AU2020200364B1

AU2020200364B1 - Recovery and lifting assembly components

Info

Publication number: AU2020200364B1
Application number: AU2020200364A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Joshua LEPPARD
Original assignee: Soft Rigging Solutions Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Soft Rigging Solutions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-17
Filing date: 2020-01-17
Publication date: 2020-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-17
Also published as: AU2020213366B1; AU2021236536B1

Abstract

A coupling and shackle for hauling or lifting a heavy load; each of the coupling and the shackle formed from an assembly of high molecular weight polymer fibres sheathed in braided polymer. Alsodisclosedis method of forming a shackle of a coupling and shackle combination; the method including the steps of: - forming an assembly of high molecular weight into bundles to form a continuous loop, - controlling shape of the continuous loop by sheathing the continuous loop with braided polymer material, - providing a split at each end of the continuous loop to form a first loop at a first end and a second loop at a second end, - inserting an assembly of a bolt and a thimble into the first loop and inserting a second thimble into the second loop, - sliding the second thimble and second loop over the bolt, - securing the second thimble and second loop on the bolt by a locking nut on a threaded outer end of the bolt to form the shackle.

Description

RECOVERY AND LIFTING ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present inventionrelatesrtoequipment for lifting orhaulingof heavy loads. More particularly although not exclusively it provides for lifting, hauling and recovery of heavy plant and machinery and, more particularly although not exclusively, to equipment including couplings and shackles for effecting the lifting and hauling.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The lifting, towing and recovery of heavy equipment and plant, particularly in the mining industry, employs, frequently in combination, two components known as a pull ring and a shackle. These two, raising issues of health and safety in their use. The excessive weight of these steel items also leads to their use being awkward and difficult in for example, recovery of heavy machinery bogged or broken down in difficult to access situations where other machines cannot gain access to do the lifting or to rig a steel D shacldes in place.

[0003] Another disadvantage of the known pull ring is that it is a rigid ring which can only be positioned about an attachment fixture if there is an accessible end of that fixture.

[0004] Moreover, the repeated use of these steel components chafing against edges, can lead to the formation of sharp burrs, which again are a health and safety hazard. In some situations, steel forms of the pull ring and shackle may fail under extreme conditions and may result in the stored energy within the steel rendering parts airborne and highly dangerous.

[0005] Itisan object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages.

Notes

[0006] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of'.

[0007] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007A] In one broad form of the invention there is provided shackle formed from an assembly of bundles of high molecular weight polymer fibres formed into a continuous loop; the bundles sheathed in braided polymer forming a continuous loop; the bundles split at a first end to from a first loop and split at a second end to form a second loop; wherein an assembly of a bolt and a first thimble installed in the first loop and a second thimble installed in the second loop; an outer end of the bolt threaded to receive a locking nut.

[0007B] In another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of forming a shackle of a coupling and shackle combination; the method including the steps of: - forming an assembly of high molecular weight into bundles to form a continuous loop, - controlling shape of the continuous loop by sheathing the continuous loop with braided polymer material, - providing a split at each end of the continuous loop to form a first loop at a first end and asecondloop atasecondend, - inserting an assembly of a bolt and a thimble into the first loop and inserting a second thimble into the second loop, - sliding the second thimble and second loop over the bolt, - securing the second thimble and second loop on the bolt by a locking nut on a threaded outer end of the bolt to form the shackle.

[0007C] In another broad form of the invention there is provided an assembly of bundles of fibres of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene forming a shackle; the bundles formed into a continuous loop sheathed in braided polymer; the assembly split to provide the loop at each outer end with respectively a first loop and a second loop; an assembly of a metal bolt and a first metal thimble inserted into the first loop and a second metal thimble inserted into the second loop to form the shackle when the second loop is slid over the bolt and a locking nut is fitted to a threaded end of the bolt and, wherein the bundles offibres are chosen in number to define a desired breaking strain of the shackle.

[0007D] In another broader form of the invention there is provided a method of recovery of a disabled item of equipment by a towing source; the method including the steps of:

- fitting the shackle as described above in an open condition to a loop of a connecting cable, - fitting the continuous loop around a towing or recovery fixture of the disabled item of equipment, - passing the continuous loop of the shackle through one loop of a connecting cable, - sliding the second thimble of the shackle over the bolt to form the D shackle around the towing or recovery fixture, - fitting the nut to the end of the bolt to secure the second thimble on the bolt, and wherein, the connecting cable is formed of multiple bundles of high strength polymer splice together and sheathed; the connecting cable spliced at each outer end to form first and second integral loops.

