GB2615136A

GB2615136A - Vehicle mountable winch, a vehicle, and methods

Info

Publication number: GB2615136A
Application number: GB2201262.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillippo Julian
Original assignee: Bml Utility Contractors Ltd
Current assignee: Bml Utility Contractors Ltd
Priority date: 2022-02-01
Filing date: 2022-02-01
Publication date: 2023-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2042-02-01
Also published as: GB2615136B; GB202201262D0

Abstract

A vehicle mountable winch 1 for recovering network cables and the like comprises a base 4, 5 for securing the winch 1 to a vehicle (32 figure 5), a frame 2 and a drum 18 mounted to the frame 2, a driver or winch 17 for driving, in use, the rotation of the drum 18 to wind a cable about said drum 18, wherein the frame 2 is pivotally mounted relative to the base 4, 5 such that the winding direction may be altered in order to wind the cable onto the drum from a plurality of directions (figure 5). The frame 2 may include a guard mesh (31 figure 3) surrounding the drum 18 and a guide roller 13 opposite the winch 17. Legs 6 may adjust the height of the base 4,5 relative to the vehicle. The winch 17 may be hydraulically driven from a mechncicla connection to a vehicle gear box.

Description

VEHICLE MOUNTABLE WINCH, A VEHICLE. AND METHODS

Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the invention relate to a vehicle mountable winch, a vehicle equipped with such a winch and a method for recovering network cables and the like.

Background to the Invention

With the rising costs of recovering cables and the reduction in the average cable weight, aspects of the invention seek to improve vehicle mountable winches with greater versatility and adaptability for attaching to these cables and winding them onto a drum from a greater number of directions dependent on the relative positioning of the winch, the vehicle and the location of the manhole where the cables are drawn from.

Typically, traditional winches require greater torsion capacity and are fitted to large 7.5 tonne tippers. These large structures tend to require Large amounts of fuel and are relatively difficult to handle.

Summary of the Invention

In a first broad independent aspect, the invention provides a vehicle mountable winch for recovering network cables and the like comprising a base for securing the winch to a vehicle, a frame and drum mounted to the frame about which a cable may be wound in a winding direction; a driver for driving, in use, the rotation of the drum to wind a cable about the drum; wherein the frame is pivotably mounted relative to the base; whereby the winding direction may be altered in order to wind the cable onto the drum from a plurality of directions. This configuration is particular advantageous as it offers greater versatility allowing the vehicle, truck or lorry to be positioned in sufficient proximity to the manhole and to align as appropriate the winch relative to where a particular cable is being drawn from. Furthermore, it allows the winch to pivot to further positions without displacing the vehicle in order to draw further cables from different locations. This allows for the positioning of the winch to be operated, in certain embodiments separately from the positioning of the vehicle. Advantageously, for example, an operator may stand next to the parked vehicle and adjust the position of the winch.

In a subsidiary aspect, the frame comprises a guard mesh to surround the drum. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it can protect operators and other individuals from accidentally placing their hands in close proximity to the drum whilst the winding process is taking place. It also protects the operators or other individuals in the vicinity should a cable inadvertently snap whilst the winch is in operation. This is particularly important as the rate of recovery of the cable may be no less than 50 metres per minute in a preferred embodiment. This configuration allows for advantageous, swift winding of the cables onto the drum.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the frame incorporates an openable plate or a removable plate; whereby a winding of cable may be readily removed. Once a winding of cable or a coil has been formed it may be readily removed from the drum or capstan.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the base incorporates one or more legs for adjusting, in use the height of the base relative to the vehicle surface to which the base is mounted. This further provides versatility for the winch as it may be assembled to different configurations of 30 vehicles.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the base incorporates one or more legs for anchoring, in use, the base, to a vehicle chassis. This allows advantageous longevity of operation as it provides a secure fixing of the winch to the appropriate vehicle.

In a subsidiary aspect, the frame incorporates a guide roller at a first extremity and the driver at a second extremity of the frame. This provides advantageous structural strength and specific orientation for the winding process to efficiently take place.

