EP0876989B1 - Rotatable, demountable and pliable loading mast - Google Patents

Abstract

The rotating derrick comprises a pole (1) and a jib (2). The jib can articulate around a spindle (21) perpendicular to the pole. This enables the jib to pivot between a folded position parallel to and in contact with the pole and an unfolded position above the pole. In the jib unfolded position it has an angle between a right-angle and 180<o> relative to the pole because of a vertical part (27) connecting the two symmetrical webs of the articulation on which the unfolded jib rest. The jib and the pole are connected by a strut (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a rotary load mast, dismountable and foldable, mainly comprising a pole looking vertical and an arrow showing operating at an angle to said pole, and the setting of which in use, use and storage are extremely simple to achieve. The closest state of the art is seen in GB-A-2160170.

According to a preferred example which will serve in the following to clarify description, such a mast can be used in the field of boating, mainly recreational, to equip boats with we know that they are frequently transhipped, to load or unload material that may be heavy. So it is for example the engine with which the ships are fitted and outfitted rhythm of their use, which sometimes has to be transferred to an inflatable boat carrying out the shuttle between the ground and the ship to equip.

This operation and all activities requiring transfers of loads, quickly prove tedious if one does not have a specialized equipment, without which we can also damage the equipment and / or the ship.

However, for boats used for leisure activities, we finds that many users are using more or less practical, sometimes tinkered, for lack of a specialized offer to a reasonable cost in relation to the specificity of the market. There are many equipment supposed to respond to the problem, but they are either too rough and inconvenient to use, or oversized and often too expensive.

The present invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks with a handy device, very easy to install and store, robust design and convenient to use.

According to a basic characteristic, the mast of the invention is such that the boom can be articulated around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the shank and relative to it, by means of a hinge piece comprising a shaft allowing the boom to pivot between a position folded in which it is parallel and in contact with said pole, and a unfolded position in which it overcomes the pole, said piece articulation comprising two symmetrical vertical wings and it is characterized in that, in the unfolded position, the arrow has an angle between a right angle and a flat angle relative to said pole, due to the existence a vertical part connecting the two symmetrical wings, on which the boom in the unfolded position, the folded position being produced on the side of the shank opposite to said vertical part.

In other words, said mast, when installed for example on the deck of a ship, can be folded up in a storage position in which it does not not disturb the maneuvers, since it is in the reduced form of a vertical mast surmounting the rail.

To ensure that the assembly described above is supported, the pole and the boom are preferably connected by a pivotable strut on one and on the other, and fold back parallel and in contact with the pole, opposite side of the boom when folded.

For this purpose, U-shaped pieces with symmetrical ears are welded to the shaft and the arrow. The ears have holes intended to receive a tree can take the form of a simple bolt with smooth body and threaded end. The ends of the strut are provided with corresponding holes.

The parallel folding of the boom and the strut on either side of the shaft allows to achieve the least bulky configuration possible with the structure of the invention. The conception of the invention, with a room of articulation on which the arrow rests allows the surplus to fold down the strut without the arrow falling.

To make use as comfortable as possible, the pole is not only mobile in rotation around its longitudinal axis with respect to the fixed structure to which it is attached, but it is also tiltable with respect to the vertical, by means of a base allowing the fixing between two positions fixing the limits of the possible angular displacement of the angle of inclination. During operation, the pole can therefore always be vertical, whatever the inclination of the support.

More specifically, the base comprises at least one vertical wing fixed to the ground, provided with two orifices, the orifice closest to the ground being intended for receive a bolt forming the shaft of the shank rotation, in the loose state, and consequently passing through a corresponding orifice made in the pole, the second orifice being of oblong shape and in an arc of a circle, so as to delimit a tilt path for a second bolt adjusting in a second orifice provided at a corresponding location in the pole.

Preferably, said base in fact comprises two vertical wings counterparts connected by a horizontal part that can be fixed to the ground, so that present a U shape having a vertical plane of symmetry passing through the middle of the base of the U.

