GB2269356A - Tilt mechanism. - Google Patents

Abstract

A tilt mechanism for tilting a container comprises a first beam and a second beam. The device further comprises a locating and tilt mechanism positioned on the first beam. Preferably the device is used for tilting the discharge end of a barrel by covering it relative to the other end. The device has a handle and gears for moving arms (22, 23) to make a sharper or shallower V for holding the barrel end. <IMAGE>

Description

TILT MECHANISM This invention relates to a device for tilting a container, and particularly, but not exclusively to a device for tilting a barrel containing a liquid such as beer.

In general, barrels containing beer are stored in a storage area such as a damp cool cellar, in which there is very confined limited access. There is a general trend to maximise storage space to enable greater stock capacity, increasing variety and product range and reducing small frequent deliveries currently practised. Storage racking is sometimes now provided to increase the capacity of confined areas.

When a beer barrel is initially delivered to an establishment, each barrel is initially stored in a substantially horizontal position with the front and rear of the barrel being substantially level. In this position the sediment contained in the liquid can settle to the bottom of the barrel and liquid may be drawn off. In order to ensure maximum usage of the liquid contained within the barrel, as the liquid is drawn off it is necessary to tilt the barrel by raising the rear end of the barrel relative to the front end. This ensures full usage of the liquid.

In general beer barrels are excessively heavy in weight, particularly when full. It can be very difficult and dangerous for an individual to manually adjust the position of a barrel.

It is known to raise the rear end of a barrel by lifting the rear end of the barrel and placing a wedge underneath the rear end. This method is potentially dangerous to the person lifting the barrel. In addition, it is a jerky procedure, and a range of different wedges are required for use with different barrel sizes.

A second known method of raising the rear end of a barrel uses levers to lever up the rear end of the barrel. This device also results in jerky movement of the barrel which disturbs the sediment in the barrel.

According to the invention there is provided a device for tilting a container having a first end and an opposite end, the device comprising: a container support; container locating means for locating the container relative to the support; and a tilt mechanism for lowering the level of the first end relative to the second end.

By means of the present invention it is possible to tilt a barrel to an appropriate degree without having to man-handle the barrel.

The device according to the present invention initially supports a barrel in a substantially horizontal position, in which the front and rear ends of the barrel are substantially level. The tilt mechanism of the present invention acts to lower the front end of the barrel relative to the back end of the barrel. Previous mechanisms have effected tilt of a barrel by raising the rear end of the barrel relative to the front end. This procedure is relatively difficult due to the heaviness of the barrel. In the present invention by lowering the front end relative to the rear end, the weight of the barrel facilitates the movement.

Preferably, the container support comprises a first beam and the second beam spaced apart from one another and substantially parallel to one another. A front portion of the barrel is supported by the first beam and a rear portion of the barrel is supported by the second beam.

Preferably, the locating means is positioned on one of the beams. It is possible to position more than one locating meansalong the length of a beam, thus allowing effective storage of several barrels on one container support.

Preferably, the locating means is positioned on the first beam and incorporates the tilt mechanism to form a combined locating and tilting mechanism.

Advantageously, the locating and tilting mechanism comprises a substantially v-shaped structure, wherein the arms of the vshaped structure each comprise a pivot arm, the locating and tilting mechanism further comprising varying means for continuously varying the angle of the arms.

The barrel is positioned within the locating and tilting mechanism. By means of the varying means, it is possible to alter the angle of the arms forming the v-shaped structure, which in turn raises or lowers the front end of the barrel.

Because the level of the front end of the barrel is continuously variable, an appropriate tilt for the amount of liquid contained in the barrel at any given time may be smoothly achieved. This allows maximum usage of the liquid to be attained and also avoids disturbing the sediment in the barrel Advantageously, the varying means comprises a gearing system and a handle connected to the gearing system.

