WO2005123564A1

WO2005123564A1 - An attachment for a mobile material handler

Info

Publication number: WO2005123564A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/000859
Authority: WO
Inventors: Konstantino Papahristos
Original assignee: Australian Skyreach Equipment Pty Limited
Priority date: 2004-06-16
Filing date: 2005-06-15
Publication date: 2005-12-29

Abstract

This invention comprises an attachment (1) for a mobile material handler (2). The attachment comprises a first rotator (5) mounted to a working mount of the mobile material handler and rotatable about a first axis (7). A second rotator (6) is mounted to the first rotator and rotatable about a second axis (8) that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A securing mechanism (3) is mounted to the second rotator, the securing mechanism being remotely operable to hold and release an elongate object (4), and wherein the first and second rotators are each remotely operable to position the elongate object to a desired orientation.

Description

AN ATTACHMENT FOR A MOBILE MATERIAL HANDLER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to attachments for material handlers, and in particular attachments for telescopic boom lifters for moving elongate objects such as pipes, conduits, or construction beams to any orientation.

BACKGROUND

It is well known in the art to use material handlers such as telescopic or knuckle boom lifters in order to move large objects. A variety of attachments are available to be affixed to the extended end of the lifting booms, each attachment being suited to a particular task. With respect to elongate objects, such as sections of piping, the majority of these attachments are hanging grapples or bail clamps, with varying numbers of tines that suspend the grasped object below the lifting boom. Although these attachments are effective, their hanging limits the maximum height that the load can be lifted due to the extra height of the attachment, associated linkage and boom. Alternatively, some attachments consist of a forklift with a set of top clamps that secure the object against the base forks. In this arrangement there is still some distance above the object that must remain clear. Neither of these attachments would be able to directly place a pipe or conduit against a ceiling for mounting, such as in a tunnel.

Material handlers are typically vehicles having a lift boom, such as depicted in Fig 4 of US 5,199,861 (Merlo). The boom angle can be raised and lowered and the boom is often mounted on a rotating base, such that the boom can also be rotated laterally. Finally, the extended end of the boom typically has a driveable pivot point where the attachments are affixed, such that the forks, for example, may be angled up or down. Some attachments are platforms or buckets to support an elevated tradesperson, for example while repairing a suspended telephone line. A primary purpose for the driveable pivot point on the end of the boom is keeping such a working platform horizontal at the different extension lengths and angles of the boom. Of the large objects handled, elongate objects are particularly problematic to manoeuvre due to their length. Further, elongate objects are rarely stored in an orientation that is similar to the needed installation orientation. In dealing with the problems of elongate objects, the prior art has introduced additional axes of rotation in their machines. For example, WO/9322535 (Sorokan) teaches a tubular handling system that, through a bicep arm with several pivot joints, moves a pipe in a single plane from a horizontal storage space to a vertical application position. US 6386295 (Suver) teaches a coupler assembly to be suspended from a forward section of a lifting boom. The coupler assembly has a freely rotating pair of clamp jaws. The clamp jaws are meant to grip and lift one end of an elongate object lying horizontally. As the boom lifts, the rotating feature of the clamp jaws allows the elongate object to be raised into a vertical position. US 4431342 (Torresen et al) is directed to a dual axis pivoting mount for use in laying submarine pipe. The two axes allow the mount to accommodate varying angles while pipe sections pass through it.

To overcome some of the d fficulties encountered when attempting to mount elongate objects to ceilings, US 4236861 (Grove) discloses a scissor type lifter to push a pipe upward from below. However, this disclosure requires two separate lifting arms and is limited to applications involving only horizontal pipe orientations. The device further requires a clear path directly below the installation point in order to accommodate the vehicle.

For the application of lifting and positioning elongate objects, the prior art does not provide an adequate attachment to a material handler that can manoeuvre elongate objects from any starting orientation, move it through any orientation to avoid obstacles in confined spaces, and then able to hold the elongate object from the bottom, top, side, or any angle in order to place the object up against ceilings, archways, embankments, shafts, tunnels and the like.

The present invention seeks to provide an attachment for a material handler that will overcome at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention consists in an attachment for a mobile material handler, said, attachment comprising a first rotator mounted to a working mount of said mobile material handler and rotatable about a first axis, a second rotator mounted to said first rotator and rotatable about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to said first axis, a securing mechanism mounted to said second rotator, said securing mechanism being remotely operable to hold and release an elongate object, and wherein said first and second rotators are each remotely operable to position said elongate object to a desired orientation.

Preferably, said securing mechanism comprises hydraulically operated clamps.

Preferably, said hydraulically operated clamps are adjustable depending on the nominal cross- sectional width of said elongate object.

Preferably, in a ftrrther embodiment said securing mechanism comprises fixtures adapted to engage cooperating lift mounts on said elongate object.

Preferably, said second rotator is offset a predetermined distance from said first axis.

Preferably, said working mount is driveably pivotally affixed to a first end of an elongate positioner of said mobile material handler, wherein said working mount may be remotely inclined or declined relative to said elongate positioner.

Preferably, the second end of said elongate positioner is mounted on a base platform.

Preferably, the second end of said elongate positioner is driveably pivotally mounted to said base platform, such that said elongate positioner may be remotely inclined or declined relative to said base platform. Preferably, in a further embodiment said base platform is driveably rotatable, such that said elongate positioner may be swung laterally in an arc.

Preferably, said elongate positioner is a telescopic boom having a plurality of elongate members, said elongate members being substantially coaxial and remotely operable to be extended or retracted telescopically to adjust the corresponding length of said telescopic boom.

Preferably, in a further embodiment said elongate positioner is an articulated arm having a plurality of elongate segments pivotally hinged.

Preferably, said base platform has a control console.

Preferably, said mobile material handler is a forklift truck.

Preferably, said first rotator is removably mounted to said working mount.

In a second aspect the present invention consists in a material handler comprising a forklift truck with an operator cockpit and a control console; a telescopic boom having a plurality of elongate members, said elongate members being substantially coaxial and remotely operable to be extended or retracted telescopically to adjust the corresponding length of said telescopic boom, said telescopic boom extending between a first end and a second end, said first end being remotely operable at said control console to incline or decline a working mount relative to said telescopic boom, said second end being driveably pivotally mounted to said forklift truck and remotely operable at said control console to incline and decline said telescopic boom relative to said forklift truck; an attachment comprising a first rotator mounted to a working mount of said telescopic boom and rotatable about a first axis, a second rotator mounted to said first rotator and rotatable about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to said first axis, a securing mechanism mounted to said second rotator, said securing mechanism being remotely operable to hold and release an elongate object, and wherein said first and second rotators are each remotely operable to position said elongate object to any desired orientation.

Preferably, said securing mechanism comprises hydraulically operated clamps.

Preferably, in a further embodiment said securing mechanism comprises fixtures adapted to engage cooperating lift mounts on said elongate obj ect.

Preferably, in a further embodiment said second end of said telescopic boom is mounted to a driveably rotatable base, such that said telescopic boom may be swung laterally in an arc.

Preferably, said first rotator is removably mounted to said working mount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG 1 is a schematic side view of an attachment for a forklift truck in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG 2 is a schematic overhead view of the attachment for a forklift truck of Figure 1.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Fig 1 and Fig 2 depict a first embodiment of the invention in which an attachment 1 for forklift truck 2 with telescopic boom 11 is used for lifting and positioning an elongate object 4, such as a pipe or beam, to any desired orientation. Attachment 1 comprises a first rotator 5 rotatable about first axis 7 and mounted to a second rotator 6 rotatable about a second axis 8 that is substantially perpendicular to first axis 7, and hydraulically operated clamps 3 mounted to second rotator 6. As shown, first rotator 5 is removably mounted to working mount 9, which is pivotally mounted to telescopic boom 11. Working mount 9, and thus attachment 1, are remotely inclined or declined from operator cockpit 15. Both first rotator 5 and second rotator 6 are remotely operable from operator cockpit 15. Thus, hydraulically operated clamps 3 are remotely operable to hold and release elongate object 4 at a particular orientation established by the combination of movement by first rotator 5, second rotator 6, pivoting working mount 9, and telescopic boom 11.

Hydraulically operated clamps 3 operate through a range of motion from the hold position to the release position. The starting and ending points of this range of motion are selectable to appropriate values according to the nominal cross-sectional width or diameter of the elongate object 4 of a particular project.

As shown in Fig 1 and Fig 2, second rotator 6 is offset from first axis 7. It will be appreciated that the distance of this offset changes the operating characteristics of forklift truck 2 as a whole. For example, a large offset corresponds to a greater distance that an elongate object 4 moves when first rotator 5 is rotated. For example, elongate object 4 may be grasped from above, then rotated in a semicircle by first rotator 5, and be ready for placement on a ceiling with little more movement required.

At one end of telescopic boom 11 , working mount 9 is pivotally mounted, such that as telescopic boom 11 is raised and extended to a height, an attachment mounted to working mount 9 can be maintained level. According to the present invention, working mount 9 is remotely operable to incline or decline attachment 1 relative to telescopic boom 11. The second end of telescopic boom 11 is pivotally mounted to forklift truck 2, such that telescopic boom 11 may be remotely inclined or declined relative to forklift truck 2. Telescopic boom 11 is made from elongate members 13 that are coaxial and are able to be remotely operated to telescopically extend or retract to change the overall length of telescopic boom 11.

In use, an operator at a control console 17 (not shown) within operator cockpit 15 is able to remotely operate forklift truck 2, including the inclination and extension of telescopic boom 11 ; the inclination of working mount 9; the rotation of first rotator 5 and second rotator 6; and the grasping, holding, and releasing of hydraulically operated clamps 3.

In a second, not shown embodiment, the securing mechanism of the attachment consists of fixtures that positively engage cooperating lift mounts on the elongate object 4. For example, if a forklift truck 2 will be operating in a specific environment, such as on an oil platform, all of the oil pipes may have pre-existing lifting lugs or engageable ttøeading to ensure positive handling. Another example where positive engagement may be appropriate is in weapons handling applications.

In a further, not shown embodiment, the second end of the telescopic boom is mounted to a rotatable base, such that the boom can be swung laterally in addition to being inclined or declined.

In a further, not shown embodiment, forklift truck 2 is replaced by a material handler having an articulated arm instead of a telescopic boom. In this embodiment, the articulated arm has several segments pivotally engaged, such that the attachment can be placed around obstacles such as fencing or an overhang.

In a further not shown embodiment, forklift truck 2 is replaced by a scissor lift, such that the attachment is mounted to an extended positioner mounted to the scissor lift platform. The foregoing describes only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The term "comprising" (and its grammatical variations) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including" and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of.

Claims

1. An attachment for a mobile material handler, said attachment comprising a first rotator mounted to a working mount of said mobile material handler and rotatable about a first axis, a second rotator mounted to said first rotator and rotatable about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to said first axis, a securing mechanism mounted to said second rotator, said securing mechanism being remotely operable to hold and release an elongate object, and wherein said first and second rotators are each remotely operable to position said elongate object to a desired orientation.

2. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism comprises hydraulically operated clamps.

3. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 2, wherein said hydraulically operated clamps are adjustable depending on the nominal cross-sectional width of said elongate object.

4. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism comprises fixtures adapted to engage cooperating lift mounts on said elongate object.

5. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in paragraph 1, wherein said second rotator is offset a predetermined distance from said first axis.

6. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 3, wherein said working mount is driveably pivotally affixed to a first end of an elongate positioner of said mobile material handler, wherein said working mount may be remotely inclined or declined relative to said elongate positioner.

7. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second end of said elongate positioner is mounted on a base platform.

8. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second end of said elongate positioner is driveably pivotally mounted to said base platform, such that said elongate positioner may be remotely inclined or declined relative to said base platform.

9. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 7, wherein said base platform is driveably rotatable, such that said elongate positioner may be swung laterally in an arc.

10. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 8, wherein said elongate positioner is a telescopic boom having a plurality of elongate members, said elongate members being substantially coaxial and remotely operable to be extended or retracted telescopically to adjust the corresponding length of said telescopic boom.

11. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 7, wherein said elongate positioner is an articulated arm having a plurality of elongate segments pivotally hinged.

12. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein said base platform has a control console.

13. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mobile material handler is a forklift truck.

14. An attachment for a mobile material handler as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first rotator is removably mounted to said working mount.

15. A material handler comprising a forklift truck with an operator cockpit and a control console; a telescopic boom having a plurality of elongate members, said elongate members being substantially coaxial and remotely operable to be extended or retracted telescopically to adjust the corresponding length of said telescopic boom, said telescopic boom extending between a first end and a second end, said first end being remotely operable at said control console to incline or decline a working mount relative to said telescopic boom, said second end being driveably pivotally mounted to said forklift truck and remotely operable at said control console to incline and decline said telescopic boom relative to said forklift truck; an attachment comprising a first rotator mounted to a working mount of said telescopic boom and rotatable about a first axis, a second rotator mounted to said first rotator and rotatable about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to said first axis, a securing mechanism mounted to said second rotator, said securing mechanism being remotely operable to hold and release an elongate object, and wherein said first and second rotators are each remotely operable to position said elongate object to any desired orientation.

16. A material handler as claimed in claim 15, wherein said securing mechanism comprises hydraulically operated clamps.

17. A material handler as claimed in claim 16, wherein said hydraulically operated clamps are adjustable depending on the nominal cross-sectional width of said elongate object.

18. A material handler as claimed in claim 15, wherein said securing mechanism comprises fixtures adapted to engage cooperating lift mounts on said elongate object.

19. A material handler as claimed in claim 15, wherein said second rotator is offset a predetermined distance from said first axis.

20. A material handler as claimed in claim 15, wherein said second end of said telescopic boom is mounted to a driveably rotatable base, such that said telescopic boom may be swung laterally in an arc.

21. A material handler as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first rotator is removably mounted to said working mount.