EP0969165A1 - Apparatus for lifting and handling sheet-material for covering ceilings - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus for ceiling cover plates (2) comprises a vertical carrying structure (3). This structure receives a lower column (9a) of a telescopic mast and a support platform for a motor unit (11). The motor output shaft is connected to a vertical endless screw (13) guided inside the telescopic mast. The screw is coupled to a bearing unit (18) integral with the mast intermediate movable part (9b). The motor rotates the screw and linearly displaces the nut to drive the mast intermediate part and then the mast upper part (9c). Work and safety cables (16,17) are fixed to the mast components and to the carrying structure.

Description

The invention relates to the technical sector of lifting devices and handling usable especially in the building.

There are different devices for raising plates or plaster or other material panels, large and heavy high, from a height accessible to the user placed on the ground up to proximity to ceilings, which must be clad in order to create false ceilings or even phonic or thermal insulation.

A lifting device of this type has for example been described in the French patent 2,538,437. It includes, from a rolling base a mast made of several telescopic elements maneuvered by a cable-pulley assembly, hauled up and operated by a winch. The upper end of said mast is arranged to receive a material-holding plate or plate-holder. The device is arranged with a safety device preventing descent abrupt plateau due to cable break.

The Applicant has developed an improved audit security system plate lifting device to meet certain disadvantages of the art earlier defined by the aforementioned French patent 2,538,437. In particular, these disadvantages resulted from certain jamming effects of the security and the means associated with it.

The Applicant thus proposed, in the French patent application 97.00168, a device consisting of a double hauling of the fixed columns or sliding of the mast including a winch arranged to wind or unwind two cables separately, return sets for the two cables independently and separate and offset cable anchor points for each of them, so that one of the cables called "pull cable" only supports the load to be moved under normal conditions of operation, while the other cable called "safety cable" intervenes in substitution, in case of rupture of the first. The implementation of the appliance is operated using a drum winch with two grooves, the winch being manually operable by a handle.

If the reliability of the safety device thus recalled is established, by against manual manipulation of the device is impractical.

The aim sought after according to the invention was therefore to design an apparatus of lifting and handling for the installation of plates on the ceiling which is at the both usable and maneuverable quickly and effortlessly, while ensuring the security criteria recalled above.

Another object sought after according to the invention was to design a device for lifting and handling plates with great comfort of use by the operator.

et en ce que ledit bloc moteur est associé par son arbre de sortie à une vis sans fin disposée verticalement et guidée à l'intérieur du mât télescopique,

et en ce que la vis sans fin est accouplée à un palier écrou solidaire de l'élément intermédiaire mobile du mât télescopique,

et en ce que un élément supérieur du mât est susceptible de s'engager dans l'élément intermédiaire,

et en ce que la mise en fonctionnement du bloc moteur entraíne la rotation de la vis sans fin et le déplacement linéaire vertical du palier écrou entraínant le déplacement de l'élément intermédiaire du mât, puis de l'élément supérieur,

et en ce que des câbles de travail et de sécurité sont solidarisés auxdits éléments télescopiques du mât et à la structure portante pour assurer et contrôler lesdits déplacements des éléments mobiles du mât.

According to a first characteristic of the invention, the device for lifting and handling sheets of material intended in particular for covering the ceiling of the type comprising, from a rolling base, a mast made of several telescopic elements maneuvered by a control means , the upper end of said mast being arranged to receive a material-carrying plate or plate holder, the apparatus being arranged with a safety device preventing the abrupt descent of the plate in the event of cable breakage, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a vertical supporting structure arranged to receive, in a fixed manner, the lower column of the telescopic mast, and a platform supporting a motor unit,

and in that said engine block is associated by its output shaft with an endless screw arranged vertically and guided inside the telescopic mast,

and in that the endless screw is coupled to a nut bearing secured to the movable intermediate element of the telescopic mast,

and in that an upper element of the mast is capable of engaging in the intermediate element,

and in that the operation of the engine block causes the rotation of the worm and the vertical linear displacement of the nut bearing causing the displacement of the intermediate element of the mast, then of the upper element,

and in that working and safety cables are secured to said telescopic elements of the mast and to the supporting structure to ensure and control said movements of the mobile elements of the mast.

• La figure 1 est une vue illustrant l'appareil de levage et de manutention dans une position pliée pour le déplacement par l'utilisateur.
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'appareil de levage et de manutention dans une position montrant son mât avant assemblage de ses éléments télescopiques support du porte-plaques
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe de l'appareil de levage et de manutention en position de non développement de son mât.
• La figure 4 est une vue partielle et en coupe illustrant un dispositif de sécurité inférieur de l'appareil.
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale illustrant l'assemblage des différents éléments télescopiques du mât.
• La figure 6 est une vue de dessus de l'appareil de levage et de manutention.

