FR2717097A1 - Motorized device for handling suspended decorations or the like. - Google Patents

Abstract

The motorised handling system for suspended scenery fastened on a horizontal carrying bar (50) comprises a horizontal three-dimensional carrying beam (2) with a central space (6). A motor reduction assembly (8) mounted at one end of the beam has its output shaft (17) coupled to a transmission shaft (18) extending horizontally in the central space. A succession of fasteners (20) suspending the carrying bar can vary its height. Each fastener comprises a chain cog mounted coaxially on the transmission shaft and rotated by it. A chain section (21) which passes on the chain cog is formed with its clear vertical run fastened on the carrying bar, and its dead length received in an associated container (24).

Description

The invention relates to the handling of hanging decorations or the like,

  in particular decorations, lighting projectors, sound equipment, and other accessories, provided in halls intended for shows (theater or concert halls for example). These suspended elements are generally hung directly, by rings or necklaces, on a bar

  horizontal carrier, which specialists call garlic-

their "carrier".

  For small rooms, equipped with decorations or light materials, a rudimentary system is often used

  by hand, with hanging hanging ropes on pallets fixed to the wall.

  Such a system quickly becomes unusable when it comes to lifting heavier decorations or equipment, and at high heights. Motorized devices are then used to handle the decorations

or other hanging materials.

  Numerous types of such devices are already known.

  motorized devices, operating with cables, straps or

Chains.

  A device has thus been proposed comprising a geared motor and a large drum attached thereto, and whose axis is perpendicular to the vertical plane passing through the support bar. Cables wound on this common drum pass over pulleys, before being hung on the carrier bar vertically from these pulleys. Such a direct draft system has the drawback of being extremely bulky (in the direction of the axis of the drum), which is very inconvenient when several devices have to be placed side by side to handle a plurality of hanging decorations. A counterweight roller chain device has also been proposed, the chain passing over a pinion wedged on the output shaft of a geared motor, and over other pinions of fixed axis for connection to a counterweight. lateral movable vertically. Cables fixed at the top of the counterweight pass over respective pulleys overhanging said counterweight, then over pulleys which are vertical to the attachment points of the support bar. Such a system is compact and safe, but it involves providing an expensive infrastructure, in particular a chimney.

  counterweight which is necessarily made to measure.

  A device with a propeller shaft overhanging the carrier bar has also been proposed, on which are fixed several threaded drums from which cables are directly unwound vertically to the respective attachment points on the carrier bar. The disadvantage of such a system with several threaded drums is that the carrier bar is moved laterally as soon as its height is changed (on one side or the other depending on whether the cables are unwound or wound). To overcome this drawback, it has been proposed to replace the cables with straps, the

  drums are no longer threaded, which effectively removes

  The lateral displacement of the carrier bar during a change of height. However, each strap is wound flat on itself, so that the diameter gradually increases during winding, resulting in a loss of torque and an increase in speed. In addition, the (variable) winding diameter of the straps can vary from one drum to another (due to variations in tension resulting from the load applied to each strap), which frequently results in a defect of -bar lead

carrier at the end of the maneuver.

  Another motorized device has also been proposed.

  reduction gear and drum with axis perpendicular to the vertical plane passing through the carrying bar, but with a common towing cable wound on the drum, extending horizontally to its end which is fixed to a connection block

  to the hanging cables passing over respective pulleys.

  The drawback of such a device is that it has to organize the guiding of the horizontal section of the towing cable. In addition, variations in the height of the carrying bar are de facto limited by the available horizontal travel of the towing cable. It has also been proposed to juxtapose small drums, each drum serving to wind a cable passing over a high deflection pulley, then over a pulley which is vertical to the point of attachment. A wheel and worm reducer is associated with these drums to rotate them all together (either by operating a crank by hand, or with a sliding motor whose mandrel is brought in front of the drum unit concerned). The disadvantage of such a system is that it is very slow, since a large number of turns must be made to modify the height of the support bar by a small dimension. In addition, the cables are wound on themselves, so that we find the disadvantages

  aforementioned lack of horizontality of the support bar.

  The state of the art is also illustrated by structures with one or more three-dimensional beams (forming a bar or a projector-carrying frame), this or these beams being suspended by chains from hoists. Such a system remains limited to rooms with a height

  huge, because slinging requires a high height.

