Patent ID: 6390762
Filing Date: 2002-05-21
Classification: B64F,B66F

Abstract:
An apparatus for accurately positioning a massive article disposed thereon under a separately supported second article for facilitating attachment or removal of said massive article to or from said second article, said apparatus comprisinga main frame having a pair of raised, longitudinally placed apart end rails and a pair of raised, transversely spaced apart side rails, said main frame also having a floor assembly connected to and extending between lower end portions of said main frame rails, said floor assembly including a plurality of spaced apart and uniformly distributed ball transfer elements; an interior frame having a flat floor plate, a pair of raised, longitudinally spaced apart end rails mounted on opposite end portions of said floor plate and a pair of raised, transversely spaced apart side rails mounted on opposite side portions of said floor plate, said floor plate being sized to support a massive article thereon between said interior frame rails, said floor plate being movably supported on a portion of said ball transfer elements such that said interior frame can be moved longitudinally on said main frame floor up to a first maximum distance between main frame end rails and can be moved transversely on said main frame floor up to a second maximum distance between said main frame side rails; a first pair of moving means wherein each of said first pair is connected between a different one of said interior frame end rails and a nearest one of said main frame end rails for cooperatively moving said interior frame longitudinally on said ball transfer elements up to said first maximum distance; a second pair of moving means wherein each of said second pair is connected between a different one of said interior frame side rails and a nearest one of said main frame side rails for cooperatively moving said interior frame transversely on said ball transfer elements up to said second maximum distance; and means attached to said main frame for lifting the entire main frame up to a selected maximum vertical distance off of a main frame supporting surface in order to lift said interior frame and a massive article supported thereon.