Movable support assembly

Abstract

A support assembly for supporting a powered work machine to assist transportation of the machine between locations, the support assembly comprising a connector and a movable support element, wherein the connector is configured for detachably connecting the support assembly to the machine and the movable support element is configured for movably supporting the machine during movement of the machine, and wherein when the movable support element is connected to the machine using the connector and the movable support element moves in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine to stably support the machine during transportation between the locations.

Description

[0001]

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Movable Support Assembly

[0004] Field of the invention

[0005] The present description relates to a support assembly or transportation device for use in improving the stability of a powered work machine when being manoeuvred or moved between locations on a solid substrate.

[0006] In one form the present description relates to a transportation device or support assembly for detachable connection to a concrete grinding machine to assist in stabilising the machine prior to and during movement of the machine between locations over a solid substrate.

[0007] In one form the present description relates to a transportation device having one or more pivotal wheels for detachably mounting to a retainer of a concrete grinding machine to assist the stability of the machine during movement of the machine between different locations over a solid substrate or when the machine is being transported including being loaded onto of from a suitable transport vehicle.

[0008] In one form the present description relates to a method of stabilizing a powered machine for moving or transporting the machine from one location to another location using a movable support assembly attached to the machine including loading and unloading the machine onto and from a suitable transportation vehicle.

[0009] Although the present description is primarily directed to one or more embodiments of a movable support assembly for stabilising a powered concrete grinding machine and to methods of using the assembly to stabilise the machine, it is to be noted that the scope of protection is not restricted to the described embodiments, but rather the scope of protection is more extensive so as to include other forms and arrangements of the support assembly or transportation device and components therefore, and other methods of using the support assembly and transportation device than specifically described.

[0010] Background

[0011] Powered work machines are required for many and varied work functions and activities, particularly in the building and construction industries. Concrete grinding,

[0012] - 2 - polishing and / or smoothing operations are one function in such industries requiring heavy duty powered machines, usually heavy machines of up to about 650 Kg or more using three phase mains electricity power. Of necessity, such machines are heavy and cumbersome due to their unequal weight distribution and size making their manoeuvrability and / or transportation difficult and sometimes dangerous, usually well beyond the strength and capability of a single worker, and can even result in damage to the machine or close by ancillary equipment, typically equipment used in the transportation of such machines, such as by accidently falling off loading ramps or similar. Also, there is the possibility of workers being accidentally or inadvertently injured by the machines falling or toppling over. In the past, external attachments and accessories have been used in an attempt to overcome the disadvantages of trying to move and manoeuvre a heavy cumbersome concrete grinder, such as for example, using an external jockey wheel attachment, typically at the front of the machine. However, such external attachments have not been entirely successful for one reason or another since adding an external attachment to one point of the machine increases the difficulty in manoeuvring or moving the machine in a small, confined space owing to the increase in length or footprint of the machine overall and to the unequal weight distribution of the machine due to the attachment extending outwardly from either the front or rear of the machine, often resulting in uncontrolled swinging of the jockey wheel. Thus, it is desirable to improve the manoeuvrability and balance of such machines in order to reduce the chance of damage to the machine and environs occurring, and also possibly to improve safety for operators of the machines when such machines are being transported from one place to another. Accordingly, there is a need to address the above, and / or at least provide a useful alternative. Surprisingly, the problem of reduced manoeuvrability of such machines having an external jockey wheel attachment sticking out at one end thus lengthening the overall length and size of the machine, and further unbalancing the machine by the external jockey wheel attachment sticking out at one end upsetting the weight distribution of such machines and increasing the weight of the machine, has been improved by increasing the stability of the machine when moving without resorting to the use of external attachments which extend the length and footprint of such machines.

