WO1988004277A1

WO1988004277A1 - A lifting arrangement, a so-called hoist, which can be mounted on a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO1988004277A1
Application number: PCT/SE1987/000578
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sven-Arne Ohlsson
Original assignee: Logos Export Ab
Priority date: 1986-12-04
Filing date: 1987-12-03
Publication date: 1988-06-16
Also published as: SE455787B; DK165401B; DK436088D0; SE8605221L; FI883635A; SE8605221D0; FI883635A0; DK165401C; FI87184C; FI87184B; DK436088A

Abstract

A lifting arrangement intended to be carried by a vehicle and including an arm system (3, 4) having at least two mutually pivoted arm sections (3, 4) and a first end (1''), by means of which the arm system is rotatably and swingably secured and a second end (11), a free end, supporting a carrier (12) for people. The arm system and arm sections (3, 4) are arranged so that a second arm section (4) constituting the arm section which is pivotally connected to the first arm section (3) can be swung in a plane extending essentially parallel with and in preference substantially including an essentially horizontal axis above which the arm system can be swung at the first end (1''), wherein when the arm system is collapsed and in a horizontal position the second arm section (4) can be swung relative to the first arm section (3) in an essentially horizontal plane.

Description

A lifting arrangement, a so-called hoist, which can be mounted on a vehicle.

, The present invention relates to a lifting arrangement, a so-called hoist, which is intended to be carried by a vehi- 5 cle, such as a tractor or a digger, and comprises an arm ^{■ •} system which has at least two mutually pivoted arm sections and which includes a first end by means of- which the arm system is secured to the vehicle, preferably so as to be rotatable about an essentially vertical axis and swingable 10 about an essentially horizontal axis, and which further in¬ cludes a second end which forms a free end of the arm sys¬ tem on which there is mounted a carrier, such as a hoist cage, for accommodating one or more people.

15 Such lifting arrangements are known to the art. A common feature of such lifting arrangements is that they can be brought to a collapsed state, in which the arm sections lie essential ly along and adjacent to one another, and to an extended state in which the arm sections lie essentially ^'in 20 line with one another. In the case of known constructions the arm system is extended in an essentially vertical plane, the respective arm sections of the arm system being pivot¬ ally connected and capable of being swung relative to one another about an essentially horizontal axis. Such ar- 25 rangements require considerable vertical space when extend¬ ing the arm system of such arrangements, which can at times create serious problems. Furthermore, when such known lifting arrangements are fitted to tractors, diggers or like working vehicles, problems are encountered when 30 attempting to collapse the arm system to an inactive state in which the arm system will not impede the digger assembly, etc. and in which load is uniformly distributed.

The present invention provides a lifting arrangement which 35 solves these problems. Through the combination of gripping means there is provided a particularly purposeful arrange¬ ment. The inventive arrangement is also more robust and safer than lifting arrangements that are constructed in accordance with known techniques.

The present invention thus relates to a vehicle mounted lifting arrangement, so-called hoist, intended for such ve¬ hicles as tractors or diggers and comprising an arm system which includes at least two mutually pivoted arm sections, and which arm system has a first end, included on a first of said arm sections, by means of which the arm system is secured to the vehicle, preferably so as to be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis and swingable about a substantially horizontal axis, and a second end which forms a free end of the arm system and which carries a cage for accommodating one or more people, and in which the arm sec¬ tions of said arm system are arranged sequentially, one after the other, and co-act with means for collapsing and extending the arm system, and in which when the arm system •• is collapsed or extended at least one arm section swings essentially in a plane which is common to a multiple of arm sections.

The inventive lifting arrangement is mainly characterized in that the arm system and arm sections thereof are ar¬ ranged so that a second arm section forming the arm section which is pivotally connected to the first arm section can be swung in a plane which is essentially parallel with and which in preference substantially includes the horizontal axis about which the arm system is swung at said first end, wherein with the arm system in a collapsed and horizontal position the second arm section can be swung relative to the first arm section in an essentially horizontal plane.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to an exemplifying embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which

«

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a tractor fitted with < 5 a digging assembly, and illustrates a first embodiment of a lifting arrangement according to the invention, with the lifting arrangement in its collapsed state;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the tractor etc. illustrated in 10 Figure 1, with certain parts being omitted from this illus¬ tration;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates the inventive arrange¬ ment of Figures 1 and 2 in its extended state; 15

Figure 4 is a schematic side view which illustrates the erection of a pillar by means of the inventive arrangement and with the aid of gripping devices ;

20 Figure 5 illustrates a working stage, seen from above in Figure k ;

Figure 6 illustrates schematically a first embodiment of inventive gripping devices seen towards the plane in which 25 gripping is intended to take place; and

Figure 7 illustrates, inter alia, the gripping devices according to Figure 6 seen from beneath in said Figure.

