Patent ID: 7712598

Claim:
A robotic tread system ( 50 ) for moving an object ( 78 ), the system comprising: a. at least one tread ( 52 ) secured to a tread drive means ( 54 ) for moving the tread ( 52 ) in a direction parallel to and in the same direction as a tread work-axis of motion ( 58 ) relative to the object ( 78 ); b. at least one head ( 57 ) adjustably secured to the tread ( 52 ), the head ( 57 ) including at least one material handling device ( 66 ) for grabbing and manipulating the object ( 78 ), the head ( 57 ) adjustably secured to the tread ( 52 ) by head securing means for selectively moving the head in at least a direction opposed to the tread work-axis of motion ( 58 ) and for selectively moving the head ( 57 ) at a rate of speed at least the same as a rate of speed the tread drive means ( 54 ) moves the tread ( 52 ) parallel to the work-axis of motion ( 58 ), and the head ( 57 ) configured so that as the tread ( 52 ) moves in the same direction as the work-axis of motion ( 58 ) relative to the object ( 78 ), the head ( 57 ) moves along the tread ( 52 ) in an opposed direction resulting in the head ( 57 ) having a net-zero motion relative to the object to thereby facilitate the material handling device ( 66 ) of the head ( 57 ) grabbing the object ( 78 ).