NL2027198B1 - Winch assembly for a support structure - Google Patents

Winch assembly for a support structure Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2027198B1
NL2027198B1 NL2027198A NL2027198A NL2027198B1 NL 2027198 B1 NL2027198 B1 NL 2027198B1 NL 2027198 A NL2027198 A NL 2027198A NL 2027198 A NL2027198 A NL 2027198A NL 2027198 B1 NL2027198 B1 NL 2027198B1
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NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
modular
winch assembly
load
winch
support structure
Prior art date
Application number
NL2027198A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Other versions
NL2027198A (en
Inventor
De Boer Ben
Van Hout Imran
Original Assignee
De Liftfabriek Bv
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Publication date
Application filed by De Liftfabriek Bv filed Critical De Liftfabriek Bv
Publication of NL2027198A publication Critical patent/NL2027198A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2027198B1 publication Critical patent/NL2027198B1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66D—CAPSTANS; WINCHES; TACKLES, e.g. PULLEY BLOCKS; HOISTS
    • B66D1/00—Rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms; Capstans
    • B66D1/02—Driving gear
    • B66D1/14—Power transmissions between power sources and drums or barrels
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G1/00—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground
    • E04G1/28—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground designed to provide support only at a low height
    • E04G1/30—Ladder scaffolds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F7/00—Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts
    • B66F7/02—Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains or screws and movable along pillars
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G3/00—Scaffolds essentially supported by building constructions, e.g. adjustable in height
    • E04G3/28—Mobile scaffolds; Scaffolds with mobile platforms
    • E04G3/30—Mobile scaffolds; Scaffolds with mobile platforms suspended by flexible supporting elements, e.g. cables
    • E04G3/32—Hoisting devices; Safety devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D7/00—Slip couplings, e.g. slipping on overload, for absorbing shock
    • F16D7/04—Slip couplings, e.g. slipping on overload, for absorbing shock of the ratchet type
    • F16D7/06—Slip couplings, e.g. slipping on overload, for absorbing shock of the ratchet type with intermediate balls or rollers
    • F16D7/10—Slip couplings, e.g. slipping on overload, for absorbing shock of the ratchet type with intermediate balls or rollers moving radially between engagement and disengagement
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G1/00—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground
    • E04G1/24—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground comprising essentially special base constructions; comprising essentially special ground-engaging parts, e.g. inclined struts, wheels
    • E04G2001/242—Scaffolds movable on wheels or tracks
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G1/00—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground
    • E04G1/28—Scaffolds primarily resting on the ground designed to provide support only at a low height
    • E04G1/30—Ladder scaffolds
    • E04G2001/302—Ladder scaffolds with ladders supporting the platform
    • E04G2001/305—The ladders being vertical and perpendicular to the platform
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G5/00—Component parts or accessories for scaffolds
    • E04G2005/008—Hoisting devices specially adapted as part of a scaffold system

Abstract

A drivable winch assembly (14) for attachment to a support structure, such as a scaffold, is described. The drivable winch assembly is configured to convey a load substantially vertically along the support structure, and comprises: a gearbox (70); and a loadbearing elongate flexible attachment member operatively coupled to the gearbox (70) which is configured in use to couple to the load at a free end of the elongate flexible attachment member. In use, an input drive shaft (100) of the gearbox (70) is configured to: receive an input torque from a removable external driver via a drivable slip coupling (74); to rotate when the input torque lies within a predetermined operational range; and to not rotate when the input torque lies outside the predetermined operational range.

Description

WINCH ASSEMBLY FOR A SUPPORT STRUCTURE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a winch assembly for a support structure, such as an assembled scaffold, and to a modular shuttle system for use with the winch assembly. Specifically, though not exclusively, the present invention relates to a winch assembly and an adaptable modular shuttle system for conveying loads to different levels of an assembled scaffold.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Modular scaffolding is often assembled in order to assist with the construction, repair and deconstruction of tall buildings and structures. Such scaffolding is usually provided in a manner which requires assembly in order that the scaffold can be adapted to buildings and structures of different heights. lt is also a common need to transfer heavy loads to different levels of an assembled scaffold in order for a user of the scaffold to assist with the structure modification. Since these loads are frequently unwieldy, it is dangerous for the loads to be carried by a user across different levels of the scaffold.
In order to circumvent the potential hazards of users carrying the loads themselves, typically there will be provided dedicated lift mechanisms which are independently powered, such as cranes. However, such systems are often highly impractical since they cannot be specifically adapted to the scaffolding which they are to be used in conjunction with. This lack of adaptability can lead to difficulty with manoeuvring a load to its desired position, since the dedicated lift mechanism may not be configured with sufficient precision to enable the load to be easily transferred to this position. Additionally, systems with their own independent power system are inefficient since the lifting mechanism is not permanently required.
The lack of adaptation in dedicated lift systems can additionally cause further safety concerns. Since assembled scaffolds are typically manned, movement of the loads must be performed with care or there will be the risk of causing injury to a person manning the scaffold. For example, a sizeable load which is moving quickly could collide with a person on the scaffold and cause injury or death.
Therefore, there are circumstances where it is beneficial to be able to utilise an adaptable lifting system which is able to meet the specific demands of a particular assembled scaffold, and to do so in a manner which is safe for any persons who are present on the scaffold when the loads are being conveyed. Such circumstances may include only enabling loads of a certain weight to be conveyed, and to limit the speed at which these loads can be conveyed vertically along the scaffold. It may additionally be beneficial to provide systems where the lifting mechanism is powered by an external source in order to increase the efficiency of the lifting system. However, where lifting systems are externally powered, there is a further risk that once the external source is removed any loads that are currently suspended by the lifting system will fall due to the action of gravity. This again causes safety concerns as any person standing in the path of the falling load is at risk of injury. Additionally, the loads themselves may be damaged. There are therefore circumstances where it is beneficial to provide an externally powered lifting system which is also able to automatically prevent loads from falling due to the act of gravity once the external source is removed from the system. It is an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the problems described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a drivable winch assembly for attachment to a support structure and configured to convey a load substantially vertically along the support structure. The drivable winch assembly comprises a gearbox and a loadbearing elongate flexible attachment member operatively coupled to the gearbox which is configured in use to couple to the load at a free end of the elongate attachment member. In use, an input drive shaft of the gearbox is configured firstly to receive an input torque from a removable external driver via a drivable slip coupling. The input drive shaft of the gearbox is additionally configured to rotate when the input torque lies within a predetermined operational range and to not rotate when the input torque lies outside the predetermined operational range. In this way, this aspect of the present invention solves at least one of the problems of the prior art outlined above. It is possible with the present invention to convey loads substantially vertically along a support structure through use of a removable external driver, thereby eliminating the need to provide a dedicated lift system for this purpose. Additionally, through the use of the drivable slip coupling, it is possible to limit conveyance of the loads to a predetermined accepted operational torque range. In so doing, some of the safety issues associated with the prior art are eliminated by only allowing loads of certain weights to be conveyed at allowed speeds.
In some embodiments, the drivable winch assembly further comprises the drivable slip coupling, with the drivable slip coupling being coupled to the input drive shaft of the gearbox and being configured to receive an input torque from a removable external driver and to rotate the drive shaft under action from the input torque, wherein the drivable slip coupling is configured to drive the input drive shaft when the input torque lies within the predetermined operational range and is configured to slip when the input torque lies outside the predetermined operational range.
In further embodiments, the drivable slip coupling comprises a first elongate portion configured to operatively couple to and receive an input torque from the removable external driver; a second elongate portion which is coupled to the input drive shaft; and a retractable coupling, the retractable coupling being arranged to shift the drivable slip coupling between an engaged state when the input torque lies within the predetermined operational range and a disengaged state when the input torque lies outside the predetermined operational range, wherein in the engaged state the retractable coupling prevents relative rotation between the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion and in the disengaged state, the retractable coupling permits relative rotation between the first elongate portion and the second elongate portion; In some embodiments, a section of the second elongate portion is hollow and at least a section of the first elongate portion lies within the hollow section.
In further embodiments, the first elongate portion may be provided with one or more hollow channels extending radially inwardly from an outer surface of the first elongate portion to the outer surface diametrically opposite, and wherein each of the one or more hollow channels is provided with one or more ball bearings and at least one coil spring, arranged such that each of the at least one coil springs applies a returning force on at least one of the one or more ball bearings in a radially outward direction with respect to the axis of rotation of the input drive shaft.
The second elongate portion may be provided with one or more recesses arranged to receive at least one of the one or more ball bearings in use.
The one or more recesses may be substantially circular and have a diameter less than or equal to the diameter of the at least one ball bearing that the one or more recesses are configured to receive.
In some embodiments, two hollow channels may be provided.
In further embodiments, the two hollow channels may be arranged at right angles to one another with respect to the axis of rotation of the input drive shaft.