[0013] - 3 -

[0014] Further, adjustment of such external attachments once attached to the machine is time consuming since not only does the external jockey wheel attachment need to be attached to the machine at the required location, which takes time due to the weight of the machine and the nature of the jockey wheel, but also, after attachment such external attachment requires adjustment before the machine can be moved, such as for example, the machine having to be raised by raising the height of the external jockey wheel attachment sufficiently to the required height to provide acceptable ground clearance to enable the machine to be moved over the concrete floor. In some circumstances raising the machine reduces the ground clearance due to increasing the inclination of the work plate underneath the machine which tilts backwards thus providing minimal ground clearance. Often the adjustment of the height of the machine takes more time than actually attaching the external attachment to the machine. Thus, there is a need to be able to increase the ground clearance of such machines for transportation unhindered without using external attachments that require time consuming adjustment after fitting to and which increase the weight and footprint of the machine. Accordingly, there is a need to address the above, and / or at least provide a useful alternative.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support assembly for supporting a powered work machine to assist transportation of the machine between locations the support assembly comprising: a connector and a movable support element the connector for detachably connecting the support assembly to the machine the movable support element for movably supporting the machine during movement of the machine wherein when the movable support element is connected to the machine the movable support element moves in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine to stably support the machine during transportation between the locations.

[0016] - 4 -

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a wheeled support assembly for supporting a concrete grinding machine to assist transportation of the machine between locations the wheeled support assembly comprising a connector and at least one movable support wheel the movable support wheel extending outwardly from the connector for contact with a substrate over which the machine is to move the connector for detachably connecting the support assembly to the machine the movable support wheel for movably supporting the machine during movement of the machine over the substrate wherein when the support assembly is connected to a retainer of the machine the movable support wheel moves in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine over the substrate to stably support the machine on the substrate during transportation of the machine between the locations.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support assembly for supporting a powered work machine to assist transportation of the machine between locations over a substrate the support assembly including a backing plate and at least one wheel assembly the backing plate having a connector for detachably connecting the wheel assembly to the backing plate the support assembly comprising a body portion fixedly attached to the backing plate and a movable support element the movable support element extending outwardly from the backing member for movably supporting the machine during movement of the machine wherein when the support assembly is connected to the machine the movable support element moves in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine to stably support the machine during transportation between the locations over the substrate.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of supporting a powered work machine using a support assembly to assist transportation of the machine between locations over a solid substrate the method comprising the steps of

[0020] - 5 - attaching the support assembly to the machine to support the machine during movement of the machine and moving the machine the support assembly comprising a connector and a movable support element the connector for detachably connecting the support element to the machine the movable support element for movably supporting the machine during movement of the machine wherein when the support assembly is connected to the machine the movable support element moves in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine to stably support the machine during transportation between the locations over the solid substrate as the machine moves.

[0021] A support assembly for use in assisting transportation of a concrete grinding machine having a retainer the support assembly comprising a backing member having a connector for connecting part of the support assembly to the retainer of the machine to detachably mount the support assembly to the machine and at least one wheel pivotally mounted to the body for free rotation thereabout to support the machine and allow movement of the machine such that when attached to the machine the at least one wheel of the support assembly supports the machine and assists in transportation of the machine between locations by freely moving in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine.

[0022] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support assembly for stably supporting a concrete grinding machine during movement of the machine on a solid substrate the support assembly comprising a backing plate having a first connector part a movable support element having a second connector part the first and second connector parts being complementary to one another to connect the movable support element to the backing plate the movable support element for assisting movement of the machine in use

[0023] - 6 - wherein when the backing plate is attached to the machine the movable support element is free to move in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine over the substrate to stably support the machine during the movement.

[0024] Brief Description of Embodiments

[0025] The support assembly of the present description can have a variety of different forms and constructions and can include various different components used for attaching the movable support elements, in the form of wheels, to the machine, including to the work element of the machine, using a variety of different connectors or structures, including having different backing plates.

[0026] The powered work machine includes an electrically powered industrial machine, typically three phase mains electrically powered machine used in the building and construction industries. Forms of the machine include a machine used for treating concrete, typically for grinding, polishing, abrading, smoothing, cutting, grooving, scoring, or resurfacing materials, such as concrete, aggregate, masonry, bricks, blocks, tiles, and the like. Preferably the machine is a concrete grinder and / or polisher.

