CA2858230A1

CA2858230A1 - Bundle grapple

Info

Publication number: CA2858230A1
Application number: CA2858230A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Dave Reich; Durwill Dennis; Matt Hanes; Matt Mcturk
Original assignee: Altex Industries Inc
Current assignee: Altex Industries Inc
Priority date: 2014-07-30
Filing date: 2014-07-30
Publication date: 2016-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-30
Also published as: CA2858230C

Abstract

A grappling device has a body with a track. First and second jaw members are movably mounted on the track. There is a closing mechanism comprising a lever arm with a first end attached to the first jaw member by a first linkage and a second end attached to the second jaw member by a second linkage. The lever arm is pivotally mounted to the body between the first and second jaw members relative to the track by a pivotal connection that is disposed between the first and second ends of the lever arm. A linear actuator has a first end attached to the body and a second end attached to the lever arm. As the linear actuator extends and retracts, the linear actuator causes the lever arm to pivot about the pivotal connection.

Description

BUNDLE GRAPPLE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This relates to a grapple that may be used to manipulate heavy, elongated objects, such as a bundle of exchanger tubes.
BACKGROUND

[0002] In industrial applications, it is often necessary to move or lift objects that are large and heavy. Grapples are often used to , such as UK patent application no.
627,807, entitled "Improvements relating to Grabs, Grapples and the like."
SUMMARY

[0003] There is provided a grappling device comprising a body comprising a track that extends along the body. A first jaw member is movably mounted on a first portion of the track and a second jaw member is movably mounted to a second portion of the track. There is a closing mechanism comprising a lever arm having a first end attached to the first jaw member by a first linkage and a second end attached to the second jaw member by a second linkage, the lever arm being pivotally mounted to the body between the first and second jaw members relative to the track by a pivotal connection that is disposed between the first and second ends of the lever arm such that, as the lever arm pivots, the first and second linkages convert the pivotal movement of the lever arm into lateral movement of the first and second jaw members along the track between a grappling position and a release position. A linear actuator has a first end attached to the body and a second end attached to the lever arm at a point spaced from the pivotal connection. The linear actuator is aligned with the track such that as the linear actuator extends and retracts, the linear actuator causes the lever arm to pivot about the pivotal connection.

[0004] In another example, the first and second jaw members each comprise a concave grasping surface.

[0005] In another example, the track comprises a first track and a second track in parallel with the first track, and each jaw member is attached to both the first track and the second track. The grappling device may further comprise a first closing mechanism associated with the first track and a second closing mechanism associated with the second track.

[0006] In another example, the linear actuator is attached to an extension of the lever arm that extends past a connection point to the first linkage relative to the pivotal connection.

[0007] In another example, the first and second jaw members are movably mounted to the track by a sliding connection at a top end of each jaw member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grappling device.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the grappling device of HG. 1 FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the grappling device of HG. 1 in a release position.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the grappling device of FIG. 1 in a closed position.
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the grappling device of HG. 1 in a release position around a smaller object.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the grappling device of FIG. 1 in a closed position around the smaller object shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation cross-section view of one jaw member arm of the grappling device of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] A grappling device generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through 6.

[0010] Referring to FIG. 1 and 2, grappling device 10 has a body 12 with a track 14 that extends along body 12. As shown, body 12 is a rectangular frame with lifting lugs 16 to be lifted by machinery and track 14 is part of the rectangular frame. Body 12 may also have a central lifting lug 17. This allows grappling device 10 to be lifted using either four attachment points using lifting lugs 16, or a single attachment point at lifting lug 17, depending on the location and use of grappling device 10. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, a single point lift, for example, may be preferred when using grappling device 10 in situations with low lift height. Grappling device 10 has a first jaw member 18 and a second jaw member 20. Jaw members 18 and 20 are movably mounted on opposite sides of track 14 and face each other, such that they move toward or away from each other between a grappling position and a release position. Jaw members 18 and 20 slide along track 14 and are pivotally stationary as they move between the grappling and release positions. As jaw members 18 and only move laterally, there is no vertical component that would normally be present in a set of pivoting jaws. As shown, jaw members 18 and 20 are mounted by a sliding connection 22 located at the top of each jaw member 18 and 20. It will be understood that other types of connections could also be used, such as one with bearings or wheels to reduce friction.
15 Sliding connection 22 is preferably sliding plates 23, such as TeflonTm or other low friction surface coated plates, which are pin connected so that they are able to pivot when under load to avoid binding and allow movement. Referring to FIG. 7, sliding plates 23 preferably have a plate 25 that engages track 14. By having individual plates with a single pivot axis, sliding plates 23 are allowed to shift slightly to prevent binding when grappling device 10 is carrying 20 a load, which will introduce some torque at sliding connection 22.