[0008] In another broad form of the invention there is provided a coupling and shackle; each of the coupling and the shackle formed from an assembly of high molecular weight polymer fibres sheathed in braided polymer.

[0009] Preferably the fibres are arranged in an assembly of multiple bundles spliced together to make one continuous loop.

[00010] Preferably the coupling is formed by firstly providing a split at a first end of the assembly to form a first loop adapted to receive a transverse bone.

[00011] Preferably the transverse bone is secured in the first loop by whipping.

[00012] Preferably secondly a second end of the assembly is split to form a second elongate loop.

[00013] Preferably the second end of the assembly and the second elongate loop are folded back to pass under the bone and over the first loop to form the pull coupling.

[00014] Preferably the shackle is formed from the continuous loop by a split at each end to form a first loop and a second loop.

2A

[00015] Preferably an assembly of a bolt and a first thimble is installed in the first loop and a second thimble is installed in the second loop.

[00016] Preferably an outer end of the bolt is threaded to receive a locking nut; the nut securing the second thimble and second loop to the bolt when the second thimble and second loop are slid over the bolt to form a D shackle.

[00017] Accordingly in a further broad form of the invention there is provided a coupling of a coupling and shackle combination; the coupling formed from an assembly of spliced together bundles of high molecular weight polymer fibres sheathed in braided polymer material.

[00018] Preferably the assembly is split at a first end to form a first loop; the first loop adapted to receive a transverse bone secured in the first loop by whipping.

2B

[00019] Preferably the assembly is split at a second end to form a second elongate loop; the second elongate loop folded back to pass under the bone and over the first loop to form the assembly into a ring.

[00020] Accordingly in a further broad form of the invention there is provided a shackle of a coupling and shackle combination; the shackle formed from an assembly of spliced together bundles of high molecular weight polymer fibres sheathed in braided polymer material.

[00021] Preferably the assembly is split at each end to form respectively a first loop and a second loop.

[00022] Preferably an assembly of a bolt and a first thimble is installed in the first loop; a second thimble being inserted into the second loop.

[00023] Preferably a lock nut assembled to a threaded outer end of the bolt secures the second thimble and second loop to the bolt when the second thimble is slid over the bolt to form a D shackle.

[00024] Accordingly in another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of forming a coupling of a coupling and shackle combination; the method including the steps of: forming an assembly of high molecular weight into bundles to form a continuous loop, controlling shape of the continuous loop by sheathing the continuous loop with braided polymer material, providing at a first end of the continuous loop a first split to form a first loop adapted to receive a transverse bone, providing at a second end of the continuous loop a second split to form an elongated second loop, folding back the second end and the second elongated loop to pass under the bone and over the first loop to form the coupling.

[00025] Accordingly in another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of forming a shackle of a coupling and shackle combination; the method including the steps of: forming an assembly of high molecular weight into bundles to form a continuous loop, controlling shape of the continuous loop by sheathing the continuous loop with braided polymer material, providing a split at each end of the continuous loop to form a first loop at a first end and a second loop at a second end, insertingan assembly of a bolt and a thimble into the first loop and inserting a second thimble into the second loop, sliding the second thimble and second loop over the bolt, securing the second thimble and second loop on the bolt by a locking nut on a threaded outer end of the bolt to form the shackle.

[00026] Accordingly in a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of recovering a disabled item of equipment by a towing source; the method including the steps of: Attaching one of either a coupling or a shackle to a towing fixture of the towing source, For a coupling in open condition, fitting an end with an elongate loop of the coupling ring through a first loop at a first end of a connecting cable, Closing the coupling by folding the end with the elongate loop back and around a bone of the pull ring, Attaching one of either a coupling or a shackle to a towing or recovery fixture of the disable item of equipment, Fitting a second loop at a second end of the connecting cable to the coupling or the shackle, Applying sufficient tension to the connecting cable to move the disabled item of equipment and wherein each of the coupling and the shackle includes assemblies of bundles of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene polymer fibre.

[00027] Preferably the coupling includes a first loop formed at a first end of the assembly of polymer fibres; a bone inserted into the first loop secured in position by whipping.