[0027] In one form the concrete grinder has a rotary member, typically a generally planar rotary member, more typically a circular plate or disc, in the form of a retainer or retaining disc or the like to which the different forms of the support assembly are releasably securable. Additionally, forms of the machine are provided with diamond components or diamond containing components including abrasive elements, diamond tipped cutters, diamond polishers or the like when used for treating the concrete surface. Typically, the diamond components, abrasives and the like are attached to or embedded within or cast into or onto a grinding disc in the form of blocks, wedge blocks, segments, wings, or the like of any suitable or convenient shape. In some forms, the grinding disc with integrally attached blocks, wedges, segments, wings are removed entirely and replaced with one of the different forms of the support assembly having a backing plate whereas in other forms only the grinding or abrasive blocks, wedges, segments are removed from the grinding disc which then becomes a backing disc to which other different forms of support assemblies are releasably secured. In this case the former

[0028] - 7 - grinding disc now backing plate are reattached to the retainer or retaining plate to assist stable transportation of the grinder. It is to be noted that the grinding disc or plate having the diamond components or abrasives is removed from the grinder and replaced by one of the forms of the support assembly of the present description when the grinder is to be transported. Thus, the forms of the support assembly are substitutes for the grinding disc or for the grinding or abrasive blocks and hence are replaceable, interchangeable, renewable, exchangeable or the like for transportation of the grinder.

[0029] Forms of the retainer or retaining plate include a rotary member, typically a generally planar rotary member, more typically a circular plate or disc, preferably in the form of a retainer plate or retaining disc or similar. Forms of the retainer are provided with one form of coupling for mounting the different forms of support assembly to the machine. It is to be noted that the retainer or retaining plate remains connected to the machine during both the concrete surface treatment operations performed by the grinder and for the transportation of the grinder. In one form the coupling includes complementary coupling elements, such as complementary male and female couplers. Forms of the male coupler includes a bolt, head bolt, shear bolt, a stud, shaft, or similar. Typically, the male coupler is provided with an enlarged head portion located distally on the bolt or shaft and a reduced sized neck portion located in board of the distal head. Forms of the female coupler include an aperture, opening, slot, slit, groove, channel or other void. Forms of the female coupler include a centrally located part circular aperture or opening located intermediate two slots extending on either side of the central opening to flank the aperture or opening. It is to be noted that the backing plate is coupled to the retainer by moving the backing plate in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

[0030] Forms of the support assembly include a body portion which in one form includes a planar member such as a plate, platter, sheet, slab, panel or similar, preferably a thin plate. In one form the body portion is a wheel plate upon which a wheel or wheel assembly is mounted, typically a suitably load rated caster wheel allowing free rotation and free swivelling of the wheel in accordance with corresponding movement of the grinder. Forms of the wheel plate are securely fixed to a further component of the support assembly, typically an integral backing plate, by welding, adhesive, bonding, casting, moulding or similar or in some forms the wheel plate is mounted on the

[0031] - 8 - connector for detachably connecting the wheel assembly to the backing plate after removal of the abrasive blocks therefrom. Forms of the wheel plate are attached to the other components of the support assembly by a suitable connector, typically a detachable connector or a releasably removable connector or similar.

[0032] In one form the connector includes a first and second part in which the first and second parts are complementary to one another, such as an interacting or cooperative pair consisting of a generally male part and a generally female part. In forms of the connector one part is provided on the wheel assembly and the complementary part is provided on the backing plate either permanently or temporarily. In one form the male part is provided on the wheel plate or wheel assembly in the form of an outwardly extending plug or similar and the female part is provided on the backing plate in the form of a socket for receiving the plug. In one form the female part is provided on the wheel assembly or wheel plate in the form of a socket and the male part is provided on the backing plate in the form of a socket.

[0033] The connector can have any suitable or convenient form, style or type. In some forms, the connector is configured to be directly received by the retaining plate of the machine, in place of the work elements (eg grinding diamonds). In such forms, the connector will have a shape which, at least in part, corresponds to that of the work element. Forms of the connector include a tapered or inclined or sloping element having tapering sides, walls, edges, or the like. Forms of the connector include a void having tapering side walls. Forms of the void include a recess, cavity, chamber, depression, aperture, hole, opening, socket, or the like. Other forms of the connector include a projection, typically a projection having tapering sides. Forms of the projection include a boss, plug, wedge, chock, cleat, protuberance, bulge, protrusion, ridge, spine, spur or the like.

