GB2101964A - Tilter for objects such as nuclear fuel flasks - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for tilting an object from horizontal to vertical and vice versa without allowing a crane rope to become other than vertical comprises a carriage (1) with front rollers (6) retained in vertical runners (13). Rear rollers (4) move in a curved guide (10) which changes from horizontal to vertical. A locking mechanism can be provided in the vertical position. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tilter for objects such as flasks This invention relates to tilters for objects such as flasks.

A problem that occurs with the tilting of objects is that cables of hauling cranes tend to move out of the vertical during tilting causing mechanical stress and possible danger to nearby machinery or operators, and once in the upright position some other auxiliary means other than the raising means is required initially to start the return of the flask to the horizontal.

An object of the present invention is to seek to provide a tilter wherein such movement is substantially inhibited, and the auxiliary means is made redundant.

According to the present invention, a tilter comprises a carriage means for an object to be tilted having a part constrained to move in a vertical plane only. Preferably, the part comprises a pair of rollers or linear bearings rotatably mounted thereon, which rollers or linear bearings may be constrained by vertical tracks.

Conveniently, the carriage comprises a further part constrained to move between a horizontal and vertical plane along a pre-selected track. Preferably, the further part comprises a further pair of rollers constrained to run within a curved track. Advantageously, a locking mechanism is provided to hold the carriage in desired positions.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tilter, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the tilter in a first operational position, and Figures 3, 4 and 5 are similar to Fig. 2, but show a second, third and fourth operational position, respectively.

Reference is directed firstly to Fig. 1, in which a carriage is generally indicated by 1.

The carriage has a base 2, which is generally "T" shaped and a toe plate 3. The carriage carries a pair of rollers 4 on trunnions 5 (only one of which rollers, trunnions can be seen in the figure) at its toe end. A further pair of rollers or linear bearings 6 (not shown in Fig.

1, but one of which is shown in Fig. 2) is carried on arms 7 at the end of the carriage away from the toe. The arms 7 are provided with attachment points 8 for a crane hook (as is shown below with reference to Fig. 2).

Fixed curve tracks 9, 10 are provided for the rollers 4. The tracks have guide walls 11, 1 2 for the rollers (one set of guide walls only being visible in the figure). Fixed vertical tracks 13, 14 are provided for the rollers or linear bearings 6.

Operation of the tilter is now described with reference to Figs. 2 to 5, wherein like reference numerals to Fig. 1 are used for like parts. An object to be tilted (not shown, but for example a nuclear fuel flask) is placed on the carriage 1 shown in its horizontal position in Fig. 2. The crane 1 5 is then attached to the attachement point 8 and the crane actuated.

The crane pulls the carriage upwardly as may be seen in successive steps in Figs. 2 to 5. In Fig. 5, the carriage has almost reached its upright position and the weight of the object is carried on toe plate 3. When the carriage has reached its upright position, a locking bar (not shown) may be inserted into the tracks to prevent the carriage from moving under gravity when the crane is removed.

It will be appreciated that since the roller or linear bearing 6 is constrained to move in a vertical direction, the crane line pulls only in a vertical direction so that the line is not deflected. Also, the crane does its tilting from one position. The carriage is guided smoothly by the interaction of the rollers 4 with tracks 9, 10 in use. The tracks 9, 10 also inhibit pivoting of the carriage due to load imbalance by virtue of the guide walls 11, 1 2. Thus, for example, in Fig. 2 the carriage is not able to rotate in a clockwise direction and so tip off the object being carried.

Tilting from vertical to horizontal is simply the reverse of tilting from horizontal to vertical, ie Fig. 5 to Fig. 2. Also, lifting could be carried out by means other than a crane, such a rack and pinion drive means.

From the above description, it can be seen that a improved tilter is provided.

1. A tilter comprising a carriage means for a object to be tilted, the carriage means having a part constrained to move in a vertical plane only.

2. A tilter as claimed in claim 1, in which the part comprises a pair of rollers or linear bearings rotatably mounted thereon, which rollers or linear bearings may be constrained by vertical tracks.

3. A tilter as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the carriage comprises a further part constrained to move between a horizontal and a vertical plane along a pre-selected track.

