Abstract:
A drum transporter that can be used to move a drum from a first bed at a first location to a second bed at a second location is described. The drum transporter can be coupled to a drive cart and powered thereby. The drum transporter is operable to grab a drum on the first bed and pull the drum onto a support bed of the transporter for subsequent movement to the second location. The drum transporter is operable to push the drum off the support bed and onto the second bed.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject matter described herein relates in general to transporters and, more particularly, to a barrel drum transporter. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Barrel drums are used in factories to hold parts and supplies to support the manufacturing activities. The barrel drums can be heavy when full. In some cases, the full barrel drums can weigh 900 pounds. 
         [0003]    To support the manufacturing activities, full barrel drums are transported to the appropriate locations in the factory for use and empty barrel drums removed. The transport of the barrel drums along the factory floor can be difficult due to the weight and can be through high traffic areas—areas where good visibility is desired. The barrel drums are moved by manually operated dollies or by fork trucks. The manually operated dollies can be strenuous to operate while the fork trucks may limit visibility. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure is directed to a drum transporter that is coupled to a drive cart and powered thereby. The drum transporter is operable to grab a drum on a first bed and move it to a support bed of the transporter for subsequent movement to a desired location where the drum transporter is operable to push the drum off the support bed and onto a second bed. 
         [0005]    In one respect, the present disclosure is directed to a drum transporter operable to be coupled to a drive cart and move a drum from one location to another. The drum transporter includes a support bed, a gripping assembly and a drive system. The gripping assembly is horizontally moveable relative to the support bed between an extended position and a retracted position. The gripping assembly has a pair of arms that move between an open position and a closed position. The arms when in the open position are operable to receive a drum there between and when in the closed position are operable to at least partially circumscribe a portion of an exterior of a drum. The drive system is coupled to the gripping assembly is operable to drive movement of the gripping assembly between the extended and retracted positions. The drive system is powered by the drive cart. The gripping assembly is operable to engage with a drum and move the drum horizontally onto and off of the support bed. 
         [0006]    In another respect, the present disclosure is directed to a drum transporting system operable to move a drum from one location to another. The system includes a drive cart coupled to a drum transporter and operable to move the drum transporter between locations. The drum transporter includes a support bed, a gripping assembly and a drive system. The gripping assembly is horizontally moveable relative to the support bed between an extended position and a retracted position. The gripping assembly has a pair of arms that move between an open position and a closed position. The arms when in the open position are operable to receive a drum there between and when in the closed position are operable to at least partially circumscribe a portion of an exterior of a drum. The drive system is coupled to the gripping assembly is operable to drive movement of the gripping assembly between the extended and retracted positions. The drive system is powered by the drive cart. The gripping assembly is operable to engage with a drum and move the drum horizontally onto and off of the support bed. 
         [0007]    In yet another respect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of transporting a barrel from a first location on a first bed to a second location on a second bed. The method includes transporting a drum transporter to a first location adjacent a barrel to be transported that is on a first bed. The drum transporter having a support bed, a gripping assembly, and a drive system. The method includes moving the gripping assembly horizontally relative to the support bed from a retracted position above the support bed to an extended position wherein a pair of arms of the gripping assembly extend horizontally beyond the support bed and over the first bed such that the barrel is disposed between the arms and then closing the pair of arms around the barrel. The method includes moving the gripping assembly horizontally from the extended position to the retracted position thereby pulling the barrel off of the first bed and onto the support bed. The method includes transporting the drum transporter to a second location adjacent a second bed. The method includes moving the gripping assembly from the retracted position to the extended position thereby pushing the barrel drum off of the support bed and onto the second bed and then opening the pair of arms. The method includes moving the gripping assembly horizontally from the extended position to the retracted position thereby leaving the barrel on the second bed. The steps of transporting the drum transporter are done with a drive cart. The steps of moving the gripping assembly are done with the drive system which is powered by the drive cart. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are a perspective views of an exemplary drum transporter. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the drum transporter of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the drum transporter of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the gripping assembly of the drum transporter. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a stop plan view of the gripping assembly. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 7A-7C  are perspective views of the drum transporter in various states of operation. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a view of an exemplary control panel of the drum transporter. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary flow chart of the operation of the drum transporter. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a partial view of the drum transporter of  FIG. 1  showing an exemplary drive system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    This detailed description relates to a barrel drum transporter (drum transporter) that operatively connects with an electric drive cart, such as a 24 volt tugger. The drum transporter receives electric power from the drive cart and includes an electrically operated gripping assembly that moves horizontally to engage with and move a drum between a stationary roller stand and a roller bed of the drum transporter. The drive cart can move the transporter and a drum on the roller bed to a desired location for off-loading. The gripping assembly includes two arcuate pivoting arms that can circumferentially engage with a portion of the exterior of the drum. The arms can be biased to the open position and can be locked in the closed position to secure the drum on the drum transporter. The operation can require the use of both hands of the operator. The drum transporter may provide a visual indication of the locking of the arms in the closed position. The drum transporter may prohibit the unlocking of the arms until the gripping assembly is in a desired horizontal position, such as fully extended. The drum transporter may prohibit drive cart operation until the arms are locked in the closed position and fully retracted. 
