IES87017B2

IES87017B2 - Lifting beam for the lifting of goods with a crane

Info

Publication number: IES87017B2
Application number: IES20180317A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Peder Høg Thomsen Jens
Original assignee: Ocean Team Group As
Priority date: 2017-09-27
Filing date: 2018-09-25
Publication date: 2019-05-29
Also published as: DK201700096U3; IES20180317A2; FR3071490B3; DE202018105530U1; FR3071490A3; FI12497U1

Abstract

A lifting yoke (1) for lifting goods, for example on a pallet, with a crane, the lifting yoke (1) comprising an upper traverse (2) with two opposite end pieces (7a, 7b), from each end piece (7a, 7b) extending a beam (3a, 3b) downwards, so that the two beams (3a, 3b) when lifting goods under the traverse (2), are disposed on opposite sides of the goods; wherein each bar (3a, 3b) has a lower end, at which a lifting fork (4a, 4b) is attached for gripping under the goods, for example under the pallet; wherein the lifting forks (4a, 4b) are opposing and pointing towards each other for gripping under the respective sides of the goods; wherein the traverse (2) and the beams (3a, 3b) are lengthwise adjustable for adjustment of the lifting yoke to the dimension s of the goods. Such a lifting yoke (1) is advantageously provided on a ship with a crane. For example, it can be used for lifting goods from the ship to an offshore installation, for example to a platform of an offshore wind turbine. <Figure 2b>

Description

Lifting beam for the lifting of goods with a crane ‘ The ﬁeld of the invention The invention relates to a lifting yoke for lifting goods with a crane, the lifting yoke comprising an upper traverse having two opposite end pieces from which two proﬁles extend downwards to enclose goods on opposite sides, wherein each of the proﬁle beams at a lower end has a fork to grip under the goods.

Description of the prior art For lifting pallets with a crane, typically, a pallet fork is used that comprises a vertical proﬁle which at its lower end is provided with a two-legged fork which from one side grips under the pallet during lifting. The proﬁle has at its upper end a beam with a lifting eye for a hook or a chain. The principle is very similar to what is known from a forklift truck.

There are also lifting systems with two opposite forks that grip under the goods from respective sides to increase safety during lifting. However, these systems are typically heavy and complicated with hydraulic functions.

Especially, for lifting in the offshore industry, for example at very high offshore wind turbines, low—weight lifting systems are needed. In addition, there is a need to adapt the systems in a simple way to the specific goods in order to save time and resources.

Description of the invention It is the objective of the invention is to provide a lifting system for a crane, preferably in the offshore industry, which gives a high degree of safety when lifting goods, where the lifting system is lightweight and simple to handle. This objective is achieved by a lifting yoke for lifting goods with a crane as explained in more detail in the following.

The lifting yoke comprises an upper traverse with two opposite end pieces, from each end piece extending a beam downwards so that the two beams when lifting goods, for example a pallet or a box, under the traverse are disposed on opposite sides of the goods. Each bar has a lower end at which a lifting fork is fastened for gripping under the goods, for example under the pallet. The lifting forks are opposing and pointing towards each other for gripping under respective sides of the goods.

Advantageously, the traverse and/or the beams are lengthwise adjustable for adjust- ment of the lifting yoke to the dimensions of the goods In a concrete embodiment, the traverse and/or the beams are lengthwise adjustable by being provided with a ﬁrst part and a second part that are in in abutment with each other and engaging in each other, for example telescopic. For example, the parts are provided as tubular proﬁles, H-proﬁles, L-proﬁles or U—proﬁles or combinations thereof, for example a combination of an H-proﬁle with an L-proﬁle or U-proﬁle, which is inserted into one side of the H-profile. The traverses and/or beams are lengthwise adjustable by mutual displacement of the two respective parts in their lon- gitudinal direction relatively to each other. As an example, the two parts are slidable against each other.

