GB2060554A

GB2060554A - Apparatus for lifting or lowering a load

Info

Publication number: GB2060554A
Application number: GB7934868A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: AERIAL PLATFORMS UK Ltd
Current assignee: AERIAL PLATFORMS UK Ltd
Priority date: 1979-10-08
Filing date: 1979-10-08
Publication date: 1981-05-07
Also published as: EP0028462A1; GB2060554B; ZA806154B

Description

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GB 2 060 554 A 1

SPECIFICATION

Apparatus for lifting or lowering a load

It is known that at least one load can be lifted or lowered by means of a longitudinally extensible 5 boom having first and second end portions, said first end portion being adapted to support at least one said load, said second end portion being adapted to be pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation constituted by a spindle so that said boom " 10 can pivot upwards or downwards. In one example of such a boom, said pivotal mounting can be provided on a fork lift truck.

A problem present with the vertical stability of a said fork lift truck is that the position of the 15 centre of gravity of the loaded boom will change with change in length of said boom. Thus, depending on the position of the centre of gravity of the boom, and the load applied to the first end portion of the boom, there may be risk of the fork 20 lift truck overturning during change in the length of the boom while said load is applied.

It has now been found in accordance with the present invention that said problem can be overcome or mitigated by utilising at least one 2 5 signal in response to position of said centre of gravity. This utilisation can find many applications, for example when the fork lift truck is another vehicle, as will be described later herein.

According to a first aspect of the present 30 invention, there is provided a longitudinally extensible boom suitable for lifting or lowering at least one load, said boom comprising: longitudinally extensible arm means constituting said boom, said arm means having 35 first and second end portions, said first end portion being adapted to support said at least one load, said second end portion being adapted to be pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation so that said arm means can pivot at least upwards or 40 downwards;

at least one displacement means for adjustably displacing said arm means so that said arm means will undergo a said pivoting; and at least one sensor means for providing at least 45 on signal in response to position of the centre of gravity of said arm means when said arm means supports or does not support said at least one load.

According to a second aspect of the present 50 invention, there is provided sensor means adapted for use as a said sensor means of said boom according to said first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect of the present 55 invention, there is provided at least one control means responsive to at least one said signal so as to provide control of at least one function of at least said boom according to said first aspect of the present invention.

60 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for lifting or lowering at least one load, said apparatus comprising:

at least one said boom according to said first

65 aspect of the present invention; and at least one support means for supporting said at least one boom, said pivotal mounting of the or each said boom being to at least one said support means.

70 It will be appreciated that said apparatus of said fourth aspect of the present invention can be e.g. in accordance with said second and third aspects of the present invention.

Said apparatus according to said fourth aspect 75 of the present invention can be statically located. For example, that apparatus can be a statically located crane. However, said apparatus of said fourth aspect of the present invention can be movably located. For example, that apparatus can 80 be a vehicle. It will be appreciated that the present invention can be applied to any suitable vehicle, for example a vehicle that is a land vehicle, for instance a fork lift truck, a lorry, or a train. Said vehicle can be a water vehicle, for instance a 85 barge or other kind of boat. Said vehicle can be an air vehicle, for instance a helicopter or a hovercraft.

In carrying out the present invention, said longitudinally extensible arm means is preferably 90 telescopic. However, it should be noted that any other suitable way of providing longitudinal extension can be used. For example, said longitudinally extensible arm means can be constituted by members placed side by side for 95 movement relative to each other, for instance in the case of a ladder constituted by one example of a said boom according to the first aspect of the present invention. Said longitudinally extensible arm means can be articulated, so as to be 100 articulatable in at least one direction.

Said first end portion of a boom according to the first aspect of the present invention can support in any suitable way at least one load. For example, in the case of a fork lift truck constituting 105 one embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention, a work platform can be permanently or removably mounted to said first end portion. It will be appreciated that said first end portion may comprise pulley or other suitable 110 guide means for guiding line means (for example a chain having at one end a hook for lifting a load) for fastening to at least one load.

Said pivotal mounting of the second end portion of a boom according to the first aspect of 115 the present invention can be provided in any suitable way. For example, that second end portion can pivot about an axis of rotation constituted by for instance spindle means. That axis can be statically or adjustably oriented. 120 Preferably, said at least one displacement means is arranged to provide at at least one location between said axis of rotation and said centre of gravity, force for enabling said adjustable displacement of said arm means. 125 Preferably, said at least one displacement means is connected to an upper portion of said arm means.

A respective said displacement means can be provided for each of the opposite sides of said arm

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means.

