WO2017037442A1

WO2017037442A1 - Apparatus and method for lifting items

Info

Publication number: WO2017037442A1
Application number: PCT/GB2016/052681
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stewart Bennison
Original assignee: Palamatic Limited
Priority date: 2015-08-28
Filing date: 2016-08-30
Publication date: 2017-03-09
Also published as: GB201515333D0; GB2541729A

Abstract

Apparatus (101 ) for lifting items comprises a tube (102) configured to be connected to a vacuum source (150). The tube (102) has a first end part (103) and a second end part (104) configured to be moveable towards the first end part (103) in dependence upon pressure within the tube (102). The apparatus (101 ) also includes at least one flexible member (105) having a first end (106) connected to the second end part (104) of the tube (102) and a second end (107) for connecting to a coupling device (108) for coupling the flexible member to an item. A guide means (109) is arranged to support the at least one flexible member (105) so that the at least one flexible member (105) extends around the guide means (109) and extends along a first line to one side of the guide means (109) and along a second line to the other side of the guide means (109). The apparatus (101 ) has a support structure (110) for supporting the tube (102) above a surface and a slide mechanism (111 ) on which the tube is mounted. The slide mechanism (111 ) is configured to enable the tube (102) to slide with respect to the support structure (110) so that the first end part (103) and second end part (104) of the tube (102) are moveable with respect to the support structure (110).

Description

TITLE

Apparatus and Method for Lifting Items

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to apparatus and method for lifting items. In particular, they relate to apparatus and method for lifting items to load and unload shipping containers.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Lifting equipment is known in which a vacuum control head, having one or more suction cups, is located at the end of a tube that is arranged to fold up in the manner of a concertina under atmospheric pressure when a partial vacuum is applied to the tube. The tube typically hangs vertically from one end and therefore, when the tube folds up in this way, it lifts up the vacuum control head and any item to which the vacuum control head is attached. The maximum height that an item may be lifted by such an apparatus is somewhat less than the height of the equipment minus the length of the tube in its fully folded state. Consequently, where lifting is to be performed in a place where the height of the equipment is limited, the maximum height to which an item might be lifted by such equipment is very limited.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided apparatus for lifting items, the apparatus comprising: a tube configured to be connected to a vacuum source, the tube having a first end part and a second end part configured to be moveable towards the first end part in dependence upon pressure within the tube; at least one flexible member having a first end operatively connected to the second end part of the tube and a second end for connecting to a coupling device for coupling the flexible member to an item; a guide means arranged to support the at least one flexible member so that the at least one flexible member extends around the guide means and extends along a first line to one side of the guide means and along a second line to the other side of the guide means; a support structure for supporting the tube above a surface; and a slide mechanism on which the tube is mounted, the slide mechanism being configured to enable the tube to slide with respect to the support structure so that the first end part and second end part of the tube are moveable with respect to the support structure.

This provides the advantage that items may be lifted to a height that is only slightly less than the height of the apparatus itself, while keeping the area through which the tube is caused to move relatively small. The slide mechanism may comprise a mechanism including wheels or rollers.

The coupling device may be a vacuum device including a suction cup and a valve mechanism to enable the suction cup to be connected to a vacuum source.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided apparatus for lifting items, the apparatus comprising: a tube configured to be connected to a vacuum source, the tube having a first end part and a second end part configured to be moveable towards the first end part in dependence upon pressure within the tube; at least one flexible member having a first end connected to the second end part of the tube and a second end for connecting to a coupling device for coupling the flexible member to an item; a guide member arranged to support the at least one flexible member so that the at least one flexible member extends around the guide member and extends along a first line to one side of the guide member and along a second line to the other side of the guide member; a support structure for supporting the tube above a surface; and a slide mechanism on which the tube is mounted, the slide mechanism being configured to enable the tube to slide with respect to the support structure so that the first end part and second end part of the tube are moveable with respect to the support structure.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a method of lifting items with apparatus having: a tube having a first end part and a second end part; at least one flexible member having a first end connected to the second end part of the tube and a second end connected to a coupling device for coupling the flexible member to an item; a guide means arranged to support the at least one flexible member so that the at least one flexible member extends around the guide means and extends along a first line to one side of the guide means and along a second line to the other side of the guide means; and a support structure for supporting the tube above a surface, the method comprising: sliding the tube with respect to the support structure so that the first end part and second end part of the tube are moved with respect to the support structure; bringing the coupling device into contact with an item to be lifted; and applying a partial vacuum to the bore of the tube to cause the second end part of the tube to be moved towards the first end part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows schematically an apparatus 101 for lifting items;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of an apparatus 101 A;

Fig. 3 shows a cut-away side view of the apparatus 101 A of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a partial front view of apparatus 101 A in direction of arrow 251 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional front view through plane 250 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 shows a cut-away side view of an apparatus 101 B;

Fig. 7 shows a front view of the slide mechanism 61 1 , the outer tube 616 and the tube 102A of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative apparatus 101 C;

Fig. 9 shows a cut-away side view of a further alternative apparatus 101 D; Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of the tube 102B of apparatus 101 D, which contains the second end part 104A;

