U.S. patent application number 12/272372 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-12 for building transport device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Custom Quality Homes, LLC. Invention is credited to Jeff Anderson, Aidan J. Bradley, Gabriel T. Manville, Kevin T. Parent, Matthew Priddy, James Rhodes, Frank K. Weigand.
Application Number | 20090067952 12/272372 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38685319 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090067952 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rhodes; James ; et
al. |
March 12, 2009 |
Building Transport Device
Abstract
The present invention relates to a transport device for
transporting a building. The device includes a first support
structure, the first support structure having at least four wheels
capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis and a second
support structure, the second support structure having at least
four wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis.
The first support structure and the second support structure are
configured to couple together to support and transport the
building.
Inventors: |
Rhodes; James; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Priddy; Matthew; (Las Vegas, NV) ;
Bradley; Aidan J.; (Westlake Village, CA) ; Anderson;
Jeff; (Saugus, CA) ; Manville; Gabriel T.;
(Santa Rosa, CA) ; Parent; Kevin T.; (Santa
Barbara, CA) ; Weigand; Frank K.; (La Canada,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BELL, BOYD, & LLOYD LLP
P.O. BOX 1135
CHICAGO
IL
60690
US
|
Assignee: |
Custom Quality Homes, LLC
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
38685319 |
Appl. No.: |
12/272372 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11431196 |
May 9, 2006 |
7452173 |
|
|
12272372 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/12 ; 414/572;
414/809 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 33/08 20130101;
B62D 21/14 20130101; B60P 3/40 20130101; B62D 61/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/12 ; 414/572;
414/809 |
International
Class: |
E04G 21/14 20060101
E04G021/14 |
Claims
1. A transport device for transporting a building, comprising: a
first support structure, said first support structure having at
least two wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical
axis; and a second support structure, said second support structure
having at least two wheel capable of individual rotation about a
vertical axis; wherein said first support structure and said second
support structure are configured to coupled together to support and
transport said building.
2. A transport device according to claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of hydraulic rams coupled to at least one of said first
and second support structures
3. A transport device according to claim 2, further comprising a
ball and socket arrangement coupled to each of said plurality of
hydraulic rams.
4. A transport device according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second support structures are self propelled.
5. A transport device according to claim 1, wherein said first
support structure is capable of operating as a first individual
self propelled vehicle; and said second support structure is
capable of operating as a second individual self propelled
vehicle.
6. A transport device according to claim 5, wherein said first and
second support structures are configured to couple together such
that systems of the second support structure can be controlled by
said first support structure.
7. A transport device according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second support structures are configured to couple together using
structure that is integrated into said building.
8. A transport device according to claim 1, further comprising
means to actively level said building.
9. A transport device according to claim 1, wherein said means to
actively level said building includes a computer program that is
configured to monitor the weight distribution of the building and
adjust said distribution to maintain predetermined levels.
10. A transport device for transporting a building, comprising: a
first self propelled transport vehicle, said first self propelled
transport vehicle having at least two wheels capable of individual
rotation about a vertical axis, each of said wheels driven by a
motor; and a second self propelled transport vehicle, said second
self propelled transport vehicle having at least two wheels capable
of individual rotation about a vertical axis, each of said wheels
driven by a motor; wherein said first self propelled transport
vehicle and said second self propelled transport vehicle are
configured to coupled together and communicate such that said
building is supported and capable of being transported.
11. A transport device according to claim 10, wherein said
communication between said first self propelled transport vehicle
and said second self propelled transport vehicle allows said first
self propelled transport vehicle to control each motor driving said
wheels of said second self propelled transport vehicle.
12. A transport device according to claim 10, further comprising a
plurality of hydraulic rams coupled to at least one of said first
and second support structures
13. A transport device according to claim 12, further comprising a
ball and socket arrangement coupled to each of said plurality of
hydraulic rams.
14. A transport device according to claim 12, further comprising a
means to maintain said building in a level state, said means
configured to control each of said hydraulic rams.
15. A transport device according to claim 14, wherein said means
includes a computer software; and a plurality of pressure sensors
to determine the weight distribution of said building.
