DEVICE FOR MOVING AN ARTICLE

Abstract

A device for moving an article between a first position and a second position, the device comprising: a support portion for supporting an article; one or more wheels; and at least one actuator mechanism coupled to the support portion and the one or more wheels. The at least one actuator mechanism is configured to move the support portion between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is offset from the second position such that the support portion is raised relative to the one or more wheels when moved from the first position to the second position to allow at least a portion of the one or more wheels to protrude beyond a plane defined by the support portion.

Claims

1. A device for moving an article between a first position and a second position, the device comprising: a support portion for supporting an article; one or more wheels; and at least one actuator mechanism coupled to the support portion and the one or more wheels, the at least one actuator mechanism being configured to move the support portion between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is offset from the second position such that the support portion is raised relative to the one or more wheels when moved from the first position to the second position to allow at least a portion of the one or more wheels to protrude beyond a plane defined by the support portion.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device further comprises one or more side members.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the at least one actuator mechanism is coupled to the support portion via one of the one or more side members.

4. A device according to claim 1 or claim 3 wherein the device comprises two actuator mechanisms.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein two actuator mechanisms are located on opposing sides of the device.

6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the at least one actuator mechanism is offset from the base of the article.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the one or more wheels are coupled to the support portion via at least one of the side members.

8. A device according to any of claims 2 to 7 wherein the side members are situated on opposing sides of the device and the article.

9. A device according to any of claims 2 to 8 wherein the one or more side members are offset from the base of the article.

10. A device according to any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the support portion comprises one or more apertures.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein each of the one or more apertures aligns with each of the one or more wheels.

12. A device according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein the support portion is substantially flat and preferably wherein the footprint of the support portion is greater than the footprint of the article.

13. A device according to any preceding claim wherein each side portion has a width and wherein the support portion has a width and wherein the ratio of the width of each side portion (14) is between approximately 0.15 and approximately ⅓ of the corresponding width of the support portion (12).

14. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the article has a width and wherein the width of the article is between approximately ⅓ and approximately 1 of the or a corresponding width of the support portion (12).

15. A device according to any preceding claim wherein each side portion has a depth which is greater than a corresponding depth of the kiosk and in particular wherein the depth of each side portion is approximately twice the corresponding depth of the kiosk.

16. A device according to any of claims 1 to 15 wherein the at least one actuator mechanism is coupled to at least one hinge bracket such that actuation of the at least one actuator causes the at least one hinge bracket to rotate.

17. A device according to claim 15 wherein the at least one hinge bracket has an axis of rotation and the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge bracket is configured such that rotation of the at least one hinge bracket causes the at least a portion of the one or more wheels to protrude beyond the plane defined by the support portion.

18. A device according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the at least one hinge bracket comprises a forward hinge bracket and a rear hinge bracket.

19. A device according to claim 18 wherein the forward hinge bracket and the rear hinge bracket are substantially parallel relative to the plane of the support portion.

20. A device according to any of claims 1 to 17 wherein the one or more wheels are positioned such that they are substantially equidistant from the combined center of gravity of the article and the device.

21. A device according to any of claims 1 to 20 wherein the distance between the first position and the second position is between 20 mm and 70 mm.

22. A device according to any of claims 1 to 19 wherein the at least one actuator mechanism is electrically powered.

23. A device according to claim 22 wherein the electrical power is provided by one or more of: a battery coupled to the device; the article; or an external AC or DC power supply.

24. A device according to any of claims 1 to 23 wherein the device comprises a battery and the battery provides electrical power to the article.

25. A device according to any of claims 1 to 24 wherein the at least one actuator mechanism is wired in parallel.

26. A device according to any of claims 1 to 25 wherein the device comprises four wheels.

27. A device according to claim 26, wherein the four wheels comprises two fixed wheels and two wheels configured to swivel.

28. A device according to any of claims 1 to 27, further comprising an electric motor configured to drive rotation of the one or more wheels.

29. A device according to any of claims 1 to 28 wherein the device is further configured to provide a wireless communication connection.