  The invention aims to design a device for

  handling does not have the disadvantages and limits

mentioned above.

  The object of the invention is therefore to provide a motorized device for handling suspended decorations or

  analogues which is both space-saving, functional

  flexible and safe, with the possibility of having high and constant torques, while being simple in structure and

reasonable manufacturing cost.

  It is more particularly a motorized device for handling suspended decorations or the like hung on a horizontal support bar, characterized in that it comprises:

  - a three-dimensional and self-supporting horizontal beam

  load-bearing, delimiting a central space over its entire useful length; - A gear motor assembly mounted at one end of the beam, and the output shaft of which is coupled to a transmission shaft extending horizontally in said central space; - A succession of hooking means used to suspend the carrier bar while being able to vary the height thereof, each hooking means consisting of a chain nut mounted coaxially on the drive shaft and driven in rotation by the latter, and of a chain section passing over the chain nut, said section being formed, whatever the height of the load-bearing bar, of a vertical strand whose free end is hung on the bar carrier, and a dead strand received in

  an associated receptacle attached to the beam.

  Preferably, the beam is braced and braced, and its length is slightly greater than that

of the load-bearing bar.

  Advantageously also, the motor-reducer assembly is an electrically operated motor-brake reducer with incorporated torque limiter, this motor-brake reducer being housed in the central space of the beam so as to be integrated into the volume of that -this. In particular, the drive shaft is coupled directly to the end of the shaft

output of the gear motor brake.

  It is also advantageous to provide that each attachment means comprises a housing in which the associated chain nut spins, said housing being

  fixed to the beam, preferably being suspended inside

laughing at it.

  Advantageously then, the housing is made of two complementary half-shells whose joint plane coincides with the vertical plane of symmetry of the chain nut, said housing being suspended from the beam by a sheet

  central arranged at this joint plane. In particular

  link, the fixing of the central plate ensuring the suspension of the box is pendulum type, with a clearance in

  the direction of the drive shaft, and the two half

  shells forming the housing define a lower bearing edge with which cooperates one or the other of two chain stops serving to delimit the range of variation of the

  lifting height of the carrying bar.

  In accordance with another particular characteristic

  link, the drive shaft is interrupted at each case, the coupling link between the adjacent sections being provided by a splined shaft passing through the case, the associated chain nut being threaded directly

on this fluted tree.

  Finally, it may be advantageous to provide that the beam is itself suspended by rollers or rollers on rails which extend perpendicular to the main direction of said beam, so as to be able to move the

  decor or material suspended perpendicular to its plane.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  tion will appear more clearly in the light of the descrip-

  tion which follows and the accompanying drawings, relating to a particular embodiment, with reference to Figures o: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention, with the carrier bar in the high position; - Figure 2 shows a similar device in front view, with additional attachment equipment to

  hanging rails, the view showing four means of hanging

  chage comprising in particular each a housing receiving a chain nut; - Figure 3, and Figure 4 which is the section along IV- IV, illustrate on a larger scale one of the chain hooking means, with its housing suspended in the beam and its receptacle of dead chain strand , said chain being further equipped with two chain stops serving to delimit the range of variation of the height of

lifting the carrying bar.

  FIG. 1 illustrates a motorized device 1 in accordance with the invention, allowing the handling of hanging decorations or the like hung on a horizontal support bar 50. A decoration 51 is illustrated in dashed lines, hung by rings 52 on the support bar 50 . In the

  following the description, reference will be made to

  "decorations", but it is understood that the invention does not only apply to suspended decorations in theaters or concert halls, but also applies to lighting projectors, sound equipment, and other accessories provided for in

  performance halls.

  The motorized device 1 firstly comprises a three-dimensional and self-supporting horizontal beam 2, which delimits over its entire useful length a central space 6. In this case, the beam 2 is formed by horizontal members 3, which are connected between them by

  bars 4 and 5 ensuring bracing and bracing

  ment of this beam. The three-dimensional beam 2 is here of substantially rectangular section, but it goes without saying that one can choose a different shape, for example a

  triangular section defined by three horizontal members

  the. The three-dimensional and self-supporting beam 2 can be made of steel if one seeks above all a high rigidity, in order to be able to handle decorations of significant weight, or of aluminum if one seeks before

  everything to have a light and transportable device.

  The motorized device 1 further comprises a geared motor assembly 8 mounted at one end of the beam,

  and whose output shaft is coupled to a trans-

  mission 18 extending horizontally in the central space 6 of the three-dimensional beam 2. The geared motor assembly 8 will preferably be an electrically operated brake geared motor with incorporated torque limiter. On the face

  1, a total integration of the motorcycle assembly has been shown.

  reducer 8 in the volume of the beam 2, that is to say that this gearmotor is entirely housed in the central space

  6 of said beam, which considerably reduces the space

  and facilitates the installation. The whole moto-

  reducer 8 will for example be bolted to a plate between

  height rod 7 welded to the members 3 and it will be connected by cables such as the cable 10 to an associated control block 9 arranged at the end of the three-dimensional beam 2, said block being for example fixed on a spacer plate 11. Also shown in FIG. 1, a remote control means connected to this control block 9, in the form of a control box 12 mounted at the end of a connection cable 13, and comprising two buttons 14 and 15 making it possible respectively to control the raising or lowering of the carrier bar 50 by rotating the output shaft of the brake gear motor, and the transmission shaft which is coupled to it, in one direction or the other. The carrying bar 50 is suspended by chains 21, the lower end of which

  is fixed to this bar by means of an associated swivel 22.

  These chain sections 21 are naturally driven by the transmission shaft 18, as will be explained

  in more detail below, with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

  In Figure 2, we find the three-dimensional beam

  sional and self-supporting 2 previously described, and one distinguishes, at the end of this beam which is opposite to

  that receiving the brake gear motor 8, a plate between

  terminal rod 19 fixed to the four members 3. We distinguish

  gue in FIG. 2, the output shaft 16 of the built-in torque limiter brake gear motor 8, and the transmission shaft 18 is here directly coupled to the end of this output shaft 16 by means of a coupling 17 of conventional type. Such a direct end coupling mode offers the advantage of direct transmission of the engine torque, without passing through intermediate pinions, and gives a

very satisfactory robustness.

  The motorized device 1 comprises a succession of hooking means 20 used to suspend the carrier bar

  50 while being able to vary the height thereof.

  In accordance with an essential characteristic of the invention

  tion, each attachment means 20 consists of a chain nut mounted coaxially on the transmission shaft 18 and rotated by it, and a chain section 21 passing over this chain nut, said section being formed, whatever the height of the carrying bar 50, of a vertical strand whose free end is hooked on the carrying bar and of a dead strand received in a receptacle

  associated 24 fixed to the three-dimensional beam and self-

load bearing 2.

  The transmission shaft 18 may be in one piece over the entire length of the three-dimensional beam 2, or alternatively, as has been shown here, produced in a plurality of successive sections which are connected together at the level of housings 23 which are fixed to the beam 2, preferably being suspended inside the latter. Such an embodiment confers great flexibility, insofar as it is possible to adapt the length of the beam to the environment concerned, or even to transform the length of this beam when it is desired to dismantle the device for the '' set up in another room. Indeed, it suffices for example to dismantle a section of the beam and the corresponding section of the drive shaft, which immediately makes it possible to reduce the length of the beam accordingly. In general, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the length of the beam will be slightly greater than that of the support bar 50. In FIG. 2, a sensor 25 fixed to the housing 23 is further distinguished. closest to the gear motor 8, this proximity sensor (for example of the inductive type) making it possible to detect the presence of the swivel 22 when the carrier bar is raised to the maximum desired height. This proximity sensor is naturally connected directly to the power supply of the gear motor 8. It should be noted that in the event of a malfunction of this proximity sensor, there would be slippage of the motorized assembly thanks to the torque limiter incorporated in the gear motor brake 8. There is also a chain stopper 26 which serves to limit the low level of this hanging bar, for example by cooperation with the

  lower edge of the associated housing 23.

  The location of the chain nut associated with each box 23 will be better understood by referring to

Figures 3 and 4.

