the frame to the container. A novel cam lug is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Daniel B. Goetsch
  • Patent number: 11690768
    Abstract: Embodiments herein are directed to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a passenger compartment and a master controller. The passenger compartment has a plurality of rear passenger seats disposed on a track. Each seat of the plurality of rear passenger seats is configured to move on the track. The master controller is configured to receive a first data from a wheelchair and to direct a movement of each seat of the plurality of rear passenger seats along the track. In response to receiving the first data, the master controller actuates at least one actuator to move at least one of the plurality of rear passenger seats along the track to provide a transportation space for the wheelchair based on the first data received from the wheelchair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Katsumi Nagata, Stephen McFarland, Jr., Jerry R. Tipper
  • Patent number: 11660996
    Abstract: A vehicle transport truck or trailer with a platform having at least a first section and a second section is configured such that the first section is operable to move to at least a raised position and a lowered position. A ramp is provided that connects the first section and the second section of the platform, the ramp being operable to move in conjunction with the first section. A linkage mechanism is also provided and is configured to move in conjunction with the first section of the platform. Moving the first section of the platform causes the linkage mechanism to correspondingly move the ramp such that when the first section is in the raised position the ramp is substantially aligned with the first section and when the first section is in the lowered position the ramp is not aligned with the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Cottrell Incorporated
    Inventors: Phillip Bryan Howes, Steven Thomas Sexton, Masaru Mike Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 11624646
    Abstract: A portable weighing scale for weighing a bale of crop includes a support frame configured to be transported on ground. A powered lift is operatively coupled to the support frame and configured to lift the bale of crop off the ground. A weight measurement system is operatively coupled to the support frame and configured to measure the weight or mass of the bale of crop when the bale of crop is lifted off the ground by the power lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: Daniel L. Pitts
  • Patent number: 11453442
    Abstract: A truck chassis frame includes a front frame facing a front of a vehicle, a rear frame facing a rear of the vehicle, and a mounting module connected between the front frame and the rear frame, and having a mounting space in which a component is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 10562722
    Abstract: A K-member for a passenger vehicle includes a body, a first cross member coupled to the body, and a second cross member coupled to the body at a location rearward of the first cross member. The first and second cross members are coupled transversely with respect to the body. A reinforcement member is coupled to the body and extends transversely between opposite sides of the body. The K-member further includes a first and second coupling member. Each coupling member is coupled to the body and includes an elongated portion, a curved portion, a toe link joint, and a first mounting location. The toe link joint is angularly disposed relative to the elongated portion. When assembled to the passenger vehicle having a rear passenger compartment, the entire K-member is positioned below a horizontal plane defined by a floor in the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: THE BRAUN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael R. Pugh, Eric Sajed Dosenbach
  • Patent number: 9975463
    Abstract: A vehicle lowering system having a cargo surface with an adjacent pivoting arm is connected to a vehicle at a pivot point. The pivoting arm moves between a raised and a lowered position by an actuator that is affixed to a frame and the pivoting arm. The frame has an upper portion and a lower portion that provides structure for the portion of the frame that is beyond the pivot point and actuator. The pivot arm has a spindle that holds and allows a wheel to rotate. The spindle has an axis that is always located above the cargo surface. The actuator is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the actuator moves between the extended and retracted position, the pivoting arm moves the vehicle between a raised and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: Ross Weldy
  • Patent number: 8967634
    Abstract: An article transport vehicle including a frame and at least one wheel supporting the frame on a substrate. The vehicle further includes a support surface extending outwardly from the frame and a lift device secured to the support surface. The lift device is capable of axial movement at an angle relative to the support surface to selectively establish a raised position or lowered position of the support surface relative the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventors: Arthur Wayne Barnes, Vance Vernon Kinchen, Todd Earl Gregg
  • Patent number: 8814179
    Abstract: A shopping cart wheel ski device facilitates movement of a shopping cart over a surface. The device includes a plate having a bottom surface. An aperture extends through the plate. Each of a pair of spaced arms is coupled to and extends upwardly from the plate. Each arm is configured for engaging a shopping cart wheel such that an outer perimeter surface of the shopping cart wheel extends through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Dennis E. McCormick
  • Publication number: 20110204586
    Abstract: An improved drop-bed trailer provides a trailer without ramps that lowers to the ground, enabling one person to load/offload motorcycles, etc. A trailer frame with independently pivotal elongated members on each side of the frame, a wheel on each elongated member. A rubber spring or steel coil spring suspension system on the end of each elongated member. A winch and cable pulley system connected to each end of the elongated members via cable connector fitting through the two snap-in bushings. Cable retrieval upon the winch causes the elongated members to be drawn parallel to the frame in raised locked position. A cable tension device keeps the primary cable uniformly coiled upon the winch while providing slack to the secondary cable for complete compression of the suspension system. A safety restrictor device is mounted to the trailer frame to limit the pivotal movement of the elongated members in the event of a cable mechanism failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Gerald Edward Gabourie
  • Patent number: 7976265
    Abstract: A trailer has a deck frame arranged to carry a load thereon for being towed by a towing vehicle in a transport position spaced above the ground. The deck frame is further arranged to be lowered from the transport position to a loading position at ground level. Side rails supporting wheels thereon are hinged at a rear of the deck frame and are pivotally coupled to a hitch arm at a front end. A lift mechanism lifts the front end of the deck frame in the loading position relative to the front of the side rails to simultaneously raise the rear end of the deck frame by lowering the front of the side rails relative to the ground. The hitch arm may remain coupled to the towing vehicle as the deck frame is displaced between the loading and transport positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Merlin Badry
  • Patent number: 7950687