In yet further embodiments, each hollow channel of the two hollow channels may be provided with one coil spring and two ball bearings, and wherein the returning force provided by a coil spring in a channel acts in radially opposite directions on each of the two ball bearings in the channel with respect to the axis of rotation of the input drive shaft.
The drivable winch assembly may further comprise a locking mechanism which in use is configured to operatively couple with the drivable slip coupling to prevent the drivable slip coupling from rotating. The provision of such a locking mechanism advantageously enables the drivable winch assembly to prevent the load being conveyed from falling due to the action of gravity, particularly when the removable external driver is removed from coupling with the drivable slip coupling.
In some embodiments. the locking mechanism may be configured to operatively couple with the second elongate portion of the drivable slip coupling to prevent the drivable slip coupling from rotating.
In further embodiments, the second elongate portion may be provided with one or more recesses extending radially inwardly from an outer surface of the second elongate portion, the one or more recesses being arranged to couple to the locking mechanism.
The locking mechanism of the above embodiments may comprise a spring latch.
In some embodiments, the drivable winch assembly may further comprise a connection mechanism which is configured to couple the drivable winch assembly to the assembled scaffold.
The drivable winch assembly of embodiments described above may be configured to attach to a scaffold.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 5 modular guiding profile for attachment to a support structure for use with a winch having an elongate flexible attachment member which is configured to convey a load substantially vertically along the support structure, the modular guiding profile comprising: a plurality of connectable modular rails, where each modular rail of the plurality of connectable modular rails comprises a connection mechanism to fixedly secure a modular rail of the plurality of connectable modular rails to one or more adjacent modular rails of the plurality of connectable modular rails to form a continuous length; a fastening mechanism coupled to at least one of the plurality of modular rails which is configured in use to securably couple the modular guiding profile to the support structure; wherein in use, the plurality of connectable modular rails are connected together to form, in an assembled state, the continuous length and are configured to guide the load connected to the elongate flexible attachment member along the continuous length of the modular guiding profile.
In this way, this aspect of the present invention advantageously provides a system which can be adapted to the needs of an individual user. In particular, more or fewer connectable modular rails may be utilised depending on the height of a support structure, which enables loads to be conveyed by a winch regardless of the height of the support structure. Further, this aspect eliminates the need for a dedicated system for a particular height of support structure. Yet further, the provision of such a modular guiding profile allows loads to be guided as they ascend or descend the structure and helps to prevent the loads from swinging as they move. This provides additional safety for users of the system.
The modular guiding profile may be further configured to couple to a sleigh to be conveyed along the continuous length of the modular guiding profile, wherein each of the plurality of connectable modular rails comprises a cross section which complements the cross section of the sleigh.
In further embodiments, each of the plurality of connectable modular rails may comprise a substantially T-shaped lengthwise cross-section.
In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism may comprise one or more annular releasable clips.
The modular guiding may further comprise a stopping mechanism at a lower edge of the continuous length.
According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular shuttle system for attachment to a support structure and configured to convey a load substantially vertically along the support structure, the modular shuttle system comprising a drivable winch assembly according to any of the embodiments described above; a modular guiding profile according to any of the embodiments described above; a sleigh configured to couple to the free end of the loadbearing elongate flexible attachment member and to the modular guiding profile; a load carrier configured to couple to the sleigh and arranged to receive the load to be conveyed. The advantages of this particular aspect are similar to those discussed above with respect to other aspects of the invention.
The sleigh may be provided with one or more rollers.
The sleigh may be provided with two pairs of rollers, wherein each roller of a first pair of rollers faces a corresponding roller on a second pair of rollers.
In some embodiments, the sleigh nay be provided with an aperture configured to couple to the free end of the loadbearing elongate flexible attachment member.
The above-described features of the embodiments are combinable in different ways and can be added to the following specific description of the embodiments of the present invention if not specifically described therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a view of a modular shuttle system configured to convey loads vertically on an assembled scaffold according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2A is an isometric view of two modular rails of the modular shuttle system of Figure 1;
Figure 2B is an alternative isometric view of the two modular rails of the modular shuttle system of Figure 1; Figure 3A is an isometric view of a sleigh of Figure 1;
Figure 3B is an alternative isometric view of the sleigh of Figure 1; Figure 3C is a further alternative isometric view of the sleigh of Figure 1;
Figure 3D is a top-down view of the sleigh and the guiding profile of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an isometric view of a load carrier of the modular shuttle system of Figure 1;
Figure 5A is an isometric view of a winch of Figure 1, without an external housing; Figure 5B is an alternative isometric view of the winch of Figure 1, without an external housing;
Figure 5C is an isometric view of the winch of Figure 1, with an external housing; Figure 6A is a schematic drawing of a drivable slip coupling of the winch of Figure BA;
Figure 6B is an alternative schematic drawing of the drivable slip coupling of the winch of Figure SA;
Figure 6C is an isometric view of the drivable slip coupling of the winch of Figure BA;
Figure 7A is an isometric view of a locking mechanism of the winch of Figure 5A; and
Figure 7B is an alternative isometric view of the locking mechanism of the winch of Figure 5A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Specific embodiments are now described with reference to the appended figures.
Turning firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a modular shuttle system 10 for conveying loads vertically on an assembled scaffold 12. The modular shuttle system 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a winch assembly 14, a guiding profile 16, a sleigh 18 and a load carrier 20, each of which are operatively coupled in use.
The winch assembly 14 (hereinafter referred to simply as the winch 14) may comprise a lifting mechanism which is arranged to be operated to convey a substantially vertical force to the sleigh 18 via an appropriate coupling mechanism between the winch 14 and the sleigh 18. The sleigh 18 is configured to be additionally coupled to the guiding profile 16. The guiding profile 16 is coupled to the assembled scaffold 12 such that the guiding profile 16 lies in a substantially vertical plane. The guiding profile 16 may be provided as a series of modular rails 30A, 30B which are configured to be connectable. The guiding profile 16 may comprise a plurality of connectable modular rails 30A, 30B which when connected form the guiding profile 16, with the number of modular rails 30A, 30B which are connected enabling the modular shuttle system 10 to be used in conjunction with scaffolds 12 of different heights. Alternatively, the number of connected modular rails 30A, 30B may be used to enable loads to be conveyed vertically along a portion of the scaffold 12 only. As the vertical force is conveyed to the sleigh 18 through operation of the winch 14, the sleigh 18 is configured to travel along the guiding profile 16 under action of the vertical force in order to ensure that the sleigh 18 travels along a predefined and substantially vertical path of travel. The sleigh 18 is further configured to be coupled to the load carrier 20. The load carrier 20 may be configured to receive a load which is to be conveyed vertically along the assembled scaffold 12. Upon action of the vertical force upon the sleigh 18, the load carrier 20 is additionally configured to travel in sympathy with the sleigh 18. Where the load carrier 20 additionally carries a load, the load travels with the load carrier 20 and the sleigh 18. The combination of these features results in a load being guided substantially along a specified path of the guiding profile 16.
In some embodiments, the winch 14 may be configured to be driven by an external driver which is removable from the winch 14. In some embodiments, the external driver may comprise a user of the winch 14 manually operating the winch 14 directly, or by use of a tool such as a torque wrench. In other embodiments, the external driver may comprise a removable motor operated device such as a motorised drill. Advantageously, many motorised drills are cordless and battery- operated such that their use at the top of a scaffold structure requires no provision of a wired electrical power source and accordingly their use does not introduce a severe safety hazard. The winch 14 may be configured to accept input from the various forms of external driver.
Furthermore, the winch 14 may be configured in order to prevent the conveyance of a vertical force to the sleigh 18 when the external driver drives the winch 14 with a torque which is outside of a predetermined operational range. This predetermined range may be provided by a user of the winch 14. In some embodiments of the present invention, the winch 14 may be arranged such that the predetermined range may be adjusted by a user of the winch 14 to enable different use of different operational torque ranges. This can be of benefit in enabling the modular shuttle system 10 to convey different load weights vertically on the assembled scaffold 12.
In some embodiments, the winch 14 may additionally be configured to prevent loads in the load carrier 20 which are suspended above the ground from falling due to the act of gravitational forces. When the winch 14 is being driven by an external driver, the external driver may act so as to prevent the load carrier 20 from falling due to gravity while it remains coupled to the winch 14, even if the winch 14 is not being actively driven. However, when the external driver is removed, such prevention is not possible. As such, the winch 14 may be provided with a further locking mechanism 76 which enables the winch 14 to either completely prevent a suspended load in the load carrier 20 from falling due to gravity, or to prevent it falling beyond a certain minimum distance. More details regarding the winch 14 are described below with reference to Figure 4A to 4B.
