FR2838729A1 - Handling device for metallic elements comprises beam shaped chassis, connected to traction system, and magnetic gripping head able to rotate between horizontal and vertical positions - Google Patents

Abstract

The handling device, to be attached to a traction system, comprises a horizontal beam shaped chassis (1) which has connections (130) to the traction system. There is a gripping head (3), for the metallic elements (G), provided with a magnet (320). The head is able to rotate through 90o relative to the chassis between a position where it holds the metallic element horizontally and a position where it holds it vertically. There are means (52) for selectively activating the magnet.

Description

rays. The present invention relates to a handling device or

  spreader, intended to be attached to a traction system with a view in particular to the gripping, lifting, handling and laying of road metallic elements, such as crash barriers or lane dividers

for example.

  In order to improve road safety, we sometimes install metal barriers on the roadside, known as "safety barriers" which have the function, in case a motorist loses control of his vehicle, to prevent it it does not completely leave the road. The vehicle then slides along

of this slide.

  The mounting of this type of slide is illustrated in Figure 1 attached.

  The wind slides mounted on an M-pillar installed vertically on the BC side of causeway C. An EC shoe or spacer is fixed to the upper part of

  upright M. This fixing is provided for example by a screw V1 and a nut E1.

  1S The part of the EC spacer projecting from the side of roadway C

  also has several orifices O (trots in the figure).

  Each slide G is an elongated element, made of metal, for example galvanized steel, having in cross section the shape of an ounce. More precisely, seen from the side of the carriageway C, each slide G has a longitudinal flat central part P. bordered on either side by two convex longitudinal parts

CX protruding.

  Each slide G also presents at its two ends and in its

  middle part P. an oblong orifice OB extending longitudinally.

  Two adjacent slides (referenced respectively G1 and G2) are assembled with each other so that the end of the first slide G1 partially overlaps the end of the second slide G2 and that the two

  oblong holes OB of each slide G1 and G2 are opposite one another.

  This assembly is carried out using several V2 screws (four in number on the

  figure) and nuts (not shown).

  In addition, the two adjacent slides G1 and G2 are fixed on the spacer EC so that the oblong orifices OB of said slides are opposite the orifices O of the spacer EC. This fixing is provided by a V3 screw and an E3 nut. The oblong shape of the OB port allows a certain play of the slides G1 and G2 with respect to the spacer EC located behind and thus facilitates

adjustment during assembly.

  The slides are about four meters long and weigh around 60 kg. They are therefore heavy and difficult to handle by hand. In addition, they are generally brought to their place of installation in the form of a horizontal stack of several slides, and they must then be taken one by one, lifted and tilted by 90 to bring them into an upright position.

  where they are assembled both on the previous slide and on the EC spacer.

  This manipulation is done by two personnel. Besides the fact that it is exhausting for the operators who carry it out, it can also prove to be dangerous if one of the

  operator releases the slide and receives it on the feet.

  The present invention therefore aims to solve the aforementioned drawbacks and in particular to provide a device for picking up a metal slide from a stack of slides, to bring it into a vertical position and to position it in front of a support consisting of an upright and a 'a retractor in order to fix it there. The device must also make it possible to release the slide once that

  here fixed to be able to take the next slide.

  In addition, this device must be reliable and avoid any risk of

  untimely release of said slide during its manipulation.

  This object is achieved by means of a handling device, intended to be attached to a traction system with a view in particular to the gripping, lifting, handling and laying of road metallic elements, such as

  than metal safety barriers.

  In accordance with the invention, it comprises a horizontal chassis having the shape of a beam, means for connecting this chassis with said traction system, at least one head for gripping said metallic elements provided with at least one magnet, this gripping head being able to pivot angularly 90 relative to said chassis, between a first position in which it maintains said metal element in a horizontal position and a second position in which it maintains said metal element in a vertical position, and

  means for selectively activating the magnetization to said magnet.

