Self propelled, off road vehicle

• US 4,350,190 A
• Filed: 06/02/1980
• Issued: 09/21/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OI Forest Products STS Incorporated (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Owens-Illinois Incorporated (O-I Glass, Inc.)
• Inventors: McColl, Bruce J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bray, W. D.
• Application Number:
  US06/155,901
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 180/89.13, 180/10, 180/14 S, 180/65 R, 180/81 R, 180/327, 180/107, 180/108, 180/109, 180/42, 180/105, 414/46, 414/495, 414/528, 280/96, 280/104, 280/81, 280/6 H, 280/6 R, 144/3 D, 83/928, 296/190
• US Class Current: 144/4.1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 23/006 Log skidders
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/30 the ultimate propulsive elements, e.g. ground wheels, being steerable
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 61/10 with more than four wheels tractors of the low ground pressure type B62D49/002

Abstract

The invention relates to a unique self propelled vehicle capable of transporting massive loads over natural terrain, such as the loading and transporting whole trees from their growing site to a processing station. The invention provides a vehicle having an elongated rigid frame element supported by two spaced sets of quad wheel assemblies, with each assembly permitting movement of individual wheels about both a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal frame element and a pitch axis transverse to the frame element. An operator'"'"'s platform is adjustably mounted on the forward portion of the rigid frame structure for vertical movements and may carry with it a boom having means on its free end for severing and engaging whole trees or lifting massive objects to deposit same in cradles or a body mounted on the rigid frame element. Power actuated mechanisms are provided for rotating each wheel, steering each wheel, moving the operator'"'"'s platform vertically to any desired position, actuating the loading boom, and tilting of the longitudinal frame element to maintain the horizontal plane of the operator'"'"'s platform, to unlaod a stack of trees carried by the cradles or to lift an end of a quad wheel assembly walking beam. In the event that any wheel becomes inoperative a detachable linkage is provided to anchor the affected wheel in an elevated position as to permit the vehicle to be moved under its own power to a repair station. Power for all such operations is supplied from a power source adjustably mounted for vertical movements on the rear end of the elongated rigid frame element.

Claims

1. Vehicle for transporting massive objects over natural terrain, comprising, in combination:

(1) an elongated rigid frame element;

(2) means on said frame element for supporting massive objects;

(3) a pair of quad wheel assemblies, each assembly including a primary mounting member pivotally attached to said frame element for movement about a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated frame element, a pair of walking beams medially pivotally attached to opposite transverse sides of said primary mounting member for movements about a transverse pitch axis and a wheel steerably mounted on free ends of each walking beam, whereby said wheels may conform to irregularities in the terrain traversed;

(4) an operator'"'"'s platform having linkage means pivotally connecting same to one end of said elongated frame element for vertical movements relative thereto, including power means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of said platform relative to said elongated frame element; and

(5) power operated linkage means for adjusting the position of said elongated rigid frame element about said roll axis, thereby adjusting the position of the operator'"'"'s platform, permitting same to be substantially horizontal when the vehicle wheels are positioned on the side of a slope.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 plus power means for applying traction power individually to each said wheel, power means for supplying steering torque individually to each said wheel, and a power generating unit mounted on the other end of said elongated frame element to supply power to all power means mounted on the apparatus.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 plus means mounted on said operator'"'"'s platform for loading massive objects on the vehicle.

4. The vehicle defined in claim 2 plus power actuated means for selectively positioning said power generating unit in any one of a plurality of vertical positions relative to said elongated frame element.

7. The vehicle defined in claims 1 or 5 wherein each of said quad wheel assemblies have a longitudinally extending torque tube coincident with the said roll axis, and having one end secured to a primary mounting member and their other ends disposed in juxtaposition near the center of the elongated frame element, and linkage means interconnecting the juxtaposed ends of said torque tubes to effectively transfer forces from one quad wheel assembly to the other in response to the variations in terrain traversed by respective quad wheel assemblies.

11. The vehicle defined in claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, or 10 plus a plurality of brackets secured to said elongated rigid frame element respectively in overlying relation to the end portions of said walking beams, and linkage means for selectively connecting the one end of a walking beam to said respective bracket when said elongated rigid frame element is tilted by said power operated means about said roll axis toward said one end, whereby return movement of said elongated rigid frame element about said roll axis effects the elevation of said one end of the walking beam and the wheel carried thereon to render such wheel redundant.

