MXPA99009535A

MXPA99009535A - A separating device

Info

Publication number: MXPA99009535A
Application number: MXPA/A/1999/009535A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Stephen Robert
Original assignee: Future Alignments Limited; Stephen Robert
Priority date: 1997-04-18
Filing date: 1999-10-18
Publication date: 2000-08-01

Abstract

A separating device (1, 15, 50) is provided which includes a wedge-shaped member (4, 56). The wedge-shaped member (4, 56) has a plate member (5, 6, 58a, 58b) attached to each tapering side of it, and it may be moved linearly towards its apex. When moved in this way, the plate members (5, 6, 58a, 58b) move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wedge-shaped member (4, 56). In use, the leading edge (66) of the device (1, 15, 50) is inserted between two objects (9, 10) (one of which may be the ground) and thus, when the plate members (5, 6, 58a, 58b) are moved apart by movement of the wedge-shaped member (4, 56) towards its apex, the objects (9, 10) are consequently moved apart (or one is lifted).

Description

A SEPARATING DEVICE The invention relates to a separating device. The hydraulic wedges for lifting and separating are known. These wedges usually consist of a central wedge-shaped portion located between two external plates. The external plates are located between the objects to be separated or under the object to be lifted. The wedge is driven forward between the two plates to push the plates apart, thereby separating the objects or lifting the object. In general, the plates are coupled to the wedge by means of a rotating connection form, which retains the plates on the wedge but allows the wedge to move with respect to the plates to separate them. These rotary connections have the disadvantage that the plates rotate around the centers of rotation or pivot describing a rotational movement and do not move directly in the direction of the separation forces exerted by the wedge on the plates. Alternatively, the plates require rotating links to allow the plates to move linearly rather than rotationally.

According to the present invention, there is provided a separating device comprising a wedge-shaped member mounted on a body member for moving in a direction towards and / or away from the apex of the wedge-shaped member, at least one member of plate capable of moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wedge-shaped member, and a linear actuating mechanism for moving the wedge-shaped member relative to the body member. Preferably, there are two plate members located on the two opposite inclined surfaces of the wedge-shaped member. Preferably, the plate members are restricted to move only in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wedge-shaped member, for example by means of a bolt and slot arrangement. Preferably, the plate members are slidably coupled to the body member. Preferably also, the plate members are slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped member. Preferably, the linear drive mechanism is coupled to the wedge-shaped member. Preferably, the plate members extend through the inclined surface of the wedge and have legs, which extend downwards, towards the sides of the wedge. Typically, the plate members (via the legs) are slidably coupled to the body member by means of a first bolt and slot arrangement. Typically also, the plate members, (via the legs) are slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped member by means of a second bolt and slot arrangement. Typically, the plate members include a stepped external surface, the steps originate at the leading edge of the device and increase in size toward the body member. Preferably, the first step of the front edge of the device is provided with a locking mechanism, so that one of the plate members is interengaged with the other of the plate members. Preferably, the plate members have crenellated front edges, so that when the plate members are put together, the castellations are interengaged. This configuration has the advantage that the thickness of the leading edge of the device can be reduced while its strength or resistance increases, allowing an increase in the force that the device is capable of exerting. It will be appreciated that if the * maximum force for a particular application, then the thickness of the leading edge of the device can be further reduced. Typically, the interlocking feature allows the thickness of the leading edge to be reduced from 15 mm to 6 mm while retaining the same expansive force capacity. Preferably, the first bolt and slot arrangement comprises a bolt in one of the plate members and the body member, which engages with a corresponding slot in the other plate member and the body member. Preferably, the second bolt and slot arrangement comprises at least one bolt, and more preferably two bolts, one on each inner face of the legs of the plate members, both of which engage a single slot formed in the wedge-shaped member. Preferably, the groove in the wedge-shaped member extends parallel to the inclined surfaces of the wedge-shaped member. Typically, the interengagement of the second bolt with the second groove promotes retraction of the plate members when the wedge member is retracted using the drive mechanism without any external force being applied to the plate members such as by the hand, for example . The grooves on the wedge member act as a guide and the refractive force applied by the ram acts on the bolts, via the guide groove, to pull the plate members together.