At least one said displacement means can comprise first and second end portions thereof, the first end portion being connected to said arm 5 means, the second end portion being connected to support means (for example part of said apparatus according to said fourth aspect of the present invention), relative movement between those first and second end portions enabling said adjustable 10 displacement of said arm means. It will be appreciated from the above description, that the second end portion of a said displacement means can be connected to said support means at a location thereof between both of said axis of 15 rotation and said centre of gravity. Preferably, said connections of the first and second end portions of a said displacement means are pivotal connections, but those connections can be provided in any other suitable way. Preferably, 20 said relative movement between the first and second end portions of a said displacement means is provided by moving that first end portion. For example, the first end portion of a said displacement means can be comprised by a piston 25 or ram, or any other suitable means. Preferably, the second end portion of at least one said displacement means is pivotally mounted to support means. Preferably, this pivotal mounting is provided by means of an axis of rotation 30 constituted by for example spindle means. That axis can be statically or adjustably oriented. It will be appreciated that the above description refers to two different axes of rotation, i.e. said axis of rotation about which said second end portion of 35 the longitudinally extensible arm means is to pivot, and said axis of rotation for said second end portion of a said displacement means. These axes can be statically or adjustably oriented with respect to each other. Preferably, those axes will 40 be kept parallel with respect to each other. For example, this parallel condition can be a fixed constant or enabled by any suitable means, for instance at least one said control means or other control means.

45 Said at least one sensor means can be provided in any suitable way. For example, any said sensor means can comprise or be constituted by at least one transducer means and/or at least one switch means. Like or unlike kinds of sensor means can 50 be used. Preferably, at least one said sensor means comprises a strain gauge, for example transducer means for converting pressure changes into electrical signals. When a said displacement means has a said second end portion thereof 55 pivotally mounted by using spindle means, that spindle means can have at least one said sensor means, for example inserted thereinto. Preferably, when such a spindle means passes through opposite supports therefor (for example opposite 60 walls of a trunnion) corresponding to one side of the boom, this spindle means can have first and second said sensor means corresponding respectively to those supports; and these sensor means are preferably symmetrically located 65 relative to a mid-point between those supports.

It will be appreciated that at least one said sensor means can be operatively connected to at least one control means so as to provide control of at least one function of said boom according to the first aspect of the present invention. In general, at least one said control means or any other control means can control at least one function of said apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

Any control means used in the present invention can be provided in any suitable way. For * example, at least one said control means can be adapted to respond to at least one predetermined value of at least one said signal. This response can be instantaneous or comprise a least one predetermined delay. Any said control means can be adapted to enable or dis-enable at least a portion of at least one said function. Preferably, at least one said control means is adjustable, so as to provide for example different predetermined conditions thereof. Preferably, at least one said control means is potentiometric, for example comprise at least one potentiometric bridge, for instance a Wheatstone bridge. Electrical circuitry of any said control means can be provided in any suitable way, for example comprise printed circuitry and/or at least one microprocessor.

It is not essential for at least one said signal to be an electrical signal. For example, at least one said signal can be constituted by information comprised by gas, liquid, solid, or radiation (for instance light of any colour). However, it is convenient that said at least one signal be electrical, and that said at least one control means therefor also be electrical.

At least one said control means can comprise at least one indicator means so as to indicate at least one state of that control means, for example indicate when a said control means is at a particular state in a predetermined programme of control states, for instance a first said indicator means can be activated when a safe working load for the boom is applied, approached, or reached, and a second said indicator means can be activated when a predetermined maximum safe working load for the boom is reached. Similarly, at least one said control means can comprise at least one indicator means so as to indicate at least one state of apparatus according to said fourther aspect of the present invention. Thus, what has just been said about first and second indicator means can apply to the safe working load and maximum safe working load of such apparatus, regarding activation of indicator means. Different * colored lights can be used to provide different said indicator means. These lights can be constituted in any suitable way, for example be incandescent lamps and/or light emitting diodes. It will be appreciated that it is not necessary for any said indicator means to provide a visual response or only a visual response. For example, it is possible for indicator means to provide visual and/or non-visual responses (for instance warning sound). When there is a plurality of said indicator means, at least two thereof can be like or unlike indicator

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means. If desired, fibre optics can be utilised with at least one said indicator means.

It is not essential for at least one said control means to comprise at least one said indicator 5 means. For example, at least one said indicator means can be directly associated with at least one said sensor means and not be part of at least one said control means.

If desired, at least one display means can 10 comprise at least one said indicator means. For example, a said display means can be an instrument having any suitable cursor (for instance a pivoted needle) and/or counter. If desired, a said display can be electronic, for instance a cathode 1 5 ray tube display, or display utilising liquid crystal display means.

One preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying 20 drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of one fork lift truck embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a view of a spindle fitted with two strain gauges, the spindle constituting an axis of 25 rotation for one of two identical hydraulic pistons for displacing a longitudinally extensible boom fitted to the fork lift truck of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, a longitudinally extensible telescopic arm 1 constitutes an extensible boom for lifting or 30 lowering at least one load. At a first end portion of the arm 1 is mounted a removable work platform 2. At the other end portion of the arm 1, the arm 1 is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation constituted by a spindle 3 of trunnion means 35 mounted on an elevatable support platform 4 carried by the forks 5 of the fork lift truck 6. There are two forks 5 side by side and inserted into respective pockets in the support platform 4. At each side of the arm 1 is a respective hydraulic 40 cylinder 7. The first end portion of each cylinder 7 comprises a respective piston 8 pivotally connected to a respective upper portion 9 of the arm 1, at location between the spindle 3 and a variably positionable centre of gravity 10 or arm 1 45 The other end portions of each cylinder 7 are pivotally mounted each about a respective axis of rotation constituted by a spindle 11, there being respective spindles 11 for each cylinder 7. The spindles 11 are parts of respective trunnion means 50 mounted on the elevatable support platform 4. The locations of the spindles 11 are between the variable centre of gravity 10 and the spindle 3.

Each spindle 11 (Fig. 2) has inserted therein two respective strain gauges 12 symmetrically 55 located so as to correspond to opposite sides of the cylinder 7 comprising that spindle 11. The strain gauges 12 will provide output signals to a control means 13 mounted on the elevatable support platform 4 or elsewhere on the fork lift 60 truck, one instance of such alternative mounting being shown by the reference numeral 14 in Fig. 1.

The control means 13 comprises a Wheatstone bridge responsive to the output signals from the 65 strain gauges 12, those signals passing to the control means 13 via a line 15 (Fig. 2). When the output signals change in response to change in location of the centre of gravity 10 of the arm 1, the control means 13 will respond in at least one 70 predetermined manner, for example trigger predetermined safety operations. For instance, the control means 13 can activate a yellow light when the safe working load of the boom and/or fork lift truck is approached, and when such a safe 75 working load is reached activate a red light. As soon as an unsafe working load for the boom and/or the fork lifting truck is reached, the control means 13 can isolate in a predetermined safe manner at least one function of the boom and/or 80 of the fork lift truck.

It will be appreciated that the elevatable support platform 4 can be regarded as part of the boom. The arm 1 can be articulatable or non-articulatable.

85 The present invention extends to equivalents of the above description of the accompanying drawings. In general, the present invention can be embodied in any suitable way, and includes equivalents of the various possiblities disclosed by 90 the above description given before the description of the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. A logitudinally extensible boom suitable for lifting or lowering at least one load, said boom

95 comprising:

longitudinally extensible arm means constituting said boom, said arm means having first and second end portions, said first end portion being adapted to support said at least one load, 100 said second end portion being adapted to be pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation so that said arm means can pivot at least upwards or downwards;

at least one displacement means for adjustably 105 displacing said arm means so that said arm means will undergo at least one said pivoting; and at least one sensor means for providing at least one signal in response to position to the centre of gravity of said arms means when said arm means 110 supports or does not support said at least one load.

2. A boom as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said arm means is telescopic.

3. A boom as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein 115 said arm means comprises members placed side by side for movement relative to each other.

4. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to

3, wherein said arm means is articulatable in at least one direction.

120 5. A boom as claimed in any one of-Claims 1 to

4, wherein said first end portion of said arm means comprises work platform means mounted to said first end portion.

6. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 125 5, wherein said first end portion of said arm means comprises guide means for guiding line means for fastening to at least one load.

7. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said pivotal mounting comprises

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spindle means constituting a said axis of rotation.

8. A boom as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said spindle means comprises at least one said sensor means.

5 9. A boom as claimed in Claim 8, wherein at least one said sensor means is inserted into a said spindle means.

10. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one said displacement

10 means is arranged to provide, at least one location between said axis of rotation and said centre of gravity, at least a portion of force for enabling said adjustable displacement of said arm means.

11. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1

15 to 10, wherein at least one said displacement means is connected to an upper portion of said arm means.

12. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein respective said displacement

20 means is provided for each of opposite sides of said arm means.

13. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one said displacement means comprises first and second end portions

25 thereof, this first end portion being adapted to be connected to said arm means, this second end portion being adapted to be connected to support means, relative movement between those first and second end portions enabling at least a portion of

30 said adjustable displacement of said arm means.