30 In Figure 1 the reference numeral 1 identifies a lifting arrangement according to the invention mounted on a vehicle which in the i l lustrated embodiment comprises as an example a tractor fitted with a digging assembly 1' . The illustrated lifting arrangement includes an arm system 3, 4 having two mutually 5 pivoted arm sections 3, 4, a first arm section 3 and a second arm section 4. The arm system 3, 4 includes a first end 1" which is included in the first arm section 3, and by means of which the arm system 3 , 4 is secured to the vehi¬ cle, preferably so as to be rotatable about an essentially vertical axis. In the case of the illustrated embodiment the arm end 1" is mounted on the upper end 5 of a rotatable shaft 6 which extends in the direction of the vertical ex¬ tension of the vehicle, such that the arm end 1" will be horizontal, the reference numeral 7 identifying devices for attachment of the shaft 6 and for driving said shaft, pre¬ ferably electrical ly. A preferred embodiment is shown, where a foundation 8 is provided and located in a lateral, rearward position on the vehicle. The end 1" of the arm system is pivotally mounted on the _t upper end 5 of the shaft 6 so as to be pivotable about an essentially horizontal axis 9. The illustrated embodiment includes a piston-cylinder arrangement 10 which is active between the shaft 6 and the arm section 3 in a manner to swing or pivot said arm section 3 and therewith the arm^* system.

The arm system also has a second end 11, which forms a free end 11, on which there is mounted a carrier 12, such as a cage 12, for accommodating one or more people. The carrier 12, cage 12, is preferably pivotally suspended so that it will take a pre-determined, essentially vertical position irrespective of the movement of the .arm system. In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the cage 12 is pivot¬ ally suspended at its upper part 12 ' , in a bifurcate attach- ment 13 and can swing about an axis 14 extending trans¬ versely to the axial direction of the attachment 13. The attachment 13 may also be conceivably arranged to pivot about its axial direction 15, i.e. in a direction perpendicu¬ lar to the direction of the axis 14. The arm sections 3, 4 are arranged sequentially one after the other, and devices, such as hydraulic piston-cylinder devices, are arranged to co-act with said arm sections 3, 4 in a manner to enable the arm system to be collapsed, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, for example, and extended, as illustrated in Figure 3, wherein at least one arm sec¬ tion 3 is swung essentially in a plane which is common to a multiple of arm sections 3, 4 during said arm system col¬ lapsing and arm system extending movement. The arm system and the arm sections 3, 4 is/are arranged so that a second arm section 4, constituting the arm section 4 which is pivotally connected to said first arm section 3, can be swung in a plane which is essentially parallel with and which in preference substantially includes the essentially horizontal axis 9 about which the arm system can be swung at said first end 1", wherein with the arm system in its collapsed and horizontal position, Figures 1 and 2, said second arm section 4 can be swung relative to said first arm section in an essentially horizontal plane.

Thus the two arm section 3 , 4 of the illustrated embodiment are arranged in an essentially common plane and are both pivotally connected to a connecting piece 16, the swinging or pivotal movement of the second arm section being effected by means of a piston-cylinder device 17 connected to said arm section and by means of link arms 18 connected to said connecting piece, Figures 2 and 5. The connectirig piece 16 and its connections are symmetrical so as to enable the connecting piece to be removed and turned through 180 about a horizontal axis, wherewith the second arm section 4 changes sides in relation to the first arm section 3. As a result of this change, illustrated in Figure 5, the arm section 4 will thus lie above the arm section 3 instead of beneath the same as in the Figure 5 illustration. fhe arm sections 3, ^**^■ are preferably extendable, Thus, each arm section wi ll include parts 3' , 3"; 4' , 4" which can be extended relative to one another, this extension of respective arm sections being effected by piston-cylinder devices 19 or the like, acting in the di¬ rection of the longitudinal axis of respective arm sections.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate gripping devices 20 which are fitted to the arm system and which are intended to grip an object, such as a pillar, column 21 or the like, as illus¬ trated in Figures 4 and 5, for lifting and maneuvering the pillar by means of the arm system, in order to erect said pillar. As illustrated, e.g., in Figure 3, the gripping devices are mounted in a manner which enables them to de- pend from the underside 1'" of the arm system, this side of the arm system consituting the side which faces the ground 22 when the arm system extends horizontally. The gripping devices 20 are preferably mounted on said first arm section, preferably in the proximity of said connecting piece 16, between the first and the second arm sections. The grip¬ ping devices are also preferably pivotally connected to the arm system, and are preferably capable of being swung auto¬ matically in an essentially vertical plane by means of a piston- cylinder device 23, or the like, as illustrated schemati- cally in Figure 3 and 7.

Each of the gripping devices 20 comprises two pivotally connected jaw parts 20" which can be caused to grip around, e.g., a pillar 21 through the action of a force transmitter 24, such as a hydraulic piston-cylinder device 24. The jaws of respective gripping devices are intended to grip the pillar in planes which form desired angles to the horizontal plane and are essentially perpendicular to the vertical plane, as illustrated schematically in Figures 3 and 4 .

