Patent ID: 6095533
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
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 and second wheels attached to the frame assembly such that the first and second wheels rotate about a substantially horizontal fixed axis;third and fourth wheels attached to the frame assembly such thatthe third wheel rotates about a substantially vertical first steering axis and about a substantially horizontal first movable axis, andthe fourth wheel rotates about a substantially vertical second steering axis and a substantially horizontal second movable axis; anda locking system comprisinga lock housing defining a lock chamber,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, anda 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; whereinthe frame assembly comprises means for allowing the width and depth dimensions to be adjusted among a plurality of discrete dimensions such that the mobile base can accommodate effective footprints within the predetermined range of effective footprints.