GB2499462A

GB2499462A - Cantilevered articulated loading device

Info

Publication number: GB2499462A
Application number: GB1202910.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Luke Chant
Original assignee: Hoerbiger UK Ltd
Current assignee: Hoerbiger UK Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-20
Filing date: 2012-02-20
Publication date: 2013-08-21
Also published as: GB201202910D0

Abstract

An articulated cantilevered loading device comprises an articulated arm 1 with a mounting bracket 2 at a fixed end and a load bracket 5 at a free end, the arm 1 having three of more articulated links 3 with vertical axes of rotation 4. The mounting bracket 2 may include a lead screw device to adjust the vertical position of the arm 1. The articulation points or hinges of the arm 1 may include bearings. The links 3 may be removable from the mounting bracket 2. A component can be located on to the load bracket 5 outside a confined space and then be manipulated into position inside the restricted space whilst the articulated arm 1 supports the full weight of the component.

Description

1

Cantilevered Articulated Loading Device

This invention relates to a cantilevered articulated loading device.

The maintenance of many items of large machinery involves the installation of heavy components in to restricted spaces where the direct line of lift above the installation position is obstructed. In this instance, a "C" frame lifting attachment would typically be used. However when there are space constraints at the installation position, and the component must be manipulated into position once inside the machine, the use of a "C" frame lifting attachment is not practical and the component must be installed manually. The manual handling of large components into restricted spaces poses a health and safety risk to the maintenance engineer and risks damage to the machinery being serviced.

To overcome these issues the present invention proposes a loading device comprising of an articulated cantilevered arm with a mounting bracket at the fixed end, and a load bracket at the free end. The arm has three or more articulated links with the axis of rotation in the vertical plane. In this way the component can be located on to the load bracket outside of the confined space, and the articulated arm allows the component to be manipulated into position inside the restricted space whilst supporting the full weight of the component.

The links of the articulated arm are hinged in the vertical plane allowing all links to move freely in the horizontal plane whilst supporting the full weight of the component. This arrangement enables the component to be attached to the load bracket at one end of the item, away from the components centre of gravity, and ensures that the load bracket does not obstruct the items installation. Therefore items can be safely manoeuvred into position where there are space constraints at the component end (for example, lifting and positioning an item in to an enclosed space with limited access from the sides).

Preferably, the mounting bracket has a lead-screw device to allow height adjustment in the vertical plane.

Preferably, the articulated arm can be detached from the mounting bracket to reduce the weight lifted by the operator during set-up.

Preferably, the articulation points are mounted on bearings to allow the links to move freely in the horizontal plane under load.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings:

• Figure 1 shows a schematic of a cantilevered articulated loading device.

• Figures 2 to 4 illustrate the operation of the cantilevered articulated loading device

2

In figure 1, a cantilevered articulated loading arm (1) is attached to a height adjustable mounting bracket (2) at the fixed end, and a load bracket (5) at the free end. The height adjustable mounting bracket uses a lead-screw device to allow height adjustment in the vertical plane. The links of the articulated arm (3) are hinged in the vertical plane (4) allowing all links to move freely in the horizontal plane whilst supporting the full weight of the component. The articulated arm can be detached from the mounting bracket (2) to reduce the weight lifted by the operator during set-up.

Figures 2 to 4 illustrate the cantilevered articulated loading device in use, installing a typical machine component in to a machine housing with restricted access (the machine housing is shown as a cross section for clarity). In figure 2, the cantilevered articulated loading device is attached to the side of the machine housing. In figure 3 the machine component, attached to the load bracket, is offered up to the access window. In figure 4 the component is further advanced into the machine housing until it is located the in the housing bore.

3

Claims

1. An articulated cantilevered loading device consisting of an articulated arm with a mounting bracket at the fixed end, and a load bracket at the free end. The arm has three or more articulated links with the axis of rotation in the vertical plane. In this way the component can be located on to the load bracket outside of the confined space, and the articulated arm allows the component to be manipulated into position inside the restricted space whilst supporting the full weight of the component.

2. An articulated cantilevered loading device according to claim 1 in which the mounting bracket has a lead-screw device to allow height adjustment in the vertical plane.

3. An articulated cantilevered loading device according to claim 1 in which the articulated links can be detached from the mounting bracket to reduce the weight lifted by the operator during set-up.

4. An articulated cantilevered arm according to claim 1 in which the articulation points are mounted on bearings to allow the links to move freely under load.