US 12,577,089 B2Granted

Apparatus, system, and method for the translation and rotation of an object

AssigneeUpright Technologies Ltd.

InventorsBruce Null, Kade C. Munden

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for the translation and rotation of an object to position the object into an upright position. In embodiments, an apparatus can include a base plate configured to attach to a clamp vehicle, a surface plate, and a rotator configured to rotatably connect the surface plate to the base plate such that the surface plate is able to rotate independently of the base plate about an axis. In embodiments, the surface plate is positioned against a proximate end of the object, and a compressive force can be applied to the object, causing the surface plate to press against the proximate end of the object. A lifting force can be applied to raise the object upwards to cause the surface plate to rotate the object toward the upright position while maintaining a secure hold on the object. The upright object can then be lowered in an upright position.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for positioning an object into an upright position, comprising:

a base plate configured to operably couple to a lifting device;
a surface plate rotatably coupled to the base plate, wherein the surface plate is configured to apply a force against a first portion of the object and another surface plate rotatably coupled to another base plate, wherein the other surface plate is configured to apply a force against a second portion of the object different from the first portion;
and
a rotator configured to rotatably connect the surface plate to the base plate, wherein the rotator allows the surface plate to independently rotate about an axis of the base plate when a rotational force is applied to the surface plate by a rotation of the object, wherein the rotator is disposed between the base plate and the surface plate without extending through either the base plate or the surface plate, and wherein the rotator includes:
a first component coupled to the base plate;
a second component coupled to the surface plate;
and
a bearing connecting the first component of the rotator to the second component of the rotator and allowing the second component of the rotator to rotate about an axis of the first component of the rotator,
wherein the surface plate is configured to lift and rotate the object into the upright position in response to the lifting device raising the base plate.

6 more elements

A system for positioning an object into an upright position, comprising:

a clamp vehicle having a first clamp blade and a second clamp blade, wherein the clamp vehicle is operable to provide a compressive force between the first clamp blade and the second clamp blade;
a first base plate operably coupled to the first clamp blade of the clamp vehicle;
a second base plate operably coupled to the second clamp blade of the clamp vehicle;
a first surface plate rotatably coupled to the first base plate, wherein the first surface plate is configured to contact a first portion of an object;
a second surface plate rotatably coupled to the second base plate, wherein the second surface plate is configured to contact a second portion of the object in a first position,
wherein the first surface plate and the second surface plate compress the object in response to the clamp vehicle applying a compressive force,
wherein the system is configurable to lift at least a portion of the object compressed between the first surface plate and the second surface plate via the clamp vehicle and rotate the object into a second position via the first surface plate and the second surface plate;
a first rotator configured to rotatably couple the first surface plate to the first base plate, wherein the first rotator facilitates the first surface plate to rotate independently of the first base plate about an axis when a rotational force is applied against the first surface plate by a rotation of the object, wherein the first rotator is disposed between the first base plate and the first surface plate without extending through either the first base plate or the first surface plate;
and
a second rotator configured to rotatably couple the second surface plate to the second base plate, wherein the second rotator facilitates the second surface plate to rotate independently of the second base plate about an axis of the second base plate when a rotational force is applied to the second surface plate by a rotation of the object, wherein the second rotator is disposed between the second base plate and the second surface plate without extending through either the second base plate or the second surface plate.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.