16. A method of transporting a building, comprising the steps of
coupling said building to a first transport vehicle and a second
transport vehicle, such that said building is positioned at least
partially between said first transport vehicle and said second
transport vehicle; moving said building to a desired location;
positioning said building over said desired location; lower said
building to said desired location; and decoupling said building
from said first transport vehicle and said second transport
vehicle.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said step of coupling
said building to a first transport vehicle and a second transport
vehicle includes electrically coupling said first transport vehicle
to said second transport vehicle.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said electrically
coupling said first transport vehicle to said second transport
vehicle allows said first transport vehicle to control said second
transport vehicle.
19. A method according to claim 16, wherein said step of coupling
said building to a first transport vehicle and a second transport
vehicle includes coupling said building to said vehicles using
beams that are integrated into said building.
20. A method according to claim 16, wherein said step of coupling
said building to a first transport vehicle and a second transport
vehicle includes coupling said building to said vehicles using
beams that are separable from said building.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/431,196, filed May 9, 2006 and entitled "BUILDING TRANSPORT
DEVICE", the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The prior art is generally directed to transporting a
building or house by a flat bed delivery device, such as a truck or
other device. The prior art delivery devices generally attempt to
locate the buildings or houses onto or adjacent a foundation or
other structure prior to the building or house being unloaded from
the transporter, to simplify the adjustments necessary to properly
position the house upon the foundation.
[0003] The house transporters in the prior art do not readily allow
the house to be conveniently adjusted for levelness, height, and
angular and horizontal alignment prior to the house being removed
from the transporter.
SUMMARY
[0004] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a
transport device for transporting a building. The device includes a
first support structure, the first support structure having at
least two wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical
axis and a second support structure, the second support structure
having at least two wheels capable of individual rotation about a
vertical axis. The first support structure and the second support
structure are configured to couple together to support and
transport the building.
[0005] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a
transport device for transporting a building. The transport device
includes a first self propelled transport vehicle, the first self
propelled transport vehicle having at least two wheels capable of
individual rotation about a vertical axis, each of the wheels
driven by a motor and a second self propelled transport vehicle,
the second self propelled transport vehicle having at least two
wheels capable of individual rotation about a vertical axis, each
of the wheels driven by a motor. The first self propelled transport
vehicle and the second self propelled transport vehicle are
configured to couple together and communicate such that the
building is supported and capable of being transported.
[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a
method of transporting a building. The method includes the steps of
coupling the building to a first transport vehicle and a second
transport vehicle, such that the building is positioned at least
partially between the first transport vehicle and the second
transport vehicle, moving the building to a desired location,
positioning the building over the desired location, lower the
building on to the desired location, and decoupling the building
from the first transport vehicle and the second transport
vehicle.
[0007] Additional features and advantages are described herein, and
will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates two separate vehicles that can connect
together and move buildings according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the vehicles of FIG. 1
connected together using beams;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the vehicles of FIG. 1
connected together with a building positioned therebetween;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view of the vehicle and building of FIG.
3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of the vehicle and building of FIG.
4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a side view of one of the vehicles illustrated in
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top view of the vehicle of FIG. 6;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial side view of the vehicle of
FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of one of the beams shown
in FIG. 2 for coupling the two vehicles together;
[0017] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of one end of the beam of FIG.
9;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view in section of an axel of
one of the bogies for the vehicle shown in FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a schematic top view representation of the
vehicle of FIG. 2 transporting a building to a predetermined
site;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a schematic top view representation of the
vehicle of FIG. 12 pulling into the predetermined site;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a schematic top view representation of the
vehicle of FIG. 13 positioning the building over an existing
foundation;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a schematic side view representation of the
vehicle of FIG. 14; and
[0023] FIG. 16 is a schematic side view representation of the
vehicle of 15 lowering the building onto the existing
foundation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIGS. 1-11 illustrate a building transport vehicle 10
according to the present invention. The transport device is
configured to transport any suitable building. Building is defined
as a house or other large semi-rigid payload. As shown in FIG. 1,
the transport vehicle generally consists of a first independent
transport vehicle or support structure 12 and a second independent
transport vehicle or support structure 14; however, the vehicle 10
can include any number of suitable vehicles. Preferably, vehicles
12 and 14 couple together in any suitable manner and are configured
to transport a house or building 15, as shown in FIG. 2-5.
