US 11,724,454 B2
Gantry carriage assembly with contoured guide wheels
Daniel Peter Sergison, East Peoria, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/192,643.
Prior Publication US 2022/0281170 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 64/245 (2017.01); B29C 64/227 (2017.01); B66C 5/02 (2006.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B28B 1/00 (2006.01); B28C 9/04 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 64/245 (2017.08) [B28B 1/001 (2013.01); B28C 9/04 (2013.01); B29C 64/227 (2017.08); B66C 5/02 (2013.01); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A gantry carriage assembly movably secured to a gantry truss, the gantry carriage assembly comprising:
a support plate having a first end and a second end;
first guide wheels secured to the first end of the support plate, the first guide wheels including a first pair of guide wheels disposed opposite from one another and configured to accommodate a longitudinal member of the gantry truss therebetween;
second guide wheels secured to the second end of the support plate opposite the first end, the second guide wheels including a second pair of guide wheels disposed opposite from one another and configured to accommodate the longitudinal member of the gantry truss therebetween; and
a tab extending from a bottom of the support plate, the tab including:
an arcuate opening that circumscribes at least a portion of the longitudinal member, and
a pair of prongs that extends below the longitudinal member and at least partially wraps around the longitudinal member, the pair of prongs preventing the carriage assembly from derailing off the longitudinal member.
 
14. A three-dimensional additive construction system comprising:
a gantry frame assembly including one or more gantry trusses;
a gantry bridge assembly including a trolley moveable along the gantry bridge, the trolley being configured to secure a supply hose thereto; and
a gantry carriage assembly secured to a gantry truss of the one or more gantry trusses such that the gantry carriage assembly is moveable along the gantry truss, the gantry carriage assembly including:
a support plate having a first end and a second end,
first guide wheels secured to the first end of the support plate, the first guide wheels including a first pair of guide wheels disposed opposite from one another and configured to accommodate a longitudinal member of the gantry truss therebetween,
second guide wheels secured to the second end of the support plate opposite the first end, the second guide wheels including a second pair of guide wheels disposed opposite from one another and configured to accommodate the longitudinal member therebetween, and
a tab extending from a bottom of the support plate, the tab including:
an arcuate opening that circumscribes at least a portion of the longitudinal member, and
a pair of prongs that extends below the longitudinal member and at least partially wrap around the longitudinal member, the pair of prongs preventing the carriage assembly from derailing off the longitudinal member.