Mobile system for transport and storage of robotic drive
A mobile system for a robotic drive includes a tray configured to support the robotic drive, a cart configured to support the tray in a substantially horizontal position, one or more wheels coupled to the cart, and an assembly coupled to the cart. The assembly is configured to allow the tray to move from the substantially horizontal position to a second position which is less horizontal than the substantially horizontal position, and is configured to resist movement of the tray from the substantially horizontal position to the second position.
1 . A mobile system for a robotic drive, the mobile system comprising:
a tray configured to support the robotic drive;
a cart coupled to the tray;
one or more wheels coupled to the cart;
an axle fixedly coupled to the tray;
a column fixedly coupled to the cart in a substantially vertical position and to support the axle;
a support arm coupled to the cart and configured to support the tray in a substantially horizontal position, a first end of the support arm movably coupled to the tray and a second end of the support arm rotatably coupled to the cart, the support arm configured to, during pivoting of the tray around the axle to move the tray from the substantially horizontal position to a second position, pivot around the second end while the first end moves along the tray toward the axle; and
an assembly coupled to the cart and configured to resist pivoting of the tray from the substantially horizontal position to the second position.
2 . A mobile system according to claim 1 , wherein the assembly comprises:
a mechanism configured to resist rotation of the axle during the pivoting of the tray from the substantially horizontal position to the second position.
3 . A mobile system according to claim 2 , wherein the mechanism transfers torque to the axle during the pivoting of the tray from the substantially horizontal position to the second position.
4 . A mobile system according to claim 2 , wherein the assembly is configured to allow pivoting from the second position to the substantially horizontal position, and
wherein the mechanism does not substantially resist rotation of the axle during the pivoting of the tray from the second position to the substantially horizontal position.
5 . A mobile system according to claim 1 , the cart comprising a locking mechanism configured to releasably couple the support arm to the tray when the tray is in the substantially horizontal position.
6 . A mobile system according to claim 1 , wherein the tray comprises a base and two opposing side walls, and wherein at least one of the opposing side walls is movable with respect to the base.
7 . A mobile system for a robotic drive, the mobile system comprising:
a tray configured to support the robotic drive;
an axle fixedly coupled to the tray;
a cart comprising:
a column fixedly coupled to the cant in a substantially vertical position and to support the axle;
a support arm configured to support the tray in a substantially horizontal position, a first end of the support arm movably coupled to the tray and a second end of the support arm rotatably coupled to the cart, the support arm configured to, during pivoting of the tray around the axle to move the tray from the substantially horizontal position to a second position, pivot around the second end while the first end moves along the tray toward the axle; and
one or more wheels coupled to the cart.
8 . A mobile system according to claim 7 , the cart comprising a locking mechanism configured to releasably couple the support arm to the tray when the tray is in the substantially horizontal position.
9 . A mobile system according to claim 7 , the cart comprising:
a mechanism to resist rotation of the axle during the pivoting of the tray from the substantially horizontal position to the second position.
10 . A mobile system according to claim 9 , wherein the mechanism transfers torque to the axle during the pivoting of the tray from the substantially horizontal position to the second position and does not substantially resist rotation of the axle during the pivoting of the tray from the second position to the substantially horizontal position.
11 . A mobile system according to claim 7 , wherein the tray comprises a base and two opposing side walls, and wherein at least one of the opposing side walls is movable with respect to the base.
12 . A method for operating a mobile system for a robotic drive, the method comprising:
placing the robotic drive into a tray of the mobile system, the tray configured to support the robotic drive;
unlocking a locking mechanism fixedly coupling a support arm to the tray while the support arm and a column fixedly coupled to the mobile system support the tray in a substantially horizontal position, where a first end of the support arm is movably coupled to the tray and a second end of the support arm is rotatably coupled to the mobile system; and
pivoting the tray around an axle fixedly coupled to the tray and supported by the column to move the tray from the substantially horizontal position to a second position which is less horizontal than the substantially horizontal position,
wherein, during pivoting of the tray to move the tray from the substantially horizontal position to the second position, the support arm pivots around the second end and the first end moves along the tray toward the axle.
13 . A method according to claim 12 , wherein pivoting the tray comprises biasing a handle coupled to the tray in a substantially vertical direction.