GB2591288A

GB2591288A - Crane block alert device

Info

Publication number: GB2591288A
Application number: GB2001073.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Hird Robert; Alexander Windass Benjamin
Original assignee: Blokcorp Ltd
Current assignee: Blokcorp Ltd
Priority date: 2020-01-24
Filing date: 2020-01-24
Publication date: 2021-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-24
Also published as: GB2591288B; GB202001073D0

Abstract

A crane alert device 1 comprising a switch 12, a transmitter 10, a receiver 20 and an alert apparatus 26, 27a, 27b. When the switch is activated by a user (who may be the operator of the crane or another worker), the transmitter is activated to transmit an alert signal to the receiver. The alert apparatus is connected to the receiver and is triggered by the signal to generate a warning signal. This signal warns other people that they are in the vicinity of the crane hook. The receiver and alert apparatus are located within a housing 22 that is mounted on the side of a crane hook block. The housing may be magnetically attached to the block. The alert apparatus may be operable in a variety of modes (such as sound and/or light).

Description

CRANE BLOCK ALERT DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a crane alert device. Background to the Invention Cranes are used throughout the world for all types of building and con-struction operations. Whilst the risks associated with their use are minimised, cranes are inherently dangerous as they involve lifting massive awkward loads, at extended distances, and sometimes without the operator of the crane being able to see where it load is situated. In fact, it is common for the operator of the crane to be situated some considerable distance from the material being trans-ported by the crane. Line of sight between the operator and crane hook is therefore obscured and in these circumstances the safe operation of the crane and its hook is put at risk. Even when the operator of the crane can see the crane load, he or she is not able to communicate in some way with persons in the proximity of the load who may collide with it or be at risk from it if the load were

to become unstable.

Having a second person on the ground to alert passers-by to the dangers posed by the crane and its load is not always effective, as the second person may not be 100% attentive, he may not be heard or seen by the passers-by, and having a second person on site, requires greater labour costs. Often crane hook blocks are painted in bright colours to make them more visible, but this does not help the inattentive passer-by.

There has now been devised a crane block alert device which overcomes and/or substantially mitigates the above referenced and other shortcom-

ings associated with the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

In an aspect of the invention there is provided a crane alert device com-prising a switch configured for actuation by a user to activate a transmitter, the transmitter being in electrical communication with the switch and con-figured to transmit an alert signal upon being activated by the switch, a receiver configured to receive the alert signal -2 -an alert apparatus in electrical communication with the receiver and configured to generate a warning signal in response to the receiver receiving the alert signal the receiver and alert apparatus being housed within a housing mounta-ble to the side of a crane hook block of a crane.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of alerting a person to the presence of a crane hook block and/or a load carried thereby, the method comprising activating a transmitter by a user operating a switch in electrical commu-nication with the transmitter when the crane hook block and/or the load carried thereby is in proximity to a person, transmitting an alert signal by a transmitter upon being activated by the switch, receiving the alert signal by a receiver, generating a warning signal by an alert apparatus in electrical communication with the receiver in response to the alert signal received by the receiver, the receiver and alert apparatus being housed within a housing mountable to the side of a crane hook block of a crane.

The device and method of the invention are advantageous primarily because it allows a user to notify a person in proximity of the crane hook block and/or a load carried thereby to the presence of the crane hook block and/or the load carried thereby. This reduces the chance that the person will injure them-selves by walking into the crane hook block and/or the load, or reduces the chance that if the crane hook block or the load became unstable or even fell that they would be injured by it.

The user may be in the cab of the crane or on the crane in some form or another. For example the user may be present on a platform on the crane struc-ture. From such positions, the user can see the crane hook block therefore can see when passers by are in the proximity of it. Preferably in the device or method of the invention, the user is operating the crane in use. This means the user -3 -has control over generation of the warning signal and the crane hook block/load carried thereby. So even if the user generates the warning signal by following the method of the invention and using the device of the invention, they can still manipulate the crane hook block to move it out of the way if the passer by does not comply with the warning.

The user of the device and the method may also be located in the proximity of the crane hook block in use. In this scenario the user can see the crane hook block and/or the load carried thereby and alert passers by the it's presence by carrying out the method of the invention and using the device. This is beneficial where the crane operator is perhaps a long way away from the load being carried and cannot clearly see the crane hook block or the dangers around it. Both the operator of the crane and the person in proximity to the crane hook block or load carried thereby may be users of the device and method. They may both carry switches and transmitters to generate the alert signal, with one overriding the other. This provides a double level of safety.

