GB2265355A

GB2265355A - Raising/lowering drum support

Info

Publication number: GB2265355A
Application number: GB9304374A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gunnar Sahlin; Torbjoern Jonsson; Walter Snaith Sample
Original assignee: SAHLINS MASKIN AB
Current assignee: SAHLINS MASKIN AB
Priority date: 1992-03-04
Filing date: 1993-03-04
Publication date: 1993-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-04
Also published as: GB9304374D0; GB9204670D0; GB2265355B; GB2264923A

Abstract

Apparatus for raising/lowering a drum comprises two adjustable frames 3 spaced apart to support a drum therebetween. Each frame 3 includes a base 3A, 9, 10, an arm 6 pivoted at 7 to the base and carrying a drum-shaft- receiving support 4, a length-adjustable strut 1 pivoted at 17 to arm 6 and at 18 to base member 9 for pivoting arm 6 about pivot 7 for raising/lowering support 4 through an arc and means for adjusting the position of the arc to accommodate drums of different diameters. The arc adjuster may be a slide 13 slidable along arm 6 to different adjusted positions and carrying support 4 and pivotably connecting with strut 1. The support 4 may instead be fixed on arm 6. Again strut 1 may be pivoted at a fixed position on arm 6 while slide 13 carries support 4. Alternatively strut 1 may be directly pivoted to arm 6 at adjusted positions while support 4 remains fixed on arm 6. The strut 1 may be extended or retracted by a jack 16 or a crank. <IMAGE>

Description

2265355 - 1 LIFTING ARRANGEMENT The present invention relates to a device

for lifting and rotatably supporting a drum, spool, reel or the like, around which may be wound a line, cable, hose or similar elongated member, to permit the elongated member to be wound off or onto the drum.

Previously disclosed lifting arrangements of this kind comprise a shaft support carried at the end of a rigid swinging arm pivotally mounted at one end, in conjunction with which a jack is so arranged as to be capable of acting between a frame part and said rigid swinging arm. The lifting arrangement is restricted in this case to a certain drum diameter.

The principal object of the present invention is thus, in the first place, to solve said problem by simple and effective means.

The invention is described below as a number of preferred illustrative embodiments, in conjunction with which reference is made to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a view from the side of a first embodiment of a lifting arrangement in the raised, locked support position; Fig. 2 shows a view from above of the lifting arrangement in accordance with Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a side view of a sleeve which is carried on a support arm of the first embodiment; Fig. 4 shows a side view partially in section of a strut jack included in the first embodiment; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a modification of the first embodiment in which a reel drum of a first diameter is being carried; Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a modification of the first embodiment in which a reel drum of a second diameter is being carried; Fig. 7 shows a view from the side of a second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 shows a view from the embodiment of the invention; Fig. 9 shows a view from the side of a fourth embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 10 shows a view from the side of a fifth of the invention.

reference to Figs. 1 to 4, a lifting arrangement 1 executed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention, which is intended for a line, a cable, a hose or some other elongated side of a third embodiment ith 1 object capable of being brought together in the form of a reel, comprises two adjustable shaft supporting frames 3 arranged at a relative distance A from one another on a support surface 2 which normally would be the ground. Said shaft support 4 is so arranged as to be adjustable to the desired level 5.

Said pairs of frames 3 are executed identically with one another in the illustrative examples, apart from the fact that they are mirror-inverted, for which reason identical reference designations are used for each pair.

A support arm 6 is appropriately carried at one end 6B by the frame 3 and is pivotally mounted about an articulation 7, which is carried at one end 3A of the frame. The articulation 7 is appropriately arranged in a raised articulated position S on a permanently attached strut 10 projecting upwards from a horizontal frame beam 9 capable of being placed on feet 8 on, for example, the ground 2.

A sleeve 13 is mounted for slidable movement along the support arm 6 in the direction 14 and can be locked in any of a number of positions along the arm 6 by locking means which comprises holes 11 in the arm 6 and a locking pin 12 which can be passed through a - 4 selected one of those holes and a corresponding hole in the sleeve 13.

As shown in Fig. 3, the sleeve 13 has secured to it the shaft support 4 and also carries a transverse member 55 to which brake bands can be attached for applying braking force to a drum when the apparatus is in use.