When the bolts are loose, you can continuously vary the inclination of the mast between the two aforementioned terminals. The tightening of said bolts, actually fixing the pole to the base, fixing at the same time the setting adopted by the user.

According to a preferred conception of the invention, the pole is made up of two substantially coaxial elements. In this case, the two elements coaxials are advantageously provided for rotationally mobile, one with respect to the other.

The structure is then provided such that the two elements are hollow and connected by means of an internal cylindrical sleeve fixed to one of the elements and movable in rotation relative to the other element, said elements being provided with annular edges having a contact surface allowing them a mutual guidance during rotational movements, and moreover providing axial guidance of said cylindrical sleeve.

The base element is in principle intended to be fixed to an existing structure which can be, beyond the example chosen for the description: tubes scaffolding, window railings, body studs vehicles, etc ...

The element with respect to which the sleeve is movable in rotation comprises an external tightening and blocking handle acting via a hole made in said element, one end of said lever serving as a needle being clampable in contact with the sleeve to prevent rotation, or insertable into holes in said sleeve to lock any movement.

More specifically, said lever comprises a threaded portion between the needle end and an elbow defining a portion of the handle acting as a handling member, said threaded portion cooperating with a nut fixed radially to the outside of the element housing the rotating part of the muff.

The bottom element being fixed with respect to its environment, the rotation affects the high element, supporting the boom which must of course be positioned in according to user needs.

The sleeve is fixed to the pole element by welding or by means of bolts passing through holes made for this purpose in said element and in the sleeve.

According to a possible variant, the high element of the pole has, fixed in its lower portion, a washer provided with an orifice. The bottom element also includes, at its upper edge, a washer provided of peripheral orifices, identical and at the same distance from the axis of the shank than the aforementioned orifice of the tall element.

By superimposing the holes and inserting a pin, the relative rotation of said elements is prevented, in corresponding discrete positions at the locations of the holes in the bottom element.

This solution has the advantage of avoiding the use of a sleeve additional, if said high element is a circular section tube, which can then fit into the bottom element, the washer which is welded, for example serving as a stop.

According to one of the characteristics of the invention, the wings of the part of articulation surmounting the pole each have a homologous orifice intended for the passage of a bolt forming the rotation shaft for said arrow, said orifice being offset towards the outside of the pole.

The offset of the holes made in the wings of the articulation piece with respect to the axis of the pole is explained by the constraint imposed by the folded storage position: the pole and the boom must be parallel and in contact with each other.

According to the invention, the arrow is hollow and has at one of its ends at least one sheave allowing to receive a cable or a rope, free in rotation around a transverse shaft, said arrow being open under said sheave to allow passage of the cable or rope to a pulley fitted with a hook, and having an axial opening at its opposite end, also provided for the passage of cable or rope.

More specifically, said arrow comprises at its end opposite to the location of the sheave (s) a closing piece provided with said axial opening, as well as a transverse roller on which the rope or cable, said opening being additionally equipped with an eyelet serving as cable or rope spinner.

The eyelet, as well as the transverse roller, allow easier use in that they facilitate the movement of the rope. In addition, at the outlet of the eyelet, the rope is available for user manipulation, and it presents a security node which will prevent, if said user drops it during manipulation, that the pulley load does not crash, because said node will be blocked at the eyelet or thread level.

Preferably, the arrow is a profile provided at its end with ears of protection of the sheave (s), having a semi-circular shape downwards protruding from the profile.

More preferably, the sheaves are two in number, separated by a sheet fixed to the boom.

Said sheet metal, welded to the base of the existing U at the end of the arrow, has a rounded outline at its end located at the ears of protection, so as to respect the external shape of this end of the arrow. The two ears and this central plate are crossed by the shaft on which sheaves are mounted insane, said shaft being able to be a simple bolt of which only the end is threaded, the rest being smooth.

According to a preferred configuration of the invention, the arrow is consisting of two elements which can be slid into each other, the bearing element the sheaves being a U-shaped profile open at the bottom, the other being a rectangular section.

In this case, according to one possibility, the two elements of the arrow are fixed to each other by transverse bolting, several pairs of facing holes being provided at an equal distance in the two elements, so that several discrete boom length adjustments are possible.

According to the invention, the pole is also provided with two cleats allowing to fix the rope or cable in high or low position. This makes it possible in particular to maneuver the load mast out of two levels, for example from the deck of the boat on which said mast is installed, then from the deck of the annex boat doing the transhipment, and located practically on the surface of the water.

In general, the main elements are all profiles. Those which constitute the lower element of the pole and the strut are by example of rectangular section profiles, while the top element of the shank can be a cylindrical tube.

The aforementioned device exhibits robustness combined with maneuverability which make it a valuable tool for moving objects between two locations located on two separate levels.

• la figure 1 est une perspective générale d'un mât de levage de l'invention, en l'occurrence fixé au bastingage d'un navire ;
• la figure 2 en est une vue en élévation de face ;
• la figure 3 montre le même dispositif qu'en figure précédente, en position de rangement repliée ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue de l'élément bas de la hampe, avec une représentation plus détaillée du fonctionnement de la manette ; et
• la figure 5 montre une coupe de l'extrémité de la flèche comportant les réas.

The invention will now be described in more detail, with particular reference to the figures placed in the appendix, for which:

• Figure 1 is a general perspective of a lifting mast of the invention, in this case fixed to the rail of a ship;
• Figure 2 is a front elevational view;
• Figure 3 shows the same device as in the previous figure, in the folded storage position;
• FIG. 4 represents a view of the bottom element of the shaft, with a more detailed representation of the operation of the lever; and
• Figure 5 shows a section of the end of the arrow comprising the sheaves.

On all of these figures, the references remain identical for represent the same elements, in order to clarify the presentation of the operation.

Thus, in Figure 1, the pole (1) is fixed against the horizontal ramps of a ship's rail (15), using semi-cylindrical plates (35) bolted to counterplates (not visible) conforming to the shape of the shank (1).

In the configuration shown, the pole (1) consists of two elements (4, 5), while the arrow (2) comprises two referenced elements (7, 8). The pole (1) and the boom (2) are connected by a fixed articulation piece (3) with the pole (1) and comprising a shaft (21) around which the arrow (2) pivots. This articulation element (3) can be made in one piece or in three pieces attached to each other.

The pole (1) is moreover provided with two cleats (11, 12) making it possible to block the rope (9), the choice of cleat (11, 12) depending on the level at which stands the user in relation to the load mast.

The bottom element (5) of the pole (1) comprises a lever (14) for locking and / or locking the relative movement of the two elements (4, 5), the operation will be explained in more detail with reference to Figure 4.

Said elements (4, 5) rest on each other by means of flanges annulars (16, 17) ensuring the verticality of the sections (4, 5), and allowing the surplus a guide of the internal sleeve (see below). Element base bottom (5) is a separate U-shaped part (13) comprising two symmetrical cheeks, the base of the U being for example welded to a plate bolted to the ground.

Each cheek has two holes, one (33) being oblong and arcuate circle, while the other (34) is circular and actually serves as a receiver for the bolt forming the tree around which the rotation allowing the tilt takes place. To simplify the understanding of the diagram, the bolts generally do not been represented, the representation of the orifices being sufficient to make a idea of operation, and further improving the reading of said diagrams.

The orifice (33) in an arc allows the choice of an inclination, choice continuous between two terminals limiting a right angle to the right. other orientations of said orifice would of course also have been possible, by example from - 45 ° to + 45 °, or from - 30 ° to + 60 °, etc ..., taking the vertical as a reference line.

