A LIFTING DEVICE FOR CELLULOSE BALES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cellulose bale lifting apparatus comprising a beam framework to be detachably fixed in the crane and its hydraulic system, and claw wagons connected to the beam framework and furnished with gripping means to grasp and move the cellulose bales.

[0002] US-A-3 587 889 discloses a lifting apparatus for cellulose bales comprising a beam framework to be detachably fixed on a crane and identical lifting devices comprising two identical grippers, each of which is adapted to grip and hold one of the lifting straps of the steel bands secured on the cellulose bales.

[0003] The distance between the lifting devices can be adjusted according to different load dimensions by moving at least one of said lifting device along a guide on the assembled lifting apparatus.

[0004] The cellulose bales are bale-formed packages, in which cellulose is transporter from the factory to sites of use. The cellulose bales can be of different size, but usually weighing appr. 2.000 kg. The bales are round with even ends. The cellulose bales are protected with a protective layer made of wrapping carton. As binding means round the cellulose bale a lifting hoop is wrapped, which can be of steel.

[0005] Currently cellulose bales are loaded and moved in docks or similar places from transporting vehicle or intermediate depot to ship cargo space or, vice versa, using a quay crane and special a lifting apparatus connected to it. Usually the lifting apparatus has a longish framework beam or similar and gripping means attached to it by chains, cables or similar suspension elements. The lifting apparatus has several (e.g. 1-4) claw wagons and the aim is to lift many cellulose bales at the same time. Cellulose bales are moved so that the lifting apparatus is moved above the cellulose bales and let down ward so that the claw wagons get on the cellulose bales. The aim is that the gripping means of the claw wagons arrive at the wrapping hoop so that claws working as gripping means are on the opposite sides of the lifting hoop. When the claw wagon rests on the cellulose bale, the cellulose bale material shrinks a little, and moving the claws facing each other, they get below the lifting hoop. Then the cellulose bale can be moved to the ship cargo space or another required space.

[0006] Currently many disadvantages are connected to cellulose bale lifting apparatuses and the use of them. When the claw wagons are suspended by chains or cables or similar, the claw wagons can some time get into swing uncontrollably in regard to the beam framework, especially when moved empty from one place to another. Then upon loading one has to wait till swinging stops before it is possible to let the claw wagons down onto the surface cellulose bales and to grip the cellulose bales. The claws can always move a little when let downward and there is risk of them not to land exactly on the cellulose bales in the spot wanted and with the claws evenly on both sides of the lifting hoop. Accordingly, the lifting apparatus claws cannot be made to grasp the hoop and the lifting apparatus must be lifted upward once again. Working is slowed down by these measures.

[0007] It is also a disadvantage that the claw mechanism can damage the wrapping carton on the cellulose bales, if the claw wagon does not press the cellulose bale upper surface down sufficiently so that the claws can move under the lifting hoop, or they are not properly in place. When claw wagons are suspended by chains or cables the only pressing mass is the claw wagon itself and the elements it contains and their weight.

[0008] The purpose of the invention is to bring forth a cellulose bale lifting apparatus, by means of which present disadvantaged associated with lifting apparatuses could be eliminated. Especially, the purpose of the invention is to produce a cellulose bale lifting apparatus, by means it is possible to lift cellulose bales quickly, reliably and not damaging the wrapped surfaces.

[0009] The purpose of the invention is reached by the cellulose bale lifting apparatus characterized in what is presented in the claims.

[0010] In the lifting apparatus of cellulose bales as per the invention the claw wagons contain booms fixed movably to the beam framework, to which booms the claw wagon frame is fixed. When claw wagons are fixed by booms to the beam framework a structure is produced, which is steady, and the claw wagons cannot swing when moved and let down onto cellulose bales. Then the claw wagons can be let down exactly in the position wanted.

[0011] In an advantageous additional embodiment of the invention in the claw-like means caster wheels are fixed reaching below the claw-like means. The caster wheels slide on the wrapped surface not damaging it at all on sliding. In the next additional embodiment of the invention the booms are attached by means of the fixing frame to the beam framework and the booms are attached to the fixing frame vertically moving. By means of the fixing frame the booms and claw wagons can be attached to the beam framework moving both vertically and horizontally. Furthermore, the lifting apparatus includes spring elements arranged advantageously between claw wagon and fixing frame. Then the apparatus can be made to yield.

