GB2160837A

GB2160837A - Wire guided vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2160837A
Application number: GB08512988A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Caldwell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-05-22
Filing date: 1985-05-22
Publication date: 1986-01-02
Also published as: GB8512988D0; GB8413099D0

Abstract

A wire guided vehicle comprises a chassis 1, ground engaging wheel means 2,4 on the chassis, mechanical drive means 12 for the wheels 2 and a guide arm 20. The guide arm 20 engages a guide wire so as to cause the vehicle, when in motion, to travel along the length of the guide wire. The vehicle is fitted with a scarecrow type device so that when the vehicle is set to follow a guide wire around afield it may serve as a bird frightener. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Wire guided vehicle This invention relates to a wire guided vehicle.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle system comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, mechanical drive means for at least one of the ground engaging wheels, a guide wire arranged along a predetermined path and guide means for engagement of the guide wire so as to cause the vehicle to travel along the length of the guide wire.

Preferably, three ground engaging wheels are provided, two of the wheels being arranged on a common axle which is driven by the mechanical drive means.

Preferably also, one of the ground engaging wheels is pivotally mounted on the vehicle so as to be steerable.

Preferably also, the guide means is linked to the steerable wheel such that movement of the guide means as it follows the guide wire steers the vehicle.

Preferably also, the mechanical drive means is an internal combustion engine which drives the ground engaging wheels through a reduction gearbox and differential unit.

Preferably also, the vehicle system is provided with a scarecrow type device so that it may serve as a bird frightener.

Preferably also, a cable drum is fitted to the vehicle, the cable drum being driven by the mechanical drive means and being useable either to reel out or reel in wire.

To supplement the scarecrow device the vehicle may be fitted with a device which periodically produces a loud noise.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective rear view from the right of the first embodiment of a wire guided vehicle in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective front view from the right of the vehicle of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the vehicle of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of the vehicle of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a perspective side view of a second embodiment of a wire guided vehicle.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, a wire guided vehicle comprises a chassis 1, having a pair of rear wheels 2 mounted on an axle 3 and a front wheel 4 mounted in a subframe 5 which is pivotally mounted on the chassis 1 at 6.

A cable drum 7 is mounted on an axle 8 on the chassis 1 and is driven by a V belt 9 which runs from a pulley 10 on the axle 3 to a pulley 11 on the axle 8.

A small petrol engine 12 has a V belt drive 13 to a reduction gearbox and differential unit 14 on the axle. A control level 15 operates the gearbox 14. A clutch and a transmission brake are also provided.

A scarecrow 16 is mounted on the front of the chassis 1.A A platform 17 on the chassis 1 supports a bird scaring device 18 which is powered from a gas cylinder 19.

A guide arm 20, having a wire engaging hoop 21 extends from the front wheel subframe 5. A second wire engaging hoop 22 extends from the rear of the chassis 1.

When the vehicle is to be used as a bird scarer it is first guided by an operator around a field with the cable drum 7 being driven so as to pay out wire as it goes. The wire is laid out in a selected pattern around the field with the vehicle eventually returning to its starting point. The ends of the wire are then joined to form a closed loop extending, in a chosen pattern, around the field. The wire passes through the hoop 21, on the guide arm 20, and the hoop 22.

The vehicle is then set in motion with the engine 12 providing drive for the wheels 2. The vehicle travels along in a straight line until it arrives at a curve in the guide wire. The hoop 21, on the guide arm 20, follows the curve of the wire. This causes the guide arm 20 to pivot the front wheel subframe 5 on the chassis 1. The front wheel 4 then imparts a steering force to the vehicle causing it to follow the wire around the curve. The vehicle continues to follow the wire around the field in this manner eventually returning to its starting point and then beginning another circuit.

As the vehicle travels around the field the scarecrow 16 serves to discourage birds from landing in the field. In addition to the scarecrow 16 the bird scaring device 18 periodically produces a loud bang thus serving to provide further discouragement to birds.

When the vehicle is to be removed from the field it is guided around the field by an operator and the wire reeled back onto the cable drum 7. Once all the wire has been collected the vehicle can then be removed from the field.

On a modified embodiment of the vehicle the hoop 22 is mounted on a rod which extends rearwardly of the vehicle. This has the effect of reducing the likelihood of the wire from detaching from the cable drum as it is reeled on and off.

Whilst the vehicle is particularly useful as a bird scaring device it can also be used for a number of other functons. With the scarecrow 16, the bird scaring device 18 and the gas cylinder 19 removed the vehicle may be used with the cable drum 7 laying out wire forfencebuilding and the like. The platform 17 can be used to carry fence posts, extra drums of wire, tools etc.

The vehicle may also be used as a transporter for various items such as, for example, animal feedstuff.

A further embodiment of a wire guided vehicle is shown in Figure 5. This embodiment has a number of refinements. A seat 23 is provided together with a steering arm 24. Thus an operator can sit on the vehicle and drive it out into position in a field. This embodiment also has an extension 25 at the rear of the vehicle which provides extra carrying capacity.

When the basic vehicle is used in fields which have a steep slope it has a tendency to move gradually down the field. To overcome this problem a furrow is provided around the perimeter of the field and the vehicle is provided with a narrower front wheel 4.

This narrow wheel is then set to run along the furrow and this ensures that the vehicle follows a constant path even on steeply sloping fields. If desired apparatus for digging a suitable furrow may be provided on the vehicle.

Modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Avehicle system comprising a vehicle having ground engaging wheels, mechanical drive means for at least one of the ground engaging wheels, a guide wire arranged along a predetermined path and guide means having means for engagement of the guide wire so as to cause the vehicle to travel along the length of the guide wire.

2. A vehicle system according to Claim 1, where- in three ground engaging wheels are provided, two of the wheels being arranged on a common axle which is driven by the mechanical drive means.

3. A vehicle system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein one ofthe ground engaging wheels is pivotally mounted on the vehicle so as to be steerable.

4. A vehicle system according to Claim 3, wherein the guide means is linked to the steerable wheel such that movement of the guide means as it follows the guide wire steers the vehicle.

5. Avehicle system according to any one ofthe preceding Claims, wherein the mechanical drive means is an internal combustion engine which drives the ground engaging wheels through a reduction gearbox and differential unit.

6. A vehicle system according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the vehicle is fitted with a scarecrow type device so that it may serve as a bird frightener.

7. Avehicle system according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein a cable drum is fitted to the vehicle, the cable drum being driven by the mechanical drive means and being useable either to reel out or reel in wire.

8. A method of using a vehicle system comprising providing a ground furrow, engaging a steerable wheel of the vehicle in the furrow and setting the vehicle in motion such that it proceeds along the length of the furrow.

9. A vehicle system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.