  In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the transmission shaft 18 is interrupted at the level of the housing 23, the coupling connection between the adjacent sections being ensured by a splined shaft 28 passing through this housing, a splined shaft whose two ends are received in tips

  of splined shafts 27 mounted at the end of the adjacent sections

  cents of the transmission shaft 18. On this splined shaft 28 is directly threaded the associated chain nut, denoted 29, which spins inside the housing 23 thanks to the presence of associated ball bearings 30. The housing 23 is fixed to beam 2, preferably being suspended inside of it so as to preserve integration

  components in the interior volume of the three-beam

  monthly. In this case, although this is in no way compulsory, the housing 23 is produced in two complementary half-shells 23.1, 23.2, the joint plane Z of which coincides with the vertical plane of symmetry of the chain nut 29, said housing being suspended from the beam 2 by a central plate 31 precisely arranged at this joint plane. The sheet 31 is thus clamped between the two complementary half-shells 23.1, 23.2, which are bolted together, the protruding part of the central sheet 31 then serving to secure the three-dimensional beam 2 on the spacer (s) concerned. in this case, there is shown a fixing produced by a tightening of the central plate 31 between two spacers 4 connected by

  associated bolts 32, with interposition of elastic washers

  ques 33. Such an arrangement is particularly advantageous in this case, because it makes it possible to define a suspension of the housing 23 of the pendulum type, with a movement in the direction of the transmission shaft 18 denoted X. This suspension of the pendulum type of each of the housings 23 allows self-alignment of the different sections of the drive shaft. The chain nut 29 is perfectly protected inside its housing 23, and, as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 4, this housing has two vertical passages 34, of cruciform section, for the passage of the two strands of the section concerned channel. In FIG. 4, a clear distinction is made between the chain section 21 passing over the chain nut 29, which section is formed, whatever the height of the load-bearing bar 50, of a vertical strand 21.1 whose free end is hooked on the support bar 50 by the swivel 22, and a dead strand 21.2 which is received in an associated receptacle 24 fixed to the beam 2. In this case, the attachment to the support bar 50 is ensured by the sockets 53 vertically passing through this bar, and welded thereto, through which passes the threaded rod 55 of a bolt, tightened by nuts 54, and the head of which is received 11 inside the swivel 22. The receptacle chain 24 is for example fixed by a metal strip 37 to the beam 2, and it will be made of a flexible material, for example resistant plastic canvas. In this way, when the carrier bar is raised, the dead strand 21.2 of each chain section 21 is received progressively in its

associated receptacle 24.

  There is also a lower support edge 35 of the housing 23, defined by the lower edge of each of the two constituent half-shells 23.1, 23.2, which edge cooperates with a chain stopper 26 fixed by an associated bolt 36 in the event of descent. maximum of the carrying bar 50. For the maximum raising of this carrying bar, one can use a proximity sensor of the type previously described, or even provide a chain stop on the hooking strand 21.1 which then cooperates with the lower edge d 'support 35 when the maximum high position of the bar

carrier 50 is reached.

  The device according to the invention provides a very large number of advantages, the most important of which will be

noted below.

  The three-dimensional and self-supporting beam 2 is first of all at the same time space-saving, and the integration of the various components of the motorized device, and in particular the gear motor brake with incorporated torque limiter, does not

  does not interfere with the overall compactness.

  It goes without saying that the horizontal beam tridimen-

  sional 2 may alternatively be part of a more complex supporting structure, U-shaped, T-shaped, or even L-shaped. In the case of such variants, provision may be made to place the motor-reducer assembly in another location of the U, T, or L structure, rather than at the end of the

  horizontal beam to which the supporting bar is suspended

  se. In this case, it will be sufficient to use angle transmissions to transmit the rotational movement to the drive shaft extending horizontally in the central space of the three-dimensional self-supporting beam 2. The fact of using chain sections, and the small diameters conferred by the associated chain nuts, makes it possible to have a lifting torque which is both constant and

  high speed, as well as a constant speed (while naturally being able to be modified by an electronic device

  as appropriate, such as a frequency converter acting on the motor) for moving the carrier bar, both for its

ascent only for its descent.

  This chain suspension is also advantageous.

  geuse insofar as it suffices to change the length of the chain sections to adapt to a different height of suspension of the carrying bar. It should then be noted that, whatever the lifting height of the support bar, the section of the beam remains the same. The chain sections being in any case of the same length, these chains

  do not cause any difference in the level of the support bar.

  regardless of its height, which permanently guarantees perfect horizontality of this

load-bearing bar.