Fig. 1 1 shows apparatus 101 A in use mounted on a trolley 1 102 to form a larger apparatus 1 101 ;

Figs. 12A, 12B and 12C show schematic plan views of the apparatus 1 101 of Fig. 1 1 ;

Fig. 13 shows an example of a vacuum control head 130;

Fig. 14 shows a flow chart of a method of lifting items;

Fig. 15 shows an alternative apparatus 1501 that includes the apparatus 101 C mounted on a telescopic belt conveyor 1502;

Fig. 16 shows the apparatus 101 of Fig. 1 provided with an adjustment means 1601 for adjusting the orientation of the support structure 1 10 with respect to vertical; and

Fig. 17 shows an alternative apparatus 101 E in use, and a magnified view of a part of the apparatus;

Fig. 18 shows a cut-away side view of the apparatus 101 E;

Fig. 19 shows a part of the apparatus 101 E;

Fig. 20 shows a cut-away plan view of the apparatus 101 E in three different conditions of use;

Fig. 21 shows a cut-away side view of an alternative apparatus 101 F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The Figures illustrate apparatus 101 for lifting items, the apparatus comprising: a tube 102 for connection to a vacuum source 150, the tube 102 having a first end part 103 and a second end part 104 configured to be moveable towards the first end part 103 in dependence upon pressure within the tube 102; at least one flexible member 105 having a first end 106 operatively connected to the second end part 104 of the tube 102 and a second end 107 for connecting to a coupling device 108 for coupling the flexible member 105 to an item; a guide means 109 arranged to support the at least one flexible member 105 so that the at least one flexible member 105 extends around the guide means 109 and extends along a first line to one side of the guide means and along a different second line to the other side of the guide means 109; a support structure 1 10 for supporting the tube 102 above a surface; and a slide mechanism 1 1 1 on which the tube is mounted, the slide mechanism being configured to enable the tube 102 to slide with respect to the support structure 1 10 so that the first end part 103 and second end part 104 of the tube 102 are moveable with respect to the support structure 1 10.

In various embodiments, the tube 102 is mounted from the support structure by a pivot mechanism 1 12 to enable the tube to pivot about a vertical axis 120. In some such embodiments the slide mechanism 1 1 1 is pivotally mounted from the support structure 1 10 via the pivot mechanism 1 12. However, in alternative embodiments, the pivot mechanism 1 12 is mounted on the support structure 1 10 via the slide mechanism 1 1 1 .

In various embodiments, the slide mechanism is configured to enable the tube to slide in a direction along its length with respect to the support structure.

An apparatus 101 for lifting items is shown schematically in Fig. 1 . The apparatus 101 comprises a tube 102 having a first end part 103 and a second end part 104 configured to be moveable towards the first end part 103 in dependence upon pressure within the tube 102. The tube 102 is configured to be connected to a vacuum source 150 to enable the air pressure within the tube to be reduced. In the present embodiment, this is achieved by providing the first end part 103 with a rigid pipe to enable a vacuum hose 151 to be attached.

During use, when a partial vacuum is produced in the tube 102, air pressure pressing on the second end part 104 causes it to be forced towards the first end part 103. This force is used to provide the force required to lift items.

The apparatus 101 of Fig. 1 also comprises at least one flexible member 105 having a first end 106 operatively connected to the second end part 104 of the tube 102. That is, the first end 106 is connected to the second end part, either directly or indirectly, but such that the first end 106 moves with the second end part of the tube 102. The at least one flexible member 105 also has a second end 107 for connecting to a coupling device 108 for coupling the flexible member 105 to an item.

The apparatus 101 may comprise a first flexible member 105 in the form of a flexible pipe 1 13 and at least one second flexible member in the form of a wire 1 14, as shown in Fig. 1 . In use, the at least one wire 1 14 is arranged to be in tension to provide the force necessary to lift the weight of the item being lifted. The first end 106 of the wire 1 14 is securely attached to the second end part 104 of the tube 102 while the second end 107 may be securely connected to a coupling device 108, such as a vacuum control head 130 having one or more suction cups 131 .

The second end part 104 of the tube 102 may be provided with a port 1 15 to which the first end 106 of the flexible pipe 1 13 is connected. The second end 107 of the flexible pipe 1 13 may be provided with a coupling element 1 18 for connection to a vacuum control head 130. Thus, a partial vacuum may be produced at the suction cup 131 of the vacuum control head via the flexible pipe 1 13 and tube 102 by applying a vacuum source 150 to the tube 102. In the present case, where the weight of an item to be lifted is supported by the at least one wire 1 14, the tension in the flexible pipe 1 13 is very small, and tensional strength of the pipe is not a concern. In alternative embodiments, the flexible pipe is formed of materials that allow it to be load bearing while capable of extending around the guide means 109, and in such which cases there is no separate wire 1 14.

The pipe 1 13 may be connected to a vacuum control head 130 of a known type having a valve arrangement manually actuatable by a trigger 132. An example of a vacuum control head is shown in Fig. 13. By actuation of the trigger a user is able to open valves 1301 (Fig. 13) within the vacuum control head to allow air within the suction cup 131 to be drawn through the pipe 1 13 and tube 102. As is known in the art, the vacuum control head 130 may be connected to the end 107 of the pipe 1 14 with bearings 133 to enable the vacuum control head to be rotated with respect to the pipe.