[00028] Preferably the elongate loop is formed at a second end of the assembly of polymer fibres.

[00029] Preferably a length of the assembly of bundles of polymer fibres of the shackle is provided at each end with a loop.

[00030] Preferably an assembly of a steel thimble and a steel bolt is inserted into a first of the loops; a steel thimble being inserted into a second of the loops.

[00031] Preferably in a closed condition the thimble in the second of the loops is slid over an outer end of the bolt and a securing nut is fitted to a threaded end of the bolt.

[00032] Accordingly in a further broad form of the invention there is provided a connecting cable connecting either one of a coupling or a shackle at each outer end of the connecting cable; the connecting cable formed of aramid polymer bundles spliced together and sheathed with an integral loop provided at each outer end; each of the coupling and shackle including assemblies of bundles of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibres.

[00033] Accordingly in a further broad form of the invention there is provided a method of lifting a load; the method including the steps of: fitting the load with a sling, With a coupling in an open condition feed an end of the coupling with an elongate second loop around a lifting point of the sling, Closing the coupling by folding the end with the elongate second loop back on itself to pass the elongate loop under a bone of the coupling and over a first loop, Fitting an end of the closed coupling over a lifting hook of a lifting device and, Wherein the coupling is formed of an assembly of bundles of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; a first end of the assembly provide with a first loop for securing therein a bone; a second end of the assembly provided with a second elongated slot; the second end adapted for folding back to pass the elongate loop under the bone and over the first loop to close the coupling.

[00034] Accordingly in a further broad form of the invention there is provided an assembly of bundles of fibres of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; the bundles forming a coupling wherein a first loop is provided at a first end of the assembly for securing therein a bone; an elongate second loop provided at a second end of the assembly; the elongate loop folded back on itself to pass under the bone and over the first loop to form the coupling and, wherein the bundles of fibres are chosen in number to define a desired breaking strain of the coupling.

[00035] Accordingly in a further broad form of the invention there is provided an assembly of bundles of fibres of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene forming a shackle; the assembly provided at each outer end with respectively a first loop and a second loop; an assembly of a metal bolt and a first metal thimble inserted into the first loop and a second metal thimble inserted into the second loop to form the shackle when the second loop is slid over the bolt and a locking nut is fitted to a threaded end of the bolt and, wherein the bundles of fibres are chosen in number to define a desired breaking strain of the shackle.

[00036] Preferably there is provided a method of constructing the coupling and shackle described above so as to provide a coupling and shackle of predetermined maximum breaking strain; said method comprising selecting the diameter of the fibres and selecting the number of laps of fibre forming bundles of fibre so as to effect the predetermined maximum breaking strain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00037] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[00038] Figure 1 is a first view of an assembly of polymer fibre bundles sheathed in a polymer webbing prior to assembly into a first component of the invention;

[00039] Figure 2 is a second view of the assembly of figure 1;

[00040] Figure 3 is a top view of the assembly of figures 1 and 2 assembled into the first component of the invention;

[00041] Figure 4 is a view from below of the assembled first component of figure 3;

[00042] Figure 5 is a side view of the assembled component of figures 3 and 4;

[00043] Figure 6 is an end view of the assembled component of figures 3, 4 and 5;

[00044] Figure 7 is a sectioned view of the component of figures 3 to 6 showing a typical arrangement of the bundles of polymer fibres within the polymer webbing;

[00045] Figure 8 is a view of an assembly of polymer fibre bundles sheathed in polymer webbing prior to assembly into a second component of the invention;

[00046] Figure 9 is a top view of the assembly of figure 8 assembled to form the second component shown in an open condition;

[00047] Figure 10 is atop view of the assembled component of figure 9 shown in a closed condition;

[00048] Figure 11 is a side view of the assembled component of figure 10;

[00049] Figure 12 is an end view of the assembled component of figure 10;

[00050] Figure 13 is a sectioned end view of the assembled component of figure 10,

[00051] Figure 14 is a view of a recovery operation with the components of the invention in use,

[00052] Figure 15 is a view of the coupling of the invention in use in a lifting operation.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[00053] The present invention provides alternatives to two components; a coupling and a shackle or, more specifically, a "D-shackle". These two components may be used in combination to attach cables/slings or strops to attachment points or structural features of, for example mining equipment and plant or cranes, in cases where such equipment or plant must be lifted, recovered or moved. The Coupling

[00054] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the first component of the invention is formed from an assembly 10 of multiple laps or bundles 11 (see figure 7), ranging from 4 to 14 for example, of endless Dyneema, PBO or another type of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre, spliced together to make one continuous loop 12.

