System and method for positioning modular building units

Abstract

Methods and systems for moving and installing modular building units or pods are provided. A positioning device and method of using the same comprises a base member pivotally connected to a frame member by a plurality of linkages. The mechanism and method provides for a vertical lifting motion and a horizontal translational movement of a unit or pod that is connected to the mechanism. In one embodiment, the frame member includes a plurality of hooks configured to selectively engage the unit or pod. Placement and installation of cumbersome building units is simplified compared to prior art methods and devices of moving a unit or pod.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lifting and moving assembly for modular building units, comprising:
 a track member for placement on a surface that is generally horizontal;   a base member that is movable along a length of the track member;   a plurality of linkages, each linkage being rotatably connected to the base member;   a support member in force-transmitting communication with the plurality of linkages, the support member extending substantially parallel to the track member; and   a plurality of load-bearing hooks provided on the support member, the support member and the load-bearing hooks operable to receive and support the weight of a modular building unit, wherein a displacement of the linkages about connections between the linkages and the base member causes a corresponding displacement of the support member in a direction generally parallel to the track member.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base member includes a plurality of rollers. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the rollers have a notch configured to engage a protrusion of the track. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each linkage can rotate between approximately 0° and approximately 100° relative to the base member. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the displacement of the linkages causes an arcing displacement of the support member which alters a distance between the surface and the support member. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame member rotatably connected to each linkage, wherein the support member is associated with the frame member. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a drive member interconnected to the base member and the frame member, the drive member configured to displace the linkages about the connections. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is configured to rotate such that a free end of each of the load-bearing hooks is rotatable into a position to engage the modular building unit. 
     
     
         9 . A positioning device to lift and move a building pod, comprising:
 a base member configured to move on a surface;   two or more linkages, each linkage including a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably interconnected to the base member;   a frame member pivotably interconnected to the second end of each linkage;   a support member rotatably interconnected to the frame member; and   a plurality of hooks positioned on the support member and configured to selectively engage the building pod, wherein altering an angle of the two or more linkages relative to the base member alters a distance between the hooks and the surface.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising a drive member configured to alter the angle of the two or more linkages relative to the base member. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the drive member is threadably interconnected to one of the base member and the frame member. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein rotating the support member in a first direction moves each of the plurality of hooks to a support position to engage the building pod. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of hooks extends beyond a plane defined by the frame member when the hooks are in the support position. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the base member includes at least two wheels. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the at least two wheels include a circumferential recess to engage a track positioned on the surface. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of hooks may be selectively repositioned along a length of the support member. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein altering an angle of the two or more linkages alters a position of the frame member relative to a length of the base member. 
     
     
         18 . A method of lifting and moving a modular building unit, comprising:
 aligning a first positioning device with a first wall of the modular building unit;   aligning a second positioning device with a second wall of the modular building unit;   moving hooks of the first and second positioning devices to engage the modular building unit;   inducing a movement of a plurality of linkages of the first and second positioning devices to move the modular building unit into a desired location; and   moving the hooks of the first and second positioning devices to disengage the modular building unit.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the movement of the plurality of linkages causes a movement of the modular building unit along a horizontal axis and a movement along a vertical axis. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the movement of the plurality of linkages alters an angle of the linkages with respect to lengths of the first and second positioning devices.