Patent Description:
It is often necessary to carry loads to or around hard-to-access, remote and/or off-highway locations. Such locations include railway lines, wind farms and electricity transmission lines traversing remote terrain. If a new utility line such as a power cable is to be installed on a railway line, a drum carrying the cable is lifted into A-frame supports located upon a flatbed wagon. This lifting process may be carried out by a number of maintenance personnel or by a crane. However, even using a crane requires personnel to be present to ensure that the drum is located properly in the supports on the wagon. Thus, the personnel may be at risk of harm should anything go wrong whilst the drum is being installed on the wagon. This installation process can also take a significant amount of time to complete, thus leading to a time-consuming installation.

With sites such as wind farms and remote electricity transmission lines the drums carrying the utility lines are typically transported to the site on trucks. However, these on-highway trucks are often unable to access off-road locations due to their size, weight and lack of traction in off-road environments. Specialist off-highway trucks with greater traction than on-highway trucks may be used to access these remote final destinations but these can have a detrimental effect as they traverse the local environment due to their size and weight.

It is also the case that multiple apparatus may be required to transport different types of load. For example, an A-frame of the type mentioned above can be used to carry and deploy a utility line from a reel, but different apparatus would be needed to carry and/or deploy a roll of sheeting or a tank of liquid.

It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of these disadvantages with known transporter apparatus. <CIT> discloses a transporter according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention there is provided a transporter apparatus comprising:.

The at least two drive units may be continuous track units. Alternatively, the at least two drive units may be wheels.

The load may be a drum which can rotate about a drum axle, wherein each of the first and second lifting carriages is adapted to receive a respective end of the drum axle.

The apparatus may further comprise a drum axle for insertion into a drum such that the drum may rotate about the drum axle, wherein each of the
first and second lifting carriages is adapted to receive an end of the drum axle.

Each lifting carriage may include a hinged end cap adapted to close over and secure an end of the drum axle once the axle is received on the lifting carriage.

The guide bars may be inclined relative to the vertical, such that when a load is lifted by the lifting carriages it is moved upwards and towards a centre of gravity of the apparatus.

Each lifting carriage may include at least one recess adapted to receive portion of the load. The or each recess may include a bearing located therein.

Each lifting carriage may include a plurality of recesses arranged thereon such that the apparatus can lift loads of differing heights.

Each lifting carriage may include a locking member which can be secured over the or each recess so as to secure the load in a recess.

Each lifting carriage may include one or more fixing apertures adapted to receive a part of a load.

The apparatus may further comprise a platform which can be selectively attached to the lifting carriages, the platform comprising:.

The apparatus may further comprise a dispenser for carrying and dispensing a roll of material, the dispenser comprising:.

The at least one guide roller may be baised towards the roller members.

The trough portion may include a ramp up which the roll of material may be rolled in order to enter the load space. The ramp may be pivotably attached to the trough portion.

The apparatus may further comprise a remote control adapted to control the motor and lifting mechanism.

The apparatus may further comprise a drum brake adapted to limit the rotational speed of a drum being carried by the apparatus. The drum brake may comprise a spring-loaded arm having a free end which engages with a drum being carried by the apparatus and applies a frictional force thereto.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings:.

The exploded view of <FIG> and plan view of <FIG> show each of the key components of a first embodiment of a transporter apparatus. The apparatus comprises a frame, or chassis, <NUM> which is mounted to a pair of drive units <NUM> which provide drive or traction for the apparatus. The drive units <NUM> are arranged in parallel with one another and define a space or void between them. In the illustrated embodiment the drive units <NUM> are continuous track units. A motor <NUM> is mounted in the frame to provide drive to the tracks of the respective track units <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is preferably an internal combustion engine but may alternatively be an electric motor. A hydraulic pump <NUM> is mounted on, and driven by, the engine <NUM>. A fuel tank <NUM> and a hydraulic fluid reservoir <NUM> are also mounted to the frame <NUM>, and fluidly connected to the engine <NUM> and pump, respectively. Electrical power is provided by a 12V battery <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> comprises a pair of upper longitudinal rails 3A,3B and a pair of lower longitudinal rails 5A,5B. Each pair has a right rail and a left rail, those descriptions based on the point of view of someone standing at the rear of the apparatus facing forwards. The pair of left rails 3A,5A lie in substantially the same left plane, and the pair of right rails 3B,5B lie in substantially the same right plane. The pairs of left rails 3A,5A and right rails 3B,5B define the lateral extent of a space between the drive units that will house a drum when in use.

