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(11) | EP 2 886 504 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Mechanical grab for lifting and transporting loads |
| (57) A mechanical grab for lifting and transporting loads that essentially comprises a
central frame (1) wherein several swinging claws (2) are coupled, which are independently articulated in the central frame (1) by means of lift axles (3) and the rotational movement of the swinging claws (2) is carried out via hydraulic cylinders (4), the movement of which causes the swinging claws (2) to rotate and articulate around the lift axles (3).
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OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention, as stated in the title of this specification, relates to a mechanical orange peel claw for lifting and transporting loads that essentially comprises a central frame wherein several swinging claws are coupled, which are independently articulated in the central frame by means of lift axles.
[0002] The rotational movement of the swinging claws is carried out via hydraulic cylinders, the movement of which causes the swinging claws to rotate and articulate around the lift axles.
[0003] Based on this premise, the novelty of the invention in centred on the fact that each lift axle has at least four support points compared to the two support points that conventional lift axles have. In this way, better stability for the swinging claws is achieved, as well as less wear on the joints around the lift axles.
[0004] Another advantage of the invention is that the connection of the hydraulic cylinders to the claws is a centred connection, which enables a greater number of possibilities due to the fact that the swinging claws are coupled to the lift axles by pairs of lateral sections and not by conventional single central sections. This improves the correct distribution of stresses and results in a general improvement in the performance of the orange peel grab assembly of the invention.
[0005] Therefore, this articulated connection of the swinging claws by the pairs of lateral sections frees a central area of the swinging claws, which enables the hydraulic cylinders to be connected with more connection possibilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Currently, mechanical orange peel grabs for lifting and transporting loads in principle comprise a central frame and several swinging claws.
[0007] After successive uses under stress when lifting and transporting large loads, such as stones and heavy building materials, the swinging claws of the orange peel grab are subjected to torsion stresses that cause wear and premature gaps in the articulated connections and the resulting decrease in effectiveness of the assembly of the respective mechanical grab.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0008] With the purpose of achieving the objectives and preventing the drawbacks mentioned in the previous sections, the invention proposes a mechanical orange peel grab for lifting and transporting loads that comprises a central frame wherein several swinging claws are coupled, which are independently articulated in the central frame by means of lift axles; wherein the rotational movement of the swinging claws is carried out via power elements that join the swinging claws to the frame.
[0009] The power elements are coupled to the frame via front articulated connections, whilst the power elements are coupled to the swinging claws via rear articulated connections.
[0011] Each of the swinging claws has a central space that separates two lateral sections that articulate on at least one lift axle coupled in opposite holes located in said lateral sections and in pairs of lugs that are integral to the central frame; wherein the lift axle rests on at least four supports that correspond to the opposite holes of the lugs.
[0012] The power elements are coupled to the swinging claws via rear articulated connections located in pairs of central wings that are integral to the structure of the swinging claws, wherein the rear articulated connections are opposite the central spaces that separate the pairs of lateral sections of the swinging claws.
[0013] The swinging claws have pairs of collateral reinforcements, which are a continuation of the lateral sections, in such a way that intermediate grooves are defined between said collateral reinforcements, which are cut off by crossbars to which a portion of the central wings is joined.
[0014] The power elements are protected by means of a fixed casing that is integral to the frame and by means of a mobile casing coupled on the rear articulated connection of the power elements.
[0015] In order to facilitate a better understanding of this specification, a set of figures is included below as an integral part thereof, in which the object of the invention is represented by way of non-limiting examples.
BRIEF DECRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016]
Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of the mechanical orange peel grab for lifting and transporting loads, object of the invention. In this figure, the orange peel grab of the invention is in an open position. It essentially comprises a central frame and several swinging claws.
Figure 2.- Shows a perspective view of the mechanical grab in a closed position.
Figure 3.- Shows an elevation view of the mechanical grab in an open position.
Figure 4.- Is a detailed view showing the coupling of one of the swinging claws to the frame.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Regarding the numbering adopted in the figures, the mechanical orange peel grab for lifting and transporting loads includes the following nomenclature used in the description:
1.- Central frame.
2.- Swinging claws.
2a.- Lateral sections.
3.- Lift axles.
4.- Hydraulic cylinders.
5.- Front articulated connection.
6.- Rear articulated connection.
