FR2762832A1 - ROTARY, DEMOUNTABLE AND FOLDABLE LOAD MAT - 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, which can be dismantled and

  foldable comprising mainly a vertical-looking pole and an arrow having during operation an angle relative to said pole, and whose implementation, use and storage are extremely simple to perform. According to a preferred example which will serve in the following to clarify the

  description, such a mast can be used in the nautical field,

  essentially for leisure, to equip boats which are known to be frequently transhipped, to load or unload equipment which may be heavy. This applies, for example, to the engine with which ships are fitted and outfitted at the rate of their use, which sometimes has to be transhipped onto an inflatable boat carrying out the shuttle between the

land and the ship to be equipped.

  This operation and all the activities requiring load transfers are quickly tedious if you do not have specialized equipment, without which you can also damage the equipment and / or the ship. However, for boats used for leisure activities, we see that many users use more or less practical systems, sometimes tinkered with, for lack of a specialized offer at a reasonable cost compared to the specificity of the market. There are many equipments supposed to answer the problem posed, but they are either too crude and impractical to use, or

  oversized and often too expensive.

  The present invention proposes to remedy these drawbacks with a device of great maneuverability, very easy to install and store,

  robust design and convenient to use.

  According to a basic characteristic, the loading mast of the invention is such that the boom is articulated around an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pole and relative to the latter, between a folded position in which it is parallel and in contact with said pole, and an unfolded position in which it surmounts the pole and has an angle between an angle

  right and a flat angle with respect to said pole.

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

  vertical mast surmounting the rail.

  To make use as comfortable as possible, the pole is not only movable in rotation around its longitudinal axis relative to the fixed structure to which it is attached, but it is also tiltable from the vertical, by means a base allowing the fixing between two positions fixing the terminals of the possible angular displacement of the angle of inclination. 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 to receive a bolt forming a shaft for rotating the shaft, in the loose state, and consequently passing through a corresponding orifice made in the shaft, the second orifice being of oblong shape and in an arc of a circle, so as to delimit an inclination 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 homologous vertical wings connected by a horizontal part which can be fixed to the ground, so as to have a U-shape having a vertical plane of symmetry passing through the middle of the base of the U. When the bolts are loose , the inclination of the mast can be varied continuously between the two aforementioned terminals. The tightening of said bolts, in fact fixing the pole to the base, fixes at the same time the

setting adopted by the user.

  According to a preferred design of the invention, the pole consists of two substantially coaxial elements. In this case, the two coaxial elements are advantageously provided that are movable in rotation relative to one another. 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 flanges having a contact surface allowing them mutual guidance during rotational movements, and moreover offering a

  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 locking handle acting via an orifice made in said element, one end of said handle acting as a needle being clampable in contact with the sleeve to prevent rotation , or insertable into orifices of said sleeve to lock any movement. More specifically, said handle comprises a threaded portion between the needle end and an elbow delimiting a portion of the handle acting as a handling member, said threaded portion cooperating with a nut fixed radially outside the housing element. the rotating part of the sleeve. The bottom element being fixed relative to its environment, rotation affects the top element, supporting the arrow which must of course be

  positioned according to the user's needs.

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

the sleeve.

  According to one of the main characteristics of the invention, the pole is surmounted by an articulation piece comprising a shaft allowing the arrow to pivot relative to the pole between the unfolded and folded positions, said articulation piece comprising two wings vertical symmetrical each provided with 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.

  In addition, said articulation part comprises a vertical part connecting the

  two symmetrical wings, on which the arrow rests in the unfolded position.

  The offset of the orifices made in the wings of the articulation part is explained by the constraint imposed by the folded storage position: the

  shank and boom must then be parallel and in contact with each other.

  According to the invention, the boom is hollow and comprises at one of its ends at least one sheave making it possible to receive a cable or a rope, free to rotate around a transverse shaft, said boom being open under said sheave to allow the passage of the cable or the rope towards a pulley provided with a hook, and having an axial opening at its end

  opposite, also intended for the passage of cable or rope.

  More specifically, said arrow comprises at its end opposite to the location of the sheave (s) a closure part provided with said axial opening, as well as a transverse roller on which the rope or cable rests, said opening being additionally equipped with '' an eyelet acting 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 exit from the eyelet, the rope is available for manipulation on the part of the user, and it has a safety knot which will prevent, if said user releases it during handling, that the load of the pulley does not crush, because said knot

  will be blocked at the eyelet or thread level.

  Preferably, the boom is a profile provided at its end with protective ears of the sheave (s), having a semicircular shape downward projecting 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 contour at its end located at the level of the protective ears, 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 the sheaves are mounted idly, 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 boom is made up of two elements that can be slid one inside the other, the element carrying the sheaves being a U-shaped profile open downwards, the other being a

rectangular section.

  In this case, according to one possibility, the two elements of the boom are fixed to each other by transverse bolting, several pairs of opposite orifices being provided at equal distance in the two elements, so than

  several discrete boom length adjustments are possible.