The track units <NUM> are mounted to the lower rails <NUM>, whilst the upper rails 3A,3B are connected at their rear ends by an upper cross-member <NUM>. Each upper rail 3A,3B is supported at its front end by a central support column <NUM>, which extends upwards from a respective one of the lower rails 5A,5B. A rear support pole <NUM> extends vertically between the left and right pairs of lower and upper rails 3A,5A,3B,5B. A lower cross-member <NUM> connects the rear ends of the lower rails 5A,5B.

The apparatus is preferably remote controlled, such that no personnel need to be near the apparatus when it is operating. However, controls are provided on the frame <NUM> if proximate operation is desired. An engine control unit <NUM> is located on the upper cross-member <NUM>. An emergency shut-off switch <NUM> is also provided where the upper cross-member <NUM> meets the left upper rail 3A. The right upper rail 3B is longer than the left upper rail 3A, whereby it projects a short distance rearwards from the remainder of the frame <NUM>. Located on that projecting end of the right upper rail 3B are a plurality of control levers <NUM>, which control the motion of the apparatus as well as the raising and lowering of a load carried by the apparatus. A protective surround <NUM> is provided to ensure that the levers <NUM> cannot be inadvertently operated. An anti-vibration bobbin <NUM> is located adjacent the levers <NUM> so as to isolate vibrations. A control valve <NUM> is also present for the hydraulics.

An inclined bar <NUM> extends from the front end of each upper rail 3A,3B to a front section of each track unit <NUM>. The bars <NUM> act as guide rails for lifting carriages <NUM> which are slidingly mounted on each bar <NUM>. Each carriage <NUM> has a plurality of recesses <NUM> which are intended to receive portions of the load to be carried, as will be explained in more detail below. A series of recesses <NUM> are provided on each carriage <NUM> so that loads of different heights and sizes can be carried by the apparatus. Within each recess <NUM> is a bearing <NUM> which allows the load portion, e.g. a drum axle <NUM> of a cable drum <NUM> to rotate with reduced friction.

Each carriage <NUM> is attached by an upper pin <NUM> to one end of a hydraulic ram <NUM>. A lower pin <NUM> attaches the other end of each ram <NUM> to a bottom end of the inclined car <NUM>. Operation of the rams <NUM> can thus slide the carriages <NUM> up and down their respective bars <NUM>.

One or both track units <NUM> may include an access hatch <NUM> to allow access to the hydraulics housed therein. One or more work lights <NUM> may be provided on the chassis so as to assist night working. A curved or bent plate lies transversely across the frame so as to protect the engine and hydraulics system when a drum is being carried.

<FIG> are views showing a second embodiment of a transporter apparatus as well as a load platform which can be used to carry different types of load. Although the second embodiment of the apparatus is visually different to the first embodiment it should be understood that it shares the same features as that shown in the preceding figures, unless otherwise stated. Those shared features share the same reference numbers and will not be described in detail again here. The primary difference with the second embodiment is that most of the drive and ancillary components of the apparatus are enclosed within a body <NUM> instead of the open frame or chassis employed in the first embodiment. Otherewise, the second embodiment operates in substantially the same manner as the first embodiment.

An inclined bar <NUM> extends from the front end of each upper rail 3A,3B to a front section of each track unit <NUM>. The bars <NUM> act as guide rails for lifting carriages <NUM> which are slidingly mounted on each bar <NUM>. Each carriage <NUM> has a plurality of recesses <NUM> which are intended to receive portions of the load to be carried, as will be explained in more detail below. A series of recesses <NUM> are provided on each carriage <NUM> so that loads of different heights and sizes can be carried by the apparatus. Within each recess <NUM> may be a bearing which allows the load portion, e.g. a drum axle <NUM> of a cable drum <NUM>, to rotate with reduced friction.

A modification has been made to each lifting carriage <NUM> of the second embodiment so as to include a locking member <NUM>. Each locking member <NUM> is connected at one end to its respective lifting carriage <NUM> by a hinge pin <NUM> so that the locking member can open and close about a hinge relative to the carriage. The opposite end of the locking member <NUM> from the hinge pin <NUM> has a lock <NUM> which can lock the locking member in the closed position. Each locking member <NUM> has a plurality of recesses <NUM> which cooperate with the recesses <NUM> of the carriage <NUM> so as to form a circular or similar shaped opening when the locking member <NUM> is in the closed position over the carriage <NUM>. The locking members <NUM> and/or the lifting carriages <NUM> may also include one or more fixing apertures <NUM> which can be used in place of, or in addition to, the recesses in order to attach portions of a load to the apparatus. The locking members can also be employed in the other embodiments of the transporter apparatus described herein.

