Patent ID: 8677905
Filing Date: 2014-03-25
Classification: B25J,B65G,B66C

Abstract:
1. A load maneuvering system, comprising: first and second runway rails that extend parallel to a generally horizontal runway axis; a bridge including a single bridge rail that extends along a bridge axis that is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the runway axis and that is movable on the runway rails along the runway axis, wherein the bridge includes a plurality of first bridge wheels connected to the bridge rail and supported on the first runway rail, and a plurality of second bridge wheels connected to the bridge rail and supported on the second runway rail, a carriage having a plurality of carriage wheels thereon permitting movement of the carriage along the bridge rail; and a manipulator configured for holding a load, wherein the manipulator is supported by the carriage and is positionable to cause a first moment to be imposed through the carriage wheels on the bridge rail in a first direction about the bridge axis, wherein the manipulator is positionable to cause a second moment to be imposed through the carriage wheels on the bridge rail in a second direction about the bridge axis that is generally opposite to the first direction about the bridge axis, wherein the manipulator is positionable to cause a third moment to be imposed through the carriage wheels on the bridge rail in a first direction about the runway axis, and wherein the manipulator is positionable to cause a fourth moment to be imposed through the carriage wheels on the bridge rail in a second direction about the runway axis that is generally opposite to the first direction about the runway axis, wherein the bridge rail includes