US 2011/0297465 A1Published application

Retrofit Assembly for Self-Mobilization of a Transport Unit

OwnerPaul N. Huntley, John Raudatinventors

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Abstract

A motorized, two-wheeled retrofit assembly converts a portable, four-wheeled transport unit, such as a scaffold, to a self-propelled, power driven unit for directional movement from one location to another. The retrofit assembly is attached to the transport unit in a manner that immobilizes or replaces the front wheels of the transport unit. The retrofit assembly comprises a drive assembly and a steering assembly. The drive assembly includes a pair of freely rotating wheels that are spaced apart from each other and share a common axle. Each freely rotating wheel is disposed adjacent to and detachably engaged with a corresponding slip drive wheel that is fixed to the axle for driving the freely rotating wheels. The drive assembly further comprises a motor; a drive mechanism that operatively interconnects the motor with one of the slip drive wheels for turning the retrofit assembly axle; a power source for the motor; and a base communicating with the axle for carrying the assembly motor and power source. The steering assembly comprises a vertically adjustable steering column.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A motorized, two-wheeled retrofit assembly for incorporation with a portable, four-wheeled transport unit that includes a relatively open framework, for directionally moving the unit from one location to another, comprising:

a) a drive assembly that includes (i) a pair of rotating wheels spaced apart from each other by a common axle, each wheel being disposed adjacent to and detachably engaged with a slip drive wheel fixed to said axle, said engagement being created by a bias means exerted on said wheels against said respective slip drive wheels;
(ii) a motor;
(iii) a drive mechanism operatively interconnecting said motor and one of said slip drive wheels for turning said axle;
(v) a power source for powering said motor;
and (vi) a base communicating with said axle for carrying said motor and said power source;
and
b) a steering assembly comprising (i) a vertically adjustable steering column communicating with the base of the drive assembly for turning the drive assembly to a desired position for the directional movement of said wheels;
(ii) a steering mechanism disposed about the top portion of said steering column for turning the steering column and drive assembly;
and (iii) a control apparatus disposed about said steering mechanism and operatively communicating with said motor for electronically controlling the rotational movement of said wheels.

6 more elements

A self-propelling transport unit comprising a motorized retrofit assembly incorporated with a portable, open-framed scaffold,

A) said scaffold including a front and rear framework, each framework comprising a plurality of cross members communicating with upright corner members, each corner member comprising a support wheel about the base thereof, and said front and rear frameworks being connected by transverse members for supporting a platform between said front and rear frameworks;
and
B) said retrofit assembly comprising:
(a) a drive assembly that includes (i) a pair of freely rotating wheels spaced apart from each other by a common axle, each wheel being disposed adjacent to and detachably engaged with a slip drive wheel fixed to said axle, said engagement being created by a bias means exerted on said wheels against said respective slip drive wheels;
(ii) a motor;
(iii) a drive mechanism operatively interconnecting said motor and one of said slip drive wheels for turning said axle;
(iv) a power source for powering said motor;
and (v) a base communicating with said axle for carrying said motor and said power source;
and
(b) a steering assembly comprising (i) a vertically adjustable steering column communicating with the base of the retrofit assembly for turning said drive assembly to a desired position for the directional movement of said wheels;
(ii) a steering mechanism disposed about the top portion of said steering column for turning the steering column and drive assembly;
and (iii) a control device disposed about said steering mechanism, operatively communicating with said motor for controlling the rotational movement of said wheels;
and
(c) an attachment device for detachably securing said retrofit assembly to the front framework of the scaffold in a manner that immobilizes the support wheels of the front framework of said scaffold.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/082,693Filed 8 Apr 2011
Priority: 8 Apr 2010
Published: 8 Dec 2011
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

E04G 1/24
Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground: comprising essentially special base constructions; comprising essentially special ground-engaging…
B62B 3/02
Hand carts having more than one axis carrying transport wheels; Steering devices therefor; Equipment therefor: involving parts being adjustable,…
B62B 5/0079
Propulsion aids: towing by connecting to another vehicle
B62D 51/001
Motor vehicles characterised by the driver not being seated: characterised by the vehicle control device