Whilst the embodiment demonstrated in Figure 1 shows the modular shuttle system 10 being used in conjunction with an assembled scaffold, it is to be appreciated that the modular shuttle system 10 may equally be adapted to be used in conjunction with any appropriate support structure. Such a support structure may comprise any structure which enables the modular shuttle system 10 described in embodiments herein to be securely attached to it and that, in use, is able to be arranged allow loads to be conveyed substantially vertically along it and to provide rigidity and strength to the connection between connections in the guiding profile 16 (e.g. for connections between modular rails 30A, 30B). Examples of such support structures include ladders and pipes, as well as fixed housing infrastructure such as drains, walls, balconies and windowsills.
In some embodiments where the guiding profile 16 comprises a plurality of connectable modular rails 30A, 30B, the support structure may comprise a plurality of connecting profiles (for example a U-shaped profile), where a connecting profile is provided between consecutive modular rails 30A, 30B, and a foot hold which connects to the bottommost modular rail 30A, 30B and acts so as to anchor the whole guiding profile 16 to the ground.
In some embodiments, once the modular shuttle system 10 is attached to the support structure, the modular shuttle system 10 and the support structure may remain attached and may be moved together.
For example, where the support structure is a ladder, when the modular shuttle system 10 needs to be moved from one location to another, the ladder and the modular shuttle system 10 may be transported together.
This may advantageously mean that where two separate locations require loads to be conveyed to substantially similar heights, it is not necessary to disassemble and reassemble the modular shuttle system 10. In some embodiments in which the modular shuttle system 10 is attached to a ladder acting as the support structure, the ladder may be sufficiently stable such that it is not necessary to include a foot hold connecting the bottommost modular rail 30A, 30B to the ground, with the only connection to the ground being through the ladder itself.
In such embodiments, the internal infrastructure of the ladder is supportive enough to provide sufficient stability so as to enable full functionality of the attached modular shuttle system 10. It is to be appreciated that when using other types of support structure, such an anchoring foot hold may equally be unnecessary where the support structure is sufficiently stable to enable full functionality of the attached modular shuttle system 10. In further embodiments in which the modular shuttle system 10 is attached to a ladder acting as the support structure, the ladder itself may be extendable (in a telescopic manner). In such embodiments, upon extension of the ladder, the modular shuttle system 10 may be reconfigured to include additional modular rails
30A, 30B such that the modular shuttle system 10 is configured to convey loads across the extended length of the ladder in accordance with embodiments described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the modular rails 30A, 30B may also be configured to be telescopically extendable. In such embodiments, as the ladder is extended, one or more of the modular rails 30A, 30B may be configured to sympathetically extend with the ladder. As an illustrative example, one of the modular rails 30A, 30B may be connected to a rung of a ladder which is configured to extend away from other rungs of the ladder. This modular rail 30A, 30B may be configured to sympathetically extend with the ladder whilst remaining attached to the rung as it extends away from the other rungs.
Turning now to Figures 2A and 2B, there is shown an exploded view of two unconnected modular rails 30A, 30B of the guiding profile 16 in accordance with embodiments described above. As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, each modular rail 30A, 30B may comprise a main body 32 as well as a connection mechanism 34 which enables each modular rail 30A, 30B to connect to other modular rails 30A, 30B. The connection mechanism 34 may comprise any suitable mechanism which enables each modular rail 30A, 30B to be fixedly secured to other modular rails 30A, 30B such that in use, the connection remains secure as loads are conveyed vertically along the guiding profile 16. The connection between each of the modular rails 30A, 30B may also be configured to minimise any gap between each of the rails, such that when the sleigh 18 passes over the connection region between each rail, its intended coupling with the guiding profile 16 is not disrupted. To that end, in Figures 2A and 2B, each modular rail 30A, 30B is provided with a set of male and female connectors which securely interlock to the corresponding female and male connector respectively of another modular rail 30A, 30B in order to form the connection. However, any appropriate connection mechanism 34 which enables the functionality described above may be used.
In some embodiments, one or more of the modular rails 30A, 30B of the guiding profile 16 may also be provided with a fastening mechanism 36 on a face of the one or more of the modular rails 30A, 30B. The fastening mechanism 36 is included in order to enable modular rails 30A, 30B to be fastened in use to the assembled scaffold 12. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 3, the modular rail SOA, 30B is shown with an annular releasable clip which fits around a scaffold cross rail 40 to secure the modular rail 30A, 30B to the scaffold 12 in use.
The annular clip has a cross section of the same shape as the lengthwise cross section of the scaffold cross rail 40 which it is to be attached to (typically circular). The clip may be opened in order to enable the scaffold cross rail 40 to be inserted into the clip and is typically positioned on the modular rail 30A, 30B such that it does not impede the movement of the sleigh 18 as it is conveyed up and down the guiding profile 16. This may comprise arranging the fastening mechanism 36 and the sleigh 18 such that the sleigh 18 does not impinge upon the surface of the modular rail 30A, 30B to which the fastening mechanism 36 is attached.
As shown in Figure 2A, this may further comprise providing a continuous elongate protrusion 42 to which the fastening mechanism 36 is attached on a face of the modular rail 30A, 30B.
Once the scaffold cross rail 40 is appropriately positioned, the clip may be closed in order to securely fasten the modular rail 30A, 30B to the scaffold cross rail 40. The fastening should be sufficiently secure to prevent movement of the modular rail 30A, 30B when the modular shuttle system 10 is in use.
Whilst the embodiment of Figure 2A illustrates use of a releasable clip, any appropriate fastening mechanism 36 may be used which enables the secure fastening of the modular rail 30A, 30B to the scaffold cross rail 40. The modular rails 30A, 30B may further be configured to have a lengthwise cross section which assists (or does not impede) the movement of the sleigh 18 as it is conveyed along the guiding profile 16. This may comprise providing a cross section which complements the cross section of the sleigh 18. In some embodiments, this may further comprise providing a cross section which enables rollers 50 which form part of the sleigh 18 to travel across the surface of the modular rails 30A, 30B, and the cross section will be typically rectangular in shape.
In accordance with embodiments described above, where the modular rail 30A, 30B is provided with an elongate protrusion 42 to attach a fastening mechanism 36 to, the lengthwise cross section may be modified by the inclusion of the protrusion.
As shown in the example of Figure 2A, the cross section is substantially T-shaped, comprising a first rectangular cross section to complement the shape of the sleigh 18, and a second rectangular cross section forming the protrusion.
In such an embodiment, any contact between the sleigh 18 and the modular rails 30A, 30B (for example, due to the action of rollers 50) will be as a result of contact between the sleigh 18 and the first rectangular cross section.
Further information regarding the configuration and operation of the sleigh 18 will be discussed below with reference to Figures 3A to 3D. lt is to be appreciated that the cross section of the guiding profile 16 as described above is provided by way of example only, and that many different cross section shapes may be used in order to achieve the intended functionality.
In some further unseen examples, the guiding profile may comprise two disconnected elongate tubular portions, with the sleigh being configured to be conveyed along both portions simultaneously.
Turning to Figures 3A to 3D, there are shown three isometric views of an example embodiment of the sleigh 18 of Figure 1 in Figures 3A to 3C, and a top- down view of the sleigh 18 when brought into contact with the guiding profile 16 in Figure 3D.
The sleigh 18 as shown in Figures 3A to 3D may be arranged as a single body which is to be brought into contact with the modular rails 30A, 30B of the guiding profile 16 in accordance with embodiments described above.
In order to enable contact between the sleigh 18 and the guiding profile 16, the sleigh 18 may be provided with one or more rollers 50. The rollers 50 are configured to rotate as the sleigh 18 is conveyed up and down the guiding profile 16. The rollers 50 enable friction between the guiding profile 16 and the sleigh 18 to be minimised as the sleigh 18 is moved whilst additionally enabling the sleigh 18 to travel along a path which follows the guiding profile 16, thereby assisting the movement of the sleigh 18, the load carrier 20 and the load along its desired vertical path.
Typically, the sleigh 18 will be provided with at least two pairs of rollers 50 as shown in Figure 3A.
Each pair of rollers 50 is typically arranged such that one roller of the pair of rollers 50 is brought into contact with opposite faces of the guiding profile 16. Additionally,
the rollers 50 will typically be arranged on the sleigh 18 such that each roller of a first pair of rollers 50 faces a corresponding roller on a second pair of rollers 50. As a result, when the sleigh 18 is brought into contact with the guiding profile 16, the rollers 50 are positioned at substantially equal distances from the centre of the guiding profile 16 along the width of the profile 16. An example of the positioning of the rollers 50 as viewed from above is shown in Figure 3D.
The positioning of the rollers 50 as described acts as to minimise movement of the sleigh 18 away from a central point of the guiding profile 16 as the sleigh 18 moves along the vertical length of the guiding profile 16. The provision of rollers 50 also minimises friction between the sleigh 18 and the guiding profile 16. In this manner, movement along the guiding profile 16 is optimised.
