EP1486453A1

EP1486453A1 - Lifting device for suspended loads

Info

Publication number: EP1486453A1
Application number: EP04102605A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ercole Della Rossa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-06-10
Filing date: 2004-06-08
Publication date: 2004-12-15
Also published as: ITUD20030127A1

Abstract

Lifting device (10) for suspended loads (11), comprising an arm (13) including lifting means (28, 128), and associated cantilevered with a supporting and positioning frame (12) including movement means.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a lifting device for suspended loads, wherein at least an arm including lifting means is arranged cantilevered with respect to a displaceable frame. To be more exact, the frame can be selectively and completely dismantled so that, in its condition of non-use, it can be easily transported and relocated in a very limited space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lifting devices are known, such as goods lifts or hoists, used to lift suspended loads to a desired height. Such known devices can be either installed fixed on the walls of buildings, or moveable on scaffolding or similar structures, for example to perform restructuring work or to construct buildings.
Known devices, in general, only allow to lift the load vertically, while the load necessarily must be transported inside the building manually.
Therefore, known devices entail on the one hand the need to erect scaffolding, with a consequent increase in operating costs and times, and on the other hand they entail a great need for labor, and the risk of accidents, in order to transfer the loads inside the building.
One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a lifting device that is simple, versatile, transportable, and which does not need scaffolding in order to be used.
Another purpose is to facilitate the transport of the load raised inside the building in which it is used.
Another purpose is to achieve a lifting device that is easy to transport, even up to the higher floors of a building, and that can be relocated in a very limited space when not in use.
Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention.
In accordance with the above purposes, a lifting device for suspended loads according to the present invention comprises at least an arm including lifting means and arranged cantilevered with respect to a moveable supporting and positioning frame.
According to the invention, the supporting and positioning frame is able to be moved in a first step to position the arm and the relative lifting means in a position suitable to perform the lifting, and in a second step to transfer the lifted load to a position suitable for unloading and use.
In a preferential embodiment, the frame includes, or is associated with, movement means such as wheels, shoes or suchlike.
In a preferential embodiment, the supporting and positioning frame consists of a plurality of elements that can be associated with each other in removable manner, defining at least a substantially horizontal base structure and substantially vertical supporting means.
In this way, in its dismantled condition of non-use, the whole device is easily transportable even up to the floors of buildings located at considerable height, or through very narrow and small passages such as stairs or lifts. Moreover, again in its dismantled condition, the device can be relocated in relatively limited spaces.
In a preferential embodiment, the lifting means comprise a lifting motor.
According to an advantageous form of embodiment, the lifting motor is able to make a first pulley rotate, which is connected kinematically, by means of a transmission member, for example a toothed belt or suchlike, to a second pulley mounted coaxial with a winding element, on which in turn a flexible lifting means is wound, such as a strip, a belt or other.
According to a variant, the arm is equipped with movement means with respect to the relative supporting and positioning frame.
In a preferential embodiment, at least the vertical supporting means are replaceable and/or adjustable, for example telescopically, in order to modify the working height of the arm having the lifting means.
A first advantage of the lifting device according to the invention is that it does not require any complex or cumbersome supporting structure, since it is totally self-supporting and self-propelled. Moreover, given that it can be completely dismantled, and given its limited size, it can be installed in a short time in any operating environment, or transported from one place to another and made immediately ready for use. Moreover, since its essential components are replaceable, it is extremely versatile for any situation of use.
Furthermore, the device according to the invention considerably facilitates the activity of the operators thanks to the possibility of moving the raised loads into any position whatsoever inside the place of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some preferential forms of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