The support arm 6 is connected to and supported by length-adjustable strut 16 capable of attachment to the frame 3. Said strut 16, which is preferably in the form of a jack, is pivotally attached to the support arm 6 via the sleeve 13 and to the frame 3 via articulations 17, 18, respectively.

The jack 16 preferably comprises a mechanism capable of manual actuation, for example by means of a crank 19, for longitudinal adjustment to the desired length. A worm gear arrangement 20, for example as shown in Fig. 4, which exhibits a drive screw 21 contained in the strut 16, may be included in said jack.

Both the support arm 6, the strut 16 and the supporting frame 3 are located essentially in a common vertical plane in each support arrangement 1, and by adjusting the jack 16, for example by cranking in the desired direction with the height-adjusting crank 19 and extending the jack as indicated by arrows 22 or retracting the jack as indicated by arrows 23, the support arm 6 is caused by the jack 16 to pivot about the articulation 7 upwards as shown by arrow 25 in the case of the extension of the jack 16, and downwards as shown by arrow 26 in the case of the retraction of the jack 16.

By adjusting the position of the sleeve 13 on the support arm 6 in the way described previously, the height of the shaft support 4 for a given extension of the jack can be adjusted for adapting the arrangement to different diameters of cable drum 27. This adaption is achieved simply by removing the locking pin 12, sliding the sleeve 13 along the arm 6 in the appropriate direction, and reinserting the locking pin 12.

A modification to the first embodiment is shown in Figures 5 and 6, the modification involving changing the position of the attachment 18; 118 to the frame beam 9; 109. Fig. 5 shows the arrangement supporting a large diameter drum and Fig. 6 shows it supporting a small diameter drum.

More particularly, Fig. 5 shows a maximum raised position for the jack 116 with the shaft support 104 in its effective carrying position for a drum 27 of a certain diameter, and with the drum 27 carried at the top of the jack 116 and the support arm 106. The jack 116, when in said maximum position, is arranged essentially at right angles V in relation to the frame beam 109.

Fig. 6 shows a lowered carrying position for a drum 27, in which the jack 216 is arranged in a retracted position and extends towards the support arm 206 essentially at an angle W of approximately 45 0 in relation to the frame beam 209. The shaft support 204 is extended in this case along the support arm 206 and down from the upper free end 215A of the upright 215.

The drum 27 is so arranged as to be capable of being rotated about a support shaft 50, which is accommodated in a transcurrent opening in the drum 27 and is carried on said shaft support 4, 104, 204, which may be executed as U-shaped cups, similar to channels. A bracket 51, which is in the form of an arm, for example, is so arranged as to be attached by means of a screw 52 to one end wall 53 of a drum, and - 7 is attached to said shaft 50 in such a way as to rotate together about said shaft support 4; 104; 204.

In order to be able to brake the drum 27 and to prevent it from "running away" when unreeling the line or cable, etc., a drum brake 54 may be provided on the support arrangement in a known fashion. For example, the drum brake 54 may operate with a brake band which acts on a brake drum connected to the drum shaft 50. Said brake band can be regulated manually, for example.by means of a tensioner screw, in order to obtain the desired braking effort. Brackets 55 in the form of sideways-facing attachment handles, to which brake bands can be attached on either side of the drum 27, can be connected in this way to the support arm 6 via sleeve 13, for example. The opposite end of the shaft 50 can exhibit a side stop for the drum 27.

As will be understood from the above description, the drum lifting and supporting apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 comprises an L-shaped base made up of members 9 and 10 which are secured to each other, an arm 6 pivoted at one end to the base by articulation or pivot 7 and a drive mechanism in the form of adjustable strut or jack 16 which a cts between

8 the base and the arm 6 for raising and lowering the arm 6. Although the distance through which the shaft support 4 can be moved by actuation of the jack 16 is limited by the extent to which the jack 16 can be extended and retracted, accommodation of drums of different diameters is achieved by changing the positions along the arm 6 of both the shaft support 4 and the pivotal connection 17 between the arm 6 and the jack 16, such adjustment being achieved by repositioning the sleeve 13 as above described. Other means for accommodating drums of different size are possible within the scope of the invention, however. A number of such alternative means will be described with reference to Figs. 7 to 10.

