US 11,988,324 B2
Method and apparatus for gantry system mobility
Daniel Peter Sergison, East Peoria, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/332,583.
Application 18/332,583 is a division of application No. 17/192,694, filed on Mar. 4, 2021, granted, now 11,708,937.
Prior Publication US 2023/0323999 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. F16M 11/00 (2006.01); B28B 1/00 (2006.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); F16M 11/20 (2006.01); F16M 11/42 (2006.01); F16M 13/02 (2006.01)
CPC F16M 11/425 (2013.01) [B28B 1/001 (2013.01); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); F16M 11/2085 (2013.01); F16M 13/022 (2013.01); F16M 2200/068 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
a gantry frame assembly comprising:
at least one first gantry truss forming a first length;
at least one second gantry truss substantially parallel to the at least one first gantry truss and forming a second length; and
at least one third gantry truss extending from the at least one first gantry truss to the at least one second gantry truss,
wherein the at least one first gantry truss, the at least one second gantry truss, and the at least one third gantry truss form a U-shaped frame defining a portion of a footprint;
a gantry bridge assembly extending above the gantry frame assembly and including a lateral truss extending in a direction generally parallel to the at least one third gantry truss;
a gantry carriage assembly configured to move the gantry bridge assembly along at least one of the at least one first gantry truss or the at least one second gantry truss;
a vertical truss coupled to the lateral truss and moveable relative to the lateral truss;
a conduit coupled to the vertical truss and configured to deposit an extrudable material to manufacture a structure in the footprint; and
a wheel assembly coupled to the gantry frame assembly to facilitate movement of the gantry frame.