WO2022167989A1

WO2022167989A1 - Motorised device intended to be attached to a vehicle wheel to move same

Info

Publication number: WO2022167989A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/050983
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Marc Schorb
Original assignee: Schorb Innovation Systems
Priority date: 2021-02-08
Filing date: 2022-02-04
Publication date: 2022-08-11
Also published as: FR3119590A1; FR3119590B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for moving a temporarily stationary wheeled vehicle, which device comprises a support member (2), a mobile frame (3) which attaches to a wheel of the vehicle, drive means (4) capable of rotating the movable frame (3) and bearing means (5) mounted on the support member (2) so as to bear on the ground such that the motor means (4) rotate the movable frame (3) and, in turn, the wheel. According to the invention, the bearing means (5) comprise two torque arms (11) each provided with a first rolling means (12) and mounted to be movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and the device (1) further comprises second rolling means (13) capable of rolling on the ground at least when the torque arms (11) are in the raised position.

Description

Motorized device intended to be attached to a wheel of a vehicle in order to move it

The present invention relates to the movement of a wheeled vehicle which is not movable by its own means, such as for example a motor vehicle which is broken down or exposed, to carry out maneuvers, in particular storage, in a garage or in the exhibition hall for example, without the vehicle engine being activated. In particular, the present invention relates to a motorized device intended to be attached to a wheel of a vehicle which is not movable by its own means, in order to move the vehicle.

In the present application, the term "vehicle" means not only a motor vehicle, such as an automobile, but also a non-motorized vehicle, usually towed by a motor vehicle, such as a trailer or a caravan.

French patent FR 2 863 235 B1 describes such a device. This device comprises a frame, intended to be fixed to a wheel of the vehicle, a remotely controllable motor and its energy source, carried by the frame, and support means integral with the motor casing and intended to take resting on a fixed surface, such as the ground. In particular, the motor is arranged to be able to produce, possibly by means of a reduction gear, a rotational movement around an axis of rotation coaxial with the axis of the hub of the said wheel and the framework is made integral with the motor output shaft. Thus, when the motor is actuated remotely by the user, he rotates the support means around said axis of rotation until they come to rest against the ground, at which time the motor casing is prevented from rotating and it is the frame which is rotated, carrying with it the wheel of the vehicle and therefore moving the latter, the engine torque being transmitted to the ground via the support means.

The principle underlying the above device is satisfactory, in that it allows the user to easily control the movement of the vehicle while he is at the wheel of the latter to perform the maneuvers.

However, the device described in patent FR 2 863 235 B1 has drawbacks which make it inconvenient to use.

The support means consist of a bar secured in its middle part to the motor casing and provided at its free ends with rolling means, which leads to a device whose size remains significant.

In addition, the frame comprises a radially movable arm, to adapt to the dimensions of the tire, and means for locking the movable arm in position, which comprise a double-acting cylinder. Given the various elements of which it is composed, the device has a total weight which makes it difficult and painful to transport.

The present invention aims to provide a motorized device for moving a vehicle whose handling by the user is facilitated and which has a reduced size for easy storage.

The present invention thus relates to a motorized device for moving a wheeled vehicle, the device comprising:

a support,
a mobile frame intended, in use, to be fixed on one of the wheels of the vehicle and to rotate, relative to the support, around an axis of rotation which is coaxial with the axis of the hub of the wheel on which the mobile frame is fixed,
motor means mounted on the support and rotatably connected to the movable frame so as to be capable of producing a rotational movement of the movable frame around said axis of rotation,
remote control means of the motor means, and
support means mounted on the support and arranged to, when the drive means are actuated, rest on the ground in such a way that the drive means rotate the mobile frame and therefore the wheel, the means for support comprising first rolling means,

the device being characterized in that the support means comprise two so-called torque arms each provided with a first rolling means, each torque arm being mounted on the support so as to be movable between a lowered position in which the torque arm has been lowered in such a way that the corresponding first rolling means is able to bear on the ground when the motor means are actuated in a corresponding direction of rotation, and a raised position in which the torque arm has been raised so that the first rolling means is out of engagement with the ground, and in that the device further comprises second rolling means capable of rolling on the ground at least when the torque arms are in raised position.

When the torque arms are in the raised position, the device according to the present invention can be moved by the user very easily, without effort, by rolling it on the ground thanks to the second rolling means.

Preferably, the second rolling means are movable between a lowered position in which they are able to come to rest on the ground with the torque arms in the raised position, and a raised position in which they are out of engagement with the ground with the torque arms in the lowered position.

In this way, when the second rolling means are in the raised position, a space is cleared in the lower part of the device, which makes it possible to install it on wheels of smaller diameter.

Preferably, each torque arm has a first end, which is the upper end when the torque arm is in the raised position, at which the respective first rolling means is disposed and a second end, opposite the first end, which is provided with a respective one of the second rolling means such that said second rolling means passes from its lowered position to its raised position when the respective torque arm passes from its raised position to its lowered position, and vice versa. Thus, the user can switch the device very quickly and easily from a vehicle displacement mode (torque arm in the lowered position and second rolling means in the raised position) to a trolley mode (torque arm in the raised position and second rolling means in the lowered position), and vice versa, by the sole movement of the torque arms.

Preferably, each torque arm is pivotally mounted on the support, preferably with a pivot axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the movable frame.

Advantageously, each first rolling means is formed by an omnidirectional wheel, preferably an omnidirectional roller wheel.

The use of omnidirectional wheels reduces the risk of the device coming off the wheel if the vehicle turns. The use of omnidirectional roller castors is particularly advantageous in that it avoids any lateral force on the mobile frame in the event that the vehicle turns, thus further reducing the risk of stalling.

Preferably, each omnidirectional castor is connected to the respective torque arm by suspension means, which suspension means comprise for example:

a clevis which carries the omnidirectional wheel and is connected to the torque arm by a pivot connection with an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the mobile frame,
a resilient suspension member attached to the torque arm, and
an abutment integral with the yoke and located below the elastic suspension member and in contact with the latter.

The arrangement of such suspension means here again makes it possible to reduce the risk of the device detaching from the wheel, since the forces which result from the presence of obstacles on the ground are absorbed by the suspension means, by support of the abutment against the latter, instead of being transmitted to the mobile frame.

The device may further comprise means for locking each torque arm in each of its lowered and raised positions. The locking means may comprise, for each torque arm, on the one hand an indexing finger with a handle carried by the support, along a respective vertical edge of the latter, and, on the other hand, a plate plane which is integral with the respective torque arm so as to pivot with the latter and which has first and second holes each capable of receiving a free end of the indexing finger and positioned so as to come opposite said indexing finger when the torque arm is respectively in the raised position and in the lowered position.

According to a particular embodiment, the mobile frame comprises radial arms whose longitudinal axes intersect at a point located on the axis of rotation of the mobile frame, each radial arm being provided, at its free end, with a vehicle wheel tire engagement means for securing the movable frame to the vehicle wheel.

Preferably, each engagement means comprises a pad provided with claws articulated to the respective radial arm around a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the respective radial arm and the axis of rotation of the movable frame, an elastic biasing means, such as a silent block, being interposed between the pad and the radial arm so as to elastically oppose a pivoting of the pad towards the radial arm.

Thus, in practice, when the engagement means are tightened on the tire during the installation of the device on the wheel, the pads are made to pivot towards the radial arms, constraining the elastic biasing means. In the event that the tire is crushed in the area where a pad is located, for example due to an obstacle such as a sidewalk edge or a curb cut, the elastic biasing means will keep the pad pressed against the tire, thus taking up the space that would otherwise be created between the shoe and the tire because the radial arms, in use, have a fixed length.

The provision of first omnidirectional rolling means, of suspension means for the first rolling means, and of pivoting pads elastically biased away from the tire, makes it possible to maintain the claws engaged in the tire, and therefore to prevent the device from unhooks and can no longer move the vehicle, which was a problem encountered with the device according to patent FR 2 863 235 B1.

The movable frame may further comprise a rotary plate and each radial arm is connected in a radially movable manner to the rotary plate, the device further comprising means for radial adjustment of the radial arms, which adjustment means comprise:

a rotation input device, for example a manual steering wheel operable by the user,
a transmission shaft, one end of which is integral with the rotation input member, the transmission shaft being coaxial with the axis of rotation of the movable frame and mounted for rotation relative to the support using rotational mounting means, and
means for transforming the rotational movement of the transmission shaft into a translational movement of each radial arm in such a way that a rotation of the rotation input member results in an identical and simultaneous translation of the radial arms.

The user can therefore quickly and easily adjust the radial position of the pads to allow the mounting of the device on the wheel.

In addition, the device can be adapted to wheels of different sizes while keeping the axis of rotation of the mobile frame coaxial with the axis of the hub of the wheel, which is not the case with the device according to patent FR 2 863 235 B1.

