Automobile ballast device
US7607692B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D49/0628
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An automobile ballast device includes a bladder member configured to hold various amounts of matter and having an inlet for selectively allowing the matter to enter the bladder member. The automobile ballast device further includes a plurality of lower panels configured to collectively form a unitary platform below the bladder member, each lower panel having an interlocking member complementary to an interlocking member of another respective lower panel. Similarly, the automobile ballast device includes a plurality of upper panels configured to collectively form a unitary platform atop the bladder member, each upper panel having an interlocking member complementary to an interlocking member of another respective upper panel. The ballast device also includes a plurality of spacers, each spacer being coupled to respective lower upper panels for maintaining a selected distance therebetween. Each spacer includes indicia indicative of a volume or weight of ballast matter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.