A locking mechanism is provided for locking against adjustment of the length when the locking mechanism is activated. In a concrete embodiment, a row of holes are pro- vided in the first and second parts, and the locking mechanism comprises locking bolts extending through the holes of both the first and second parts when the two parts are in abutment with each other, thereby locking the two parts solidly in relation to each other by tightening the bolts.

Advantageously, the width of the lifting fork is also adjustable. For example, each beam has fastened thereon a bottom ﬂange onto which there are mounted, or into which there are inserted, two transverse fork arms in extension or partial extension of each other, each fork arm holding one of two fork sections. The bottom ﬂange, fork arms, and fork sections together form the lifting fork whose width is adjustable by the arms being shiftable relatively to each other in their longitudinal direction, for exam- ple shiftable in the bottom ﬂange, for example telescopically shiftable. '9 J Advantageously, the length of the lifting fork is also adjustable. For example, the fork arms hold the fork sections by means of a corner bracket in which the fork sections are displaceable in their longitudinal direction for adjustment of the length of the lifting fork by displacement of the fork sections in the corner bracket.

As an option, the lifting lever is provided as an assembly kit of proﬁles that make up the ﬁrst or second part of the traverse and of the beams. Apart from bolts and nuts, such as wing nuts, or other adapted parts of locking mechanisms, the assembly kit includes the following: — two traverse proﬁles, each comprising a row of holes as well as bolts for intercon- necting the two traverse profiles in multiple optional lengths of the traverse, — a lifting ﬂange for attachment to the traverse, preferably formed for simultaneous assembly of the lifting ﬂange and the two traverse-proﬁles with each other, - at least two beams, each comprising two beam proﬁles, each of which is also provid- ed with a row of holes for connecting the two beam proﬁles to each other in multiple optional lengths by bolts, - two fork sections for each beam, - a set of fork arms as a connection between the beams and the respective fork sec- tions.

Such a lifting yoke is advantageously provided on a ship with a crane. For example, it can be used for lifting goods from the ship to an offshore installation, for example, to a platform of an offshore wind turbine.

In preferred embodiments, the lifting yoke is designed for certiﬁcation according to the requirements of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) in DNV 2.7-3 standard of The Norwegian Veritas (Det Norske Veritas).

Short description of the drawing The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, in which: FIG. 1 shows a lifting yoke in different perspectives with A) perspective towards the plane of the lifting yoke, B) perspective towards the end and C) from above; FIG. 2 shows two height settings and width settings with A) a minimum height and minimum width and B) a maximum height and maximum width.

Detailed description of the invention FIG. 1 shows a lifting yoke l in different perspectives with A) perspective towards the plane of the lifting yoke, B) perspective towards the end and C) from above. Dimen- sions are given as an advantageous example and may deviate from those listed.

The lifting yoke 1 comprises an upper lengthwise adjustable traverse 2 having oppo- site ends 7a, 7b. At each end 7a, 7b, a lengthwise adjustable beam 3a, 3b is fastened perpendicular and extending downwards and which at its lower end has a lifting fork 4a, 4b attached for gripping under goods, for example a pallet, a box, or a tank. A lift- ing device on the traverse 2 is exempliﬁed as a central lifting ﬂange 8 with a lifting eye 9 for lifting with a rope, a chain, or a hook.

The traverse 2 is two—part with a ﬁrst part 2a and second part 2b that can be shifted relatively to each other for length-adjustment of the traverse 2. For example, the two parts 2a, 2b of the traverse 2 are provided as metal proﬁles or polymer profiles that engage with each other so that they can be shifted longitudinally and in abutment with each other, for example, sliding telescopically relatively to each other. Examples are tubular proﬁles, H proﬁles, L proﬁles or U proﬁles or combinations thereof, for ex- ample a combination of an H proﬁle with an L or U proﬁle that is inserted into one side of the H proﬁle.

