US 12,403,968 B2
Vehicles including truck assemblies configured to selectively decouple a wheel of the truck assembly
David Edwin Weldon, Gilroy, CA (US); and Connor James Anderson, Alameda, CA (US)
Assigned to Volley Automation, Inc., Denver, CO (US)
Filed by Volley Automation, Inc., Denver, CO (US)
Filed on Mar. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/687,951.
Prior Publication US 2023/0278652 A1, Sep. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. B62D 63/04 (2006.01); B60B 19/00 (2006.01); B60K 17/02 (2006.01); B62D 57/00 (2006.01); B62D 33/02 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 63/04 (2013.01) [B60B 19/003 (2013.01); B60K 17/02 (2013.01); B62D 57/00 (2013.01); B62D 33/02 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle comprising:
a plurality of truck assemblies, each truck assembly comprising:
a truck axle;
a first wheel fixed to the truck axle;
a second wheel selectively coupled to the truck axle;
a motor configured to rotate the truck axle; and
a clutch operatively coupled to second wheel, the clutch being positionable between a coupled position and a decoupled position;
a frame comprising a front rail, a rear rail, and a first side rail extending between the front rail and the rear rail;
a rear yoke rotatably coupled to the rear rail and rotatable relative to the rear rail about a vehicle longitudinal axis; and
a linkage assembly extending between the rear yoke and the plurality of truck assemblies mounted to the rear yoke, the linkage assembly comprising:
a first pair of tie rods extending between the first side rail and a first end of the rear yoke; and
a second pair of tie rods extending between the first side rail and a second end of the rear yoke,
wherein when the clutch is in the coupled position, the second wheel rotates with the truck axle, and when the clutch is in the decoupled position, the second wheel is free to rotate relative to the truck axle.