[00055] A braiding 14 of the same polyethylene or similar material is used to sheathe the bundles to control and give them the shape shown in figures 1 and 2. One end 16 of the assembly 10 is split to form a first loop 18 adapted to receive a metal transverse "bone" or peg 20 (as shown in figure 3) which is whipped into the first loop 18 with suitable cord (not shown).

[00056] The other end 22 of the assembly 10 is similarly split to form a second, elongate loop 24, thus forming two loops interconnected by a central section of bundles. It will be noted from the cross-section view of figure 7, that the central section interconnecting the two loops 18 and 24 comprises of double the number of bundles than the bundles forming the loops.

[00057] With the bone 20 secured within the first loop 18, the other end of the assembly and second elongate loop 24 is folded back on itself to form the arrangement shown in figures 3 to 6 in which the elongate loop 24 passes under the bone 20 and around the first loop 18. Thus, as best shown in figure 5, the assembled first component of the invention forms a "soft" coupling 26.

[00058] It will be understood that the arrangement of the bone 20 permanently located in the first loop 18, allows for the soft coupling 26 to be opened so as to allow it to be passed around some fixture of a load, such as for example the blade of a bulldozer ripper where the ripper tip is on or partly buried in the ground. The Shaelde

[00059] Turning now to figures 8 to 13, the second component of the invention is formed similarly from an assembly 30 of bundles of UHMWPE or similar polymer material and sheathed with braiding 32 to take the form of that shown in figure 8. As before for the first component above, the bundles are split to form a first loop 34 at first end 36 and a second loop 38 at the second end 40.

[00060] As shown in figure 9, an assembly of a metal bolt 42 and a first metal thimble 44 is installed in first loop 34, with a second steel thimble 46 inserted into the second loop 38. The outer end of the bolt 42 is threaded so that as shown in figure 10, when the assembly of bundles 30 is folded over and the second thimble 46 is slid over the bolt, a securing nut 48 locks the assembly of the second component into the well-known form of a D shackle 49.

[00061] In an alternative arrangement of the second component, the thimbles are sized and the bolt lengthened to accommodate two sets of the assembly 30, so doubling the capacity of the shackle. Connecting Cable

[00062] A third component of the invention comprises a connecting cable 50 (shown in use in figure 14), preferable formed of an aramid, such as Technora by the Teijin Aramid a high strength polymer closely related to Kevlar. Similar to the construction of the described above, the cable is formed of multiple bundles of this material spliced together and sheathed and spliced at each outer end to form a first and second integral loop 52 and 54.

[00063] All three components may be sized to conform to a range of load bearing specifications as shown for example in the table below, in which WLL refers to Working Load Limit and MBS to Minimum Breaking Strength: • 17ton WLL, 102ton MBS • 25ton WLL, 150ton MBS 55ton WLL, 33Oton MBS • 65ton WLL, 390ton MBS • 75ton WLL, 450ton MBS • 85ton WLL, 51Oton MBS * 95tob WLL, 570ton MBS • 1Oton WLL, 660ton MBS * 125ton WLL, 750ton MBS

Other Embodiments

[00064] In an alternative arrangement, the assembly of the continuous loop of material may be provided with a single split to provide one loop, so forming a coupling.

[00065] In a further embodiment, of both the coupling and the shackle, the number of laps or bundles of fibre forming the assembly may be selected for a desired breaking strain. This may be desirable where, for example, an excessive pulling force in a recovery operation could damage equipment.

[00066] By way of particular example, it has been determined that for laps of fibre where the fibre is 10mm diameter Dyneema results in a breaking strain of approximately 160 tonne.

[00067] The methodology of selecting the fibres and mode of construction of the coupling provides the ability to offer couplings of specified breaking strain which is desirable in certain circumstances.