In alternative arrangements the wire 1 14 may be replaced by another flexible member having sufficient tensile strength, such as a rope, belt or webbing material, or a chain.

The apparatus 101 of Fig. 1 also includes a support structure 1 10 for supporting the tube 102 above a surface such as a floor surface. In addition, a slide mechanism 1 1 1 is provided to enable the tube 102 to slide with respect to the support structure 1 10 so that the first end part 103 and second end part 104 of the tube 102 are moveable with respect to the support structure 1 10.

The apparatus 101 of Fig. 1 also includes a guide means 109 arranged to support the at least one flexible member 105. The guide means is configured to allow the at least one flexible member 105 to extend around the guide means 109 and extend along a first line to one side of the guide means and along a different second line to the other side of the guide means 109. In the present example, the guide means comprises a pulley wheel that is pivotally mounted so that it rotates when the flexible members 105 are moved along their length. In an alternative arrangement, the guide means may be a fixed low friction member over which the flexible members are arranged to slide. In the present example, the first end part 103 of the tube 102 is fixed with respect to a supporting member 1 16, and the second end part 104 of the tube 102 is supported by the supporting member 1 16 so that the second end part 104 is moveable with respect to it 1 16. The second end part 104 may simply slide over the supporting member or it may be provided with wheels or rollers which travel over the surface of the supporting member. The supporting member 1 16 may be an elongate member arranged to support the second end part 104 at all positions to which it may be moved. The support member 1 16 may be mounted directly on the slide mechanism 1 1 1 as shown in Fig. 1 . Alternatively, in arrangements where the slide mechanism 1 1 1 supports the pivot mechanism 1 12 from the support structure 1 10, the support member 1 16 may be supported directly on the pivot mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 1 , the guide means 109 may be fixed to the support member 1 16. For example, a bracket 1 17 may be attached to the support member, and a pulley wheel 109 pivotally mounted on the bracket.

During use, from the position shown in Fig. 1 , the tube 102 and the support member 1 16 may be slid with respect to the support structure 1 10 by means of the slide mechanism 1 1 1 to move the guide means 109 closer to, or further from, the support structure 1 10 as required. This may be done to bring the coupling device 108 to a position where an item to be lifted is positioned, or to move the coupling device 108, while it is holding an item, to a position where the item is to be located. In alternative examples, the coupling device may comprise a different mechanism for coupling a flexible member 105 to an item. For example, the coupling device may comprise a hook or a clamp for connection to an item. The apparatus 101 may be provided with an adjustment means for adjusting the orientation of the support structure 1 10 with respect to vertical. The apparatus 101 is shown again in Fig. 16 with an adjustment means 1601 for adjusting the vertical orientation of the support structure 1 10. This enables a user of the apparatus 101 to ensure that the axis 120 (about which the tube 102 may be made to pivot) is vertically arranged. If the axis is not arranged to be vertical, the weight of the tube 102 and the support member 1 16 will tend to push them around the axis 120 to an orientation where their centre of gravity is lower. That is, the tube 102 will have a preferred resting orientation. However, by arranging the axis 120 to be vertical, the tube 102 may be pivoted around the axis 120 without having to push against the weight of the tube 102 and support member 1 16. In an embodiment the adjustment means 1601 for adjusting the vertical orientation of the support structure is provided by having a support structure 1 10 that has an upper part 1602 pivotally mounted to a lower part 1603 of the support structure. The upper part 1602 is pivotally mounted to the lower part 1603 by a pivot 1604 that extends at a right angle to the length of the support structure. (In Fig. 16 the pivot extends into the page.) This enables the orientation of the upper part of the support structure to be adjusted to extend vertically when the lower part is not vertical. The support structure may be provided with one or more screw mechanisms 1605 between the upper and lower parts to enable the adjustment to be made and maintained. For example, the screw mechanisms may comprise a bolt or threaded rod provided with a hand wheel that is located in a threaded hole on the upper part 1602 or the lower part 1603 and which acts against a pressure plate 1607 on the other one of the upper and lower parts. The lower part 1602 of the support structure 1 10 may comprise a trolley 1 102 (Fig. 1 1 ) or conveyor 1502 (as shown in Fig. 15), or, where the apparatus 101 is arranged to be statically position, a base portion of the support structure. The upper part of the support structure may also be provided with one or more spirit levels 1606 to allow a user to monitor the verticality. An apparatus 101 A embodying the present invention is shown in the side view of Fig. 2 and in a cut-away side view in Fig. 3. The apparatus 101 A has a tube 102A mounted to slide along its length with respect to a support structure 1 10. In the cut-away view of Fig. 3, one half of the support structure 1 10 is cut away to show parts of the apparatus 101 A that would otherwise be hidden. The support structure 1 10 includes a first upright post 201 (shown in Fig. 2) and a second upright post 201 (shown in Fig. 3) which are connected at their upper ends by a cross-beam 203 (Fig. 3).

