FR2643867A1 - Device for handling cylindrical components - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device making it possible to grasp, lift and translate components or products which are packaged in cylindrical form. It consists of a U-shaped chassis resting at one end on a pivoting wheel and including, at each end of the branches of the U, a frame 2 which is articulated about the axis X-X', with, on one side, two wheels 6 which are free to rotate about the axis YY' and are located at a distance d from XX' and, on the other side, a lever arm of length D locked onto the draw bar 1'. The chassis 1 includes two uprights 1'' each one surmounted by a housing in which a spindle 5 slides. When the user, by means of the lever arm, makes the frame 2 pivot about the axis XX', entraining the chassis 1 and consequently the spindles 5 in an upwards or downwards movement. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for handling round bales of fodder and of flax.

Description

 The present invention relates to a device for handling products more particularly packaged in the form of a cylinder and stored on a generator.

 With the appearance of round balers in the agricultural sector, products such as fodder, straw, flax, ... are packaged in the form of cylinders from Om90 to lm80 in diameter over a generally constant length of lm20.

 Depending on the density of the product, these round bales are more or less heavy and their handling requires the use of appropriate materials.

 These are generally tractors fitted with clamps, forks or other accessories.

 During the winter period, the user to move these bales must operate a tractor for this single operation, but furthermore, access is not always easy.

 The present invention proposes to avoid these drawbacks but also to allow the movement of these balls by exerting a minimum of effort.

 In a preferred nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, the description which follows with regard to the appended drawings presents an apparatus according to the invention.

 Figure 1 - PL I represents the entire device according to the invention.

 Figure 2 - PL II shows schematically the device in the rest position.

 Figure 3 - PL II shows in schematic form the device in the first phase of catching the ball.

 Figure 4 - PL II represents the device in the work phase of catching the bale.

 Figure 5 - PL II represents the device in the transport phase.

 Figure 6 - PL III shows a variant of the ball catching device.

 The frame 1 is made in the shape of a U in which the spacing between the two branches of a width L is slightly greater than the width of a bale.

On this chassis are linked by mechanical connecting means, on the one hand a drawbar I 'which will be used to tow or push the assembly, on the other hand two supports 1 "surmounted by two housings in which removable pins 5 can slide .

 On either side, at the front of the chassis is assembled an element 2, free to rotate along the axis XX '. This element 2, articulated along the axis XX ′, consists, on the drawbar side, of a lever arm of a length D, opposite two support levers for the streets 6 which are free to rotate along the axis YY ′, located at a distance d from XX 'and forming an angle B with the lever arm.

 A pivoting wheel 7, free to rotate ensures the balance of the assembly and the operator has only a pulling or pushing force to provide for its positioning.

 In the rest position or load transport, the lever arm 2 is locked by mechanical connection means on the drawbar 1 'at point 3. In this same position, the support 1 "forms an angle OC in the present case equal to 900 with the chassis 1, likewise the chassis 1 is parallel to the bearing surface of the assembly as shown in Figure 2. In all cases, the radius of the wheel 6 is greater than the distance d.

 The ball, presented on a generator, the removable pins 5 being retracted, the chassis can be advanced to come into abutment on a cross member 4 secured to the chassis 1.

 It suffices to unlock the lever 2 at 3 to move it along the path F 1. Articulated around the axis XX ′, the pivoting of the lever 2 and therefore the movement of the wheels 6 causes the chassis to tilt at an angle â with the support plan. It will be noted that the support 1 "and the support 4 are formed such that the axis of the ball is preferably located between 4 and the location of the pins 5.

 FIG. 4 represents the intermediate phase of lifting the ball, during which, after having made the pins 5 penetrate into the ball, the action of the lever 2 in the direction F 2 causes the rotation of the wheel 6 and by conjugate effect with the support of the ball on the part 4, the ball is raised, its maximum lifting position being ensured according to FIG. 5 when the lever 2 is again locked in position 3. The part 4 can be removable and fixed in several chassis points 1.

 It must be observed on the one hand that the distance D must be at least equal to the diameter of the ball, on the other hand that the force necessary to be applied to the lever 2 will be directly proportional to the ratio D: d; finally that the vertical force passing through the center of gravity of the ball is located near the wheels 6, and between the wheels 6 and 7.

 FIG. 6 represents a variant of the ball catch mechanism in which the arms 1 "consist of two elements articulated at 11. At the end of the arms a plate 12 free to rotate along the axis ZZ 'is generally provided with 3 teeth 13.

 The rest position is that corresponding to the maximum opening allowing the carriage to be engaged as shown in FIG. 3.

 In the working position the arm 1 "pivots about the axis 11 to lock then the teeth 13 have entered the ball.

 In this position the axis AA 'merges with the axis ZZ'.

 In this variant, the cross-member 4 is generally eliminated, so that the ball is free to rotate about the axis AA '.

 Depending on the product to be handled, the trays 12 can be replaced by plates or pieces of suitable shape. Likewise, the 1 "elements can be rigid or constitute a gantry in which the upper cross-member will be located at a height greater than the part to be handled; in this case the load may be suspended using a hook for example or the plates or plates can move by known mechanical means along the axis AA 'so as to exert a sufficient gripping force to keep the part in suspension.

 The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the handling of products packaged in a cylindrical form.

Claims (5)

 1) Handling device intended for gripping and transporting parts or products packaged in a cylindrical shape, characterized in that it consists of a U-shaped chassis 1 provided with a drawbar 1 '. The branches of U are spaced apart by a width greater than that of the product to be handled and at each end is assembled a frame 2 forming a frame, free to rotate about the axis XX ', with at one end two wheels 6 at a distance d and at the other end a lever arm of length D locking at 3.  Two supports 1 "are surmounted by housings in which pins 5 slide.  A cross-member 4 abuts on the part 10 and is arranged so that the axis of the part can correspond to that of the pins 5, but is preferably located between the pins 5 and the cross-member 4.  A free pivoting wheel 7 is integral with the chassis 1.  2) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the crosspiece 4 is removable and may be fixeten several points of the frame 1.  3) Device according to claimcaractérisé in that the supports 1 "consist of two elements articulated at 11 and have at their end a free rotating plate, provided with 3 teeth. In that these supports, once locked are such that the 'axis ZZ' of each plate merges with axis AA '.  4) Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the elements 1 "can be connected by a cross member, forming a gantry whose cross member is at a height greater than the size of the part to be handled.  5) Device according to claim 1 or claim 4 characterized in that the gripping of the part is ensured by plates of suitable shapes, mechanically linked to the supports 1 ", moving by mechanical means of connection along the axis AA ' thus exerting pressure on the part.