A transporter for the transport of a large payload across an uneven ground surface is described in the invention. The transporter has a body (4); ground contacting transport means below the body, provided with drive means (1,2) to move the body across a ground surface in use; a payload support module (5) to support a payload above the body in use; and a plurality of elongate extendable elevators (6) each having a first articulated joint (17) with the body at a first end and a second articulated joint (13) with the payload support module at a second end. It is characterized in that each of the plurality of elongate extendable elevators is independently operable so as to enable the elongate extendable elevators (6) together to vary both the height and the attitude of the payload relative to the body; and in that at least one of each of the first (17) or second (13) articulated joints comprises a rotationally restricted joint that allows the elongate extendable elevator (6) to pivot relative to an axis orthogonal to its elongate direction but acts to prevent its rotation about an axis parallel to its elongate direction. The elongate extendable elevators are the means both by which the payload is lifted and by which the attitude of the payload is adjusted to enable it to balance.
Transporter
2015-08-12
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
IPC: | B60P Fahrzeuge zum Transport von Lasten oder zum Befördern, Tragen oder Aufnehmen besonderer Lasten oder Gegenstände , VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS |