Apparatus for moving multi-ton objects

Claim 2

A MODULE FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH THE MOVING OF MULTITON OBJECTS OVER A GROUND SURFACE COMPRISING: A SUPPORT SURFACE MEMBER HAVING AN AREA FOR RECEIVING AT LEAST PART OF SAID MULTITON OBJECT OVER SAID GROUND SURFACE; VERTICAL SUPPORT MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY SUPPORTING SAID SURFACE MEMBER; AND, SELECTIVELY OPERATED MOVING AND SUPPORT MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID SURFACE MEMBER AND FOR MOVING SAID SURFACE MEMBER OVER SAID GROUND SURFACE, SAID MOVING MEANS COUPLED TO SAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED STRUCTURE HAVING A BEARING MEANS FOR CONTACTING SAID GROUND SURFACE AND AN END PLATE PROXIMATE EACH END; A CYLINDER HAVING AN AXIS EXTENDING ALONG SAID ELONGATED STRUCTURE AND COUPLED TO SAID SUPPORT SURFACE; AND, A PISTON ROD IN SAID CYLINDER, COUPLED TO SAID END PLATES WHEREIN SAID CYLINDER IS FIXEDLY COUPLED TO SAID SUPPORT SURFACE AND SAID PISTON ROD IS MOVABLY MOUNTED IN AT LEAST ONE OF SAID END PLATES FOR MOVEMENT AT AN ANGLE TO SAID AXIS OF SAID CYLINDER AND MOUNTED FIXEDLY WITHIN SAID END PLATE WITH RESPECT TO MOVEMENT ALONG SAID AXIS; WHEREBY SAID SUPPORT SURFACE MAY BE READILY MOVED OVER A SURFACE.

Claim 3

The module defined in claim 1 wherein said vertical support means comprises a baseplate, a hydraulic means mounted on said baseplate and coupled to said support surface, said hydraulic means for extending and contracting between said ground and said support member. 3. The module defined in claim 1 including a steering means for moving said piston rod in at least one of said end plates.

Claim 4

vertical support means for selectively supporting said object;

Claim 5

vertical support means for selectively supporting said object;

Claim 6

selectively operated moving and support means for supporting said object and for moving horizontally comprising an elongated structure having a bearing means for contacting said ground surface and end plates disposed at opposite ends of said structure, a cylinder having an axis extending along said elongated structure and a piston rod in said cylinder coupled to said end plate, said piston rod being movably mounted in at least one of said end plates for movement at an angle to said axis of said cylinder and mounted fixedly within said end plate with respect to movement along said axis; and b. control means for controlling a plurality of said vertical support means and said moving means for operating in unison, whereby said object may be readily moved over a surface. 8. The system defined in claim 7 wherein said control means controls said vertical support means and said moving means and operates in the following sequence: a. vertical support means operates to support said object; b. moving means operates to move horizontally; and c. vertical support means operates to transfer support of object to moving means. 9. The system defined in claim 7 wherein at least three modules are employed. 10. The system defined in claim 9 wherein said vertical support means are hydraulic means.

Claim 7

The module defined in claim 3 wherein said steering means includes a cylinder means coupled to said piston rod for moving said piston rod.

Claim 8

The module defined in claim 4 including control means for operating said cylinder means during at least part of the period that said moving and support means is moving said surface member.

Claim 9

The module defined in claim 5 wherein said vertical support means comprises a baseplate, a hydraulic means mounted on said baseplate and coupled to said support surface, said means for extending and contracting between said ground surface and support member.