WO1990006279A1 - Ensemble grue - Google Patents

Ensemble grue Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1990006279A1
WO1990006279A1 PCT/GB1989/001442 GB8901442W WO9006279A1 WO 1990006279 A1 WO1990006279 A1 WO 1990006279A1 GB 8901442 W GB8901442 W GB 8901442W WO 9006279 A1 WO9006279 A1 WO 9006279A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
assembly according
vehicle
leg portion
leg
cradle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1989/001442
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Bruce Roland Tigwell
Original Assignee
Bruce Roland Tigwell
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB888828259A external-priority patent/GB8828259D0/en
Application filed by Bruce Roland Tigwell filed Critical Bruce Roland Tigwell
Publication of WO1990006279A1 publication Critical patent/WO1990006279A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • B66F7/025—Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains or screws and movable along pillars screw operated
    • 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
    • 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
    • B66F7/04—Lifting frames, e.g. for lifting vehicles; Platform lifts with platforms suspended from ropes, cables, or chains or screws and movable along pillars hydraulically or pneumatically operated

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a crane assembly suitable particularly, but not exclusively, for lifting a vehicle or a vehicle body.
  • a vehicle or vehicle body which may be of monocoque construction or may have a separate chassis
  • a jig for frame or body alignment checks or realignment e.g. following accident damage
  • the jig which normally comprises a heavy steel bed on castors, is then wheeled into position under the raised vehicle or vehicle body.
  • the maximum safe height of axle stands means that the clamps which extend outwardly and upwardly from the sides of the jig bed to grip the vehicle at intervals along the sill area, and measuring posts which extend upwardly from the bed itself, may well have to be mounted on the jig bed after it is in position beneath the vehicle or vehicle body and this is of course inconvenient and time-consuming. Furthermore, lifting each end of the vehicle from its axle stands and carefully lowering it onto the jig is also a time-consuming and difficult operation bearing in mind the need for careful alignment.
  • crane or hoist assemblies are known which are suitable for lifting vehicles but such known assemblies are di fficult to use safely when it is necessary to put a vehicle or a vehicle body on a jig for frame or body alignment checks or realignment. Customarily this is done by lifting the vehicle or vehicle body on the end of a chain or sling and pushing the jig underneath the lifted vehicle or vehicle body. This is not satisfactory as it takes considerable time and effort to locate the jig properly underneath the vehicle and to ensure that the vehicle or vehicle body is correctly deposited thereon particularly as the slung vehicle or vehicle body can swing or twist whilst in the lifted position and must be steadied before it is lowered on to the jig. As such steadying is usually carried out manually this introduces an extra safety hazard to the operator quite apart from increasing the difficulty of accurately locating the vehicle or vehicle body on the jig. Similar hazards 2 -
  • a conventional four post hoist cannot be used because the longitudinal channels for the road wheels would interfere with the jig.
  • a conventional two post hoist can be used but the lifting arms typically foul the jig necessitating the use of axle stands often leaving the vehicle in an unstable and therefore unsafe state.
  • a conventional single post hoist cannot be used as the central post would not allow the jig to be placed below the vehicle.
  • GB Patent Specification 1,125,083 describes a cradle-type lifting apparatus for motor vehicles comprising an overhead gantry supported by four vertical posts, two posts on each side making up a side frame and each post being provided at its lower end with a wheel permitting the lifting apparatus to be moved along the ground.
  • an overhead gantry supported by four vertical posts, two posts on each side making up a side frame and each post being provided at its lower end with a wheel permitting the lifting apparatus to be moved along the ground.
  • the two-post side frames would interfere with a jig placed below the vehicle.
  • Each side frame has its own hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly for raising and lowering cradle frames slidable up and down the side frames and carrying removable members extend beneath the vehicle between the cradle frames.
  • a crane assembly for lifting an object including gantry means having a pair of spaced apart upstanding leg portions which are interconnected at their upper ends by a transverse cross-member portion, and between which an object to be lifted can be located, which leg portions have carrier means at their lower ends which extend forwardly and rearwardly of the respective leg portion to provide stability against forward and backward tipping particularly when the crane assembly is loaded, the carrier means having wheel means for engaging the ground or like support surface and for permitting the loaded crane assembly to be moved, cradle means having two side portions mounted for guided up and down substantially vertical movement one on each leg portion with an object to be lifted being slung between the two side portions on at least two bearer beams locatable beneath the object and removably engagable at their ends on the two side portions to extend therebetween, and means for raising and lowering the cradle means side portions, and thus an object when slung therebetween, up and down the leg portions, with the guided mounting of the cradle means side portions on
  • the object such as a vehicle or vehicle body can be lifted up on the crane assembly and the whole crane assembly wheeled over a jig and the vehicle or vehicle body deposited on the jig.