5. A vehicle for loading and transporting massive objects over natural terrain, comprising, in combination:

(1) an elongated rigid frame element of a length at least equal to that of the objects to be transported;

(2) a platform on said rigid frame element for supporting the massive objects;

(3) an operators platform having linkage means pivotally connecting same to one end of said frame element for vertical movement relative thereto, including power means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of said platform relative to said frame element;

(4) crane means on said platform for loading massive objects on said platform;

(5) a pair of quad wheel assemblies, each assembly pivotally attached to said elongated rigid frame element for movement about a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated rigid frame element, a pair of walking beams medially pivotally attached to opposite transverse sides of said primary mounting member for movements about a transverse pitch axis, and a wheel steerably mounted on the free ends of each walking beam;

(6) power means for applying traction power to each wheel;

(7) power means for controlling the steering position of each wheel;

(8) a power source for supplying power to all power consuming means on the apparatus mounted on the other end of said elongated frame element, whereby said apparatus may freely traverse rough roadless terrain to transport massive objects to a desired location.

6. The vehicle defined in claim 5 wherein the mounting for said power source at the other end of said rigid frame element includes power actuated linkage means for selectively positioning said power source in any one of plurality of vertical positions relative to said elongated rigid frame element.

8. A vehicle for loading and transporting massive objects over natural terrain, comprising, in combination:

(1) an elongated rigid frame element of a length at least equal to that of the massive objects to be transported;

(2) a load carrying platform mounted on said rigid frame element;

(3) a second platform having linkage means pivotally connecting same to one end of said elongated frame element for vertical movements relative thereto, including power means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of said platform relative to said elongated frame element;

(4) a turn table mounted on said second platform for rotation about a vertical axis, including power means for selectively adjusting the angular position of said turn table relative to said platform;

(5) an operator'"'"'s cab on said second platform, including all control means for said vehicle;

(6) means on said platform for loading objects onto said load carrying platform;

(7) a pair of quad wheel assemblies respectively connected to longitudinally spaced portions of said elongated rigid frame element, each said assembly including mounting means for said wheels permitting movements of the wheels relative to said elongated main frame element about a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated rigid frame element, and

(8) power operated means for adjusting the angular position of said elongated rigid frame element about said roll axis, thereby adjusting the position of said second platform to permit same to be substantially horizontal when the vehicle wheels are positioned on the side of a slope.

9. The vehicle defined in claim 8 wherein each of said quad wheel assemblies include a primary mounting member pivotally attached to elongated frame element for movement about said roll axis, and a pair of walking beams medially pivotally attached to opposite transverse pitch axis, and a wheel steerably mounted on each end of each walking beam.

10. The vehicle defined in claim 8 and 9 additionally including power means for applying traction power to each wheel, power means for controlling the steering position of each wheel, a power source for supplying power to all power consuming means on the apparatus mounted on the other end of said elongated rigid frame element, and power actuated linkage means for selectively positioning said power source in any one of a plurality of vertical positions relative to said elongated frame element.

12. In an off-road vehicle comprising, in combination:

(1) an elongated rigid frame element having means thereon for supporting a load;

(2) a pair of quad wheel assemblies, each assembly being pivotally attached to said elongated rigid frame element for movement about a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated rigid frame element;

(3) a pair of walking beams medially pivotally attached to opposite transverse sides of each said primary mounting member for movements about a transverse pitch axis, and a wheel mounted on the free ends of each walking beam;

(4) power operated means for adjusting the angular position of said elongated rigid frame element about said roll axis;

(5) a plurality of laterally projecting brackets secured to said elongated rigid frame element respectively in overlying relation to the end portions of said walking beams, and

(6) linkage means for selectively connecting one end of a walking beam to said respective overlying bracket when said elongated rigid frame element is tilted by said power operated means about said roll axis toward said one end of the walking beam, whereby return movement of said elongated rigid frame element about said roll axis effects the elevation of said one end of the walking beam and the wheel carried thereon to thereby render such wheel redundant.

13. The vehicle defined in claim 12 wherein said linkage means comprises a length of chain having manually operable attachment means at its opposite ends for respective attachment to said one end of the walking beam and to the respective overlying bracket.

14. Apparatus for transporting whole trees over natural terrain, comprising, in combination:

(1) an elongated frame element of a length at least equal to that of the trees to be transported;

(2) a plurality of tree retaining cradles transversely mounted on said frame element;

(3) a pair of quad wheel assemblies, each assembly including a primary mounting member pivotally attached to said frame element for movement about a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated frame element, a pair of walking beams having their medial portions respectively pivotally attached to opposite transverse sides of said primary mounting member for movements about a transverse pitch axis and a wheel steerably mounted on the free end of each walking beam, whereby said wheels may conform to irregularities in the terrain traversed;

(4) an operator'"'"'s platform having linkage means pivotally connecting same to one end of said elongated frame element for vertical movements relative thereto, including power means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of said platform relative to said elongated frame element; and

(5) power operated linkage means for adjusting the position of said elongated frame element about said roll axis, thereby adjusting the position of the operator'"'"'s platform, permitting same to be substantially horizontal when the vehicle wheels are positioned on the side of a slope.