Examples of suitable switches include but are not limited to foot pedal switches, push button switches, touch sensitive switches, toggle switches or rocker switches. It will be appreciated that the switch on its own does not activate the transmitter. The transmitter is in electrical communication with a power supply and the switch merely connects or disconnects that power supply to the transmitter, thereby allowing electricity to flow or not. The switch may also be linked to a particular operation of the crane, such as release of the load carrying cable or actuation of the hydraulic pump to drive the lift arm. In such an instance the actuation by the user is indirect but it is still configured for actuation by a us-er.

The alert signal transmitted by the transmitter may be transmitted along a wire which physically connects the transmitter to the receiver. Such a wire may be suspended over the crane boom where the user is operating the crane. The wire may alternatively extend from the user in the proximity of the crane hook block and/or load carried thereby to the receiver. Whilst this guarantees an elec-trical communicating between the receiver and transmitter, the wire is cumbersome and can get entangled in the working machinery. Preferably in the device -4 -or method of the invention, the alert signal is transmitted wirelessly. For this the transmitter has a wireless transmitter and the receiver has a wireless receiver. The transmitter will be configured for the intended use. For example if the user is in close proximity to the crane hook block then the transmitter does not need to be hugely powerful and therefore a small hand held device is consid- ered. However if the transmitter is located in the cab of the crane and the user is operating the crane, then the transmitter power will need to be upgraded significantly in order for the alert signal to reach the receiver. The transmitter may transmit up to 16Km from the transmitter. However at such a range, the lag be-to tween the signal being transmitter and the receiver is slow. Therefore the transmitter is preferably attenuated in range in order to maintain transmit speed. Preferably in the device or method of the invention, therefore, the transmitter is configured to transmit the alert signal up 2Km from the transmitter.

The receiver and alert apparatus may be powered from a supply provid-ed by the engine driving the crane or from a mains supply, or from a battery supply. The receiver and alert apparatus may be powered by a battery mounted to the side of the crane hook block. The battery may be magnetically attached to the side of the crane hook block to allow easy positioning and removal for charging. The battery would be required to have a wired connection to the re- ceiver and alert apparatus. To make the device more compact and less chance of weather ingress or physical damage, preferably in the device or method of the invention, the receiver and alert apparatus are powered by a power supply which is also housed within the housing. The battery would be charged through a connection mounted within the housing. Alternatively the battery may be re-movable from the inside of the housing for charging.

The housing of the device protects the inside of the device from the environment. The housing also provides a support by which the device may be attached to the crane hook block. Preferably, in the device or method of the invention, the housing is configured for magnetically attaching to the side of the crane hook block. This allows easy positioning and removal for charging of the transmitter, receiver and possibly the battery. -5 -

The warning signal may be any signal which is suitable for alerting an individual to the presence of the crane hook block and/or a load carried thereby. The warning signal maybe an audible alarm, a voice signal or a visible light. Preferably in the device or method of the invention, the warning signal compris-es a sound detectable by humans and/or a visible light.

The sound detectable by humans and/or the visible light are preferably in the device or method of the invention configured for operation in a plurality of modes. This makes it more likely that the warning signal will be detected and noticed by the passer by.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with refer-ence to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows perspective view an embodiment of the device according to the invention, Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a larger more powerful transmitter unit associated with the receiver device shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a cross sectional view through the receiver of Figure 1, and Figure 4 shows a plan view of the rear of the receiver of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

Figure 1 shows a view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention. The device is generally designated 1. The device 1 comprises a transmitter unit 10 and a receiver unit 20. The transmitter unit 10 is in the form of a small hand held device, as is shown in figure 1.