  • the jig can be fitted with clamps and measuring posts in advance and before access is hindered by the vehicle or vehicle body.
  • the leg portions extend substantially perpendicularly from the cross-member portion and each has a reinforcing structure connecting it to a carrier means.
  • the reinforcing structure permits removal and replacement of the bearer beams therethrough at various cradle heights.
  • the wheel means permit movement of the loaded crane assembly in substantially any direction and at least one of the wheel means is provided with a brake.
  • each leg portion is each reinforced by a substantially equilateral triangular reinforcing structure which provides the carrier means and whose base substantially centrally supports the respective leg portion end and whose apex is connected to the respective leg portion part way along the leg portion length, with the two reinforcing structures extending substantially in parallel to one another, substantially at right angles to the cross-member portion.
  • each carrier means are two castor assemblies located one at each end of the respective reinforcing structure base, each of which castor assemblies is lockable in any one of four, mutually at right angles, directions of running and is provided with its own independently operable wheel brake, and with the arrangement being such as to permit the crane assembly to be wheeled over an object to be lifted, to be movable with a lifted object slung therefrom and to be wheeled away from an object which has been released from the assembly.
  • the assembly includes two secondary bearer beams for releasable engagement at each end on and with the two spaced primary bearer beams to extend therebetween at a suitable spacing apart corresponding to the distance apart of the lifting points of an object to be lifted, so that the object being lifted sits on said secondary bearer beams.
  • blocks with a channel on their lower side and with a resilient pad with an upper frictional surface on their upper side fit over the primary bearer beams.
  • each substantially equilateral triangular reinforcing structure and its apex provide end limits for the up and down vertical movement of the cradle means side portions.
  • the cradle means includes a crossbar portion which interconnects the upper ends of the two side portions and which extend substantially at right angles thereto, said crossbar portion and side portions being dimensioned to fit between the leg portions and under the cross-member portion.
  • Each cradle means side portion may be a framework in the shape of a substantially equilateral triangle with each framework being connected at its apex to respective ends of the crossbar portion and with the two primary bearer beams being removably engagable with a bar forming the base of the respective triangular framework.
  • each cradle means side portion is mounted for said guided up and down vertical movement on the associated leg portion, by means of two loop members projecting laterally from the side portion framework one at or adjacent the apex thereof and the other at or adjacent the base thereof, with the part of the associated leg portion lying between the base and apex of its reinforcing structures extending through the two loop members so that the base and apex of the leg portion reinforcing structure act as stops limiting the extent of vertical movement of the cradle means relative to the leg portions, and with the loop members and leg portion being formed and dimensioned to co-operate to prevent swinging or twisting of the side portions relative to the leg portions.
  • leg portions are in the form of closed box sections having a substantially rectangular cross section and wherein each -
  • loop member has a corresponding substantially rectangular aperture therethrough dimensioned to conform closely to said leg portion cross section.
  • the means for raising and lowering the cradle means side portions includes a motor driven winch and pulley unit mounted on the gantry means cross-member portion intermediate its ends, a pulley system mounted on the cradle means crossbar portion and a cable or chain extending between said winch and pulley unit and said pulley system.
  • the drive motor for the winch is an electric motor having a source of electrical power either mounted on the gantry means or separate therefrom.
  • each leg portion is a box section which is slotted at one side so that the slotted sides of the two leg portions face one another and each leg portion box section houses a screw threaded rod member which extends therein in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof from a bearing block adjacent the base of the leg portion to a bearing block adjacent the cross-member portion.
  • each cradle means side portion is a framework in the shape of a substantially equilateral triangle, with the two primary bearer beams being removably engagable with a bar forming the base of the respective substantially triangular framework.
  • each cradle means side portion is mounted for said guided up and down vertical movement on the associated leg portion, by means of two nut members housed at least partially in the respective leg portion box section and screw threadably engaged on the screw threaded rod member for movement up and down relative to the leg portion on rotation of the rod member in one direction or the other, each said nut member having a nose part projecting through the leg portion slot and said nut members being connected by said nose parts to the side portion to project laterally therefrom one at or adjacent the apex of the framework and the other at or adjacent the base thereof, the two nut members engaging the inner surfaces of the leg portion box section via bearing means to prevent swinging or twisting of the side portions relative to the leg portions.
  • each nut member Preferably the bearing means on each nut member are four thrust bearings located one at or adjacent each corner of the substantially rectangular nut member.