The apparatus 101 A has a slide mechanism 1 1 1 that is mounted on the cross-beam 203 of the support structure 1 10 by a pivot mechanism 1 12. The pivot mechanism 1 12 comprises a bearing 204 attached to the cross-beam 203 which retains a pivot pin 205 fixed to the slide mechanism 1 1 1 . As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the slide mechanism 1 12 may have an arm 206 which extends around the cross-beam 203, a lower portion of the arm being pivotally connected to the cross-beam 203 by a second bearing 207 to provide improved stability.

The tube 102A of the apparatus 101 A has a substantially circular cross- section (extending into the paper in Figs. 2 and 3), and is provided with a pleated wall so that it is able to fold up in the manner of a concertina under air pressure when the tube 102A contains a partial vacuum. (Such a tube 102A is shown folded up to a reduced length in Fig. 1 1 .) In an example, the tube comprises a helically wound spring wire that is covered with a flexible material, so that the flexible material is able to fold along a helical line between the turns of the wire. The tube may be constructed by winding a suitable spring wire set out at an agreed pitch around a suitable diameter mandrel and then laying over a woven fibre glass/ neoprene cloth placing the whole assembly in an oven and baking it to form the tube which has then got natural corrugations and under vacuum can contract.

The tube 102A of apparatus 101 A is supported on a support member 1 16 that comprises a rail 208 and a cradle structure 309. A cross-sectional front view through plane 250 of Fig. 3 is shown in Fig. 5. The rail 208 defines a lower slot 501 having a narrowed opening 502. The rail 208 also defines an upper slot 503 having a narrowed opening 504. The cradle structure 309 comprises two bars 302 fixed to a series of cradles 301 that have a lower portion configured to slot within the upper slot 503 to retain it in place. The bars 302 provide smooth surfaces over which the second end part 104 and middle portions of the tube 102A may slide during use. To facilitate sliding, the middle portions of the tube 102A may be provided with a series of hoops 310 which rests against the bars 302. The hoops may be formed of nylon or another polymeric material of similar or lower coefficient of friction.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the slide mechanism 1 1 1 may comprise a set of wheels or rollers 303 that are pivotally mounted on a carrier 304 that extends up through the narrowed opening 502, and the wheels 303 may be located within the lower slot 501 of the rail 208. In the present example, the set of wheels comprises three pairs of coaxially mounted wheels. (Three of the wheels 303 may also be seen in Fig. 3 where one half of the rail 208 has been cut-away.) The rail 208 rests on the wheels 303 and is free to slide with respect to the carrier 304 by rotation of the wheels. The action of the wheels against the lips of the narrowed opening 502 ensures that the rail is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation. Like apparatus 101 , the apparatus 101 A has a first flexible member 105 in the form of a pipe 1 13 that has a bore connected to the bore of the tube 102A. The apparatus 101 A also has two flexible members 105 that are in the form of wires 1 14 arranged either side of the pipe 1 13. The wires 1 14 are connected to anchor members 21 1 fixed to the second end part 104.

A partial front view of apparatus 101 A in direction of arrow 251 of Fig. 3 is shown in Fig. 4. Like the apparatus 101 of Fig. 1 , the apparatus 101 A of Fig. 3 (and Fig. 4) has a guide means 109 comprising a pulley wheel 209 over which the flexible members 105 extend. However, the apparatus 101 A also has a second pulley wheel 210 pivotally mounted to rotate on a parallel axis to that of the first pulley wheel 209. The second pulley wheel 210 is arranged alongside the first pulley wheel 209 to maintain the flexible members 105 in place between the two wheels 209, 210.

The pulley wheels 209, 210 may have a broad circumferential groove, as shown for pulley wheel 210 in Fig.4, to enable the pulley wheels 209, 210 to extend around the cylindrical outer surface of the pipe 1 13. The lower pulley wheel may be provided with circumferential grooves 401 to retain the wires 1 14.

In the apparatus 101 A the tube 102A is arranged to be above the support member 1 16. This may be advantageous in uses where headroom is limited. However, in alternative embodiments, the support member 1 16 may be arranged at the side of the tube 102A.

An apparatus 101 B is shown in the cut-away side view of Fig. 6. Many parts of the apparatus 101 B are similar to those of apparatus 101 A and they have been numbered in the same way. Thus for example, the apparatus 101 B comprises a tube 102A for connection to a vacuum source. The tube 102A has a first end part 103 and a second end part 104 configured to be moveable towards the first end part 103 in dependence upon pressure within the tube 102A. At least one flexible member 105 having a first end 106 connected to the second end part 104 of the tube 102A and a second end 107 for connecting to a coupling device 108 for coupling the flexible member 105 to an item. In the present example, one flexible member comprises a flexible pipe 1 13 while two other flexible members comprise wires 1 14 arranged alongside pipe 1 13. The apparatus 101 B also has a guide means 109 arranged to support the at least one flexible member 105 so that the at least one flexible member 105 extends around the guide means 109 and extends along a first line to one side of the guide means and along a different second line to the other side of the guide means 109. A support structure 1 10 is provided for supporting the tube 102A above a surface.

