Alignment restoration device for load transporting apparatus

摘要

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically aligns a support foot of the apparatus with a load-bearing frame connected to the load transporting apparatus during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a linking device attached to a support foot of the apparatus and a biasing device connected to the linking device that is deflected during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to an aligned position relative to the load-bearing frame after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface.

主权项

1. A load transporting apparatus comprising:
a support foot comprising a longitudinal centerline; a roller assembly operably coupled to the support foot and configured to move relative to the support foot; a lift mechanism operably coupled to the roller assembly and configured to lift the load transporting apparatus from a transport surface; a travel mechanism operably coupled to the roller assembly and configured to non-linearly displace the support foot such that the longitudinal centerline of the support foot moves relative to a longitudinal centerline of the load transporting apparatus; and one or more biasing devices configured to elastically and materially deform in response to the non-linear displacement of the support foot, wherein an elastic deformation of the one or more biasing devices provides a biasing force that operates to realign the support foot with the load transporting apparatus such that the longitudinal centerline of the support foot becomes parallel with the longitudinal centerline of the load transporting apparatus after the load transporting apparatus is lowered to the transport surface.