Modular skid frame

Abstract

A modular skid frame and device to reduce the potential for harm and injury from arc flashes. The modular skid frame comprises a plurality of frame members secured together to form the skid frame, and one or more hook members formed on one or more of the frame members to permit the receipt of a bucket or blade from a loader, scoop tram or other construction or mining equipment into the bowl portion and behind the bill portion of the hook member to facilitate the lifting and moving of the skid frame. Also disclosed is a device for racking a circuit breaker into and out of a circuit breaker cradle. The device comprises an actuator operatively connected to the circuit breaker cradle to permit the circuit breaker to be racked into and out of the cradle without direct or indirect contact on the part of an operator.

1 . A modular skid frame comprising:
 (i) a plurality of frame members secured together to form said skid frame; and   (ii) one or more hook members formed on one or more of said frame members such that said hook members do not extend laterally outwardly from said frame members, said hook members comprised of a downwardly oriented bill portion and upwardly oriented bowl portion, said bowl portion extending vertically upwardly and laterally behind said bill portion, said bowl portion opening into the surrounding environment vertically beneath said bill portion, said one or more hook members permitting the receipt of a bucket or blade from a loader, scoop tram or other construction or mining equipment into said bowl portion and behind said bill portion to facilitate the lifting and moving of said skid frame.   
     
     
         2 . The modular skid frame as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said frame members form one or more semi-enclosed compartments. 
     
     
         3 . The modular skid frame as claimed in  claim 1  including a bottom frame section, said bottom frame section including one or more skid rails. 
     
     
         4 . The modular skid frame as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said frame members include a pair of coupling plates on at least one end of said skid frame, said coupling plates assisting in releasably securing said modular skid frame to an adjacent modular skid frame of the same or a different configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The modular skid frame as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said hook members are formed in said coupling plates. 
     
     
         6 . The modular skid frame as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said coupling plates have extending laterally between them one or more first tubular members. 
     
     
         7 . The modular skid frame as claimed in  claim 6  further including an elongate shear member received within one of said first tubular members when said skid frame is releasably secured to an adjacent modular skid frame, the ends of said elongate shear member rigidly secured to opposite sides of said adjacent modular skid frame, said elongate shear member, in conjunction with said first tubular member through which it is received, assisting in the securement of said modular skid frame to said adjacent modular skid frame and helping to accommodate shear loading between said respective modular skid frames. 
     
     
         8 . The modular skid frame as claimed in  claim 7  having two first tubular members extending between said coupling plates, each of said first tubular members having received therein an elongate shear member, said first tubular members with said elongate shear members received therein together helping to accommodate shear loading between said respective modular skid frames. 
     
     
         9 . The modular skid frame as claimed in  claim 1  including a transformer secured directly or indirectly to one or more of said frame members, said transformer including both vertically and horizontally oriented dampening means, said dampening means cushioning said transformer and helping to reduce vibration transmitted to said transformer during movement of said skid frame or upon changing the orientation of said skid frame from a generally horizontal to a generally vertical position. 
     
     
         10 . The modular skid frame as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said dampening means comprises spring dampening means. 
     
     
         11 . A modular skid frame comprising:
 (i) a plurality of frame members secured together to form said skid frame;   (ii) a pair of coupling plates on at least one end of said skid frame, said coupling plates assisting in releasably securing said modular skid frame to an adjacent modular skid frame of the same or a different configuration;   (iii) one or more first tubular members extending between said coupling plates; and,   (iv) an elongate shear member received within one of said first tubular members when said skid frame is releasably secured to an adjacent modular skid frame, the ends of said elongate shear member rigidly secured to opposite sides of said adjacent modular skid frame, said elongate shear member, in conjunction with said first tubular member through which it is received, assisting in the securement of said modular skid frame to said adjacent modular skid frame and helping to accommodate shear loading between said respective modular skid frames.   
     
     
         12 . A device for racking a circuit breaker into and out of a circuit breaker cradle, the device comprising actuating means operatively secured, directly or indirectly, to the circuit breaker cradle, said actuating means having an engaged and a disengaged position and being movable between said engaged and said disengaged positions, when moving from said disengaged to said engaged position said actuating means causing the circuit breaker to be racked or drawn into the cradle, when moving from said engaged to said disengaged position said actuating means drawing or racking the circuit breaker out from the cradle, said actuating means operable such that movement between said engaged and said disengaged positions is accomplished without direct or indirect contact by an operator. 
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said device is further operatively secured to an enclosure or frame to which the circuit breaker cradle is mounted. 
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said actuating means is electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically powered. 
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the functionality of said actuating means is controlled remotely such that moving said actuating means between said engaged and said disengaged positions can be accomplished remotely and without the presence of an operator in the vicinity of the circuit breaker or the circuit breaker cradle. 
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said actuating means further includes a manual override to manually move said actuating means between said engaged and disengaged positions. 
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said actuating means includes a sensor, said sensor generating a signal corresponding to the status of the circuit breaker, said signal received by a micro-processor control or a display and indicating whether the circuit breaker is in a racked in or racked out configuration. 
     
     
         18 . A device for racking a circuit breaker into and out of a circuit breaker cradle, the device comprising an actuator operatively connected to the circuit breaker cradle, said actuator movable between an engaged and a disengaged position such that moving said actuator from said disengaged to said engaged position causes the circuit breaker to be racked into the cradle and moving said actuator from said engaged to said disengaged position causes the circuit breaker to be racked out of the cradle, said actuator operably connected to a remote controlling system such that said actuator is movable between said engaged and disengaged positions through operation of said remote controlling system permitting said circuit breaker to be racked in and racked out without direct or indirect contact on the part of an operator. 
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 18  including a manual override to manually permit said actuator to move the circuit breaker between its racked in and racked out positions. 
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said actuator is electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically powered. 
     
     
         21 . The device as claimed in  claim 18  including a sensor, said sensor generating a signal corresponding to the relative condition of the circuit breaker, said signal directed to a microprocessor or a display to indicate whether the breaker is racked into or racked out of the cradle. 
     
     
         22 . The device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said actuator is an electric gear drive, a hydraulic gear drive, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder or a linear actuator.