The apparatus 101 B also has a pivot mechanism 1 12 like that of apparatus 101 A to enable the tube 102A to be rotated about a vertical axis 120. The apparatus 101 B differs from apparatus 101 A in the nature of its support member 616 and its slide mechanism 61 1 . The support member 616 comprises a rigid outer tube which contains the tube 102A. The front half of the outer tube 616 has been cut away in Fig. 6 to show the tube 102A located within it. The first end part 103 of the tube 102A is fixed at one end of the outer tube 616. The second end part 104 is dimensioned to allow it to slide within the bore of the tube 616. The second end part 104 may itself be provided with wheels or rollers that rest against the inner surface of the outer tube 616, so that they roll over the inner surface when the second end part 104 is caused to move by varying the pressure in the tube 102A.

A front view of the slide mechanism 61 1 , the outer tube 616 and the tube 102A is shown in Fig. 7. The slide mechanism 61 1 is provided in the form of a box or cage 601 having open ends through which the outer tube 616 extends. The front half of the box or cage 601 has been cut away in Fig. 6 to show how the outer tube 616 is positioned within it. Two set of wheels or rollers 603 are pivotally mounted within the cage 601 . A first set 604 of wheels 603 is mounted at one end of the cage 601 through which the outer tube 616 extends and a second set 605 of wheels 603 is mounted at the opposite end of the cage. The wheels 603 of each of the two sets 604 and 605 are spaced around the outer tube 616 and arranged to contact the outer surface of the outer tube so that it may slide through the cage 601 by rotation of the wheels. Thus, from the position shown in Fig. 6, the outer tube 616 may be slid through the cage 601 to move the guide means 109 closer to, or further from, the support structure 1 10 as required.

In the present example, each of the sets of wheels 603 comprises 4 pairs of wheels. One pair 606 of wheels is located below the outer tube 616, one pair 607 above and one pair 608 and 609 at each side. However, it will be understood that more than four pairs may be used and also the pairs of wheels may be replaced by rollers.

An alternative apparatus 101 C is shown in the perspective view of Fig. 8. The apparatus 101 C is the same as apparatus 101 B of Fig. 6 except that the wheels 603 are located within the slide mechanism 61 1 at different positions to those of Fig. 6. The pairs of wheels 603 of apparatus 101 C are arranged in planes that are at 45 degrees to the vertical. A cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the apparatus 101 C is shown in Fig. 8A, which shows the arrangement of a set of the wheels 603 within the slide mechanism around the outer tube 616.

A further alternative apparatus 101 D is shown in a cut-away side view in Fig. 9. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Fig. 6 but differs in the configuration of its tube 102B, which is rigid. For example the tube 102B may be formed of a metal, such as aluminium alloy. The first end part 103 is fixed at one end of the tube 102B such that it provides an airtight seal. Unlike the previous arrangements, the second end part 104A of the tube 102B is not fixed to the end of the tube, but instead, it is free to move along its bore. A cross-sectional side view of a portion of the tube 102B containing the second end part 104A is shown in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 10, a seal arrangement 901 is provided around the periphery of the second end part 104A to provide a vacuum seal between it 104A and the inner surface of the tube 102B. The seal arrangement may comprise a V-seal as used in the car industry, one or more O-rings or another type of seal capable of providing a vacuum seal while allowing sliding over the inner surface of the tube 102B.

To provide orientation stability, the second end part 104A may be provided with wheels 1001 or rollers that are configured to run along the inner surface of the tube 102B. The wheels or rollers may be provided to one or both of the front and rear sides of the second end part 104A.

It will be understood from the above that the second end part 104A is not located at the end of the tube 102A, but it provides a wall at the end of the vacuum chamber formed by the tube 102A. Apparatus 101 A is shown in use in Fig. 1 1 . However, it should be understood that the other apparatuses described herein, such as apparatus 101 , 101 B, 101 C and 101 D may be used in a similar manner. The apparatus 101 A is shown in Fig. 1 1 forming part of a larger apparatus 1 101 . The support structure 1 10 is attached to a trolley 1 102 which may be provided with an electric motor 1 103 powered by a battery 1 104 to power a wheel drive for causing motion of the trolley. The battery may also be used to power a vacuum pump 1 105 that is carried by the trolley. The pump 1 105 may be operatively connected by a pipe arrangement 1 106 to the tube 102A for providing a partial vacuum in the tube. For example, the battery may provide 24 volt DC to the motor 1 103 and pump 1 105. The battery along with the pump and/or motor may act as a counter balancing weight so that the system is stable when being used. In an alternative arrangement, the trolley does not have a motor for providing movement of the trolley but it may be arranged to be moved by manual force. In an embodiment, the apparatus 1 101 may be provided with a means for adjusting the vertical orientation of the support structure 1 10. In an embodiment, the support structure 1 10 is pivotally mounted to the trolley by a pivot that extends horizontally. This enables the orientation of the support structure to be adjusted to extend vertically when the trolley is not on a horizontal surface. In such an embodiment, the support structure may be provided with screw mechanisms between the support structure and the trolley to enable the adjustment to be made and the orientation to be maintained. In an alternative arrangement, the front wheels and/or rear wheels of the trolley are mounted on the body of the trolley by an adjustable mounting mechanism, to enable the distance between the wheels and the body to be adjusted. Thus, the vertical orientation of the support structure 1 10 may be adjusted by this adjustable mounting mechanism of the wheels.