A number of load platforms <NUM> are also shown in <FIG>. As seen in <FIG> these platforms <NUM> can be used to carry a variety of different loads, such as bulk bags <NUM> and liquid tanks <NUM> for example.

<FIG> show the load platform <NUM> in more detail. Each platform <NUM> comprises a substantially flat load bed or base <NUM> upon which a load can be mounted. Halfway along each side of the load bed <NUM> is a lifting arm <NUM>, which projects upwards from the load bed. Each lifting arm <NUM> may be supported on either side by a pair of buttresses <NUM>. A remote, or upper, end of each lifting arm <NUM> has a lifting pin <NUM>, which extends outwardly from the lifting arm in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the platform <NUM>. Each platform <NUM> has an inner end <NUM>, which is the end which will be adjacent the body <NUM> when the platform <NUM> is being carried by the apparatus. The inner end <NUM> may include a pair of brace members <NUM>, which are located at either side of the platform and can pivot relative thereto. As seen best in <FIG> a remote end of each brace member <NUM> can be attached to a respective lifting carriage <NUM> to ensure that the bed <NUM> remains substantially horizontal when being lifted and carried by the apparatus.

The platform <NUM> is attached to the lifting carriages <NUM> by the pair of lifting pins <NUM>, which locate in a corresponding recess <NUM> in one of the lifting carriages.

A dispenser which may be used with any of the embodiments of transporter apparatus described herein is shown in <FIG>. The dispenser <NUM> can be attached to the transport apparatus in order to carry and dispense rolls of material. Referring initially to <FIG> the dispenser has a concave trough, or base, portion <NUM> adapted to receive a roll of material. The trough portion <NUM> may be of unitary construction but in the preferred embodiment illustrated it is made up of a number of curved or concave plates <NUM> which are spaced from one another in a transverse direction. Located within the trough portion <NUM> are a plurality of roller members <NUM> which are adapted to rotate relative to the trough portion. Each roller member <NUM> has an axis of rotation which is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the dispenser, and in the illustrated embodiment the ends of each roller member are connected to respective plates <NUM>.

A pair of attachment arms <NUM> extend away from the trough portion <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. The end of each arm <NUM> which is remote from the trough portion is adapted to be attached to a respective one of the lifting carriages. In the illustrated embodiment this is achieved by providing one or more fixing apertures <NUM> adjacent the remote end of the arm <NUM>. One or more bracing members <NUM> may extend between the two arms <NUM> in order to provide support and rigidity if needed.

A guide roller <NUM> is pivotably attached to the attachment arms <NUM> by a pair of rods <NUM>. The guide roller <NUM> can rotate relative to the rods <NUM> and has an axis of rotation which is substantially parallel to those of the roller members <NUM> in the trough portion <NUM>. The rods <NUM> are attached to the attachment arms <NUM> by pivot pins <NUM> and biasing means such as torsion springs (not shown) may be provided at the pivot pins in order to bias the guide roller <NUM> in a downward direction towards the trough portion <NUM>.

Support legs <NUM> may be provided on the underside of the dispenser <NUM> to provide support and stability when the dispenser is on the ground. A fixed or hinged ramp <NUM> may also be provided so as to make it easier to insert a roll of material into the trough portion <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the dispenser <NUM> attached to the remainder of a transporter apparatus. Again, this third embodiment of the apparatus may appear visually different to the preceding embodiments but it shares the same key components and operates in the same way unless otherwise stated.

The dispenser <NUM> is attached to the lifting carriages <NUM> via the attachment arms <NUM>. Mechanical fixtures <NUM> are inserted through the fixing apertures <NUM> in the arms <NUM> and into corresponding apertures <NUM> provided in the lifting carriages <NUM>. Alternatively, the fixtures may be received in the recesses within the lifting carriages <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the dispenser <NUM> with a roll of material <NUM> located within the trough portion <NUM> and ready to be transported and/or dispensed therefrom. As can be seen the roll of material <NUM> sits within a load space defined between the roller members in the trough portion <NUM> and the guide roller <NUM> above the trough portion. The guide roller <NUM> presses down on the roll of material <NUM> to ensure the correct tension is applied to the material when it is being dispensed.

The manner in which the transporter apparatus operates will now be described, initially with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> where the apparatus is being used to carry a utility line.

