Carrier for transferring loads across a corrugated surface

A carrier for transferring loads across a corrugated surface, the carrier comprising:

• a body having a width and a length defining a support surface arranged to bear a load, the body including opposed first and second tracks;
• a first loop of rollers about the first track and a second loop of rollers about the second track;
• cross members extending from rollers of the first track to rollers of the second track;
• wherein a gap between adjacent cross members is greater than a crest width of the corrugated surface and wherein a width of each of the cross members is less than a pan width of the corrugated surface,
• wherein each of the first and second loops of rollers comprise a plurality of pairs of rollers connected by a bracket member, and
• wherein the bracket members are connected by one or more link members to adjacently positioned bracket members on each of the first and second loops of rollers.

A method for transporting a load across a corrugated surface, the method comprising:

• providing a carrier having a body with a length and width defining a support surface for bearing a load and at least two opposing side walls extending away from the support surface, wherein each side wall comprises opposed first and second tracks and loop of rollers coupled to the first and second tracks, having longitudinal cross members extend between the loops of rollers wherein a gap between adjacent cross members is greater than a crest width of the corrugated surface, wherein a width of each of the cross members is less than a pan width of the corrugated surface, wherein each of the first and second loops of rollers comprise a plurality of pairs of rollers connected by a bracket member, and wherein respective adjacent bracket members of the first and second loops of rollers are connected by one or more link members;
• loading a load onto the support surface of the carrier;
• and
• applying a force to the body of the carrier substantially parallel to a width direction of the crests on the corrugated surface such that each of the loops of rollers rotate around their respective tracks.

A method of assembling a carrier for use in transporting loads across a corrugated surface, the method comprising:

• providing a body having a support surface and at least two opposing side walls that extend away from the support surface;
• coupling first and second loops of rollers connected by a plurality of longitudinally extending cross members onto respective first and second tracks;
• wherein a gap between adjacent cross members is greater than a crest width of the corrugated surface and wherein a width of each of the cross members is less than a pan width of the corrugated surface,
• wherein each of the first and second loops of rollers comprise a plurality of pairs of rollers connected by a bracket member, and
• wherein respective adjacent bracket members of the first and second loops of rollers are connected by one or more link members.