In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the drum lifting and supporting arrangement comprises an L-shaped base 300, an arm 302 pivotally connected to the base 300 at 304 and a drive mechanism 306 which may be similar to the jack 16 and which acts between the base 300 and the arm 302 for pivoting the arm 302 about the pivot 304. The jack 306 is connected at its upper end to the arm 302 via a sleeve 308 to which the jack 306 is pivoted at 310, and is connected at its lower end by means of a pivot 312 to the base 300. As in the embodiments described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6, the sleeve 308 is slidable along the arm 302 and can be fixed in any one of a number of selected different positions by means of a pin 314 which passes through holes 316 in the sleeve 308 and a selected one of several holes 318 in the arm 302. However, the axle support 4 is, as shown in Fig. 7, secured to the free end 320 of the arm 302 rather than being carried by the sleeve 308. Nevertheless, as will be clear from comparing the broken and full line positions of the device as shown in Fig. 7, the height of the shaft support 4 can be adjusted by changing the position of the sleeve 308 on the arm 302 for accommodating drums of different sizes. Thus, the broken line position shown in Fig. 7 illustrates the position of the sleeve 308 appropriate for small drums and the arrow 322 indicates the distance through which the shaft support 4 can be driven by actuation of the jack 306 for lifting the drum from the ground after it has been engaged with the shaft support 4.

The full line position of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7 is suitable for a larger diameter drum and the arrow 324 indicates the range of movement through which the axle support 4 can be driven by actuation of - 10 the jack.

In Fig. 8, parts corresponding to parts shown in Fig. 7 are identified by corresponding reference numbers and these need not be described again. The embodiment of Fig. 8 differs from that of Fig. 7 in that, firstly, the upper end of the jack 306 is connected to a bracket 330 which is secured at a fixed position to the arm 302 rather than being connected to a sleeve which can be moved along the arm. Secondly, instead of the sleeve 308, a saddle 332 is provided and this carries the shaft support 4. The saddle 332 is slidable along the arm 302 and can be fixed in any one of a number of positions by means of the pin 314 and holes 316 in the saddle and 318 in the arm 302. In Fig. 8, the full line position of the arm 302 represents its lower-most position, ie. when the jack 306 is fully retracted and the broken line position represents the upper-most position of the arm 302, ie. when the jack is fully extended. When the saddle 332 is in the full line position, ie. close to the free end of the arm 302, the apparatus can accommodate a large drum and when the saddle is positioned close to the pivot 304, as indicated by reference number 332a, a smaller drum can be accommodated since the distance between the axle support 4 and the ground is less than when the saddle is close to the free end of the arm 302. Broken lines 334 and 336 represent the respective paths through which the shaft support 4 is driven by actuation of the jack 306 in the two illustrated positions of the saddle 332.

Fig. 9 illustrates a further modified embodiment in which the shaft support 4 is fixed at the free end of the shaft 302 and, instead of the sleeve 308 or saddle 332, adjustment to accommodate drums of different sizes is achieved by the provision of an extension 338 to the jack 306 having therein a series of holes 340 by means of which pivotal connection between the arm 302 and the extension 338 can be effected at a number of different positions along the extension 338, this pivotal connection being achieved with the aid of a pin 342 which passes through a selected one of the holes 340 and a corresponding hole (not shown) in arm 302. In Fig. 9, the full and broken line positions of the arm 302 which are shown represent the extremities of the movement of the arm 302 by means of actuation of the jack 306 for a given connection between the extension 338 and the arm 302.

is The embodiment of Fig. 10 is the same as that of Fig. 7 except that a drive arrangement different from the jack 306 is provided for pivoting the arm 302. The drive arrangement of Fig. 10 comprises a strut 350 pivotally connected at its upper end to the sleeve 308 at 310 and pivotally connected at 312 at its lower end to a member 352 which is displacable horizontally along and supported by the base 300 as indicated by the arrows 354. The member 352 can be driven horizontally in either direction by means of a crank 356 connected to a screw rod 358 which is rotatably supported by posts 360 and threadedly engaged in a trapped nut 362 (not shown in detail) mounted in the element 352. Thus, rotation of the rod 358 by means of the crank 356 drives the arm 302 upwardly or downwardly. Accommodation of different size drums is achieved by changing the position of the sleeve 308 on the arm 302.

