Patent ID: 9045321
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: B66F

Abstract:
1. A reconfigurable transporter for a load comprising: a frame; a first lateral stabilizer, movably attached to the frame; a first actuator, connected to the frame and the first lateral stabilizer, whereby the first lateral stabilizer is moved by activation of the first actuator between a first retracted position and a first extended position; a second lateral stabilizer, movably attached to the frame; a second actuator, connected to the frame and the second lateral stabilizer, whereby the second stabilizer is moved by activation of the second actuator between a second retracted position and a second extended position; a first guide wheel operably attached to the first lateral stabilizer; a second guide wheel operably attached to the second lateral stabilizer; a first drive motor, having a first drive wheel, attached to the frame; a second drive motor, having a second drive wheel, attached to the frame; a mast assembly, including a support mast, pivotally attached to the frame between the first and second guide wheels, and the first and second drive wheels; a telescoping mast, constrained to move adjacent to the support mast; a pulley assembly rotatably fastened to the telescoping mast; a fork assembly slidably attached to the telescoping mast; a chain traversing the pulley assembly and fixed to the fork assembly and the support mast; a third actuator, fixed with respect to the support mast and attached to the pulley assembly, whereby the telescoping mast is extended by activation of the third actuator and the fork assembly is moved between at least a first transport position and a second transport position; a fourth actuator, attached to the frame and to the support mast, whereby the support mast is tilted with respect to the frame; a hydraulic system, operatively connected to the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator and the fourth actuator; whereby the fork carriage when in the first transport position is between the first lateral stabilizer and the second lateral stabilizer when the first lateral stabilizer is in the first extended position and the second lateral stabilizer is in the second extended position; whereby the fork carriage when in the second transport position is above the first lateral stabilizer and the second lateral stabilizer when the first lateral stabilizer is in the first retracted position and the second lateral stabilizer is in the second retracted position; a first controller, operatively connected to the first drive motor, the second drive motor and a power supply, whereby the first drive motor and the second drive motor are activated according to a first set of control signals to move the reconfigurable load transporter; a second controller, operatively connected to the hydraulic system, whereby the first actuator, the second actuator, the third actuator and the fourth actuator are activated according to a second set of control signals to position the load; and wherein the power supply includes a battery.