Said transformation means may for example comprise at least one spiral groove which is provided in the rotary plate and, for each radial arm, a finger which is integral with the respective radial arm and which extends in the or one of the spiral grooves , each radial arm being moreover guided in translation in the radial direction

Preferably, each radial arm comprises a fixed part fixed to the rotary plate and relative to which is slidably mounted a movable part provided, at its free end, with one of said engagement means, and said transformation means comprise:

a first bevel gear fixed to the other end of the transmission shaft, and
for each radial arm, a second bevel gear which meshes with the first bevel gear and which is integral with the worm screw of a nut and worm screw system, the nut of which is integral with the mobile part of the radial arm, the endless screw extending along the mobile part.

Preferably, the motor means comprises:

two motors, carried by the support and each having an output shaft whose longitudinal axis is parallel to the axis of rotation of the movable frame, the two motors being arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis of rotation of the mobile frame,
two crowns coaxial with the axis of rotation of the movable frame, of the same diameter and arranged one behind the other, the crowns being made integral with the movable frame and carried in rotation by the support, and
for each motor, means for transmitting the rotational movement of the output shaft to a respective ring gear, which transmission means preferably comprise a pinion mounted on the output shaft and a chain wound on the pinion and the respective crown, which is toothed.

Preferably, the crowns and the rotary plate each have a central opening dimensioned to allow the passage therethrough of the transmission shaft and its rotary mounting means.

Preferably, the means for remote control of the motor means are in the form of a box comprising two pedals operable by the user, one serving to control the motor means for moving the vehicle forward and the another serving to control the drive means for movement of the vehicle in reverse, the housing integrating means of communication with the drive means to transmit to the latter the control of the pedals.

Thus, in the case where the vehicle is an automobile for example, the user can sit in the driver's seat and control the vehicle in forward or reverse gear with his feet and have his hands free to steer the vehicle to the using the steering wheel.

Two particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described below with reference to the appended drawings.

In these drawings:

is a rear side perspective view of the device according to a first particular embodiment of the present invention, in vehicle travel mode.

is a front side perspective view of the device of the , in vehicle moving mode.

is a view analogous to , in cart mode.

is a perspective view of the support, front side, after removal of the cover.

is a perspective view of the support, rear side, after removal of the chain guard.

( ] is a detail view of a first rolling means.

is a vertical sectional view of the device.

is a rear side perspective view, after removal of the chain casing, of the fixed tube for one of the radial arms and of the fixed tube and of the movable tube for another radial arm.

is a top view of the device, after removal of the chain guard.

is a perspective view of the drive means control means.

is analogous to of a device according to a second particular embodiment of the present invention, in displacement mode.

is a perspective view analogous to the , of the device according to the second embodiment.

If one first refers to Figures 1 to 5, it can be seen that the vehicle moving device 1 according to a first particular embodiment of the present invention comprises a support 2, a movable frame 3, means motors 4 and support means 5.

The support 2 comprises a support plate 6, a front cover 7 and a chain case 8. The support plate 6 is in the form of a flat plate having a front face 6a and a rear face 6b. The front cover 7 and the chain case 8 are fixed to the support plate 6, respectively on the front side 6a and on the rear side 6b.

The mobile frame 3 comprises a rotary plate 9 to which three radial arms 10 are made integral in rotation so as to rotate together with the rotary plate 9, the radial arms 10 serving to fix the mobile frame 3 to the tire of a wheel of the vehicle to be moved.

As will be described in more detail below, the motor means 4, remotely controllable by the user, are carried by the support plate 6 and arranged to be able to produce a rotational movement of the mobile frame 3 around an axis of rotation which, in use, is coaxial with the axis of the hub of said wheel.

As indicated above, the principle used in the present invention for moving a momentarily stationary vehicle is identical to that described in French patent FR 2 863 235 B1: the mobile frame 3 is fixed to the tire of a wheel of the vehicle thanks to the radial arms 10, then the motor means 4 are actuated by the user to produce said rotational movement, the support means 5 then coming to rest on the ground and thereby preventing the support 2 and the motor means 4 to rotate, so that the rotational movement is imparted to the movable frame 3, and therefore to the wheel, thereby moving the vehicle.

A first aspect of the present invention will now be described, which relates to the support means 5.

The support means 5 comprise two torque arms 11 each carrying a first rolling means 12 and connected to the support 2 so as to be movable between a lowered position, in which the torque arms 11 have been lowered so that one first rolling means 12 can come to rest on the ground after actuation of the motor means 4 (Figures 1 and 2), and a raised position, in which the torque arms 11 have been raised (Figures 3 and 4). The device 1 also comprises two second rolling means 13 also movable between a lowered position in which they rest on the ground (FIGS. 3 and 4), and a raised position in which they are out of engagement with the ground ( ).