  • the means for raising and lowering the cradle means side portions includes a motor and pulley unit mounted on the gantry means cross-member portion intermediate its ends, and a chain and sprocket system mounted on the cross-member portion so that chain runs extend therealong and around sprockets mounted one on each rod member, the chain runs being carried substantially at the centre of the cross- member portion on sprockets drivingly connected to the motor and pulley unit so that motion imparted thereto by the motor is transmitted via the pulleys, sprockets and chain to the rod members to rotate the latter.
  • the drive motor for the motor and pulley unit is an electric motor.
  • each cradle means side portion comprises a substantially vertical beam with vertically spaced members running in a guide channel on the respective leg portion and a substantially horizontal beam substantially symmetrically secured to the lower end of the substantially vertical beam and arranged to carry bearer beams, the ends of which hook thereover or are releasably connected thereto by any other suitable means.
  • the gantry means carries a hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly and control means therefor, the arrangement being such that extension or retraction of the piston cylinder assembly serves to raise the cradle means side portions in unison by way of a system of cables or chains and pulleys or sprockets.
  • each leg portion there is a movable safety catch carried by each leg portion and engageable with the respective cradle means side portion to hold it at an upper position, that the upper end of each substantially vertical beam has means for carrying a bearer beam and that each substantially horizontal beam has a pair of stops such that a pair of bearer beams placed between the substantially horizontal beams and resting thereon are held at a spacing such that a motor vehicle wheel can be lodged between them.
  • the safety catch may be on the cradle means side portion and engage a stop on the leg portion.
  • the invention also extends to a method of mounting a vehicle or vehicle body on a jig using the crane assembly described and a method of transporting a vehicle or other object using the crane assembly described.
  • the invention provides a method of mounting a vehicle or vehicle body on a jig comprising positioning the crane assembly in a position to straddle the vehicle or vehicle body, placing the bearer beams in position beneath the vehicle or vehicle body such that the vehicle or vehicle body is stably balanced thereon, raising the bearer beams and the vehicle or vehicle body, moving the vehicle or vehicle body over the jig or moving the jig beneath the vehicle or vehicle body, lowering the vehicle or vehicle body onto the jig and removing the bearer beams.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exploded gantry means part of a crane assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cradle means for the crane assembly of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of an assembled crane assembly according to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 shown in operative association with a vehicle in a raised or lowered position,
  • Figure 4 is a perspective, partially broken away, view of part of a crane assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 is a partially sectioned view from above taken on the line A-A of Figure 4, but reversed for convenience,
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cradle means side portion for use in the crane assembly of Figures 4 and 5.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a crane assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 8 is an end view of the crane assembly of Figure 7,
  • Figure 9 is a side view of the crane assembly of Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 is a detail view of a safety catch
  • Figure 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the crane about to lower a motor car onto a jig
  • Figure 12 is a front end view of a crane showing the motor car of Figure 11 lowered onto the jig.
  • a crane assembly of the invention is intended for lifting an object, such as a vehicle or vehicle body, for enabling the vehicle or vehicle body to be placed on an alignment or realignment jig.
  • Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings show a crane assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention including gantry means generally referenced 1 and cradle means generally referenced 2.
  • the gantry means 1 has a pair of spaced apart upstanding leg portions 3 between which an object such as a vehicle 4 to be lifted can be located.
  • the leg portions 3 are made of any convenient material and preferably are hollow steel box sections made, for example, from Grade 43 steel.
  • leg portions 3 have wheel means at their lower ends for engaging the ground or like support surface.
  • the wheel means on each leg portion 3 are two castor assemblies 5 each of which castor assembly is lockable in any one of four, mutually at right angles, directions of running and is provided with its own independently operable wheel brake. The crane assembly can thus be moved in substantially any direction when the castor assemblies are unlocked.
  • the two leg portions 3 are interconnected at their upper ends by a cross-member portion 6 made of any convenient material such as box section Grade 43 steel with reinforcing webs 6a.
  • the leg portions 3 extend substantially perpendicularly from the cross-member portion 6 and as illustrated in Figure 1 the lower ends of each leg portion 3 are each reinforced by a substantially equilateral triangular reinforcing structure 7.
  • the base 7a of each structure 7 provides a carrier means which extends forward and rearwardly of the respective leg portion to provide stability against forward and backward tipping, particularly when the crane is loaded (see Figure 4).
  • the base 7a substantially centrally supports the respective leg portion 3 and the apex 7b is connected to the respective leg portion 3 part way along the leg portion length.
  • the two reinforcing structures 7 extend substantially in parallel to one another substantially at right angles to the cross-member portion 6.
  • the cradle means 2 has two side portions 8 and a crossbar portion 9 which interconnects the upper ends of the two side portions 8 and which extends substantially at right angles thereto.
  • the crossbar portion 9 and side portions 8 are dimensioned to fit between the leg portions 3 and under the cross-member portion 6.
