GB1243049A - A device for attachment to the lifting cable of a crane or the like for aligning a load - Google Patents

Abstract

1,243,049. Self-levelling lifting frames. W. A. M. POMPE. 12 Aug., 1968 [11 Aug., 1967], No. 38558/68. Addition to 1,155,410. Heading B8H. When a lifting beam 13, Fig. 1, turns in a clockwise direction due to an asymmetrical centre of gravity a valve 8 is moved to the right controlled by the difference in liquid level in containers 11, 12. The valve 8 controls the flow of fluid from supporting pistons and cylinders 1, 2 to high and low pressure accumulators HP, LP, and thus produces automatic levelling of the loaded beam. When the load is removed the fluid in the accumulators returns the parts to their original positions. In Fig. 2 raising the container spreader 3 forces fluid from a ram 4 to accumulators HP, LP and tilting of the beam is sensed by a pendulum 6. This operates a valve 7 which supplies fluid to a ram 9 which moves the suspension point horizontally until it is over the centre of gravity of the load and spreader. The valve 7 may be controlled by feelers 20, which engage cells of a container ship, or manually by a lever 18. Fig. 3 shows a device for loading into a covered space 20. The beam 7 and load 1 are counterbalanced by a movable weight 3 which is moved by a ram 16 controlled by a valve 15 and a cam 13 attached to a rod 11. An operating lever controlling a valve 19 must be in position I during this period. When equilibrium is reached the lever is moved to position III and the load is lifted. To set the load down the lever is put in position II and this allows the beam 7 and beam 6 to move about on rollers 21, 22. This causes the weight of the load to overcome the counterweight and the load is set down and the counterweight slides down to the left-hand end of the beam 6. In Fig. 4 a counterweight 18 is moved by a ram 8 controlled by a valve 23 and a rod 5. The rod 5 is moved by the tilting of a quiver 3 about pivots 4. Vertical displacement of the counterweight stores energy to return the parts to their original positions. Fig. 5 (not shown) illustrates an embodiment in which the suspension hook is mounted on a trolley which is moved to an equilibrium position by a ram controlled either as described above or as described in parent Specification. Fig. 6 (not shown) illustrates a similar construction in which two rams control the movement of a suspension trolley. In Fig. 7 a container is lifted by cables 1, 2, and the suspension point may be moved to 3a by pulling out a ram 6. Control is by any of the means mentioned above. Fig. 3 (not shown) is similar to Fig. 7 except that the suspension rams extend between a suspension eye and the ends of a spreader bar. Fig. 9 shows a device in which a boom 2 is counterbalanced by a pivoted arm 15 with a weight 16.