Patent ID: 6601893
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
A vehicle, comprising:(a) a frame; (b) an occupant cabin engaged to said frame; (a) a suspension, for supporting said vehicle, engaged to said frame; (d) a platform; (e) a primary supporting structure engaged to said platform and said occupant cabin; (f) wherein said primary supporting structure is arranged and engaged to said platform and said occupant cabin such that said primary supporting structure constrains said platform against movement in some degrees and allows freedom of movement of said platform in other degrees relative to said occupant cabin; (g) a first prop; (h) a first prop support structure engaged to said occupant cabin; (i) a first series of prop support points, which are spaced relative to each other and are disposed on either said platform or said first prop support structure; (j) wherein when said first prop is engaged to a prop support point of said first series of prop support points and to whichever of said platform and said first prop support structure said first series of prop support points is not disposed on, a prop engagement portion of said platform is supported vertically by said first prop, which is, in turn, supported by said first prop support structure; (k) wherein said prop engagement portion of said platform is supported in a different unique position when said first prop is engaged to each different one of said first series of prop support points and, thus, for a platform with a given arrangement of said primary supporting structure said platform is supported in a unique combination of position and orientation when said first prop is engaged to each different one of said first series of prop support points; (l) said platform is pivotally engaged to said primary supporting structure at a point distant from said prop engagement portion of said platform, such that said platform is supported vertically by said primary supporting structure at a point of engagement between said primary supporting structure and said platform; (m) rotation of said platform about a platform pivot axis, which is disposed substantially parallel to horizontal, is the only movement of said platform relative to said occupant cabin allowed by said engagement of said primary supporting structure to said platform; (n) when said first prop is engaged to said prop engagement portion of said platform and said platform support structure and said prop engagement portion of said platform is vertically supported, said platform is fully supported vertically and prevented from rotating about said platform pivot axis in at least one direction; (o) said platform is supported at a unique angle relative to horizontal when said first prop is engaged to each different one of said first series of prop support points; (p) a default support structure engaged to said occupant cabin; (q) wherein said default support structure is disposed such that said platform may alternatively be supported by said primary supporting structure and said default support structure or by said primary supporting structure and said first prop; (r) wherein, when said first prop is disposed in a position other than ones in which said first prop is engaged to said prop engagement portion of said platform and said first prop support structure, said platform engages and is vertically supported by said default support structure in addition to said primary supporting structure; (s) wherein said default support structure is disposed such that when said platform is supported by said default support structure in combination with said primary supporting structure said platform is substantially parallel to a floor of said occupant cabin; (t) wherein said first prop support structure, said platform, said first prop, and said primary supporting structure are constructed and arranged such that when said first prop is engaged to said prop engagement portion of said platform and said first prop support structure, said platform is supported by said first prop and said primary supporting structure in a position spaced above said default support structure; and (u) wherein a portion of said platform which is engaged to said primary supporting structure is disposed adjacent en interior vertical wall of said occupant cabin.