  According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination: - the connecting member to said device with the traction system is movable vertically relative to the chassis, its upward movement being made at 'against an elastic return system interposed between the connecting member and said chassis; - The gripping head is provided with means for centering the magnet with respect to said metal element; - It comprises means for remote control of the lifting and lowering movements of said device relative to the traction system; - It is equipped with a padre of handles mounted on the upper face of the chassis, symmetrically on either side of its transverse vertical plane of symmetry, these handles allowing manual guidance of the handling device; - The means of selective activation of the magnetization of the wind magnet provided with locking means; - It comprises means for blocking the angular position of the gripping head relative to the chassis in said first position;

  - it includes two gripping heads.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the

  Reading of the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

  This description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

  - Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of two sections, cons of metal slides and their support; - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device according to [the invention; - Figure 3 is a view of one of the ends of said device, in partial section, placed on a horizontal stack of metal slides; - Figure 4 is a view showing a part of Figure 3, to a slightly enlarged scale but in which a slide is held in a vertical position; - Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the device according to the invention, the gripping heads being in the folded position, and - Figure 6 is a diagram showing the displacement of the rods

device activation.

  The handling device which will now be described is intended to be hooked by means of a traction system (for example a cable), to a lifting arm, a winch or any other similar lifting equipment, used

  especially in construction and public works.

The

  In the following description and claims, the terrnes

  "horizontal" >>, "vertical", "teas" or "high" wind to be taken into consideration in relation to the normal position of use of the device which is also that

illustrated in the figures.

  As appears better in FIGS. 2 and 5, the device according to the invention comprises a frame 1 which is made up of a hollow beam, by

  example a metal profile of rectangular section.

  This chassis 1 extends along a horizontal median longitudinal axis X X 'The upper and lower walls of the chassis 1 have been designated

  by references 11 and 12 respectively.

  In the central region of the upper wall 11 of the chassis 1 is welded a tube 10, for example of circular section, arranged vertically and which is used for guiding in translation a connecting member 13 in the form of a rod. This rod

  13 is movable in translation vertically inside said tube 10, (see FIG. 5).

  The upper part of the rod 13 opens out to the outside of the tube 10 and is provided with a ring 130 intended for the attachment of the traction system making it possible to lift the handling device. This traction system has not been shown in the figures for the sake of simplification. It allows you to move the

  device along a vertical axis Y-Y '.

  At its lower part, the rod 13 carries a flat head 131 having the shape of a horizontally extending disc. This head 131 is of such a diameter

  that it can slide inside the tube 10.

  An elastic member 14, such as a helical spring, is arranged around the rod 13, one of its ends being secured to the bottom of the tube 10 and the other being secured to the head 131. In the normal rest position illustrated on the

  Figure 5, the spring tends to push the head 131 towards the teas.

  Conversely, when the handling device is suspended from the traction system, it tends to move towards the teas under the effect of its weight and

  the upper end of the tube 10 compresses the spring 14 against the head 131.

  However, the stiffness of the spring 14 is advantageously chosen so that in this case, the spring 14 is not completely compressed. Thus, the rod 13 and its head 131 can still move over a certain stroke, compressing

  more spring 14, which allows some axial movement.

  The handling device is furthermore provided with a pad of handling handles 15, fixed by welding to the upper wall 11 of the frame s 1 and extending vertically upwards. These 15 wind handles arranged

  symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis Y-Y 'passing through the center of the frame 10.

  Fa, con advantageous, the handling device also comprises means 2 for remote control of its lifting and lowering movements relative to the traction system and / or the maneuvers and displacements of the carrier to which is hooked said traction system. These 2 wind control means known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail. They are advantageously arranged on the upper face 12 of the chassis 1 and are actuated using the control buttons 150 disposed

  advantageously at the top of the handles 15.

  The handling device further comprises at least one gripping head 3 of the metal slides and fa, advantageously con two heads referenced 3 and 3 '. These two parties 3 and 3 'wind arranged on either side of a plan

  of vertical symmetry passing through the axis Y-Y 'and perpendicular to the axis XX'.

  The two gripping parties being almost identical, only the head

  3 will now be described in more detail, with reference to FIG. 2.

