Tree mover system with airbags
AssigneeEnvironmental Tree and Design, Inc.
InventorsMark A. Merit, Thomas P. Cox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A large tree mover system includes a trench formed around the circumference of the tree, and a plurality of elongate supports beneath the root ball of the tree. Two or more connecting beams positioned over the plurality of supports connect the plurality of supports to form a substantially rigid frame. The plurality of inflatable airbags are positioned under the plurality of supports, and these or other airbags may be positioned under the supports to roll the root ball to a selected location. A method of moving large trees is also disclosed.
Claims20
A method of moving large trees, comprising:
- forming a trench around the circumference of the tree, the trench defining a perimeter of a root ball;
- inserting a plurality of elongate, substantially parallel supports under the root ball, each support extending between opposing sides of the root ball;
- positioning two or more connecting beams over the plurality of supports, each connecting beam connected to each of the plurality of supports to form a substantially rigid frame;
- inserting a plurality of inflatable bags under the plurality of supports;
- inflating the plurality of airbags to raise the plurality of supports and the root ball;
- and
- moving the root ball to a selected location using the plurality of inflated airbags to engage the plurality of supports and roll the root ball over the plurality of inflatable airbags.
A method of moving large trees, comprising:
- forming a trench around the circumference of the tree, the trench defining a perimeter of a root ball;
- inserting a plurality of elongate, substantially parallel supports under the root ball, each support extending between opposing sides of the root ball;
- positioning two or more connecting beams over the plurality of supports, each connecting beam connected to each of the plurality of supports to form a substantially rigid frame;
- creating a cavity on each side of the root ball and at least partially beneath the plurality of supports, each cavity receiving one or more inflatable airbags therein;
- inserting the one or more of inflatable airbags under the plurality of supports and in a respective trench;
- inflating the one or more of airbags to raise the plurality of supports and the root ball;
- and
- therefore moving the root ball to a selected location.
A system for moving large trees, including a trench around the circumference of the tree, the trench defining a perimeter of a root ball, the system comprising:
- a plurality of elongate, substantially parallel supports under the root ball, each support extending between opposing sides of the root ball;
- two or more connecting beams posititioned over the plurality of supports, each connecting beam connected to each of the plurality of supports to form a substantially rigid frame;
- a plurality of inflatable airbags positioned under the plurality of supports;
- and
- the plurality of inflatable airbags engaging the plurality of supports to roll the root ball over the plurality of inflatable airbags to a selected location.
A method of moving large trees, comprising:
- positioning a plurality of elongate, substantially parallel supports under a root ball, each support extending between opposing sides of the root ball and generally parallel to the direction of travel when moving the root ball to a selected location;
- positioning two or more connecting beams over the plurality of supports, each connecting beam connected to each of the plurality of supports to form a substantially rigid frame;
- providing a plurality of movable inflatable bags under the plurality of supports to support the root ball;
- and
- moving the root ball to the selected location using the plurality of movable inflatable airbags to engage the plurality of supports and roll the root ball over the plurality of inflatable airbags.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.