Rotation device for load transporting apparatus
AssigneeEntro Industries, Inc.
InventorsShawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that is capable of being steered while transporting a load across a base surface. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a roller track configured to support movement of a roller assembly, and a support foot that is connected to the roller track with a pin connector. During load transport, the support foot can be maintained in a substantially similar position relative to a frame structure supporting the load even when the transport movement is not in a parallel direction to the orientation of the support foot.
Claims30
A load transporting apparatus configured to move a load over a base surface in one or more incremental steps each including a load-movement phase and a recovery phase, the load transporting apparatus comprising:
- a lift mechanism structured to lift a load-bearing frame supporting the load;
- a roller assembly coupled to the lift mechanism;
- a roller track connected to the roller assembly and configured to allow the roller assembly to move over the roller track in a first direction;
- a travel mechanism coupled to the roller track and connected to the roller assembly, the travel mechanism structured to displace the roller assembly relative to the roller track along the first direction;
- a support foot positioned below the roller track, the first support foot structured to interface with the base surface;
- and
- a pin connector connecting the support foot with the roller track, the pin connector structured to allow the roller track to rotate relative to the support foot.
A load transporting system configured to move a load over a base surface in one or more incremental steps each including a load-movement phase and a recovery phase, the load transporting system comprising:
- a load-bearing frame structured to support the load on the base surface;
- a first load transporting apparatus including:
- a first lift mechanism coupled to the load-bearing frame and structured to lift a load-bearing frame supporting the load,
- a first roller assembly coupled to the first lift mechanism,
- a first roller track connected to the first roller assembly and configured to allow the first roller assembly to move over the first roller track in a first direction,
- a first travel mechanism coupled to the first roller track and connected to the first roller assembly, the first travel mechanism structured to displace the first roller assembly relative to the first roller track along the first direction,
- a first support foot positioned below the first roller track, the first support foot structured to interface with the base surface, and
- a first pin connector connecting the first support foot with the first roller track, the first pin connector structured to allow the first roller track to rotate relative to the first support foot;
- and
- a second load transporting apparatus including:
- a second lift mechanism coupled to the load-bearing frame and structured to lift a load-bearing frame supporting the load,
- a second roller assembly coupled to the second lift mechanism,
- a second roller track connected to the second roller assembly and configured to allow the second roller assembly to move over the second roller track in a second direction,
- a second travel mechanism coupled to the second roller track and connected to the second roller assembly, the second travel mechanism structured to displace the second roller assembly relative to the second roller track along the second direction,
- a second support foot positioned below the second roller track, the second support foot structured to interface with the base surface, and
- a second pin connector connecting the second support foot with the second roller track, the second pin connector structured to allow the second roller track to rotate relative to the second support foot.
A method of steering a load transporting device connected to a load-bearing frame supporting a load, the load transporting device including a lift mechanism structured to lift the load-bearing frame, a roller assembly coupled to the lift mechanism and configured to move over a roller track in a first direction by being manipulated by a travel mechanism, and a support foot connected to the roller track with a pin connector, the method comprising:
- when the support foot is in contact with a ground surface, activating the lift mechanism to raise the support foot off of the ground surface;
- determining a direction of travel of the load;
- rotating the roller track relative to the support foot, the roller track rotated to align the first direction with the direction of travel;
- locking the position of the roller track relative to the support foot;
- activating the lift mechanism to lower the support foot to the ground surface and raising the load supported by the frame;
- and
- activating the travel mechanism to displace the roller assembly in the first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.