Modular powered mover attachment
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsChristian A. Brunckhorst, Nicholas J. Brimlow
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for moving different movable loads. The apparatus includes channels that can be engaged by a fork lift, pallet jack, or other powered mover. The apparatus also includes a mounting plate disposed between the channels. The mounting plate includes a receiver channel. The apparatus includes a plurality of load support tools that can selectively engage the receiver channel. The load support tools include different respective end effectors. A load can be engaged with the end effector of a selected load support tool such that the apparatus can move the load.
Claims20
A load moving apparatus, comprising:
- a steerable chassis;
- two forks extending from the steerable chassis;
- and
- a mover platform comprising:
- a mounting plate extending from the steerable chassis, wherein the mounting plate is arranged between and rigidly attached to the two forks;
- a receiver channel mounted to the mounting plate at a distal end of the mounting plate;
- a plurality of load support tools, wherein each load support tool includes an adaptor configured to be interchangably inserted in the receiver channel, wherein each of the plurality of load support tools includes a different end effector for engaging a different load;
- and
- a plurality of storage receiver channels arranged on the mounting plate closer to the steerable chassis than the receiver channel, wherein the plurality of storage receiver channels are configured to store the plurality of load support tools when the load support tools are not inserted in the receiver channel.
A method of moving a load, comprising:
- positioning, using a steerable chassis, a mover platform to align a first end effector with a target load, wherein the first end effector is included in a first load support tool of a plurality of load support tools, wherein each of the plurality of load support tools includes a different end effector for engaging different loads and further includes an adaptor for inserting into a receiver channel of the mover platform, wherein the receiver channel is mounted to a mounting plate extending from the steerable chassis, wherein the receiver channel is mounted at a distal end of the mounting plate, wherein a first adaptor of the first load support tool is inserted into the receiver channel, wherein a plurality of storage receiver channels are arranged on the mounting plate closer to the steerable chassis than the receiver channel, wherein the plurality of storage receiver channels are configured to store the plurality of load support tools when the load support tools are not inserted in the receiver channel;
- raising the mover platform to engage the first end effector with the target load;
- and
- moving, when the first end effector is engaged with the target load, the mover platform to move the target load.
A load moving apparatus, comprising:
- a steerable chassis;
- two forks extending from the steerable chassis;
- and
- a mover platform comprising:
- a mounting plate extending from the steerable chassis, wherein the mounting plate is arranged between and rigidly attached to the two forks;
- a receiver channel mounted to the mounting plate;
- a plurality of load support tools, wherein each load support tool includes an adaptor configured to be interchangably inserted in the receiver channel,
- wherein each of the plurality of load support tools includes a different end effector for engaging a different load, wherein the receiver channel receives the adaptor along a first longitudinal axis that is parallel to longitudinal axes of the two forks;
- and
- a plurality of storage receiver channels arranged on the mounting plate, wherein the first longitudinal axis is perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the plurality of storage receiver channels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.