  • each side portion 8 and crossbar portion 9 can be made of any suitable material such as steel preferably made up of box sections of Grade 43 steel.
  • each side portion 8 is a framework in the shape of a substantially equilateral triangle with each framework being connected at its apex 8a to respective ends of the crossbar portions 9.
  • the two side portions 8 are mounted for guided up and down substantially vertical movement one on each leg portion 3. In this embodiment this is done by means of two loop members 10 which project laterally from the side portion framework one at or adjacent the apex 8a thereof and the other at or adjacent the base 8b thereof and which encircle each leg portion 3.
  • the part of the associated leg portion 3 lying between the base 7a and apex 7b of its reinforcing structure 7 extends through the associated loop member 10 so that the base 7a and apex 7b of the leg portion reinforcing structure 7 act as stops limiting the extent of vertical movement of the cradle means 2 relative to the leg portions 3.
  • the loop members 10 and leg portion 3 are dimensioned and formed to co-operate to prevent swinging or twisting of the side portions 8 relative to the leg portions 3.
  • the leg portions 3 are in the form of closed box sections having a substantially rectangular cross section and each loop member 10 has a corresponding substantially rectangular aperture 10a therethrough dimensioned to conform closely to the leg portion cross section.
  • At least two primary bearer beams 11 are provided. These two primary bearer beams 11 are preferably box sections made of Grade 50 steel, conveniently having a safe working load of two tons each.
  • the primary bearer beams 11 are locatable beneath the object and removably engagable at- their ends on the bases 8b of the two side portions 8 to extend therebetween.
  • the primary bearer beams 11 thus extend in " spaced apart fashion substantially parallel to one another underneath a vehicle or other object to be lifted and can be inserted thereunder with the cradle means 2 resting on the ground over an object to be lifted.
  • each primary bearer beam 11 is provided at its ends with clip or hook portions 11a shaped to conform to and co-operate with the base 8b of each side portion 8 in an easily releasable manner.
  • two secondary bearer beams 12 are provided for releasable engagement at each end on" and with the two spaced apart primary bearer beams 11 to extend therebetween at a suitable spacing apart corresponding to the distance apart of the lifting points of an object such as a vehicle to be lifted.
  • the secondary bearer beams 12 act as sill supports on which the sills of the vehicle sit and to this end the secondary bearer beams 12 may be provided with end pads 12a made of any convenient high friction protective material for engagement with the vehicle sills in a non-slip and non- damaging manner. Additionally the secondary bearer beams 12 may be provided at their ends with safety lips 12b for hooking over the primary bearer beams 11. The length of the secondary bearer beams 12 and thus the spacing of the bearer beams 11 is sufficient to stably mount the vehicle or vehicle body while at the same time not interfering with clamps on a jig onto which the vehicle or vehicle body is lowered, the clamps normally being outside the beams.
  • the beams 12 may be replaced by blocks 37 as described below in connection with Figure 7.
  • the crane assembly of the invention also includes means for raising and lowering the cradle means side portions 8, and thus an object when slung therebetween, up and down the leg portions 3 with the guided mounting of the cradle means side portions 8 by means of the loop members 10 on the two leg portions 3 being such as substantially to prevent swinging or twisting of the side portions 8 and hence of an object when slung therebetween, relative to the leg portions 3.
  • the means for raising and lowering the cradle means side portions 8 includes a motor driven winch and pulley unit 13 having a motor 13a, a pair of winches 13b driven through reduction gearing (not shown) and pulley 13c.
  • the unit 13 is mounted on the gantry means cross-member portion 6 intermediate the ends of the portions 6.
  • the cradle means cross bar portion 9 has a pair of pulleys 14 mounted thereon and a cable or chain 15 extends between the winches 13b leaving one winch 13b, passing downwards around one pulley 14 and upwards over pulley 13c, then downwards again around the other pulley 14 and back to the other winch 13b, the pulley 13c serving to balance the proportion of the load carried by the two winches 13b.
  • the arrangement can be more easily seen from Figure 3.
  • the crossbar portion 9 of the cradle means 2 is made conveniently of two spaced apart U-section channels as illustrated in Figure 2, with the pulley system 14 mounted therebetween.
  • the drive motor 13a for the winch or winches 13b preferably is an electric motor having a source of electrical power either mounted on the gantry means such as by means of the illustrated battery 16 or separately therefrom e.g. a mains supply.
  • the battery 16 may be provided with a cover 17 and an optional battery charger 18.
  • the winch and pulley unit 13 may be fitted with a safety overload device to cut out in the event that the assembly is asked to lift a load greater than its planned capacity, which preferably is a safe working load of two tons. If desired the winch and pulley unit 13 may be controlled by remote radio control module or a conventional wandering lead. Alternatively a pneumatic power supply can be used.