[0034] The connector may use threaded fasteners. The connector may also have magnetic elements for securing the support assembly to the machine. The magnets may be permanent magnets or electromagnets.

[0035] In one form the movable support element is or includes a wheel assembly. Typically, the wheel assembly is in the form of wheels, rollers, conveyors, balls, spheres, or other wheel-like arrangements capable of rolling over a solid substrate such as a

[0036] - 9 - concrete floor, loading ramp, or load area of a vehicle such as a flatbed truck, trailer, or similar. More typically, the wheels are pivotal wheels, swivel wheels, swinging wheels, typically being pivotal about a vertical axis, preferably the wheels are castor wheels including swivelling castor wheels, bolted castor wheels, hooded castor wheels or similar which are freely rotatable about orthogonally arranged axes in both horizontal and vertical directions in accordance with corresponding movement of the grinder to readily transport the grinder safely with reduced chance of falling or toppling over when being moved, such as for example over an incline, over a lip in the floor, over a drainage gutter or channel or other surface irregularity, being loaded or unloaded, and the like.

[0037] The caster wheels can be a single wheel or double wheels or compound wheels or combinations of different type of wheels or similar.

[0038] Forms of the support assembly include one, two, three, four or more individual wheels or individual sets of wheels.

[0039] In one form the support assembly includes an integral backing plate to which the wheel plate of the wheel assembly is attached permanently such as by welding or similar.

[0040] In one from of the support assembly, the wheel assembly is permanently attached to the backing plate which is releasably connected to the retainer by a suitable coupling. In other forms of the support assembly, the wheel assembly is temporarily attached to the backing plate.

[0041] In forms of the support assembly individual wheels or wheel assemblies are releasably mounted to the backing plate. In forms, the individual wheels, wheel assemblies, or sets of wheels are individually replaceable, exchangeable or interchangeable with other similar or identical types of wheels, assemblies or sets. In other forms the wheel assemblies and connector combinations are interchangeable or exchangeable with the abrasive or diamond blocks.

[0042] Generally, the backing plate is a circular plate or disc having six connectors in radially extending circumferentially spaced apart relationship to one another for cooperatively engaging with complementary connectors of the wheels, wheel assemblies or wheel sets so that the wheels, wheel assemblies or wheel sets are arranged to extend radially in spaced apart circumferential relationship around the surface of the backing plate. - 10 - rawinqs

[0043] In order that the description may be more easily understood, embodiments in accordance with the description will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0044] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of one form of a concrete grinding machine as one example of a powered work machine according to the present description.

[0045] Figure 2 is an underneath perspective view of the concrete grinding machine of Figure 1 showing one form of retainer.

[0046] Figure 3 is an underneath perspective view of the grinding machine of Figure 2 showing the movement of attachment of one form of support assembly to the retainer.

[0047] Figure 4 is an underneath perspective view of the grinding machine of Figure 3 showing the one form of support assembly coupled to the retainer.

[0048] Figure 5 is a underneath plan view of another form of backing plate for attaching a second form of support assembly thereto.

[0049] Figure 6 is an underneath plan view of the embodiment of Figure 5 having six individual second forms of the support assemblies attached thereto.

[0050] Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the wheel assemblies of the second form of the support assembly of figures 5 and 6.

[0051] Figure 8 is a underneath plan view of another form of backing plate for attaching a third form of support assembly thereto.

[0052] Figure 9 is an underneath plan view of the embodiment of Figure 8 having six individual ones of the third form of the support assemblies attached thereto.

[0053] Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the wheel assemblies of the third form of the support assembly of Figures 8 and 9. - 11 -

[0054] Forms of support assembles in accordance with the present description will now be described in detail.

[0055] One form of a concrete grinding machine or grinder, generally denoted as 2, is depicted schematically in Figure 1 and will be referred to hereinafter as a grinder. Grinder 2 includes, amongst other things, a powerful electric motor 4 for driving grinding work elements including retainers (to be described in detail later), handle 6, a pair of driven wheels 8, and protective cover 10 within which are housed the grinding work elements including grinding discs having grinding or abrasive blocks which are rotatingly driven by motor 4.