30. A device according to claim 29 wherein the wireless communication connection is provided between the article and an external network and/or device.

31. A device according to any of claims 1 to 30 wherein the device is configured to be retrofitted to the article.

32. A device according to any of claims 1 to 31 wherein the device is configured to be attached to the article when the device and article are moved from a first location to a second location and wherein the device is configured to be attached to the article when the at least one actuator mechanism moves the support portion between the first position and the second position.

33. A device according to any of claims 1 to 32 wherein the support portion is coupled to the article with screws.

34. A device according to any of claims 1 to 33 wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a linear screw actuator.

35. A device according to claim 1 wherein in the first position, the one or more wheels do not protrude beyond the plane defined by the support portion, such that the support portion is in contact with the ground.

36. A method of modifying an article comprising the steps of: coupling the device according to any of claims 1 to 35 to an article.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein the coupling the device to the article comprises the steps of: supporting the article on the support portion; and coupling the at least one actuator to the support portion and to the one or more wheels.

38. A method according to claim 36 or claim 37 wherein the article is a kiosk.

39. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the height of the article is not substantially increased by the device when the support portion is in the first position.

40. A method according to any preceding claim wherein one or more of braking, slowing, or locking is applied to the one or more wheels. 23

41. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the movement of the support portion between the first position and the second position is controlled by user input.

42. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the hinge bracket 24 is coupled to the support portion 12 and wherein each side member 14 is coupled to the hinge bracket 24 via a pivot and preferably wherein the axis of rotation of each wheel is offset from the axis of rotation of the pivot.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0049] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of an article fitted with a device embodying an aspect of the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 1b is a schematic diagram of an article fitted with a device embodying an aspect of the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram of an actuator mechanism embodying an aspect of the present invention in a first position;

[0052] FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram of the actuator mechanism of FIG. 2a in a second position; and

[0053] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a device embodying an aspect of the present invention being retrofitted to an article through steps a) to f).

[0054] Like features are denoted by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] An example device will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1a to 3.

[0056] FIG. 1a illustrates an example device coupled to an article. In this example, the article is an airport kiosk 10. The device comprises a support portion, which here is a base plate 12. The support portion supports the kiosk 10. As will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3, the kiosk 10 is secured to the base plate 12.

[0057] The device comprises side members 14. The side members 14 are situated on opposing sides of the device and of the article. In this example, the side members 14 are situated at the sides of the device, that is, at the sides adjacent to the front and rear of the device. However, it will be understood that the side members 14 could be positioned at the front and rear of the device and article. The device also comprises a rear housing 16.

[0058] FIG. 1b illustrates the kiosk 10 and the device of FIG. 1a, but illustrates a transparent view of the side member 14, and the rear housing 16. The device comprises two actuator mechanisms 18, which in this example are housed in the side members 14. The actuator mechanisms 18 are coupled to the base plate 12 and are housed in the side members 14. It will be appreciated that the device may comprise more or fewer actuator mechanisms. As will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b below, the actuator mechanisms 18 are coupled to one or more wheels. In this example, the device comprises four wheels, including two rear wheels 22 and two front wheels 30. Each of the two actuator mechanisms 18 are coupled to a rear wheel 22 and a front wheel 30.

[0059] Significantly, the side members 14, and therefore the actuator mechanisms 18 and the wheels 22, 30 are offset from the base or floor profile of the kiosk 10. In other words, the side members 14 are not under the kiosk 10. In this way, the side members 14, actuator mechanisms 18, and wheels 22, 30 do not increase the height of the kiosk 10 when in a first position or resting position, thus allowing the kiosk 10 to comply with any relevant safety or standard regulations. In this way, the kiosk 10 may be entirely lowered to the ground, without having to remove the device.

[0060] The device comprises a battery 20, which in this example is housed within the rear housing 16. The battery 20 provides power supply to the actuator mechanisms 18, to the wheels 22, 30, and to the kiosk 10.

