Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to a vehicle recovery cart and, more particularly, for a vehicle recovery cart that can be deployed remotely for vehicle roadside safety.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Various vehicle recovery cart arrangements exist including US 2011/0254248 A1 (ELKAYAM) 20 October 2011 [hereinafter referred to as D1] which discloses a collapsible trailer which is sufficiently compactable to fit within a vehicle boot.

[0003] JP 2018203468 A (PANASONIC IP MAN CORP) 27 December 2018 [hereinafter referred to as D2] discloses a flat robot for loading vehicles into a ship which expands outwardly to wedge itself under vehicle wheels.

[0004] FR 2355691 A1 (WIDMER WALTER) 20 January 1978 [hereinafter referred to as D3] discloses a compact form vehicle transportation apparatus suitable for moving vehicles in garages and the like owing to its small overall height.

[0005] CH 626839 A5 (WIDMER WALTER) 15 December 1981 [hereinafter referred to as D4] discloses a cart having U-shaped frame which has lifting cables attached to wheel clamping devices to lift a vehicle.

[0006] DE 4139791 A1 (MOJE BERND) 16 July 1992 [hereinafter referred to as D5] width adjustable U-shaped frame having a set of eight support bolts which can be positioned in holes in the side members at spacings appropriate to the wheel base of the vehicle to be carried.

[0007] CN 110539687 A (XU YONG) 06 December 2019 [hereinafter referred to as D6] shows a small-form automatic caterpillar cart for wrecking.

[0008] Flatbed tow truck vehicles are used to recover stranded vehicles on public roads, highways and the like. Vehicle recovery is dangerous however in that the tow truck operator is at risk of being struck by a passing vehicle whilst loading a vehicle. [0009] The present invention seeks to provide a way, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[0010] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0011 ] There is provided herein a vehicle recovery cart which may be transported atop a conventional flatbed truck that which may be remotely deployed whilst the operator thereof remains safely within the tow truck cabin.

[0012] The vehicle recovery cart comprises a control system and a chassis having horizontal and parallel side arms orthogonally adjoining a sideways expanding coupling at one end of the arms thereby defining a distal vehicle entrance between the arms at an opposite end of the arms.

[0013] The sideways expanding coupling is controlled by the control system to expand or contract the sideways expanding coupling to adjust the width between the arms. [0014] The chassis is supported atop wheels, the control system controlling drive motors and steering actuators of the wheels to manoeuvre the position of the chassis in use.

[0015] Each side arm comprises a distal arm portion and a proximal arm portion and a longitudinal expanding coupling therebetween.

[0016] Each arm portion comprises a respective wheel engagement operative from an inner side thereof.

[0017] Each wheel engagement is coupled to a respective arm portion so as to be vertically moveably with respect to the respective arm portion to engage under a wheel of a vehicle in use.

[0018] Each longitudinal expanding coupling is controlled by the control system to move the distal arm portion longitudinally with respect to the proximal arm portion to adjust the offset between each wheel engagement. [0019] The lower engagement may comprise opposing tines which engage an opposite sides of a wheel front and back. Each time may be wedge-shaped may be positioned at ground level and may pivot inwardly so as to tightly engage under each wheel when on the ground.

[0020] As such, the present cart is specifically configured for remote roadside deployment for engagement and retrieval of broken-down vehicles in a manner different to the aforedescribed prior art arrangements D1 - D6 none of which are configured to be particularly suitable for the present application. Specifically, the longitudinal expanding coupling may be controlled by the control system to move each distal arm portion longitudinally with respect to the respective proximal arm portion to adjust the offset between respective wheel engagements of each side arm to securely hold different types of vehicles. This particular arrangement different from D3 which alternatively discloses choice of hooking lugs 16 to be used depending on the length of the motor vehicle to be transported or D5 which rather teaches a set of eight support bolts 6 which can be positioned in holes in the side members at spacings appropriate to the wheel base of the vehicle to be carried, neither of which are suitable for autonomous roadside deployment.

