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:
May. 16, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 09, 1996
Donald H Eason, Fort Collins, CO (US);
Ultimate Support Systems, Inc., Fort Collins, CO (US);
Abstract
A system for conveniently storing a wheel, tire or similar object. The invention allows a user to easily insert such an object into a support stand and establish a three point support of the object. Furthermore, the system has an actuation feature that allows a support stand to be easily and compactly configured for storage and shipment. The system uses a rotating support surface to establish contact with a wheel, tire or other similar object. In this fashion, a normal force can be exerted against the object while the support surface is free to turn. This allows an object with a rough surface area to be positioned by the force while not allowing the rough surface area to effect such positioning. A mechanism accommodates tires of different sizes, thereby allowing tires to be positioned on support settings unique to each sized tire. A self adjusting feature allows the movement arm to move in response to the tire size, thereby establishing the appropriate settings. A rotating support is disclosed that provides greater flexibility to a support stand in interfacing with tires of rough surface areas by preventing those surface areas from interfering with the support establishment process.