The transmitter unit 10 comprises a push button switch 12 in electrical communication with an internal battery (not shown) and an internal transmitter (not shown). The transmitter is configured to transmit an alert signal wirelessly via the aerial 15 on activation by the switch 12. The effective range of the transmit signal is up to 1Km. The transmitter, battery and related circuitry of the transmitter unit 10 are housed within a housing 16. The push button switch 12 is accessible by the user from outside the housing. -6 -

The receiver unit 20 comprises an aluminium housing 22 which houses a receiver 24 (see figure 3), a battery 25, related internal circuitry, light 26, and two horns 27a and 27b, all of which are in electrical communication with one another. Mounted to the housing and in electrical communication with the re-ceiver 24 is an aerial 28. The outside of the housing 22 has five push button switches 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d and 23e. These switches are in electrical communication with the receiver 24 and are to activate the various modes of operation of the receiver 24 within the receiver unit 20. The receiver 24 is configured to wirelessly receive an alert signal from the transmitter 14. The battery 25 powers the whole unit 20 and has terminals external of the housing to allow the battery to the charged. The light 26 is an extra bright LED beacon and is mounted within the housing 22 on one side of the housing. In use the housing 22 is mounted on the crane hook block so that the light faces downwards towards the crane hook in use. In other words, the light 26 is designed to face anyone below the crane hook and/or the load being carried thereby. This is made possible be-cause the light 26 is proud of the underside so that it can be seen by anyone underneath the hook block. However it will be recognised that in some modes of operation the housing may be required to be mounted at an angle on the crane hook block so that the light 26 shines sideways to some degree. The horns 27a and 27b are mounted within the housing 22, one each side of the light 26 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to a line x-x running through the light 26. This means that the horns 27a, 27b project sideways as well as downwards in order to increase their audible range in use. The horns 27a, 27b are 32 tone electronic sounder units. The five push button switches 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d and 23e operate the various modes of operation of the receiver unit 20 as follows.

Switch 23b is a pairing button and is depressed when it is required to pair the transmitter with the receiver. When the device 1 is only required to function with the horns 27a and 27b, switch 23a is depressed. Without pressing any of the other switches 23b-e, when the switch 12 is depressed on the transmitter unit 10 the warning signal (in this case the horns) will only operate for 0.5 sec-onds, regardless of the length of time that the transmitter switch 12 is depressed. -7 -

When the device 1 is only required to function with the light 26, switch 23e is depressed. Without pressing any of the other switches 23a-d, when the switch 12 is depressed on the transmitter unit 10 the warning signal (in this case the light) will only operate for 0.5 seconds, regardless of the length of time that the transmitter switch 12 is depressed.

When the device 1 is required to function with the light 26 and the horns 27a, 27b, switch 23e is depressed as well as switch 23a. Without pressing any of the other switches 23b, 23c, 23d, when the switch 12 is depressed on the transmitter unit 10 the warning signal (in this case the light and the horns) will only operate for 0.5 seconds, regardless of length of time that the transmitter switch 12 is depressed.

Switches 23c and 23d are used to operate the light 26 and/or the horns 27a, 27b in further different modes of operation as follows. As well as pressing either switch 23a, 23e or both as described above, if switch 23c or 23d is de-pressed then the warning signal (either the light or the horn or both depending on what switches were depressed previously) will only operate whilst the transmitter switch 12 in depressed and held. If switch 23c and 23d is depressed then the warning signal (either the light or the horn or both depending on what switches were depressed previously) will operate when the switch 12 is operat-ed and until the switch 12 is pressed again. i.e. push once for on and once for off.

Operation of the light 26 causes illumination of the light and therefore illumination of the area of the crane hook block and/or the load carried thereby. Operation of the horns 27a, 27b causes a noise to be generated from the unit 20 which is audible to a person in the region of the crane hook block and/or the load carried thereby.

The rear face of the housing 22 is shown in figure 4. Embedded within the rear face are six magnets 32. In use these magnets allow the housing 22 and therefore the receiver unit 20 to be attached rapidly and easily to the fer-rous metal of a metal crane hook block. The magnets are powerful enough so that the unit 20 does not fall off in use and resists the casual glancing blow, -8 -however are not strong enough to make removal problematic. Therefore the unit 20 can be removed when it is required to be positioned on another crane.

In another embodiment the device is substantially as described above except that the battery 25 is external of the unit 25 and is connected to the unit 25 by wires which connect to the terminals 29a, 29b. In such an embodiment the battery 25 is housed within a housing which is magnetically attached to the crane hook block in use, in the same manner as described above for the receiver unit 20.

