The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 03, 1995
Filed:
Mar. 17, 1993
Terence Halpin, Oregon City, OR (US);
Donald Kiive, Brush Prairie, WA (US);
G & G Intellectual Properties, Inc., Portland, OR (US);
Abstract
An elongate frame such as for carrying vehicles includes length-adjusting and width-adjusting assemblies that enable the frame to fully occupy differently-sized enclosures. Pivotably extensible and retractable length-adjusting sections form the length-adjusting assembly. Several length settings are achievable by selectively unlocking different combinations of sections. Overshooting of settings is avoided, despite machine-driven adjustment, by elimination of overtravel-type movement in each section. Telescopically adjustable joints, each with automatic end position latching and backup stop protection, form the width-adjusting assembly and guide the frame's sides in stable upright movement while the frame's forward end is unfolded. Minimal restrictions on vehicle size are achieved by a vehicle-supporting assembly including variable-tread wheel cradle supports, lengthwise-shifting posts which, together with the supports, establish length-adjustable vehicle-loading zones, an adapter assembly which operatively couples the width-adjusting assembly and each support to optimize tolerance for wider treads based on the width setting selected, and a toothed plate interface which operatively couples the length-adjusting assembly and each vertical post so that the frame's lengthwise vehicle-carrying capacity is based on the length-setting selected.