Patent Application
20050019142
The present invention relates to systems and devices used to transport heavy objects. More specifically, the present invention relates to moving heavy objects used in landscaping such as boulders and equipment.
Landscapers frequently use large equipment to carry objects wherein the equipment must be moved to strategically place heavy items such as, for example, boulders, statues and sculptures. A boulder, statue or sculpture may weigh anywhere from 500 pounds to over 5 tons, making the items difficult to move without the use of a device or machine.
To deliver heavy objects to homes, businesses, parks, and other desired locations, landscapers typically use large cranes mounted to full size trucks. However, trucks capable of supporting a crane range in width from five to seven feet, making it difficult to deliver heavy objects to locations that require navigation of narrow corridors. Furthermore, trucks typically have a large turning radius making them difficult to maneuver in tight areas, such as around trees or pools. For example, it is difficult for a truck with a crane to enter and navigate through the backyard of a home. The landscapers often maneuver the truck and crane through the side yard which may not be wide enough or may be fenced in, or the landscapers often use a sufficiently large crane to lift the heavy object over the roof of the house, creating the potential for damage to the roof of the home.
Additionally, using trucks to move the heavy objects can create ruts and leave large tire tracks in existing landscapes that are expensive to fix. The extra expense is especially problematic when the project is relatively small such that the cost to fix any landscape damage is a large proportion of, or outweighs, the cost of the project itself.
As such, a need exists for a device and method to deliver heavy objects to areas with limited access, while minimizing damage to the existing landscape.
The present invention provides a system and method for moving and placing objects in areas of limited accessibility. The present invention may be used in landscaping, for example, to move heavy objects (e.g., boulders) or difficult to handle objects (e.g., cacti).
One embodiment of the present invention may include an overhead crossbar, a plurality of vertical posts, a hoist which may be operated by an engine or battery, pneumatic wheels, a drive mechanism configured to drive at least one wheel, and a steering mechanism configured to move the invention. The invention may also include a power-operated winch. The drive mechanism may be configured to drive at least two wheels and may include an engine, a belt speed reducer, a drive axle differential, a centrifugal clutch, and pneumatic wheels. The drive mechanism may also include a hydraulic system. The steering mechanism may include a steering post and a bearing for steering by a pedestrian or a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system may include hydraulic motors, pumps and lines, and may be configured to steer the device by changing the relative speed of at least two wheels. The invention may be constructed with an overall width not exceeding about 38 inches.
Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an overhead main crossbar, a plurality of vertical posts, a hoist which may be battery or motor operated, pneumatic wheels, a front and/or rear winch, a drive mechanism configured to drive at least one or two wheels and a steering mechanism. The drive mechanism may include an engine, a belt speed reducer, a drive axle differential, a centrifugal clutch and pneumatic wheels or may be a hydraulic system. The steering mechanism may include a steering post and bearing configured to be steered by a pedestrian or may be hydraulic system with at least one lever to control at least one pneumatic wheel and may include a driver platform. The invention may be constructed having an overall width not exceeding about 38 inches. The structure of the invention may include welded structural steel tubing.
The figures in this document illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements. Embodiments of the present invention may include part or all of the features shown in one of these drawings, or may include features from two or more figures. Embodiments of the present invention may also include features described in the specification, or limitations to features described in the specification. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may include features that would be familiar to a person of ordinary skill in the art having studied this document.
The present invention includes a system and method for moving difficult to handle, large and/or heavy objects. While the invention may be described in one embodiment with respect to boulders, the invention may include any objects such as, for example, landscape boulders, statues, cactuses, trees, fountains, building supplies, bags of materials, tools, structural parts, plants, machine parts and/or the like. In some embodiments, the invention includes a device and method for moving large and/or heavy objects through (or into) narrow or hard to reach areas. However, the invention may include multiple embodiments wherein one machine may be wider with more powerful and stronger components to handle larger objects (e.g., 4-5 tons) and another machine may be narrower with smaller components to move smaller objects into narrow areas.
Hoist 15 may be power operated, and may be located near or lift from the middle of crossbar 20.
Hoist control device 30 may be an electronic control and may be mounted on or suspended from the vertical posts 25 or main crossbar 20. A pendant type control device 30 is shown in
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, device 10 contains a hook 35 and a sling 40. Sling 40 may be wrapped around the object, such as a boulder 6, to temporarily secure boulder 6 to device 10. Hoist 15 may then lift boulder 6 off the ground surface 5. Once boulder 6 is clear of the ground 5, device 10 may be moved to a different location to move boulder 6.
Device 10 may have a power-operated drive mechanism that may be configured to drive one or more wheels to propel or move device 10. The drive mechanism may include an electric motor or internal combustion engine, and may include one or more gear reducers, a belt speed reducer which may include belts and pulleys, a centrifugal clutch, a transmission, a differential, an axle, a hydraulic system, or the like. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, engine 75 may drive the two rear pneumatic wheels 60 through other components of the drive mechanism such that the device 10 is moved to the desired location. While device 10 is moving, the front pneumatic wheels 55 may be used to steer the device 10 in the appropriate direction. The direction of the device 10 may be adjusted using the steering mechanism 115 to allow device 10 to navigate through a narrow opening (e.g., gate, door, courtyard, low roof area, small room) or other difficult to access area. When the device 10 reaches the desired location, the engine 75 may be slowed down or stopped to halt the movement of device 10. In some embodiments, device 10 may have brakes to stop it and/or hold it in place. These bakes may be located, for example, on wheels 55, 60, or both, or within the drive mechanism. The hoist 15 may then be activated to lower the object, such as boulder 6, in the appropriate position.
As best shown in
As illustrated, hoist 15 may be mounted to about the center of the main crossbar 20. The crossbar configuration may resemble an arch, thereby allowing the object, such as boulder 6, to be hoisted under the main crossbar 20 and between the vertical posts 25. The hoist 15 and rear winch 125 may be powered by a battery 135 mounted on device 10, or may be powered by engine 75. Engine 75 may drive an alternator or generator, which may charge battery 135 or power hoist 15 or winch 125. In other embodiments, hoist 15, winch 125, or both may be human powered such as by operating a leaver, turning a crank, or pulling a chain. In still other embodiments, a block and tackle may be used. In some embodiments, device 10 may have more than one lifting device, such as hoist 15, so that objects can be lifted independently from more than one attachment point, or more than one object may be lifted independently. In some embodiments, hoist 15 may double as winch 125, or vice versa, by redirecting the cable or wire rope.
In one embodiment, the maximum width of the device 10 may be about 38 inches to allow the device 10 to fit through small openings such as yard gates, between adjacent buildings, between trees, or the like. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the main crossbar 20, transverse crossbar 90 and vertical posts 25 may be in another suitable configuration and in some embodiments are not limited to vertical and/or horizontal configurations.
Although moved, hoist 15 may still be configured to lift from near the middle of crossbar 20 via pulley 22 as shown. Additionally, the rear pneumatic wheels 60 or the tires thereon may be enlarged which may increase load capacity or traction, for example, on uneven or soft surfaces. The device 10 may also include a front winch 120 and a rear winch 125 to help pull the device 10 up or through difficult to access areas or to climb steep hills or move over soft ground.
In one embodiment as shown in
The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings and pictures, which show the exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented.
This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/490,021 filed Jul. 24, 2003 and entitled “Boulder Moving System and Method” and Ser. No. 60/514,231 filed Oct. 23, 2003 and entitled “Boulder Moving System and Method”, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60490021 | Jul 2003 | US | |
| 60514231 | Oct 2003 | US |