In another embodiment the device is substantially as described above, except that the transmitter unit 10 has a much greater power and range to that of the small hand held device as shown in figure 1. The higher power transmitter unit 10 is shown in figure 2 along with a sectional view of the embodiment. The transmitter unit 10 is configured to be powered from the engine driving the crane in use or from another substantial power supply, such as a large battery, or mains supply. The power supply is provided through terminal 18 through the housing 16 of the transmitter unit 10. The transmitter unit 10 houses the transmitter 14, which is operated upon activation of the switch 12, which in this example, is a foot actuated switch (not shown) as the user is also operating the crane and using their feet does not interfere with the operation of the crane which is usually from a joystick or hand lever control. The switch 12 connects through a terminal in the housing 16 of the unit 10. The transmitter unit 10 is mounted within the operators cab for easy access. Being of higher power, the alert signal transmitted by the transmitter 14 in this instance has the capability of being transmitted over a long distance (typically up to 16Km from the trans-mitter). However the signal is attenuated to increase the speed of the signal and to give the signal greater power so that it is not slowed by obstructions which are more likely when the unit 10 is mounted to the cab of the crane and the user is operating the crane. The effective range of the transmit signal is up to 2Km in this embodiment. The housing 16 may be mounted permanently to a position within the crane, or mounted temporarily. For the latter the housing 16 has a number of magnets (as described for the receiver 20) embedding within its rear -9 -face, and these are used to magnetically attach the transmitter unit 10 to a position in the cab or elsewhere on the crane.

In use, a user mounts the receiver unit 20 to the side of a crane hook block and selects the mode of operation of the receiver unit 20 as described above. Then the user activates the transmitter 14 within the transmitter unit 10 by operating the switch 12 which is in electrical communication with the transmitter 14. The user does this when he or she sees that the crane hook block or the load carried thereby is in close proximity to a passer-by or person in danger. As described above the switch 12 may be linked to a pedal switch in the cab of o the crane if the user is the operator of the crane or perhaps the user is on the ground near the crane hook block and the switch 12 is a push switch on a hand held transmitter unit 10. The transmitter 14 then transmits an alert signal upon being activated by the switch 12 to the receiver 24 housed within the receiver unit 20. The receiver 24 receives the alert signal and commands the alert appa-ratus (light 26, and/or horns 27a, 27b) which is in electrical communication with the receiver 24 to generate a warning signal. The type of warning signal produced is dependent on the mode of operation selected by the user upon mounting the housing 22 of the receiver unit 20 to the side of the crane hook block.

Claims

-10 -CLAIMS1. A crane alert device comprising a switch configured for actuation by a user to activate a transmitter, the transmitter being in electrical communication with the switch and con-figured to transmit an alert signal upon being activated by the switch, a receiver configured to receive the alert signal an alert apparatus in electrical communication with the receiver and configured to generate a warning signal in response to the receiver receiving the alert signal the receiver and alert apparatus being housed within a housing mounta-ble to the side of a crane hook block of a crane.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the user is operating the crane in use.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the user is in the proximity of the crane hook block in use.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the alert signal is transmitted wirelessly.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the alert signal up to 2Km from the transmitter.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the receiver and alert apparatus are powered by a power supply which is also housed within the housing.
7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is configured for magnetically attaching to the side of the crane hook block.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the warning signal comprises a sound detectable by humans and/or a visible light.
9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the sound detectable by humans and/or the visible light are configured for operation in a plurality of modes.
10. A method of alerting a person to the presence of a crane hook block and/or the load carried thereby, the method comprising activating a transmitter by a user operating a switch in electrical communication with the transmitter when the crane hook block and/or the load carried thereby is in proximity to a person, transmitting an alert signal by a transmitter upon being activated by the switch, receiving the alert signal by a receiver, generating a warning signal by an alert apparatus in electrical communication with the receiver in response to the alert signal received by the receiver, the receiver and alert apparatus being housed within a housing mount-to able to the side of a crane hook block of a crane.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the user is operating the crane in use.
12. A method according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the user is in the proximity of the crane hook block in use.
13. A method according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the alert signal is transmitted wirelessly.
14. A method according to any of claims 10 to 13, wherein the trans-mitter is configured to transmit the alert signal up to 2Km from the transmitter.
15. A method according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the receiv-er and alert apparatus are powered by a power supply which is also housed within the housing.
16. A method according to any of claims 10 to 15, wherein the hous-ing is configured for magnetically attaching to the side of the crane hook block.
17. A method according to any of claims 10 to 16, wherein the warn-ing signal comprises a sound detectable by humans and/or a visible light.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the sound detectable by humans and/or the visible light are configured for operation in a plurality of modes.