Initially a drum <NUM> carrying the required utility line (e.g. power cable, hose, flexible ducting) will be deposited on the ground, ready for collection by the apparatus. The drum <NUM> is of a known type and will have a central aperture extending transversely through the drum. The drum axle rod <NUM> will be passed through the central aperture so that the ends of the rod project from either side of the drum <NUM>. The apparatus is started up, and the hydraulic circuit is activated so as to move the lifting carriages <NUM> to their lowest position on the guide bars <NUM>. The apparatus is then manoeuvred via the control levers <NUM> or remote control unit (not shown) to a position wherein the ends of the rod axle <NUM> are adjacent the lifting carriages <NUM>. The apparatus then crawls forward until the rod ends enter the appropriate recesses <NUM> and bearings <NUM> on each carriage <NUM>. This is the position shown in <FIG>, where the drum <NUM> is located in the space defined between the two drive units <NUM>. It can also be seen in these figures that the drum <NUM> is the largest drum which can be carried by the apparatus, as the rod <NUM> is located in the uppermost recess <NUM> of each carriage <NUM>. For railway applications the largest drum the apparatus will need to carry has a <NUM> flange diameter. However, the apparatus can be scaled up as needed if drums larger than this are needed in other operational applications.

End caps (not shown) may be hinged to each carriage <NUM>. Once the rod ends are located in the carriage recesses <NUM>, the end caps can be closed over the rod ends and secured in order to prevent any lateral movement of the rod <NUM> as the machine traverses uneven terrain. The hydraulic circuit is then activated to raise the carriages <NUM> on the guide bars <NUM>. As the guide bars <NUM> are inclined backwards relative to the vertical, raising the carriages <NUM> not only lifts the drum off the ground but also moves the drum backwards towards the centre of the apparatus. This ensures that the drum <NUM> is carried with a low centre of gravity within the chassis <NUM>, optimising stability and maximising lifting capacity. Whether held by the lifting mechanism on the ground or raised above the ground the drum remains in the space between the drive units and between the left and right planes defined by the pair of left rails 3A,5A and the pair of right rails 3B,5B. <FIG> show the apparatus with the carriages <NUM> and drum <NUM> in the raised position.

Once the drum <NUM> is in the raised position the hydraulic circuit locks the rams <NUM> such that the carriages <NUM> and the drum cannot drop downwards. The apparatus can now transport the drum to a desired location. This may be on a railway line or in an off-road location such as near a wind farm, for example.

When the apparatus reaches the location from which the utility line is to be run a free end of the utility line is anchored or held at the starting location. The apparatus then moves away from the starting location in the direction in which the line is to be run. The drum <NUM> and axle rod <NUM> are free to rotate and so as the apparatus moves away from the starting location the drum will rotate, feeding out the utility line. A drum brake (not shown) may be provided in order to limit the rotational speed of the drum. The brake may comprise a spring-loaded arm having a distal end pivotably attached to the chassis. A proximal end of the arm may have a brake shoe or wheel which engages upon the drum and controls the rotational speed of the drum through friction.

Once the utility line has been deployed the apparatus can deposit the empty drum at a given location by reversing the lifting procedure described above.

The operation of the transporter apparatus when using a load platform of the kind shown in <FIG> will now be described, where the operation is similar to that described above save for the load being carried.

Initially a platform <NUM> carrying the required load (e.g. bulk bag, metal plate, liquid tank) will be deposited on the ground, ready for collection by the apparatus. The apparatus is started up, and the hydraulic circuit is activated so as to move the lifting carriages <NUM> to their lowest position on the guide bars <NUM>. The apparatus is then manoeuvred via the control levers <NUM> or remote control unit (not shown) to a position wherein the lifting pins <NUM> of the platform <NUM> are adjacent the respective lifting carriages <NUM>. The apparatus then crawls forward until the lifting pins <NUM> enter the appropriate recesses <NUM> and bearings <NUM> on each carriage <NUM>.

Once the lifting pins <NUM> are located in the carriage recesses <NUM>, the locking members <NUM> are closed over the recesses <NUM> and locked in place in order to prevent any movement of the pins <NUM> out of the recesses as the machine traverses uneven terrain. The hydraulic circuit is then activated to raise the carriages <NUM> on the guide bars <NUM>. As the guide bars <NUM> are inclined backwards relative to the vertical, raising the carriages <NUM> not only lifts the platform <NUM> off the ground but also moves it backwards towards the centre of the apparatus. This ensures that the platform <NUM> and load thereon are carried with a low centre of gravity within the chassis <NUM>, optimising stability and maximising lifting capacity. Whether held by the lifting mechanism on the ground or raised above the ground the platform remains in the space between the drive units and between the left and right planes defined by the pair of left rails 3A,5A and the pair of right rails 3B,5B. <FIG> show the apparatus with the carriages <NUM> and platform <NUM> in the raised position.

Once the platform <NUM> is in the raised position the hydraulic circuit locks the rams <NUM> such that the carriages <NUM> and the platform cannot drop downwards. The apparatus can now transport the platform and load to a desired location. This may be on a railway line or in an off-road location such as near a wind farm, for example.