  • the crane assembly of the invention allows a vehicle to be lifted and the whole assembly and vehicle moved by means of the castor assemblies 5 over a body jig without any twisting or tilting or swinging of the vehicle 4 during such movement.
  • the assembly can be used for loading and unloading vehicles from body jigs of all types, for lifting vehicles for inspection and work after first placing axle stands 14
  • the assembly affords complete mobility and easy storage which may be over a vehicle and the assembly can be built with any convenient lifting height such as, for example, a lifting height of 1 metre.
  • the crane assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6 is basically similar to that of the first embodiment and like parts have been given like reference numerals and will not be described again in detail.
  • the basic difference is that in the assembly in the second embodiment there is no crossbar portion on the cradle means side portions 8.
  • the leg portions 3 are each in the form of a box section which is slotted with a slot 19 at one side so that the slotted sides of the two leg portions 3 face one another as shown in Figure 4.
  • Each leg portion box section houses a screw threaded rod member 20, of which only one has been shown for convenience, in Figure 4, which extends therein in the direction of the longitudinal axis thereof from a bearing block or assembly 21 adjacent the base of the leg portion 3 and a bearing block or assembly 22 adjacent the cross-member portion 6.
  • Each cradle means side portion 8 is still a framework in the shape of a substantially equilateral triangle with the two primary bearer beams 11 being removably engagable with the bar 8b forming the base of the respective substantially triangular framework.
  • each cradle means side portion 8 is mounted for the guided up and down vertical movement on the associated leg portion 3 by means of two nut members 23 housed at least partially in the respective leg portion box section and screw threadably engaged on the screw threaded rod member 20 for movement up and down relative to the leg portion on rotation of the rod member in one direction or the other.
  • Each nut member 23 has a nose part 24 projecting through the leg portion slot 19.
  • the nut members 23 are connected by their nose parts 24 to the side portion 8 to project laterally therefrom one at or adjacent the apex 8a of the framework and the other at or adjacent the base 8b thereof depending on how high above the ground the side portion is to be when in its lowermost position.
  • the nut members 23 preferably are substantially rectangular in cross section so as to engage relatively closely the inside walls of the rectangular box section leg portion 3 and thereby prevent swinging or twisting of the side portions 8 relative to the leg portions 3. Additionally the nut members 23 engage the inner surfaces of the leg portion box section via bearing means such as thrust bearings 25 rotatably mounted at each corner of the nut members 23.
  • the thrust bearings 25 are conveniently rotatable wheels made of nylon for running on the inside surfaces of the leg portion box section.
  • the means for raising and lowering the cradle means side portions 8 includes a motor and pulley unit 26 mounted on the gantry means cross-member portion 6 intermediate its ends and a chain and sprocket system including two chain runs 27 and four sprockets 28.
  • the chain and sprocket system is mounted on the cross-member portion 6 also so that the chain runs 27 extend therealong and around respective sprockets 28 which are mounted one on each rod member and fixedly connected to the rod member to rotate therewith.
  • the chain runs 27 engage at their other ends around two sprockets 28 located substantially at the centre of the cross-member portion 6 in driven connection with the motor and pulley unit 26, preferably via a belt 29 and pulley 30, so that motion imparted by the motor to the chains 27 is transmitted thereby to the rod members 20 to rotate the latter.
  • the drive motor for the motor and pulley unit 26 is an electric motor as in the first embodiment.
  • Anti-scuff or safety covers may be fitted to the side portions 8 of the cradle means 2 in both embodiments of the invention.
  • a cover is shown diagrammatically at 31 in Figure 5.
  • the covers 31 may also function as safety curtains.
  • the motor or the motor and pulley unit 26 may also be provided with a safety overload cut out.
  • FIG. 7 to 10 The embodiment of Figures 7 to 10 is similar in most respects to the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6 but lifting is effected by a single piston- cylinder unit mounted in the cross-member portion of the gantry and connected to the cradle means side portions by cables.
  • the shape of the cradle means side portions has been changed to improve both appearance and accessibility.
  • a gantry means 1 comprises a cross-member portion 6 comprising an upper beam 6a and a lower beam 6b between which is mounted a drive unit 35 to be described in more detail below, and two leg portions or posts 3.
  • Each leg portion 3 is a single hollow box section beam which facilitates access to the jig and two mutually facing L-section members are welded to the inwardly facing side of each beam to provide a vertical T-sectio ⁇ cavity with access through a vertical slot 19.
  • the lower end of each leg portion 3 is bolted to the centre of a carrier beam 7a which extends forwardly and rearwardly of the leg portion 3 to provide stability when the crane assembly is loaded with a vehicle and moved in the loaded condition.
