Rear stepper assembly for a pipe handling vehicle
US4068764A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 1976 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60P3/40
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pipe transporting vehicle steps into a pipe, passes through the pipe, and exits at the opposite end to bring into the inside of the pipe a pipe carriage. The vehicle has a stepper assembly of a stanchion, a walking beam pivotally connected to the stanchion, an axle set at each end of the walking beam, and a support structure in telescopic receipt of the stanchion. Trunnions and gudgeons between the beam and axle sets permit oscillation of each axle set about a fore-and-aft axis of the stepper independently of the other to accommodate irregularities in the path of the vehicle transverse to the line of vehicle movement. The walking beam pivots through a large angle for the stepping function of the wheels and to accommodate irregularities in line of motion of the wheels. A sleeve of the support structure telescopically receives the stanchion. Vertical loads from the carriage of the vehicle and pipe are taken by the sleeve and transferred to the stanchion through elastomeric shock absorbers. Top and bottom vertical slide bearings between the stanchion and the sleeve take moments, torques and horizontal forces between the two and permit relative vertical motion between the two. A fore…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.