In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the piston-cy¬ linder device 24 is arranged to act on the jaws in the proximity of the pivot connection between the jaws, where¬ with each of two pull rods is pivotally connected with a respective jaw and a common attachment 25 on the piston- cylinder device 24. The attachment 25 is pivotally con¬ nected to an attachment part 26 on the arm system, the pis- ton-cylinder device 23 by means of which the gripping de¬ vices are pivoted being arranged to act between the attach¬ ment 25 and the attachment part 26.

The method of operation of the inventive lifting arrange- ment will be understood in all essentials from the afore¬ going. Thus, the arm system of the inventive lifting arrangement can be extended from a collapsed state even though the space available is relatively restricted. Space can be made available for use of the gripping devices 20, by moving the cage 12 to one side, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

It will also be seen from the aforegoing that the inventive lifting arrangement affords important advantages over the known prior art. For example, the inventive lifting ar¬ rangement affords a highly flexible solution with regard to the working range of such arrangements. The gripping devices can be used to secure the lifting arrangement, by causing said devices to grip around a firmly seated post, pillar or the like.

In the aforegoing , the present invention has been described w i th reference to subs tant i a l l y one exemp l yfy i ng embod i ment thereof . I t wi l l be understood , however , that other embodiments are con- cei vable and that minor modif ications can be made without departing f rom the scope of the invention . For example, the arm system may comprise more than two arm sections, although it is preferred that all arm sec¬ tions can be swung in an essentially common plane when ex¬ tending and collapsing the arm system.

The gripping devices may also have a form different to that illustrated.

Furthermore, the lifting arrangement can be fitted to other types of vehicles, such as trucks or corresponding vehicles. The inventive lifting arrangement may also be made a permanent, immobile structure.

The invention shall not therefore be considered restricted to the aforedescribed embodiments, since modifications can be made within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A lifting arrangement, a so-called hoist, which can be mounted on such vehicles as tractors or diggers and which _τ comprises an arm system which includes at least two mutual¬ ly pivoted arm sections and has a first end, presented by a first of said arm sections, by means of which the arm sys¬ tem is secured to a vehicle, preferably so as to be rotat¬ able about a substantially vertical axis and swingable about a substantially horizontal axis, and a second end which forms a free arm end and which carries a cage for accommodating one or more people,and in which the arm sec¬ tions of said arm system are arranged sequentially, one after the other, and co-act with devices for collapsing and extending the arm system, and in which when the arm system is collapsed or extended at least one arm section swings essentially in a plane which is common to a multiple of arm sections, characterized in that the arm system and arm sec¬ tions (3, 4) are arranged so that a second arm section (4) forming the arm section which is pivotally connected to the first arm section (3) can be swung in a plane which is essentially parallel with and which in preference substantially includes the essential ly horizontal axis (g) about v ich the arm system is swung at said first end (1"), wherein with the arm sys- tern in a collapsed and horizontal position the second arm system (4) can be swung relative to the first arm section (3) in a substantially horizontal plane.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the arm system comprises two arm sections (3, 4), said first and said second arm sections.

_Ϊ 3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first end (1") of the arm system is supported on the upper end (5) of a rotatable shaft (6) which is in- tended to extend in the direction of the vertical extension of said vehicle (2).

4. An arrangement according to claim 1, 2 or 3, character- ized by a carrier (12) in the form of a cage (12) which is pivotally mounted in a manner which enables the carrier to adopt a pre-determined, essentially vertical attitude sub¬ stantially independent of movements of the arm system.

5. An arrangement according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, charac¬ terized in that a connecting piece (16) and its connections, including the connection between said first arm section (3) and said second arm section (4), are symmetrically con¬ structed so as to enable the connecting piece to be turned through 180 about a horizontal axis, such as to enable the second arm section to be located on a selected side of the first arm section.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that each of said arm sections (3, 4) is extendable.

7. An arrangement according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the arm system incorporates gripping devices (20) which are intended to grip around objects, such as a pillar, column (21) or the like, for lifting and maneuvering said objects by means of the arm system.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that said gripping devices (20) are mounted in a manner which enables said devices to depend on the underside d"¹) of the arm system, said underside constituting the side of the arm system which faces the ground (22) when the arm system occupies its horizontally extended position.

9. An arrangement according to claim 7 or 8 , characterized in that said gripping devices are mounted on said first arm section (3), preferably in the vicinity of the pivotal connection (16) between said first arm section and said

^~ second arm section.

10. An arrangement according to claim 7, 8 or 9, charac¬ terized in that said gripping devices (20) are pivotally mounted on the arm system and are capable of being swung, preferably automatically, in an essentially vertical plane.

11. An arrangement according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that each gripping device comprises two jaws (21) which are pivotally connected (24) together (20) and which are intended to grip around, e.g., a pillar (21) under the influence of a force transmitter device.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that the jaws (21' ) are intended to grip in planes which form desired angles to the horizontal plane, and extend essentially perpendicularly to the vertical plane.