         [0018]    Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended only as exemplary. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the aspects herein in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of possible implementations. Various embodiments are shown in the Figures, but the embodiments are not limited to the illustrated structure or application. 
         [0019]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 7 , an example of a drum transporter  20  which can be operatively coupled to a drive cart  22  is shown. As used herein, “drive cart” means any form of motorized transport. In one or more implementations, the drive cart can be a 24 volt electric drive cart, such as an electric tugger. Drum transporter  20  can be configured with a coupler  24  having opening  25  that allows drum transporter  20  to be mechanically coupled to drive cart  22  with an appropriate coupler pin. Coupler  24  may allow some relative rotation between drum transporter  20  and drive car  22  during movement of drive cart  22 . Drum transporter  20  may include a pair of spaced apart guide posts  26  that engage with the drive cart to maintain a desired orientation of drum transporter  20  relative to drive cart  22  during movement of drive cart  22 . Drum transporter  20  is electrically coupled with and receives power from drive cart  22  via an electrical cable  28 . 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , drum transporter  20  includes a base  30  having a cross member  32  and a pair of spaced apart rails  34 . Base  30  may be supported by a plurality of wheels  36 , such as four casters. A support bed  38  may include a plurality of rollers  40  and is configured to be supported from base  30  and support the weight of a fully loaded drum thereon. A control panel  42  is affixed on a support structure  44  that may extend upwardly from base  30 . 
         [0022]    Drum transporter  20  includes a gripping assembly  46  that is horizontally moveable relative to a top surface of support bed  30 . Gripping assembly  46  includes a base plate  48  and a wall  50  extending vertically therefrom. A plurality of buttresses  52  may be included to support wall  50  relative to plate  48 . A drum detection device  53  may be disposed in wall  50 . Drum detection device  53  may take a variety of forms, such as a movable arm with a roller that moves from a projected position to a flush position when a drum fully loaded on gripping assembly  46 . It should be appreciated that drum detection device  53  may take other forms that are suitable to be activated by the presence of a drum fully loaded on gripping assembly  46 . Wall  50  includes a pair of openings  54 . A pair of arms  56  may be pivotally coupled to wall  50 , such as at opposite ends of wall  50 , with hinges  58  and pins  60 . Arms  56  and wall  50  may be arcuate in shape such that the shape is similar to or matches that of the exterior surface of a drum for which the drum transporter is configured to move. Arms  56  may each include a wedge portion  62  and a grabbing portion  64 . Hinge  58  may couple with arms  56  at or near the junction of wedge portion  62  and grabbing portion  64  such that each wedge portion  62  is operable to move through an associated opening  54  in wall  50  during rotational movement of arms  56  relative to wall  50 . Arms  56  may include reinforcing structures, such as ribs  66 , on an outer surface thereof. Each wedge portion  62  may include a striker  68  that is operable to engage with corresponding latches  70  to hold arms  62  in a closed position, as describe below. Latches  70  may be power operated latches such that arms  62  remain secured (locked) in the closed position until latches  70  are commanded to open via an electrical voltage is supplied thereto via user activation. Latches  70  may operate independently of one another. Gripping assembly  46  may include a biasing member  71  operatively connected to each arm  56  and hinge  58 . Alternatively, biasing member  71  may be connected to wall  50  or plate  48  instead of hinge  58 . Biasing members  71  may bias each arm  62  to an open position. Biasing members  71  may be gas struts or springs by way of example. Gripping assembly  46  may include a cover  73  that covers a majority of gripping assembly  46 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , drum transporter  20  includes a drive system  72  that is operable to move gripping assembly  46  horizontally relative