GB2432349A

GB2432349A - Remote electric cam actuator for trailer manouevring device

Info

Publication number: GB2432349A
Application number: GB0523643A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Darren Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-22
Filing date: 2005-11-22
Publication date: 2007-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2025-11-22
Also published as: GB2432349B; GB0523643D0

Abstract

A 'drive-aid' device is used to drive the wheels of a normally unpowered vehicle, such as a trailer or caravan, by means of a roller brought in to contact with a tyre. The roller is moved on/off the tyre by using a CAM fitted on to a motor, to drive the roller closer to the wheel/tyre. The CAM goes over-centre creating a locking mechanism when used with a spring and the trailer/caravan tyre. The motor is controlled by a RF (Radio Frequency) handset, which directly controls a the base unit which receives the RF signal from the handset and translates the signal into the required command, moving the roller on/off the tyre. The handset can also be directly wired to the base unit.

Description

S 2432349 Remote Electric CAM Actuat

Background

Drive-aid (mover) for not-self driven vehicles, in particular trailers, are well known in the caravan industry and comprise of a friction roller placed against a tyre by hand through a lever mechanism, allowing the user to manoeuvre the vehicle. The force required to manually push the roller against the wheel is difficult and with allot of elderly people using drive-aid movers, the effort required to engage the roller is often too great.

Essential Technical Features The CAM is used to propel the roller into the wheel/tyre by rotating the CAM with an electric motor. When the CAM reaches its maximum diameter, it then reduces its radius to provide a locking mechanism for the drive-aid mover. The force of the spring and/or the tyre will hold the CAM in its position. When the CAM rotates in the opposite direction, it will bring the CAM closer to the tyre for short period before it brings the roller away from the wheel.

You will be able to switch on the Remote Electric CAM Actuator' by either using the portable RF (Radio Frequency) handset or an isolator switch fitted in-line with the battery, powering the receiver on the vehicle. Once the handset (transmitter) has been switched on it will allow the roller to move on/off the wheel by pressing a buttonls. If the battery should fail in the hand-set, a cable is provided to link the transmitter to the receiver.

The CAM and motor can easily be powered by hand, by rotating a shaft connected to the CAM if the motor or battery should fail.

The benefits of the Electric CAM Actuator': * The CAM locking mechanism holds the Drive-aid (mover) for not-self driven vehicles, firmly in place with its unique lock position, by pushing the roller into the tyre and slightly releasing it to create the lock. Reversing the motor, pushes the roller back in to the tyre to release.

* The CAM can be operated by an RF handset or wired directly.

* If the motor or battery fails the CAM can be operated by hand, by over powering the motor using a shaft connected to the CAM.

Diagrams A Specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1: shows in detail the locking mechanism of the CAM. highlighting the CAM incline/decline', High Point of the CAM' and the Lock Position'.

* S S S St S. I S S S I * I I I I I It * 5 5 II, I I I S * I * I I I S II. S * S I Figure 2: illustrates the roller against the tyre with the CAM in its lock position. The Spring' is under tension, and the roller pushing the CAM back in to its lock position.

Figure 3: illustrates the roller away from the tyre with the Spring' relaxed.

Figure 4: illustrates the hand control and base unit operating the Remote Electric CAM Actuator' by RF signal.

Figure 5: illustrates the hand control and base unit operating the Remote Electric CAM Actuator' by using a battery failure cable.

Claims

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S ** P 5 5 * , * I.. S * S S Claims 3 1. The Remote Electric CAM Actuator' to be used on a drive-aid (mover), comprising of an electric motor which drives a CAM by using a RF handset which can he directly wired to the base unit fitted on a not-self driven vehicle in particular trailers, containing a propulsion unit, CAM means using a curved disk which spirals outward in one direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise) and slightly spirals back inward in the same direction to create a lock against the wheel, using a spring and/or tyre to create a positive force, RF means for transmitting a Radio Frequency signal representative of the location of the roller relative to the wheel, base unit (receiver) means electronic box, controlling the motors and receiving the signal from the remote handset (transmitter), not-self driven vehicle means a vehicle that is manufactured not to be driven and/or the driver is not in the vehicle when it is moving i.e. caravan, trailer etc...

2. The Remote Electric CAM Actuator' as claimed in claim I wherein the electric motor runs in a forward direction to place the roller on the wheel and reversed to release the roller off the wheel.

3. The Remote Electric CAM Actuator' as claimed in claim 1 wherein if the battery powered base unit (receiver) or motor fails the CAM can be manually rotated by hand.

4. The Remote CAM Actuator' as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring and/or the tyre acts as a resistance against the CAM and pushes the CAM into its lock position.

5. The Remote CAM Actuator' as claimed in claim I is controlled through a remote RF handset (transmitter) by pressing a buttonls to place the roller/s on/off the wheel/s.

6. The Remote CAM Actuator' as claimed in claim I can be controlled through a handset directly wired to the base unit by pressing a button/s operate the roller/s on/off the wheel/s.

7. A Remote CAM Actuator' system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the receiver' (base unit) which is mounted on the self driven vehicle can send and receive RF signals.

8. A Remote CAM Actuator' system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the transmitter' which is a hand-held unit can send and receive RF signals.

9. A Remote CAM Actuator' system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. The Remote Electric CAM Actuator' to be used on a drive-aid (mover), comprising of an electric motor which drives a CAM by using a RE handset which can be directly wired to the base unit fitted on not-self driven vehicle,in particular trailers, containing a propulsion unit, CAM means using a curved disk which spirals outward in one direction (clockwise or anti-clockwise) and slightly spirals back inward in the same direction to create a lock against the wheel, using a spring andlor tyre to create a positive force/resistance, RF means for transmitting a Radio Frequency signal representative of the location of the roller relative to the wheel, base unit (receiver) means electronic box, controlling the motors and receiving the signal from the remote handset (transmitter).

2. The Remote Electric CAM Actuator' as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electric motor runs in a forward direction to place the roller on the wheel and reversed to release the roller off the wheel.

3. The Remote Electric CAM Actuator' as claimed in claim 1 wherein if the battery powered base unit (receiver) or motor fails the CAM can be manually rotated by hand.

4. The Remote CAM Actuator' as claimed in claim 1 is controlled through a remote RE handset (transmitter) by pressing a button/s to place the roller/s on/off the wheel/s.

5. The Remote CAM Actuator' as claimed in claim I can be controlled through a handset directly wired to the base unit by pressing a button/s operate the roller/s on/off the wheel/s.

6. A Remote CAM Actuator' system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the receiver' (base unit) which is mounted on the self driven vehicle can send and receive RE signals.

7. A Remote CAM Actuator' system as claimed in any proceeding claim where the transmitter' which is a hand-held unit can send and receive RE signals.

& 8. A Remote CAM Actuator' system substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.