US 6,202,774 B1Granted

Transport module for the moving of heavy loads

AssigneeMannesmann Rexroth GmbH

InventorsJosephus Antonius Maria Claassen, Berend Drenth, Marten Fluks

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Abstract

A simply-designed, multi-purpose transport module with which heavy loads can be moved over the ground has the following features: a frame, on which the load is laid, is positioned on the floor. A support is positioned on the floor. The ground loading pressure of the frame, on an increase of the ground pressure loading of the support, and the ground pressure loading of the support, on an increase of the ground pressure loading of the frame, can be reduced to below the unloaded weight through an actuator of the frame or of the support. The frame and the support have a first pair of inclined paths through which the frame can be supported on the support and the frame is displaceable horizontally with respect to the support on achieving a sufficient reduction of its ground pressure loading. The frame and the support have a second pair of inclined paths through which the support can be supported on the frame and the support is displaceable horizontally with respect to the frame on achieving a sufficient reduction of its ground pressure loading. A load can be moved forward in a step-wise manner with such a transport module.

Claims25

Dependent claims

Transport module provided for moving a heavy load over a floor, the module comprising:

a) a frame for supporting the load on the floor;
b) a support resting on the floor, and located between the frame and the floor;
c) an actuator operative to develop a lifting force by the support against the frame, wherein the lifting force may be positive to reduce a force with which the frame rests on the floor by increasing the force with which the support abuts the floor, and wherein the lifting force may be negative to reduce the force with which the support abuts the floor to a point below its own weight by increasing the force with which the frame abuts the floor;
d) wherein the frame and the support have, respectively, a first guide block with an inclined surface and a second guide block with an inclined surface interfacing with the inclined surface of the first block, the first and the second blocks enabling the frame to be supported on the support and the frame to be moved horizontally relative to the support with sufficient reduction of the force with which the frame rests on the floor;
and
e) the module further comprises a roller assembly for supporting the support on the frame and enabling the support to be moved horizontally with respect to the frame upon a reduction of the force that the support applies to the floor.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.