ROBOT TRAILER

Abstract

A mobile trailer for use with a mobile robot, the trailer comprising a rollable frame for releasably attaching to a robot, a mechanism attached to the frame for selectively dispensing a communication cable, the cable providing communication between the trailer and command centre, a wireless communication mechanism for communicating wirelessly between the trailer and the robot, and a mechanism for selectively moving the trailer between a hitched position and unhitched, such that in the hitched position the trailer being pulled by the mobile robot, and in the unhitched position the trailer being detached from the mobile robot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational schematic view of the present invention, a robot trailer shown in the hitched position deployed onto a robot shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational schematic view of the present invention, a robot trailer shown in the unhitched position together with a mobile robot shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective schematic view of the present invention, a robot trailer deployed onto a robot and shown in the hitched position.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective schematic view of the present invention, a robot trailer together with a portion of the robot shown in dashed lines in the hitched position.

FIG. 5 is a front side perspective schematic view of the present invention, a robot trailer together with a portion of a robot shown in dashed lines in the unhitched position.

Claims

1. A mobile trailer for use with a mobile robot, the trailer comprising; (a) a frame for releasably attaching to a robot, the frame adapted to be propelled by the robot;(b) a cable means attached to the frame for selectively dispensing a communication cable, the cable providing communication between the trailer and a remotely located command center.

2. The mobile trailer claimed in claim 1 wherein the cable means including a reel adapted for dispensing communication cable as the trailer is propelled.

3. The mobile trailer claimed in claim 1 further including a hitch means receiving control signals for selectively moving the trailer between a hitched position and unhitched, such that in the hitched position the trailer being propelled by the mobile robot, and in the unhitched position the trailer being detached from the mobile robot.

4. The mobile trailer claimed in claim 3 wherein the hitch means includes an actuator adapted to lift the trailer thereby operably detaching the trailer from the mobile robot.

5. The mobile trailer claimed in claim 4 wherein the actuator being downwardly disposed and attached at one end to the frame and including an actuator ram emanating from the other end, the actuator ram including a lift pad attached to the distal end, such that the lift pad adapted to impinge on the ground and thereby lift the trailer operably detaching the trailer from the mobile robot.

6. The mobile trailer claimed in claim 3 wherein the control signals for the hitch means being communicated along the communication cable.

7. The mobile trailer claimed in claim 1 further including a wireless communication means for communicating wirelessly between the trailer and the robot.

8. The mobile trailer claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame including wheels for rollably being pulled behind the mobile robot.

9. A mobile trailer for use with a mobile robot, the trailer comprising: (a) a frame for releasably attaching to a robot, the frame adapted to be propelled by the robot;(b) a cable means attached to the frame for selectively dispensing a communication cable, the cable providing communication between the trailer and a remotely located command center,(c) a wireless communication means for communicating wirelessly between the trailer and the robot,(d) such that the trailer communicating via the communication cable to the remote command center and communicating wirelessly from the trailer to the mobile robot.

10. The trailer claimed in claim 9 further including a hitch means receiving control signals for selectively moving the trailer between a hitched position and unhitched, such that in the hitched position the trailer being propelled by the mobile robot, and in the unhitched position the trailer being detached from the mobile robot.

11. The trailer claimed in claim 9 wherein the trailer further including a ring rigidly attached to the frame for cooperating with an vertically oriented robot pin such that vertically lowering the ring over the pin places the trailer in an hitched position and vertically raising the ring off of the pin places the trailer in an unhitched position

12. The trailer claimed in claim 11 wherein the trailer further including a draw bar attached at one end to the ring and at the other end operably connected to the frame.

13. The trailer claimed in claim 12 wherein the trailer further including an upwardly disposed draw member attached at one end to the frame and at the other end to a downwardly disposed draw member, and the downwardly disposed draw member attached at the other end to the drawbar.

14. A mobile trailer for use with a mobile robot, the trailer comprising: (a) a rollable frame for releasably attaching to a robot, the frame adapted to be propelled by the robot;(b) a means attached to the frame for selectively dispensing a communication cable, the cable providing communication between the trailer and command centre;(c) a wireless communication means for communicating wirelessly between the trailer and the robot; and(d) a means for selectively moving the trailer between a hitched position and unhitched, such that in the hitched position the trailer being pulled by the mobile robot, and in the unhitched position the trailer being detached from the mobile robot.