When the torque arms 11 are in the lowered position and the second rolling means 13 are in the raised position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the device 1 is in vehicle travel mode and the user can then, by adjusting the radial arms 10 as will be discussed below, fix the mobile frame 3, and therefore the device 1, on the tire of a vehicle wheel, then move the vehicle using the device 1.

When the torque arms 11 are in the raised position and the second rolling means 13 are in the lowered position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the device 1 is in trolley mode and the user can move the device 1 in a very easy, without effort, by rolling it on the ground thanks to the second rolling means 13.

It is emphasized here that, to facilitate handling of the device 1, the latter is provided, on the one hand, with a handle 14 at the end of a telescopic tube 15 for height adjustment, handle 14 that the user grasps to move the device 1 in trolley mode like a suitcase, and, on the other hand, two handles 16 fixed to the support plate 6, front face side 6a, each on one side of the cover 7, that the user grasps with both hands for the establishment of the mobile frame 3 on the tire of the vehicle wheel.

When the user wishes to store the device 1, he simply has to lower the telescopic tube 15 into the position it occupies in vehicle travel mode, the device 1 then being in storage mode, in which it has a reduced size. .

In the particular embodiment shown in the drawings, each torque arm 11 is provided at a first end 11a, which is the upper end in the raised position, with one of the first rolling means 12 and, at a second end 11b, opposite the first end, of one of the second rolling means 13, and the torque arms 11 and the first and second rolling means 12, 13 are arranged such that the lowering movement of a torque arm 11 to its lowered position, respectively the raising movement to its raised position, brings the corresponding second rolling means 13 into its raised, respectively lowered position. Thus, the user can switch the device 1 very quickly and easily from vehicle travel mode to trolley mode, and vice versa, by the sole movement of the torque arms 11.

More specifically, in the embodiment shown, as can best be seen in the , each torque arm 11 is pivotally connected to the support plate 6 via a hub 17 carried at the second end 11b of the torque arm 11 and mounted for free rotation on a pivot 18 fixed to the support plate 6 , in the lower part thereof, and extending side rear face 6b. The axis of the pivot 18 is perpendicular to the support plate 6. In the raised position, each torque arm 11 extends globally vertically, against a side of the chain case 8.

Each of the first and second rolling means 12, 13 is formed by a

roller

12a, 13a.

As can best be seen on the , the wheels 12a are omnidirectional wheels of the roller type, namely wheels whose hub 12b rotates around an axis of rotation and whose periphery is provided with rollers 12c, preferably arranged in two rows, each having an axis of rotation which is tangent to the wheel. In this way, no lateral force, liable to unhook the movable frame, is created on the latter in the case where the vehicle turns.

Each roller 12a is connected to arm 11 by suspension means 19 which comprise a yoke 20, an elastic suspension member 21 and a stop 22. Hub 12b is rotatably connected to one end of yoke 20, the other end is pivotally connected to the arm 11 by a pivot connection 23 whose axis of rotation is horizontal and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the arm 11. The elastic suspension member 21 is integral with the arm 11 and is here formed by a silent block fixed against the inner surface, upper in the lowered position, of the arm 11, by a screw 21a being screwed into a threaded hole provided for this purpose in the upper surface of the silent block. The stop 22 is integral with the yoke 20 and located below and in contact with the member 21, in particular by a screw 21b integral with the silent block and extends downwards from the latter, passing through a threaded hole provided for this purpose in the abutment 22. Thus, when a vertical force upwards is applied by the ground on the wheel 12a, for example when the latter comes into contact with the ground or rolls on uneven ground or an obstacle, this vertical force is at least partially absorbed by the elastic suspension member 21, which deforms, instead of being transmitted entirely to the mobile framework 3 and risking the mobile framework 3 to come unhooked.

The rollers 13a are here simple, non-omnidirectional rollers, and the axis of rotation of each second rolling means 13 is perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the respective torque arm 11 and the axis of rotation of the hub 12b of the first rolling means 12 respectively. In this respect, the wheel 13a of each second rolling means 13 is carried by a yoke 13b extending, in the raised position of the torque arms 11, generally in a direction orthogonal to the front face 6a of the support plate 6 and inclined upwards, so that in the raised position of an arm 11, the face of the end 11b of the arm 11 is at the same height as the lowest point of the second rolling means 13. In this way, in the raised position of the torque arms 11, the device 1 can stand vertically, resting on the ends 11b of the arms 11 and the second rolling means 13.