[0025] Preferably, the first and second vehicles are substantially
similar and can either operate alone or in combination. Therefore,
the description of one vehicle is applicable to both vehicles 12
and 14; however, the vehicles can each be designed in any suitable
manner and do not necessarily need to be substantially similar.
When operating in combination, the vehicles preferably are coupled
together using beams 50 (or any other suitable means) and are
preferably in electrical communication. One of the vehicles
preferably is the dominant vehicle and will control the overall
operation (i.e., the vehicles operate in a master-slave
relationship); however, it is not necessary for each vehicle to be
able to operate independently nor is it necessary for one of the
vehicles to be the dominant vehicle.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each vehicle preferably includes
a truss 16, a first bogie 18, a second bogie 20 and a control
station 22. The truss 16 is preferably manufactured from welded
tubes, but can be any suitable design and/or configuration. Each
truss is generally about 60 feet long, about 44 inches wide, about
92 inches high and weighs approximately 2000 pounds; however the
truss can have any suitable dimensions and/or weight as appropriate
for the building size and weight. Preferably truss 16 is designed
and configured to provide minimal loaded deflection and cope with
torsional load when the bogies are offset.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, truss 16 has a first end 24 and a
second end 26, each of which is hingedly coupled to a yoke or
connecting arm 28 and 30, respectively. Each yoke 28 and 30 can be
independently adjusted using two hydraulic pistons or actuators 32
and 34, respectively. Preferably, each yoke is coupled to the truss
using a first hinge 36 and a second hinge 38, but may be coupled to
the truss in any suitable manner. Preferably, the hinges allow the
yoke to swing through an arc that is substantially parallel to the
ground. The yoke extends to a respective bogie and connects to one
end of hydraulic ram 40. The yoke is coupled to the first end 42 of
the hydraulic ram 40. Hydraulic rams 40 are preferably 8 inches in
diameter and produce up to 400,000 pounds of total lifting capacity
on a 30 inch stroke; however, rams 40 can be any suitable device or
linkage with any desired configuration and lifting capacity.
[0028] The yoke or connecting arm has a range of 120 degrees (or
any suitable degree) of angular motion and as stated above is
driven or controlled by the two opposing hydraulic pistons or
actuators 32 and 34. The yoke preferably enables the wheel track of
a specific vehicle to vary from about 40 feet to about 55 feet, but
can allow the wheel track to vary in any suitable amount. While
transporting the house to a particular or predetermined site 43 or
operating in "cruise mode", the bogies are preferably "tucked in"
to their narrow most position, so that the wheels can run on the
roadways, as shown in FIG. 12. However, it is noted that the bogies
can operate in any position desired or suitable during any of the
step of transporting or positioning the building or house. During
the pull-in maneuver to position the house at the predetermined
site 43, the leading bogies preferably splay out to clear the house
foundation 45, as shown in FIG. 13.
[0029] Additionally, the yoke allows for final positioning of the
house over the foundation 45 in "set mode". Through coordinated
movement of the articulated yokes, along with movement in a
straight line of the bogies along the side edges of the foundation,
the transport device 10 achieves sufficient latitudinal,
longitudinal, and rotation movement over a small range to allow the
operators to precisely align the house with its foundation.
[0030] Each bogie has a hydraulic ram with a first end 42 and a
second end 44 coupled thereto. The first end is coupled to the
connecting arm and the second end is coupled to a ball joint 46,
which is in turn connected to the bogie itself. The ball joints 46
enable each ram to equalize the load over and negotiate uneven
terrain.
[0031] Each bogie preferably has eight wheels 52, as shown in FIG.
11 but can have any number of suitable wheels. For example, each
bogie can have two wheels, four wheels or any number of wheels that
would allow vehicle 12 to operate independently of vehicle 14.
