Pivotable wheel mounting system and method thereof
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A pivotable wheel mounting system for a vehicle comprising:
- a wheel;
a wheel mounting device for supporting said wheel;
means for pivoting said wheel mounting device in an extended position and a retracted position; and
a vehicle frame with an adjustable suspension structure for pivotally supporting said wheel mounting device, said adjustable suspension structure raises and lowers said wheel mounting device and said wheel, said means for pivoting said wheel mounting device being connected to said adjustable suspension structure, whereby when said wheel mounting device is in the extended position, said wheel is in a use position whereby said vehicle is drivable, and when said wheel mounting device is in the retracted position, said adjustable suspension structure substantially encloses said wheel for compact storage.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pivotable wheel mounting system can pivot wheel mounting devices of a vehicle in a retracted position so that the vehicle conforms to a vehicle carrier volume that is in accordance with local transport laws and regulations. The pivotable wheel mounting system extends the wheels of a vehicle to positions for substantially stable support in a driving (non-transport) mode. The pivotable wheel mounting system reduces the vehicle frame volume when the vehicle is in a transport mode. The pivotable wheel system is preferably for compost treating vehicles with endless track units.
31 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A pivotable wheel mounting system for a vehicle comprising:
-
a wheel; a wheel mounting device for supporting said wheel; means for pivoting said wheel mounting device in an extended position and a retracted position; and a vehicle frame with an adjustable suspension structure for pivotally supporting said wheel mounting device, said adjustable suspension structure raises and lowers said wheel mounting device and said wheel, said means for pivoting said wheel mounting device being connected to said adjustable suspension structure, whereby when said wheel mounting device is in the extended position, said wheel is in a use position whereby said vehicle is drivable, and when said wheel mounting device is in the retracted position, said adjustable suspension structure substantially encloses said wheel for compact storage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of loading and unloading a vehicle onto a vehicle carrier, said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a vehicle with a frame and a wheel mounting device, the wheel mounting device rotatably supporting at least one wheel; moving said vehicle onto said vehicle carrier;
lowering said frame onto said carrier by an adjustable suspension structure; andpivoting said wheel mounting device after the step of lowering to substantially enclose the at least one wheel within the adjustable suspension structure for compact storage. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification