Patent ID: 7425004
Filing Date: 2008-09-16
Classification: B60G,B62D,B66F

Abstract:
1. A vehicle support system comprising: a base; first and second elongated support assemblies pivotally coupled to the base and movable relative to the base and relative to each other between spread and stowed positions, the first and second support assemblies each configured to engage a portion of a support surface such that the first and second support assemblies support at least a portion of the base above the support surface; a first wheel assembly coupled to the first support assembly and engagable with the support surface, and a second wheel assembly coupled to the second support assembly and engagable with the support surface; a first steering mechanism coupled to the first wheel assembly and the first support assembly, and a second steering mechanism coupled to the second wheel assembly and the second support assembly, the first and second steering mechanisms configured to independently position the corresponding first and second wheel assemblies relative to the first and second support assemblies; a control system operatively coupled to the first and second steering mechanisms, and being configured to, in response to operator input, command selected angular positions of the first and second wheel assemblies relative to the base by compensating for the first and second support assemblies being in the spread or stowed position, and wherein at least one angular position will create a force tending to urge the first and second support assemblies to move relative to one another as the vehicle translates; and a locking device having a locked state that releasably locks at least one of the first and second support assemblies in a selected position and an unlocked state that allows the first and second support assemblies to move relative to each other.