[0061] The device also comprises a communication connection hub 21. In this example, the communication connection hub 21 is also housed in the rear housing 16. It will be appreciated that the communication connection hub 21 may be located at any other suitable location on the device. In this example, the communication connection hub 21 is configured to provide and establish one or more wireless communication connections with external networks or devices. For example, the communication connection hub 21 is configured to establish connection over a wireless local area network such as a Wi-Fi network, so may therefore establish a Wi-Fi connection with a wireless network at the airport at which the kiosk 10 is located.

[0062] FIG. 2a illustrates one of the two actuator mechanisms 18 of FIG. 1b. In FIG. 2a, the actuator 18 is illustrated in a first position or rest position. The actuator mechanism 18 is coupled to a rear wheel 22 and front wheel 30 via a substantially planar portion 25. In this example, the rear wheels 22 of the device are caster wheels that are fixed wheels. That is, they are not configured to swivel. The front wheels 30 are caster wheels which are configured to swivel.

[0063] The actuator mechanism 18 is also coupled to hinge brackets including rear hinge bracket 24 and front hinge bracket 28 via the substantially planar portion 25. Actuation of the actuator mechanism causes the hinge brackets 24, 28 to rotate. The hinge brackets 24 and 28 each have an axis of rotation. The axes of rotation are configured such that rotation of the hinge brackets 24, 28 causes at least a portion of the wheels 22, 30 to protrude beyond a plane defined by the base plate 12 when moving the base plate 12 between the first position and the second position.

[0064] With the actuator 18 in the first position, the base plate 12 rests on the floor. The wheels 22, 30 may be in contact with the floor, but do not protrude past the plane defined by the base plate 12, such that the wheels 22, 30 do not raise the device and article at all in the first position.

[0065] The rear hinge bracket 24 and the front hinge bracket 28 are substantially parallel relative to the plane define by the base plate 12. Therefore, when the hinge brackets 24, 28 rotate due to actuation of the actuator mechanism, the wheels remain substantially parallel when the base plate 12 is in the second position.

[0066] The actuator mechanism 18 is configured to move the base plate 12 relative to the wheels 22, 30 from a first position (illustrated in FIG. 2a) to a second position (illustrated in FIG. 2b). The second position is such that the base plate 12 is raised compared to the first position. The distance between the first position and the second position corresponds to how far the base plate 12 is raised relative to the wheels 22, 30 and in this example is 30 mm.

[0067] The actuator mechanism 18 is electrically powered. The power supply is provided by the battery 20. The actuator mechanisms 18 are wired in parallel. In this example, the actuator mechanisms 18 are controlled by user input into the kiosk 10. However, it will be appreciated that the actuator mechanisms 18 may be controlled by any suitable input.

[0068] The movement of the base plate 12 relative to the wheels 22 between the first position and the second position is facilitated by a linear screw actuator 27 which is in connection with the support portion 12 and the substantially planar portion 25. The linear screw actuator 27 comprises a nut able to rotate and move along a lead screw, thereby converting rotational motion into linear motion. FIG. 2a illustrates the linear screw actuator 27 in a retracted position. Actuation of the linear screw actuator 27 is provided by an electrical motor 26, which receives power from the battery 20.

[0069] FIG. 2b illustrates the actuator mechanism 18 in a second position. The actuator mechanism 18 has been actuated and has moved the base plate 12 to the second position from the first position. That is, electrical power has been provided by the battery 20 to the electric motor 26 which has actuated the linear screw actuator 27, thereby rotating the nut to move it along the lead screw, thus moving the linear screw actuator 27 to an extended position. The movement of the base plate 12 is such that the wheels 22, 30 protrude at least partially beyond the plane defined by the base plate 12, and in this example the wheels 22, 30 protrude at least partially through the base plate 12. The movement of the base plate is such from the first to second position, the wheels 22, 30 protrude perpendicular to the base plate 12, such that the relative motion of the wheels is not in a plane parallel to the movement of the base plate.

