Abstract: A high mobility wheeled vehicle for transporting long loads, such as trimmed tree trunks or whole trees, over roadless terrain. The vehicle has front and rear quad wheel assemblies pivotally connected to a centrally disposed elongated bed frame so as to permit lateral rotation of these assemblies about a roll axis disposed below and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed frame. A linkage type roll control means interconnects the quad wheel assemblies and the bed frame to proportionately control the relative angular movement of the bed frame with respect to the quad wheel assemblies. The roll control means includes a plurality of interconnected links plus a pair of power extensible links for selectively adjusting the steady state position of the vehicle bed relative to the quad wheel assemblies in either direction.In a modification, parallel links are employed to interconnect the quad wheel assemblies with pivotally mounted load supporting cradles.

Abstract: A weight vehicle apparatus useful for calibrating vehicle scales incorporates a unique pivoted suspension system which uniformly distributes the weight contained in the vehicle apparatus over the surface upon which it rests. The suspension system comprises three axle assemblies: a rearward axle having steerable wheels which is pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, a forward axle position having individually driven wheels which are secured to a bogie-like subframe which is transversely pivoted relative to the vehicle and a third axle positioned between the front and rear axles and pivotally secured to the bogie-like subframe for motion about the longitudinal axis of the subframe as well as about the transverse axis of the vehicle apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mounting and driving mechanism for the steerable wheels of a multi-wheel, off-road vehicle of the type utilized for transporting long loads, such as trimmed tree trunks or whole trees, over roadless terrain. Such vehicles generally have front and rear quad-wheel assemblies pivotally connected to a centrally disposed elongated bed frame so as to permit lateral rotation of the quad-wheel assemblies about a roll axis disposed below and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bed frame. Each quad-wheel assembly additionally includes a pair of walking beams which are respectively disposed in laterally spaced relationship with respect to the longitudinal bed frame and are pivotally mounted for rotation about a horizontal transverse axis. At each end of each walking beam, a wheel is mounted in a unique fashion together with individually controlled motors for respectively supplying traction power and steering movements to such wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bogie for vehicles of the type which has at least two movable axles against which the chassis of the vehicle rests over an equalizing beam arranged on either side of the chassis, the vertical forces being transmitted between the wheel axles and the equalizing beams by transmitting devices which are rigid when biased by tension and pressure stresses but yieldable to bending and shearing stresses. The connection points for these transmitting devices, at least at one axle, are located at a distance from the axle on a member which is rigidly connected to the axle, and a spring is arranged at such member to compensate for the moment conditioned by the distance between the axle and the connection points and resulting from movement of the axle.

Abstract: An oscillating double axle assembly comprising a bogie chassis including a transverse beam and two longitudinal beams, with a central pivot assembly located in alignment with the transverse beam and supporting each longitudinal beam for pivotal movement with respect thereto. An arm is centrally mounted on the central pivot assembly for free pivotal movement and the arm rotatably carries at its opposite ends wheels at equal spacing from the central pivot assembly. A spring assembly is secured to the arms and to the longitudinal beams to resist relative movement therebetween. One embodiment contemplates a reinforcement tube which extends from the ends of the transverse beam and which supports the arms through the intermediary of roller bearings. An elastic system resists relative rotation between the arms and the reinforcement tube.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a frame, wheel carriers spaced longitudinally of the frame, and wheels on the carriers. A suspension system supports the frame on the carriers with connections between the frame and the carriers allowing relative rocking movement of the frame and each carrier about an axis extending generally longitudinally and centrally of the vehicle. Linkages between the carriers on opposite sides of the axis each comprise bell cranks having a first arm interengageable with the respective carrier and a second arm, and a tension link interconnecting the second arms, adapted to effect relative rocking movement in one direction of one carrier and the frame on relative rocking movement of the other carrier and the frame in the opposite direction, and vice versa.