fig. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a first form of embodiment of a lifting device according to the present invention;
fig. 2 is a lateral view of the lifting device in fig. 1;
fig. 3 is a lateral view of a second form of embodiment of the lifting device in fig. 1;
fig. 4 is a partly sectioned rear view of a detail of the lifting device in fig. 3;
fig. 5 shows a section along the line from V to V of the detail in fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME PREFERENTIAL FORMS OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to figs. 1 and 3, a lifting device 10 according to the present invention, for a suspended load 11, comprises a supporting and positioning frame 12 and an arm 13 having lifting means 28, or 128, at one outer end 13a.
To be more exact, in the embodiment shown in figs. 1 and 2, the lifting means are indicated by the reference number 28 and comprise a motor member 15 able to wind a cable 29 between a shaft 30, associated with the motor member 15, and a guide wheel 31, located in correspondence with said outer end 13a. A hook 33 is attached to the end of the cable 29 and supports a supporting plane 32 for the load 11.
In the advantageous form of embodiment shown in figs. 3, 4 and 5, the lifting means are indicated by the reference number 128 and comprise a motor member 115 able to make a first pulley 39 rotate, which by means of a toothed belt 40, shown by dashes, makes a second pulley 41 rotate, pivoted with a shaft 42 to the supporting and positioning frame 12. Coaxially with the second pulley 41 a winding wheel 130 is mounted, around which a lifting belt or cable 129, with a flat shape, is able to be wound.
To be more exact, one end of the lifting belt or cable 129 is folded back on itself so as to form a first eyelet 129a inside which a pin 43 is arranged, solid with the winding wheel 130.
At the other end of the lifting belt 129 a second eyelet 129b is formed, in which is attached, by means of brackets 45, a hook 133 that supports the supporting plane 32 for the load 11.
In this case, the guide wheel 31 has a circular profile mating with the shape of the lifting belt 129 used, and has a seating plate 31a able to laterally retain the latter during the lifting and transport steps.
In both these solutions, the lifting device 10 transports the load 11 from an underlying zone inside an elevated plane of a building, of which can be seen an outer wall 16, provided with a window 16a, and a floor 17 (shown by dashes in figs. 1 and 3), on which the supporting and positioning frame 12 rests.
The supporting and positioning frame 12 is of the type that can be totally dismantled and comprises a base structure 19, an upper structure 20 and four tubular pieces 21, arranged between the base structure 19 and the upper structure 20. The tubular pieces 21 are positioned vertically and are inserted with their ends in mating hollow bushings 22 and 23 made at the corners, respectively, of the base structure 19 and of the upper structure 20.
At the corners of the base structure 19 four wheels 25 are associated underneath and allow the lifting device 10 to be moved on the floor 17. Between two longitudinal cross-pieces of the base structure 19 two bars 34 are also provided, where possible counter-weights 18, shown by dashes, can be rested.
In the embodiment shown in figs. 1 and 2, on the upper structure 20, and more particularly on a cross-piece 35 and by means of a flange 36, the arm 13 is mounted; the upper structure 20 also supports at the rear the motor member 15 on a little frame 37.
In the advantageous embodiment shown in figs. 3, 4 and 5, the motor member 115 is mounted on a small frame 137 attached, at the lower part, to the rear part of the upper structure 20, while the second pulley 41 and the winding wheel 130 are pivoted, as said, to the shaft 42 which is supported at its ends by means of two supports 46 mounted on the upper structure 20, above the motor member 115.
Moreover, in this case, on the upper structure 20 a guide device 47 is also mounted, comprising two pulleys that guide the lifting belt or cable 129 between the winding wheel 130 and the guide wheel 31.
In this embodiment, the arm 13 is attached by means of screws, bolts or suchlike to the upper structure 20.
In both embodiments, the rear position of the motor member 15 or 115 with respect to the supporting and positioning frame 12 causes traction to occur from the point furthest from the application of the weight of the load 11, thus reducing the need for counter-weights 18.
The arm 13, according to a variant, can be pivoted to the upper structure 20, so as to allow a selective positioning between a first operating position (shown in figs. 1 and 2), wherein it is arranged cantilevered with respect to the supporting and positioning frame 12, and an inactive, folded back position of minimum bulk. According to a variant, the arm 13 is telescopic, removable or able to slide with respect to the upper structure 20.
Both forms of embodiment described of the lifting device 10 according to the present invention function as follows.
After assembling the supporting and positioning frame 12, using tubular pieces 21 of a height correlated to the size of the window 16a, the arm 13 is positioned in its cantilevered position protruding from the wall 16.
The supporting plane 32 is made to descend to the loading level, the load 11 is positioned on said supporting plane 32 and is lifted by driving the motor member 15 or 115, and drawing the cable 29 or, respectively, the lifting belt or cable 129.
When the load 11 has been taken to the height of the window 16a, the operator can, for example manually, displace the whole supporting and positioning frame 12 inside the building, displacing it on the wheels 25, in order to take the load 11 inside, through the window 16a.
Once the operations to lift and transport the load 11 have been terminated, the supporting and positioning frame 12 can be dismantled into its individual components, so that it can be easily transported even on stairs or through doors of a width less than the width or height of the frame 12 in its assembled condition. The dismantled components are thus either re-assembled in another place in order to lift another load 11, or relocated and stored in a relatively limited space.
According to a variant, the arm 13 is associated with a motor which moves it horizontally with respect to the supporting and positioning frame 12 in order to translate the load 11 inside the building.
According to the variant shown by dashes in fig. 2, a thruster device is provided, attached to one of the two front tubular pieces 21, and comprising a rack 26 moved by a toothed wheel, not shown, in turn driven by a winch 27. When driven, the rack 26 thrusts against the wall 16, determining the movement in the opposite direction of the supporting and positioning frame 12, to take the load 11 inside, particularly if it has great weight or size.
Modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the lifting device 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.
For example, the motor member 15, 115 can be mounted on the outer end of the arm 13, or at an intermediate position along it. Moreover, the hook 33, 133 and the supporting plane 32 can be replaced by any other analogous means having similar or comparable functions.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of lifting device, all of which shall come within the field and scope of the present invention.

Claims

Lifting device for suspended loads (11), characterized in that it comprises an arm (13), including lifting means (28, 128), associated cantilevered with a supporting and positioning frame (12) including movement means (25).
Device as in claim 1, characterized in that said supporting and positioning frame (12) comprises a plurality of elements able to be associated with each other in removable manner, defining at least a substantially horizontal base structure (19) and substantially vertical supporting means (21) supporting an upper structure (20) carrying at least said arm (13).
Device as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said arm (13) is associated with movement means with respect to said supporting and positioning frame (12).
Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said lifting means (28, 128) comprise at least a motor (15, 115) associated with a flexible lifting member (29, 129).
Device as in claim 4, characterized in that said lifting means comprise at least a winding wheel (130) driven in rotation by said motor (115) and a lifting belt or cable (129) able to wind/unwind with respect to said winding wheel (130).
Device as in claim 5, characterized in that one end of said lifting belt or cable (129) is folded back on itself so as to form an eyelet (129a) inside which a pin (43) is arranged, solid with said winding wheel (130).
Device as in claims 2 and 5, characterized in that said upper structure (20) acts as a support for said motor (115) and said winding wheel (130).
Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said movement means (25) comprise wheels, shoes or suchlike.
Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said vertical supporting means (21) are replaceable and/or adjustable in order to modify the working height of said upper structure (20) and therefore of said arm (13) including said lifting means (28, 128).
Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said base structure (19) includes supporting means (34) for counter-weights (18) in a position opposite the position of the load (11) to be lifted.
Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said motor (15, 115) is mounted on said upper structure (20).
Device as in claim 2, characterized in that said arm (13) is pivoted on said upper structure (20) in order to assume at least a first operating position cantilevered with respect to said supporting and positioning frame (12) and at least a folded position of minimum bulk.