Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hook – hoistline – or grab type – Load releasing means
Patent
1996-04-01
1997-11-18
Kramer, Dean
Handling: hand and hoist-line implements
Hook, hoistline, or grab type
Load releasing means
294 8224, 2941101, B66C 128
Patent
active
056880120
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a device in a lifting crane for launching and recovering a load provided with a recovery cable, preferably a remote-controlled seagoing vessel. The device comprises a lifting yoke with through-holes in the direction of lift, through which holes the recovery cable of the vessel may slide and in the walls of the lifting yoke, movable locking means which are pivotally disposed to retain or release a lifting device mounted in the vessel (load) at the end of the recovery cable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
More precisely, the device according to the present invention constitutes an improvement to an older design and construction intended for the same purposes. This prior art design and construction (which is described in Swedish patent No. 8703471-6) is, thus, intended for the launching and recovery of loads provided with recovery cables, such as remote-controlled seagoing vessels. In this instance, it comprises a lifting yoke provided with a through-hole in the direction of lift for the recovery cable and a number of pivotal locking means disposed to retain or release a lifting device mounted in the vessel at the end of the cable. However, in this design and construction the lifting yoke is operated by means of a first set of lines or wire ropes, while the locking means, which are pivotal about tangentially disposed shafts, are operated by means of a second set of lines or wire ropes secured in lever portions extending outside the lifting yoke and included in the locking means.
For switching this construction from the launching to the recovery position, displacement is necessary of the anchorage points of both sets of lines in relation to the lifting ring. As a result, this has been designed with an elongate portion along which the anchorage of the lines regulating the locking means may be displaced and manually locked in two different positions, one of which is the launching position and the other is the recovery position. In addition, it is necessary that the locking means, in connection with preparation for launching, are manually switched to the locked position before lifting of the seagoing vessel is activated in connection with launching. On the other hand, this design and construction affords the advantages of not requiring any controlled switching of the locking means when the vessel reaches the surface of the water during the launching process proper or during the recovery operation. The reason for this is that, during these operation sequences, the devices functions fully automatically as a result of the design of the locking means and the line anchorages.
Given the severe environments which this device is intended to operate including freezing temperatures and also given the risk of powerful corrosive attack, it has now been considered necessary within the art to simplify the switching from launching position to recovery position to the simplest possible manual operation and, in addition, to eliminate the potential risks of functional disturbance residing in the fact that the locking means are switched from the open position as a result of force of gravity in the form of simple ballast weights placed outermost on the lever portions of the locking means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has now proved possible through the present invention to satisfy these conditions in that the previous unlocking and locking function controlled by the cable of the locking means and by force of gravity has been replaced by a "spring bolt" readily switchable between launching and recovery positions and which has no loose parts. As a result of this design and construction modification, we have, moreover gained the advantage that the entire device has become considerably smaller, because it operates vertically in the recovery phase. Like the prior art design, this new device also operates fully automatically in both launching and recovering the vessel in question.
In the above-discussed prior art construction, the lifting ring was further designed as two separable halves
REFERENCES:
patent: 2537829 (1951-01-01), Hohler
patent: 3285650 (1966-11-01), Dukes
patent: 3853082 (1974-12-01), Rosenberg et al.
patent: 4130313 (1978-12-01), Clifford
patent: 4518186 (1985-05-01), Hornberg
Derwent's Abstract, No. 84-138920/22, Week 8422, Abstract of SU 1039850 (Volf G L), 7 Sep. 1983.
Siesjo Jan
Wigh Anders
Bofors Underwater Systems AB
Kramer Dean
LandOfFree
Launching device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Launching device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Launching device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1560692