GB2342327A

GB2342327A - Powered vehicle mover

Info

Publication number: GB2342327A
Application number: GB9819839A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Alexander Buchanan; David Maclauchlin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-17
Filing date: 1998-09-17
Publication date: 2000-04-12
Also published as: GB9819839D0

Abstract

A powered vehicle mover has a wheeled frame 1a which can be lowered and inserted under one end of a vehicle. The frame may be expanded laterally by a hydraulic cylinder 3 to cause adjustable pegs 5a, 5b on parallel beams 2a to engage two wheels of the vehicle. A further hydraulic cylinder on the powered section 1b then lifts the front of the frame through an articulated coupling 14 to raise the vehicle wheels and allow the powered section 1b to move the vehicle. In another construction the wheels are engaged by pivoted levers (Figs 5 and 6). The powered section 1b may be pedestrian controlled and battery powered or can be a tow truck.

Description

POWERED VEHICLE MOVER This invention retates to a Powered Vehicle Mover.

Vehicle Movers are known which comprise of a near flat bed onto which the front or rcar + heels of the vehicle to be moved is propelled by various means The Vehicle Mover is then propelled usually by Battery powered motors.

Existing Powered Vehicle Movers require a flat hard surface to be moved over and access to the vehicle to be moved to allow the vehicte w hee ! s to rotate onto the Vehicle Mover.

According to the present invention there is provided a powered vehicte mover comprising of an articulated wheeled frame so designed that when the main frame is lowered to its lowest position it can be prop@lled un@er either the front or rear of a vehicle where its two outer parallel heams cnn be expanded outward by the powered action of preferable a cantilever type mechanism till they just touch the inside of the vehicles road wheels. Two adjustable pegs the wid b of a norma. l tyre are fitted on each of the o@@r sides of parallel beams which engage with the front and rear of the wheels at a low level.

When the main frame is raised the pegs lift the vehicle via its road wheels allowing adequate ground clearance when the vehicle is moved by the operation of the propulsion section drive wheels. The ! ifted whcets beinp locked or braked do not cause n prohlem in the movement of the vehicle.

! @ further example of the Powered Vehicle Mover whereas the main frame is not a cantilever but soJid. Thc rear of the frame is mounted on a swivc ! which can he lifted and lowered using a hydraulic cylinder. The front of the frame can also lift or lower using a hydraulic operated cranked lever to lift or lower the main frame in relation to the front castor deck. Further hvdraulicall) operated wheel locking arms are employed to hold and lift the lifted vehicle's front or rear axle via the lower portion of its road wheels.

A specific embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which : Figure t Shows in perspective the Powered Vehicle Mover in the lowered position in relation to the vehicle to be moved.

Figure 2 Shows in perspective the Powered Vehicle Mover in the raised position in relation to the vehicle to be moved.

Figure 3 Shows from above the Powered Vehicle Mover in the lowered position in relation to the vehicle to be moved.

Figure 4 Shows from above the Powered Vehicle Mover in the position that the vehicle is raised and if required moved.

Figure 5 Shows the Powered Vehicle Mover whereas the main frame is sotid . ewed from above the hydraulically operated wheel locking arms are open.

Figure 6 Shows the Powered Vehicle Mover viewed from above v. hercas the hydraulically operated wheel locking arms are closed.

Figure 7 Shows in perspective the Powered Vehicle Mover whereas the main frame has been raised by the operation of the hydraulically operated cranked lever at the front of the main frame and the hydraulically operated slide fitted to the known propulsion unit lifting the rear of the main frame via the swivel mechanism. The wlieel locking arms are shown closed Figure 8 Shows in perspective the Powered Vehicle Mover whereas the main frame has been lowered by the operation of the hydraulically operated cranked lever at the front of the main frame and the hydraulically operated slide fitted to the known propulsion unit lowering the rear of the main frame via the swivel mechanism. The sileel locking arms are shown closed.

Referring to the drawings the Powered Vehicle Mover comprises an expandable main frame (la) the two outer parallel beams (2a) (2b) can be expanded outwards and inwards by the expansion or contraction of the expandable member (3) further linkages (4a) (4b) & (4c) keep the beams (2a) (2b) parallel at all times. There are two pegs (5a) (5b) on each of the outer sides of the parallel beams (ta) (2b) to accommodate different sizes of vehicle wheels being lifted.

According to figure (1) there are wheels (6) which may be castors attached to the front of the parallel beams (2a) (2b) to allow-ease of forward or reverse movement when the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) is in the raised position. A further two wheels (7) are fitted on the parade ! beams (2a) (2b) to aliow the parallel beams to expand or contract with ease. These whcels (7) only come into contact with the ground when the Powered Vehicle Movers height adjustment is funky lowered.