  No tangling is to be feared compared to

  cable or strap systems, even if a load is increased

  occasionally found at the location of a single chain. This therefore makes it possible to delete any leveling adjustment of

  the load-bearing bar, which adjustment was for example essential

  sand with known strap systems.

  After the lifting of the load-bearing bar, the chain sections can completely disappear in the sleeves of a false ceiling. It is also possible to

  direct one or more sections of chains in a recepta-

  key, for use of a single chain section of the device

  tif, which allows for example to adapt the device of the invention to the lifting of a particular set such as a chandelier. As mentioned above, the arrangement of the three-dimensional, self-supporting beam, with its internal drive shaft made up of several sections placed end to end, makes it possible to obtain a variable length, which

  provides great installation flexibility. The rigidity conferred by the three-dimensional beam-

  nal and self-supporting considerably reduces the number of

  suspensions for fixing in hangers or frames

  the room, and avoids setting up structures

  expensive and bulky primers.

  It is also possible to provide for movement of the device in a horizontal plane, perpendicular to it.

  lie to the main direction of the beam. Such a variant has thus been represented in FIG. 2, in which it can be seen that the beam 2 is itself suspended by rollers or rollers 32, for example fixed at the top of sheets 31 clamped between two adjacent spacers 4, at rails 33 suspended by threaded rods 34, which rails extend perpendicular to the main direction of the beam, which makes it possible to move the corresponding decoration

  perpendicular to its plane. Such a system is particu-

  particularly interesting when a large number of devices are placed side by side, i.e. for large theaters

or in concert.

  The invention is not limited to the embodiment

  tion which has just been described, but on the contrary includes all

  variant taking up, with equivalent means, the characteristics

  essential points set out above.

Claims (10)

  1. Motorized device for handling suspended decorations or the like hung on a horizontal support bar, characterized in that it comprises: - a three-dimensional and self-supporting horizontal beam (2), delimiting a central space over its entire useful length (6 ); - a geared motor assembly (8) mounted at one end of the beam, and the output shaft (17) of which is   coupled to a transmission shaft (18) extending horizontally   talement in said central space; - A succession of attachment means (20) used to suspend the carrier bar (50) while being able   vary the height of it, each means of   chage (20) consisting of a chain nut (29) mounted coaxially on the transmission shaft (18) and rotated by it, and a chain section (21) passing over the nut chain (29), said section being formed, whatever the height of the support bar (50), of a vertical strand (21.1) whose free end is hooked on the support bar (50), and of a dead strand (21.2) received in a   associated receptacle (24) fixed to the beam (2).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the beam (2) is braced and braced, and its length is slightly greater than that of the bar carrier (50).   3. Device according to claim 1 or the   claim 2, characterized in that the motorcycle assembly   reducer (8) is a motor-operated brake reducer   electric and with built-in torque limiter, this moto-   brake reducer being housed in the central space (6) of the   beam (2) so as to be integrated into the volume thereof   this. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized   in that the drive shaft (18) is directly coupled   ment at the end of the output shaft (16) of the brake gear motor (8). 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4,   characterized in that each attachment means (20) comprises a housing (23) in which the chain nut journals   associated (29), said housing being fixed to the beam (2), preferably being suspended inside the latter.   6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing (23) is made of two complementary half-shells (23.1, 23.2) whose joint plane (Z) coincides with the vertical plane of symmetry of the chain nut (29), said housing being suspended from the beam (2) by   a central sheet (31) arranged at this joint plane.   7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the fixing of the central sheet (31) ensuring the suspension of the housing (23) is of the pendulum type, with a movement in the direction of the transmission shaft (18). 8. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the two half-shells (23.1, 23.2) forming the housing (23) define a lower bearing edge (35) with which cooperates one or the other of two chain stops (22, 26) used to define the range of variation of the height   lifting bar (50).   9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8,   characterized in that the drive shaft (18) is interrupted at each housing (23), the coupling connection between the adjacent sections being ensured by a splined shaft (28) passing through the housing (23), the nut associated chain (29) being threaded directly on this shaft grooved (28).   10. Device according to one of claims 1 to   9, characterized in that the beam (2) is itself suspended   due to rollers or rollers (32) to rails (33) which extend perpendicular to the main direction of said beam, so as to be able to move the decoration or   material suspended perpendicular to its plane.