A strut (6) is pivotally mounted on the elements (4, 7), by the using symmetrical U-pieces (24, 25) with pierced ears orifices coming in correspondence with transverse orifices of said strut (6), the assembly housing rotation shafts in the form of bolts or appropriate pinning. When the boom (2) must be folded, it just remove one of the trees (preferably the one that cooperates with the part U-shaped (25), to also be able to fold the strut (6).

The rope (9) is fixed by means of a knot to a fulcrum located at the end of the element (8) of the arrow (2). As we will see in more detail in the following, the rope passes through a double pulley (10) with a hook, and by two sheaves (23) cooperating with said double pulley (10) provided with its hook, then it travels inside the arrow (2) and reappears at the level of the axis of rotation (21) before descending along the pole (1).

With the exception of the rope (9) and the pulleys (10), the same components appear in figure 2. This figure shows better the relative arrangement of elements, because these are shown transparent to facilitate the understanding of editing.

The sleeve (18), which does not appear in FIG. 1, allows the rotation of the top element (4) of the pole (1) relative to its bottom element (5) fixed to the rail (15). According to the first variant, the elements (4, 5) can be square section profiles, provided with their annular edges (16, 17) guiding the sleeve (18), which is cylindrical. This sleeve (18) is either welded, or bolted via the holes (20) to the element (4), from which it is therefore united. It is inserted via the border (17) in the bottom element (5), in which it is free to rotate. This configuration allows rotation of 360 °.

A clamping / locking means is provided by the handle (14), one of which end is movable in translation in an orifice of the element (5) and can come in contact with said sleeve (18). This has orifices (19) distributed radially on the sleeve at the aforementioned orifice of the element (5). The end of the handle (14), acting as a needle, can block by friction rotation of the sleeve when it is applied against the envelope exterior. It can also ensure total locking when it can enter one of the orifices (19). These are preferably among four, distributed on the periphery at right angles to each other.

According to a second variant, the upper part (4) is tubular, and there is no no sleeve added, but simply fixing a washer (16) provided for example from an orifice. Said washer (16) is then not fixed at the level of the rim, but higher, so as to create the equivalent of the sleeve previous.

The washer (17) has several orifices, identical and arranged at the same distance from the axis of the sleeve (1) as the previous hole, to allow fixing by pinning in several points distributed on the periphery.

This figure also shows the vertical part (27) connecting the ears of the articulation piece (3), and on which the arrow (2) rests in the unfolded position. The shaft (21) of rotation of said arrow is offset relative to the axis of the shank (1), ideally at least a little more than half a boom width (2), so that it can fold parallel and in contact with the shank (1), on the side opposite the folding side of the strut (6).

At the end of the arrow (2), the enlarged area with a semicircular outline comprises a visible sheave (23), and a sheet (2) which separates it from the second sheave located behind the first. The sliding of the inverted U profile (8) in the profile (7) at square section, includes an adjustment with several discrete positions materialized by orifices (26) also spaced, which correspond to orifices of the element (8) separated by the same spacing.

According to one possibility, improving the rotation of the mast, a washer (36) in slippery synthetic material of the type marketed under the Teflon brand is inserted between the annular flanges (16, 17). Where applicable, it includes the same number of holes as the washer (17).

Figure 3 shows the same configuration in the folded position, only the part upper (4) of the pole (1) being shown. The sleeve (18) protrudes downwards, provided with its orifices (19) angularly offset by 90 °.

In this figure, attention should be paid to the upper end of the arrow (2) at the level of the axis of rotation (21). The square profile (7) has a roller (29) for guiding the rope, which passes through said profile (7) (and in the envelope of the inverted U-shaped section 8), said roller (29) rolling on the shaft (21) and facilitating the passage of the rope (9). This leaves the profile (7) via a spinneret (28) or eyelet also facilitating its passage, and reducing its wear.

