Patent ID: 7543671
Filing Date: 2009-06-09
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
1. An extendible vehicle assembly having a center of gravity, comprising: a base having a longitudinal axis and first and second body portions, the first body portion being coupled to a first set of wheels and the second body portion being coupled to a second set of wheels longitudinally spaced apart from the first wheels to define a vehicle wheelbase, the first and second body portions configured to move relative to each other with an inboard end of the second body portion moving vertically and a region of the second body portion coupled to the second set of wheels moving substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis between extended and retracted positions, wherein when the base is in the retracted position the wheelbase has a first length relative to the longitudinal axis and the inboard end portion of the second body portion spaced away from the second set of wheels toward the first set of wheels is in a raised position and the center of gravity is in an elevated position, and when the base is in the extended position the wheelbase has a second length relative to the longitudinal axis greater than the first length and the end portion of the second body portion is in a first lowered position vertically lower than the raised position and the center of gravity is in a second lowered position vertically lower than the elevated position; and a boom assembly pivotally coupled to the base and configured to move relative to the base in response to relative movement of the first and second body portions, wherein the boom assembly pivots toward a lowered position when the base is moved toward the extended position and the center of gravity is moved toward the second lowered position, and the boom assembly pivots toward a raised position when the base is moved toward the retracted position and the center of gravity is moved toward the elevated position.