Alternatively, the bolts may be on the wedge-shaped member and the grooves may be on the plate members. Typically, two of the first bolt and slot arrangements are provided for each plate member, a bolt and slot arrangement is located on the capture side of the wedge-shaped member. Typically also, two of the second bolt and slot arrangements are provided for each plate member, an arrangement associated with each inner face of the legs of the plate members. Typically, the plate members move in parallel but in opposite directions. In an example of the invention, the drive mechanism may comprise a hydraulic ram. In another example of the invention, the drive mechanism may comprise a threaded stud, which engages a screw thread in the body member and engages the wedge-shaped member to provide rotation of the threaded stud relative to the wedge-shaped member. Accordingly, the rotation of the threaded stud produces a linear movement of the wedge towards or away from the body-shaped member. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a side view of a hydraulically operated separation device, in use and in a first position; Figure 2 is a side view of the hydraulic separation device shown in Figure 1, in use and in a second position; Figure 3 is a side view of a manually operated separation device; Figure 4 is a plane of an alternative hydraulically operated separation device; Figures 5a and 5b are plan and side views, respectively, of a wedge-shaped member for use with a device of Figure 4; Figures 6a and 6b are plan and side views, respectively, of a plate member, for use with the device of Figure 4; Figures 7a and 7b are plan and side views, respectively, of a stepped member, which constitutes a first component of the plate member of Figures ßa and 6b; and Figures 8a and 8b are side and plan views of the leg member, which constitutes a second component of the plate member of Figures 6a and 6b. Figure 1 shows a hydraulic separation device 1, which includes a hydraulic ram mechanism 2, a body member 3, a wedge-shaped member 4 (shown in shaded form in Figure 1) and two generally shaped plates U 5, 6. The hydraulic ram mechanism 2 is fixed to the body member 3, which has four bolts 7 (only 2 are shown), which project from the sides of the body member and engage in four slots corresponding 8 (only two are shown) on each side of the U-shaped plates 5, 6. The wedge-shaped member 4 is located within the U-shaped plates (5, 6) and is coupled to a ram (not shown) on the hydraulic ram mechanism 2. As shown in Figure 1, the separation device 1 can be used to separate two objects 9, 10 by inserting the vertex portion 11 of the separation device 1 between the objects 9, 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the operation of the hydraulic ram mechanism 2 pushes the wedge 4 in the direction of the arrow 12. This causes the wedge 4 to move the U-shaped plate 5 in the direction of the arrow 13, and the plate in FIG. U-shaped 6 in the direction of the arrow 14, so that the grooves 8 moves along the bolts 7. The movement of the plates 5, 6 separates the objects 9, 10. It should be noted that the plates in shape of U 5, 6 are moved linearly with respect to the body member 3 and substantially perpendicular to the movement 12 of the wedge 4, the U-shaped plates 5, 6 remain stationary with respect to each respective object 9, 10. However, wedge 4 moves with respect to both objects. An example of a manually operated separating device 15 is shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, the wedge-shaped member 4 and the U-shaped plates 5, 6 are the same as those used for the device. hydraulic separation 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the bolts 7 and the slots 8 are also the same as in the hydraulic separation device 1. However, the hydraulic ram mechanism 2 is replaced with the threaded stud 16, which has a bolt head 18 and a body member 17 is threaded thereto to receive the threaded stud 16. The threaded stud 16 is coupled to the rear side 19 of the wedge 4 by means of a coupling that allows the stud 16 to rotate with respect to to the wedge 4 and so that the linear movement of the stud 16 in the direction of the arrow 20, move the arrow 4 in the same direction of the arrow 20. Consequently, turn the threaded stud 16 * by means of the head 18, while If the stationary body member 17 is retained, it causes the wedge 4 to move in the direction of the arrow 20 to generate the movement of the U-shaped plates 5, 6 in the direction of the arrows 13, 14 respectively.