  • a pair of inclined reinforcing beams 7 extend between the respective ends of the carrier beams 7a to points on opposite sides of the leg portions 3 about halfway along their length.
  • the beams 7 are bolted in sockets welded to the carrier beam 7a and the leg portion respectively.
  • At each end of each carrier beam 7a there is a castor assembly 5 of conventional type in which a bracket holding a wheel is freely rotatable about a vertical axis, the horizontal wheel axis being displaced from the vertical axis to obtain a trailing effect as the castor assembly is pushed along.
  • Each castor assembly may be provided with a brake and means for locking it in a selected orientation in a conventional manner.
  • the cradle side portions 8 each comprise a vertical beam 8a welded to a horizontal base means 8b and to a shorter horizontal upper beam 8c, and inclined struts 8d are welded in position between a point inwardly of the end of the base beam 8b and point about one third of the way up the vertical beam 8a.
  • the horizontal beams 8b and 8c each have flanges 8e at their ends to locate transverse bearer beams 11 which, as previously described, have hook portions 11a at their ends which fit over the base beam 8b.
  • the beams 11 can also be hooked onto the beams 8c (with a closer spacing) so that a block can be bolted to the two beams 11 midway along their length, the block being provided with a chain or the like to lift engines out of vehicles for example. It is also envisaged that a similar arrangement is used for lifting and transporting builders' skips.
  • the arrangement thus has considerable versatility.
  • the secondary bearer beams are replaced by blocks 37 having channels 38 on their lower sides which fit over the bearer beams 11 and are positioned to engage appropriate parts of the underside of the vehicle, the blocks 37 having the pads 12a of frictional material on their upper surface.
  • the blocks 37 are even less likely to interfere with the jig than the secondary bearer beams 12 of the first and second embodiments.
  • Each vertical beam 8a has two bearing members 23 of a T-shape similar to that shown in Figure 6 (but without the central hole) which extend through the slots 19 into the cavity provided by the L-sectio ⁇ members welded to the leg portion 3 and substantially correspond with its internal shape, with greasing providing an adequately free slide bearing.
  • the top bearing member 23 is at the top of the beam 8a but the bottom bearing member is above the bottom of the beam 8a to permit the beam 8a to reach the ground without the bearing member 23 abutting the carrier beam 7a.
  • the points of attachment of the struts 8d to the base beam 8a are such that if the bearer beams 11 are placed inside these points of attachment, the bearer beams 11 have a spacing suitable for locating and holding a vehicle wheel. With this arrangement, the front or rear end of a vehicle can be lifted in the manner of a 'spectacle' lift to facilitate inspection and/or repair.
  • the drive unit 35 comprises an electric (or pneumatic) motor 40 which drives a hydraulic pump 42 in a conventional manner.
  • the hydraulic pump 42 is connected through a conventional valve to a horizontal piston- cylinder assembly 44, the piston rod 46 of which drives a vertical plate. 48 along rails 50 secured to the mutual facing sides of beams 6a, 6b, the plate 48 having notched bearing surfaces which fit over the rails.
  • first pair of wire cables 52 which extend along respective sides of the beam 6b over pulleys 54 and downwardly to one cradle side portion 8.
  • second pair of cables 62 which extend along the respective sides of beam 6a in the same direction as cables 52 but are reversed around pulleys 64 on beams 6a and pass around pulleys 66 before descending to the other cradle side portion 8.
  • guards 67 are placed over the pulleys to prevent the cables coming off if they become slack for any reason.
  • This arrangement provides a simple, efficient and inexpensive means of raising and lowering the cradle which employs a single piston-cylinder assembly 44 mounted where it does not obscure access and where it is not prone to damage in a crowded workshop.
  • the motor 40 is only switched on for the raising operation, the lowering operation being effected by bleeding hydraulic fluid in the piston-cylinder assembly back to the fluid reservoir (not shown).
  • the bleeding can be effected at two or more speeds by control valves so that the vehicle can be lowered more slowly as it approaches the ground or the jig.
  • a catch 70 is provided on each leg portion 3 and is shown in detail in Figure 10.
  • This comprises a plate 72 of suitable end profile for engaging the underside of struts 8d (or of base 8b) and pivotably mounted about a horizontal axis 74 on the leg portion for movement between an operative position below the particular part of the side portion 8 and an inoperative position which is clear of the side portion 8.
  • Lugs 85 welded to the leg portion provide stops for limiting the movement of the plate 72, the plate 72 being held against the lugs 85 in both the operative position and the inoperative position by the force of gravity.
  • the plate 72 shown is conveniently connected via a rotary shaft on axis 74 to a similar plate on the other side of the same leg portion 3 to provide additional security.