15. The combination defined in claim 14 plus power means for applying traction power individually to each said wheel, power means for supplying steering torque individually to each said wheel, and a power generating unit mounted on the other end of said elongated frame element to supply power to all power means mounted on the apparatus.

16. The combination defined in claim 14 plus means mounted on said operator'"'"'s platform for engaging and loading trees in said cradles.

17. The apparatus defined in claim 15 plus power actuated means for selectively positioning said power generating unit in any one of a plurality of vertical positions relative to said elongated frame element.

22. The apparatus defined in claim 14 or 18 wherein said cradles comprise U-shaped elements having the medial portion of their base pivotally secured to said elongated frame member for movement about an axis parallel to the length axis of the longitudinal frame element, and a pair of linkage means respectively connecting outer portions of said cradle base member to the outer portions of said primary mounting member, whereby said cradles are tilted in response to tilting motion of said primary mounting members about the roll axis of the apparatus.

23. The apparatus defined in claims 14 or 18 wherein each of said quad wheel assemblies has a longitudinally extending torque tube coincident with the said roll axis, and having one end secured to a primary mounting member and their other ends disposed in juxtaposition near the center of the elongated frame element, and linkage means interconnecting the juxtaposed ends of said torque tubes to effectively transfer forces from one quad wheel assembly to the other to equalize loading thereon produced by variations in terrain traversed by the respective quad wheel assemblies.

18. Apparatus for loading and transporting whole trees over natural terrain, comprising, in combination:

(1) an elongated rigid frame element of a length at least equal to that of the trees to be transported;

(2) a plurality of tree retaining cradles mounted on said frame element;

(3) an operator'"'"'s platform having linkage means pivotally connecting same to one end of said frame element for vertical movement relative thereto, including power means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of said platform relative to said frame element;

(4) means on said platform for engaging and loading trees in said cradles;

(5) a pair of quad wheel assemblies, each assembly including a primary mounting member pivotally attached to said elongated frame element for movement about a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated frame element, a pair of walking beams having their medial portions respectively pivotally attached to opposite transverse sides of said primary mounting member for movements about a transverse pitch axis, and a wheel steerably mounted on each free end of each walking beam;

(6) power means for applying traction power to each wheel;

(7) power means for controlling the steering position of each wheel;

(8) a power source for supplying power to all power consuming means on the apparatus mounted on the other end of said elongated frame element, whereby said apparatus may freely traverse rough roadless terrain to transport a plurality of whole trees to a desired location.

19. The apparatus defined in claim 18 wherein the mounting for said power source at the other end of said frame element includes power actuated linkage means for selectively positioning said power source in any one of a plurality of vertical positions relative to said elongated frame element.

20. Apparatus defined in claims 18 or 19 wherein said tree engaging and loading means comprises an articulated boom mounted on said platform, including power means for shifting said boom, and tree engaging means on the free end of said boom.

21. The apparatus defined in claim 20 wherein said tree engaging means includes power actuated tree severing means.

24. Apparatus for loading and transporting whole trees over natural terrain, comprising, in combination,

(1) an elongated rigid frame element of a length sufficient to support the trees to be transported;

(2) a plurality of tree retaining cradles mounted on said frame element;

(3) a platform having linkage means pivotally connecting same to one end of said elongated frame element for vertical movements relative thereto, including power means for selectively adjusting the vertical position of said platform relative to said elongated frame element;

(4) a turn table mounted on said platform for rotation about a vertical axis, including power means for selectively adjusting the angular position of said turn table relative to said platform;

(5) an operator'"'"'s cab on said platform, including all control means for said vehicle;

(6) means on said platform for engaging and loading trees in said cradles;

(7) a pair of quad wheel assemblies respectively connected to longitudinally spaced portions of said elongated frame element, each said assembly including mounting means for said wheels permitting movements of the wheels relative to said elongated main frame element about a roll axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongated main frame element, and

(8) power operated means for adjusting the angular position of said elongated frame element about said roll axis, thereby adjusting the position of said platform to permit same to be substantially horizontal when the vehicle wheels are positioned on the side of a slope.

25. The apparatus defined in claim 24 wherein each of said quad wheel assemblies include a primary mounting member pivotally attached to elongated frame element for movement about said roll axis, and a pair of walking beams pivotally attached to opposite transfer sides of said primary mounting member for movement about a transverse pitch axis, and a wheel steerably mounted on each end of each walking beam.

26. The apparatus defined in claim 24 or 25 additionally including power means for applying traction power to each wheel, power means for controlling the steering position of each wheel, a power source for supplying power to all power consuming means on the apparatus mounted on the other end of said elongated frame element, and power actuated linkage means for selectively positioning said power source in any one of a plurality of vertical positions relative to said elongated frame element.