The sleigh 18 may additionally be provided with an aperture 52 on one of its faces. The aperture 52 may be provided in order to enable coupling between the sleigh 18 and the winch 14 as described in embodiments above. The coupling may be enabled by the provision of a hook at the end of a cable which forms part of the winch 14. The hook may be brought into secure attachment with the aperture 52 of the sleigh 18 prior to use of the modular shuttle system 10. The aperture 52 may be appropriately configured such that when the hook is attached to the aperture 52, it is unable to be removed without the operation of a user. Further, the aperture 52 and hock may be configured such that when the winch 14 is operated, the operation of the winch 14 does not cause decoupling between the hook and the aperture 52. This may be enabled in some embodiments by providing the hook with a fastening mechanism 36. In other embodiments, the hook and aperture 52 may be shaped such that gravitational forces acting on the hook and sleigh 18 act as to lock the two features together while the modular shuttle system 10 is in use.
In embodiments where the modular rails 30A, 30B of the guiding profile 16 are provided with a fastening mechanism 36 and/or a continuous elongate protrusion 42 in accordance with embodiments described above, the sleigh 18 may be configured such that the sleigh 18 does not come into contact with the connection mechanism. In this manner, the conveyance of the sleigh 18 along the guiding profile 16 is not impeded by these features. Further in these embodiments, the aperture 52 may be provided on a face of the sleigh 18 which is in alignment with a face of the modular rail 30A, 30B opposite to the face where the fastening mechanism 36 or continuous elongate protrusion 42 is provided. Again, this helps to prevent the impedance of the movement of the sleigh 18 along the guiding profile
16.
In some unseen embodiments, the guiding profile 16 is provided with a stopping mechanism which prevents the sleigh 18 from running off of a lower edge of the guiding profile 16. This may comprise providing a solid bar at a lower edge of the guiding profile 16 which extends across and beyond the width of the guiding profile 16. In particular, the bar should extend beyond the width of the guiding profile 16 and the width of the sleigh 18. In some embodiments, the bar may be rotatable and comprise an engaged and unengaged position, wherein in the unengaged position the bar allows the sleigh 18 to run off a lower edge of the guiding profile 16 and in the engaged position, the bar prevents the sleigh 18 from running off a lower edge of the guiding profile 16. This may be advantageous in enabling the sleigh 18 to be attached to the guiding profile 16 via a lower edge of the guiding profile 16 prior to use before preventing it from being subsequently removed.
Turning to Figure 4, there is shown an isometric view of the load carrier 20 of the modular shuttle system 10 of Figure 1, as arranged in use.
The load carrier 20 may comprise a connecting portion 60 which is configured to connect the load carrier 20 to the sleigh 18 and a load bearing portion 62 which is configured to hold a load which is to be conveyed along the modular shuttle system 10. The connecting portion 60 may comprise a fastening means which may securely attach the load carrier 20 to the sleigh 18 even when the load carrier 20 is provided with a load to be conveyed.
Such fastening means may comprise screws, bolts, welds or adhesive.
The load bearing portion 26 may comprise a shaped tray which is configured to hold the load as it is being conveyed.
The tray 62 may comprise a raised lip to prevent the load from slipping off the tray 62 as the load carrier 20 is moved.
In some embodiments, the load carrier 20 may additionally be provided with releasable fastening straps which can be used to secure the load within the tray 62 as the tray 62 is moved.
In some embodiments of the invention, the load carrier 20 and/or the sleigh 18 may be configured to be rotatable around the guiding profile 16. This may be advantageous in scenarios in which the load to be conveyed is placed onto the load carrier 20 by a user on one side of the guiding profile 16, but will be unloaded at its destination by a user on a different side of the guiding profile 16. In such embodiments, the guiding profile 16, sleigh 18 and load carrier 20 may be appropriately shaped to enable rotation of the sleigh 18 and/or load carrier 20 around the guiding profile 16. Such rotation may be enabled by use of the rollers 50 or any other appropriate mechanism which enables a rotational degree of freedom around the guiding profile, namely within a substantially horizontal plane.
In some unseen embodiments of the present invention, it is envisaged that the sleigh 18 and the load carrier 20 may be integrally formed with one another as opposed to the two elements being separable.
It is to be appreciated that in such embodiments, the functionality of the sleigh 18 and the load carrier 20 described herein is retained.
Turning now to Figures 5A to 5C, there is shown in greater detail a winch 14 of the modular shuttle system 10 of Figure 1. The winch 14 may include a gearbox 70 which is connected to a winch drum 72. The gearbox 70 may be configured to receive input from an external driver (not shown) via a drivable slip coupling 74 which is connected to the drive shaft 100 of the gearbox 70. The drivable slip coupling 74 is described in greater detail below with reference to Figures 6A to 6C.
The gearbox 70 will generally comprise a reducer which acts as to lower the output speed of rotation of the gears when compared to the input speed of rotation of the drive shaft.
Once type of reducer which may be used is a worm gear reducer, although any suitable reducer and gearbox 70 arrangement may be used which achieves the desired functionality.
Upon engagement of the external driver, the gearbox 70 may be configured to provide an output torque to the winch drum 72 in order to cause it to rotate.
This rotation of the winch drum 72 causes an elongate flexible attachment member such as for example a cable, belt, chain or rope which is coiled around the winch drum 72 to either wind or unwind depending on the direction of the output torque.
Throughout this description, reference will be made to a cable, although it is to be appreciated that such reference includes reference to any suitable elongate flexible attachment member.
The cable is provided with an attachment means to enable coupling between the winch 14 and the sleigh 18 in accordance with embodiments described above.
When the output torque of the cable causes the drum 72 to wind, the sleigh 18 is moved vertically upward along the guiding profile 16 against gravity thereby enabling the lifting of a load in accordance with embodiments described above.
Conversely, when the output torque of the cable causes the drum 72 to unwind, the sleigh 18 is moved vertically downward with gravity along the guiding profile 16 thereby enabling a load to be lowered in accordance with embodiments described above.
The winch 14 of Figures 5A to 5C may further comprise a locking mechanism 76 (or latch) which is configured to prevent the winch drum 72 from rotating when the locking mechanism 76 is engaged.
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 76 is configured to prevent the winch drum 72 from rotating even when the gearbox 70 is being driven by an external driver.
In other embodiments, the locking mechanism 76 is configured to only prevent rotation of the winch drum 72 when the external driver is not providing an external driving force. The configuration and operation of the locking mechanism 76 is described in further detail below with reference to Figure 7. The winch 14 of Figures 5A to 5C may further comprise a connection mechanism 78 to enable the winch 14 to be securely attached to the guiding profile
16. Typically, the winch 14 will be attached to an uppermost portion of the guiding profile 16. To enable this, the guiding profile 16 will typically be configured to extend above the uppermost cross rail 40 of the assembled scaffold 12 to which the guiding profile 16 is attached. When the winch 14 is attached to the guiding profile 16, the connection mechanism 78 is configured to prevent movement of the winch 14 as a load is conveyed along the guiding profile 16 in accordance with embodiments described above. The connection mechanism 78 of the winch 14 may comprise a clamping mechanism which enables the winch 14 to be attached and removed to the guiding profile 16 as required. Whilst a clamping mechanism is described, it is to be appreciated that any connection mechanism 78 which enables the winch 14 to be removably attached to the guiding profile 16 may be used in order to achieve the functionality described above. The winch 14 of Figures 5A and 5B may additionally comprise an external housing 80, as shown in Figure 5C. The external housing 80 may be included as a safety mechanism in order to prevent access to the gearbox 70 and the winch drum 72 by an external user. The housing also provides protection for the working parts of the winch from adverse environmental conditions. The external housing 80 may be configured to still enable a user to access the drivable slip coupling 74 and to access the locking mechanism 76 such that the functionality of the winch 14 may still be enabled even when the external housing 80 is in place. Turning now to Figures 6A to 6C, there is shown an example of a drivable slip coupling 74 of the winch 14 of Figures 5A to 5C. The drivable slip coupling 74 provides an interface between the drive shaft 100 of the gearbox 70 of the winch 14 and the external driver of the winch 14. In particular, the drivable slip coupling 74 enables a predefined range of torque to be used when driving the gearbox 70 such that when a torque is applied that is outside of this range, the gearbox 70 is not engaged and the winch drum 72 does not rotate, thereby preventing movement of the sleigh 18, the load carrier 20 and any load which is present in the load carrier
20. The drivable slip coupling 74 in the example of Figures 6A to 6C has a substantially circular lengthwise cross section, although it is to be appreciated that any suitably shaped drivable slip coupling 74 may be used. lt is to be appreciated that whilst the term drivable slip coupling 74 is referred to, the slip coupling and the general assembly may also be considered more generally to be a torque limiter or torque limiting device.
The drivable slip coupling 74 of Figures 6A to 6C may firstly comprise an outer housing cylinder 102. The outer housing cylinder 102 is configured to be connected directly to the drive shaft 100 of the winch gearbox 70. The connection between the drive shaft 100 and the outer housing cylinder 102 is configured to securely connect the two features such that when the outer housing cylinder 102 rotates, it causes the drive shaft 100 to rotate in sympathy. In the example of Figures 6A to 6C, the connection between the drive shaft 100 and the outer housing cylinder 102 is enabled by use of one or more set screws 104 although it is to be appreciated that any connection means may be used which enable the sympathetic rotation functionality as described above.