Various other modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, the driving mechanism shown in Fig. 10 could be utilised in the arrangement of Fig. 8 or Fig. 9 instead of the jack 306.

Although in the embodiments described the drive 13 - shaft receiving member has been shown separate to the arm, it could in embodiments where it does not move relative to the arm be constituted by a part of the arm. For example, the drive shaft receiving member could be formed as an indentation in the arm.

Claims

1. A drum lifting apparatus comprising first and second frames operable in spaced apart positions with a drum positioned between them, each said frame comprising (a) (b) a base; an arm mounted on said base for pivotal movement about an axis which, in use, is generally horizontal and generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said drum; a drum shaft receiving member on said arm; a drive mechanism connected between the arm and the base and operable through a limited range for effecting said pivotal movement of said arm to cause said receiving member to move through an arc for lifting said drum; and (e) means for changing the arc through which the drive mechanism drives said arm to enable the apparatus to accommodate drums of different diameters.

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2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said changing means comprises means for changing the position along the arm at which the drive mechanism is connected to the arm to change the angular position of the arm for a given position of the drive mechanism.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said changing means comprises a slide mounted on said arm and movable therealong and means for locking said slide in any of a plurality of positions along said arm, said drive mechanism being connected to said slide.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said locking means comprises a plurality of holes at spaced positions along said arm and a locking element carried by said slide and engagable in said holes.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said drum shaft receiving member is provided on said slide for movement therewith along said arm.

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6. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said drum shaft receiving member is at a fixed position on said arm.

is

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said drum shaft receiving member is at the end thereof remote from the pivotal axis of the arm.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said changing means comprises means for changing the distance of said drum shaft receiving member from the pivotal axis of the arm.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said changing means comprises a plurality of holes in said arm at spaced positions therealong and locking means carrying said drum shaft receiving member and engagable with said holes for locking the drum shaft receiving member at different positions along said arm.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, 8 or 9, wherein said drive mechanism is connected to said arm at a - 17 point which is at a fixed distance from the pivotal axis of the arm.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said changing means comprises means for changing the position on the drive mechanism at where the arm is connected thereto.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said drive mechanism comprises a strut, a first pivot connecting one end of the strut to the arm, a second pivot connecting the other end of the strut to the base and means for extending and contracting said strut for effecting said pivotal movement of said arm.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said means for extending and contracting said strut comprises a screw jack.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 11 wherein said drive mechanism comprises a strut, a first pivot connecting one end of the strut to the arm, a second pivot connecting the other end of the - 18 strut to the base and means for moving pivot along said base for effecting movement of said arm.

said second said pivotal

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said means for moving said second pivot comprises a screw drive.

16. Drum lifting apparatus comprising first and second frames operable in spaced apart positions with the drum position between them, each said frame comprising (a) (b) a base; an arm mounted on said base for pivotal movement about an axis which, in use, is generally horizontal and generally parallel to the axis of rotation of said drum; (c) a slide mounted on said arm and movable therealong, said slide being adapted to support a drum shaft; (d) locking means for locking said slide in any of a plurality of positions along said arm; (e) a strut having one end pivotally connected z - 19 to said slide and its other end pivotally connected to said base, for supporting said arm; and (f) a jack incorporated in said strut for extending and contracting said strut for effecting pivoting movement of said arm so that said shaft receiving member is thereby driven through an arc; (g) fixing said slide at said different positions along said arm enabling said apparatus to accommodate drums of different diameter by changing the height of said shaft receiving member without operating said drive mechanism.

17. Drum lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

18. Drum lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings.

D - 20

19. Drum lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 8 of the accompanying drawings.

20. Drum lifting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 9 of the accompanying drawings.

21. Drum lifting apparatus described with reference accompanying drawings.

substantially as herein to Fig. 10 of the

22. Drum lifting apparatus according to any preceding claim in combination with a drum supported thereby.