[0070] An example scenario in which an article is transported or relocated may include the following. There may be an increase in capacity requirement at a particular location in an airport. For example, throughput of travelers may be increased through a particular location, thus it is desirable to provide one or more extra kiosks 10 to said location. This may be during peak hours and therefore a daily variation in capacity, or for example a quarterly change in capacity. A user such as an airport staff member may be requested to relocate one or more kiosks 10. The distance between locations may be significant, such as one kilometer. It may be necessary that in both the starting and end location of the kiosk 10, the kiosk 10 complies with relevant safety standards and requirements of the airport. In this scenario, the device has already been fitted or coupled to the kiosk 10. The process of coupling or fitting the device to the kiosk 10 is described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0071] The user operates the actuator mechanisms 18 via user input on the kiosk 10. The user provides a user input to instruct the actuator mechanisms 18 to raise the base plate 12 from the first position to the second position, the movement being facilitated by the linear screw actuator 27 moving from a retracted position to an extended position. In this position, the kiosk 10 is raised onto the wheels 22, 30 of the device due to the actuator mechanisms 18 rotating the hinge brackets 24, 48. The user then provides another user input via the kiosk 10, to instruct the electrical motor to drive the wheels 22, 30. This provides the mobility of the kiosk 10. The user provides one or more user inputs to control or drive movement of the device and kiosk 10 to the desired location. At such a time that the user is satisfied with the relocation of the kiosk 10, the user may provide a further user input to control the actuator mechanisms 18 to lower the base plate 12 from the second position to the first position. In this way, the base plate 12 rests on the floor or surface on which the kiosk 10 is to be located, and the kiosk 10 is not raised by the wheels 22, 30.

[0072] Throughout the movement process including at the original location and the new location, the communication connection hub 21 maintains a wireless communication connection to the airport network, and the battery 20 maintains power supply to the kiosk 10 such that it does not need to be switched off or shut down. Having reached the destination, the kiosk 10 is connected to a mains power supply.

[0073] FIG. 3 illustrates the process of retrofitting the device to an existing kiosk 10 including steps a) to f). At step a) the kiosk 10 initially is supported by a base 32, and in this example the kiosk 10 is secured to the base 32 with screws. At step b), the base 32 is removed from the kiosk 10, leaving a gap 34 in order to retrofit the device to the kiosk 10.

[0074] At step c), the base plate 12 of the device is secured to the kiosk 10, and in this example is secured with screws. It will be appreciated, however, that the kiosk 10 may instead be secured to the floor, such as through the base plate 12. The base plate 12 comprises wheel apertures. The wheel apertures include rear wheel apertures 36 and front wheel apertures 38. The rear wheel apertures 36 are elongate slit apertures in order to accommodate the fixed caster wheels 22. The front wheel apertures 38 are circular in order to accommodate the swivel caster wheels 30. The apertures (and thus the wheels) are positioned such that they are substantially equidistant from the combined center of gravity of the kiosk 10 and the device.

[0075] At step d), the actuator mechanisms 18 are positioned such that the wheels 22, 30 align with their relevant apertures. The actuator mechanisms 18 are positioned on opposing sides of the device and kiosk 10. The substantially planar portions 25 of the actuator mechanisms provide the coupling of the wheels 22, 30 to the actuator mechanism and provide a compact arrangement for the device. At step e), the side members 14 are secured to the base plate 12. The side members 14 house the wheels 22, 30 and the actuator mechanisms 18.

[0076] At step f), the rear housing 16 is secured to the device. The rear housing 16 houses the battery 20 and the communication connection hub 21.

[0077] The device is thus retrofitted to an existing kiosk 10. The kiosk 10 can then be relocated or transported using the device in the manor described above.

[0078] It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the order of these steps may vary, and indeed some steps may not be required entirely. In some embodiments, the steps a), b), and e) may be implemented consecutively, or steps a), b), and f) may be implemented consecutively. Some kiosks will already have the device fitted and will not require the retrofitting steps. Some kiosks may only require steps d), e), and f) in any suitable order such as d), e), f), or d), f), e). The skilled person will appreciate which steps will be appropriate for a kiosk, and that the order of certain steps may be interchangeable.

[0079] Embodiments of the present invention have been described. It will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments within the scope of the present invention.