Omni-directional aircraft galley servicing vehicle
First Claim
1. A ground support vehicle (10) comprising:
- an omni-directional vehicle (11) defining a vertical axis (16);
a lift (62) coupled to said omni-directional vehicle; and
a platform (37) revolvably coupled to said lift so as to rotate about said vertical axis;
whereby said lift raises and lowers the elevation of said platform with respect to said omni-directional vehicle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A powered omni-directional aircraft galley servicing vehicle that includes a circular frame and two drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis. The drive wheels are adapted to allow the vehicle to spin in place about a vertical axis which intersects the horizontal axis midway between the drive wheels and which is generally centered in the circular frame. A carrousel cabin is mounted to the frame on a lift such that it is capable of elevation to an aircraft galley. A partitioned lazy susan storage compartment rotates on the carrousel cabin to facilitate transfer of aircraft food and drink carts between an aircraft galley and the servicing vehicle.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A ground support vehicle (10) comprising:
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an omni-directional vehicle (11) defining a vertical axis (16); a lift (62) coupled to said omni-directional vehicle; and a platform (37) revolvably coupled to said lift so as to rotate about said vertical axis; whereby said lift raises and lowers the elevation of said platform with respect to said omni-directional vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12)
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9. A service vehicle (10) comprising:
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an omni-directional vehicle (11) defining a vertical axis (16); a lift (62) coupled to said omni-directional vehicle; and an operators station (38) arranged and designed for maneuvering said omni-directional vehicle coupled to said lift so as to be raised and lowered with respect to said omni-directional vehicle by said lift.
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13. In an omni-directional vehicle characterized by a generally circular shaped defining a vertical axis (16) and having a frame (14) and first and second drive wheels (12R, 12L) rotatively coupled to said frame, each of said drive wheels capable of independent powered forward and rearward rotation about a horizontal axis (18) that intersects said vertical axis, said first and second drive wheels being designed and arranged to revolve about said vertical axis, the improvement comprising:
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a plurality of outrigger arms (23) having proximal ends coupled to said frame, said outrigger arms disposed along a plurality of radials of said vertical axis and circumpositioned symmetrically about the perimeter of said vehicle (10), said plurality of outrigger arms arranged and designed to extend and retract along said plurality of radials; and a plurality of swivel casters (20) coupled to distal ends of said outrigger arms; whereby said plurality of outrigger arms and said plurality of swivel casters cooperate to support said vehicle (10).
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Specification