The trolley 1 102 may also be provided with a connecting means 1 109 to allow it to be connected to a flexible conveyor 1 107. The conveyor may be powered and of a known type to enable items, such as items 1 108A, 1 108B and 1 108C to be delivered to, or removed from, an upper surface 1 1 1 1 of the trolley 1 102. The connecting means may comprise a spring loaded pin that physically connects the trolley 1 102 to the conveyor 1 107, so that as the trolley is moved the end of the conveyor is held in position against the trolley. The connecting means may additionally comprise an electrical plug or socket for connecting to a corresponding socket or plug provided on the trolley. By connecting the trolley to the electrical supply of the conveyor the battery of the trolley may be charged.

In the present example, the upper surface 1 1 1 1 of the trolley 1 102 is a solid smooth surface, but in other examples the upper surface 1 1 1 1 may be provided with rollers so that it effectively becomes an extension of the conveyor 1 107.

The apparatus is particularly advantageous where headroom is limited. In the illustrated example of Fig. 1 1 the apparatus 1 101 is located in a shipping container 1 1 10 and may be used to load or unload items from the container. To lift items from, or onto the upper surface of the trolley 1 102, the tube 102A and its support member 1 16 may be slid back to a rearward position as shown in Fig. 1 1 .

The apparatus 101 A is shown in Fig. 1 1 having been fitted with a coupling device 108 in the form of a vacuum control head having a suction cup 131 , and the item 1 108A is shown having been lifted by the apparatus 101 A. This is achieved by bringing the coupling device 108 into contact with the item 1 108A to be lifted, and then attaching it to the item.

In the present example, where the connecting device 108 comprises a vacuum control head having a suction cup 131 , the control trigger 132 is manually actuated to cause the valves within the connection device 108 to draw air from the suction cup via the pipe 1 13, the tube 102A, the pipe arrangement 1 106 and the pump 1 105 to create a partial vacuum in the suction cup which causes it to be attached to the item. By continuing actuation of the trigger 132 air pressure in the suction cup drops further and air pressure in the tube 102A also drops causing a force to be applied to the second end part 104 pushing it towards the first end part 103 of the tube 102A. When this force is sufficiently great, and therefore the tension in the wires 1 14 is sufficiently great, the tension in the wires lifts the vacuum control head and the item 1 108A. As is known in the art, the position of the second end part 104, and therefore the height of the coupling device 108, may be adjusted by adjusting the air pressure in the tube 102A using the control trigger 132. In Fig. 1 1 , the connecting device 108 is shown with the sealing face of the suction cup 131 arranged horizontally, and this is the orientation in which the connecting device is generally used. However, where an item is to be lifted from a height that is approximately equal to that of the tube 102A, a user may bring the sealing face of the suction cup 131 to a vertical orientation for sealing against a side of the item. The item may then be pulled from its resting position before the connecting device 108, along with the attached item, is allowed to swing back down so that that item is positioned below the connecting device 108.

A plan view of the apparatus 1 101 is shown in the schematic views of Figs. 12A, 12B and 12C within the container 1 1 10. The apparatus 1 101 has been positioned approximately centrally between the two side walls of the container and the conveyor 1 107 extends from the trolley 1 102 and out of the container 1 1 10. The tube 102A and its support member 1 16 are shown in Fig. 12A slid back over the slide mechanism 1 1 1 to the retracted position previous shown in Fig. 1 1 , which allows items, such as item 1 108 to be lifted from, or lowered onto, a location close to the support structure 1 10. For example, the location may be on the upper surface of the trolley 1 102.

The tube 102A and its support member 1 16 may be slid over the slide mechanism 1 1 1 along its length to a forward configuration, as shown in Fig. 12B, to position the coupling device 108 where it may lift an item 1 108 from (or lower an item onto) a location in front of, and distant from, the support structure 1 10.

Alternatively, as the tube 102 and its support member 1 16 are slid forward they may be pivoted with respect to the support structure 1 10. Thus, as shown in Fig. 12C, the coupling device 108 may be positioned to lift an item 1 108 from (or lower an item onto) a location next to a side of the container 1 1 10, and distant from, the support structure 1 10. It may be noted that because the tube 102A and its support member 1 16 are slid forward the portion 1201 of the tube 102A and support member 1 16 to the rear of the support member is relatively short, and there is no danger of them hitting the side of the container before the coupling device 108 is in the desired position. An alternative apparatus 1501 that includes the apparatus 101 C and a telescopic belt conveyor 1502 is shown in Fig. 15. The apparatus 101 C is mounted on the telescopic belt conveyor 1502, while a base portion 1505 of the conveyor 1502 is located on the 'dock' 1503 next to a shipping container 1504. The telescopic belt conveyor 1502 is shown in an extended configuration in Fig. 15, so that the apparatus 101 C is located within the container 1504. Thus, the apparatus 101 C may be used to lift items from, or to, the conveyor 1502 to, or from, the container, in a similar manner to that described above in respect of Fig. 1 1 . In the present embodiment, the support structure 1 10 of the apparatus 101 C is fixed at a right angle to the telescopic belt conveyor 1502. The telescopic belt conveyor is provided with a hydraulic mechanism 1506 which may be adjusted to ensure that the support structure 1 10 of the apparatus 101 C is held vertical. In an alternative arrangement, the support structure 1 10 may be mounted on the telescopic belt conveyor 1502 so that it angle may be adjusted relative to the conveyor.