to support bed  46 . Drive system  72  may include an electric motor  74  that is coupled to a reduction gear assembly  76  via a chain or belt  78 . Gear assembly  76  is operable to convert the rotational speed of motor  74  into a desired rotational drive speed for gripping assembly  46 . For example, an output gear  80  can be coupled to an output shaft  82  of motor  74 . A reduction gear  84  may be coupled to a drive shaft  86  and chain  78  may couple drive gear  80  to reduction gear  84 . Rotation of output shaft  82  is thereby translated into rotation of drive shaft  86 . Drive shaft  86  may extend between rails  34  adjacent cross member  32 . A pair of drive gears  88  may be coupled to opposite end portions of drive shaft  86  on an interior side of rails  34 . A pair of gears  90  may be rotationally coupled to forward end portions of rails  34 . A drive chain  92  may be coupled to a drive gear  88  and a gear  90  associated with each rail  34 . Operation of motor  74  can thereby drive movement of chains  92  relative to each rail  34 . Opposing sides of gripping assembly  46  may each be coupled to a drive chain  92  by couplers  93  such that operation of motor  74  drives horizontal movement of gripping assembly  46  along rails  34  relative to support bed  38  via the movement of drive chain  92 . Limit sensors/switches  94  can be coupled to a rail  34  and provide a signal and/or stop operation of motor  74  when gripping assembly  46  has reached desired extended and retracted positions. By way of example, one of the couplers  93  can be configured to engage with limit switches  94  when a desired position of gripping assembly  46  is obtained. The positioning of limit switches  94  can thereby determine the fully extended and fully retracted positions of gripping assembly  46 . 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , control panel  42  includes an emergency stop switch  100  that may be manually operated to stop operation of drum transporter  20 . A mode selector switch  102  allows a user to select either a LOAD or UNLOAD mode of operation of drum transporter  20 . A visual indicator light  104  is operable to signal when it is OK to operate transport. Indictor light  104  can illuminate when gripping assembly  46  is fully retracted with both arms  56  in a latched/locked condition and the presence of a drum is detected by device  53 . If only a single arm  56  is latched/locked, indicator light  104  will not illuminate. Indicator light  104  can thereby provide a visual indicator to the user that the load drum is secured on drum transporter  20  and it is OK to move drum transporter  20  with drive cart  22 . A visual indicator light  106  is operable to signal (illuminate) when both arms  56  are latched/locked in the closed position. Gripping assembly  46  is caused to advance/retract through a two-handed operation of the user. Control panel  42  includes a left side operation switch  110  and a right side advance switch  112  and a right side retract switch  114 . To operate gripping assembly  46  a user will simultaneously press and hold down both a left hand switch and a right hand switch. To move gripping assembly  46  from a retracted to an extended position, the user will depress both operate switch  110  and advance switch  112 . To move gripping assembly  46  from an extended position to a retracted position, the user will depress both operate switch  110  and retract switch  114 . The user will hold down the appropriate left and right hand switches until gripping assembly  46  is in the desired position. Operate switch  110  and the appropriate advance or retract switch  112 ,  114  may be required to be simultaneously depressed within a specified time period to move gripping assembly  46 . Limit switches  94  will operate to stop the advancing and retracting of gripping assembly  46  when the fully extended and fully retracted positions are achieved. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-C  and  9 , exemplary operation of drum transporter  20  is shown and described. Drum transporter  20  is operable to grasp a drum  118  on a stationary bed  120 . Stationary bed  120  may be a roller bed that allows drum  118  to be rolled there along. Support bed  38  has a vertical height H that is approximately the same as the vertical height H of stationary bed  120 . The similar height H allows drum  118  to be moved between stationary bed  120  and support bed  38  by gripping assembly  46 . To operate drum transporter  20 , the user positions an empty drum transporter  20  adjacent to and aligned with stationary bed  120  and is parked in that location, as indicated in block  122 . Next, as indicated in block  124 , the user then selects the load mode via mode selector switch  102  and simultaneously depresses both operate and advance switches  110 ,  112 . Gripping assembly  46  then moves toward drum  118  until the fully extended position is realized. As gripping assembly  46  advances toward drum  118 , arms  56  are in a fully open position until the wedge portions  62  contact the exterior surface of drum  118 . Continued advancing of gripping assembly  46  results in arms  56  moving toward a closed position as the force of drum  118  against wedge portions  62  overcomes the force of biasing members  71  and arms  56  pivot relative to wall  50 . When gripping assembly  46  reaches the fully extended position, arms  56  have moved to a closed position and strikers  68  engage with latches  70  to latch/lock arms  56  in the closed position, such as shown in  FIG. 7B . Arms  56  can fully or partially circumscribe an exterior of drum  118  when in the closed position. Drum  118  also contacts and activates detection device  53  when fully positioned in gripping assembly  46 . Visual indicator  106  can illuminate once arms  56  are latched/locked it the closed position. 
         [0026]    Next, as indicated in block  128 , the user releases switches  110 ,  112  and then simultaneously depresses both operate and retract switches  110 ,  114 . Gripping assembly  46  then moves, along with drum  118 , from the fully extended position toward drive cart  22  until the fully retracted position is realized with drum  118  on support bed  38 , such as that shown in  FIG. 7C . During retraction, grabbing portions  64  of arms  56  pull drum  118  along stationary bed  120  and support bed  38 . When drum  118  is on support bed  38  with arms  56  in the locked position, gripping assembly  46  fully retracted, and detection device  53  is activated visual indicator  104  will illuminate, as indicated in block  130 , informing the user that drive cart  22  is ready to be operated to move drum transporter  20  to a desired location, as indicated in block  132 . Operation of drive cart  22  may be inhibited until the conditions to illuminate visual indicator  104  have been realized. The user will transport drum  118  to the desired location, as indicated in block  132 , and position drum transporter  20  adjacent to and aligned with another stationary bed  120  upon which it is desired to position drum  118 , as indicated in block  134 . 
         [0027]    Next, as indicated in block  136 , drum  118  can be off loaded by the user selecting the unload mode via mode selector switch  102  and simultaneously depressing both operate and advance switches  110 ,  112 . Gripping assembly  46  then moves toward the stationary bed  120  until the fully extended position is realized and drum  118  is supported by stationary bed  120 , such as shown in  FIG. 7B . Next, the user will release switches  110 ,  112  and then simultaneously depress both operate and retracts switches  110 ,  114  as indicated in block  140 . Arms  56  will be automatically unlock based on mode switch  102  being in the unload mode and retract switch  114  being depressed simultaneously with operate switch  110 . With arms  56  unlatched/unlock, gripping assembly  46  can be moved from the fully extended position to the fully retracted position while leaving drum  118  on stationary bed  120 . 
         [0028]    The term “operatively connected” as used throughout this description, can include direct or indirect connections, including connections without direct physical contact. It will be appreciated that arrangements described herein can provide numerous benefits, including one or more of the benefits mentioned herein. For example, arrangements described herein can provide user an automated method of moving barrel drums that can provide improved visibility over other automated methods. 
         [0029]    The terms “a” and “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. open language). The phrase “at least one of . . . and . . . ” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As an example, the phrase “at least one of A, B and C” includes A only, B only, C only, or any combination thereof (e.g. AB, AC, BC or ABC). 
         [0030]    Aspects herein can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.