In a further subsidiary aspect, one or more diagonal beams extend from a central portion of the frame which is proximal to the drum to the respective extremities. This provides advantageous strength for the structure of the frame.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the vehicle comprises a controller for controlling the extent by which the frame pivots, in use, relative to the base. This allows advantageously for not only the adjustment into a plurality of potential positions, but also for these adjustments to arise in a controlled manner for greater accuracy of the winding operation.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the winch is at least partly hydraulically driven and wherein the winch comprises a mechanical connection to a vehicle gearbox for driving the hydraulics of the winch. This configuration allows the mechanical power of the vehicle to be employed in order to efficiently drive the rotation of the drum via hydraulics.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the vehicle mountable winch further comprises one or more releasable auxiliary hoses for operating a hydraulic submersible water pump. This further enhances the versatility of the winch for various modes of operation.

In a further broad aspect, the invention provides a vehicle mounted with the vehicle mountable winch of any of the preceding aspects.

In a subsidiary aspect, the vehicle further comprises a flatbed onto which the base of the winch rests, a chassis below the flatbed and fixations or attachments for securing the winch to the chassis. The configuration allows a particularly secure integration of the winch into the main Load bearing structure of the vehicle.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the vehicle further comprises a hydraulic tank and pipes which establish a fluid connection between the tank and the winch. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows the frame to be rotated, in use, whilst the hydraulic tanks and pipes needn't displace provided these are of appropriate dimensions.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the vehicle has a Load carrying portion with sides defining the Load carrying portion; the sides comprising a plurality of discrete rollers. This configuration allows the cables to avoid interfering directly with the edge of the sides of the vehicle and efficiently be threaded onto the winch.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the rollers are mounted on a displaceable mount in order to secure the rollers in a plurality of positions dependent on the direction of winding. This configuration further enhances the versatility of the combined vehicle and winch structure for improved changes of the position of action of the winch.

In a further broad aspect, the invention provides a method of recovering network cables comprising the steps of providing a winch according to any one of the preceding aspects and pivoting the frame relative to the base to alter the winding direction.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the winch.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the frame of the winch.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the frame of the winch.

Figure 4 shows further detail of the base of the winch.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a potential side-on extraction process for removing cables from a plurality of adjacent manholes without necessarily displacing the vehicle in question.

Figure 6 shows the process of rear extraction in, for example, a carriageway with the manholes being located behind the vehicle or the vehicle's trailer.

Figure 7 shows a view of a roller for securing onto the mouth of a manhole.

Figure 8 shows a further roller structure which may be secured to a frame as appropriate.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a vehicle mountable winch generally referenced 1 with a frame 2, sitting on a base. The base may be formed of at least two portions, a central circular portion 4 and a platform 5 which surround the circular portion 4. The platform may be substantially rectangular or square in shape and accommodate a plurality of Legs such as Leg 6 which is placed in one of the corners. The Leg may be arranged to pivot about an axle 7 which engages with a strut 8. The platform may comprise of an upper thin sheet or flatbed 9 which is bolted to the struts such as strut 8. The struts may define the perimeter of the platform. Further struts are envisaged across the width of the platform. The flatbed 9 may also be riveted by employing rivets such as rivet 10 to secure the struts to the flatbed. In addition, the flatbed may have an anti-slip upper surface or some relief so as to act generally as a roughened surface to reduce the risk of sLippage. The Legs such as Leg 6 may also incorporate a crank 11 to facilitate adjustments and to optimise the attachment of the winch to a vehicle as appropriate. The legs may also incorporate a foot 12 which extends the width of the base of the foot.