I~he sIticulated section (la) of the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) is amble to swivel via the swivel joint (8) which is also used to raisc or lower the rear of the articulated section (1a) via a power source within the known propuision section (Ib) which houses the drive (10) for the propulsion wheel or wheels (11) the controls (l2a) are mounted on the steering tiller (12).

The articulated section (1a) when fully lowered is propelled under either the front or rear of the vehicle to be moved. The two outer parallel beams (2a) (2b) are then expanded outwards by the expandable member (3) till the parallel beams (2a) (2b) are just touching the inside of the wheels of the vehicle to be moved with the pegs (5a) (5b) engaged with the front and rear wheels at n low level, the lifting mechanism (8)/ (10) within the propulsion section (lb) lifts tbe veslicles eoad wheels allowing adequate ground clearance.

The vehicle is tnoved when the drive wheels (11) are operated. The direction of the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) is determined by the mandat operation of the tiller cr the powering of individual drive wheels on the propulsion section (16) section (12) parallel beams (2a) (2b) width expansion/contraction articulated section (1a) height lift/down mo-eXnent forward/reverse and raking being determined by the controls (12a). The lowering and remova ! of the l'owered Vehicle Mover (1) is carried ou (in reverse sequence : further example of the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) comprises a solid main frame (1a) when the castor deck (19) and rear swivel mount (14) are fully lowered. The main frame (la) is propelled by the known propulsion section (16) under either the front or rear of the vehicle to be moved. The hydraulically operated wheel lockingarms (17) are closed locking the vehicles road wheels of the front or back axle to be lifted. The lifting and lowering cylinder (13) is hydraulically operated lifting the rear swivel mount (14) up its slide (14a) mounted on the propulsion section (lb). The cranked lever (15) is also operated by a hydraulically cylinder (16) mounted on the main frame (la) lowering the front castor deck (19) and raising the vehicle to be moved via theroadwheels on its front or rear axle. The movement of the vehicle can now be determined by the propulsion section (16). The lowering and removal of the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) is carried out in the reverse sequence. The raising or lowering of the castor deck (19) or rear swivel mount (14) can be done itt any chosen sequetice.

Claims

CLAIMS 1} The Powered Vehicle Mover (1) comprising of a solid main frame (la) propelled by a known propulsion section i lb) consisting of a &num; forklift, tow-truck or pedestrian controlled drive unit.

The main frame (la) is propelled by the known propulsion section (lb) under either the front or the rear of the chassis of the vehicle to be moved till the cross beam (5) engages the front of the vehicles road wheels at a low level. The hydraulically operated wheel locking arms (17) swivelling around the swivel pins (17a) by the operation of the hydraulic cylinders i18) are closed locking the vehicle's road wheels on the vehicle to be moved's front or back axle, whichever requires to be lifted. The lifting and lowering mechanism consist of a hydraulically operated cylinder (13) lifting or lowering the rear swivel mount (14) up or down in its slide (14a) mounted on the propulsion section (lb). The cranked lever (15) swivelling around its swivel pin (16d) is also operated by a hydraulic cylinder (16) mounted on the main frame (la) by a swivel pin (16a) lowering as required the front castor deck (19) by acting on a swivel pin (15d) on the cranked section of the cranked lever (15) and raising the vehicle to be moved via its road wheels. The cranked levers (15) actingthrough further swivel pins (15a & 15b) which acts on the castor deck (19) substantially at a mid point and the plurity of preferable castors (19a) fitted to the castor deck (19) enables the loading applied to the castors (19a) to be substantially equal. The movement of the vehicle can now be determined by the propulsion section (lb), during movement the main frame (la) swivels horizontally in an arc around the rear swivel mount (14). The castor deck swivelling in an arc around the swivel pin 1Sal enablingany undue stresses within the Powered Vehicle Mover during movement over undulating surfaces to be largely alleviated.

The lowering and removal of the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) from the vehicle to be moved is carried out in the reverse sequence.

The raising or lowering of the castor deck (191 or rear swivel mount (14) can be done in any chosen sequence.

2) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in Claim 1 whereas the main frame is articulated by the use of a rear swivel mount (14) where it joins the propulsion section (lb). The swivel mount (14) can be locked by known means to enable secure transit when not in use.

The rear swivel mount (14), which is of extremely robust Construction, can only swivel in a generally horizontal manner 3) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in Claims 1 & 2 whereas the main frame (la) of the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) is constructed such to enable the forks of a known forklift to engage and lock by known means into the main frame (la) to enable the main frame to be controlled in operation by the forklift. The hydraulically operated wheel locking arms (17) are preferably controlled by known hydraulic pumping and control means on the fork lift. The front castor deck (19) and hydraulic operating rams (16) are not required in this instance, although they may be replaced by fixed castors if required.

4) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in Claim 1 & 2 wherein the rear swivel mount (14) is fitted to the rear of a known tow truck enabling the tow truck to reverse with the Powered Vehicle Mover (l) fully lowered under the chassis of the vehicle to be moved till the cross beam (5) comes into contact with the wheels of the vehicle to be moved on either the front or back axle. The hydraulically operated lockingarms (17) are operated locking the vehicle to be moved's wheels on its front or back axle. The vehicle to be movA io nS he d its Xeels on its front or rear axle to the required moving height by the lifting and lowering cylinder (13) being hNrdraulicallEoperated lifting the rear swivel mount (14) up its slide (14a) mounted on the rear of the tow truck. The lifted wheels of the vehicle to be moved are now held or strapped by known means onto the Powered Vehicle Mover (l) to prevent undue movement as the vehicle to be moved is towed by the tow truck. The 1owering and removal of the vehicle to be moved from the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) is carried out in the reverse sequence.

5) A Powered Vehicle Mover (lLcomprising powered vehicular drive section (16) and an articulated wheel main frame (la) which in its fully lowered position can be propelled under either the front or rear axle of the vehicle to be moved. The wheeled main frame (la) is capable of expanding and contracting in width in order that the pegs 15a & 5b) protruding from its side beams (2) can be position under either side of the tread section of the road wheels at a low level. When the articulated wheeled main frame (la) is raised the pegs (5a & 5b) on the side beams (2) lift the vehicle to be moved by the vehicle's road wheels. To allow adequate ground clearance when the vehicle is moved by the powered vehicular drive section (lb).

6) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in Claims 1,2 & 5 wherein the powered vehicular drive section (lob) is powered by known batteries (9) and motors (10) or an appropriate sized internal combustion engine (10). Power is transmitted by known mechanisms to drive the drive wheel or wbeels {11). Control of the drive mechanism is by known means (12a). The swivel means (14) between the powered vehicular drive section (16) and the wheeled main frame (la) is incorporated in the lifting means (13).

The powered vehicular drive section (Ib) changing in upright angle in direct relation to the swivel mount (14).

7) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in Claim 6 wherein when the articulated wheeled main frame is fully lowered swivel castor type wheels (7) mounted partway up the side beams (2) come into contact with the ground causing the front wheels (6) fitted to the front end of the side beams {2) to pivot upwards clear of the ground allowing ease of movement when the side beams (2) are expanded or contracted.

8) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in Claims 6 & 7 wherein the articulated wheeled main frame (la) has two outer parallel beams (2) which can be expanded outwards andcontracted inwards by preferably a powered cantilever type mechanism (3 & 4).

9) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in Claims 6, 7 & 8 wherein mounted on the outer edge of the side beams l21 are two pegs (5a & 5b) on either side, which when the outer beams (2) are expanded until they just touch the inside of the road wheels of the vehicle axle to be lifted the pegs 45a & 5b) are position just below the tread section of the road wheels such that when the articulated frame (la) is raised the front or rear of the vehicle to be moved is lifted via the road wheels even though the lifted road wheels are locked or braked.

10) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in Claim 8 wherein the pegs (5a & 5b) mounted on the side beams (2) are adjustable in their position on the side beams (2) to facilitate different sizes of vehicle road wheels.

11) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in previous claims wherein the pegs (5a & 5b) mounted on the side beams (2) are adjustable in length to facilitate different widths of vehicle tyres.

12) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in previous claims wherein the outer edge of the cross beam (5) or pegs (5a & 5b) have castors (5c) fitted to alleviate any problem of potential tipping and therefore grounding of the outer edges of the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) under extreme cornering.

13) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in previous claims wherein the vehicle to be moved lifted wheels can be secured onto the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) by known means to enable secure movement of the vehicle being moved by the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) 14) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in previous claims wherein the operation of the Powered Vehicle Mover (l) is attained by remote means controlling the mechanical or hydraulic operation of the Powered Vehicle Mover (1) 15) A Powered Vehicle Mover 11) as in previous claims wherein the rear swivel mount (14) is replaced by a known tow bar hitch and a caravan or trailer"jockey"wheel is fitted with known slide and clamp at an appropriate point near to the tow ball hitch to allow the Powered Vehicle Mover (1 to be towed behind a motor vehicle.

16) A Powered Vehicle Mover (1) as in Claim 15 wherein the tow bar hitch is replaced by a known pin type hitch.