The device 1 comprises, for each torque arm 11, means for locking the latter in one or the other of the lowered and raised positions. In the present embodiment, each blocking means comprises an indexing pin 24 with a T-handle, well known in the state of the art, which is carried by the support plate 6 with the T-handle on the front face side 6a , on one side of the cover 7. The indexing pin 24 is adapted to extend on the rear face side 6b by passing through a hole provided for this purpose in the support plate 6. Each locking means further comprises a flat plate 25 ( ) parallel to the support plate 6 and secured to the torque arm 11 so as to be located opposite the rear face 6b of the support plate 6. Each flat plate 25 has a first hole 25a and a second hole 25b which are positioned so that, in the raised position, the first hole 25a is opposite the indexing finger 24 and the end of the latter is placed there automatically to block the torque arm 11 in the raised position, and that, in the lowered position, it is the second hole 25b which is opposite the indexing finger 24 and in which the end of the latter is placed automatically, blocking the torque arm 11 in the lowered position. The user can release this blockage by simply pulling the T-handle.

A second aspect of the present invention will now be described, which relates to the mobile frame 3, and in particular to the adjustment of the radial arms 10 and to the rotational drive of the mobile frame 3.

In the first embodiment, the mobile frame 3 advantageously comprises three radial arms 10, preferably separated from each other by an angle of 120°.

Each radial arm 10 is provided at its free end with a pad 26 provided with claws 27 to engage in the tire of the vehicle wheel, on the same principle as that of patent FR 2 863 235 B1.

In the present embodiment, the adjustment of the radial arms 10 is carried out manually by the user using a wheel 28 accessible on the outside of the cover 7. As can be seen in the , the flywheel 28 is integral with one end of a transmission shaft 29 which is carried by the cover 7 and the chain casing 8 in rotation, by a clamping hub 30 integral with the frame 3, around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the support plate 6 and which is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the frame 3. The transmission shaft 29 passes through a central hole 6c provided for this purpose in the support plate 6. The other end of the transmission shaft 29 protrudes from the chain case 8 and carries a first bevel gear 31, which is a bevel gear.

If we also refer to the , it can be seen that each radial arm 10 comprises a fixed tube 32, or fixed part, inside which is slidably mounted a movable tube 33, or movable part, projecting from the fixed tube 32 and carrying at its free end a pad 26. Each movable tube 33 is movable by a nut 34a and endless screw 34b system. The endless screw 34b extends inside the mobile tube 33 and, in a conventional manner, the nut 34a serves to transform the rotational movement of the endless screw 34b into a translational movement of the mobile tube 33 along of the fixed tube 32. One end of each endless screw 34b carries a second bevel gear 35, here also a bevel gear, which meshes with the first bevel gear 31.

Thus, a rotation of the steering wheel 28 in a first direction results in a simultaneous and identical rotation of each of the three endless screws 34b and therefore by a simultaneous and identical translation of the three mobile tubes 33 in a first direction. A rotation of the steering wheel 28 in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, results in an identical and simultaneous translation of the three movable tubes 33 in a second direction. Here, the expression "identical translation" means that the movable tubes 33 all move at the same speed and the same distance of movement.

It will therefore be easily understood that the user can quickly and easily adjust the radial position of the pads 26 to allow the mounting of the mobile frame 3 on the tire of the vehicle wheel.

In addition, the simultaneous adjustment of the radial arms 10 makes it possible to cause the pads 26 to clamp the tire at the same time, so that the device 1 according to the present invention can be easily adapted to wheels of different sizes. It is also emphasized that the means allowing such simultaneous adjustment are of very simple structure.

Consequently, the device 1 according to the present invention is both more reliable in operation and usable with a greater number of wheels, compared to the device according to patent FR 2 863 235 B1.

Always with reference to the , each shoe 26 is in the form of a generally L-shaped part, a first branch 26a of which is parallel to the arm 10 and the second branch 26b of which carries the claws 27. The first branch 26a is connected to the arm 10 by a pivot connection 36 with an axis orthogonal both to the longitudinal axis of the arm 10 and to the axis of rotation of the frame 3. Thus, the shoe 26 can pivot towards and away from the arm 10. A biasing means elastic 37, such as for example a silent block, is interposed between the first branch 26a and the arm 10 and urges the pad 26 to pivot so as to move the second branch 26b away from the arm 10, this pivoting being stopped by abutment of the lower end of the first branch 26a against the arm 10, as shown in the . In this position, the second branch 26b is inclined towards the center of the frame 3.