Frame 2 secures or hoLds at a first extremity, a roLler 13, which is located between pLates 14 and 15. Plates 14 and 15 provide a bearing surface to allow the roller to freely rotate as necessary to assist in the winding process. The roller is sufficiently concave to correspond to the circular cross/section geometry of a cable as it is drawn through and into the main central portion 16 of the frame. At the opposite extremity of the frame, a winch 17 is provided to drive the rotation of drum 18. Frame 2 incorporates in the direction of roller 13 two diagonally extending beams 19 and 20 which can carry the bending moment exerted on the frame during the winding process. Similarly, two further diagonal beams 21 and 22 which extend towards the winch. In addition, between the diagonal beams are provided a number of crossbeams such as crossbeams 23 and 24 which are provided in paralleL to one another and on which the entire winch rests and abuts against the rotatable base 4. An attachment mechanism may be provided between the crosspieces and the rotatable base. In addition laterally extending beams are also provided such as beam 26. These are provided at regular intervals about the frame and provide further structural strength whilst also offering a surface against which a guard mesh may be secured. In preferred embodiments, a guard mesh 31 (not shown in Figure 1 but visible in Figure 3) allows the moving components of the drum and cable when in use to be shielded from their environment in order to protect operators or other passers-by that may inadvertently or deliberately wish to tamper with the operation of the winch.

Furthermore, a rear plate 27 provides support for the drum 18 and its central axe!. 28. As best seen in Figure 3, one side of the frame has a window or aperture 29 allowing access to the drum for the removal of the coil once it is wound up. In addition, this aperture may be selectably closed by a window or guard plate (not shown in the figures).

As shown in Figure 4, the flatbed may incorporate an anti-slip upper surface. In addition, the central circular rotatable disc 4 may also provide an upwardly extending axe 30 for engaging with the frame.

Figure 5 shows a truck 32 (or lorry) equipped with the winch mechanism 1 of the previous figures. In this configuration, the winch is located towards the rear end of the Load bearing portion of the vehicle. It is provided to pivot between a number of positions in order to facilitate a side-on extraction of cables such as network cables. During operation, the winch may readily change position from being directed towards a manhole located at approximately 45 degrees from the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to a position where the winch would be directed towards a manhole located 90 degrees further forward. In a further position, a winch may be oriented towards the side of the vehicle at 90 degrees from the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment where the winch is directed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the rear in order to facilitate an extraction of a cable located in the carriageway.

Further Aspects of the Description

In a further embodiment which is not visible in the prior figures, a preferred vehicle would be sufficiently flexible to house a gearbox mounted PTO (Power Take Off) unit, suitable to power the hydraulics for the winch.

In a preferred embodiment, the winch unit would be fixed to the chassis below the flatbed.

In a preferred embodiment, the winch dimensions may be of less than 2 x 2 metres and in particular they may be of 1800 millimetres x 1800 millimetres.

A hydraulic tank and pipes may be fitted. The vehicle may be further modified in order to incorporate stabiliser legs as required.

In order to facilitate a particular operation, cable rollers may be secured to various points of the vehicle. These may be of the kind as shown in Figure 8. These may have the flexibility of being displaced to pull cables in any appropriate direction. These rollers may be substantially concave to accommodate a cable and have a plate for securing to the side of a vehicle by appropriate mounting means which may involve for example a bracket and a screw mechanism or a bracket and a bolt mechanism. In addition, the vehicle may be equipped with towing attachments, appropriate signage and beacons, and LED lighting to illuminate the flatbed should this be required.

The overall size of the winch may also be no greater than the flatbed described previously. The capstan may have a diameter of 400 millimetres. The rate of recovery may be in preferred embodiments of no less than SO metres a minute. In further preferred embodiments, the full rating may be of two tonnes. In addition, a quick release drum plate may be provided to enable the coil of the cable to be quickly removed from the capstan. A quick release auxiliary hose may be provided to operate a hydraulic submersible water pump. In addition, the winch may be controlled in terms of its relative position to the carrying vehicle by the provision of a remote joystick for controlling the winch whilst at ground level. The joystick may be provided as an integral part of the winch module or fitted to the side of the vehicle. In a further embodiment, the joystick may be incorporated into a wireless device.

In addition, the winch may be equipped with emergency stop buttons. Advantageously, a space may be provided behind the capstan for smaller diameter pulling for increased force.