The invention will now be further described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a more detailed representation of the locating and tilt mechanism forming part of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan elevation of the mechanism of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a front elevation of the mechanism of Figure 2; and Figure 5 is an end elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1 a device for tilting a container according to the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The device comprises a container support 11, which comprises a first beam 12 and a second beam 13. The device 10 further comprises a locating and tilt mechanism 14 positioned on beam 12. A container such as a beer barrel 15 is positionable on the container support 11, such that a front portion is supported by beam 12 and a rear portion is supported by beam 13. The barrel 15 is positioned on the tilt and locating mechanism 14 which prevents the barrel from rolling. The barrel is initially positioned on the container support 11, with the locating and tilting mechanism 14 in a raised position, such that the barrel 15 is substantially horizontal.

Referring to Figures 2 to 5 the locating and tilt mechanism 14 is shown in more detail. The locating and tilt mechanism 14 comprises a housing channel 21 for locating the mechanism 14 on the beam 12. The mechanism 14 further comprises pivoted arms 22, 23 which form a v-shaped guide. The arms are pivoted about pivot point 24. The angle of the arms 22, 23 is variable by means of handle 25, which is connected to a gearing system described in more detail below. Initially, the handle is used to pivot the arms such that the arms are in a raised up position with a small angle between the two arms 22, 23. In this position a barrel is positioned on the mechanism 14 with the rear end of the barrel on beam 13. When it is necessary to tilt the barrel in order to maximise the usage of liquid within the barrel, the handle is turned which causes the arms 22, 23 to be lowered.This in turn causes the front end of the barrel to be lowered relative to the rear end, which facilitates usage of the liquid stored within the barrel. The mechanism 14 is held in place on beam 12 by means of clamps 25.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 the gearing system of the mechanism 14 is shown in more detail. The gearing system 31 comprises a small 90" bevel gear 32, to which the handle is connected. The gear 32 allows a reduction gearing to a further bevel gear 33 on a shaft 34 at 900 to the handle. The shaft 34 consists of a lead screw, which is rotatable within a power nut. A power screw 35 is prevented from rotating but is allowed to translate horizontally. Thus, as the handle 36 is rotated the power nut 37 translates horizontally. The arms 22, 23 (Figure 2) provide a scissor action underneath the barrel.

One arm 23 of the scissor is fixed in the lower corner and is allowed to rotate. The second arm 22 is allowed to rotate on the translating power nut. As the two arms are connected centrally this provides a scissor action.

The arms 22, 23 have a rubberised surface where contact is made with the barrel 15. This provides some friction to prevent the barrel incrementally slipping. Thus the device according to the present invention provides a slim tilting mechanism which is compact, and require attachment to the front bearing beam 12 only, and does not traverse across the depth of the barrel. It is a single unit that can be easily handleable, and is adapted for use with a range of barrel sizes. The unit is manufactured and finished appropriately for the damp conditions in which it is likely to be subjected.

The present invention also provides a smooth variable movement to ensure sediment is not disturbed within the barrel. The tilt and locating mechanism 14 is shaped to allow similar mechanisms to be butted together for maximum compactness allowing several barrels to be stored on one container support 11. The gearing and handle 36 of the tilt and locating mechanism 14 allow the barrel to be tilted by someone who would not be strong enough to physically lift up the barrel. In addition the system does not rely on raising the rear of the barrel, but on lowering the front and hence the weight of the barrel assists in the lowering of the front of the barrel.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of tilting a barrel containing beer, it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to any type of container.

Claims (8)

1. A device for tilting a container having a first end and an opposite end, the device comprising: a container support; a container locating means for locating a container relative to the support; and a tilt mechanism for lowering the level of the first end relative to the second end.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the container support comprises a first beam and a second beam spaced apart from one another and substantially parallel to one another.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locating means is positioned on one of the beams.

4. A device according to claim 3 comprising a plurality of locating means positioned along the length of a beam.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims where the or each locating means is positioned on the first beam, and incorporates a tilt mechanism to form a combined locating and tilting mechanism.

6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the locating and tilting mechanism comprises a substantially v-shaped structure, wherein the arms of the v-shaped structure each comprise a pivot arm, the locating and tilting mechanism further comprising varying means for continuously varying the angle of the arms.

7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the varying means comprises a gearing system and a handle connectable to the gearing system.

8. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.