Accordingly, the manual separation device 15 can be used in a manner similar to the separation device 1 to separate two objects 9, 10. Furthermore, if the object 10 is stationary, then operation of the device 1, 15, will cause the 9 is lifted from the upper surface of the object 10. An advantage of the invention is that providing the linear movement of the U-shaped member 5, 6 in a direction perpendicular to the linear movement of the wedge 4, allows the plates in shape of U 5, 6 remain stationary with respect to the object. The respective plate is in contact during the lifting or separation. In addition, the requirement of the rotational or rotary coupling of the plates 5, 6 to the body member 3, 17 is obviated. Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown an alternative form of a separation device 50, according to the present invention. The device 50 includes a hydraulic ram mechanism 52, which is coupled to a body member 54. The ram 52 acts on a wedge 56 (see Figs. 5a and 5b) to move the wedge 56 in a diagonal direction and / or away from the apex of the wedge 56. The plate members 58a, 58b are located on the inclined faces of the wedge 56 and slidably engage it. As best shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the plate members 58 comprise two legs 60 with a stepped plate 62, which covers the legs 60. The stepped plate 62 is conveniently welded to the legs 60, but can be secured by any conventional means, such as deep-drawn head bolts or the like, or can be formed as one with the legs 60. The stepped plate 62 is provided with a plurality of steps 64 (see Figures 7a and 7b), which originate at the leading edge 66 of the device 50. The steps 64 provide a plurality of surfaces 68, which are used as contact surfaces when the device is in use, the exact function being described hereinafter. As best shown in Figures 7a and 7b, a series of crenellations 70 are provided on the leading edge 66 of the stepped plate 62. This feature allows the width of the leading edge 66 to be reduced with respect to conventional separation devices. The crenellations 70 on the plate member 58a are designed to be placed between the castellations 70 on the plate member 58b, so that the opposing plate members 58a, 58b can inter-link with each other.

Referring now to Figures 8a and 8b, the legs 60 are provided with two bolts 74 on an inner surface 76 of the legs 60. The bolts 74 are adapted to be placed in the corresponding grooves 78 in the wedge 56 (see Figure 5a ), so that the plate members 58a, 58b are slidably coupled to the wedge 56. The grooves 78 run parallel to the inclined surface of the wedge 56, and are provided on both side faces of the wedge 56 (only shown one face in Figure 5a). The legs 60 are further provided with a groove 80, in which a bolt 82 located on the body member 54 is adapted to slide. The bolt and slot arrangement (82, 80) is provided to stabilize the outward movement of the plate members 58a, 58b, while the device 50 is in use. It should be appreciated that the slot 80 can be placed on the body member 54 and correspondingly, the pin 82 can be placed on the legs 60. In use, the leading edge 66 of the device 50 is inserted in a space between two objects ( not shown). The steps 64 provide parallel surfaces for contacting the two objects to reduce the tendency of the device 50 to slide under load, and allow the device 50 to be used with various sizes of spaces between the objects, the surfaces 68 provide the point of appropriate contact. The hydraulic ram 52 is operated with the device 50 inserted between two objects in the appropriate step size. The ram 52 extends towards the leading edge 66 of the device 50, and forces the wedge 56 in the direction of the arrow 61f (Figure 4), towards the apex of the wedge 56. While the wedge 56 is moving linearly in the direction toward its apex, the plate members 58a, 58b, they move in one direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of wedge 56. The bolt and slot arrangement (82), 80) prevents the plate members 58a, 58b from twisting or shifting when the plate members 58a, 58b move outward. The hydraulic ram 52 forces the wedge 56 linearly outward until the required space is formed between the objects, or, alternatively, until the wedge 56 reaches its outer limit as shown in shaded form in Figure 4. Also shown in shaded form in Figure 4, there is the external extension of the plate member 58a. As can be seen from the drawing, the plate members 58a, 58b move slightly in the direction of the leading edge 66 of the device 50, due to the slight angle of the slot 80.

The extension of the plate members 58a, 58b, forces the objects to separate. Once the objects are forced to separate, the two objects can be aligned to be joined later, or, alternatively, the placement or replacement of a washer or other seal, etc. It will be appreciated that the device 50 can be used as a jack to lift an object from ground level, for example. When the operation has been carried out, the hydraulic ram 52 is then retracted. As a result of the retraction of the ram 52, the wedge 56 is pulled towards the body 54 in the direction of the arrow 61r (Figure 4). When the wedge 56 retracts towards the body 54, the interengagement of the bolts 74 with the grooves 78, results in the plate members 58a, 58b retracting towards their initial position. While in the prior art devices, the plate members have to be closed using, for example, the force exerted on them by the hand, the arrangement of bolts 74 and slots 78 offers the advantage that the members of plate 58a, 58b do not have to be physically forced back into position by some external means. The device 50 of the present invention provides for the closing of the plate means 58a, 58b as a consequence of the retraction of the wedge 56, due to the arrangement of bolts 74 and grooves 78. Accordingly, the present invention provides a separation device, which offers different advantages over the devices of the prior art. Certain embodiments of the device are capable of being operated hydraulically or manually. In addition, the addition of the interlocking feature in certain embodiments provides a device, which is capable of being used in applications where only a small space exists and the objects are such that a large expansive force is required to expand the space. Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CHAPTER CLAIMEDICATORÍO Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content is claimed in the following CLAIMS:

1. A separating device, comprising a wedge-shaped member, mounted on a body member for moving in a direction toward and / or away from the apex of the wedge-shaped member, at least one plate member capable of moving in one direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wedge-shaped member, and a linear actuating mechanism for moving the wedge-shaped member relative to the body member.

The separating device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has two plate members located on the opposite inclined surfaces of the wedge-shaped member.

The separating device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the plate member is constrained to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wedge-shaped member.

4. The separating device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate members are slidably coupled to the body member.

The separating device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate members are slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped member.

The separating device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear drive mechanism is coupled to the wedge-shaped member.

The separating device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate members extend through a stepped surface of the wedge-shaped member and have legs, which extend downwardly from the sides of the limb member. wedge shape.

The separating device according to claim 7, characterized in that the legs are slidably coupled to the body member by means of a first bolt and slot arrangement.

The separating device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first bolt and slot arrangement comprises a bolt in one of the plate member and the body member, which engages with a corresponding slot in the other member. of plate and body member.

The separating device according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that two of the first bolt and slot arrangements are provided for each plate member, a bolt and slot arrangement is located on each side of the member in shape of wedge.

The separating device according to claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the legs are slidably coupled to the wedge-shaped member by means of a bolt and slot arrangement.

The separating device according to claim 11, characterized in that the second bolt and slot arrangement comprises at least one bolt on each internal face of the legs of the plate members, which engages a groove formed in the member. in the shape of a wedge.

The separating device according to claim 11 or claim 12, characterized in that the second bolt and slot arrangement comprises two bolts of each internal face of the legs of the plate members, which engage a single groove formed in the wedge-shaped member.

14. The separating device according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized in that the groove in the wedge-shaped member extends parallel to the inclined surface of the wedge-shaped member. The separating device according to any of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the interengagement of the second pin with the second slot transfers force from the retraction of the wedge-shaped member to promote retraction of the plate members when the member Wedge-shaped retracts using the drive mechanism. 16. The separating device according to claim 11, characterized in that the pins are provided on the wedge-shaped member, and the slots are provided on the plate members. The separating device according to any of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that two of the second bolt and slot arrangements are provided, an arrangement associated with the inner face of the legs of the plate members. 18. The separating device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate members include a stepped external surface, the steps are. they originate at the front edge of the device and increase in size toward the body member. The separating device according to any of claims 2 to 18, when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that the leading edge of the device has a locking mechanism, so that one of the plate members is interengaged with the other of the plate members. The separating device according to any of claims 2 to 19, when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that the plate members have crenellated edges. The separating device according to any of claims 2 to 20, when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that the plate members move in parallel, but in opposite directions. 22. The separating device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driving mechanism comprises a hydraulic ram. The separating device according to any of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the driving mechanism comprises a threaded stud, which engages with the screw thread in the body member and engages the wedge-shaped member. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A spacer device (1, 15, 50) is provided, which includes a wedge-shaped member (4, 56). The wedge-shaped member (4, 56) has a plate member (5, 6, 58a, 58b) attached to each inclined side thereof and can be moved linearly towards its apex. When moved in this manner, the plate members (5, 6, 58a, 58b) move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wedge-shaped member (4, 56). In use, the leading edge (66) of the device (1, 15, 50) is inserted between the objects (9, 10) (one of which may be on the ground) and thus, when the plate members ( 5, 6, 58a, 58b) are separated by a movement of the wedge-shaped member (4, 56) towards its vertex, the objects (9, 10) are separated (or one is raised), accordingly. to provide the rotation of the threaded stud in relation to the wedge member. 24. The separating apparatus, characterized in that it is substantially as described here above, with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2; Figure 3; or Figures 4 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.