In order to lock the two traverse parts 2a, 2b against each other after an adjustment, a locking mechanism is provided, which is exempliﬁed as through-holes through which bolts extend, which are typically locked by a nut. It has been shown that two holes 11 are used which are not only going through the two parts 2a, 2b of the traverse 2 but also through the lifting ﬂange 8. This implies that the two traverse parts 2a, 2b and the lifting ﬂange 8 can be taken apart after disassembly of the two bolts 10. On the other hand, the traverse 2 can easily be assembled by bringing the two traverse parts 2a, 2b into abutment with each other at different positions relatively to each other and in par- tial extension of each other and by positioning the lifting ﬂange and inserting bolts 10 through the lifting ﬂange 8, where each of the bolts 10 extends both through the first traverse part 2a and the second traverse part 2b.

Similarly, each of the vertical beams 3a, 3b is two-part and provided as beam sections 3a’, 3a", 3b’, 3b", for example made of metal profiles or polymer proﬁles, which are intermeshing, so that they can be displaced longitudinally and be brought into abut- ment with each other at different positions relatively to each other and in partial exten- sion of each other. Likewise, holes are provided in each of the beam sections 3a’, 3a", 3b’, 3b", which during assembly of the beam sections 3a’, 3a", 3b’, 3b" are brought into alignment, and bolts 10 are pushed through the aligned holes 11.

In FIG. 2, two height settings and width settings are shown with a minimum height and minimum width in FIG. 2A and a maximum height and maximum width in FIG. 2B. Height and width can be adjusted independently of each other. The adjustment length is in steps and given by the distance between neighboring holes along the pro- ﬁles 2a, 2b, 3a‘, 3a", 3b’, 3b". In the shown conﬁguration, there are at least two holes ll that overlap. However, there could be at least one hole or at least three holes re- quired, depending on the stability desired and depending on the rigidity of the materi- In the shown embodiment, the upper beam section 3a’, 3b‘ is ﬁxedly connected to the traverse section 2a, 2b, which, however, is not strictly necessary, as they can be pro- vided demountable from each other.

At the lower end of the vertical beams 3a, 3b, there is provided a lifting fork 4a, 4b, which is exempliﬁed by a bottom ﬂange 12 that extends transversely to the beam and in which at opposite ends, in extension of the bottom ﬂange, there is inserted a trans- versely extending arm 13 that holds a fork section l4. On each bottom ﬂange 12 there are, thus, mounted two opposite arms 13, each holding one of the two fork sections 14.

In combination, the two arms 13 and the fork sections 14 together with the bottom ﬂange l2 make up a lifting fork 4a, 4b for gripping under one side of the goods, for example a pallet. The division of the lifting forks 4a, 4b into proﬁles, for example metal proﬁles, which make up arm 13, fork section 14, and bottom ﬂange 12, allows adjustment of both the width and the length of each lifting fork 4a, 4b. The lifting forks 4a, 4b can, thus, be readily adjusted to the correct dimension and adapted to the type of goods.

As shown by the exempliﬁed lifting yoke 1, it is put together by proﬁles that can easi- ly be disassembled and assembled. For ease of assembly, for example, wing nuts 15 are used, as illustrated in FIG. lb. The simple principle also means that it can be easily transported, for example by sending or transport on a ship, and assembled and adjusted in size at the place where it is required to use it. One possible use is for lifting goods from a ship to a platform of an offshore wind turbine.

The shown embodiment with the indicated dimensions weighs about 50 kg when made in aluminum and with a thickness that can withstand the weight that is typically lifted by those cranes on board of ships, for example 500 kg or 1000 kg. Typical objects that are moved from a ship to platforms are pallets or tanks. Alternative materials instead of aluminum include polymers, especially ﬁber reinforced polymers.

The lifting yoke can be disassembled into components packed to ﬁll less than a Euro- pallet size of 0.8 X 1.2 m.

Advantageously, the profiles are made of aluminum, especially saltwater—resistant aluminum. The material thickness of the aluminum is optionally 5-6 mm.

In some embodiments, square proﬁles are used.

