GB2494673A - Footprint illumination and guidance for the aerial passage of goods - Google Patents
Footprint illumination and guidance for the aerial passage of goods Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2494673A GB2494673A GB1115955.5A GB201115955A GB2494673A GB 2494673 A GB2494673 A GB 2494673A GB 201115955 A GB201115955 A GB 201115955A GB 2494673 A GB2494673 A GB 2494673A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- text
- illumination system
- load
- lighting
- fitted
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 33
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 claims abstract 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000003000 extruded plastic Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000016776 visual perception Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
- B66C13/00—Other constructional features or details
- B66C13/16—Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
- B66C13/00—Other constructional features or details
- B66C13/18—Control systems or devices
- B66C13/46—Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
- B66C15/00—Safety gear
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
- B66C15/00—Safety gear
- B66C15/06—Arrangements or use of warning devices
- B66C15/065—Arrangements or use of warning devices electrical
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
- B66F17/00—Safety devices, e.g. for limiting or indicating lifting force
- B66F17/003—Safety devices, e.g. for limiting or indicating lifting force for fork-lift trucks
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Forklifts And Lifting Vehicles (AREA)
- Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
Abstract
A mechanical handling safety and guidance system comprises an array of lights 4 positioned around a load to be lifted 18 or around a hoist to create an outline or silhouette of the load on the ground. The silhouette moves over the ground as the load is moved to define an exclusion zone where the load may fall if dislodged or a load setting-down aid to an operator. Preferably the array comprises 1 watt LEDs connected in series in a U-shaped channel to form a light bar which may comprise different colours which change when the direction of movement of the load changes. The lights may be continuously lit or flashing and may project a perimeter greater than or equal to the perimeter of the actual load. The array may be adjustable. The illumination system may be used on forklift trucks, helicopter or fixed wing aircraft and is preferably used on a crane, above or below the craneâ s hook. Additionally a sensor or group of sensors 8 may project a safety beam which if broken may cause suspension of the mechanical handling system.
Description
Footprint illumination and guidance system for the aerial passage of goods.
S
The present invention relates generally to the field of safety in mechanical handling.
Specifically the present invention relates to methods of illuminating the floor or ground area which matches the silhouette of a load being lifted to enable the resulting illuminated outline perimeter to be declared a rolling exclusion zone whilst also offering the opportunity to facilitate accurate guidance of a load into a desired position.
Currently there are several health and safety systems in place which warn of the overhead traversing of goods, whether by forklift truck or crane or other mechanical handling pieces of equipment, such as alarms and flashing beacons. But none track the visual progress of an aerial load across the ground beneath. Recent events at a well-known international business highlight the need for evidencing the passing of goods overhead when an individual narrowly escaped injury from a falling load which had become dislodged from a crane and fell onto the floor of a warehouse.
In some instances where there is regular passage of goods using cranes over a large area, for example on docksides, the whole operating area within the crane's working perimeter is an exclusion zone, whether or not a load is being lifted or not. This would seem an unnecessary restriction in an area which could be opened up for other business purposes.
For the guidance of overhead loads pendants are used. Current pendant control has direction indicators on both the pendant and the beam, or crane head, but it is still difficult for the operator to ensure he or she has the correct spatial alignment to axis orientation. In effect this judgement has to come from the individual's visual perception, which is open to misjudgement and spending excessive time.
It is an aim of the present invention to overcame the above problems by providing an accurate ground tracking system to wam personnel of an overhead slung load, to help operators accurately and quickly guide a slung load into position, (thus saving time as well as increasing safety in mechanical handling environments) and to free up loading areas for possible concurrent activities.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an array of lighting, typically one waft LEDs, mounted inside individual reflectors, or secondary optics, which are mounted on printed circuit boards. The printed circuit boards are mounted on a heat sink, which is housed in a linear aluminium housing extruded to a U' shape section. The array of lighting is connected in series to a control box-The resulting assembly is hereinafter called a light bar.' Owing to its modular nature, any number of light bars of any length may be put together which match the external dimensions and configurations of a load which is planned to be lifted. The selected modular assembly of light bars, hereinafter called a light bar frame' which matches the perimeter dimensions of a load, is then filled to a hoist on a crane, or a lifting beam, or a forklift truck or other such mechanical handling device by means of mounting brackets in such a manner that the array of lighting in the light bar frame faces towards the ground at a pre-determined angle.
When connected to a power source, which could be typically 240 volts, 110 volts or 415 volts, and reduced by a low voltage control box system fitted with plug and play, the aforementioned array of lighting emits a collective beam, or curtain of light, which is projected on the ground as bright strips or silhouettes matching the perimeter of the load being lifted. The light bar frame assembly moves with the load, creating in effect a rolling exclusion zone on the ground thereby offering accurate indication of where the load could fall if dislodged from the lifting device.
