Patent ID: 9051046
Filing Date: 2015-06-09
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. A vertical support system for an aircraft, comprising: a first articulated leg assembly configured to carry a first load, the first articulated leg assembly comprising a first upper leg and a first lower leg configured to carry the first load and rotatably connected to the first upper leg and a first wheel assembly, the first articulated leg assembly being selectively movable between a first refracted configuration and a first loaded configuration using a first actuator connected to the first articulated leg assembly; and a second articulated leg assembly configured to carry a second load substantially kinematically identical to the first articulated leg assembly, the second articulated leg assembly comprising a second upper leg and a second lower leg configured to carry the second load and rotatably connected to the second upper leg and a second wheel assembly, the second articulated leg assembly being selectively movable between a second refracted configuration and a second loaded configuration using a second actuator connected to the second articulated leg assembly; wherein a lateral width ratio is equal to a value of less than about 0.6, the lateral width ratio being defined as a ratio of (1) a minimum lateral width between the lateral extents of a first wheel assembly and a second wheel assembly when the first articulated leg assembly is in the first retracted configuration and the second articulated leg assembly is in the second refracted configuration to (2) a maximum lateral width between the lateral extents of the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly when the first articulated leg assembly is in the first loaded configuration and the second articulated leg assembly is in the second loaded configuration; wherein, with the first articulated leg assembly in the first retracted configuration and the second articulated leg assembly in the second refracted configuration, a first vertical footprint of the first articulated leg assembly and first actuator overlaps a second vertical footprint of the second articulated leg assembly and second actuator; and wherein the first upper leg is rotatable about a first primary axis of rotation, the second upper leg is rotatable about a second primary axis of rotation, the first lower leg is rotatable about a first secondary axis of rotation, and the second lower leg is rotatable about a second secondary axis of rotation, wherein the first articulated leg assembly is symmetric to the second articulated leg assembly about a vertical axis through an origin of the vertical support system as the first articulated leg assembly moves between the first retracted configuration and the first loaded configuration and the second articulated leg assembly moves between the second retracted configuration and the second loaded configuration.