  To ensure the resistance to the load of the assembly described above, the pole and the boom are connected by a strut that can pivot on one and on the other. To this end, U-shaped pieces with symmetrical ears are welded to the shaft and the arrow. The ears have holes intended to receive a shaft which can take the form of a simple bolt with a smooth body and a threaded end. The ends of the strut are provided with corresponding holes. According to the invention, the pole is also provided with two tabs for fixing the rope or cable in the high position or in the low position. This makes it possible in particular to maneuver the cargo mast alone on two levels, for example from the deck of the boat on which said mast is installed, then from the deck of the tender boat transshipping, and

  located practically on the surface of the water.

  In general, the main elements are all profiles. Those which constitute the pole and the strut are for example profiles with

rectangular section.

  The aforementioned device has a robustness combined with a maneuverability which make it a precious tool for moving objects between two

  locations located on two separate levels.

  We will now describe the invention in more detail, with particular reference to the figures 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; - Figure 4 shows 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 counter-plates (not visible) matching the shape of the

shank (1).

  In the configuration shown, the shaft (1) consists of two elements (4, 5), while the arrow (2) comprises two elements referenced (7, 8). The pole (1) and the boom (2) are connected by an articulation piece (3) fixed to 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 the 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 handle (14) for blocking 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 annular flanges (16, 17) ensuring the verticality of the sections (4, 5), and moreover allowing guiding of the internal sleeve (see below ). The base of the bottom element (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 orifices, one (33) being oblong and in an arc, while the other (34) is circular and in fact serves as a receiver for the bolt forming the shaft around which the rotation allowing the inclination takes place. To simplify the understanding of the diagram, the bolts have generally not been represented, the representation of the orifices being sufficient to get an idea of the operation, and further improving the reading.

of said diagrams.

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

as a reference line.

  A strut (6) is pivotally mounted on the elements (4, 7), by means of symmetrical U-shaped parts (24, 25) provided with ears pierced with orifices coming in correspondence with transverse orifices of said leg force (6), the assembly accommodating rotation shafts in the form of bolts or a suitable pin. When the boom (2) must be folded, it suffices to remove one of the shafts (preferably the one which 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 will be seen in more detail below, the rope passes through a double pulley (10) with a hook, and through two sheaves (23) cooperating with said double pulley (10) provided with its hook, then it travels with the 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 the elements, because they 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). In the invention, the elements (4, 5) are profiles with a square section, provided with their annular edges (16, 17) guiding the sleeve (18), which is cylindrical. This sleeve (18) is either welded or bolted via the orifices (20) to the element (4), from which it is therefore integral. It is inserted via the border (17) in the bottom element (5), in which it

  is free to rotate. This configuration allows a rotation of 360.

  A clamping / locking means is provided by the handle (14), one end of which is movable in translation in an orifice of the element (5) and can come into contact with said sleeve (18). The latter comprises 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 the rotation of the sleeve when it is applied against the outer casing. 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.

  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 boom is offset relative to the axis of the shaft (1), ideally by at least a little more than half a width of boom (2), so that it can fold in parallel and in contact with the

shank (1).

  At the end of the arrow (2), the enlarged area with a semi-circular 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 square section profile (7) comprises an adjustment with several discrete positions materialized by equally spaced orifices (26), which correspond to

  orifices of the element (8) separated by the same spacing.

  According to one possibility, improving the rotation of the mast, a Teflon washer

  (36) is inserted between the annular flanges (16, 17).

  Figure 3 shows the same configuration in the folded position, only the upper part (4) of the shaft (1) being shown. The sleeve (18)

  protrudes downward, provided with its orifices (19) angularly offset by 90 o.

  In this figure, attention must be paid to the upper end of the arrow (2) at the level of the axis of rotation (21). The square profile (7) comprises a roller (29) for guiding the rope, which passes through said profile (7) (and into the envelope of the inverted U-profile 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) clearly appears it has a threaded portion (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) serving as a needle is located opposite

  an orifice giving it access to the interior of the element (5).

  FIG. 5 schematically represents the end of the arrow (2) provided with the 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 fixed 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 range and to perform a simple blocking in the chosen position. A single bolt or axis is to be maneuvered to fold down the boom (2), and thus constitute a compact assembly that takes up little space. Finally, to disassemble the assembly, it suffices to turn the handle (14) to release the sleeve (18) and

  thus separate the upper part (4) from the lower part (5) of the shaft.

  In short, the maneuvers to be carried out for the implementation of the mast of the invention are very simple and accessible to all. The existence of the jib overhang (2) resting on the part (27) is also important, because it

  guarantees safety by preventing the telescopic part from falling.

  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 with the aid of the figures represents a possible configuration of the invention, but is not limitative of the latter. 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 example shown.

  Finally, a still simplified version comprises at the end of the arrow (2) orifices making it possible to mount a shaft intended to receive pulleys

  products available on the market.