The drivable slip coupling 74 of Figures 6A to 6C may further comprise an inner driver coupling cylinder 106. The inner driver coupling cylinder 106 may be arranged such that a portion of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 is located within a hollow portion of the outer housing cylinder 102 so that a portion of the two cylinders is arranged concentrically with respect to a central rotation axis of the drivable slip coupling 74. The inner driver coupling cylinder 106 may additionally be provided at one end with a driver coupling portion 109 which is configured to connect with the external driver. The driver coupling portion 109 may be located in a position which may be readily accessed by the external driver. As a result, the driver coupling portion 109 typically will extend outwardly away from the portion of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 which is located within the hollow portion of the outer housing cylinder 102.
It is to be appreciated that whilst the features of the driving slip coupling 74 are referred to as ‘cylinders,’ this is by way of example only. These ‘cylinders’ may be elongate portions of any shape which are suitable to achieve the functionality described herein.
The driver coupling portion 109 is typically shaped to enable the external driver to easily drive the inner driver coupling cylinder 106. By way of example, when the external driver is intended to be a user manually driving the drivable slip coupling 74, the driver coupling portion 109 may comprise a handle which the user is able to turn. By way of further example, if the external driver is intended to be a motorised drill, the driver coupling portion 109 may comprise a protrusion which is shaped in a corresponding manner to a drill bit socket adaptor, such that when a drill with the adaptor is brought into contact with the driver coupling portion 109, the two features interlock and enable the rotation of the drill to correspondingly rotate the inner driving coupling. It is to be understood that these two examples are provided by way of illustration only, and that is envisaged that many adaptations to this feature may be included to allow other external drivers to drive the inner driver coupling cylinder 106.
The inner driver coupling cylinder 106 is configured such that it is not directly coupled to the drive shaft 100 of the winch gearbox 70. As a result of this, rotation of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 by an external driver does not directly cause the drive shaft 100 to rotate and so consequently does not directly cause the winch drum 72 to rotate. Instead, the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 is configured to be retractably coupled to the outer housing cylinder 102 using a retractable coupling 108. The arrangement of the retractable coupling 108 means that in some scenarios the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 and the outer housing cylinder 102 are coupled to enable rotation of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 to cause a sympathetic rotation in the outer housing cylinder 102 (engaged state), and in other scenarios such a coupling is not established and rotation of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 does not cause this sympathetic rotation (disengaged state). As a result of this arrangement, the drivable slip coupling 74 is configured to cause the winch drum 72 to rotate only in scenarios in which the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 is rotated and the inner driver coupling and outer housing cylinder 102 are coupled.
Further, the retractable coupling 108 may be configured to automatically switch between the engaged and disengaged states in dependence upon the vector torque which is being applied to the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 by the external driver. In particular, the retractable coupling 108 may be arranged such that when the vector torque being applied to the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 lies within a predefined range, then the drivable slip coupling 74 will enter the engaged state and the rotation of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 will cause rotation of the outer housing cylinder 102 and subsequently cause rotation of the winch drum 72 via the gearbox 70. When the vector torque being applied to the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 lies outside of this predefined range, the drivable slip coupling 74 will enter the disengaged state and the rotation of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 will cause no rotation in the outer housing cylinder 102 and the winch drum 72 will not rotate. The predefined range may be such that the maximum and minimum torque values in the range apply in equal and opposite directions (i.e. the predefined range of torque values is the same regardless of the direction of rotation of the inner driving coupling cylinder). Alternatively, the predefined range may be configured such that the range is different depending upon the direction of the rotation (i.e. a different range of torque values may be used when lifting a load, as opposed to when the load is lowered).
Returning to the embodiment shown in Figures 6A to 6C, there is shown an example of a retractable coupling 108 in accordance with embodiments described above. In this example embodiment, the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 is provided with one or more hollow channels 110 extending radially inwardly from the outer surface of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 to the outer surface diametrically opposite. In these hollow channels 110 are provided one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C and one or more coil springs 114 which apply a returning force on each of the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C in a radial direction away from the axis of rotation of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106. The ball bearings may comprise any substantially spherical objects which are configured to roll along a surface. These are provided within the portion of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 which is located within a hollow channel of the outer housing cylinder 102. There may be a coil spring 114 provided for each of the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C in the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 to provide the required returning force. Alternatively, where a plurality of ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C are provided along the same line of diameter of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106, a single coil spring 114 may be used to provide each of the plurality of ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C with the returning force. This returning force acts so as to push the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C toward the outer housing cylinder 102 to engage each ball bearing 112A, 112B, 112C with an interior surface of the outer housing cylinder 102. In this manner, an engagement between the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 and the outer housing cylinder 102 is established. However, such an arrangement may not form a robust connection since the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C are likely to slip over the contact surface between the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C and the outer housing cylinder 102 making it difficult to maintain a coupling which enables sympathetic movement between the inner and outer cylinders 106, 102.
In order to provide a more robust coupling between the inner and outer cylinders 106, 102 in use, the inner surface of the outer cylinder may be provided with one or more recesses 116A, 116B which are configured to receive the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C as the position of the one or more recesses 116A, 116B and the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C align upon action of the returning force of the coil spring 114. The recesses 116A, 116B may be of such a depth that when the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C are arranged in the received position, a portion of the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C remains within the hollow channel 110 of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106. Further, the one or more recesses 116A, 116B may be configured to be of a diameter smaller than the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C. The reason the one or more recesses 116A, 116B are configured in this manner is to provide the drivable slip coupling 74 with a retractable coupling mechanism.
In a use scenario of the embodiment of Figures 6A and 6B, prior to engagement of an external driver with the driver coupling portion 109 of the inner driver coupling cylinder 106, the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C will be pushed against the inner surface of the outer housing cylinder 102. Depending upon the positioning of the two cylinders, the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C may or may not be located within the one or more provided recesses 116A, 116B. When the external driver is brought into engagement and begins to rotate and thereby cause the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 to rotate, the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C will ultimately be brought into alignment with the one or more recesses 116A, 116B. The act of the returning force of the spring 114 acts as to push each of the respective ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C into the aligned recesses 116A, 116B. Since the recesses 116A, 116B are configured to be of smaller diameter than the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C, this engagement between the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C and the outer housing cylinder 102 is maintained by the action of the returning force of the coil spring 114 on each ball bearing 112A, 112B, 112C. This maintained engagement may be sufficient to cause the outer housing cylinder 102 to rotate synchronously with the rotating inner driver coupling cylinder 106.
However, as a result of the diameter of the recesses 116A, 116B being smaller than the diameter of the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C, as the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 rotates, the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C encounter a slipping force which urges them to slip out of the recesses 116A, 1168 and break the engagement between the inner and outer cylinders 102, 106. The size of this slipping force increases as the torque which is applied to the inner driver coupling cylinder 106. The returning force of the coil spring 114 acts against this slipping force and acts to maintain the positioning of each ball bearing 112A, 112B, 112C within its respective recess 116A, 116B and thus maintain the engagement between the two cylinders. Once the slipping force increases beyond the returning force of the coil spring 114, the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C slip and the engagement between the two cylinders is broken. In this way, the drivable slip coupling 74 of this embodiment prevents rotation of the winch drum 72 when too large of a torque is applied to the inner driver coupling cylinder 106. Once the torque being applied is reduced to a level in which the slipping force is lower than the returning force, when the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C are brought into alignment with the one or more corresponding recesses 116A, 116B, they will be pushed back into their respective recesses 116A, 116B and the engagement between the two cylinders will be restored.
In the embodiment described above, the size of the torque which leads to the one or more ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C slipping from a respective recess 116A, 116B may be adjusted in dependence upon several factors. These factors include the number of ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C which are used, the size of the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C, the size of the recesses 116A, 116B, the number of recesses 116A, 116B and the restoring force which is provided by the coil spring 114. As a result, the arrangement of the embodiment described above may be tuned in order to define a predetermined vector torque range in which engagement between the two cylinders is enabled. Different predetermined vector torque ranges may be calculated in order to predetermine the size of load that may be lifted by the modular shuttle system 10. The speed at which the load is conveyed along the guiding profile 16 may further be determined by the rotation speed of the drill and the gear ratio of the winch gearbox 70. In an example embodiment, the factors above may be configured such that the drivable slip coupling 74 is arranged to convey loads of a mass between 0 — 30kg vertically at speeds of between 0.20 to 0.25 m/s where the external driver does not exceed a speed of 3000rpm. It is to be appreciated that these values are given by way of example only and that the skilled person may make modifications to the above noted factors in order to enable different mass loads to be conveyed at a variety of speeds.
