GB778664A - Means for moving heavy appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

778,664. Propelling vehicles. MASCHINENFABRIK BUCKAU R. WOLF AKT.-GES. May 4, 1953, No. 12310/53. Classes 79(3) and 79(5). In a vehicle having a stepping mode of propulsion at least two members are constrained to move relatively to the vehicle body 1 having a central base 3 in a direction normal to the ground and are supported on rollers 9 carrying tracks 8 on lateral stepping supports 5, the body 1 being raisable relatively to the supports 5 in such a manner that the raising causes consequential advancing movement of the body and advancement of the supports 5 relative to the body 1 being initiated by lifting the supports 5 clear of the ground. As further shown in Fig. 2, carried by longitudinal trunnions 7 on each support 5 is a frame member 6 having the track 8 which is engaged by the rollers 9 carried by levers 10. Connected to the levers 10 at 11 is a piston rod 12 vertically guided in a cylinder 16 carried by the body 1. Introduction of hydraulic pressure into the cylinder space 16b causes the piston 13 to move down in the cylinder 16 and consequently raise the body 1 relative to the supports. Owing to the incline in the track 8 the weight of the body 1 causes the rollers 9 to move down the incline thus moving the body 1 in, the direction of arrow A until the base 3 regains contact with the ground, such movement being damped by an apertured piston connected by a rod 22 to the support and by a liquid cylinder 20 connected to the levers 10. Subsequently hydraulic pressure is introduced into the cylinder space 16a causing the associated support 5 to be lifted clear of the ground so that the track 8 moves relatively to the rollers 9 to move the support 5 in the direction of the arrow A until it regains ground contact, such movement being also damped by the piston and cylinder 20. In a modification the piston and cylinder 13, 16 are replaced by the rod 12 being threaded and vertically adjustable by a driven nut mounted on the body. In another modification, Fig. 3, the track 8 is horizontal, and the cylinder spaces 16a, 16b are connected by conduits 13a, 13b with chambers 24a, 24b in a double-acting cylinder 24 supporting the rollers 9, a piston 25 in the cylinder being connected to the frame. In operation the introduction of hydraulic pressure to the space 16a and chamber 13a or the space 16b and chamber 13b causes the support 5 or the body to be moved forward. In a further modification. Fig. 4, of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the arrangement provides for movement in both directions, the track 8 being pivotally connected at 25 to the support 5 and being tiltable under the control of hydraulic cylinders 16, 16<SP>1</SP>. Hydraulic fluid conduits are branched through a distributing valve to the cylinders and the branches are interconnected by a further conduit having a pump to effect the tilting operation. In a further modification, Fig. 6 (not shown), the vehicle is provided with three pairs of large supports obviating the necessity for a ground engaging base. In another modification, Fig. 7, the vehicle has supports 5a, 5b, 5c and a base, each support being pivotal about 12a and connected by a common linkage 31a to a rack and pinion steering gear 34. In a modification, Fig. 8 (not shown), arms carried by the pivots 12a are formed as toothed segments and mesh with worms carried by common shafting. The invention may be applied to vehicles carrying bucket excavators, dipper dredgers or draglines.