[0056] In the described forms of the invention below, the support assembly is fitted in place of the work elements, which are removed prior to installation of the support assembly. It will be appreciated that the work elements will take different forms and that the below described connector will take different forms to allow for direct replacement.

[0057] Three generally planar circular retainers or retaining plates 20 are provided within protective cover 10 for being rotatingly driven by motor 4 in an orbital motion. It is to be noted that some forms of machine 2 can be free wheeled to be propelled by applying force to handle 6 to move machine 2 whereas other forms have driven wheels that are controlled either by controls on handle 6 or from a suitable remote control for controlling movement of wheels 8.

[0058] As all three retainers 20 are identical only one retainer will be described in detail. Each retainer 20 is provided with a first part of a coupling in the form of a male coupler typically, a head bolt 22 or stud or shear bolt extending axially outwardly from the lower surface in use of retainer 20 for use in coupling the different forms of the support assemblies of the present description thereto. Although three circumferentially spaced apart head bolts 22 are present in the retainer illustrated in the drawings it is to be noted that retainer 20 can have any suitable or convenient number of head bolts 22. Head bolt 22 is provided with a distal enlarged head 24 and an inboard reduced diameter neck 26 located between the distal enlarged head 24 and lower surface of retainer 20.

[0059] - 12 -

[0060] First form of Support Assembly

[0061] With particular reference to Figures 3 and 4, a first form of support assembly as illustrated will now be described. Although there are three identical support assemblies 30 illustrated in the drawings, one only will be described for clarity. Support assembly 30 includes a circular backing plate 32 of a size similar to the size of retainer 20. Backing plate 32 is provided with three circumferentially spaced apart second parts of the coupling in the form of female couplers for coupling support assembly 30 to retainer 20. In one form the second parts of the coupling are female couplers in the form of slots 34 for cooperatively engaging head bolts 22 upon rotation of plate 32 with respect to retainer 20 in either the clockwise direction or anticlockwise direction. Slot 34 can be of any suitable form, type or configuration. However, a preferred form of slot 34 is shown in Figures 5 to 8 illustrating other forms of the support assembly since the couplings of backing plate 32 are common to all three types of support assemblies as described.

[0062] As more particularly shown in Figures 5,6, 8 and 9, slot 34 has a central enlarged part circular aperture 36 of a size corresponding to the size of head bolt 22 to receive bolt 22 therethrough when mounting support assembly 30 to retainer 20. Aperture 36 is located intermediate generally blind U-shaped grooves 38a, 38b located on either side of aperture 36. The width of grooves 38 is less than the diameter of aperture 36. Neck 26 of head bolt 22 is received within grooves 38 when support assembly 30 is fixed to retainer 20 by respective relative rotation therebetween.

[0063] Backing plate 32 is provided with four regularly spaced apart wheel assemblies 40 fixedly connected to plate 32 such as by welding, adhesive, casting or other bonding to securely locate wheel assemblies 40 in position on plate 30. Each wheel assembly 40 includes fixing plate 42 and castor wheel 44 extending outwardly therefrom in which fixing plate 42 is welded to plate 32 allowing wheel 44 movably connected thereto to swivel or otherwise move in accordance with corresponding movement of grinder 2 to support grinder 2 as required by being able to freely rotate about both the vertical and horizontal axes. Thus, although retainer 20 is fixed against movement when grinder 2 moves because wheels 44 are caster wheels which are free to both swivel and rotate to adopt any convenient or desirable direction of movement, the support assemblies 40 both

[0064] - 13 - support grinder 2 on the solid surface upon which grinder 2 is located and assist in continued movement of grinder 2 during transportation from one location to another.

[0065] Second Form of Support Assembly

[0066] A second form of support assembly will now be described with particular reference to Figures 5 and 6. Support assembly 50 includes a circular backing plate 52 of a size similar to the size of retainer 22. Backing plate 52 is provided with three circumferentially spaced apart second parts of the coupling for coupling support assembly 50 thereto. In one form the second parts of the coupling are connectors in the form of slots 54 for cooperatively engaging head bolts 22 upon rotation of plate 52 with respect to retainer 20. Slot 54 can be of any suitable form, type or configuration. However, a preferred form of slot 54 is shown in Figures 5 to 8 illustrating forms of the support assembly. Slot 54 has a central enlarged part circular aperture 56 of a size corresponding to the size of enlarged head 24 of bolt 22 to receive bolt 22 therethrough when mounting support assembly 50 to retainer 20. Aperture 56 is located intermediate generally blind U-shaped grooves 58a, 58b located on either side of aperture 56. The width of grooves 58 is less than the diameter of aperture 56. Neck 26 of head bolt 22 is received within grooves 58 when support assembly 50 is fixed to retainer 20 via backing plate 52.