[0032] Preferably each independent vehicle has two bogies and
therefore when combined, the transport vehicle has four bogies, one
at each corner; but it is noted that each independent vehicle can
have any number of suitable bogies. Preferably, each bogie has
eight driven wheels; but can have any number of suitably driven
wheels (e.g. each bogie can have 1, 2 or more driven wheels). Four
wheels are on an axle 54 with each wheel being driven by a separate
hydraulic motor 56, but they can be driven in any suitable manner.
The transport vehicle velocity and steering is controlled by
independently controlling the velocity of the wheels on the left
and right side of the bogie (known as differential steering). By
driving and steering the four independent bogies, the velocity and
heading of the vehicle as a whole can be precisely controlled.
[0033] In each mode of operation, the desired heading and velocity
is calculated at each moment based on inputs from the operators and
the onboard guidance and navigation systems. To achieve the desired
position, differential steering of each bogie is used to advance
and rotate the vehicle as required. To minimize stresses on the
vehicle and the payload, algorithms can used to calculate an
"instant center" about which to rotate the vehicle. However, it is
noted that it is not necessary to steer the vehicle 10 in this
manner and the vehicle can be merely steered by the operator or
operators or computer control or other suitable means. This
"instant center" may be under the vehicle or some distance away,
based on the desired movement of the vehicle 10. At each moment,
the four bogies are driven to align such that their axial direction
of travel is perpendicular to a radial line drawn from the instant
center to the bogie center.
[0034] One end of each independent vehicle has a driver's cabin 22
situated over the bogie and is configured to rotate in any suitable
manner. For example, each cabin can rotate up to and including 360
degrees. Preferably, the driver's cabin is situated to be a high
visibility air conditioned station that allows the driver to
control the independent vehicle; however, the driver's cabin can be
any suitable steering platform and can be positioned in any
suitable area of the vehicle. Additionally, it is not necessary for
each vehicle 12 and 14 to have a driver's cabin or steering ability
and only one of the vehicles can be equipped with such
capabilities.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates "load mode" for the transport vehicle 10.
In "load mode", independent vehicles 12 and 14 couple together
using beams 50 of house 15. Beams 50 are preferably formed from
steel, but can be any suitable material or composition of
materials. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each beam 50 has a first end
60 and a second end 62. Each end of the beam has two conical
sockets 64 that accept matching conical hollow pegs on the bottom
of the trusses 16. The joint is preferably secured with coaxial
bolts. It is noted that the beams can be connected to the trusses
in any suitable manner. Additionally, the beams 50 can be integral
with the structure of the building or separate to the structure of
the building. Thus, when loading the vehicles 12 and 14 with the
house, the house can be merely positioned on the beams 50,
connected or coupled thereto in a suitable manner or integrally
joined with the beams 50. The beams can be a structural component
or the building or not.
[0036] Fine positioning of each independent vehicle preferably
occurs under the control of an operator in the cab and one at a
remote pendant that can be positioned in any suitable manner, such
as outside of the cab or remote from the cab. One independent
vehicle is positioned such that its cab is at the back of the
building and the other such that its cab is at the front or in any
other suitable manner. Once the two independent vehicles are
precisely located, the payload is attached. Two inter-connect
cables between the two independent vehicles are preferably
connected, one at the front of the building and one at the back, so
that the vehicles can operate as one unit in a master-slave
arrangement. However, it is noted that the vehicles can couple in
any suitable manner and do not necessarily need to be electrically
coupled in this manner or approach and position themselves in this
manner. The herein described "load mode" is merely exemplary (as is
each herein described "mode") and the vehicles can be loaded and
connected in any suitable manner.
[0037] With the house loaded, one independent vehicle is selected
as the master and the other as the slave using a selection switch
on each console or any in other suitable manner. While operating in
"cruise mode", the cab at the front is typically the master and the
one at the rear is the slave. When entering "cruise mode", an
onboard computer system confirms that the two inter-connect cables
are attached and that one cab is set as master and one is set as
slave. The onboard computer system also confirms that all load
sensors are within nominal range and that the house is level within
tolerance. At this point, the master cab operator can begin moving
the vehicle.
[0038] As vehicle 10 pulls away, generally, all four yokes are
folded in to their fully retracted position (so that the overall
wheel track is narrow enough to fit on the roads), as shown in FIG.