4. A tilter as claimed in claim 3, in which the further part comprises a further pair of rollers constrained to run within a curved track.

5. A tilter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a locking mechanism is provided to hold the carriage in desired positions.

6. A tilter substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tilter for objects such as flasks This invention relates to tilters for objects such as flasks. A problem that occurs with the tilting of objects is that cables of hauling cranes tend to move out of the vertical during tilting causing mechanical stress and possible danger to nearby machinery or operators, and once in the upright position some other auxiliary means other than the raising means is required initially to start the return of the flask to the horizontal. An object of the present invention is to seek to provide a tilter wherein such movement is substantially inhibited, and the auxiliary means is made redundant. According to the present invention, a tilter comprises a carriage means for an object to be tilted having a part constrained to move in a vertical plane only. Preferably, the part comprises a pair of rollers or linear bearings rotatably mounted thereon, which rollers or linear bearings may be constrained by vertical tracks. Conveniently, the carriage comprises a further part constrained to move between a horizontal and vertical plane along a pre-selected track. Preferably, the further part comprises a further pair of rollers constrained to run within a curved track. Advantageously, a locking mechanism is provided to hold the carriage in desired positions. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tilter, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the tilter in a first operational position, and Figures 3, 4 and 5 are similar to Fig. 2, but show a second, third and fourth operational position, respectively. Reference is directed firstly to Fig. 1, in which a carriage is generally indicated by 1. The carriage has a base 2, which is generally "T" shaped and a toe plate 3. The carriage carries a pair of rollers 4 on trunnions 5 (only one of which rollers, trunnions can be seen in the figure) at its toe end. A further pair of rollers or linear bearings 6 (not shown in Fig. 1, but one of which is shown in Fig. 2) is carried on arms 7 at the end of the carriage away from the toe. The arms 7 are provided with attachment points 8 for a crane hook (as is shown below with reference to Fig. 2). Fixed curve tracks 9, 10 are provided for the rollers 4. The tracks have guide walls 11, 1 2 for the rollers (one set of guide walls only being visible in the figure). Fixed vertical tracks 13, 14 are provided for the rollers or linear bearings 6. Operation of the tilter is now described with reference to Figs. 2 to 5, wherein like reference numerals to Fig. 1 are used for like parts. An object to be tilted (not shown, but for example a nuclear fuel flask) is placed on the carriage 1 shown in its horizontal position in Fig. 2. The crane 1 5 is then attached to the attachement point 8 and the crane actuated. The crane pulls the carriage upwardly as may be seen in successive steps in Figs. 2 to 5. In Fig. 5, the carriage has almost reached its upright position and the weight of the object is carried on toe plate 3. When the carriage has reached its upright position, a locking bar (not shown) may be inserted into the tracks to prevent the carriage from moving under gravity when the crane is removed. It will be appreciated that since the roller or linear bearing 6 is constrained to move in a vertical direction, the crane line pulls only in a vertical direction so that the line is not deflected. Also, the crane does its tilting from one position. The carriage is guided smoothly by the interaction of the rollers 4 with tracks 9, 10 in use. The tracks 9, 10 also inhibit pivoting of the carriage due to load imbalance by virtue of the guide walls 11, 1 2. Thus, for example, in Fig. 2 the carriage is not able to rotate in a clockwise direction and so tip off the object being carried. Tilting from vertical to horizontal is simply the reverse of tilting from horizontal to vertical, ie Fig. 5 to Fig. 2. Also, lifting could be carried out by means other than a crane, such a rack and pinion drive means. From the above description, it can be seen that a improved tilter is provided. CLAIMS

1. A tilter comprising a carriage means for a object to be tilted, the carriage means having a part constrained to move in a vertical plane only.

2. A tilter as claimed in claim 1, in which the part comprises a pair of rollers or linear bearings rotatably mounted thereon, which rollers or linear bearings may be constrained by vertical tracks.

3. A tilter as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the carriage comprises a further part constrained to move between a horizontal and a vertical plane along a pre-selected track.

4. A tilter as claimed in claim 3, in which the further part comprises a further pair of rollers constrained to run within a curved track.

5. A tilter as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a locking mechanism is provided to hold the carriage in desired positions.

6. A tilter substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings.