Transport vehicle and method

• US 20070169977A1
• Filed: 01/26/2006
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Morris-Jones, Stephen, Ellis, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 7,744,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/170
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/52 characterised by DC-motors
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2203/07 Comprising a moving platform or the like, e.g. for unloading
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2203/10 comprising lifting means
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0026 Propulsion aids
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0076 Remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/02 providing for travelling up or down a flight of stairs chairs or multi-track cycles specially adapted for invalids A61G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 13/005 Thrust chain devices
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/12 Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/19 Additional means for facilitating unloading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 414/134 Handicapped person handling

Abstract

A transport vehicle includes a self-balancing vehicle base. A platform is supported on the base and is displaceable relative thereto between a first position and a second position. A support device engages the platform and supports at least a portion thereof during displacement between the first position and the second position. A method is also included.

Claims

1. A transport vehicle comprising:

a self-balancing vehicle base;

a platform supported on said base and displaceable relative thereto between a first position and a second position; and

,

a support device engaging said platform and supporting at least a portion thereof during displacement between said first position and said second position.

2. A transport vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising a control system operative to control movement of said self-balancing vehicle base and displacement of said support platform.

3. A transport vehicle according to claim 2, wherein said control system includes a base control system disposed on said base and a remote control device in communication with said base control system.

4. A transport vehicle according to claim 3, wherein said remote control device is a wireless remote control device.

5. A transport vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said support device is a flexible force transmitting device operative to transmit a force between said platform and said vehicle base.

6. A vehicle for transporting an associated cargo over a discontinuous surface, said transport vehicle comprising:

a self-balancing vehicle base operative to traverse a discontinuous surface and displaceable between a first orientation for transporting the associated cargo and a second orientation for transferring the associated cargo;

a platform on said vehicle base for receiving the associated cargo, said platform displaceable between a retracted position for transporting the associated cargo and an extended position for transferring the associated cargo; and

,

a support member extending between said vehicle base and said platform, said support member operative to support said platform during displacement between said retracted position and said extended position.

7. A vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said vehicle base includes a base structure having opposing sides and a base axis extending between said opposing sides, first and second carrier members having opposing ends and supported on said opposing sides of said base structure for driveable rotation about said base axis, and a pair of wheels supported on opposing ends of each of said carrier members.

8. A vehicle according to claim 7 further comprising an endless drive track extending around said pair of wheels on each of said first and second carrier members

9. A vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said vehicle base is approximately upright in said first orientation and said vehicle base is disposed at an angle in said second orientation.

10. A vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said platform approximately horizontal in said retracted position and remains approximately horizontal during displacement between said retracted position and said extended position.

11. A transport vehicle capable of traversing a plurality of stairs carrying an associated payload, said transport vehicle comprising:

self-balancing vehicle base including a base structure having opposing sides, an axis extending between said opposing sides, a base axle extending along said axis, and a motor in operative association with said base axle;

first and second carrier members supported along said opposing sides of said base structure for rotation about said axis, at least one of said first and second carrier members being operatively associated with said base axle, said first and second carrier members having opposing ends and a wheel axle supported on each of said opposing ends;

a wheel assembly supported on each of said wheel axles;

a platform supported on said vehicle base and displaceable between a first position and a second position; and

,

a flexible force transmitting device supportable on said platform and adapted to engage one of said vehicle base or at least one of said wheel assemblies on one of said first and second carrier members.

12. A transport vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said flexible force transmission assembly includes a plurality of track segments hingedly connected to one another.

13. A transport vehicle according to claim 12, wherein said wheel assembly includes a wheel, an engagement member rotatably supported adjacent said wheel, and a keying device selectively engagable between said wheel and said engagement member.

14. A transport vehicle according to claim 13, wherein each of said track segments includes a first engagement feature, and said engagement member includes a second engagement features complementary to said first engagement feature.

15. A transport vehicle according to claim 14, wherein said first and second engagement features each include a plurality of complementary gear teeth.

16. A transport vehicle according to claim 13, where and said keying device includes a spring-biased keying member and said engagement member includes a passage adapted to receive a portion of said keying member and thereby prevent relative rotation between said wheel and said engagement member.

17. A transport vehicle according to claim 11 further comprising and actuator operative to displace said support platform between said retracted and said extended position.

18. A transport vehicle according to claim 17, wherein said actuator includes a threaded member rotatably supported on said vehicle base and a travel nut displaceably received on said threaded member and engaging said platform.

19. A transport vehicle according to claim 18, wherein said platform is pivotally connected to said travel nut.

20. A method of transporting a payload comprising:

a) providing a self-balancing vehicle base, a displaceable platform supported on said vehicle base, and a support device;

b) moving said vehicle base from a first angular orientation to a second angular orientation;

c) moving said platform from a first position to a second position;

d) transferring the payload to or from said platform;

e) returning said platform to said first position; and

,

f) returning said vehicle base to said first angular position.

21. A method according to claim 20 further comprising securing said support device on said platform, and engaging said a support device with said vehicle base.

22. A method according to claim 21 further comprising changing a force transmitting length of said support device extending between said platform and said vehicle base.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein changing said force transmitting length includes displacing said vehicle base relative to said support device.

24. A method according to claim 20 further comprising moving said vehicle base from a first location to a second location.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein moving said vehicle base includes traversing a discontinuous surface.

26. A method according to claim 20, wherein at least one of c) and e) includes maintaining said platform in an approximately horizontal orientation between said first and said second positions.

27. A method according to claim 20, wherein b) and c) are performed approximately simultaneously.