Thus, during the installation of the frame 3 on a tire, the radial arms 10 are moved towards the axis of rotation of the frame 3 so that the pads 26 come to rest on the tire, and during the clamping of the pads 26 on the tire the latter causes the pads 26 to pivot towards the arms 10 counter to the elastic biasing means 37. If the tire is crushed in a zone of the latter, in particular in the case where the tire rolls over an obstacle, such as crosses a sidewalk edge or curb, the diameter of the tire in said area decreases, which could normally lead to a disengagement of the claws 27 if the latter were radially fixed. However, in such a case, the elastic biasing means 37 pivots the pad 26 away from the arm 10 and therefore keeps the second branch 26b pressed against the tire, and consequently the claws 27 engaged in the tire. We could of course consider means of elastic stress other than a silent block, such as a spring.

In the present embodiment, the claws 27 are in the form of rigid points arranged on the second branch 26b of the shoe 26, around a block 27a of easily deformable material, such as for example foam, the height of which is slightly higher than the height of the tips. This block 27a simply serves to avoid any risk of a user pricking their hand with the claws 27 when setting up the device 1, since the hand will first come into contact with the block 27a. During the engagement of the claws 27 in the tire of the wheel, the tire pushes the block 27a, and the material of the latter will therefore be chosen so that no force, or a negligible force, is exerted on the tire by the block 27a thus depressed.

If we now refer to Figures 5, 8 and 10, it can be seen that the motor means 4 comprise two motors 38 (only one of which is shown in the ), two crowns 39 and means for transmitting the rotational movement produced by each motor 38 to a respective crown 39.

Each motor 38, received in the cover 7, is fixed on the front face 6a of the support plate 6 and has an output shaft 38a which extends through a hole 6d provided for this purpose in the support plate 6, to rear side projection 6b. The output shaft 38a is capable of rotating around its longitudinal axis, which is perpendicular to the support plate 6, in other words parallel to the axis of rotation desired for the mobile frame 3.

For each motor 38 and respective ring gear 39, the transmission means may comprise, as illustrated in the Figures, a chain transmission comprising a pinion 40 mounted on the output shaft 38a and a chain (not shown) wound on the pinion 40 and on the respective crown 39, which is toothed for this purpose.

The two crowns 39, coaxial with the axis of rotation of the movable frame 3, are of the same diameter and are arranged one behind the other in the direction perpendicular to the support plate 6. The crown 39 closest to the support plate 6 is rotated by the latter via a bearing 41, the outer ring 41a of which is secured to the face of the crown 39 on the support plate 6 side and the inner ring 41b of which is secured to the rear face 6b of the support plate 6. The crowns 39 are secured to the rotary plate 9 by several screws 42 each screwed into a threaded hole in the crown 39 on the rotary plate 9 side and in a threaded hole in the crown 39 on the support plate side 6, with the interposition of spacers 43. The bearing 41 and the crowns 39 all have a central opening dimensioned to allow the passage of the transmission shaft 29 and the clamping hub 30. The crowns 39 being offset from one e on the other in the direction of the axis of rotation of the movable frame 3, the pinions 40 are correspondingly so, as can be seen better in the .

The motors 38 are identical and their controls are synchronized, so that when the user actuates the motor means 4, the control is the same for each motor 38, and consequently the driving of a crown 39 is identical to that of the other crown 39. The arrangement of two motors 38 makes it possible to produce a greater torque, sufficient to move heavier vehicles and/or to move a vehicle more quickly.

Such a configuration of the means below makes it possible to obtain a device 1 which is not only more powerful, but is also particularly compact and therefore easier to handle and store.

If we now refer to the , it can be seen that the device 1 also comprises means 44 for remote control of the motor means 4, and that these control means 44 can be in the form of a box 45 provided with a handle 46 for gripping by the user and two pedals 47 for controlling the motor means 4 in forward and reverse. The box 45 can be placed on the floor of the vehicle, in front of the driver's seat, and the underside 45a of the box 45 will be flat for this purpose. In the case of an automobile, for example, the user thus has his hands free to steer the vehicle with the steering wheel and controls movement in forward and reverse gear with his feet.

The box 45 incorporates the means necessary for an actuation on one of the pedals to be communicated as a corresponding command instruction for the motor means 4, the transmission possibly being wired or wireless. These means are in themselves well known in the field of remote controls and will therefore not be described in detail.