When the apparatus reaches the location where the load is to be deposited the apparatus can deposit the load and platform by reversing the lifting procedure described above.

The operation of the transporter apparatus when using a dispenser of the kind shown in <FIG> will now be described, where the operation is again very similar to that described above save for the load being carried.

Initially a roll of material <NUM> to be dispensed will be deposited on the ground, ready for collection by the apparatus. The apparatus will then be brought into a position where the dispenser <NUM> can be attached thereto, unless it is already attached.

Once the dispenser is attached to the lifting carriages by the mechanical fixtures <NUM> in the manner described above, the apparatus is manoeuvred via the control levers <NUM> or remote control unit (not shown) to a position wherein the trough portion <NUM> of the dispenser is adjacent the roll of material <NUM>. The roll of material <NUM> is then lifted, or rolled, into the trough portion, using the ramp <NUM> to assist if present. With the roll of material <NUM> located in the trough portion <NUM> the guide roller <NUM> presses down on the top of the roll, as shown in <FIG>.

With the roll <NUM> located in the dispenser the hydraulic circuit is activated to raise the carriages <NUM> on the guide bars <NUM>. As the guide bars <NUM> are inclined backwards relative to the vertical, raising the carriages <NUM> not only lifts the dispenser <NUM> and roll <NUM> off the ground but also moves them backwards towards the centre of the apparatus.

Once the dispenser <NUM> is in the raised position the hydraulic circuit locks the rams <NUM> such that the carriages <NUM> and the dispenser cannot drop downwards. The apparatus can now transport the roll <NUM> to a desired location. This may be on a railway line or in an off-road location such as near a wind farm, for example.

When the apparatus reaches the location from which the material is to be run a free end of the material is anchored or held at the starting location. The apparatus then moves away from the starting location in the direction in which the line is to be run. The roll of material <NUM> is free to rotate in the trough portion <NUM> thanks to the roller members <NUM> and so as the apparatus moves away from the starting location the roll will rotate, feeding out the material. As described above, the guide roller <NUM> ensures that the proper tension is kept on the material as it is deployed.

Once the material has been deployed the apparatus can deposit the roll core at a given location by reversing the lifting procedure described above, or the roll core may be light enough that it can be removed from the dispenser by hand.

The present invention ensures that there is no need for any operational personnel to be in the vicinity of the apparatus when a load is being transported and/or deployed. Thus, no personnel are placed at risk during these operations. The present invention also provides a simple lifting and transporting process with no need for multiple personnel, thus reducing the time taken to complete these processes. The relatively small size and weight of the present invention also ensures that damage to the local environment is also avoided, or at least minimised.

The maximised lifting capacity provided by the angled lifting mechanism of the present invention minimises the size of the machine, thereby reducing material and manufacturing cost. It also reduces the logistics costs required to transport the equipment, and enables easier access to railway infrastructure, an off-highway work site or the like. Receiving and transporting a load in a space between the drive units provides a level of protection for the load and any personnel who need to be in the vicinity of the machine. It also ensures that the apparatus can remain relatively compact in spite of the loads being carried.

The apparatus can transport utility line drums up to <NUM> wide. For narrower drums, axle bushings and spring collars can be threaded onto the axle rod ends to minimise any lateral movement of the drum on the axle rod.

The apparatus comprises at two drive units, and may have more if a given application requires it. Instead of continuous tracks the drive units may comprise wheels.

Whilst the guide bars are preferably inclined as in the preferred embodiment they may alternatively be substantially vertical and raise and lower the load in a substantially vertical direction. In this instance the guide bars are located further back on the chassis and as close to the centre of gravity of the apparatus as possible.

Claim 1:
A transporter apparatus comprising:
a chassis (<NUM>) mounted upon at least two drive units (<NUM>), the drive units (<NUM>) being arranged in parallel and defining a space therebetween;
a motor (<NUM>) providing drive to at least one drive unit (<NUM>); and
a lifting mechanism adapted to receive a load and move the load between the ground and a lifted position, the lifting mechanism comprising:
first and second guide bars (<NUM>), each guide bar (<NUM>) having a first end attached to a drive unit (<NUM>) and a second end attached to the chassis (<NUM>); characterised in that it comprises: If
first and second lifting carriages (<NUM>), each lifting carriage (<NUM>) slidingly mounted on a respective guide bar (<NUM>) and adapted to receive a portion of the load; and
first and second hydraulic rams (<NUM>), each ram (<NUM>) having a first end attached to the chassis (<NUM>) and a second end attached to a respective lifting carriage (<NUM>).