[0012] In the following the invention is disclosed with reference to the enclosed drawings, where

figures 1a and 1b

show a lifting apparatus as per the invention placed on bales and viewed from the side and the end,

figures 2a and 2b

show the lifting apparatus as per figure 1 viewed from the side and the end,

figures 3a and 3b

show the lifting apparatus as per figure 1 in lifting/moving position viewed from the side and the end, and

figures 4a and 4b

show the lifting apparatus as per figure 1 in releasing position viewed from the side and the end.

[0013] The cellulose bales handling apparatus contains a beam framework 2 detachably fixable to crane 1 and, 3 attached to it, claw wagons, including gripping means 4. Only the under-side portion of the crane rotator is shown. The handling apparatus is fixed detachably to the crane and to its hydraulic system in a manner known per se, which is not described here in detail. The apparatus and its regulations work hydraulically.

[0014] Beam framework 2 comprises a frame 11 to which a fixing wagon 12 is attached to move. Crane hook 1 can be fastened to an attachment support in the fixing wagon in a manner known per se. The beam framework has a longish frame beam 13. Furthermore, the beam framework has a hydraulic cylinder 14 to move fixing wagon 12 in regard to the frame.

[0015] Claw wagons 3 comprise fixing frames 9, booms 6 connected to them and frames 7 attached to them and furnished with gripping means 4. Fixing frames 9 are attached to frame beam 13 to be moved in its lengthwise direction, and booms 6 are fixed by means of fixing frame to beam framework 2 reaching downward from it. Booms 6 are on both sides of frame beam I3 and the claw wagon is fixed to their lower end.

[0016] In this embodiment there are as gripping means on both sides of frame 6 middle portion arms reaching to different sides, fixed to turn in the frame and furnished with claw-like means. There are four arms and said claw-like means are facing each other in pairs, i.e. there are in the apparatus two pairs of claw-like mean s. In the pairs the claw-like means are arranged opposite each other so that they are at a distance of the lifting hoop width from each other. Accordingly, in closed state they are not opposite each other but interlocked. In these claw-like means castors 8 are fixed reaching below the claw-like means. Claw frames 7 have a working gear and an adjustment gear 15 for claw casters working hydraulically.

[0017] The booms are attached to fixing frame 9 to move vertically. Furthermore the apparatus includes spring elements placed between claw wagon frame 7 and fixing frame 9.

[0018] The apparatus according to the figures is meant for use by loading cellulose bales into ship and off ship by hydraulic cranes with fixed booms. With the apparatus it is possible to lift 1 - 4 cellulose bales of about 2000 kg each at the same time as occasion demands.

[0019] Using the apparatus according to the figures the apparatus is on cellulose bales 5 as shown in figures 1a and 1b so that claw-like means 4 working as claw wagon gripping means are on different sides of the cellulose bale lifting hoops. It is tried to locate the lifting apparatus middle line on the middle line of cellulose bales, whereby handling takes place in balance. In the stage presented in next figure 2a and 2b the lifting apparatus is pressed against the surface of cellulose bales. Then the spring elements yield a little, booms move slightly upwards in regard to the frame beam. Yet a proper compression is produced and castors 8 in claw-like means 4 press the surface of cellulose bale wrapping carton into a proper depression, whereby between lifting hoops and cellulose bale surface a suitable space is formed, into which the claw organs are taken moving them hydraulically face to face according to the arrows of figure 2. The lifting hoop then remains on the claws.

[0020] Figures 3a and 3b show the lifting apparatus and cellulose bales during lifting and moving. The booms are then in the lower position. Figures 4a and 4b show how detachment of cellulose bales takes place by reverse motion of claw-like means after the cellulose bales are moved to the place wanted.

[0021] Furthermore, spots A,B,C and D are marked in figure 1a. They show the spots to which fixing wagon 12 is moved in regard to frame 11 by means of hydraulic cylinder 14 when the lifting apparatus is used to lift different quantities of cellulose bales. When four cellulose bales are lifted and moved at the same time, the fixing wagon is in spot A in the middle of the frame as per figures 1-4. When three cellulose bales are lifted and moved, the fixing wagon centre is in spot B and the claw wagon, most to the left in figure 1, is empty. When two cellulose bales are lifted and moved, the fixing wagon centre is in spot C and two midmost claw wagons are used for lifting/moving. When one cellulose bale is lifted and moved, the fixing wagon centre is in spot D and for lifting/moving the claw wagon in that spot is used, that is the second one viewed from the left.

[0022] The function of claw wagons can be controlled when the spot of lifting is moved. In the apparatus the fixing wagon is arranged to activate the function so that the hydraulic valve in the claw wagon opens or closes mechanically on moving the fixing wagon. The valve then opens or shuts the flow to the claw wagon.