  • each carrier beam 7a is normally at least about 180 cm long but this length does not interfere with the operation of the crane assembly.
  • the length of the beams 8b is preferably about 106 cm, with the bearer beams 11 being about 210 cm long.
  • Another advantage of the crane assembly is that once the vehicle is clamped to the jig, the vehicle and the jig can be lifted together and moved to another part of the workshop, the beams 11 passing beneath the jig.
  • the jig 90 is shown diagrammatically as it is of conventional form. It comprises a heavy rectangular bed 92 mounted on four castors 94 adjacent the four corners. Two screw clamps 96 (omitted from Figure 12 for simplicity) are mounted on respective spaced brackets 98 which extend upwardly and outwardly from each side of the bed 92. These clamps 96 each have a pair of clamp plates 102 which can be moved along the brackets 98 so as to form a movable vice for clamping the sill of the car 4. Measuring posts 104 are also provided on the bed 92 but can be pivoted from their operative vertical position into a horizontal storage position.
  • the car 4 which is carried by the beams 11 is lowered onto the jig 90, the crane assembly and the jig 90 being moved relative to each other to achieve the required alignment.
  • the single post 3 and the triangular reinforcing arrangement 7 provide good accessibility to the car 4 and the clamps 96 and permit easy removal of the beams 11 and blocks 37 when the car 4 rests on the clamps 96, and the beams 11 do not interfere with the clamps 11 during the lowering operation.
  • the car 4 can be lifted from the jig after repair by sliding beams 11 and blocks 37 in position beneath it.
  • An alternative conventional jig (not illustrated) with which the crane may be used has tailormade brackets that bolt onto the jig and onto various locations on the vehicle such as suspension points, engine mounts etc.
  • lorry bodies e.g. from a container body to a flat-top body and loading and unloading boats from lorries or trailers using slings and moving them around shipyards or other boat-storage and boat-maintenance areas.
  • the wheels could be fully controllable as to direction by an operator and could be driven e.g. by a hydraulic or electric motor.
  • the crane assembly can be totally battery powered to make it independent of electric or pneumatic connections to mains systems. Certain terrains will necessitate pneumatic tyres on the wheels.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Jib Cranes (AREA)

Abstract

L'ensemble grue décrit, qui sert à soulever un objet tel qu'un véhicule (4) et qui est mobile conjointement avec l'objet levé, comprend un pont portique (1) composé d'une paire de montants (3) entre lesquels peut être placé un objet (4) à lever. Les montants (3) comportent à leurs extrémités inférieures des roues (5) permettant le déplacement de l'ensemble grue mobile sur une surface de support, telle que le sol. Des extrémités supérieures des montants (3) sont reliées entre elles par une traverse (6). Est également prévu un berceau (2) comportant deux parties latérales (8) montées une sur chaque montant (3) pour guider vers le haut et vers le bas le mouvement sensiblement vertical du berceau, un objet (4) à lever étant élingué entre les deux parties latérales (8) sur au moins deux poutres porteuses primaires (11) pouvant être disposées sous l'objet (4) et pouvant se placer en prise amovible, à leurs extrémités, sur les deux parties latérales (8), de façon à s'étendre entre elles. L'ensemble grue est pourvu d'un organe servant à lever et à abaisser les parties latérales (8) du berceau.
PCT/GB1989/001442 1988-12-02 1989-12-01 Ensemble grue WO1990006279A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB888828259A GB8828259D0 (en) 1988-12-02 1988-12-02 Crane assembly
GB8828259.5 1988-12-02
GB8916887.6 1989-07-24
GB898916887A GB8916887D0 (en) 1988-12-02 1989-07-24 A crane assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1990006279A1 true WO1990006279A1 (fr) 1990-06-14

Family

ID=26294698

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1989/001442 WO1990006279A1 (fr) 1988-12-02 1989-12-01 Ensemble grue

Country Status (4)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4658889A (fr)
CA (1) CA2004415A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2226006B (fr)
WO (1) WO1990006279A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0473239A2 (fr) * 1990-08-29 1992-03-04 Stertil B.V. Dispositif de levage de véhicule
EP0475901A1 (fr) * 1990-09-07 1992-03-18 Mesh Ag Elévateur à colonne
WO1992008667A1 (fr) * 1990-11-16 1992-05-29 Lpd Inc Systeme de parking a ascenseur entraine par le vehicule
EP1026119A1 (fr) * 1999-02-06 2000-08-09 Gate Gourmet International Ag Dispositif de levage de charges, en particulier pour des conteneurs
US20110278516A1 (en) * 2010-05-14 2011-11-17 Brad Christian Vehicle lift
EP3192767A1 (fr) * 2016-01-18 2017-07-19 Entreprise Bouvier Systeme de portage

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5362196A (en) * 1991-12-04 1994-11-08 Trli, Inc. Lift forks
GB2268467A (en) * 1992-07-07 1994-01-12 Frederick George Wilson Lift.