12. FIG. 12 is merely a schematic drawing of the bogies and is not
a full drawing of each independent vehicle, including the trusses
and cabs. This figure is merely for exemplary purposes of the
"cruise mode" and is not meant to limit the structure of the herein
described vehicle. Folding to this position can be achieved by
means of a switch on the console or by any other suitable means. At
this point, as the vehicle drives forward, the yokes fold in
automatically. However, as noted above, the bogies can be
positioned in any desired or suitable position at any time during
loading, setting or transporting the building or house 15.
[0039] While driving, two operators, one in each cab, preferably
control the vehicle's motion while communicating to each other over
headsets; however it is not necessary for the operators to
communicate in the manner, to communicate at all or for there even
to be two operators. The vehicle can operate with any suitable
number of operators and/or the operators can be positioned remotely
from the vehicle and communicate with the vehicle from wired or
wireless means or the vehicles can be computer controlled or
automated. From each of the operators' points of view, each feels
as if they are driving their own corner of the vehicle via a
joystick on the console (not shown). The onboard computer system
achieves such operation by generating steering commands for all
four bogies based on the input of the two joysticks. In this way,
the operators can navigate fairly tight corners. The overall
velocity is governed primarily by the master (front) operator. Both
operators must maintain pressure on a dead-man enable switch (not
shown) to enable motion.
[0040] Preferably, the house is maintained in a level position
throughout its conveyance to a predetermined position or location.
Sensors or other suitable means monitor the angle of the house with
respect to a gravity vector while other sensors or means measure
the pitch angle induced on the bogies due to the slope of the
ground. Based on this input, the onboard computer system causes the
leveling jacks at each bogie to adjust accordingly to maintain
level. In all modes, this leveling action supersedes the travel
velocity in so far as the onboard computer system will
automatically slow down the wheels to accommodate the leveling
response time as necessary. If the system should ever reach the
threshold where proper leveling cannot be maintained, the onboard
computer system can invoke an Automatic Stop, bringing forward
travel to a halt at a suitable speed or deceleration.
[0041] Using "cruise mode", the vehicle is brought to the vicinity
of the foundation 45 onto which the building or house will be
placed. Depending on the exact geometry of the final location, the
operators will have a specific target range of position and
orientation to park the vehicle 10 before switching over to "pull
in" mode. The onboard display preferably will indicate when the
vehicle is within the proper range based on GPS readings by onboard
receivers or by any other suitable method or device.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 13, "pull-in mode" begins with a laser
beacon (not shown) or any other suitable device or method being
placed on a survey point at the back of the foundation or in other
suitable position, as a precise reference point. FIG. 13 is merely
a schematic drawing of the bogies and is not a full drawing of each
independent vehicle, including the trusses and cabs. This figure is
merely for exemplary purposes of the "pull-in mode" and is not
meant to limit the structure of the herein described vehicle. When
the system is switched into "pull-in mode", the onboard computer
system checks to make sure that the vehicle is within the correct
starting range using both the GPS receivers and two sensors
receiving the rotating beam from the laser beacon. If all the
inputs are consistent, the system will indicate that it is ready to
begin the automated procedure of pulling in.
[0043] The operator then ensures that the path ahead is clear and
initiates motion by means of a pushbutton. The vehicle then begins
moving at a "creep speed", which it will maintain throughout the
pull in procedure. The operators can have the capability to
slightly adjust the motion by way of their joysticks and both must
keep pressure on their respective dead-man enable switches.
[0044] The onboard computer system automatically drives the vehicle
to a precise location and orientation. As the vehicle automatically
maneuvers to the known point, the system splays out the two front
yokes to their widest position to fit outside the foundation. When
the vehicle reaches the front of the foundation, it will stop and
allow the operators to confirm the location visually.
[0045] Preferably, the splay of the lead bogie occurs during
pull-in and the rear outer-most bogie remains in full tuck
position; however, each or all of the bogies can be positioned in
any suitable position and are not limited to the specific positions
described herein.
[0046] If both operators are satisfied with the starting position,
they re-enable motion through the console or in any other suitable
manner. During the second step, the vehicle drives in over the
foundation while rotating the house to its correct orientation.