A further alternative apparatus 101 E is shown in Figs. 17 to 20. In the apparatus of Figs. 17 to 20 a support structure 1 10 is provided which comprises an upright post 1710 and a cantilevered beam 1712 extending from an end part 1714 of the upright post 1710 and at a right angle thereto.

The upright post 1710 is telescopic such that the overall height of the apparatus can be adjusted. A gas strut may be incorporated into the telescopic upright post 1710 to counterbalance the weight of apparatus and to facilitate adjustment of the height. The support structure 1 10 also comprises a rail 1716. The rail 1716 is coupled to the cantilevered beam 1712 and extends at a right angle to the cantilevered beam 1712. The rail 1716 is configured to be moveable along the length of cantilevered beam 1712 closer to, or further away from, the upright post 1710.

Apparatus 101 E also comprises a support member 1718 comprising an outer tube 1720 which contains the tube 102A. The support structure 1 10 supports the outer tube 1720 above a surface

The outer tube 1720 is coupled to the rail 1716 by a slider mechanism 1 1 1 . The slider mechanism 1 1 1 comprises a cradle 1722, which is mounted to the outer tube, and an engagement part 1724 with a set of wheels or rollers 1726 which engage with the rail 1716 and are operable to move along the rail 1716. The cradle 1722 is pivotally mounted to the engagement part 1724 by a pivot mechanism 1 12.

A slider guide means 1728 is also provided through which the outer tube 1720 is moveable. As best seen in Fig. 19, the slider guide means 1728 comprises a support bracket 1730 and a plurality of spaced wheels or rollers 1732. The plurality of spaced wheel or rollers 1732 are arranged to contact the outer tuber 1720 at points spaced around the circumference of the outer tube 1720. The apparatus also includes a moveable support arm 1734 pivotally mounted at a first part 1736 to the rail 1716, and at a second part 1738 to the slider guide means 1728.

In use, the outer tube 1720 may be slid with respect to the support structure 1 10 by means of the slide mechanism 1 1 1 to move the guide means 109 closer to, or further from, the support structure 1 10 as required. This may be done to bring the coupling device 108 to a position where an item to be lifted is positioned, or to move the coupling device 108, while it is holding an item, to a position where the item is to be located. The outer tube 1720 is guided and supported by the slider guide means 1728 as it is moved. The outer tube 1720 can be pivoted about a vertical access 1740. Fig. 20 shows the outer tube 1720 in first 1742, second 1744 and third 1746 conditions. In the first condition 1742 the outer tube 1720 is substantially coaxial with the rail 1716, and the guide means 109 is as close to the support structure 1 10 as possible. In the first condition 1716, the moveable support arm 1734 is also coaxial with the outer tube 1720 and the rail 1716.

In the second condition 1744 the outer tube 1720 has been pivoted about a vertical axis 1740 to the maximum extent permitted in a first direction. In the third condition 1746 the outer tube 1720 has been pivoted about a vertical axis 1740 to the maximum extent permitted in a second direction opposite the first direction. In the second 1744 and third 1746 conditions the outer tube 1720, rail 1716 and moveable support arm 1734 are no longer coaxial. The moveable support arm 1734 forms a bridge between the slider guide means 1728 and the rail 1716. The outer tube 1720 is therefore supported at several positions, which assists the operator in pivoting the outer tube 1720 about a vertical axis 1740.

The extent to which the outer tube 1720 can be pivoted about a vertical axis 1740 is set such that the first end part 103 is maintained within the width of the conveyor ensuring that it will not be moving over an area where operators could be working.

A further alternative apparatus 101 F is shown in Fig. 21 . In the apparatus of Fig. 21 the vacuum hose 151 is attached to the first end part 103, and also to an actuator 1748. The actuator 1748 comprises first 1750 and second 1752 parts spaced apart by a flexible membrane 1754. The second part 1752 is coupled by a rigid elongate member 1754 to the rail 1716. During use, not only does a partial vacuum produced in the tube 102A cause the second end part 104 to be forced towards the first end part 103 to provide the force required to lift items, additionally, the first and second parts 1750, 1752 of the actuator 1748 are moved closer together. By virtue of the rigid elongate member 1754, moving the first and second parts 1750, 1752 of the actuator 1748 closer together causes the outer tube 1720 to tilt about a horizontal pivot 1758 such that the first end part 103 is below the height of the second end part 104. Once the partial vacuum is released, the outer tube 1720 may tilt back to a resting condition. This tilting movement is indicated by arrows 1756. In some examples, such as in apparatus 101 E, such tilting about a horizontal pivot 1758 may be achieved without the use of an actuator.

Apparatus 101 E and 101 F do not require upper supports on the outer tube 1720, and as such, are particularly suitable for use in containers.

A method 1400 of lifting items with an apparatus, such as apparatus 101 , 101 A, 101 B, 101 C, 101 D, 101 E or 101 F described above, is shown in the flow chart of Fig. 14. The method comprises, at block 1401 , sliding the tube (such as 102 or 102A) with respect to the support structure (such as 1 10) so that the first end part (such as 103) and the second end part (such as 104 or 104A) of the tube are moved with respect to the support structure. At block 1402 the coupling device (such as vacuum control head 130) is brought into contact with an item to be lifted; and at block 1403 a partial vacuum is applied to the bore of the tube to cause the second end part of the tube to be moved towards the first end part.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, although the support structure 1 10 of the described apparatus of Figs. 1 1 and 15 are mounted on a trolley and a conveyor, the apparatus may be statically positioned. For example, the support structure of the apparatus may be mounted on a counterbalanced base plate (without wheels) that may be positioned for use, for example, on a factory floor, or alternatively the support structured may be bolted to a factory floor. It is envisaged that the apparatus will be particularly advantageous in any situation where headroom is restricted.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

l/we claim:

Claims

1 . Apparatus for lifting items, the apparatus comprising:

a tube configured to be connected to a vacuum source, the tube having a first end part and a second end part configured to be moveable towards the first end part in dependence upon pressure within the tube;

at least one flexible member having a first end operatively connected to the second end part of the tube and a second end for connecting to a coupling device for coupling the flexible member to an item;

a guide means arranged to support the at least one flexible member so that the at least one flexible member extends around the guide means and extends along a first line to one side of the guide means and along a second line to the other side of the guide means;

a support structure for supporting the tube above a surface; and a slide mechanism on which the tube is mounted, the slide mechanism being configured to enable the tube to slide with respect to the support structure so that the first end part and second end part of the tube are moveable with respect to the support structure.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the tube is mounted from the support structure via a pivot mechanism to enable the tube to pivot about a vertical axis.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the slide mechanism is pivotally mounted from the support structure via the pivot mechanism.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slide mechanism is configured to enable the tube to slide in a direction along its length with respect to the support structure.

5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the slide mechanism is pivotally mounted from the support structure.

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the slide mechanism comprises wheels or rollers on which the tube is supported to allow the tube to slide.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first end part of the tube is fixed to a supporting member and the second end part of the tube is supported by the supporting member so that the second end part is moveable with respect to the supporting member.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the slide mechanism comprises a mechanism including wheels or rollers on which the supporting member is supported to allow the tube to slide.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the guide means comprises a pulley wheel and/or a fixed member having a surface over which the at least one flexible member slides.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the at least one flexible member is retained in a groove defined by said pulley wheel and/or fixed member.

1 1 . Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tube comprises a rigid tube.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 1 , wherein the second end part is mounted to slide within the rigid tube and forms a seal with the rigid tube.

13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the tube has a pleated wall to allow it to fold in the manner of a concertina.

14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one flexible member comprises a flexible pipe having a first end attached to the second end part of the tube and having a bore in communication with the bore of the tube.

15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a second end of the flexible pipe is connected to a suction cup for coupling the flexible member to an item.

16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one flexible member comprises at least one wire or rope.

17. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the wire or rope is arranged to be in tension during lifting operations.

18. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the support structure is mounted on a trolley.

19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the apparatus comprises a vacuum pump connected to the tube, and the vacuum pump is mounted in, or on, the trolley.

20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the trolley has an attachment portion for enabling connection to a flexible conveyor.

21 . Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the apparatus comprises a coupling device attached to the at least one flexible member, the coupling device being a vacuum device including a suction cup and a valve mechanism to enable the suction cup to be connected to a vacuum source.

22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21 , wherein at least an upper part of the support structure is provided with adjustment means for adjusting the orientation of said at least an upper part of the support structure with respect to vertical.

23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the adjustment means comprises at least one screw-threaded member mounted in a screw threaded hole, the at least one screw-threaded member being adjustable to cause a change in the orientation of said at least an upper part of the support structure.

24. Apparatus according to any of claim 2 to 23, wherein the apparatus comprises a moveable support arm which extends between the tube and support structure, such that pivoting the tube about a vertical axis causes the moveable support arm to move relative to the tube and the support structure.

25. A method of lifting items with apparatus having:

a tube having a first end part and a second end part;

at least one flexible member having a first end operatively connected to the second end part of the tube and a second end connected to a coupling device for coupling the flexible member to an item;

a guide means arranged to support the at least one flexible member so that the at least one flexible member extends around the guide means and extends along a first line to one side of the guide means and along a second line to the other side of the guide means; and

a support structure for supporting the tube above a surface,

the method comprising:

sliding the tube with respect to the support structure so that the first end part and second end part of the tube are moved with respect to the support structure;

bringing the coupling device into contact with an item to be lifted; and applying a partial vacuum to the bore of the tube to cause the second end part of the tube to be moved towards the first end part.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the method comprises sliding the tube along its length with respect to the support structure.

27. A method as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the method comprises pivoting the tube with respect to the support structure.

28. A method as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the method includes moving the support structure on a trolley.

29. A method as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the method includes moving the support structure into a container and lifting items with the apparatus within the container.

30. A method as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the at least one flexible member comprises a pipe, the coupling device comprises a suction cup and the method comprises applying a partial vacuum to the suction cup via the pipe to attach the suction cup to an item to be lifted.