To fix the subject of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings where:

• Figure 1 is a view illustrating the lifting and handling apparatus in a folded position for movement by the user.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lifting and handling device in a position showing its mast before assembly of its telescopic elements supporting the plate holder
• Figure 3 is a sectional view of the lifting and handling device in the non-development position of its mast.
• Figure 4 is a partial sectional view illustrating a lower safety device of the device.
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the assembly of the various telescopic elements of the mast.
• Figure 6 is a top view of the lifting and handling device.

The advantages are apparent from the description, in particular one underline and remind:

The device and handling allowing the installation of plates or large panels (2) and referenced as a whole by (1).

It includes a vertical supporting structure (3) forming a column arranged in its lower part to receive an articulated base (4) including for example four articulated arms (5) mounted on means of bearing (6). Said arms (5) are integral with the supporting structure by appropriate clamps and are intended to be pivoted to allow their drawdown between them, when the device is not in use. The structure bearing designed to receive an operating handle (7) which can be entered by the operator. Said structure has, at its base, means for additional bearing (8), allowing the device to be moved in folded situation, as shown in figure 1.

Along the supporting structure is arranged and attached a fixed column (9a) constituting the lower element of the telescopic mast (9) of the device.

Adjacent to the supporting structure and the fixed column (9a), is arranged a support platform (10) of an engine block (11) with protective casing (24). The output shaft (11a) of said engine block is coupled by an assembly deflection pulleys (12) to a worm (13) arranged vertically and guided inside the telescopic mast, as will be explained later. The motor unit (11) is of the single-phase or three-phase type, and it is controlled in operation by an electrical control (14) established from any known manner and can be for example "remote" with or without connecting cord. The guidance of the transmission means is established in an appropriate and known manner.

The fixed column (9a) is fixed by welding or otherwise to the structure bearing. In its upper part, the fixed column constituting the element lower is arranged to receive an anchoring means (15) of a couple of cable (16 - 17), one for tension (16), the other for security (17).

The telescopic mast (9) comprises two complementary elements (9b - 9c) likely to engage one in the other and the whole (9b - 9c) in the aforementioned lower element (9a).

According to the invention, the intermediate element (9b) is coupled to at at least one bearing (18) forming a nut arranged on the operating screw (13). This bearing is profiled and secured to the intermediate element (9b), in a way fixed, so as to allow its vertical displacement from top to bottom or bottom to top, depending on the control mode of the above-mentioned engine. Said intermediate element (9b) is guided inside the fixed column (9a) at using known means of the type skates (20) or the like. The part upper part (9c) of the intermediate element (9b) is arranged to receive return means (21) of the aforementioned two cables (16 and 17).

The upper element (9c) of the mast (9) is capable of committing to inside the intermediate element (9b) and can move relative to him. The upper element (9c) comprises, at its base, anchoring means (22) work and safety cables. The upper end of said element is arranged to receive, in a known manner, the platform receiving (23) panels (2) intended to be installed on the ceiling.

Thus, when the control motor is actuated, the worm (13) is rotated. It therefore causes linear displacement vertical bearing nut associated with it causing displacement correspondent of the intermediate column (9b). In its displacement, the intermediate column (9b) exerts a force on the working cable (16) which is attached to the supporting structure and to the bottom of the upper column (9c) of the mast, which allows a displacement of the latter.

To control the travel of the columns mobile (9b - 9c), it is planned to have stop means (25 - 26) forming limit switch in the upper and lower positions of the column intermediate (9b). These limit switches (25 - 26) are arranged and fixed to from the supporting structure, or from the fixed column, and lead into the space formed between the fixed column (9a) of the mast and the intermediate column (9b). A stop means (27) externally fixed projecting from the column intermediate (9b) is likely to come into contact with the end (s) of stroke (25 - 26) thereby limiting said displacement of the elements telescopic mast.

To ensure greater safety of the lifting device mentioned above, it is planned to add security means. A first security consists in the installation of the cable (17) which is likely to be replace the working cable (16) if it breaks.

On the worm screw - nut bearing order, there is a additional safety (28) fixed on the worm (13) and below the nut bearing associated with the intermediate column (9b).

This nut bearing is advantageously made of bronze. After one use intensive, its internal thread may disappear which may cause the fall of load. The safety nut (28) is thus placed under the nut bearing at a interval (h) corresponding to a safety game. In case of deterioration of the bronze nut bearing, the intermediate column (9b) can move vertically downwards in abutment on the safety nut (28) and by actuating, by an upper stop (29), the limit switch (25).

Thus, according to the invention, the lifting device is fully motorized and ease of use for the operator. The worm control threaded ensures progressive and constant movement of the element intermediate (9b) then the upper element (9c). The guidance of the screw without end is perfectly controlled inside the intermediate column (9b). he can be considered, if necessary, depending on the length of the screw, have a second guide bearing which would be fixed to the column intermediate.