With respect to the hydraulics, the hydraulics specifications may be in a practical embodiment of 20 kW in terms of drive power, supplying 70 litres per minute and allowing for a pressure of up to 160 bars.

With respect to the materials envisaged for the frame of the winch, it may employ a mixture of box tubes of the following dimensions 50 x 50 millimetres, 60 x 60 millimetres, 70 x 70 millimetres. The guard mesh may have 20 millimetres square apertures and primarily cover the areas where moving parts are provided. The base frame may include a pivoting turntable to allow the winch to point in any direction as previously described in great detail. In addition,

B

a number of break points are envisaged to secure the turntable. An anti-stip surface may be provided on top of a 6 millimetre treadpLate in order to cover the base of the unit. Figure 7 shows a further roller contraption which is provided to facilitate the smooth extraction of the cable over the edge of the manhole. The roller frame comprises a succession of two or more rollers. In the embodiment of Figure 7 only three rollers such as roller 33 are provided, the rollers are secured to a frame 34 on both sides and show a step 35 with an upper portion 36 to be secured on the floor and with a Lower portion 37 to rest against the inside of the wall which forms the manhole.

In practical terms, once the cable is wound around the capstan, 30 kilogram reels may be obtained which may be stored in a trailer or other storage facility, in order to do this the cable may be cut and reLeased from the capstan by releasing the front capstan plate. As the cable wilt be relatively Light, it will be practical to cut the cable using cable shears or other cutters. In a preferred embodiment, a cutter may be incorporated into the winch assembly as well, in order to act on demand on the cabEe to sever it.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle mountable winch for recovering network cables and the like comprising a base for securing said winch to a vehicle, a frame and a drum mounted to said frame about which a cable may be wound in a winding direction; a driver for driving, in use, the rotation of said drum to wind a cable about said drum; wherein said frame is pivotally mounted relative to said base; whereby said winding direction may be altered in order to wind said cable onto said drum from a plurality of directions.
2. The vehicle mountable winch of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a guard mesh to surround said drum.
3. The vehicle mountable winch of either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said frame incorporates an openable plate or a removable plate; whereby a winding of cable may be readily removed.
4. The vehicle mountable winch of any of the preceding claims, wherein said base incorporates one or more legs for adjusting, in use, the height of said base relative to the vehicle surface to which said base is mounted.
5. The vehicle mountable winch of any of the preceding claims, wherein said base incorporates one or more legs for anchoring, in use, said base, to a vehicle chassis.
6. The vehicle mountable winch of any of the preceding claims, wherein said frame incorporates a guide roller at a first extremity and said driver at a second extremity of said frame.
7. The vehicle mountable winch of claim 6, wherein one or more diagonal beams extend from a central portion of the frame which is proximal to said drum to said respective extremities.
8. The vehicle mountable winch of any of the preceding claims, comprising a controller for controlling the extend by which said frame pivots, in use, relative to said base.
9. The vehicle mountable winch of any of the preceding claims, wherein said winch is at least partly hydraulically driven and wherein said winch comprises a mechanical connection to a vehicle gear box for driving the hydraulic of said winch.
10. The vehicle mountable winch of any of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more releasable auxiliary hoses for operating a hydraulic submersible water pump.
11. A vehicle mounted with the vehicle mountable winch of any of the preceding claims.
12. The vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a flatbed onto which the base of said winch rests, a chassis below said flatbed and fixations for securing said winch to said chassis.
13. The vehicle of either claim 11 or claim 12, further comprising a hydraulic tank and pipes which establish a fluid connection between said tank and said winch.
14. The vehicle of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said vehicle has a load carrying portion with sides defining said load carrying portion; said sides comprising a plurality of discrete rollers.
15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein said rollers are mounted on a displaceable mount in order to secure said rollers in a plurality of positions dependent on the direction of winding.
16. A method of recovering network cables or the like comprising the steps of providing a winch according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and pivoting said frame relative to said base to alter the winding direction.