This maneuver is preferably pre-programmed and customized for the
particular location and associated obstacles; but may be performed
in any suitable manner. It generally involves coordinated motion of
the bogies and the yokes throughout the motion. Preferably, the
operators continue to have fine adjustment capability and
continuously enable the motion. The automatically leveling system
continues to be active throughout this maneuver. Additionally, fine
adjustments could be made with yokes, but lateral movement of the
bogies occurs over a distance unless the vehicle stops and the
bogie rotates in place to be perpendicular to yoke, then drives the
yoke to the desired position and returns to point according to the
on board computer system for resumed automatic maneuver. It is
noted that it is not necessary for the system to work in this
specific manner and any portion or all of these maneuvers can be
automatic, computer controlled, manually controlled, any
combination thereof or in any other desired manner.
[0047] The onboard computer system automatically stops the vehicle
when it is within a specific range of the final position as
detected by laser and GPS positioning system or any other suitable
device or method, thus ending the "pull-in" procedure.
[0048] Final positioning of the house on the foundation is
accomplished in "set mode", as shown in FIGS. 14-16. FIGS. 14-16
are merely schematic drawings of the bogies and are not full
drawings of each independent vehicle, including the trusses and
cabs. These figures are merely for exemplary purposes of the "set
mode" and are not meant to limit the structure of the herein
described vehicle. In this mode the operators control can use any
suitable method. For example, remote pendants can be attached to
the outside of each cab, thus allowing the operators a better
perspective for setting the house. Using a joy stick and rotary
knob, for example, the operators can translate the house over a
small range (e.g. an order of magnitude of approximately two feet)
in any direction and rotate the house about its vertical axis up to
+/- approximately 5 degrees. However, it is noted that the controls
can be inside the cab, wireless or wired remote controls or any
other suitable controls and the variance of movement both laterally
and vertically can be any suitable distance or angle.
[0049] This motion is accomplished by the onboard computer system
commanding the motion of the four bogie yokes and secondarily the
bogies themselves to drive straight backward and forward a short
distance along the foundation. No bogie steering is necessarily
required.
[0050] Once the house is positioned over the foundation, the
operator commands the system to lower the house down slowly. Fine
position and rotations can continue to be made during lowering
until the house is placed precisely on its mark. At this point, the
vehicle is shut off while the house is mechanically decoupled from
the vehicle and the two vehicle-halves are disconnected
mechanically and electrically.
[0051] "Extract mode" is used to remove the vehicles 12 and 14 from
between two houses after placing a house on its foundation. Because
of the narrow space, this maneuver is accomplished by guiding both
the front and rear bogie out under manual control. One bogie is
controlled by the joystick in the cab while the other is controlled
by an operator walking along side with a pendant. Due to the nature
of the combined vehicle, one vehicle must be extracted cab first
and the other tail first. Once the vehicles become clear of the
foundations, they can be steered onto the roadway. When they are
completely clear, the pendant is stowed and the vehicle is switched
to Go-Home mode for the drive back to the factory. Automatic
leveling is not active in "extract mode", but the operator has the
ability to manually raise or lower each end as required and/or
desired. The herein described "extract mode" is merely exemplary
and the vehicles do not necessarily need to perform each step as
described herein or perform each step in the same manner as
described. If the cross beams 50 are not integral with the house,
they must be extracted laterally from the foundation using a small
vehicle, such as a Bobcat. The beams are then transported out to
the street in front of the house and loaded onto suitable brackets
on the sides of each of the vehicles 12 and 14 or onto separate
trucks as desired.
[0052] "Go-home mode" is used to drive each half-vehicle back to
the factory or any other suitable location. In this mode, a single
operator sits in the cab and essentially drives the vehicle using
the joystick and the motion enable dead-man pedal. The onboard
computer system will steer the vehicle in a natural-feeling fashion
based on the operator's inputs. Automatic leveling is not active in
this mode, but the operator has the ability to manually raise or
lower each end as required and/or desired.
[0053] Since no leveling is required, the vehicle can travel up to
its maximum speed of 10 MPH in this mode or any other suitable
speed
[0054] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its
intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *