Patent ID: 6371496
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: B60T,B62B

Abstract:
A mobile base for allowing machinery having an effective footprint within a predetermined range of effective footprints to be moved along a floor surface, comprising:a frame assembly having a width dimension and a depth dimension; first, second, third, and fourth wheels attached to the frame assembly such that the frame assembly may be moved; and a locking system comprising a lock housing defining a lock chamber, the lock housing being rigidly attached to the frame assembly, a lock member slideably mounted within the lock chamber of the lock housing such that the lock member moves between an unlocked position in which the lock member does not engage the floor surface and a locked position in which the lock member frictionally engages the floor surface, and a drive member that engages the lock housing such that rotation of the drive member causes the drive member to move towards or away from the floor surface, where the drive member is at least partly located within the lock chamber above the lock member and is capable of rotating with respect to the lock member; and a magnetic portion formed on one of the lock member and the drive member such that upward movement of the drive member causes upward movement of the lock member without inhibiting the ability of the drive member to rotate relative to the lock member.