Claims (23)

  1. Rotatable, removable and foldable load mast, essentially comprising a shaft (1) and a boom (2), assembled to a fixed structure via said shaft (1), characterized in that the boom (2) is articulated around '' an axis (21) perpendicular to the axis of the pole (1) and with respect thereto, between a folded position in which it is parallel and in contact with said pole (1), and an unfolded position in which it surmounts the pole (1) and has an angle between a right angle and an angle   flat with respect to said pole (1).   2. Load mast according to claim 1, characterized in that the pole (1) is movable in rotation about its longitudinal axis relative to the   structure to which it is assembled.   3. Load mast according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that   the vertical pole (1) is tiltable relative to the vertical, by means of a base (13) allowing the fixing between two positions fixing the   limits of the possible angular displacement of the angle of inclination.   4. Load mast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base (13) comprises at least one vertical wing fixed to the ground, provided with two orifices (33, 34), the orifice (34) closest to ground being intended to receive a bolt forming a shaft of rotation of the shank (1), in the loose state, and consequently passing through a corresponding orifice made in the shank (1), the second orifice (33) being of oblong shape and in an arc, so as to delimit an inclination path for a second bolt fitting into a second hole provided at a location corresponding in the pole (1).   5. Load mast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base (13) comprises two homologous vertical wings connected by a horizontal part which can be fixed to the ground, so as to have a U shape having a vertical plane of symmetry passing through the middle of the base of the U.   6. Load mast according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in   that the shaft (1) consists of two elements (4, 5) substantially coaxial. 7. Load mast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two coaxial elements (4, 5) are movable in rotation relative to one another to the other.   8. Load mast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said coaxial elements (4, 5) are hollow and connected by means of an internal cylindrical sleeve (18) fixed to one of the elements (4) and movable in rotation relative to the other element (5), said elements (4, 5) being provided with annular flanges (16, 17) having a contact surface allowing them to guide each other during rotational movements, and moreover offering a axial guidance of said cylindrical sleeve (18). 9. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said flanges (16, 17) are in contact with one another, via a washer (36) made of synthetic material having sliding properties   facilitating the rotation of a ledge on the other.   10. Load mast according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that   the element (5) with respect to which the sleeve (18) is movable in rotation comprises a tightening handle (14) and external blocking acting via an orifice made in said element (5), one end of said handle (14) acting as a needle being clampable in contact with the sleeve (18) to prevent rotation, or insertable in orifices (19) of said   sleeve (18) to lock any movement.   11. Loading mast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said lever (14) comprises a threaded portion (31) between the needle end and an elbow delimiting a portion of the lever (14) acting as a handling, said threaded portion (31) cooperating with a nut (32) fixed radially outside the element   (5) housing the rotary part of the sleeve (18).   12. Loading mast according to any one of claims 8 to 11,   characterized in that said sleeve (18) is fixed to the element (4) of the shaft (1) by welding or by means of bolts passing through orifices   (20) made for this purpose in said element (4) and in the sleeve (18).   13. Load mast according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the pole (1) is surmounted by an articulation piece (3) comprising a shaft (21) allowing the boom (2) to pivot relative to the pole (1) between the unfolded and folded positions , said articulation piece (3) comprising two symmetrical vertical wings each provided with a homologous orifice intended for the passage of a bolt forming the rotation shaft (21) for said arrow (2), said orifice being   offset towards the outside of the pole (1).   14. Load mast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the articulation part (3) has a vertical part (27) connecting the two   symmetrical wings, on which the arrow (2) rests in the unfolded position.   15. Loading mast according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the arrow (2) is hollow and comprises at one of its ends at least one sheave (23) free to rotate around a transverse shaft (30) making it possible to receive a cable or a rope (9) , said arrow (2) being open under said sheave (23) to allow the passage of the cable or rope (9) towards a pulley (10) provided with a hook, and having an axial opening at its opposite end, also   provided for the passage of the cable or rope (9).   16. Load mast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said arrow (2) comprises at its end opposite to the location of the sheave (s) (23) a closure part provided with said axial opening, as well as a roller transverse (29) on which the rope or cable (9) rests, said opening being additionally equipped with an eyelet (28) acting   cable or cord fairlead (9).   17. Loading mast according to one of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that   that the arrow (2) is a profile provided at its end with protective ears of the sheave (s) (23), having a semi-circular shape downwards protruding from the profile (8).   18. Loading mast according to any one of claims 15 to 17,   characterized in that the sheaves (23) are two in number, separated by   a sheet (22) fixed to the arrow (2).   19. Loading mast according to any one of claims 15 to 18,   characterized in that the boom (2) consists of two elements (7, 8) which can be slid into one another, the element (8) carrying the sheaves being a profile   U-shaped open downwards, the other (7) being a profile with rectangular section.   20. Load mast according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two elements (7, 8) of the boom (2) are fixed to one another by transverse bolting, several pairs of orifices (26) in opposite being provided at an equal distance in the two elements (7, 8), so that   several discreet boom length adjustments (2) are possible.   21. Loading mast according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the pole (1) and the arrow (2) are connected by a   strut (6) which can pivot on both.   22. Loading mast according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the pole (1) is provided with two tabs (11, 12) allowing the rope or cable (9) to be fixed in the high position or in low position.   23. Loading mast according to any one of claims 8 to 22,   characterized in that the elements (4, 5, 6) forming the pole (1) and the   strut (6) are profiles with rectangular section.