    Abstract: An improved wheelbarrow places the bucket at ground level when at rest. The wheelbarrow frame beneath the bucket rests on the ground while the wheelbarrow is at rest. The wheelbarrow wheel is lifted off of the ground at rest. The wheelbarrow provides greatly improved stability both at rest and while moving the wheelbarrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: Loren Ludlow
  • Patent number: 7891634
    Abstract: A trailer rail assembly includes a base plank with a planar top surface raised above a horizontal plane and extending along an entire longitudinal length of the base member. Such a base plank has a U-shaped cross-section. The assembly further includes a cylindrical shaft with an annular cross-section spanning along an entire longitudinal length of the top surface. A support plate is statically and fixedly attached to the shaft and spanning along the entire longitudinal length of the base plank, and a mechanism for simultaneously rotating the shaft and the support plate in sync and about a fulcrum axis extends along an entire longitudinal length of the shaft while the base plank remains statically affixed at a stationary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher Tarling
  • Patent number: 7837203
    Abstract: A wheelchair conversion vehicle and a method of manufacturing a wheelchair conversion vehicle include replacing the OEM trailing arm with a trailing arm substitute and substantially reproducing the movement of the rear wheel OEM spindle along first or second arc paths between an upper limit and a lower limit. The upper limit is a distance above the OEM ride height and the lower limit is a distance below the OEM ride height. The conversion vehicle and method of manufacturing further include installing a wheelchair access system to provide wheelchair access to the wheelchair conversion vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Vantage Mobility International, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Schmidt, Michael J. Weiland, Neil B. O'Leary
  • Patent number: 7740251
    Abstract: The hand truck for appliances is a device for moving a water heater and other appliances. The hand truck includes a main frame having a pair of wheels mounted on a lower end rearward of the main frame, and a support plate also mounted on the lower end and projecting forward from the main frame. The support plate has a front edge and a rear edge, with the rear edge being contoured to be received within a water heater drain pan, with the rear edge being positioned adjacent and contiguous to the inner wall of the water heater drain pan. This allows the water heater to be carried on the hand truck for appliances, supported by the support plate, in order to be placed directly into the water heater drain pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Inventor: Edward J. Simmons
  • Patent number: 7559736
    Abstract: A wheeled cart having a bed, two side walls, a front wall and an open end which is connected to a towing vehicle. The bed of the cart is raised or lowered to be inclined toward the open end to load the cart. The bed is level when the cart is loaded. A latch secures the rack within the cart and the latch is manually releasable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Streett Mohan
  • Patent number: 7513511
    Abstract: A three-in-one transporting device. The device may be converted for use as a two-wheeled dolly, a four-wheeled, flat-bed truck or a standard display table. The device incorporates a design that utilizes a lightweight frame fabricated from tubular materials. The frame has vertically and horizontally extending sockets for receiving tubular leg and handle structures to selectively form the desired devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Inventor: Frehause A. Chaseateau
  • Patent number: 7413209
    Abstract: The boat trailer includes segmented bunk board covers, with the segments being of different lengths so that they can be combined to cover different lengths of bunk boards. The bearing surfaces of the bunk board covers include a series of oppositely sloped lifting edges that tend to lift the facing surface of the boat hull so that when the boat is tilted on the trailer, the lowermost surface of the boat hull tends to apply more weight to one of the bunk boards, so that the lower surface tends to be lifted by its bunk board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Charles J. MacKarvich
  • Patent number: 7287766
    Abstract: A dolly for moving a piano is provided and includes a base having first and second legs, with the first leg having a longitudinal centerline and the second leg being pivotally coupled to the first leg for rotation relative to the first leg. A plurality of receptacles are mounted to the base, with each of the receptacles being operatively effective for receiving a castor mounted to a leg of the piano. First and second ones of the receptacles are mounted to the first leg and spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal centerline of the first leg, with a third one of the receptacles being mounted to the second leg. A plurality of castors are mounted to the base and are operatively effective for rolling along a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: GRK Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Gary R. Kilday, Michael W. Pritt
  • Patent number: 7153080
    Abstract: A trailer, having the capability of lowering its deck to the ground surface for ease of loading and unloading from the ground; raising its deck to a loading dock height for ease of loading and unloading from a loading dock or other elevated surface; and tilting its deck for dumping is disclosed. The deck is maintained in a transport position for travel. All the changes in position may be effected by a single actuator. Rollers, affixed to a rail affixed to the deck roll inside C-channels affixed to the frame arranged at a diagonal to the vertical when raising or lowering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Bruce E. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6705563
    Abstract: An open shipyard feeder for supplying a consumable welding wire on a wire spool to a welding gun. The feeder includes a frame having a base extending in a longitudinal direction between a forward end and a rearward end and which supports the feeder on an underlying surface. The frame further includes a spool support means connected to the frame near the rearward end and which rotatably retains the wire spool relative to the frame allowing the spool to rotate about a spool axis. The feeder includes a wire advancing mechanism mounted on the frame for paying wire from the spool on the spool support to the welding gun. The feeder further includes a control box on the frame near the forward end. The feeder frame is rigid yet light weight and can support the wire feeder on a wide range of underlying surfaces while still being easily transportable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Lifeng Luo, Ronald J. Sears
  • Patent number: 6273435
    Abstract: A trailer for use in transporting a load from one area to another area has a frame and a bed operatively mounted to the frame which is capable of being moved from a first or lowered position to a second or elevated position in a substantially vertical manner or nontilting manner. At least one lifting mechanism is operatively connected to the bed, which applies the greatest force for lifting the bed from the lowered position to the elevated position at the beginning of the lift, rather than at an end or midpoint of the lift. At least one over-center latching mechanism secures the bed to the frame when the bed is in the elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: bil-jax, inc.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Stringer