Wheeled-vehicle dolly

• US 8,016,303 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2008
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Plackett, Michael J., Ullman, Stuart G., Hayleck, Ryan T., Page, Reginald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II; J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Meyer; Jacob
• Application Number:
  US12/319,913
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 280/79.4, 414/426
• US Class Current: 280/79.4
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/90 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2203/10 comprising lifting means
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0083 Wheeled supports connected to the transported object

Abstract

A dolly is particularly adapted to lift, support and maneuver a four-wheel vehicle. The dolly comprises an adjustable, generally U-shaped frame assembly for each vehicle tire. The frame assembly has pairs of reciprocally opposed first and second frame members adapted to be positioned adjacent opposite sides of a tire and to lift the vehicle by way of the tires. A castering wheel assembly supports the vehicle on a ground surface. The frame assembly is pivotably mounted on a tractor.

Claims

1. A dolly for a vehicle with tires, said dolly comprising:

a. an adjustable, generally U-shaped frame assembly for each tire, the frame assembly having a base member and pairs of reciprocally opposed first and second frame members and adapted to be positioned adjacent opposite sides of a tire, each frame member having;

(i.) a horizontally elongated, tire support bar extending perpendicularly from the base member,

(ii.) a castering wheel assembly supporting the tire support bar on a ground surface,

(iii.) roller support brackets, mounted on the tire support bar and supporting vertically staggered, horizontally elongated rollers,

b. the base member including a jack, the jack engaging first and second frame members, and positioned to reciprocally draw the opposed first and second frame members together, to contact the elongated rollers with a tire, and lift the tire with the vehicle attached thereto,

c. a telescoping arm attached at a first end and at a second end to two U-shaped frame assemblies and mounted on a tractor body through a vertically oriented pivot shaft; and

d. a tractor assembly including;

(i.) the vertically oriented pivot shaft providing pivoting of the telescoping arm in the horizontal plane about a vertical axis, the vertically oriented pivot shaft attached to

(ii.) the tractor body providing support for the telescoping arm,

(iii.) propulsion means attached to the tractor body providing for motion of the tractor along the ground surface.

2. The dolly of claim 1, wherein the propulsion means comprises continuous treads.

3. The dolly of claim 1, wherein the propulsion means comprises omni-directional wheels.

4. The dolly of claim 1, wherein the propulsion means comprises Mecanum omni-directional wheels.

5. The dolly of claim 1, additionally comprising control means.

6. The dolly of claim 1, wherein the telescoping arm is attached at each of two ends to the two U-shaped frame assemblies through a telescoping attachment bar, one U-shaped frame assembly attached at each end of the telescoping attachment bar.

7. The dolly of claim 1, wherein the telescoping arm is attached at each of two ends to the two U-shaped frame assemblies through a telescoping attachment bar, one U-shaped frame assembly attached at each end of the telescoping attachment bar and wherein the telescoping attachment bar is pivotally attached to the telescoping arm.