  This head 3 comprises a support plate 30 having a top view in the form of a T, the central branch of which is oriented along a longitudinal axis parallel to the axis XX '. This support plate 30 is welded to a plate 31 or plays, having substantially the shape of a triangle (see Figure 3). The plaque

  31 extends in a plane perpendicular to that of the support plate 30.

  In its position shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support plate extends horizontally. Wile supports a magnet block 32, by means of suitable fixing means. This magnet block 32 presents on its face 33 opposite to that by which it is fixed to the support plate 30, at

  minus one magnet 320, preferably two.

  This magnetization block 32 is for example a block known under the name "magnetic carrier" .I1 supports a permanent magnet 320 from which it is possible to "shunt" (ie to derive or deactivate) the magnetization . This operation can be carried out for example by moving, cant or by rotating the magnet

  320 so that its active face is no longer in the plane of face 33 of block 32.

  Such a magnet block 32 is known to those skilled in the art and will not be described

in detail.

  The magnet (s) 320 are strong enough to allow

  secure and lift a single slide G to the gripping head 3.

  In addition, the support plate 30 carries centering means 4 of the slide G. These centering means consist on the one hand of two fingers of

centering 41, 42 and a bar 43.

  It will be noted that, as the handling device according to the invention comprises two gripping parties 3, 3 ′, it generally comprises four fingers and

two centering bars.

  More precisely, the two fingers 41, 42 extend vertically towards the teas from the two branches of the T-shaped support plate 30. They are advantageously adjustable in height, for example by screwing. When the gripping head 3 is placed on a slide G. these fingers 41, 42 whose length is adjusted according to the shape of the profile, penetrate inside the parts

  convex CX of each slide G and rest against the walls of said slide.

  The bar 43 is welded perpendicularly to these centering fingers 41 and 42. Wile comes to rest against the edges of the slide G when the head of

  grip 3 is positioned on it.

  As appears better in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the frame 1 is further provided with two flanges 16, 16 '. These flanges are in the form of an S-shaped plate extending towards the teas, substantially vertically, from the lower face 12 to said chassis 1, in a vertical plane perpendicular to

the axis XX '.

  The lower free ends of the flanges 16, 16 'wind crossed by an axis 160 extending horizontally parallel to the axis XX'. This axis 160

  protrudes at both ends of the device.

  This axis 160 also passes through a household opening in each cheek

  31, 31 ', so that these cheeks are mounted pivoting about this axis 160.

  The two gripping parties 3, 3 'can thus pivot angularly between a first position in which the support plate 30 is horizontal (see FIG. 3) and a second position in which this plate 30

is vertical (see Figure 4).

  The gripping head 3 can be locked in the position where the support plate 30 is horizontal by indexing means 6 or by blocking the angular position of the gripping head 3, (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In known manner, these wind means constituted by a rod mounted on a spring and capable of sliding axially between a position in which it simultaneously penetrates into a household orifice in the flange 16 (not visible in the figures) and an orifice 310 i household in the flange 31 and a retracted position into which it does not enter

more in [orifice 310.

  The activation of the magnetization of the magnets 320 is controlled by

trots links.

  The first link 51 is provided with a handle 510, it acts as a lever. The second link 52 is an intermediate link and the third

  link 53 directly controls the activation of the magnetization of the magnets 320.

  The second link 52 is articulated at its two ends to the other two links. In addition, the link 51 is articulated at its other end around the axis 160, while the link 53 is articulated directly on an axis crossing the

magnet block 32.

  The angular displacement of the control rod 53 entrane

  the magnetization or on the contrary the demagnetization of the magnets 320.

  This control rod 53 can also be locked in the activation position of the magnetization by a mechanical locking device.

  530 blocking its angular displacement.

  The operation of the handling device according to the invention will

now be described.

  The device according to the invention in the folded position (see FIG. 3) is suspended from the winch. However, the activation links of the magnetization wind in

  the position represented in FIG. 6.

  The lowering of the handling device is controlled by simultaneously pressing the two push buttons 150 located on the top of the handles 15. The two horizontal bars 43, 43 'come into contact with the edges of the slide G while the four fingers adjustable verticals 41, 42, 41 ',

  42 'allow the device to be center.