Abstract: To simplify, lighten and reduce the cost of the rear wheel suspension on straddle carriers while increasing the operational efficiency of the suspension, a longitudinal walking beam is swingably mounted at its center on a transverse axis trunnion secured to a sturdy depending box beam on the straddle carrier frame. Rear wheel axle assemblies for pairs of tandem rear wheels are carried by the forward and rear ends of the walking beam. Shock struts are interconnected between the forward and rear ends of the walking beam and sturdy holders on the interior of the depending box beam in upwardly converging relationship for efficient operation. The shock struts can be hydraulic, air operated or mechanical with coil springs and cables.

Abstract: A high-mobility wheeled vehicle for transporting long loads over roadless terrain. The vehicle has front and rear quad wheel assemblies pivotally connected to a centrally disposed elongated bed frame so as to permit lateral rotation of these assemblies about the longitudinal axis of the frame. A roll control means interconnects the quad wheel assemblies and the bed frame to proportionately control the relative angular movement. The wheels of each quad wheel assembly are paired together by walking beam members, thus providing a suspension system having balanced load distribution between the wheels over a wide range of terrain roughness conditions. A differential drive system provides a balanced distribution of power to each wheel on both assemblies under all wheel drive conditions. Preferably, each of these wheels is steerable and the steering control means provides for oblique travel in conjunction with conventional steering.

Abstract: A self-steering tandem bogie for the rear of an articulated vehicle. The bogie comprises a front and a rear axle which are universally attached to a pair of longitudinally extending walking beams for sliding motion thereon, affording angular variation of the axles during vehicle turning. The load of the vehicle is transferred to the bogie by a steering unit which is universally attached to the walking beams between the two axles. As the vehicle executes a turn, the steering unit rotates in the direction of vehicle turn, while the walking beams tend to maintain the straight-drive orientation. This relative movement between the steering unit and the walking beams is transmitted to the front axle by a pair of steering arms, causing the front axle to rotate in the direction of turn, and thereby facilitating vehicle turning.

Abstract: A suspension system for tandem axle vehicles includes spaced equalizer beams interconnecting the tandem axles. Brackets resiliently interconnect the equalizer beams with spaced portions of the vehicle frame and a torque tube assembly is connected at opposite ends to the spaced portions of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: An equipment-moving dolly comprising a walking beam having a rigid planar member with a planar surface, said planar member having attached thereto, approximately perpendicular to the planar surface, one or more rigid, weight-bearing arms, said arms terminating in a means for attaching the walking beam to a carriage base; a carriage base having a rigid member, said rigid member having attached thereto two or more rigid, weight-bearing struts, including a pair of outer struts approximately perpendicular to a plane taken through the carriage base, with each strut parallel to the other struts, said outer struts having a means for pivotably attaching said walking beam to said carriage base for allowing the walking beam to pivot relative to said carriage base, and having a means for attaching said struts to a roller assembly; and a roller assembly comprising two or more roller devices in tandem having a means for individually attaching each roller device to the struts of the carriage base.

Abstract: An improved gliding chair system for use in residential and commercial applications which provides facilitated gliding movement over non-smooth surfaces, such as carpets, without the need for area chair mats. Lever assemblies attached to the chairs legs automatically distribute the weight of the chair and its user as desired to a greater number of support locations, and in cooperation with various gliding devices, imparts a facilitated gliding action on such surfaces.

Abstract: In a vehicle comprising on each side one substantially horizontal jointed cross-shaft axle, a cradle frame pivotally journalled on said cross-shaft axle and consisting of one central section and two arms and two wheels supporting the cross-shaft axle and journalled each on one arm of the cradle frame, the wheels skid in bends. Consequently, the tyres are subject to heavy wear. When the vehicle is being used for agriculture, the structure of the soil is deteriorated by the skidding movement of the wheels. In order to prevent the skidding movement of the wheels, the arms are connected with the central section of the cradle frame so as to be pivotable about an upright axis.