REMOTELY OPERATED MACHINE WITH MANIPULATOR ARM
A remotely operable machine ( 1 ) comprises a manipulator arm ( 17 ), a machine body ( 3 ), and a support ( 5 ). The support is disposed between the machine body and the manipulator arm for coupling the arm to the body. The support is movable from one position (D) to another (E) relative to said body so as to provide for variation or extension of the reach of the manipulator arm. The support may be provided by a linkage having an attachment ( 15 ) for pivotally supporting the arm, the attachment being pivotally coupled to an extension arm ( 19 ) at one end thereof, the extension arm being pivotally coupled to the machine body at its other end. Alternatively, a track assembly for facilitating movement of the support on the machine body may be provided. The track assembly or linkage are configured to allow deployment of the support on the ground adjacent to said body.
1 . A remotely operable machine comprising a manipulator arm, a machine body, and a support disposed between said machine body and said manipulator arm for coupling said arm to said body, wherein said support is movable from one position to another relative to said body so as to provide for variation or extension of the reach of the manipulator arm.
2 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a linkage having an attachment for pivotally supporting the arm, the attachment being pivotally coupled to an extension arm at one end thereof, the extension arm being pivotally coupled to the machine body at its other end.
3 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 2 , comprising a locking mechanism for securing the attachment when the machine is parked so that the load manipulating capacity of the arm can be increased.
4 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 2 , comprising a drive for rotating said extension arm relative to the pivot at the machine body such that the position of the end of the arm supported by the attachment can be deployed at selectable positions along an arc having a radius defined substantially by the length of the extension arm.
5 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 2 , wherein the coupling position and configuration of the extension arm to the machine body is such that the attachment is positionable to rest on the ground adjacent to the machine body.
6 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 5 , wherein a stabiliser is provided for improving the load manipulating capacity when the attachment is deployed on the ground.
7 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 1 , comprising a track assembly for facilitating movement of the support on said body.
8 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 7 , wherein the track assembly is configured to allow deployment of the support on the ground adjacent to said body.
9 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 7 , wherein the track assembly comprises a carriage for the support movably mounted on a guide or track.
10 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 9 , wherein the guide or track is mounted on the machine body.
11 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 9 , comprising a drive for moving the carriage along the guide.
12 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 1 , wherein the manipulator arm is provided with a tool and/or sensor at the end thereof remote from the support.
13 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 11 , wherein the manipulator arm is provided with one or more articulations and/or telescopic sections that facilitate a radial degree of movement of the tool of the manipulator arm relative from the support.
14 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 1 , wherein the support is configured to provide for movement of said manipulator arm in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis.
15 . A remotely operable machine according to claim 1 , wherein the support provides for movement of said manipulator arm in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis.
16 . A manipulator arm for a remotely operable machine having a machine body, the manipulator arm having an attachment for facilitating coupling thereof to the machine body so that the manipulator arm is movable relative to the machine body in order to allow variation or extension of the reach of the arm.
17 . A body of a remotely operable machine having a machine body, the body being configured to facilitate coupling thereto of a manipulator arm attachment such that said manipulator arm attachment is movable relative to said body in order that the reach of a manipulator arm coupled to said attachment can be varied or extended