Equipment handling apparatus and method

Abstract

A method of handling a work piece includes providing an equipment head that is coupled to and translatable along a mast defining a first axis, the equipment head including a head shaft defining a second axis non-parallel to the first axis, and providing a second shaft that is rotatable about a third axis non-parallel to the second axis. The method includes attaching a drive assembly to the second shaft, where the drive assembly is offset from and substantially parallel to the head shaft. The method includes moving the work piece with the drive assembly relative to at least one of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis.

1 . A method of handling a work piece comprising:
 providing an equipment head that is coupled to and translatable along a mast defining a first axis, the equipment head including a head shaft defining a second axis non-parallel to the first axis;   providing a second shaft that is rotatable about a third axis non-parallel to the second axis;   attaching a drive assembly to the second shaft, the drive assembly offset from and substantially parallel to the head shaft; and   moving the work piece with the drive assembly relative to at least one of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing a second shaft comprises providing an adaptor shaft housing that co-axially maintains the second shaft, the adaptor shaft housing coupled to the head shaft. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the head shaft is coupled to the adaptor shaft housing between opposing ends of the adaptor shaft housing. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein attaching a drive assembly to the second shaft comprises attaching a drive assembly to a central portion of the second shaft. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second shaft rotates independent of the head shaft. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein moving the work piece comprises:
 moving the work piece up/down the first axis;   rotating the work piece around the second axis; and   rotating the work piece around the third axis.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein moving the work piece comprises:
 rotating the head shaft around the second axis; and   rotating the work piece 360 degrees around the third axis.   
   
   
       8 . A method of handling a work piece comprising:
 providing an equipment head that is coupled to and translatable along a mast defining a first axis, the equipment head including a head shaft defining a second axis non-parallel to the first axis;   mounting an adaptor shaft housing to the head shaft, the adaptor shaft housing co-axial with and maintaining a second shaft that is rotatable about a third axis non-parallel to the second axis,   mounting a drive assembly to an end of the adaptor shaft housing and engaged with the second shaft, the drive assembly offset from and substantially parallel to the head shaft; and   moving the work piece with the drive assembly relative to at least one of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein moving the work piece with the drive assembly comprises moving the second shaft with a gear of the drive assembly. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein moving the second shaft with a gear of the drive assembly comprises rotating the work piece around the third axis. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the head shaft is rotated to move the work piece to an orientation between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation, and rotating the work piece around the third axis comprises rotating a non-horizontal and a non-vertical work piece around the third axis with the second shaft.