CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 of International Application No. PCT/GB2017/052548, filed Sep. 1, 2017, which claims priority to GB Patent Application 1614857.9, filed Sep. 1, 2016, the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an apparatus for transporting a load, to a system for transporting a load and to a method of operating such a system.

DESCRIPTION

More particularly, this invention relates to an apparatus for transporting a load by pushing or pulling the load over a ground surface. Such apparatus typically include a ground engaging wheel or wheels which are driven by a motor to effect said movement. The apparatus is connectable to or engageable with the load so as to move it. In some prior art systems, heavy loads are moved with the aid of two or more such apparatus, with the apparatus being connected to the load or being connected to or forming part of a structure (e.g. a frame or the like) on which the load is supported. In such multiple-apparatus systems, it is necessary to have a coordinated action of the apparatus to move the load.

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide an apparatus for transporting a load, including:

a body including a part or portion for engaging with or connecting to a load to be transported;

a ground-engaging device supporting the body, the ground-engaging device for effecting movement of the body over a surface;

a transmitter module;

a receiver module; and

a controller for communicating with the transmitter and receiver modules and the ground engaging device and for receiving status signals from components and/or devices of the apparatus,

wherein the controller is capable of conducting a check as to the status of the components and/or devices of the apparatus, and after completing said check to provide an “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal to the transmitter module,

wherein the transmitter module is configured to transmit the “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal to a receiver module of one or more other apparatus and to its own receiver module.

According to a second aspect of the invention, we provide a system for transporting a load including a plurality of apparatus each in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

According to a first aspect of the invention, we provide a method of operating the system according to the first aspect of the invention, the method including the steps of:

for each apparatus, conducting a check as to the status of the components and/or devices of the apparatus, and after completing said check providing an “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal to its transmitter module,

for each apparatus, transmitting its “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signal to each of the other apparatus,

for each apparatus, receiving “apparatus operative” or “apparatus non-operative” signals from each of the other apparatus and in relation to its own status,

wherein, if one or more of the apparatus of said system are in an “apparatus non-operative” state, the controller of each apparatus either shuts down its respective apparatus or ceases to act on any movement instructions received from the central command module.

Further features of the various aspects of the invention are set out in the claims appended hereto.

