Centering device for load transporting apparatus
AssigneeEntro Industries, Inc.
InventorsShawn R. SMITH, Harlan B. SMITH
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically centers a support foot of the apparatus about a roller assembly during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes guide devices positioned adjacent to a roller assembly that deflect a biasing device during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to a centered position relative to the roller assembly after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a support foot;
- a roller assembly configured to move relative to the support foot;
- a lift mechanism coupled to the roller assembly and configured to lift both the roller assembly and the support foot to a raised position;
- and
- a biasing system configured to apply a biasing force against the roller assembly as it moves relative to the support foot, wherein the biasing force causes the support foot to return to a neutral position relative to the roller assembly when the support foot is located in the raised position.
An apparatus, comprising:
- means for raising a load transporting device;
- means for moving a roller assembly relative to a support foot of the load transporting device, wherein the roller assembly is connected to the means for raising, and wherein the load transporting device moves in response to moving the roller assembly;
- means for applying a bias force against the roller assembly as it deviates from a neutral position relative to the support foot, wherein the bias force causes the support foot to move relative to the roller assembly with the support foot located in a raised position so that the roller assembly returns to the neutral position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.