In Figure 4, the operation of the handle (14) appears clearly: it comprises a threaded part (31) engaged in a nut (32) secured to a radial element (33) fixed to the bottom element (5) of the shaft (1). The end of the lever (14) acting as a needle is located in front of an orifice giving access to the interior of the element (5).

FIG. 5 schematically represents the end of the arrow (2) provided sheaves. In this part, the profile (8) comprises an intermediate sheet (22) separating the sheaves (23) freely rotating around their shaft (30).

One end of the rope is attached to a tree at the head of the arrow (2), the other circulating as we said in the sheaves (23) of said arrow (2) and in those pulley (10), the assembly actually making a hoist.

The operation is extremely simple:

The telescopic boom system (2) allows you to choose the desired reach and to carry out a simple blocking in the chosen position. One bolt or axis is to be maneuvered to fold down the boom (2), and thus constitute a compact, space-saving set. Finally, to disassemble the assembly, to turn the handle (14) to release the sleeve (18) and thus separate the upper part (4) of the lower part (5) of the shaft.

In short, the maneuvers to be carried out for the implementation of the mast the invention are very simple and accessible to all. The existence of the overhang the arrow (2) resting on the part (27) is also important, because it guarantees safety by preventing the telescopic part from falling, even when disassembling or folding the strut (6).

Similarly, the spinner (28), associated with a stop knot in the rope (9), prevents any untimely fall of the pulley (10), and best preserves the transported objects.

The example described using the figures represents a possible configuration of the invention, but is not limitative of it. So a version with a pole (1) and a boom (2) in one piece exists.

Likewise, a simple pulley version and a single sheave is easy to deduce from the illustrated example.

Finally, a still simplified version includes at the end of the arrow (2) holes for mounting a shaft intended to receive pulleys products available on the market.

Claims (23)