DE29912705U1 (de) * 1999-07-16 2000-01-05 Henschel Uwe Achsmeßarbeitsplatz
CN102295247A (zh) * 2010-06-25 2011-12-28 丽王化工(南通)有限公司 一种升降架吊车
DE102017114576A1 (de) * 2017-06-29 2019-01-03 Eisenmann Se Hebeeinrichtung und Verfahren zum Bewegen eines Hubschlittens

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR731005A (fr) * 1932-02-04 1932-08-27 Chevalet de levage
CH171465A (de) * 1933-05-29 1934-08-31 Auto Revision A G Autoheber.
US2593635A (en) * 1946-07-24 1952-04-22 Globe Hoist Co Method and mechanism for raising vehicles
US2904200A (en) * 1958-08-29 1959-09-15 Rota Parking Inc Shuttle-lift device for use in parking automobiles
US3120316A (en) * 1958-09-25 1964-02-04 Trianco Ltd Loading aids
FR1514801A (fr) * 1966-03-18 1968-02-23 Vessel & Weikmans Nv Appareil de levage, plus particulièrement pour automobiles
GB1125083A (en) * 1966-07-06 1968-08-28 Jack Gordon Ibberson Lifting apparatus
FR2419901A1 (fr) * 1978-03-15 1979-10-12 Alfio Maccarone Perfectionnements aux elevateurs mobiles
JPS57130843A (en) * 1981-02-03 1982-08-13 Murakami Shokai:Kk Elevator device for vehicle inspection and maintenance
DE3244318A1 (de) * 1982-02-09 1983-08-25 Franz 8060 Dachau Reiprich Hebeeinrichtung fuer ein kraftfahrzeug oder dergl.

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR731005A (fr) * 1932-02-04 1932-08-27 Chevalet de levage
CH171465A (de) * 1933-05-29 1934-08-31 Auto Revision A G Autoheber.
US2593635A (en) * 1946-07-24 1952-04-22 Globe Hoist Co Method and mechanism for raising vehicles
US2904200A (en) * 1958-08-29 1959-09-15 Rota Parking Inc Shuttle-lift device for use in parking automobiles
US3120316A (en) * 1958-09-25 1964-02-04 Trianco Ltd Loading aids
FR1514801A (fr) * 1966-03-18 1968-02-23 Vessel & Weikmans Nv Appareil de levage, plus particulièrement pour automobiles
GB1125083A (en) * 1966-07-06 1968-08-28 Jack Gordon Ibberson Lifting apparatus
FR2419901A1 (fr) * 1978-03-15 1979-10-12 Alfio Maccarone Perfectionnements aux elevateurs mobiles
JPS57130843A (en) * 1981-02-03 1982-08-13 Murakami Shokai:Kk Elevator device for vehicle inspection and maintenance
DE3244318A1 (de) * 1982-02-09 1983-08-25 Franz 8060 Dachau Reiprich Hebeeinrichtung fuer ein kraftfahrzeug oder dergl.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN, Vol. 6, No. 228 (M-171) (1106), 13 November 1982; & JP-A-57130843 (Murakami Shiyoukai K.K.) 13 August 1982 *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0473239A2 (fr) * 1990-08-29 1992-03-04 Stertil B.V. Dispositif de levage de véhicule
EP0473239A3 (en) * 1990-08-29 1992-03-25 Stertil B.V. Vehicle lifting device
EP0475901A1 (fr) * 1990-09-07 1992-03-18 Mesh Ag Elévateur à colonne
WO1992008667A1 (fr) * 1990-11-16 1992-05-29 Lpd Inc Systeme de parking a ascenseur entraine par le vehicule
EP1026119A1 (fr) * 1999-02-06 2000-08-09 Gate Gourmet International Ag Dispositif de levage de charges, en particulier pour des conteneurs
WO2000046141A1 (fr) * 1999-02-06 2000-08-10 Gate Gourmet International Ag Dispositif de levage
US20110278516A1 (en) * 2010-05-14 2011-11-17 Brad Christian Vehicle lift
EP3192767A1 (fr) * 2016-01-18 2017-07-19 Entreprise Bouvier Systeme de portage
FR3046787A1 (fr) * 2016-01-18 2017-07-21 Entreprise Bouvier Systeme de portage

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8927265D0 (en) 1990-01-31
AU4658889A (en) 1990-06-26
CA2004415A1 (fr) 1990-06-02
GB2226006A (en) 1990-06-20
GB2226006B (en) 1992-04-29

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