[0021 ] The cart may comprise sensors to deploy a projecting member of the upper engagement into the wheel arch at the appropriate position. Lockout pins may lockout the lower engagements in case of actuator failure once engaged.

[0022] The cart may be entirely remotely controlled from the control unit which may remotely control the drive, steering and the actuators of the cart. In additional or alternative embodiments, the controller may, in conjunction with various contact and contactless sensors, autonomously or at least semi autonomously control the drive, steering and actuators of the cart to position and size the cart to engage a vehicle. [0023] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0025] Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a vehicle recovery cart in accordance with an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 shows a front elevation view of the vehicle recovery cart;

[0027] Figure 3 shows a rear elevation view of the vehicle recovery cart;

[0028] Figure 4 shows a side elevation view of the vehicle recovery cart;

[0029] Figures 5 - 7 illustrates the engagement of a vehicle by the vehicle recovery cart in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 8 illustrates a control system of the vehicle recovery cart in accordance with an embodiment.

Description of Embodiments

[0031 ] A vehicle recovery cart 100 comprises a control system 106 and a chassis 101 comprising two horizontal and parallel side engaging arms 102 orthogonally adjoining a sideways expanding coupling 135 at one end thereby defining a vehicle entrance for receiving a vehicle for recovery at an opposite end of the arms.

[0032] The sideways expanding coupling 135 may comprises a sideways expanding actuator controlled by the control system 106 to expand or contract the sideways expanding coupling 135 to adjust the width between the arms 102.

[0033] Each side on 102 comprises a distal arm portion 105, a proximal arm portion 104 and a longitudinal expanding coupling 136 therebetween.

[0034] Each arm portion 104, 105 comprises a respective engagement 103 operative from inner sides thereof.

[0035] Each wheel engagement 103 is coupled to a respective arm portion 104, 105 so as to be vertically movable with respect to the respective arm portion 104, 105 to engage under a wheel of a vehicle in use to lift a vehicle onto the cart 100.

[0036] The relative position between each wheel engagement 103 of each side arm 102 is adjustable. Each longitudinal expanding coupling 136 may comprise a longitudinal expanding actuator controlled by the control system 106 to move the distal arm portion 105 longitudinally with respect to the proximal arm portion 104 to adjust the longitudinal offset between the wheel engagements 103 of each arm 102. [0037] Specifically, in the embodiment shown, each side arm 102 comprises a proximal arm portion 104 having a proximal wheel engagement 103 thereon and a distal arm portion 105 longitudinally movable with respect to the proximal arm portion by the longitudinal expanding coupling 136 and having a distal wheel engagement 103 thereon so that the controller 106 can control the longitudinal offset between the wheel engagements 103 of each arm 102.

[0038] The cart 100 comprises wheels 107, preferably four wheels each at a corner of the chassis 101 and the controller 106 controlling respective drive motors 108 and steering actuators 109 therefor.

[0039] Each wheel 107 may comprise a respective drive motor 109 so as to be independently driveable. Furthermore, each wheel 107 may comprise a respective steering actuator 109. The steering actuator 109 may comprise a 360° swivel thereby conferring omnidirectional manoeuvrability.

[0040] The sideways expanding coupling 135 may comprise lateral portions 1 16 that slidably travel with respect to a central portion 1 17.

[0041 ] The sideways expanding coupling 135 may comprise a sideways expanding actuator such as a hydraulic ram, screw rod, rack and pinion gear or the like controlled by the control system 106 to adjust the width between the arms 102. In alternative embodiments, the omnidirectional wheels 107 may be driven sideways by the control system 106 to pull the lateral portions 1 16 apart or to close the lateral portions 1 16 together.

[0042] Similarly, each longitudinal expanding coupling may comprise a longitudinal expanding actuator (such as a hydraulic ram, screw rod, rack and pinion gear or the like) controlled by the control system 106 to move the respective distal arm portion 105 longitudinally with respect to the proximal arm portion 104 to adjust the offset between each wheel engagement 103 thereof.