If we now refer to Figures 12 and 13, we can see that a device 1 'according to a second particular embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises four radial arms 10 ', and no longer three.

Advantageously, these four radial arms 10' are arranged as two pairs of diametrically opposed arms 10'. Preferably, as illustrated in the Figures, the arms 10' are separated from each other by an angle of 90°.

In the case where the pads 26 are not elastically stressed as described above, which is for example the case of the pads of patent FR 2 863 235 B1, provide four radial arms 10 'thus arranged as two pairs of arms diametrically opposed, makes it possible to further reduce the risk that the mobile frame 3 will come off the tire during use. Indeed, if the tire is crushed in a zone of the latter, the claws 27 of at least one of the two pads 26 in the vicinity of the crushed zone can be caused to disengage from the tire. Insofar as the four arms 10' are diametrically opposed in pairs, even in such a case where two arms 10' are disengaged from the tire, two arms 10' remain engaged with the tire, which is sufficient to maintain the frame mobile 3 on the tire and transmit to the wheel of the vehicle the rotational movement of the mobile frame 3.

However, to allow four arms 10' to be driven, the diameter of the first bevel gear 31' must be larger than that of the second bevel gears 35, so that the transmission ratio is no longer of 1 as for the first embodiment. In this case, it may be advantageous to replace the flywheel 28 by a motor means, so as to achieve a tightening torque of the frame 3′ on the tire which is sufficient, which would be difficult manually.

It is understood that the particular embodiments which have just been described have been given by way of indication and not limitation, and that modifications may be made without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Thus, the present invention is not limited to a use for moving a motor vehicle that has broken down or whose motor one does not wish to use, but is just as applicable to motorless vehicles, usually towed, in particular a trailer or a caravan. For example, the orientation of the jockey wheel can be blocked and a device according to the invention placed on each side of the trailer, so that the user can maneuver the trailer simply by rotating a wheel more or less quickly than the other wheel. Advantageously, the control means will be a stick remote control(s).

The device according to the present invention can also be used to move a vehicle while it is being manufactured, in the production line. This avoids the use of conveyor belts or other means to move in-process vehicles along paths that are fixed. Each vehicle is equipped with one or two devices according to the present invention, the operation of which can be programmed to follow a given route, which makes it possible, if necessary, to move a vehicle out of the route independently of the other vehicles and without stopping the chain of production.

Claims

Motorized device (1; 1') for moving a wheeled vehicle, the device (1; 1') comprising:

a support (2),

a mobile frame (3; 3') intended, in use, to be fixed on one of the wheels of the vehicle and to rotate, relative to the support (2), around an axis of rotation which is coaxial with the axis of the hub of the wheel on which the mobile frame (3; 3') is fixed,

motor means (4) mounted on the support (2) and rotatably connected to the movable frame (3; 3') so as to be capable of producing a rotational movement of the movable frame (3; 3') around said axis of rotation,

means (44) for remotely controlling the motor means (4), and

bearing means (5) mounted on the support (2) and arranged so that, when the motor means (4) are actuated, rest on the ground in such a way that the motor means (4) rotate the 'moving frame (3; 3') and therefore the wheel, the support means (5) comprising first rolling means (12),

the device (1; 1') being characterized in that the support means (5) comprise two so-called torque arms (11) each provided with a first rolling means (12), each torque arm (11 ) being mounted on the support (2) so as to be movable between a lowered position in which the torque arm (11) has been lowered in such a way that the corresponding first rolling means (12) is able to come into bearing on the ground when the motor means (4) are actuated in a corresponding direction of rotation, and a raised position in which the torque arm (11) has been raised so that the first rolling means (12) is out of engagement with the ground, and in that the device (1; 1') further comprises second rolling means (13) suitable for rolling on the ground at least when the torque arms (11) are in the raised position .
Device (1; 1') according to claim 1, characterized in that the second rolling means (13) are movable between a lowered position in which they are able to come to rest on the ground with the torque arms (11 ) in the raised position, and a raised position in which they are out of engagement with the ground with the torque arms (11) in the lowered position.
Device (1; 1') according to claim 2, characterized in that each torque arm (11) has a first end (11a), which is the upper end when the torque arm (11) is in the raised position , at which the respective first rolling means (12) is arranged and a second end (11b), opposite to the first end (11a), which is provided with a respective one of the second rolling means (13) in such a way that said second rolling means (13) passes from its lowered position to its raised position when the respective torque arm (11) passes from its raised position to its lowered position, and vice versa.
Device (1; 1') according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each torque arm (11) is pivotally mounted on the support (2), preferably with a pivot axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the movable frame (3).
Device (1; 1') according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each first rolling means (12) is formed by an omnidirectional wheel (12a), preferably an omnidirectional roller wheel (12a ).
Device (1; 1') according to claim 5, characterized in that each omnidirectional wheel (12a) is connected to the respective torque arm (11) by suspension means (19), which suspension means (19) comprise for example :