The device for lifting and handling large plates dimensions, is particularly efficient in that it allows adjustment very precise in the approach and presentation of the ceiling plates or panels on the ceiling or on the area to be coated.

The device is easy to handle and takes up little space since the mast can retract inside its fixed element, and that certain legs of the base can be swiveled and brought together in the same plan. The rolling means integral with the bearing structure allow movement of the device, the grip handle secured to the structure constituting the pull handle of the device.

The engine block is protected in a suitable housing (24). This block motor is chosen to correspond to the needs of the device and in particular in the power and speed of elevation of the telescopic mast.

It is also specified that the base comprising four arms allows positioning in alignment two by two of these, allowing positioning of platforms (30) for support on the upper edges arms and thus allowing the operator to position himself on the device, to facilitate the work of laying the plates.

To ensure high comfort of use and safety, said constituent elements of the telescopic mast are guided by the aforementioned pads allowing better guidance, especially for catching up on games, smooth, noise-free sliding and better plate stability or panel to be installed, when said columns are deployed to the maximum.

The payload allowed by the lifting device according to the invention is of the order of 100 kilograms, at a height of 4 meters, which none existing device on the market cannot offer.

Claims (8)

Apparatus for lifting and handling sheets of material intended in particular for covering the ceiling of the type comprising, from a rolling base, a mast made of several telescopic elements maneuvered by a control means, the upper end of said mast being arranged to receive a material-holding plate or plate-holder, the apparatus being arranged with a safety device preventing the abrupt descent of the plate in the event of cable breakage, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a vertical bearing structure (3) arranged for receiving, in a fixed manner, the lower column (9a) of the telescopic mast, and a support platform (10) of an engine block (11), and in that said engine block (11) is associated by its output shaft (11a) with an endless screw (13) arranged vertically and guided inside the telescopic mast, and in that the endless screw is coupled to a nut bearing (18) integral with the movable intermediate element (9b) of the telescopic mast, and in that an upper element (9c) of the mast is capable of engaging in the intermediate element (9b), and in that the operation of the engine block causes the rotation of the worm (13) and the vertical linear displacement of the nut bearing (18) causing the displacement of the intermediate element (9b) of the mast, then l 'upper element (9c), and in that working and safety cables (16 - 17) are secured to said telescopic elements of the mast and to the supporting structure to ensure and control said movements of the mobile elements of the mast and in that on the worm control - nut bearing, there is an additional safety nut (28) fixed to the worm (13) and below the nut bearing associated with the intermediate column (9b). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a vertical supporting structure (3) forming a column arranged in its lower part to receive an articulated base (4) including four articulated arms (5) mounted on rolling means (6 ), said arms (5) being secured to the supporting structure by suitable clamps and being intended to be pivoted to allow them to be folded together, when the device is not in use, and in that the carrying structure is arranged to receive an operating handle (7), and in that said structure has, at its base, complementary rolling means (8), making it possible to move the device in a folded situation. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the output shaft (11a) of said engine block is coupled by a set of deflection pulleys (12) to a worm (13) arranged vertically and guided inside the telescopic mast, said engine block (11) being controlled in operation by an electric control (14). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate element (9b) of the mast is coupled to at least one bearing (18) forming a nut disposed on the operating screw (13), this bearing being profiled and secured to the intermediate element (9b), in a fixed manner, so as to allow its vertical displacement from top to bottom or from bottom to top, depending on the control mode of the motorization.
and in that said intermediate element (9b) is guided inside the fixed column (9a) using known means of the shoe type (20) or the like. Apparatus according to either of Claims 1 and 4, characterized in that the elements (9a - 9b - 9c) of the telescopic mast are guided one compared to the others using skates (20). Apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 4 and 5, characterized in that, in its upper part, the fixed column constituting the lower element is arranged to receive an anchoring means (15) of a pair of cables (16 - 17), one for tension (16), the other for safety (17), and in that the upper part (9c) of the intermediate element (9b) is arranged to receive return means (21) of the two cables (16 and 17) mentioned above, and in that the upper element (9c) comprises, at its base, anchoring means (22) of the work and safety cables. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in what to ensure a control of the displacement movement of the columns movable (9b - 9c), are arranged stop means (25 - 26) forming end stroke in the upper and lower positions of the intermediate column (9b), these limit switches (25 - 26) being arranged and fixed from the structure bearing, or of the fixed column, and opening into the space formed between the fixed column (9a) of the mast and the intermediate column (9b), and in that a stop means (27) is externally fixed projecting from the column intermediate (9b) is likely to come into contact with the end (s) of stroke (25 - 26) thereby limiting said displacement of the elements telescopic mast. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the nut safety (28) arranged on the nut bearing at an interval (h), corresponds to a safety delay and in that, in the event of deterioration of the nut bearing, the intermediate column (9b) can move vertically downwards, abutting on the safety nut (28), and actuating by a stop upper (29) a limit switch (25).

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