In order to initiate movement in the drivable slip coupling 74, there will also typically be a minimum torque which must be applied in order to oppose the torque which is imparted to the drivable slip coupling 74 as a result of frictional forces, and gravitational forces acting on the load, the load carrier 20, and the sleigh 18. Until this minimum torque is applied, no rotation may occur. Whilst in this initial stationary state, the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C may or may not be positioned in their recesses 116A, 116B.
In the example embodiment shown in Figures 6A to 6C, the inner driver coupling cylinder 106 is provided with two hollow channels 110, one of which is unseen due to the perspective of the diagram. Each channel is provided with one coil spring 114 and two ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C (one ball bearing and one coil spring are unseen due to the perspective of the drawing). Each ball bearing 112A, 112B, 112C is provided with a corresponding recess 116A, 116B on the inner surface of the outer cylinder (providing a total of four recesses 116A, 116B, two of which are unseen due to the perspective of the drawing). The recesses 116A, 116B are positioned such that each recess receives its corresponding ball bearing 112A, 112B, 112C simultaneously (i.e. the engagement between the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C and the inner surface of the outer cylinder occurs is either engaged for all the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C or disengaged for all the ball bearings 112A, 112B, 112C). The two hollow channels 110 in this embodiment are provided at right angles to one another. As a result, the four recesses 116A, 116B on the inner surface of the outer housing cylinder 102 are each displaced from one another by angle of 90 degrees. Each pair of recesses 116A, 116B (corresponding to one of the hollow channels 110) is also displaced from one another by a distance along a longitudinal axis of the drivable slip coupling 74.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiment shown in Figures 6A to 6C as described above illustrates one possible example of a retractable coupling 108 and that any arrangement of a retractable coupling 108 may be used to engage a connection between the inner and outer cylinders 106, 102 for a predefined torque range and to disengage the connection outside of this range. An additional or alternative arrangement may for example comprise an outer housing and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder is held in axial position by means of a circlip for shafts. In radial position the outer housing and inner cylinder can be coupled through retractable balls. In the case the torque exerted on the inner cylinder exceeds the torque that is needed to push the balls inward, the coupling will slip.
Turning now to Figures 7A and 7B, there is shown an isometric view of a locking mechanism 76 of the winch 14 of Figure 5A. The locking mechanism 76 is configured to be coupled to an exterior of the winch 14 of Figure 5A. The locking mechanism 76 is configured to prevent the winch drum 72 from rotating when the locking mechanism 76 is engaged. In the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the locking mechanism 76 is configured to be provided in conjunction with the drivable slip coupling 74 as described above with reference to Figures 6A to 6C. Accordingly, the locking mechanism 76 of Figures 7A and 7B is configured to prevent the outer housing cylinder 102 from rotating. As described above, the outer housing cylinder 102 of Figures 6A to 6C is indirectly coupled to the winch drum 72 and so by preventing rotation of the outer housing cylinder 102, rotation of the winch drum 72 is similarly prevented.
The locking mechanism 76 of Figures 7A and 7B may comprise a housing 130 and a spring-loaded latch mechanism 132 which is coupled to the housing 130.
The housing 130 is configured to be coupled to the winch 14 of Figure SA. Any coupling mechanism may be used which enables the locking mechanism 76 to be securely attached to the winch 14, such as screws, adhesives or bolts. The spring- loaded latch mechanism 132 is arranged with at least an elongate bolt 134 and a spring (unseen). The spring-loaded latch mechanism 132 may have two configurations; engaged and disengaged. When in the engaged configuration, the bolt 134 may be configured to extend through and outward from the housing 130 and to exert a force along the elongate direction. In the unengaged configuration, the spring may be configured to provide a restoring force which opposes the force exerted by the bolt 134 along the elongate direction and prevents the bolt from extending through the housing 130.
The operation of the locking mechanism 76 of Figures 7A and 7B is now described. When the user wishes to prevent rotation of the winch drum 72, the user may move the locking mechanism 76 from the disengaged position to the engaged position. As such, the bolt 134 now extends through and outward from the locking mechanism 76. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 76 is arranged such that in the engaged position, the bolt 134 extends outwardly from the locking mechanism 76 and is brought into contact with the outer housing cylinder 102 of the drivable slip coupling 74. As a result of the contact between the bolt 134 and the outer housing cylinder 102, a force is exerted upon the outer housing cylinder 102 which resists rotation of the outer housing cylinder 102 by providing an opposing force to the torque operating on the outer housing cylinder 102.
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism 76 may be brought into engagement with the outer housing cylinder 102 in order to prevent the winch drum 72 from rotating due to the action of gravitational forces on the load carrier 20 and any loads incumbent upon the load carrier 20. Such action of gravitational forces lowers the load carrier 20 and imparts a torque on the winch drum 72 and subsequently the outer housing cylinder 102. The total amount of torque imparted will be dependent at least upon the mass of any load within the load carrier 20 and the mass of the load carrier 20 itself. In these embodiments, the locking mechanism 76 may be arranged such that the force exerted by the contact between the bolt 134 and the outer housing cylinder 102 is sufficient to oppose the torque generated by the action of gravitational forces on the load carrier 20/loads on the load carrier 20 and thereby prevent the rotation of the winch drum 72 when the locking mechanism 76 is in the engaged position.
In some cases in these embodiments, the force exerted by the contact between the bolt 134 and the outer housing cylinder 102 may be insufficient to prevent rotation of the winch drum 72 as a result of gravitational forces acting on the load carrier 20 and any loads incumbent upon the load carrier 20. Therefore, in further embodiments of the slip coupling 74 of Figures 6A to 6C and the locking mechanism 76 of Figures 7A and 7B, the outer cylinder may be provided with one or more recesses 138A, 138B on an exterior surface of the outer housing cylinder 102 {see Figure 6B). As the outer housing cylinder 102 rotates, the one or more recesses 138A, 138B also rotate. The one or more recesses 138A, 138B are provided such that the bolt 134 of the locking mechanism 76 is configured to be able to enter one of the recesses 138A, 138B in a “locked” position. In such an embodiment, the locking mechanism 76 may be brought into an engaged configuration such that the bolt 134 exerts a force upon the outer housing cylinder
102. At this point, the bolt does not need to be aligned with the recess and therefore does not need to be locked with the outer housing cylinder 102. When gravitational forces cause the winch drum 72 (and consequently the outer housing cylinder 102) to rotate, the recesses 138A, 138B will similarly rotate until one of the one or more recesses 138A, 138B is brought into alignment with the bolt 134 of the locking mechanism 76. Once the two are brought into alignment, the bolt 134 enters the recess 138A, 138B and enters the locked configuration. The bolt 134 is coupled to the housing 130 of the locking mechanism 76 which itself is coupled to the winch 14. As such, the force which opposes the torque of the rotating winch drum 72 as a result of the locked bolt 134 is greater than the contact force imparted when the bolt 134 is brought into contact with the outer housing cylinder 102 and so in the locked mechanism it is possible to resist a greater force resulting from the action of gravity (i.e. due to greater loads being incumbent upon the load carrier 20).
In embodiments where a recess 138A, 138B is provided to the exterior of the outer housing cylinder 102 for this purpose as described above, there will be some rotation of the winch drum 72 as the recess 138A, 138B rotates to move into alignment with the bolt 134. As a result, the sleigh 18, load carrier 20 and any loads incumbent upon the load carrier 20 will descend slightly in this interceding period.
Where one recess 138A, 138B is provided, the outer housing cylinder 102 will rotate a maximum of one full rotation before the bolt 134 engages in the locked position. This translates to a particular distance of descent of the sleigh 18, load carrier 20 and load (in dependence upon the dimensions of the winch 14 and the arrangement of the winch gearbox 70). In order to minimise the maximum descent that the sleigh 18, load carrier 20 and load undergo, the exterior of the outer housing cylinder 102 may be provided with a plurality of recesses 138A, 138B which may be equally spaced around a circumference of the outer housing cylinder
102. The bolt 134 may be configured to enter any one of these recesses 138A, 138B in order to enter the locked state. The more recesses 138A, 138B that are provided, the less distance the sleigh 18, load carrier 20 and load are able to travel before the locked state is reached. In an example embodiment, two recesses 138A, 138B are provided in the exterior surface of the outer housing cylinder 102 diametrically opposite to one another. In this example embodiment, the outer housing cylinder 102 can undergo a maximum of half a rotation before the locked state is reach and any further movement of the sleigh 18, load carrier 20 and load is prevented.
Many modifications may be made to the specific examples described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. Features of one embodiment may also be used in other embodiments, either as an addition to such embodiment or as a replacement thereof.