In Use

[00068] The above components may be used in a similar manner in which the steel pull ring and shackles are currently used. In a system for recovering a disabled item of equipment by a towing source, a typical situation is one in which a large, broken down dump truck 56 is to be recovered by a bulldozer 58. The system, illustrated in figure 14 then includes the step of fitting a pull ring 10 (or a shackle) to a towing fixture 60 on the bulldozer. In the example of figure 14, a pull ring 10 while opened, is fitted to the towing fixture 60 of a towing source, in this example the bulldozer 58 and retained in the fixture 60 by pin 62. (Alternatively, coupling 10 could be passed around a ripper blade of the bulldozer).

[00069] One of the loops 52 of the connecting cable 50 is then threaded onto the elongated loop 24 end of the pull ring and that loop folded back and around the bone 20 to close the pull ring.

[00070] Referring again to figure 14, the loop 54 at the other end of the connecting cable/strop or sling 50 may be attached to a shackle 49, which in turn can be fitted to a towing or recovery fixture of the dump truck 56 of this example. It will be understood that either a coupling or a shackle may be used at each end of the cable 50. Sufficient tension then applied to the connecting cable by the towing force is then applied to recover the disabled item.

[00071] The same combination of components of the invention, may be use in load lifting applications. Thus, by way of example as shown in figure 15, an end of the pull ring (or a shackle) of the invention while open may be passed around straps 70 of a sling fitted around a load 72. With the pull ring closed as described above, the other end of the pull ring can then be passed over the hook 74 of a lifting device such as a crane (not shown) to lift and transfer the load to a required location.

[00072] The components of the invention provide a light-weight, soft substitute for the heavy and cumbersome steel pull ring, D shackle cable equipment generally in use in the industry. Being much lighter, a combined weight of 9kgs replacing that of 110Kg of the pull ring and shackle for example, allows almost anyone to safely handle the ring and shackle. The polymer composition of the components further makes them highly suitable for underground coal mining operations.

Claims

1. A shackle formed from an assembly of bundles of high molecular weight polymer fibres formed into a continuous loop; the bundles sheathed in braided polymer forming a continuous loop; the bundles split at a first end to from a first loop and split at a second end to form a second loop; wherein an assembly of a bolt and afirst thimble installed in the first loop and a second thimble installed in the second loop; an outer end of the bolt threaded to receive a locking nut.

2. The coupling and shackle of claim 1 wherein the fibres are arranged in an assembly of multiple bundles spliced together to make one continuous loop.

3. The shackle of claim 1 or 2 wherein the nut secures the second thimble and second loop to the bolt when the second thimble and second loop are slid over the bolt to form a D shackle.

4. A method of forming a shackle of a coupling and shackle combination; the method including the steps of: - forming an assembly of high molecular weight into bundles to form a continuous loop, - controlling shape of the continuous loop by sheathing the continuous loop with braided polymer material, - providing a split at each end of the continuous loop to form a first loop at a first end and a second loop at a second end, - inserting an assembly of a bolt and a thimble into the first loop and inserting a second thimble into the second loop, - sliding the second thimble and second loop over the bolt, - securing the second thimble and second loop on the bolt by a locking nut on a threaded outer end of the bolt to form the shackle.

5. An assembly of bundles of fibres of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene forming a shackle; the bundles formed into a continuous loop sheathed in braided polymer; the assembly split to provide the loop at each outer end with respectively a first loop and a second loop; an assembly of a metal bolt and a first metal thimble inserted into the first loop and a second metal thimble inserted into the second loop to form the shackle when the second loop is slid over the bolt and a locking nut is fitted to a threaded end of the bolt and, wherein the bundles of fibres are chosen in number to define a desired breaking strain of the shackle.

6. A method of constructing the shackle of any one of claims 1 to 5 so as to provide a shackle of predetermined maximum breaking strain; said method comprising selecting the diameter of the fibres and selecting the number of laps of fibres forming the bundles so as to effect the predetermined maximum breaking strain.

7. A method of recovery of a disabled item of equipment by a towing source; the method including the steps of:

- fitting the shackle of any one of claims 1 to 5 in an open condition to a loop of a connecting cable, - fitting the continuous loop around a towing or recovery fixture of the disabled item of equipment, - passing the continuous loop of the shackle through one loop of a connecting cable, - sliding the second thimble of the shackle over the bolt to form the D shackle around the towing or recovery fixture, - fitting the nut to the end of the bolt to secure the second thimble on the bolt, and wherein, the connecting cable is formed of multiple bundles of high strength polymer splice together and sheathed; the connecting cable spliced at each outer end to form first and second integral loops.