US 12,257,985 B2
Modular leveling assembly for vehicle
Michael Schwindaman, Cassopolis, MI (US)
Assigned to Schwintek Inc., Cassopolis, MI (US)
Filed by Schwintek Inc., Cassopolis, MI (US)
Filed on Mar. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/654,925.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/166,639, filed on Mar. 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0306052 A1, Sep. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. B60S 9/12 (2006.01)
CPC B60S 9/12 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular leveling assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
a mounting bracket configured to mount to a vehicle component;
a hydraulic cylinder assembly, comprising:
an inner piston rod member fixed with respect to the mounting bracket;
a first outer cylinder receiving the inner piston rod member therein, wherein the first outer cylinder is telescopingly moveable with respect to the inner piston rod member from a retracted position and an extended position; and
a second outer cylinder fixed with respect to the mounting bracket and the inner piston rod member, the second outer cylinder telescopingly receiving the first outer cylinder therein, wherein the inner piston rod member defines a first chamber hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic pump assembly, the inner piston rod member and the first outer cylinder cooperate to define a second chamber when the first outer cylinder is in the retracted position, the first outer cylinder and the second outer cylinder cooperate to define a third chamber when the first outer cylinder is in the retracted position, and wherein the first outer cylinder defines a fourth chamber when in the extended position;
a support member coupled to a distal end of the first outer cylinder and configured to abut a ground surface when the first outer cylinder member is in the extended position; and
a hydraulic pump assembly supported by the mounting bracket and hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic cylinder assembly;
wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly is configured such that a hydraulic fluid passes from the first chamber directly to the fourth chamber as the first outer cylinder moves from the retracted position to the extended position, and such that the hydraulic fluid passes from the fourth chamber through the first chamber and then to the third chamber via the second chamber as the first outer cylinder moves from the extended position to the retracted position.