Claims

1. A lifting yoke (l) for lifting goods, for example on a pallet, with a crane, the lifting yoke (ll) comprising an upper traverse (2) with two opposite end pieces (721, 7b), from each end piece (7a, 7b) extending a beam (33, 3b) downwards, so that the two beams (3a, 3b), when lifting goods under the traverse (2), are disposed on opposite sides of the goods; wherein each bar (321, 3b) has a lower end, at which a lifting fork (421. 4b) is attached for gripping under the goods, for example under the pallet; wherein the lifting forks (4a, 4b) are opposing and pointing towards each other for gripping under respective sides of the goods; wherein the traverse (2) and the beams (3a, 3b) are lengthwise adjustable for adjustment ofthe lifting yoke to the dimensions of the goods.

2. A lifting yoke according to claim 1, wherein the lifting yoke comprises at least one of the following embodiments: a) with or without option al ), b) with or without option bl), C) with or without option cl), wherein: a) comprises an embodiment, wherein A) the traverse (2) is provided with a first and second part (2a, 2b) or B) the beams (321, 3b) are provided with a first and second part ( 3a‘. 3a", 3 ', 3b") or both A) and B), wherein the tirst and second parts are in abutment and intermeshing with each other and being lengthwise adjustable by displacement of the two respective first and second parts relatively to each other in their longitudinal direction; where a locking mechanism (1 0. l l) is provided for locking against adjustment of the length when the locking mechanism is activated. al) comprises an embodiment, wherein a row of holes (l l) is provided in the first and the second part and wherein the locking mechanism comprises locking bolts (l0) extending through the holes (I l) of both the first and second part when the first and second parts are in abutment with each other, thereby locking the first and second parts ﬁxedly in relation to each other; b) comprises an embodiment, wherein also the width of the lifting fork (4a, 4b) is adjustable; 8 b1) comprises an embodiment, wherein each beam (3a, 3b) has fastened thereon a bottom ﬂange (12) onto which there are mounted or into which there are inserted two fork arms (13) in extension or partial extension of each other and in a transverse direction to the beam (3a), each fork arm (13) holding one of two fork sections (14), such that the bottom ﬂange (12), the fork arms (13). and the fork sections ( 14) together form the lifting fork (4a, 4b), the width ofwhich is adjustable by the fork arms (13) being shiftable relatively to each other in their longitudinal direction. for example shiftable in the bottom ﬂange (12); c) comprises an embodiment, wherein the length of the lilting fork (_4a, 4b) is also adjustable; cl) comprises an embodiment. wherein the arms (13) are holding the fork sections (14) by means of a corner bracket (16), in which the fork sections (14) are slidable in their longitudinal direction for adjustment of the length of the lifting fork (4a, 4b) by displacement ofthe fork sections (14) in the corner bracket (16).

3. A lifting yoke according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting yoke (1) is provided as an assembly set of profiles comprising - two traverse profiles (23, 2b), each comprising a row ofholes (1 1), as well as bolts (10) for interconnection of the two traverse profiles (2a, 2b) in multiple optional lengths of the traverse (2), - a lifting ﬂange (8) for attachment to the traverse (2), preferably formed with corresponding holes for assembly of the lifting ﬂange and the two traverse—proﬁles (221, 2b) simultaneously to each other with the boits (10), — at least two beams (3a, 3b), each comprising two beam profiles (3a', 3a”, 3b’, 3b"). wherein each of the beam profiles (3a', 3a", 3b’, 3b") is also provided with a row of holes (11) for connecting the two beam profiles (2a, 2b) to each other in multiple optional lengths by bolts (10), — two fork sections (14) for each beam (3a, 3b), - a set of fork arms (13) as a connection between the beams (_3a, 3b) and the respective fork sections (14).

4. A ship with a crane in combination with a lifting yoke (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

5. Use ofa lifting yoke (1) according to any one ofclaims 1-4 for lifting goods ﬁom a ship to a platform of an offshore wind turbine. ANNE RYAN & CO AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS