WO2011136635A1

WO2011136635A1 - Adjustable support

Info

Publication number: WO2011136635A1
Application number: PCT/NL2010/050238
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Alexander Wols
Original assignee: Chock Design B.V.
Priority date: 2010-04-27
Filing date: 2010-04-27
Publication date: 2011-11-03

Abstract

The invention relates to an adjustable support (1) for supporting an object, e.g. for supporting a ship's engine, including an outer adjustment ring (2), which on the inside is provided with a screw thread (4), an inner adjustment ring (3), which on the outside is provided with a screw thread (5), the screw thread of the inner adjustment ring in use rotatably engaging the screw thread of the outer adjustment ring, the outer adjustment ring being rotatably mounted in a base ring (6), the inner adjustment ring being arranged for taking up limitation means (7), which limit the inner adjustment ring at rotation of the outer adjustment ring to merely making a translating movement with respect to the outer adjustment ring.

Description

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustable support, comprising an outer adjustment ring, which on the inside is provided with a screw thread, and an inner adjustment ring, which on the outside is provided with a screw thread, wherein the screw thread of the inner adjustment ring rotatably engages the screw thread of the outer adjustment ring.

[0002] Such an adjustable support is known from the German Gebrauchsmuster publication with number G 92 10 706.0. This publication discloses an adjustable support, comprising an outer adjustment ring, which on the inside is provided with a screw thread, an inner adjustment ring, which on the outside is provided with a screw thread, wherein the screw thread of the inner adjustment ring rotatably engages the screw thread of the outer adjustment ring, the outer adjustment ring being rotatably mounted in a base ring.

[0003] However, a disadvantage of such an adjustable support is that it comprises a relatively large amount of parts, thereby decreasing mechanical reliability. Furthermore, it requires a relatively large and specialized tool to adjust the support to a new position.

[0004] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an adjustable support, which comprises a relatively small amount of parts. [0005] The object of the invention has been achieved by providing the adjustable support known from G 92 10 706.0 with an inner adjustment ring arranged for taking up limitation means, which limit the inner adjustment ring at rotation of the outer adjustment ring to merely making a translating movement with respect to the outer adjustment ring.

[0006] By providing the support foot from the prior art with an inner adjustment ring being arranged for taking up limitation means, which limit the inner adjustment ring at rotation of the outer adjustment ring to merely making a translating movement with respect to the outer adjustment ring, the adjustable support's amount of parts decreases with respect to the known adjustable support. As the inner adjustment ring is the part involved in undergoing the translating movement, it is advantageous to provide this part with the limitation means directly, instead of achieving this through a relatively complex construction such as with the support from the prior art.

[0007] Another advantage of providing the inner ring with limitation means is that the adjustable support is relatively more compact with respect to the known support, as the inner adjustment ring can be taken up fully in the outer adjustment ring. This provides the adjustable support with a relatively wide range of adjustment options. Also, this allows a more compact design of the adjustable support. E.g. during positioning of the support under the object to be supported, such as a ship's engine, a relatively small gap will do for getting the adjustable support under the object to be supported. Furthermore, the relatively compact design ensures relatively easy transport of the adjustable support when not in use.

[0008] Another advantageous embodiment concerns an adjustable support as mentioned, wherein the outer adjustment ring is slidable and rotatable when mounted in the base ring. As opposed to e.g. the known adjustable support, where the outer adjustment ring engages the base ring via a screw thread, it is relatively easier to manufacture an adjustable support where the outer adjustment ring slidably rotates in the base ring.

[0009] Also, it is advantageous to provide an adjustable support, where the limitation means are connected to the base ring. Of course, it is also possible to have the limitation means connected to the ground on which the adjustable support is to be installed, but having the limitation means connected to the base ring ensures that all adjustable support parts are kept together in a neat package. [0010] Moreover, it would be advantageous to provide for an adjustable support where the limitation means comprise a peg, which engages a corresponding peg hole in the inner adjustment ring. The peg engaging a peg hole provides for a relatively easy construction of the adjustable support, and thus for relatively easy and cheap production of the adjustable support. Furthermore, maintenance requirements will be relatively low.

[0011] Another advantageous embodiment of the limitation means is characterized in that the limitation means comprise a pin, slidingly fitted in a slot situated in the inner adjustment ring. This provides for another way of constructing the adjustable support, that is relatively easy and cheap to produce and has relatively low maintenance requirements. [0012] Furthermore, it would be advantageous to have the adjustable support's upper side of the inner adjustment ring in use provided with an adjustment disc. The adjustment disc provides for a relatively wider range of adjustment options, as the adjustment disc self-adjusts with respect to the angle between an object to be supported and the adjustable support. In use the adjustment disc is situated between the object to be supported and the adjustable support.

[0013] Additionally, it would be advantageous to have the adjustable support's outer adjustment ring provided with a recess in its outer circumference. The recess can be used for taking up a rotation tool for rotating the outer adjustment ring. Analogously, it would be advantageous to have the adjustable support's base ring provided with a recess in its outer circumference. Furthermore, apart from being arranged for taking up a rotation tool, the recesses can be used for providing lubrication to the screw threads of both the inner and outer adjustment rings. [0014] A further advantageous aspect of the invention relates to an adjustable support, wherein the adjustable support is provided with a protective coating. The protective coating can be used for protecting the adjustable support against e.g. corrosion. In this respect it would be advantageous to let the adjustable support comprise steel. Then the protective coating can be obtained by letting the adjustable support undergo a carbonisation process, wherein the steel, at least partly, is carbonized at the outer surface of the adjustable support. The resulting coating preferably has a thickness of about 0,2 mm. The coating provides the adjustable support with a decent protection against corrosion and wear. Corrosion is a clear danger to the operational reliability of the adjustable support given the conditions under which such an adjustable support operates, such as below a ship's engine. There the adjustable support is exposed to vibrations, high temperatures, and potentially corrosive fluids. The coating advantageously protects the adjustable support from such damage, or at least decreases the damage done to the adjustable support under such conditions.

[0015] Further objects and advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent from the claims and the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the figures, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 shows a schematic, perspective view in cross-section of an adjustable support according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] More specifically, figure 1 shows an adjustable support 1 for supporting an object, such as a ship's engine. The adjustable support comprises an outer adjustment ring 2, which on the inside is provided with a screw thread 4, an inner adjustment ring 3, which on the outside is provided with a screw thread 5, wherein the screw thread 5 of the inner adjustment ring 3 rotatably engages the screw thread 4 of the outer adjustment ring 2. The outer adjustment ring 2 is rotatably mounted in a base ring 6. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer adjustment ring 2 has an outer diameter of approximately 90 mm. The inner diameter, i.e. the diameter of the bore running through the outer adjustment ring 2, is approximately 65 mm.

[0018] In figure 1 , the inner adjustment ring 3 is arranged for taking up limitation means 7, which limit the inner adjustment ring 3 at rotation of the outer adjustment ring 2 to merely making a translating movement with respect to the outer adjustment ring 2. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner adjustment ring 3 has an outer diameter of approximately 65 mm. On the inside it is provided with a bore. The central axis of the bore is in line with the central axis of the inner adjustment ring 3. According to this embodiment, the diameter of the bore is approximately 26 mm.

[0019] The translating movement concerns movement essentially parallel to the central axis of the outer adjustment ring 2. In figure 1 the limitation means 7 consist of a peg 8, which prohibits rotational movement of the inner adjustment ring 3 when it is present in the corresponding peg hole 9 in the inner adjustment ring 3. Furthermore, figure 1 shows the peg 8 connected to the base ring 6. Note that in figure 1 two pegs are shown, with two corresponding pegholes. Of course, it is also possible to provide for more than two pegs, and pegholes.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the in use upper part of the inner adjustment disc 3 is rounded off into a bowl- like shape for receiving the adjustment disc 10. [0021] Figure 1 also shows the adjustment disc 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the adjustment disc 10 has an outer diameter of approximately 63 mm. It furthermore has a bore running through it. The bore is positioned with its central axis in line with the central axis of the adjustment disc 10. According to this embodiment, the diameter of the bore is approximately 30 mm. The adjustment disc 10 is capable of self-adjusting with respect to the angle between the object to be supported and the adjustable support. The adjustable disc 10 is rounded off to fit in the bowl- like shape of the inner adjustment ring 3. In use the adjustment disc is situated between the object to be supported and the adjustable support. [0022] Furthermore, figure 1 shows the lower part of the base ring 6 extending below the outer adjustment ring 2. The base ring 6 extends below the inner adjustment ring 3. The base ring 6 thus supports at least the outer adjustment ring 2. The inner adjustment ring 3 is supported by the base ring 6 when it is positioned fully downwards. The outer adjustment ring 2 is slidable in the base ring 6.

[0023] It will also be clear that the above description and figures are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person, which are within the scope of protection, and the essence of this invention and which are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent. Reference numerals

1. Adjustable support

2. Outer adjustment ring

3. Inner adjustment ring

4. Outer adjustment ring screw thread

5. Inner adjustment ring screw thread

6. Base ring

7. Limitation means

8. Peg

9. Peghole

10. Adjustment disc

11. Recess

Claims

Adjustable support (1) for supporting an object, comprising an outer adjustment ring (2), which on the inside is provided with a screw thread (4), an inner adjustment ring (3), which on the outside is provided with a screw thread (5), wherein the screw thread (5) of the inner adjustment ring (3) rotatably engages the screw thread (4) of the outer adjustment ring (2), the outer adjustment ring (2) being rotatably mounted in a base ring (6), characterized in that the inner adjustment ring (3) is arranged for taking up limitation means (7), which limit the inner adjustment ring (3) at rotation of the outer adjustment ring (2) to merely making a translating movement with respect to the outer adjustment ring (2).

Adjustable support (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer adjustment ring (2) is slidable and rotatable when mounted in the base ring (6).

Adjustable support (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the limitation means (7) are connected to the base ring (6).

Adjustable support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the limitation means (7) comprise a peg (8), which engages a corresponding peghole (9) in the inner adjustment ring (3).

Adjustable support (1) according to claim 4, wherein the base ring (6) comprises a lower support surface, extending below the outer adjustment ring (2) and inner adjustment ring (3), and the peg (8) engages the inner adjustment ring (3) through a hole in the lower support surface.

6. Adjustable support (1) according to one of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the limitation means (7) comprise a pin, slidingly fitted in a slot situated in the inner adjustment ring (3).

7. Adjustable support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper side of the inner adjustment ring (3) is provided with an adjustment disc (10).

8. Adjustable support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer adjustment ring (2) is provided with a recess (11) in its outer circumference, the recess (11) being arranged for receiving a tool for rotating the outer adjustment ring (2) with respect to the base ring (6).

9. Adjustable support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base ring (6) is provided with a recess (11) in its outer circumference.

10. Adjustable support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjustable support (1) is provided with a protective coating.

11. Adjustable support (1) according to claim 10, wherein the adjustable support (1) consists of steel.

12. Adjustable support (1) according to claim 11, wherein the protective coating has been obtained by a carbonisation process, wherein the steel is carbonized.