In addition the projected beams of light tracking across the ground offer advanced indication and prediction of load orientation for swift and accurate guidance and setting down.
Furthermore, fitted to the movable light bar frame assembly as an optional extra and set in an appropriate position to point to the ground could be an electronic sensor, which when activated, provides a beam or a series of beams forming a curtain. In the event of an object passing within that beam or curtain, which is effectively within the exclusion zone when a load is being lifted and moved, the beam will be broken and the mechanical handling system employed for lifting will automatically suspend operations until the system is reset.
In order that the nature of the invention may be cleariy understood an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in S which: Figure 1 depicts a top view isometric projection of a typical assembly of a bespoke light bar frame assembly attached to a typical lifting frame beaming down shafts of light which illuminate an outline shape on the ground in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
Figure 2 depicts an exploded view illustration of essential features of a modular light bar assembly comprising an array of LEOs in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
Figure 3 depicts underside views of various different configurations of modular and curved light bar and assemblies which are designed to match the dimensions of any type of load in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
Figure 4 depicts an isometric top view of a typical light bar frame attached to a typical lifting beam in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
In figure 1 a crane beam 1 is attached to structural steelwork 2 at both ends by rollers to facilitate lateral movement and is fastened to a hoist unit 3 by rollers to facilitate horizontal movement perpendicular to the crane beam. LED light bars 4 are fixed to a light bar frame which conforms to the perimeter dimensions of the load being lifted and connected to a power source operated by a mobile control box, or pendant 6. When switched on the LED light bars illuminate the ground 7 with a perimeter shape or silhouette of the load 18, being lifted as the load traverses. As an optional safety extra a sensor 8 projects downwards a beam or series of beams to form a curtain.
In figure 2 an exploded view shows a typical light bar assembly. An array of LED lights, together with individual secondary optics such as reflectors 10, is attached to printed circuit S boards 11, A heat sink 12 is fitted into aluminium extrusion 13. A seal 14 with an IP rating of 65, which excludes dust and water, is secured in place between the aluminium extrusion and transparent cover 15. Aluminium end caps 16 are fitted to each end of the said aluminium extrusion. Finally, adjustable mounting brackets 17 are connected to each end of the resulting assembly to enable adjustment of the angle of the aforementioned array of lights as they shine on the ground so that the hazard exclusion zone beneath the load may be tailored and defined. Often the tailored adjustment of the mounting brackets 17 may expand the overhead load's defined footprint in one or more directions and indeed increase the illuminated area all around for additional safety.
Figure 3 shows a modular length of light bar 4 and a suggested range of alternative modular configurations which demonstrate the versatility of light bar frame assemblies which can be adapted to suit the dimensions of any load.
In figure 4 four light bars 4 are attached to a light bar frame 5, which is attached by cables or a hook through a hole in a central gusset to a hoist unit and a lifting means such as a crane or forklift truck.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide dear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.
S
The foregoing description details certain preferred embodiments of the present invention and describes the best mode contemplated. It will be appreciated, however, that changes may be made in the details of construction and the configuration of components without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the description provided herein is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined by the following claims and the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.
Claims (1)
- <claim-text>Claims 1 An illumination system comprising an array of lights which are pointing down and fitted around a load or around a hoist, which is connected to a mechanical handling lifting device, with the said array of lights switched on creating an approximate outline, or silhouette of an image on the ground of the said load when it is lifted up to any height; the said image creating a rolling identification of the passage of the said load over the ground as it traverses and, in addition, the said image identifying the outline shape of where the said load may be accurately placed when lowered into a desired position.</claim-text> <claim-text>2 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the area inside the lit perimeter on the ground is equal to, or larger than, the area and perimeter of the load being lifted.</claim-text> <claim-text>3 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which any suitable lighting is fitted into support material for a load to be lifted.</claim-text> <claim-text>4 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which 1 watt light emitting diodes are connected in series inside a length of U shaped channel housing.</claim-text> <claim-text>S An illumination system according to claim 4 in which the U shaped channel housing is extruded aluminium.</claim-text> <claim-text>6 An illumination system according to claim 4 in which the U shaped channel housing is extruded plastic.</claim-text> <claim-text>7 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the length of U shaped channel housing is such that a modular system can be created with two or more appropriate lengths of the aforesaid housing which conforms to any desired configuration of typical loads and pallets which are used in mechanical handling.</claim-text> <claim-text>8 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the array of lights areadjustable.</claim-text> <claim-text>9 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the lighting is offered in single colour.</claim-text> <claim-text>10 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the lighting is offered in two colours.</claim-text> <claim-text>11 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the lighting is offered in three channel colour change.</claim-text> <claim-text>12 An illumination system according to claim I in which the lighting is a two colour channel which facilitates the use of colour to alter directional changes of the movement of the mechanical handling lifting means.</claim-text> <claim-text>13 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the colour options for the lighting include white (2700-10500k).B</claim-text> <claim-text>14 An illumination system according to claim 1 in whith the options for the lighting S are variable.</claim-text> <claim-text>An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the lighting runs on constant voltage of either 415V, 240V or 1 IOV.</claim-text> <claim-text>16 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the lighting runs on constant current.</claim-text> <claim-text>17 An illumination system according to claim 1 in which the lighting uses a range of secondary optics to provide design options of projected light.</claim-text> <claim-text>18 An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is fitted to helicopters and other aircraft such as fixed wing.</claim-text> <claim-text>19 An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is fitted to overhead cranes above the cranes hooks.An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is fitted to overhead cranes below the cranes' hook equipment 21 An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is fitted to mechanical pallets, lifting beams and stillages.22 An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is fitted to forklift trucks.23 An illumination system according to all preceding claims in which a sensor, or group of sensors, is fitted to provide a beam or beams pointing to the ground.24 An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is operated by a fixed control box or pendant at ground level.An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is operated by a remote pendant via radio waves. is26 An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is operated by a divorced pendant system.27 An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is operated by a crane driver from his or her cab.28 An illumination system according to all preceding claims which offers a constant beam of light when switched on.29 An illumination system according to all preceding claims which flashes when switched on.An illumination system according to all preceding claims which is attached to any lifting, lowering and moving equipment, such as motor vehicles to provide advance indication of position of a moving object relative to its dimensions.</claim-text>
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1115955.5A GB2494673B (en) | 2011-09-15 | 2011-09-15 | Footprint illumination and guidance for the aerial pass age of goods |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1115955.5A GB2494673B (en) | 2011-09-15 | 2011-09-15 | Footprint illumination and guidance for the aerial pass age of goods |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201115955D0 GB201115955D0 (en) | 2011-10-26 |
| GB2494673A true GB2494673A (en) | 2013-03-20 |
| GB2494673B GB2494673B (en) | 2014-12-10 |
Family
ID=44908624
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1115955.5A Active GB2494673B (en) | 2011-09-15 | 2011-09-15 | Footprint illumination and guidance for the aerial pass age of goods |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2494673B (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107188041A (en) * | 2017-06-14 | 2017-09-22 | 国投镇江港有限公司集装箱分公司 | A kind of automatic contraposition device of truck and bank bridge |
| CN108217459A (en) * | 2018-01-04 | 2018-06-29 | 邓建凯 | A kind of building element lifts positioning device |
| WO2020016244A1 (en) * | 2018-07-19 | 2020-01-23 | Sf Solutions | Load-lifting device with improved safety |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN111196561B (en) * | 2020-02-19 | 2021-11-05 | 广东博智林机器人有限公司 | Tower crane warning method, device and system |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH04323194A (en) * | 1991-04-22 | 1992-11-12 | Taisei Corp | Method of notifying access of lifted load in crane |
| US6208260B1 (en) * | 1999-11-02 | 2001-03-27 | Jill West | Personal warning method and apparatus for traveling loads |
| WO2011109897A1 (en) * | 2010-03-11 | 2011-09-15 | David Mcintosh | Overhead hazard warning systems |
-
2011
- 2011-09-15 GB GB1115955.5A patent/GB2494673B/en active Active
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH04323194A (en) * | 1991-04-22 | 1992-11-12 | Taisei Corp | Method of notifying access of lifted load in crane |
| US6208260B1 (en) * | 1999-11-02 | 2001-03-27 | Jill West | Personal warning method and apparatus for traveling loads |
| WO2011109897A1 (en) * | 2010-03-11 | 2011-09-15 | David Mcintosh | Overhead hazard warning systems |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107188041A (en) * | 2017-06-14 | 2017-09-22 | 国投镇江港有限公司集装箱分公司 | A kind of automatic contraposition device of truck and bank bridge |
| CN108217459A (en) * | 2018-01-04 | 2018-06-29 | 邓建凯 | A kind of building element lifts positioning device |
| CN108217459B (en) * | 2018-01-04 | 2019-11-08 | 广东康君实业发展有限公司 | A kind of building element lifting positioning device |
| WO2020016244A1 (en) * | 2018-07-19 | 2020-01-23 | Sf Solutions | Load-lifting device with improved safety |
| FR3084072A1 (en) * | 2018-07-19 | 2020-01-24 | Sf Solutions | LOAD LIFTING DEVICE WITH IMPROVED SECURITY |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2494673B (en) | 2014-12-10 |
| GB201115955D0 (en) | 2011-10-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20150915 |
|
| S28 | Restoration of ceased patents (sect. 28/pat. act 1977) |
Free format text: APPLICATION FILED |