[0067] Support assembly 50 includes wheel assembly 60 having a tapering sided wheel plate 62 from which caster wheel 64 extends outwardly allowing both free rotation and swivelling of wheel 64 in use as shown in detail in enlargement "A" of Figure 6 and in Figure 7. It is to be noted that tapered sides 65 of wheel plate 62 taper radially inwards to maintain wheel assembly 60 in position during use. Backing plate 52 is provided with six circumferentially spaced apart holders 66 fixedly attached thereto for receiving therein wheel plate 62 of wheel assemblies 60. Each holder 66 is in the form of a socket consisting of web 67 located intermediate a pair of tapering sides 68 corresponding to tapering sides 65 of wheel plate 62 as shown in detail in enlargement "B" of Figure 5 and in Figure 7 so as to maintain wheel assemblies 60 in place within the respective holders

[0068] - 14 -

[0069] 66 on backing plate 52 during movement of grinder 2 as shown in enlargement "A" of figure 6.

[0070] Third Form of Support Assembly

[0071] A third form of the support assembly of the present description is similar to the second form apart from the manner of attaching the respective wheel assemblies to the respective backing plates.

[0072] The third form of support assembly 70 has a backing plate 72 similar to backing plate 52 for coupling to retainer 20 of grinder 2. Instead of having six holders 66 as does backing plate 52, backing plate 72 has six circumferentially spaced apart tapering sided slots, slits, cutouts, gaps, or similar 74 extending entirely through the thickness of plate 72 forming one part of a coupling for detachably mounting another form of wheel assembly thereto which wheel assembly is provided with another complementary form of the coupling so that the two coupling parts cooperatively engage with one another to securely fix the wheel assembly to the backing plate. The tapering sides of slot 74 enable the slot to function as a socket. One form of slot 74 is shown in detail in enlargement "C" of Figure 8. Slot 74 is formed with tapering sides 76 tapering inwards in the radially outwards direction to maintain wheel assembly 78 in position. Wheel assembly 78 as shown in detail in enlargement "D" of figure 9 and in Figure 10 includes wheel plate 80 from which a projection forming the other complementary part of the coupling extends in the form of an elongate tapering boss or wedge 82 having opposed tapering sides 85 which extend outwardly from the inner or upper side thereof for cooperative engagement with correspondingly shaped elongate tapered sided slot74 to maintain wheel assembly 78 in position during use. Caster wheel 84 extends outwardly from the outer or lower side of wheel plate 80 to contact the solid surface upon which grinder 2 is located. Thus, caster wheel 84 is free to rotate and to swivel in any direction in accordance with driven movement of grinder 2 when moved by driven wheels 8.

[0073] - 15 -

[0074] Operation

[0075] In use when grinder 2 is to be transported from one location to another, firstly the existing grinding plate of the grinder is removed, or the existing abrasive blocks are removed from the backing plate, and secondly, one form of support assembly of the present description is selected in accordance with the type of backing plate being used and fixed in place on the chosen backing plate by head 24 of head bolt 22 being received within the respective aperture of the selected backing place and moved clockwise or anticlockwise so that neck 26 of bolt 22 is received within the respective blind groove to lock backing plate 32, 52, 72 to retainer 20. Thereupon, driven wheels 8 are operated to move grinder 2 along the solid substrate. As grinder 2 moves the caster wheels are oriented in the required direction to allow continued movement of grinder 2. Since grinder 2 is at least partially supported by the wheels of the support assembly now attached to the grinder, grinder 2 is stably supported and thus can be more readily, and stably transported from one location to another location thereby improving the safety and handling of the grinder reducing the tendency for the grinder to fall or to topple over or otherwise be difficult to control by being unbalanced.