14. A boom as claimed in Claim 13, wherein at least one said displacement means is adapted to be hydraulically operated.

15. A boom as claimed in Claim 13 or 14,

35 wherein said connection of said first end portion of at least one said displacement means is adapted to be a pivotal connection.

16. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 15, wherein said first end portion of at least one

40 displacement means is movable to provide relative movement between the first and second end portions of that displacement means.

17. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 16, wherein said second end portion of at least

45 one said displacement means is adapted to be connected to a said support means, this connection being between said axis of rotation and said centre of gravity.

18. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 13

50 to 17, wherein said connection of said second end portion of at least one said displacement means is adapted to be a pivotal connection.

19. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 18, when according to Claim 15 or 18, wherein

55 said pivotal mounting of at least one said end portion of at least one said displacement means comprises spindle means constituting an axis of rotation about which that end portion can pivot.

20. A boom as claimed in Claim 19, wherein

60 said spindle means for a said end portion of at least one said displacement means comprises at least one sensor means for providing at least one signal.

21. A boom as claimed in Claim 20, wherein at

65 least one sensor means is inserted into a said spindle means for a said end portion of at least one said displacement means.

22. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 21, wherein at least one said sensor means comprises at least one transducer means and/or at least one switch means.

23. A boom as claimed in Claim 22, wherein at least one said sensor means comprises at least one transducer means for converting pressure changes in electrical signals.

24. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1

to 23, when according to any one of Claims 8, 9, «

20 and 21, wherein a said spindle means is mounted between opposite supports for that spindle means, this spindle means having inserted thereinto first and second said sensor means respectively corresponding to those supports.

25. A boom as claimed in Claim 24, wherein said first and second sensor means are symmetrically located relative to a mid-point between said opposite supports.

26. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 25, comprising at least one control means to provide control in response to at least one said signal.

27. A boom as claimed in Claim 26, wherein at least one said control means is adapted to respond to at least one predetermined value of at least one said signal.

28. A boom as claimed in Claim 26 or 27,

wherein at least one said control means is adapted to enable or dis-enable at least a portion of at least one function of said boom and/or at least a portion of at least one function of any support means to which said boom can be mounted.

29. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 26 to 28, wherein at least one said control means is potentiometric.

30. A boom as claimed in Claim 29, wherein at least one said control means comprises at least one Wheatstone bridge.

31. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 30, comprising at least one indicator means to indicate at least one state of at least one said sensor means and/or at least one state of at least one said control means.

32. A boom as claimed in Claim 31, wherein at least one said indicator means is adapted to provide at least one visual and/or at least one non-visual response. .

33. A boom as claimed in Claim 32, wherein at least one said indicator means is adapted to provide at least one light as indicator response.

34. A boom as claimed in Claim 32 or 33,

wherein at least one said indicator means is adapted to provide at least one sound as indicator response.

35. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 31 to 34, comprising at least one display means comprising at least one said indicator means.

36. A boom as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

37. Apparatus for lifting or lowering at least one load, said apparatus comprising: at least one

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boom according to any one of Claims 1 to 36; and at least one support means for said at least one boom.

38. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 37, wherein 5 at least one said boom is mounted to a said support means that is a vehicle.

39. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 38, wherein said vehicle is a fork lift vehicle.

40. Sensor means adapted for use as sensor 10 means according to Claim 1 and/or Claim 20.

41. Control means adapted for use as control means according to Claim 26.

42. Indicator means adapted for use as indicator means according to Claim 31.

15 43. Display means adapted for use as display means according to Claim 35.

44. Support means adapted for use as support means according to Claim 37.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 20 20th November 1980.

Superseded claims.

New or amended claims:—

45. A longitudinally extensible boom adapted for being mounted to a fork lift vehicle, said boom

25 comprising:

support means adapted for being elevatable by fork lift means of said vehicle;

longitudinally extensible arm means mounted to said support means so as to be elevatable by 30 elevation of said support means, said arm means having first and second end portions, said first end portion being adapted to support at least one load, said second end portion being adapted to be pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation so that 35 said arm means can pivot at least upwards or downwards;

at least one displacement means for adjustably displacing said arm means so that said arm means will undergo at least one said pivoting; and 40 at least one sensor means for providing at least one signal in response to position of the centre of gravity of said arm means when said arm means supports or does not support said at least one load.

45 46. A boom as claimed in Claim 45, wherein said arm means is telescopic.

47. A boom as claimed in Claim 45 or 46, wherein said arm means comprises members placed side by side for movement relative to each

50 other.

48. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 47, wherein said arm means is articulatable in at least one direction.

49. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 55 to 48, wherein said first end portion of said arm means comprises work platform means mounted to said first end portion.

50. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 49, wherein said first end portion of said arm

60 means comprises guide means for guiding line means for fastening to at least one load.

51. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45

to 50, wherein said pivotal mounting comprises spindle means constituting a said axis of rotation.

65 52. A boom as claimed in Claim 51, wherein said spindle means comprises at least one said sensor means.

53. A boom as claimed in Claim 52, wherein at least one said sensor means is inserted into a said

70 spindle means.

54. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 53, wherein at least one said displacement means is arranged to provide, at least one location between said axis of rotation and said centre of

75 gravity, at least a portion of force for enabling said adjustable displacement of said arm means.

55. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 54, wherein at least one said displacement means is connected to an upper portion of said

80 arm means.

56. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 55, wherein respective said displacement means is provided for each of opposite sides of said arm means.

85 57. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 56, wherein at least one said displacement means comprises first and second end portions thereof, this first end portion being adapted to be connected to said arm means, this second end

90 portion being adapted to be connected to support means, relative movement between those first and second end portions enabling at least a portion of said adjustable displacement of said arm means.

58. A boom as claimed in Claim 57, wherein at

95 least one said displacement means is adapted to be hydraulically operated.

59. A boom as claimed in Claim 57 or 58, wherein said connection of said first end portion of at least one said displacement means is adapted

100 to be a pivotal connection.

60. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 57 to 59, wherein said first end portion of at least one said displacement means is movable to provide relative movement between the first and second

105 end portions of that displacement means.

61. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 57 to 60, wherein said second end portion of at least one said displacement means is adapted to be connected to a said support means, this

110 connection being between said axis of rotation and said centre of gravity.

62. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 57 to 61, wherein said connection of said second end portion of at least one said displacement means is

115 adapted to be a pivotal connection.

63. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 62, when according to Claim 59 or 62, wherein said pivotal mounting of at least one said end portion of at least one said displacement means

120 comprises spindle means constituting an axis of rotation about which that end portion can pivot.

64. A boom as claimed in Claim 63, wherein said spindle means for a said end portion of at least one said displacement means comprises at

125 least one sensor means for providing at least one signal.

65. A boom as claimed in Claim 64, wherein at

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least one sensor means is inserted into a said spindle means for a said end portion of at least one said displacement means.

66. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 5 to 65, wherein at least one said sensor means comprises at least one transducer means and/or at least one switch means.

67. A boom as claimed in Claim 66, wherein at least one said sensor means comprises at least

10 one transducer means for converting pressure changes into electrical signals.

68. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 67, when according to any one of Claims 52, 53,64 and 65, wherein a said spindle means

15 is mounted between opposite supports for that spindle means, this spindle means having inserted thereinto first and second said sensor means respectively corresponding to those supports.

69. A boom as claimed in Claim 68, wherein

20 said first and second sensor means are symmetrically located relative to a mid-point between said opposite supports.

70. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 69, comprising at least one control means to

25 provide control in response to at least one said signal.

71. A boom as claimed in Claim 70, wherein at least one said control means is adapted to respond to at least one predetermined value of at

30 least one said signal.

72. A boom as claimed in Claim 70 or 71. wherein at least one said control means is adapted to enable or dis-enable at least a portion of at least one function of said boom and/or at least a portion

35 of at least one function of any support means to which said boom can be mounted.

73. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 70

to 72. wherein at least one said control means is potentiometric.

40 74. A boom as claimed in Claim 73, wherein at least one said control means comprises at least one Wheatstone bridge.

75. A boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 74, comprising at least one indicator means to

45 indicate at least one state of at least one said sensor means and/or at least one state of at least one said control means.

76. A boom as claimed in Claim 75, wherein at least one said indicator means is adapted to

50 provide at least one visual and/or at least one non-visual response.

77. A boom as claimed in Claim 76, wherein at least one said indicator means is adapted to provide at least one light as indicator response.

55 78. A boom as claimed in Claim 76 or 77, wherein at least one said indicator means is adapted to provide at least one sound as indicator response.

79. A boom as claimed in anyone of Claims 75

60 to 78, comprising at least one display means comprising at least one said indicator means.

80. A boom as claimed in Claim 45, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying

65 drawings.

81. A fork lift vehicle, comprising a boom as claimed in any one of Claims 45 to 80.

82. A fork lift vehicle as claimed in Claim 81, wherein said support means has pockets in which

70 are received fork lift means of said vehicle.

83. A fork lift vehicle, as claimed in Claim 81, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1981. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained.