COMPACT ERGONOMIC SELF-PROPELLED LIFTING MACHINE

Abstract

 An ergonomic and compact lifting machine for lifting windows, building elements etc. in connection with fitting or removal.
The ergonomic feature of the machine is that it is controlled by a joystick (5). This is located at the rear of the machine so that the operator has full control of the situation. The control devices such as the joystick (5) are adjustable and can be adjusted in height to suit the size of the operator.
The joystick (5) can also be adjusted to suit left- or right-handed operators.

Description

[0001] The invention is a self-propelled lifting machine comprising a chassis with individual traction on each of the driving wheels which is controlled by a hand-held electronic joystick. The machine is fitted with a removable lifting arm with a tool head for the interchangeable tools. In addition to the powered wheels, the chassis is fitted with a number of rotatable support wheels for stability when the vehicle is in motion. Of these, one pair is fitted at the front of the chassis under the lifting arm at the end of the vehicle where the tool head is, so that the furthest end of the lifting device in neutral position stretches out over the rotatable support wheels. When the lifting arm is fully loaded and fully extended, the support wheels can still be controlled by the friction of the wheels along the ground and the momentum of the driving wheels. The lifting arm with tool head and fitted tools can be manoeuvred manually or steered by a cable or wireless remote control and movement is controlled by a number of actuators. In addition, the tool head for the lifting arm - and thus also the fitted tools - has a degree of movement that includes up and down with the pivotal point in the connection between the chassis and the lifting arm, the tilt of the tool head with the pivotal point in the connection between the tool head and the lifting arm, the clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation of the tool head and its right/left yaw movement.

[0002] Self-propelled lifting machine for the handling of flat elements such as glass, metal or wood as used in the building and other industries.

[0003] Patent US 5584646 A describes a self-propelled lifting machine with a chassis mounted with a movable "tower" with a lifting arm designed to secure, lift and manoeuvre flat building elements.

[0004] There are, in addition, a number of examples of vehicles with individual steering of traction of the driving wheels controlled by a joystick. For example, patent US 20110206489 A1 is a self-propelled pallet lift/stacker that has a control device shaped like a joystick. This joystick is designed to control the movement of the device and also the hydraulic system for the lifting movement. The stacker has individual traction control of its powered wheels and is also fitted with support wheels that can be pushed out for stability when loaded.

[0005] Common to these lifting machines is that they are designed to make lifting heavy and difficult-to-handle elements easier.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to design a compact self-propelled ergonomic lifting machine that does not have any rotating towers and other side fittings that can lead to instability, but which is capable of manoeuvring in the desired direction (also sideways) by means of a joystick. The machine's manoeuvrability helps increase productivity and also safety in the workplace in which it is used.

[0007] A further purpose is to demonstrate a compact lifting machine that can operate safely for longer periods in limited space both indoors and outdoors. The machine is also simple to fold together and easy to transport, even in small vans.

[0008] The invention takes into account a self-propelled lifting machine of the type stated in claim 1, characterised by the addition of an extendable lifting arm to facilitate movement.

[0009] This means that it is easier and safer to position the machine and loaded tool head when working with building elements as it is possible to manoeuvre the machine easily and precisely around the workplace, irrespective of the load, even in small spaces without tiring the controller either physically or by an incorrect working position.

[0010] As stated in claim 2, it is a feature that the joystick is located at the end of the lifting arm furthest away from the tool head and extendable arm. This means that the operator can at all times see both the machine and the load, thus having full control over the operation, as well as it being safer.

[0011] Other appropriate types of operation are stated in claims 3 to 5

[0012] As stated in claim 7, it is also a characteristic of the machine that the tool on the lifting arm can be detached and placed in the transport fittings on the chassis. The machine can then be packed up ready for transport, even in a small van.

[0013] The chassis for the self-propelled lifting machine described below is based on well-known technology where the machine's mobility is achieved using the same principles as an electric wheelchair, with the great difference that the machine can function perfectly well with a large part of its weight moved over onto the movable front wheel. This gives the construction a minimal turning circle and optimum manoeuvrability, which increases productivity and safety, especially in small, complex areas.

[0014] The invention is explained below with reference to the plans, of which:

Fig 1. Shows the ergonomically compact self-propelled lifting machine in perspective, seen from the right side, directly from behind and directly from above.

Fig 2. Shows the lifting machine from the left side.

Fig 3. Shows the self-propelled lifting machine packed up and ready for transport.