Claims (26)

ConclusiesConclusions 1. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) geschikt om te bevestigen aan een draagstructuur, en ingericht om een lading hoofdzakelijk verticaal langs de draagstructuur te verplaatsen, waarbij het beweegbaar liersamenstel omvat: een versnellingsbak (70); en een ladingdragend, langwerpig en flexibel bevestigingsdeel dat werkzaam is gekoppeld aan de versnellingsbak (70) en dat is ingericht om bij gebruik de lading te koppelen aan een vrij uiteinde van het langwerpig en flexibel bevestigingsdeel; een aandrijfbare slipkoppeling (74); een vergrendelmechanisme (76) welke is ingericht om bij gebruik werkzaam te koppelen met de aandrijfbare slipkoppeling (74) teneinde te voorkomen dat de aandrijfbare slipkoppeling (74) roteert; en waarbij tijdens gebruik een ingaande aandrijfas (100) van de versnellingsbak (70) is ingericht om: een ingaand koppel te ontvangen van een verwijderbare externe aandrijving via de aandrijfbare slipkoppeling (74); waarbij de aandrijfbare slipkoppeling (74) is ingericht om te worden gekoppeld aan de ingaande aandrijfas (100) van de versnellingsbak (70), en is ingericht om een ingaand koppel te ontvangen van een verwijderbare externe aandrijving en om de aandrijfas (100) te roteren onder invloed van het ingaand koppel, waarbij de aandrijfbare slipkoppeling (74) is ingericht om de ingaande aandrijfas (100) aan te drijven wanneer het ingaande koppel binnen een vooraf vastgesteld gebied ligt, en is ingericht om te slippen wanneer het ingaande koppel buiten het vooraf vastgestelde gebied ligt; om te roteren wanneer het ingaande koppel binnen het vooraf vastgesteld gebied ligt; en om niet te roteren wanneer het ingaande koppel! buiten het vooraf vastgestelde gebied ligt.A powerable winch assembly (14) adapted to be attached to a support structure and arranged to move a load substantially vertically along the support structure, the movable winch assembly comprising: a gearbox (70); and a load-carrying elongate and flexible attachment member operatively coupled to the gear box (70) and adapted, in use, to couple the load to a free end of the elongate and flexible attachment member; a drivable slip clutch (74); a locking mechanism (76) adapted, in use, to operatively engage the drivable slip clutch (74) to prevent the drivable slip clutch (74) from rotating; and wherein, in use, a drive input shaft (100) of the gearbox (70) is configured to: receive input torque from a removable external drive through the drivable slip clutch (74); wherein the drivable slip clutch (74) is arranged to be coupled to the input drive shaft (100) of the gearbox (70), and is arranged to receive input torque from a removable external drive and to rotate the drive shaft (100) under the influence of the input torque, wherein the drivable slip clutch (74) is arranged to drive the input drive shaft (100) when the input torque is within a predetermined range, and is arranged to slip when the input torque is outside the predetermined range established area is located; to rotate when the input torque is within the predetermined range; and not to rotate when the input torque! outside the predetermined area. 2. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens conclusie 1, waarbij de aandrijfbare slipkoppeling (74) omvat:The powerable winch assembly (14) of claim 1, wherein the powerable slip clutch (74) comprises: een eerste langwerpige portie (106) ingericht om werkzaam te koppelen aan en een ingaand koppel te ontvangen van de verwijderbare externe aandrijving; een tweede langwerpige portie (102) welke is gekoppeld aan de ingaande aandrijfas (100); en een intrekbare koppeling (108) welke is uitgevoerd om de aandrijfbare slipkoppeling te verschuiven tussen een aangrijpende staat wanneer het ingaande koppel binnen het vooraf vastgesteld gebied ligt, en een ontkoppelde staat wanneer het ingaande koppel buiten het vooraf vastgesteld gebied ligt, waarbij in de aangrijpende staat de intrekbare koppeling (108) voorkomt dat een relatieve rotatie optreedt tussen de eerste langwerpige portie (106) en de tweede langwerpige portie (102), en in de ontkoppelde staat de intrekbare koppeling een relatieve rotatie toestaat tussen de eerste langwerpige portie (106) en de tweede langwerpige portie (102).a first elongate portion (106) configured to operatively couple to and receive input torque from the removable external drive; a second elongated portion (102) coupled to the input drive shaft (100); and a retractable clutch (108) configured to shift the drivable slip clutch between an engaged state when the input torque is within the predetermined range and a disengaged state when the input torque is outside the predetermined range, wherein in the engaged state the retractable coupling (108) prevents relative rotation from occurring between the first elongate portion (106) and the second elongate portion (102), and in the disengaged state the retractable coupling allows relative rotation between the first elongate portion (106) and the second elongated portion (102). 3. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens conclusie 2, waarbij een sectie van de tweede langwerpige portie (102) hol is, en ten minste een sectie van de eerste langwerpige portie (106) aanwezig is binnen de holle sectie.The power winch assembly (14) of claim 2, wherein a section of the second elongate portion (102) is hollow, and at least a section of the first elongate portion (106) is contained within the hollow section. 4. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens conclusie 3, waarbij de eerste langwerpige portie (106) is voorzien van een of meer holle kanalen (110) die zich radiaal binnenwaarts uitstrekken vanaf een buitenopperviak van de eerste langwerpige portie (106) naar het buitenoppervlak dat diametraal tegenovergelegen is, en waarbij elk van een of meer holle kanalen (110) is voorzien van een of meer kogellagers (112A, 112B, 112C) en ten minste een springveer (114), welke zodanig zijn opgesteld dat elke springveer een tegenkracht uitoefent op ten minste één van de kogellagers (112A, 112B, 112C) in een radiale en buitenwaartse richting ten opzichte van de rotatieas van de ingaande aandrijfas (100).The powerable winch assembly (14) of claim 3, wherein the first elongate portion (106) includes one or more hollow channels (110) extending radially inwardly from an outer surface of the first elongate portion (106) to the outer surface that diametrically opposite, and wherein each of one or more hollow channels (110) is provided with one or more ball bearings (112A, 112B, 112C) and at least one coil spring (114), arranged so that each coil exerts a counterforce on at least one of the ball bearings (112A, 112B, 112C) in a radial and outward direction relative to the axis of rotation of the input drive shaft (100). 5. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens conclusie 4, waarbij de tweede langwerpige portie (102) is voorzien van een of meer verdiepingen (116A, 116B) die zijn uitgevoerd om ten minste één van de kogellagers (112A, 112B, 112C) te ontvangen tijdens gebruik.The power winch assembly (14) of claim 4, wherein the second elongated portion (102) includes one or more recesses (116A, 116B) configured to receive at least one of the ball bearings (112A, 112B, 112C) When using. 6. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens conclusie 5, waarbij de een of meer verdiepingen (116A, 116B) hoofdzakelijk cirkelvormig zijn en een diameter hebben gelijk aan of kleiner dan de diameter van de ten minste ene kogellager (112A, 112B, 112C) waarvoor een of meer verdiepingen (116A, 116B) zijn ingericht om te ontvangen. The power winch assembly (14) of claim 5, wherein the one or more depressions (116A, 116B) are generally circular and have a diameter equal to or less than the diameter of the at least one ball bearing (112A, 112B, 112C) for which one or more floors (116A, 116B) are arranged to receive. 7 Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens een van de conclusies 4-6, waarin twee holle kanalen (110) zijn voorzien.A powerable winch assembly (14) as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein two hollow channels (110) are provided. 8. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens conclusie 7, waarbij de twee holle kanalen (110) zijn opgesteld onder loodrechte hoeken met elkaar, ten opzichte van de rotatieas van de ingaande aandrijfas (100).The power winch assembly (14) of claim 7, wherein the two hollow channels (110) are arranged at right angles to each other relative to the axis of rotation of the input drive shaft (100). 9. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens conclusie 7 en 8, waarbij elk hol kanaal (110) van de twee holle kanalen is voorzien van een springveer (114) en twee kogellagers (112A, 112B, 112C), en waarbij de tegenkracht verschaft door een springveer (114) in een kanaal actief is in radiaal tegenovergestelde richtingen op elk van de twee kogellagers (112A, 112B, 112C) in het kanaal ten opzichte van de rotatieas van de ingaande aandrijfas (100).The power winch assembly (14) of claims 7 and 8, wherein each hollow channel (110) of the two hollow channels includes a coil spring (114) and two ball bearings (112A, 112B, 112C), and wherein the counter force provided by a coil spring (114) in a channel is active in radially opposite directions on each of the two ball bearings (112A, 112B, 112C) in the channel relative to the axis of rotation of the input drive shaft (100). 10. Aandrijffbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens een van de conclusies 2-9, waarbij het vergrendelmechanisme is uitgevoerd om werkzaam te koppelen met de tweede langwerpige portie (102) van de aandrijfbare slipkoppeling (74) teneinde te voorkomen dat de aandrijfbare slipkoppeling (74) roteert.A powerable winch assembly (14) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to operatively engage the second elongated portion (102) of the powerable slip clutch (74) to prevent the power actuable slip clutch (74) from rotates. 11. Aandrijffbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens conclusie 10, waarbij de tweede langwerpige portie (102) is voorzien van een of meer verdiepingen (138A, 138B) die zich radiaal binnenwaarts uitstrekken vanaf een buitenoppervlak van de tweede langwerpige portie (102), waarbij de een of meer verdiepingen (138A, 138B) zijn uitgevoerd om te koppelen aan het vergrendelmechanisme (76).The powerable winch assembly (14) of claim 10, wherein the second elongate portion (102) includes one or more recesses (138A, 138B) extending radially inwardly from an outer surface of the second elongate portion (102), the one or more depressions (138A, 138B) are configured to engage the locking mechanism (76). 12. Aandrijfoaar liersamenstel (14) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het vergrendelmechanisme (76) een geveerde grendel omvat.A power winch assembly (14) according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking mechanism (76) comprises a spring-loaded latch. 13. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies,A powerable winch assembly (14) according to any of the preceding claims, voorts omvattende een connectiemechanisme (78) dat is uitgevoerd om het aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) te koppelen met de draagstructuur.further comprising a connection mechanism (78) adapted to couple the drivable winch assembly (14) to the support structure. 14. Aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het aandrijfbaar liersamenstel is uitgevoerd om aan een steiger te bevestigen.A powerable winch assembly (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the powerable winch assembly is adapted to be attached to a scaffold. 15. Modulair geleidingsprofiel (16) ter bevestiging aan een draagstructuur, welke geschikt is voor toepassing van een lier met een langwerpig flexibel bevestigingsdeel dat is ingericht om een lading hoofdzakelijk verticaal langs de draagstructuur te verplaatsen, waarbij het modulair geleidingsprofiel (16) omvat: een veelheid aansluitbare modulaire sporen (30A, 30B), waarvan elk modulair spoor een connectiemechanisme (34) omvat om een modulair spoor van de veelheid aansluitbare modulaire sporen (30A, 30B) vast te bevestigen aan een of meer naburige modulair sporen van de veelheid aansluitbare modulaire sporen (30A, 30B) teneinde een doorgaande lengte te vormen, waarin ieder van de veelheid aan modulaire sporen (30A, 30B) verder een langwerpige uitkraging omvat aan een voorzijde van de bijhorende modulaire spoor; een bevestigingsmechanisme (36) gekoppeld aan ten minste een van de veelheid modulaire sporen (30A, 30B), welke is uitgevoerd om bij gebruik op gezekerde wijze het modulair geleidingsprofiel (16) te koppelen aan de draagstructuur en waarbij het bevestigingsmechanisme (36) is ingericht om losneembaar en verstelbaar bevestigd te worden aan de langwerpige uitkraging op ieder van een aantal posities langs de langwerpige uitkraging; waarbij tijdens gebruik, de veelheid aansluitbare modulaire sporen (30A, 30B) aan elkaar zijn verbonden om in geassembleerde toestand een doorgaande lengte te vormen, en zijn ingericht om de lading verbonden aan het langwerpig flexibel bevestigingsdeel te geleiden langs de doorgaande lengte van het modulair geleidingsprofiel (16).15. Modular guide profile (16) for attachment to a support structure, which is suitable for use of a winch with an elongate flexible attachment part that is adapted to move a load substantially vertically along the support structure, wherein the modular guide profile (16) comprises: a a plurality of connectable modular tracks (30A, 30B), each modular track including a connecting mechanism (34) for fixedly attaching a modular track of the plurality of connectable modular tracks (30A, 30B) to one or more adjacent modular tracks of the plurality of connectable modular tracks tracks (30A, 30B) to form a continuous length, wherein each of the plurality of modular tracks (30A, 30B) further includes an elongated cantilever at a front of the associated modular track; an attachment mechanism (36) coupled to at least one of the plurality of modular tracks (30A, 30B), configured to securely couple the modular guide profile (16) to the support structure in use, and wherein the attachment mechanism (36) is arranged to be releasably and adjustably attached to the elongated cantilever at any of a plurality of positions along the elongated cantilever; wherein, in use, the plurality of connectable modular tracks (30A, 30B) are connected together to form a continuous length when assembled, and arranged to guide the load connected to the elongate flexible attachment member along the continuous length of the modular guide profile (16). 16. Modular geleidingsprofiel (16) volgens conclusie 15, voorts ingericht om te koppelen aan een slede (18) geschikt om te transporteren langs de doorgaande lengte van het modulair geleidingsprofiel (16), waarbij elk van de veelheid aansluitbare modulaire sporen (30A, 30B) een dwarsdoorsnede omvat die complementair is met de dwarsdoorsnede van de slede (18).The modular guide profile (16) of claim 15, further adapted to couple to a carriage (18) suitable for transport along the continuous length of the modular guide profile (16), each of the plurality of connectable modular tracks (30A, 30B ) has a cross-section that is complementary to the cross-section of the carriage (18). 17. Modulair geleidingsprofiel (16) volgens conclusie 16, waarbij elk van de veelheid aansluitbare modulaire sporen (30A, 30B) een doorsnede in lengterichting omvat die hoofdzakelijk als een T-vorm is uitgevoerd.The modular guide profile (16) of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of connectable modular tracks (30A, 30B) has a longitudinal cross-section substantially formed as a T-shape. 18. Modulair geleidingsprofiel (16) volgens een van de conclusies 15-17, waarbij het bevestigingsmechanisme (36) een of meer ringvormige afneembare klemmen omvat.A modular guide profile (16) according to any one of claims 15-17, wherein the fastening mechanism (36) comprises one or more annular detachable clamps. 19. Modulair geleidingsprofiel (16) volgens een van de conclusies 15-18, voorts omvattende een aanslagmechanisme aan een onderrand van de doorgaande lengte.19. Modular guide profile (16) as claimed in any of the claims 15-18, further comprising a stop mechanism at a bottom edge of the continuous length. 20. Modulair geleidingsprofiel (16) volgens een van de conclusies 15-19, waarbij de veelheid aansluitbare modulaire sporen (30A, 30B) zijn verschaft in een telescopische koppeling zodat het modulair geleidingsprofiel (16) telescopisch kan worden uitgestrekt.The modular guide profile (16) according to any of claims 15-19, wherein the plurality of connectable modular tracks (30A, 30B) are provided in a telescopic joint so that the modular guide profile (16) can be telescopically extended. 21. Modulair vervoersysteem (10) geschikt voor bevestiging aan een draagstructuur en ingericht om een lading hoofdzakelijk verticaal langs de draagstructuur te verplaatsen, waarbij het modulair vervoersysteem (10) omvat: een aandrijfbaar liersamenstel (14) volgens een van de conclusies 1-14; een modulair geleidingsprofiel (16) volgens een van de conclusies 15-20; een slede (18) ingericht om te koppelen aan een vrij uiteinde van het ladingdragende langwerpige flexibele bevestigingsdeel en aan het modulair geleidingsprofiel (16); een ladingdrager (20) ingericht om te koppelen aan de slede (18) en uitgevoerd om de lading die vervoerd moet worden te ontvangen.A modular transportation system (10) adapted for attachment to a support structure and adapted to move a load substantially vertically along the support structure, the modular transportation system (10) comprising: a powerable winch assembly (14) according to any one of claims 1-14; a modular guide profile (16) according to one of claims 15-20; a carriage (18) adapted to couple to a free end of the load-carrying elongate flexible attachment member and to the modular guide profile (16); a load carrier (20) arranged to couple to the carriage (18) and arranged to receive the load to be transported. 22. Modulair vervoersysteem (10) volgens conclusie 21, waarbij de slede (18) is voorzien van een of meer wielen (50).A modular transportation system (10) according to claim 21, wherein the carriage (18) includes one or more wheels (50). 23. Modulair vervoersysteem (10) volgens conclusie 22, waarbij de slede (18) is voorzien van twee paar wielen (50), waarbij elk wiel (50) van een eerste paar wielen tegenover een overeenkomstig wiel (50} van een tweede paar wielen aanwezig is.A modular transportation system (10) according to claim 22, wherein the carriage (18) includes two pairs of wheels (50), each wheel (50) of a first pair of wheels opposing a corresponding wheel (50} of a second pair of wheels. is present. 24. Modulair vervoersysteem (10) volgens een van de conclusies 21-23, waarbij de slede (18) is voorzien van een opening (52) die is ingericht om te koppelen aan het vrije uiteinde van het ladingdragende langwerpige flexibele bevestigingsdeel.A modular transportation system (10) as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the carriage (18) includes an opening (52) adapted to engage the free end of the load-carrying elongated flexible attachment member. 25. Modulair vervoersysteem (10) volgens een van de conclusies 21-24, waarbij de draagstructuur een ladder omvat of een telescopisch uitstrekbare ladder.A modular transport system (10) according to any one of claims 21-24, wherein the support structure comprises a ladder or a telescopically extendable ladder. 26. Modulair vervoersysteem (10) volgens een van de conclusies 21-25, waarbij de slede (18) en de ladingdrager (20) gevormd zijn als een integrale eenheid.A modular transportation system (10) according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the carriage (18) and the load carrier (20) are formed as an integral unit.
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