GB2439133A

GB2439133A - Lifting and rotating mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2439133A
Application number: GB0611610A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Robert Graham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-13
Filing date: 2006-06-13
Publication date: 2007-12-19
Also published as: GB0611610D0

Abstract

A mechanism for lifting and rotating a load 8 such as a prefabricated building or building unit comprises a structural member or strut 1 having attachment points 2 for a crane and a drum or pulley 5 at each of its ends with the axes of the pulley aligned along the length of the strut 1, each pulley 5 further carrying tackle 6 for attachment to the load 8 such that synchronised rotation of the drums 5 causes rotation of the load 8 about an axis parallel to the axes of the strut 1 and drums 5. The drums 5 may be powered by a power unit (10 fig 4) such as an electric motor, an hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor which may be connected to the drums via gearboxes (11, 13 fig 4) and drive shafts (12 fig 4). Alternatively a separate drive mechanism may be connected to each drum 5 and the two motors may be controlled by a control system (14 fig 5) which may be remotely located. An additional lifting frame may be interposed between the load and the lifting mechanism.

Description

* 2439133 Lifting and rotating mechanism This invention relates to a

method for the lifting and rotating of large loads.

Many methods exist for the lifting and manipulation of large loads but recent developments in the area of affordable housing have introduced a new requirement.

The problem arises from the desire to transport large prefabricated buildings or building units. Such building units will normally be of a width greater than the height and of a length considerably greater than the width. If such building units are transported by road, they may be of such a width as to obstruct other traffic and require a police escort. The solution to this problem is to load the building unit onto the vehicle with the unit lying on a side wall and on arrival at the building site the unit is then lifted and rotated to its normal orientation before lowenng into place. Existing means for carrying out these operations involve expensive and time consuming operations with conventional lifting equipment.

There is a need for equipment that provides a means for lifting and rotating the building units, or of large loads in general, by means of attachments at the ends of the units only and which can cause reversible rotation of the load through 90 degrees about a horizontal axis both in a factory and on a building site.

According to the present invention there is provided a mechanism wherein there is a structural member nominally of a length equal to that of a load being lifted and having lifting attachments at or near both of its ends whereby it may be lifted by a crane using conventional lifting tackle and where upon the structural member there is provided a mechanism that causes the synchronous rotation, about a horizontal axis aligned along the length of the structural member, of a drum or pulley at each end of the structural member where upon these two drums each carry a lifting tackle the ends of which are attached to lifting points on each of the ends of the lifted load and which being so separated with respect to each other that rotation of the drums causes rotation of the lifted load about the long horizontal axis.

A specific embodiment of the device will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:-Figure 1 shows the general arrangement of the invention.

Figure 2 and 3 show the operation of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in Figure 1, the invention hereinafter referred to as the equipment consists of a long structural member that is hereinafter referred to as a strut (1) having two attachment points on its length at (2) whereby the strut may be lifted by a conventional lifting tackle (3). Mounted on the strut is a mechanism (4) which causes the rotation of the drums (5). These drums in turn carry a tackle (6) that may be of chain, hawser, cable or strap in nature and the ends of which (7) are attached to lifting points on the load to be lifted.

Referring to the drawing in figure 2 it is demonstrated that, in order to carry out the desired function, the equipment is first lifted by a crane and lifting tackle (3) to a suitable position above the load (8). The tackle (6) is then attached to the lifting points (9) and the equipment and its attached load are then lifted to the desired working height in the conventional manner.

The mechanism (4) is then operated to cause the rotation of both drums (5).

This causes the tackle (6) to raise one attachment point and to lower the other at each end of the load. The two drums are controlled by the mechanism (4) to both rotate in the appropriate sense and at the same speed so that they remain synchronously connected. When the desired angle of rotation is achieved the load is positioned over its desired location by the lifting crane and the equipment together with its load is lowered as illustrated in Figure 3.

i he angle of rotation required might normally be 90 degrees. However, if the lifting points are placed at the top and bottom near the centre of the load then a rotation of 180 degrees can be accomplished by the equipment.

A specific variant of the device will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:-Figure 4 shows a direct drive mechanism.

Referring to the drawing in Figure 4 a direct mechanical drive arrangement is illustrated. The power unit (10), which may be an electric motor, an hydraulic motor or other prime mover, is connected through an optional gearbox (11) by means of two drive shafts (12) to optional gearboxes (13) driving the drums (5) at each end of the equipment. The power unit (10) and gearbox (11) may be located anywhere along the strut (1) but are preferably at one end of the strut (1) to minimise lateral bending loads on the strut.

A specific variant of the device will now be described by way of an example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:-Figure 5 shows an indirect drive electrical mechanism.

Referring to the drawing in Figure 5 an indirect electrical drive arrangement is illustrated. There is provided an electrical power unit at each end of the equipment that are connected through optional gearboxes (4) to the drums (5).

The two motors are controlled to run synchronously by an electronic power control system (14) which may be located on the strut (1) as shown or remotely, for example within the lifting crane.

It is evident that some loads may not be of a suitable geometry or may not directly support lifting points. In such cases the operation of the equipment may be enabled by the interposition of an additional lifting frame inserted between the load and the equipment. Such a frame is fitted with lifting points for the attachment of the equipment and such solutions for lifting loads are well

expressed in the prior art.

Claims

Claims What we claim in relation to this invention is: - 1) A mechanism

wherein there is a structural member nominally of a length equal to that of a load being lifted and having lifting attachments at or near both of its ends whereby it may be lifted by a crane using conventional lifting tackle and where upon the structural member there is provided a drive mechanism that causes the synchronous rotation, about a horizontal axis aligned along the length of the structural member, of a drum or pulley at each end of the structural member where upon these two drums each carry a lifting tackle the ends of which are attached to lifting points on each of the ends of the lifted load and which being so separated with respect to each other that rotation of the drums causes rotation of the lifted load about the long horizontal axis.

2) A mechanism wherein the drive mechanism as in Claim I is powered by an electric motor or a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor or other prime mover.

3) A mechanism wherein the drive mechanism as in Claim 1 and Claim 2 is connected directly to the drums by means of a mechanical train or trains of gears and shafts.

4) A mechanism wherein there are two drive mechanism as in Claim I and Claim 2 wherein each drive mechanism is connected directly to one drum but both are constrained to rotate synchronously by means of an electro-mechanical control system.

5) A mechanism as in Claim 4 wherein the electro-mechanical control system is partly or wholly situated remotely.