Mounting structure with ambulating transport system

A load transporting apparatus, comprising:

• a base structure configured to support a load;
• a plurality of transport devices operably coupled to the base structure and configured to move the base structure over a base surface and support the base structure at a predetermined height above the base surface, wherein the plurality of transport devices comprise:
• a first group of transport devices configured to concurrently contact the base surface during a first movement step of the base structure, wherein the first group of transport devices supports a weight of the load during the first movement step, and wherein following the first movement step the first group of transport devices are configured to be disengaged from the base surface during a second movement step of the base structure, and wherein during the second movement step the first group of transport devices are configured to be disengaged from the base surface;
• and
• a second group of transport devices configured to be disengaged from the base surface during the first movement step, wherein following the first movement step the second group of transport devices are configured to contact the base surface during the second movement step, wherein the weight of the load supported by the first group of transport devices is transferred from the first group of transport devices to the second group of transport devices during the second movement step, wherein the first group of transport devices comprise translation mechanisms configured to laterally displace the base structure along the base surface after the second group of transport devices are disengaged from the base surface, and wherein the base structure remains substantially at the predetermined height throughout both the first movement step and the second movement step.

A method of transporting a load, comprising:

• placing a first group of transport devices in contact with a base surface during a first movement step, wherein the first group of transport devices supports a weight of the load during the first movement step, and wherein the first group of transport devices supports the load at a predetermined height above the base surface during the first movement step;
• disengaging a second group of transport devices from the base surface during the first movement step;
• reengaging the second group of transport devices with the base surface during a second movement step, wherein the second group of transport devices supports the load at the predetermined height above the base surface during the second movement step;
• and
• disengaging the first group of transport devices from the base surface during the second movement step, wherein the weight of the load supported by the first group of transport devices is transferred from the first group of transport devices to the second group of transport devices during the second movement step.