a yoke (20) which carries the omnidirectional wheel (12a) and is connected to the torque arm (11) by a pivot connection (23) with an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the movable frame (3; 3' ),

an elastic suspension member (21) attached to the torque arm (11), and

a stop (22) secured to the yoke (20) and located below the elastic suspension member (21) and in contact with the latter.
Device (1; 1') according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the mobile framework (3; 3') comprises radial arms (10; 10') whose longitudinal axes intersect at a point located on the axis of rotation of the movable frame (3; 3'), each radial arm (10; 10') being provided, at its free end, with a means (26, 27) for engagement to a vehicle wheel tire making it possible to fix the movable frame (3; 3') to the vehicle wheel.
Device (1; 1') according to claim 7, characterized in that each engagement means (26, 27) comprises a shoe (26) provided with claws (27) articulated to the respective radial arm (10; 10') around a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the respective radial arm (10; 10') and the axis of rotation of the movable frame (3; 3'), a biasing means elastic (37), such as a silent block, being interposed between the shoe (26) and the radial arm (10; 10 ') so as to elastically oppose a pivoting of the shoe (26) towards the radial arm ( 10; 10').
Device (1; 1') according to either of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the mobile framework (3; 3') further comprises a rotary plate (9) and each radial arm (10; 10 ') is connected in a radially movable manner to the rotary plate (9), the device (1; 1') further comprising means for radial adjustment of the radial arms (10; 10'), which adjustment means comprise:

a rotation input member (28), for example a manual steering wheel (28) operable by the user,

a transmission shaft (29), one end of which is fixed to the rotation input member (28), the transmission shaft (29) being coaxial with the axis of rotation of the movable frame (3); 3') and rotatably mounted with respect to the support (2) using means (30) for rotatably mounting, and

- means for transforming the rotational movement of the transmission shaft (29) into a translational movement of each radial arm (10; 10') in such a way that a rotation of the input member of rotation (28) results in an identical and simultaneous translation of the radial arms (10; 10').
Device (1; 1') according to claim 9, characterized in that each radial arm (10; 10') comprises a fixed part (32) fixed to the rotary plate (9) and in relation to which is slidably mounted a movable part (33) provided, at its free end, with one of said engagement means (26, 27), and said transformation means comprise:

a first bevel gear (31; 31') secured to the other end of the transmission shaft (29), and

for each radial arm (10; 10'), a second bevel gear (35) which meshes with the first bevel gear (31; 31') and which is integral with the endless screw (34b ) of a nut (34a) and endless screw (34b) system, the nut (34a) of which is secured to the movable part (33) of the radial arm (10; 10'), the endless screw (34b) extending along the movable part (33).
Device (1; 1') according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the motor means (4) comprise:

two motors (38), carried by the support (2) and each having an output shaft (38a) whose longitudinal axis is parallel to the axis of rotation of the movable frame (3; 3'), the two motors (38) being arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane passing through the axis of rotation of the movable frame (3; 3'),

two rings (39) coaxial with the axis of rotation of the movable frame (3; 3'), of the same diameter and arranged one behind the other, the rings (39) being made integral with the movable frame (3; 3') and carried in rotation by the support (2), and

for each motor (38), means for transmitting the rotational movement of the output shaft (38a) to a respective ring gear (39), which transmission means preferably comprise a pinion (40) mounted on the output shaft (38a) and a chain wound on the pinion (40) and the respective crown (39), which is toothed.
Device (1; 1') according to Claim 11 when dependent on Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the crowns (39) and the rotary plate (9) each have a central opening dimensioned to allow passage through these of the transmission shaft (29) and its means (30) for rotational mounting.
Device (1; 1') according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the means (44) for remote control of the motor means (4) are in the form of a box (45) comprising two pedals (47) operable by the user, one serving to control the motor means (4) for moving the vehicle forward and the other serving to control the motor means (4) for moving the vehicle in reverse, the box (45) incorporating means of communication with the motor means (4) to transmit to the latter the control of the pedals (47).