[0043] In alternative embodiments, the omnidirectional wheels 107 may be driven longitudinally by the control system 106 to pull the distal arm portion 105 away from the proximal arm portion 104. [0044] The cart 100 may comprise an internal power supply, such as a battery supply which may be assisted by an internal combustion engine electric generator. The power supply may control various actuators 128 including hydraulic rams. The power supply and control system 106 may be housed within a housing of the lateral portions 1 16.

[0045] Each wheel engagement 103 comprises a lower engagement 110 configured to engage under a vehicle wheel in use and which can rise with respect to the respective side arm 102 to hoist the vehicle wheel from the ground.

[0046] The lower engagement 110 may comprise opposing tines 111 which engage under opposite sides of a vehicle wheel front and back in use.

[0047] The tines 1 11 may move inwardly from each respective arm portion 104, 105 from the disengaged position to an engaged position. In embodiment shown, each time 100 and pivot inwardly from the disengaged position to the engaged position to engage under opposite sides the vehicle wheel. As is further shown, each time 11 1 may be wedge-shaped to fit tightly under each wheel.

[0048] Lockout pins may hold the tines 1 11 in the engaged position, in case of actuator power failure.

[0049] Each lower engagement 110 may be mechanically coupled to each respective side arm portion 104, 105 so that the lower engagement is mechanically restrained from moving sideways whilst being able to move vertically. In this regard, the lower engagement 1 10 may comprise a bogey 1 12 which travels between side rails 1 13. Actuators, such as hydraulic rams, acting on a cable running over side pulleys 1 14 may hoist the lower engagement 110.

[0050] Once hoisted, lockout pins may engage within the side rails 113 to hold the bogey 112 in place in case of actuator power failure.

[0051 ] Each wheel engagement 103 may further comprise an upper engagement 1 14 to engage the atop the vehicle wheel in opposition to the lower engagement 110. [0052] The upper engagement 1 14 may comprise a projecting member 1 15 which may moveably project into the wheel arch to engage atop the vehicle wheel. The projecting member 115 may be platelike, either being planar or having a slight curvature in conformance with the wheel.

[0053] The upper engagement 114 may comprise sensors to sense a vertical position of the wheel arch at which location the projecting member 115 can move inwardly. [0054] The upper engagement 114 may be fixed in position atop the side rails 103 wherein the lower engagements 110 bear the vehicle wheel up thereagainst. In alternative embodiments, the lower engagements 110 may raise the wheels a set distance whereafter the upper engagements 112 travel down the side rails 113 to press atop the wheel in opposition thereto.

[0055] The control system 106 may comprise a processor 118 for processing digital data. In operable communication with the processor across a system bus 119 is a memory device 120. The memory device 120 is configured for storing computer program code instructions and associated data which, in use, are fetched, decoded and executed by the processor 1 18 for implementing the functionality described herein.

[0056] The computer program code instructions may be logically divided into various controllers including a drive controller 131 for controlling the drive motors 118 and steering actuators 109 of the cart 100.

[0057] The controllers may further comprise a position sensing controller 121 which may sense the position and sizing of the cart 100 with respect to position and sizing of a vehicle. The position sensing controller may act in unison with sensors, including contactless sensors 122 such as LIDAR sensor is in contact sensors 123.

[0058] The control system 106 may comprise a remote control controller 124 which may be in operable communication with the remote control unit 125 via a wireless interface 126.

[0059] The control unit 125 may allow the remote control of the drive motors 108 and steering actuators 109 of the cart 100 to position the cart 100 with respect to a vehicle. [0060] The control system 106 may further comprise an actuator controller 127 for controlling a plurality of actuators 128 to adjust the size the cart 1 10 (i.e., the extent of the sideways expanding coupling or the longitudinal expanding couplings 136) and to engage the wheel engagements 103. For example, the actuators 128 may control the extent of the sideways expanding coupling 135 and/or the extent of the longitudinally expanding couplings 136 of the distal side arm portions 105. The actuators 128 may further comprise the engagement and hoisting of the wheel engagements 103.

[0061 ] The controllers may further comprise an image capture controller 129 which may interface with a plurality of cameras 130. In embodiments, the control unit 125 interface has a digital display for the display of image data captured by the cameras 130 and transmitted thereto via the wireless interface 126.

[0062] In embodiments, the memory device 120 may store dimension settings 132 of known vehicles type including vehicle width, distance between front and rear axles and wheel arch height. As such, for a known vehicle type, the actuator controller 127 may control the actuators 128 to position the wheel engagements 103 appropriately. In embodiments, once engaged to a vehicle, the position settings of the cart 100 may be saved to the dimension settings 132 for subsequent use.

[0063] In embodiments, the cart 100 may be entirely controlled from the control unit 125. For example, an operator within a tow truck cabin may operate the control unit 125 to deploy the cart 100 remotely and, by viewing image data obtained via the cameras 130 thereof 130, visually gauge the position and sizing of the cart 100 and make adjustments using the control unit 125 appropriately.

[0064] In alternative embodiments, the cart 100 may be semiautonomous or entirely autonomous wherein the controller uses the sensors 122 and/or 123 to make adjustments to the actuators 128 and control the drive 108 and steering 109 to engage a vehicle.

[0065] Figures 5 - 7 illustrate exemplary deployment of the cart 100. Typically, the cart 100 may be transported atop a flatbed of a tow truck which may park in front of a stranded vehicle. The tray of the tow truck may be lowered and the cart 100 driven therefrom onto the road surface. The tray may comprise rails which guide the wheels 107. In embodiments, the tray may comprise visual or wireless position beacons which are sensed by sensors of the cart 100 to accurately position the cart 100 with respect to the flatbed.

[0066] Figure 5 illustrates the cart 100 approaching a stranded vehicle 133. As alluded to above, the operator remaining within the tow truck cabin may use the control unit 125 to position the cart 100 appropriately.

[0067] Additionally, or alternatively, the cart 100 may use contactless sensors 122 to detect the relative position and, in embodiments, the sizing of the vehicle 133 such as by using LIDAR and/or echo acoustic range finding. The contactless sensors 122 may be arranged to be operative inward from inner sides of the side arms 102 so as to be able to gauge distances between the side arms and respective sides of a vehicle in use.

[0068] Figure 6 illustrates the cart 100 positioned appropriately and wherein the sideways expanding coupling 135 is expanded to position the side arms 102 wide enough to accommodate the vehicle 133 therebetween. Furthermore, the distal side arm portions 105 are expanded to position the wheel engagements 103 according to the spacing of the wheels 134 of the vehicle.

[0069] Figure 7 illustrates the cart 100 driven into position to surround the vehicle. If necessary, the sideways expanding coupling 135 may be adjusted to bring the sidearms in slightly.

[0070] The lower engagements 1 10 may be activated by extending the tines 11 1 to engage under each side of each wheel 134 of the vehicle front and back.

[0071 ] Actuators may then be activated to raise the lower engagements 110 and thereby raise the vehicle 133 from the ground.

[0072] The sensors of the upper engagements 1 14 may detect the relative position of the wheel arch to deploy the projecting members 1 15 inwardly.

[0073] The lower engagement 1 10 may press each wheel 134 up against each projecting member 115 thereby gripping each wheel 134 at three points of contact. Pressure sensors may detect if sufficient pressure is applied by the projecting members 1 15. [0074] Lockout pins may then be deployed to lock the lower engagement 110 and, in embodiments, the projecting members 115 in place. Furthermore, lockout pins may further lock the tines 111 , sidearms 102 and sideways expanding coupling 135. [0075] The drive 108 and the steering 109 may then be controlled to drive the cart 100 back up the lowered tray of the tow truck which is subsequently raised to thereby have retrieved the vehicle without the operator thereof leaving the cabin.

[0076] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

[0077] The term "approximately" or similar as used herein should be construed as being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise indicated.