  The magnets 320, 320 ′ which are not yet active, then rest on the central part P of the slide G. Using the handle 510, the lever 51 is then rocked by approximately (arrow f, to the right of the FIG. 6), which has the effect of angularly displacing the link 53 and of creating the magnetic edge enabling the magnets 320 to be activated. This manipulation also triggers the safety lock 530 by preventing accidental unlocking (disarming). From this moment, the slide G is firmly held by the magnetic field at the head

gripping 3.

  We then unlock the indexcur 6 and then control the ascent of the

  winch by pressing one of the push buttons 150 on one of the handles 15.

  Under the effect of gravity, the distribution of the masses is such that the lower part of the gripping head 3 to which is magnetically "glued" the slide G pivots 90 (from the position of Figure 3) and is found in vertical position (see

figure 4).

  The operator then moves the slide G to bring it in relation to the locations to be bolted (slightly higher). An assistant operator then fixes a side of the slide to the EC spacer, and it moves to the other end. By pressing on this free end, it causes the compression of the spring 14, making it possible to adjust the oblong hole OB of the slide G opposite the orifices O of the spacer EC. The possible axial movement of the rod 13 relative to the tube 10 (described above) thus allows a slight vertical displacement of the handling device making it possible to adjust the position of the slide G opposite its support. Chassis 1 can also tilt slightly to the right or to the teas

  left around a horizontal axis of rotation Z 'perpendicular to the axis X-X'.

  The next operation is to demagnetize. With one hand, the locking device 530 is released from the magnetization while with the other the lever 51 is rocked, thereby cutting off the magnetization. We disengage the device

  handling of the slide G by controlling the ascent of the winch.

  Then, simply place the teas of the device thus unfolded on the upper edge of the slide which has just been placed and relax the traction system by acting on the winch. Under the effect of its own weight, the handling device returns to the folded position, (see Figure 2). Finally, we lock

  indexcur 6 and we can go and position ourselves on the next slide G to install.

Claims (8)

  1. Handling device, intended to be attached to a traction system with a view in particular to the gripping, lifting, handling and laying of metallic elements, such as road metallic safety barriers (G), characterized in that it comprises a horizontal chassis (1) having the shape of a beam, connecting means (10, 13, 130, 131) of this chassis (1) with said traction system, at least one gripping head (3, 3 ') of said metal elements (G) provided with at least one magnet, this gripping head (3, 3') being able to pivot angularly by 90 relative to said chassis (1), between a first position in which it maintains said metal element (G) in a horizontal position and a second position in which it maintains said metal element (G) in a vertical position, and means (S. S1, 52, 53) for   selectively activate the magnetization to said magnet (320).   2. A device for handling metallic elements according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting member (13) to said device with the traction system is movable vertically with respect to the chassis (1), its upward movement being made against an elastic recall system   (14) interposed between the connecting member (13, 131) and said chassis (1).   3. A device for handling metal elements according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the gripping head (3, 3 ') is provided with centering means (4, 41, 42, 43) of the magnet ( 320) with respect to said element metallic (G).   4. Device for handling metallic elements according to one of the   claims la 3, characterized in that it comprises control means a   distance (2) of lifting and lowering movements to said device by compared to the traction system.   5. Device for handling metallic elements according to one of the   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is equipped with a pad of handles (1S)   mounted on the upper face (11) of the chassis (1), symmetrically on either side of its transverse vertical plane of symmetry (Y-Y '), these handles (1S) allowing the   manual guidance of the handling device and its orientation.   6. Device for handling metallic elements according to one of the   claims 1 to S. characterized in that the selective activation means (S. 51,   52, 53) of the magnetization of the magnet (320) provided with locking means (530).   7. Device for handling metallic elements according to one of the   Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises blocking means (6) for   the angular position of the gripping head (3, 3 ') relative to the chassis (1) in said first position.   8. Device for handling metallic elements according to one of the   claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises two gripping parties (3,