[0011] Grappling device 10 has a closing mechanism, generally indicated by reference number 24. Referring to FIG. 1, closing mechanism 24 has a lever arm 26 with a first end 28 attached to first jaw member 18 by a first linkage 30 and a second end 32 attached to second jaw member 20 by a second linkage 34. Lever arm 26 is pivotally mounted by a pivotal connection 36 to body 12 between first and second jaw members 18 and 20. As shown in FIG. 2, lever arm 26 is made up of pieces of flat iron on either side of track 14 midway along track 14. It will be understood that other types of levers and linkages may be used and in different positions, however placing the different elements in line with the forces to be applied reduces unnecessary strains on the system. Referring to FIG. 3 and 4, lever arm 26 pivots about pivotal connection 36 and first and second linkages 30 and 34 convert the pivotal movement of lever arm 26 into lateral movement of first and second jaw members 18 and 20 along track 14 between a release position shown in FIG. 3 and a release position in FIG. 4. In the depicted embodiment, linkages 30 and 34 are rigid and pivotally attached at either end to the respective jaw member 18 or 20 and lever arm 26. This allows them to be used to push or pull jaw members 18 and 20 along track 14. Linkages 30 and 34 preferably have more than one connection location, allowing the length of linkages 30 and 34 to be adjusted. In the depicted embodiment, linkages 30 and 34 have two attachment locations 33 and 35. Using attachment locations 33 and 35, the reach of jaw members 18 and 20 can be adjusted by moving connecting bolt 37 from one attachment location to another. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the adjustment mechanism may take various other forms, for example, a ratcheting mechanism or a telescoping linkage. By adjusting the length of linkages 30 and 34, the opening between jaw members 18 and 20 may be increased or decreased when dealing with larger or smaller diameter loads. It will also be understood that lever arm 24 may take other forms as well. When designing lever arm 24, there should be a central, pivotal connection with lever arms extending out from the pivotal connection on either side. In this manner, as lever arm 26 pivots, jaw members 18 and 20 move in opposite directions either toward or away from the other.

[0012] The movement of lever arm 26 is controlled by a linear actuator 38 that has a first end 40 attached to body 12 such that it is fixed relative to body 12 and track 14 and a second end 41 attached to lever arm 24 at a point spaced from pivotal connection 36.
Linear actuator 38 is aligned with track 14 such that as linear actuator 38 extends and retracts, linear actuator 38 causes lever arm 24 to pivot about pivotal connection 36, which in turn causes jaw members 18 and 20 to move as described above. To enhance the force advantage, linear actuator 38 is preferably attached to an extension 42 of lever arm 26 that extends past where linkage 30 attaches to lever arm 26. It will be understood that linear actuator 38 may be attached at any point along lever arm 26 as long as it is able to move lever arm 26.
Preferably, linear actuator 38 is a hydraulic cylinder, although it may take other forms, such as electric, pneumatic, screw-type linear actuator, etc.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 3 through 6, first and second jaw members 18 and 20 each comprise a concave grasping surface 44 that is designed to engage different sizes of objects.
It will be understood, however, that the shape of grasping surface 44 may take any convenient shape, depending on the intended use. First and second jaw members 18 and 20 may have chains (not shown) that can be used to connect between first and second jaw members 18 and 5 20 and below the load for additional safety in the event of failure or slippage.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, grappling device 10 preferably has two tracks 14, and each jaw member 18 and 20 is attached to both tracks. There is also preferably two closing mechanisms, one for each track 14. By providing two tracks 14 and two closing mechanisms 24, the stability and available force is increased. It will be understood that other designs may also be possible.

[0015] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0016] The scope of the following claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples above and in the drawings, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

What is Claimed is:

1. A grappling device comprising:
a body comprising a track that extends along the body;
a first jaw member movably mounted on a first portion of the track and a second jaw member movably mounted to a second portion of the track; and a closing mechanism comprising:
a lever arm having a first end attached to the first jaw member by a first linkage and a second end attached to the second jaw member by a second linkage, the lever arm being pivotally mounted to the body between the first and second jaw members relative to the track by a pivotal connection that is disposed between the first and second ends of the lever arm such that, as the lever arm pivots, the first and second linkages convert the pivotal movement of the lever arm into lateral movement of the first and second jaw members along the track between a grappling position and a release position; and a linear actuator having a first end attached to the body and a second end attached to the lever arm at a point spaced from the pivotal connection, the linear actuator being aligned with the track such that as the linear actuator extends and retracts, the linear actuator causes the lever arm to pivot about the pivotal connection.

2. The grappling device of claim 1, wherein the first and second jaw members each comprise a concave grasping surface.

3. The grappling device of claim 1, wherein the track comprises a first track and a second track in parallel with the first track, and each jaw member is attached to both the first track and the second track.

4. The grappling device of claim 3, further comprising a first closing mechanism associated with the first track and a second closing mechanism associated with the second track.

5. The grappling device of claim 1, wherein the linear actuator is attached to an extension of the lever arm that extends past a connection point to the first linkage relative to the pivotal connection.

6. The grappling device of claim 1, wherein the first and second jaw members are movably mounted to the track by a sliding connection at a top end of each jaw member.

7. The grappling device of claim 6, wherein the sliding connection comprises one or more sliding plates pivotally connected to each jaw member and that engage the track.

8. The grappling device of claim 1, wherein the first and second linkages each have an adjustable length.