1. Rotary loading mast which can be dismantled and folded back, comprising substantially a staff (1) and a jib (2) assembled to a fixed structure via the said staff (1), the said jib (2) being able to be articulated around a shaft (21) which is perpendicular to the axis of the staff (1) and relative to the latter by means of an articulation part (3) comprising a shaft (21) which permits pivoting of the jib (2) between a folded back position in which it is parallel to, and in contact with, the said staff (1), and an extended position in which it surmounts the staff (1), the said articulation part (3) comprising two symmetrical vertical wings, characterised in that, in the extended position, the jib (2) has an angle which is contained between a right-angle and an angle which is plane relative to the said staff (1), owing to the existence of a vertical part (27) which connects the two symmetrical wings on which the jib (2) is supported in the extended position, the extended position being provided on the side of the staff (1) which is opposite the said vertical part (27).
2. Loading mast according to claim 1, characterised in that the staff (1) and the jib (2) are connected by a strut (6) which can pivot on one and on the other and can be folded back parallel to, and in contact with, the staff (1), on the side opposite the jib (2) when it is folded back.
3. Loading mast according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the staff (1) is mobile in rotation around its longitudinal axis relative to the structure to which it is connected.
4. Loading mast according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the vertical staff (1) can be inclined relative to the vertical, by means of a base (13) which permits securing between two positions which determine the limits of possible angular displacement of the angle of inclination.
5. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the base (13) comprises at least one vertical wing which is secured to the ground, provided with two apertures (33, 34), the aperture (34) which is closest to the ground being designed to receive a bolt which forms a rotational shaft for the staff (1) in the released position, and consequently passes through a corresponding aperture provided in the staff (1), the second aperture (33) having a shape which is oblong and in the form of an arc of a circle, such as to delimit a path of inclination for a second bolt which fits into a second aperture provided at a corresponding location in the staff (1).
6. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the base (13) comprises two homologous vertical wings which are connected by a horizontal part which can be secured to the ground, such as to have a shape in the form of a "U" with a vertical plane of symmetry which passes through the middle of the base of the "U".
7. Loading mast according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the staff (1) consists of two elements (4, 5) which are substantially coaxial.
8. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the two coaxial elements (4, 5) are mobile in rotation relative to one another.
9. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the said coaxial elements (4, 5) are hollow and are connected by means of a cylindrical sleeve (18) which is integral with, or is secured to, the interior of one of the elements (4) and is mobile in rotation relative to the other element (5), the said elements (4, 5) being provided with annular washers (16, 17) which have a contact surface which enables them to carry out mutual guiding during the movements of rotation, and in addition provides axial guiding of the said cylindrical sleeve (18).
10. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the said flanges (16, 17) are in contact with one another via a washer (36) made of synthetic material with properties of sliding which facilitate rotation of one flange on the other.
11. Loading mast according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterised in that the element (5) relative to which the sleeve (18) is mobile in rotation comprises a handle (14) for clamping and external locking which acts via an aperture provided in the said element (5), one end of the said handle (14) acting as a retention pin which can be clamped in contact with the sleeve (18) in order to prevent the latter from rotating, or it can be inserted in the apertures (19) in the said sleeve (18) in order to stop any movement.
12. Loading mast according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterised in that one of the said washers (16, 17) comprises an aperture, and the other comprises apertures which are distributed around its periphery, all these apertures being identical and situated at the same distance from the axis of the staff (1), and permitting securing of the washers to one another, and consequently securing of the coaxial elements (4, 5), by means of a securing pin.
13. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the said handle (14) comprises a threaded portion (31) between the end which forms a retention pin and an elbow which delimits a portion of the handle (14) which acts as a handling unit, the said threaded portion (31) co-operating with a nut (32) which is secured radially on the exterior of the element (5) which accommodates the rotary part of the sleeve (18).
14. Loading mast according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the said sleeve (18) is secured to the element (4) of the staff (1) by being welded or by means of bolts which pass through apertures (20) provided for this purpose in the said element (4) and in the sleeve (18).
15. Loading mast according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the wings of the parts which surmount the staff (1) are each provided with a homologous aperture designed for passage of a bolt which forms the rotational shaft (21) for the said jib (2), the said aperture being offset towards the exterior of the staff (1) .
16. Loading mast according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the jib (2) is hollow and comprises at one of its ends at least one pulley (23) which is free in rotation around a transverse shaft (30) which makes it possible to receive a cable or a rope (9), the said jib (2) being open beneath the said pulley (23) in order to permit passage of the cable or rope (9) towards a tackle (10) which is provided with a hook, and has an axial aperture at its opposite end, which is also provided for passage of the cable or rope (9).
17. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the said jib (2) comprises at its end opposite the location of the pulley(s) (23) a closure part which is provided with the said axial aperture, as well as a transverse roller (29) on which the rope or cable (9) is supported, the said aperture also being equipped with an eyelet (28) which acts as a threading guide for the cable or rope (9).
18. Loading mast according to claim 16 or claim 17, characterised in that the jib (2) is a profile provided at its end with protective lugs for the pulley(s) (23), which have at their base a semi-circular shape which projects from the profile (8).
19. Loading mast according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterised in that there are two pulleys (23), which are separated by a metal plate (22) secured to the jib (2).
20. Loading mast according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterised in that the jib (2) consists of two elements (7, 8) which can slide one in the other, the element (8) which supports the pulleys being a profile in the shape of a "U" which is open at the base, the other (7) being a profile with a rectangular cross-section.
21. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the two elements (7, 8) of the jib (2) are secured to one another by transverse bolting, several pairs of opposite apertures (26) being provided at an equal distance in the two elements (7, 8), such that several discrete adjustments of length of jib (2) are possible.
22. Loading mast according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the staff (1) is provided with two catches (11, 12) which make it possible to secure the cord or rope (9) in a high position or in a low position.
23. Loading mast according to any one of claims 9 to 21, characterised in that the elements (4, 6) of the staff (1) and of the strut (6) are profiles with a rectangular cross-section, the element (5) being able to be a cylindrical tube.

Images