7.- Pair of central wings.
8.- Central space.
9.- Lugs.
10.- Collateral reinforcements.
11.- Crossbar.
12.-Fixed casing.
13.- Mobile casing.
[0018] It comprises a central frame (1) wherein several swinging claws (2) are coupled, which are independently articulated in the central frame (1) by means of lift axles (3).
[0019] The rotational movement of the swinging claws (2) is carried out via hydraulic cylinders (4), the movement of which causes the swinging claws (2) to rotate and articulate around the lift axles (3). The hydraulic cylinders (4) are coupled to the central frame via a front articulated connection, while the rods of said hydraulic cylinders (4) are connected via a rear articulated connection (6) on pairs of central wings (7) that are integral to the swinging claws (2).
[0020] Each swinging claw (2) has a central space (8) that separates two lateral sections (2a), which are articulated on the respective lift axles (3) coupled in opposite holes of these lateral sections (2a) and in other opposite holes of two pairs of lugs (9) that are integral to the central frame (1).
[0021] The articulated coupling of each swinging claw (2) through the lateral sections (2a) thereof provides a very stable connection, it also being highlighted that the lift axle (3), instead of conventionally resting on two support points, rests on four support points that are incorporated in the two pairs of lugs (9) of the frame (1) arranged on both sides of each of the lateral sections (2a) of the respective swinging claw (2).
[0022] Furthermore, each swinging claw (2) incorporates a crossbar (11) to which a portion of each pair of central wings (7) is joined, in which the rod of the respective hydraulic cylinder (4) is articulated.
[0023] The central space (8), in combination with the intermediate groove, enables the rear articulated connection (6) of the rod of the hydraulic cylinder (4) to be located in the most appropriate position, the pairs of central wings (7) being welded in the most appropriate position.
1. A mechanical orange peel grab for lifting and transporting loads, which comprises a central frame (1) wherein several swinging claws (2) are coupled,
which are independently articulated in the central frame (1) by means of lift axles
(3); wherein the rotation of the swinging claws (2) is carried out via power elements
that join the swinging claws (2) to the frame (1); the power element being coupled
to the frame (1) via front articulated connections (5), while the power elements are
coupled to the swinging claws (2) via rear articulated connections (6);
characterised in that each of the swinging claws (2) has a central space (8) that separates two lateral sections (2a), which articulate on at least one lift axle (3) coupled in opposite holes located in said lateral sections (2a) and in pairs of lugs (9) that are integral to the central frame (1); wherein the lift axle (3) rests on at least four support points that correspond to the opposite holes of the lugs (9).
characterised in that each of the swinging claws (2) has a central space (8) that separates two lateral sections (2a), which articulate on at least one lift axle (3) coupled in opposite holes located in said lateral sections (2a) and in pairs of lugs (9) that are integral to the central frame (1); wherein the lift axle (3) rests on at least four support points that correspond to the opposite holes of the lugs (9).
2. The mechanical orange peel grab for lifting and transporting loads, according to claim 1, characterised in that the power elements are coupled to the swinging claws (2) via the rear articulated
connections (6) located on pairs of central wings (7) that are integral to the structure
of the swinging claws (2), wherein the rear articulated connections (6) are opposite
the central spaces (8) that separate the pairs of lateral sections (2a) of the swinging
claws (2).
3. The mechanical orange peel grab for lifting and transporting loads, according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the swinging claws (2) have pairs of collateral reinforcements (10), which are a
continuation of the lateral sections (2a), in such a way that intermediate grooves
are defined between said collateral reinforcements (10).
4. The mechanical orange peel grab for lifting and transporting loads, according to claims 2 and 3, characterised in that the intermediate grooves delimited between the pairs of collateral reinforcements
(10) are cut off by crossbars (11) to which a portion of the central wings (7) is
joined.
5. The mechanical orange peel grab for lifting and transporting loads, according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that each of the power elements are protected by means of a fixed casing (12) that is
integral to the frame (1) and by means of a mobile casing (13) coupled on the rear
articulated connection (6) of the respective power element.
6. The mechanical orange peel grab for lifting and transporting loads, according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that each of the swinging claws, is articulated on two lift axles (3) coupled such that
they correspond to the two pairs of lugs (9), the pair of lift axles (3) being arranged
in the same direction.