Towing apparatus
OwnerJohn J. Klein, Alan J. Feltisinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A towing apparatus capable of moving aircraft and other workpieces about an airfield or other workspace. The present invention includes a first frame which is rotatable relative to a second frame about a common substantially vertical axis. A wheel assembly is positioned within the first frame and driven by a motor which is also mounted on the first frame. A gripper assembly for engaging the aircraft or other workpiece is attached to the second frame. In this manner, the present invention provides for the towing of aircraft or other workpieces along an axis which is proximate the axis of the wheel assembly. Additionally, it provides for a low center of gravity significantly enhancing the stability and maneuverability of the present invention in a towing attitude or a non-towing attitude.
Claims22
An apparatus for towing a workpiece comprising:
- a first frame having a first generally circular member with a first radial surface;
- a second frame having a second generally circular member with a second radial surface, said second circular member being rotatably engaged with said first generally circular member such that said first frame is rotatable relative to said second frame about a substantially vertical axis common to said first and second circular members and such that at least a portion of said first radial surface and at least a portion of said second radial surface frictionally engage upon generally forward or generally rearward movement of said first frame to transmit motion to said second frame;
- a wheel assembly interconnected with said first frame, said wheel assembly having a generally horizontal first axis and a wheel rotatable about said first axis to drive movement of said apparatus along a surface;
- a motor to power said wheel assembly;
- and
- an adjustable gripper assembly interconnected with said second frame, said gripper assembly being adjustable to removably attach the workpiece.
An apparatus for towing a workpiece comprising:
- a first frame having a first generally circular member with a first radial surface;
- a second frame having a second generally circular member with a second radial surface, said second circular member being rotatably engaged with said first generally circular member such that said first frame is rotatable relative to said second frame about a substantially vertical axis common to said first and second circular members and such that at least a portion of said first radial surface and at least a portion of said second radial surface frictionally engage upon generally forward or generally rearward movement of said first frame to transmit motion to said second frame;
- a wheel assembly interconnected with said first frame, said wheel assembly having a generally horizontal first axis and a wheel rotatable about said first axis to drive movement of said apparatus along a surface;
- a motor to power said wheel assembly;
- and
- an adjustable gripper assembly interconnected with said second frame, said gripper assembly being adjustable to removably attach the workpiece and including a tow frame with a rollable support and an adjustable cradle adapted to retain a section of the workpiece generally between said rollable support and said wheel assembly for towing the workpiece along the surface.
An apparatus for towing a workpiece comprising:
- a first frame having a first generally circular member with a first radial surface;
- a second frame having a second generally circular member with a second radial surface, said second circular member being rotatably engaged with said first generally circular member such that said first frame is rotatable relative to said second frame about a substantially vertical axis common to said first and second circular members and such that at least a portion of said first radial surface and at least a portion of said second radial surface frictionally engage upon generally forward or generally rearward movement of said first frame to transmit generally forward or generally rearward movement to said second frame;
- a wheel assembly interconnected with said first frame, said wheel assembly having a generally horizontal first axis and at least one wheel rotatable about said first axis to drive movement of said first and second frames along a surface, wherein said frictionally engageable radial surface portions are positioned a vertical distance from said first axis within about 60% of the radius of said wheel;
- a motor to power said wheel assembly;
- and
- an adjustable gripper assembly interconnected with said second frame, said gripper assembly being adjustable to removably attach a workpiece, such that said apparatus is operable to tow the workpiece along the surface upon generally forward or generally rearward movement of said first frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.