Patent ID: 8177243
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A load-transferring assembly connectable to a vehicle having a front vehicle axle, a rear vehicle axle, a vehicle abutment member and an engagement member, said engagement member disposed proximate a rear portion of the vehicle, the load-transferring assembly comprising: an elongate abutment member comprising an abutment end and a free end, the abutment end configured to contact the vehicle abutment member; an auxiliary wheel axle; an actuator assembly disposed between the free end of the elongate abutment member and the auxiliary wheel axle; at least one arm having first and second ends, said at least one arm being attached to the auxiliary wheel axle at said first end; and a pivot connection assembly connected to the elongate abutment member, and pivotally connected to said at least one arm proximate said second end, and detachably engageable to the engagement member of the vehicle; wherein when the pivot connection assembly is connected to the engagement member of the vehicle, the elongate member is pivotally moveable such that the abutment end is moveable from a non-abutting relation to an abutting relation with the vehicle abutment member, and when the abutment end is in said abutting relation with the vehicle abutment member, transverse movement of the load-transferring assembly relative to the vehicle is substantially restricted, and when the actuator assembly is actuated such that a lifting force is applied to the free end of the elongate abutment member, a portion of a load on the rear vehicle axle is transferred to the auxiliary wheel axle.