Claims

1. A lifting device for cellulose bales comprising a beam framework (2) to be detachably fixed to a crane (1) and its hydraulic system and claw wagons (3) connected to the beam framework and furnished with gripping means (4) to grasp and move cellulose bales (5), whereby the claw wagons include booms (6) fixed movably to the beam framework, to which booms the claw wagon frame (7) is fixed.

2. A cellulose bale lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that there are as gripping organs (4) claw-like means arranged facing each other on both sides of claw wagon frame (7) centre.

3. A cellulose bale lifting device according to claim 2, characterized in that to claw-like means (4) casters (8) are fixed reaching below the claw-like means.

4. A cellulose bale lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that booms (6) are by means of fixing frame (9) fixed to beam frame work (2) and that the booms are fixed in the fixing frame to move vertically.

5. A cellulose bale lifting device according to claim 4, characterized in that the lifting apparatus has spring elements (10) between claw wagon frame (7) and fixing frame (9.

6. A cellulose bale lifting device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the beam framework includes a hydraulic cylinder (14) fixed to the frame to move fixing wagon (12), connectable to crane (1), in regard to frame (11).

Ansprüche

1. Abhebevorrichtung von Celluloseballen zu der eine Balkenlage (2), die an einem Ausheber (1) und an dessem hydraulischen System ablösbar befestigt werden kann und ein Nagelwagen (3), der an eine Balkenlage (2) beweglich befestigt werden kann, gehören, welcher Nagelwagen mit Greiforgane (4) ausgerüstet ist um die Celluloseballen (5) zu greifen und sie zu rühren, wo senkrechte Barren (6), die beweglich zur Balkenlage befestigt sind, zum Nagelwagen (3) gehören an welchen Barren der Nagelwagen (7) befestigt ist.

2. Abhebevorrichtung von Celluloseballen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass als Greiforgane (4) nagelähnliche Teile funktionierien, die an beiden Seiten der Zentrallinie des Körpers (7) des Nagelwagens gegeneinander installiert sind.

3. Abhebevorrichtung von Celluloseballen nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass Rollen (8), die unter die nagelähnlichen Teile erstrecken, an den nagelähnlichen Teile (4) befestigt sind.

4. Abhebevorrichtung von Celluloseballen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass Barren (6) mit Hilfe eines Befestigungskörpers (9) an der Balkenlage (2) befestigt sind und dass die Barren (6) an dem Befestigungskörper in eine senkrechte Richtung beweglich befestigt sind.

5. Abhebevorrichtung von Celluloseballen nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass Federteile (10), die zwischen dem Körper (7) des Nagelwagens und dem Befestigungskörper (9) plaziert sind, zur Abhebevorrichtung gehören.

6. Abhebevorrichtung von Celluloseballen nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass ein hydraulischer Zylinder (14), der am Körper befestigt ist, zur Balkenlage gehört so dass man einen Befestigungswagen (12) , der am Ausheber (1) befestigt werden kann, in Hinsicht auf den Körper (11) rühren kann.

Revendications

1. Un appareil de levage pour des balles de cellulose, comprenant un charpente en poutres (2) qui peut être montée amoviblement sur la grue (1) et sur système hydraulique ainsi que des chariots à griffes (3) reliés à la charpente en poutres et munis de moyens de préhension (4) pour saisir et déplacer des balles de cellulose (5), les chariots à griffes comprenant des bômes fixées amoviblement sur la charpente en poutres (6) sur lequel le cadre du chariot à griffes (7) est fixé.

2. Un appareil de levage pour des balles de cellulose selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il y a des organes de préhension (4) ressemblant à des griffes et se trouvant l'un face à l'autre des deux côtés du centre du chariot à griffes (7).

3. Un appareil de levage pour des balles de cellulose selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il y a, fixées aux moyens ressemblant à des griffes (4), des roulottes (8) arrivant jusqu'en dessous des moyens ressemblant à des griffes.

4. Un appareil de levage pour des balles de cellulose selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les bômes (6) sont fixées à la charpente en poutres (2) au moyen du support de fixation (9) et en ce que les bômes sont fixées de façon à se mouvoir verticalement.

5. Un appareil de levage pour des balles de cellulose selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que cet appareil est muni d'organes ressort (10) situés entre le chariot à griffes (7) et le support de fixation (9).

6. Un appareil de levage pour des balles de cellulose selon l'une des revendications 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que la charpente en poutres comprend un vérin hydraulique (14) fixé sur la charpente de façon à faire bouger, par rapport à la charpente (1), le chariot de fixation (12) qui est rattachable à la grue (1).

Drawing