Patent ID: 11958398
Assignee: nan
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 19:
20. An apparatus for moving an object across a ground surface, the apparatus comprising:
a platform having an upper surface for positioning the object on, the platform having a perimeter; and
a plurality of lift assemblies configured to selectively raise the platform off of the ground surface and permit the apparatus to move across the ground surface with the object carried on the platform, the plurality of lift assemblies being located along the perimeter of the platform, each of the lift assemblies having a deployed condition and a retracted condition, the deployed condition being characterized by the lift assembly facilitating movement of the platform across the ground surface;
wherein each of the lift assemblies additionally comprises a support arm being elongated with an inboard end and an outboard end, the support arm being mounted on the platform by a pivot located toward the inboard end of the support arm and permitting pivot movement of the support arm with respect to the platform;
wherein, in the deployed condition, the support arm is pivoted downwardly into a position adjacent to the platform to force the ground contacting element downwardly with respect to the platform such that the ground contacting element protrudes below a bottom of the platform such that the ground contacting element lifts the platform upwardly and off of the ground surface;
wherein, in the retracted condition, the support arm is pivoted upwardly from the position adjacent to the platform of the deployed condition such that the ground contacting element is raised upwardly to permit the platform to move downwardly toward the ground surface;
wherein the support arm is in a deployed position in the deployed condition of the lift assembly, the deployed position being characterized by the support arm being oriented substantially horizontal; and
wherein the support arm is in a retracted position in the deployed condition of the lift assembly, the retracted position being characterized by the support arm being oriented substantially vertical.