Limited mobility transporter

A transporter for moving objects along a predetermined path along a mounting surface, the transporter comprising:

• a linkage mechanism having four links connected at their ends by pivotal connections to form a four bar linkage;
• one of said links defining a work platform for supporting the object to be moved;
• an engager mounted at each pivotal connection operable for selectively engaging two adjacent pivotal connections to the mounting surface;
• and
• an actuator assembly connected to one of said links for rotating said links about said two adjacent pivotal connections in a coplanar fashion to the mounting surface whereby the transporter is movable about the mounting surface by the simultaneous engagement of said selected engagers and rotation of said links whereby releasing said engaged pivotal connections after rotation of said links and engaging another pair of adjacent pivotal connections and rotating said links about said another pair of adjacent pivotal connections provides sequential movement of the work platform relative to the surface.

A method of moving objects supported on a work platform relative to a surface comprising:

• engaging selected adjacent pivotal connections of a linkage mechanism defining the work platform to the surface;
• and
• rotating said linkage mechanism about said engaged pivotal connections in a coplanar fashion to the surface to move said links and the objects supported on the work platform about the surface;
• releasing said engaged pivotal connections after rotating;
• engaging another pair of adjacent pivotal connections and rotating said links about said another pair of adjacent pivotal connections to provide sequential movement of the work platform relative to the surface.