[0076] Advantages

[0077] One or more embodiments of forms of the support assemblies in accordance with the present description have at least one of the following advantages.

[0078] Use of forms of the support assembly increase the ground clearance of the machines to which the support assembly has been attached when transporting the machine over a solid substrate such as a concrete floor or when being loaded / unloaded onto or from a vehicle thus increasing the stability of the machine and allowing the machine to traverse uneven levels in the concrete floor such as drains, steps, entering and leaving lifts and the like.

[0079] Use of forms of the support system improves safety and manoeuvrability during transportation.

[0080] - 16 -

[0081] The head of the machine is substantially level during transportation when the support assembly is fitted.

[0082] Improved ground clearance using the support assembly reduces or prevents damage to the machine during transportation such as the retainer and housing.

[0083] Reduced length and footprint of the machine having the support assembly increases accessibility both around the machine and on the job site.

[0084] Releasably attachable support assemblies are lighter in weight and smaller than existing attachments for moving the machine.

[0085] It is quicker and simpler to convert the machine between an operational mode and a transportation mode using the releasably securable support assemblies.

[0086] Many modifications of the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, as the connector is configured to secure to the machine in the same way that a removable grinding element (or similar) connects to the machine, it may therefore take many different forms and shapes.

[0087] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0088] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

- 17 -CLAIMS:

1. A support assembly for supporting a powered work machine to assist transportation of the machine between locations, the support assembly comprising a connector and a movable support element, wherein the connector is configured for detachably connecting the support assembly to the machine and the movable support element is configured for movably supporting the machine during movement of the machine, and wherein when the movable support element is connected to the machine using the connector and the movable support element moves in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine to stably support the machine during transportation between the locations.

2. A wheeled support assembly for supporting a concrete grinding machine to assist transportation of the machine between locations, the wheeled support assembly comprising a connector and at least one movable support wheel, the movable support wheel extending outwardly from the connector for contact with a solid substrate over which the machine is to move, the connector configured for detachably connecting the support assembly to the machine, and the movable support wheel for movably supporting the machine during movement of the machine over the substrate wherein when the support assembly is connected to a retainer of the machine using the connector and the movable support wheel moves in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine over the substrate to stably support the machine on the substrate during transportation of the machine between the locations.

3. A support assembly for supporting a powered work machine to assist transportation of the machine between locations over a substrate, the support assembly including a backing plate and at least one wheel assembly,- 18 - the backing plate having a connector for detachably connecting the wheel assembly to the backing plate, the support assembly comprising a body portion fixedly attached to the backing plate and a movable support element, and the movable support element extending outwardly from the backing member for movably supporting the machine during movement of the machine, wherein when the support assembly is connected to the machine by the connector of the backing plate the movable support element contacts the substrate to move in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine to stably support the machine on the substrate during transportation between the locations.

4. A method of supporting a powered work machine using a support assembly to assist transportation of the machine between locations over a solid substrate, the method comprising the steps of: attaching the support assembly to the machine for supporting the machine during movement of the machine and moving the machine over the substrate, the support assembly comprising a connector and a movable support element the connector configured for detachably connecting the support element to the machine and the movable support element for movably supporting the machine during movement of the machine, wherein when the support assembly is connected to the machine using the connector and the movable support element moves in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine to stably support the machine during transportation between the locations over the solid substrate.

5. A support assembly for use in assisting transportation of a concrete grinding machine having a retainer, the support assembly comprising a backing member having a connector for connecting part of the support assembly to the retainer of the machine to detachably mount the support assembly to the machine- 19 - and at least one wheel pivotally mounted to the body for free rotation thereabout to support the machine and allow movement of the machine, such that when attached to the machine using the backing plate and connector the wheel of the support assembly supports the machine and assists in transportation of the machine between locations by freely moving in accordance with corresponding movement of the machine.

6. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the powered work machine includes an electrically powered industrial machine used in the building and construction industries for treating concrete or concrete like materials, for grinding, polishing, abrading, smoothing, cutting, grooving, scoring, or resurfacing materials, including concrete, aggregate, masonry, bricks, blocks, tiles, and the like.

7. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the machine is a concrete grinder and / or polisher.

8. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the concrete grinder includes a retainer in the form of a rotary member, typically a generally planar rotary member, more typically a circular plate or disc having one form of coupling for connecting the support assembly or part of the support assembly to the retainer.

9. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the retainer and support assembly have complementary coupling elements, such as complementary male and female couplers in which the male coupler includes a bolt, head bolt, shear bolt, a stud, shaft, or similar provided on the retainer and the female coupler includes an aperture, opening, slot, slit, groove, channel or other void provided on the support assembly.

10. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the body portion of the support assembly includes a backing plate or a wheel plate or other planar member in the form of a plate, platter, sheet, slab, panel or similar, preferably a thin plate.

11. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the wheel or wheel assembly is mounted for free rotation and free swivelling of the wheel in accordance with corresponding movement of the grinder over the solid substrate.- 20 -12. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the wheel plate is securely fixed to an integral backing plate by welding, adhesive, bonding, casting, moulding or similar or is detachably or releasably securable to a connector provided on the backing plate wherein the backing plate has a complementary connector to the connector provided on the wheel plate.

13. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the connector includes a first and second part in which the first and second parts are complementary to one another to form an interacting or cooperatively engaging pair of first and second connectors which pair includes a generally male part and a generally female part.

14. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which one part of the connector is provided on the wheel assembly and the complementary other part is provided on the backing plate either permanently or temporarily.

15. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the male part is provided on the wheel plate or wheel assembly in the form of an outwardly extending plug or similar and the female part is provided on the backing plate in the form of a socket for receiving the plug.

16. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the female part is provided on the wheel assembly or wheel plate in the form of a socket and the male part is provided on the backing plate in the form of a plug wherein the plug is received within the socket to connect the wheel to the backing plate.

17. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the male part of the connector includes a tapered or inclined or sloping element having tapering sides, walls, edges, or the like.

18. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the female part of the connector includes a void having tapering side walls in the form of a cavity, recess, chamber, depression, aperture, hole, opening, socket, or the like having tapering sides, edges, walls and the like.

19. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the male part of the connector includes a projection having tapering sides, walls, or edges in the- 21 - form of a boss, plug, wedge, chock, cleat, protuberance, bulge, protrusion, ridge, spine, spur or the like.

20. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the movable support element is or includes a wheel assembly wherein the wheel assembly includes wheels, rollers, conveyors, balls, spheres, or other wheel-like arrangements capable of rolling over a solid substrate such as a concrete floor, loading ramp, or load area of a vehicle such as a flatbed truck, trailer, or similar.

21. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the wheels or rollers are pivotal wheels, swivel wheels, swinging wheels, typically being pivotal about a vertical axis, preferably the wheels are castor wheels including swivelling castor wheels, bolted castor wheels, hooded castor wheels or similar which are freely rotatable about orthogonally arranged axes in both horizontal and vertical directions to allow the wheels to move in accordance with corresponding movement of the grinder to readily transport the grinder safely with reduced chance of falling or toppling over when being moved, loaded, unloaded, and the like.

22. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the castor wheels or assembly include a single wheel or double wheels or compound wheels or combinations of different type of wheels or similar.

23. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the wheel or wheel assembly includes one, two, three, four or more individual wheels or individual sets of wheels wherein there are four sets of wheels or wheel assemblies fixedly attached to an integral backing plate or six individual wheels or wheel sets releasably securable to a backing plate.

24. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which individual wheels or wheel assemblies or wheel sets are releasably mounted to the backing plate wherein the individual wheels, wheel assemblies, or sets of wheels are individually replaceable, exchangeable or interchangeable with other similar or identical types of wheels, assemblies or sets.

25. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the wheels, wheel assemblies or wheel sets and connectors are interchangeable or- 22 - exchangeable or replaceable with the abrasive or diamond blocks, wedges, segments or similar.

26. A support assembly or method according to any preceding claim in which the backing plate is a circular plate or disc having six connectors in radially extending circumferentially spaced apart relationship to one another for cooperatively engaging with complementary connectors of the wheels, wheel assemblies or wheel sets so that the wheels, wheel assemblies or wheel sets are arranged to extend radially in spaced apart circumferential relationship around the surface of the backing plate.

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