[0015] The ergonomic and compact lifting machine shown in Figure 1 includes a chassis (1) supported by a number of wheels (6, 8 and 9), of which the two rear ones ((6) in this diagram) are the driving wheels. The other wheels (8 and 9) are the rotatable support wheels that create a stable platform when the vehicle is in motion. Of these, two support wheels (8) can be swung out to the side to further stabilise the machine by extending its track width. In addition, on the rear of the chassis (1) there is a central post in the middle, the lower part of which has room for a number of counterweights (7). The post also contains the lifting machine's controls and is a hinge point for a crane arm with a number of degrees of movement such as lift, extend, tilt, yaw or rotate. The crane arm also has a tool head at the end (13) to secure and manipulate a number of interchangeable tools (10). The tool head (13) can be turned and locked in steps of 30 degrees from 0 to +/- 90 degrees, so the fitted tool, with load, can be swung to one side of the machine, allowing it to move into narrow spaces such as door openings. The assembled lifting arm (2) comprising the crane arm, tool head (13) and interchangeable tools (10) is thus an extremely flexible lifting device that is able to handle and position a load accurately and safely, even in limited spaces. The lifting arm (2) and the fitted tool (10) can be moved manually or operated by a cable or remote control (3) with which the lifting arm's (2) movement can be controlled manually, or by electric actuator, electric motor, gas or hydraulic cylinders.

[0016] The chassis (1) of the self-propelled lifting machine is driven by two powerful motors which are directly connected to the driving wheels (6). These are controlled individually by an electronic joystick (5) which, as shown in the diagram, is situated at the rear of the machine so the controller has a clear view of the work situation. In addition to the driving wheels, the support wheels (8, 9) are controlled by their friction across the ground and the momentum of the driving wheels (6). Turning is performed by the motors running at different speeds, propelling the chassis (1) in another direction. When the chassis (1) has to turn on its own central axis, one motor rotates the driving wheel (6) forwards while the other motor rotates the other driving wheel (6) backwards.

[0017] The construction of the lifting machine, as well as the fact that the joystick (5) is user friendly and can be adapted to suit the individual operator, with adjustments for height or left- and right-handed persons, means that the lifting arm (2), even with maximum load and with the load placed over the front support wheels (9), is easy to operate and manoeuvre and turn. With its ergonomically placed control panel, the operator can easily, safely and with a complete overview of the working situation place the machine in the best possible position for delivering its load.

[0018] As shown in Figure 3, the relatively compact machine can be easily packed up for transport, with tools (10) detached from the tool head (13) and placed in the designed transport spaces (12) on the chassis (1) so the machine can be transported, even in small vans.

[0019] The compact ergonomic lifting machine is intended for industrial use as an alternative or supplement to other lifting and transporting equipment.

[0020] The self-propelled lifting arm can be used with many tools in addition to the vacuum yoke shown in Figures 1-3, including a magnetic yoke, hook, pallet forks, lifting grab etc.

Claims

1. A self-propelled lifting machine comprising a chassis (1) with individual traction on each of the driving wheels (6) which is controlled by a hand-held electronic joystick (5). The lifting machine is also fitted with a removable crane arm or lifting arm (2) with a tool head (13) for the interchangeable tools (10). In addition to the powered wheels, the chassis (1) is fitted with a number of rotatable support wheels (8) and (9) for stability when the vehicle is in motion. Of these, one pair (9) is fitted at the front of the chassis (1) under the lifting arm (2) at the end of the vehicle where the tool head (13) is, so that the furthest end of the lifting arm (2) in neutral position stretches out over the rotatable support wheels (9). When the lifting arm (2) is fully loaded and fully extended, the support wheels (9) can still be controlled by the friction of the wheels along the ground and the momentum of the driving wheels (6). The lifting arm (2) with tool head (13) and fitted tools (10) can be manoeuvred manually or steered by a cable or wireless remote control (3) and movement is controlled by a number of actuators (11). In addition, the tool head (13) for the lifting arm (2) - and thus also the fitted tools (10) - has a degree of movement that includes up and down with the pivotal point in the connection between the chassis (1) and the lifting arm (2), the tilt of the tool head (13) with the pivotal point in the connection between the tool head (13) and the lifting mechanism (2), the clockwise or anti-clockwise rotation of the tool head (13) and its right/left yaw movement. Another characteristic of the machine is that the lifting arm (2) is extendable.

2. A self-propelled lifting machine in compliance with claim 1, a characteristic of which is a joystick (5) located at the end of the machine furthest away from the tool head (13) on the lifting arm (2).

3. A self-propelled lifting machine in compliance with claims 1 and 2, a characteristic of which is that two or more rotatable support wheels (8) are controlled by the friction between the wheels along the ground and the momentum from the driving wheels (6).

4. A self-propelled lifting machine in compliance with claims 1 to 3, a characteristic of which is that the lifting arm (2) and the tool actuators (10) are electric, electric motors, or gas or hydraulic cylinders.

5. A self-propelled lifting machine in compliance with claims 1 to 4, a characteristic of which is that the tools (10) are a vacuum yoke or magnetic yoke, or hooks, or pallet forks or a lifting grab.

6. A self-propelled lifting machine in compliance with claims 1 to 5, a characteristic of which is that the tools (10) can be removed from the tool head (13) and placed in the transport fittings (12) on the chassis (1).

Drawing