Land vehicle releasably carrying a geophysical exploration tool

Claim 2

A land moving vehicle for releasably carrying a geophysical exploration tool comprising, a first frame having ground moving means and including a longitudinal opening extending through the first end of the frame, a second frame pivotally connected to the first frame at the second end of the first and second frames, means for raising the first end of the second frame relatively to the first end of the first frame, and means for releasably connecting the geophysical tool in said longitudinal opening between the ends of the frames to at least one of the frames, said releasably connecting means including a support connected to the tool and adapted to be releasably connected to at least one of the frames, vertical guide rods connected between the support and the tool for guiding the vertical movement of the tool, and lifting and lowering means connected between the tool and the support for lifting the vibrator for carrying and lowering the tool for surveying, wherein the tool further includes a ground engaging base plate and the support includes means between the support and the base plate allowing vertical movement of the plate relative to the support, but preventing rotational movement of the plate relative to the support about a vertical axis.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 including, locking means on the second frame for locking the support to the second frame, coacting engaging surfaces between the support and the first frame for engagement when the vibrator is locked to the second frame.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the coacting surfaces are at each end of the support and are at an angle to the vertical for guiding and supporting the support.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the coacting surfaces nearest the first end of the frame include portions releasably connected to the frame.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 1 including mechanical means connected to the support for holding the vehicle in a position off the ground.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 5 wherein the mechanical means include a pin, and the guide rod includes a hole for receiving the pin.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tool is carried by the vehicle at approximately the longitudinal center of gravity of the vehicle.

Claim 9

A land moving vehicle for releasably carrying a geophysical vibrator having a ground engaging base plate comprising, a first frame having ground moving means and including a longitudinal opening extending through the first end of the frame, a second frame positioned above and pivotally connected to the first frame at the second end of the first and second frames, means for raising the first end of the second frame relative to the first end of the first frame, a support adapted to support the vibrator, said support including means between the support and the base plate allowing vertical movement of the plate relative to the support, but preventing rotational movement of the plate relative to the support about a vertical axis, lifting and lowering means connected between the vibrator and the support for lifting the vibrator for carrying and lowering the vibrator for surveying, vertical guide rods connected between the support and the vibrator for guiding the vertical movement of the vibrator, locking means on the second frame for supporting and locking the support to the second frame in the longitudinal opening, and coacting engaging surfaces between the support and the first frame adapted to engage when the support is locked to the second frame.

Claim 10

A land moving vehicle for releasably carrying a geophysical vibrator having a ground engaging base plate comprising, a first frame having ground moving means and including a longitudinal opening extending through the first end of the frame, a second frame positioned above and pivotally connected to the first frame at the second end of the first and second frames, means for raising the first end of the second frame relative to the first end of the first frame, a support adapted to support the vibrator, said support including means between the support and the base plate allowing vertical movement of the plate relative to the support, but preventing rotational movement of the plate relative to the support about a vertical axis, lifting and lowering means connected between the vibrator and the support for lifting the vibrator for carrying and lowering the vibrator for surveying, vertical guide rods connected between the support and the vibrator for guiding the vertical movement of the vibrator, locking means on the second frame for supporting and locking the support to the second frame in the longitudinal opening, and coacting engaging surfaces between the support and the first frame adapted to engage when the support is locked to the second frame.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said engaging surfaces include wedge shaped surfaces at each end of the support for guiding and securing said support.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the coacting surfaces at the end of the support nearest the first end of the frames includes a portion releasabLy connected to the frame.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the lifting and lowering means are pivotally connected to the support.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 8 including said guide means including a guide sleeve and a rod, said rod including a hole adapted to be positioned adjacent the lower end of the sleeve when the vehicle is raised off the ground, and pin means adapted to fit in said hole to hold the vehicle off the ground.