Lifting apparatus for hoisting a gyratory crusher spider

Abstract

A lifting apparatus (100) for hoisting a spider (200) of a gyratory crusher has a spreader (110) spanning between two leg members (120) each having an offset arm (121a), clearing arm (121b), cradle arm (121c), and securing arm (121d). The offset arm (121a) forms a second offset distance (131) with respect to an offset axis (C). The arms (121a-121d) form an opening (123) for receiving the spider (200). The leg members (120) oppose each other such that the clearing arms (121b) of the leg members (120) are provided on opposite sides of a plane defined by the horizontal axis (D) and vertical axis (A). The lifting apparatus (100) may be lowered over the spider (200), and rotated approximately 90 degrees in a direction (B) of rotation about the vertical axis (A) to cradle and support the spider (200) from below the spider (200).

Claims

1. A lifting apparatus (100) for hoisting a spider (200) of a gyratory crusher, the lifting apparatus (100) comprising a spreader (35,110) having a tether receiving portion (36,113); the spreader (35,110) extending along a horizontal axis (D) and spanning between two leg members (4,120); each of the leg members (4,120) extending downwardly from the spreader (110) and being spaced from one another by a first offset distance (130) from a vertical axis (A) of the lifting apparatus (100), the lifting apparatus (100) being CHARACTERISED IN THAT each of the leg members (4,120) comprises an offset arm (30,121a), a clearing arm (121b) extending downwardly from the offset arm (30,121a), a cradle arm (27,121c), and a securing arm (17,121d) extending upwardly from the cradle arm (27,121c); the cradle arm (121c) bridging a lower portion of the clearing arm (11,121b) to a lower portion of the securing arm (17,121d), the offset arm (30,121a) forming a second offset distance (131) with respect to an offset axis (C) that is both substantially orthogonal to the horizontal axis (D) and substantially parallel to the vertical axis (A); wherein the offset arm (30,121a), clearing arm (11,121b), cradle arm (27,121c), and securing arm (17,121d) form an opening (38,123) for receiving the spider (200); and, wherein the leg members (4,120) are oriented such that the clearing arms (11,121b) of the leg members (4,120) are provided on opposite sides of a plane defined by the horizontal axis (D) and vertical axis (A), such that the lifting apparatus (100) may be lowered over and around the spider (200) from above the spider (200), and such that the lifting apparatus (100) may be rotated approximately 90 degrees in a direction (B) of rotation about the vertical axis (A) to cradle the spider (200) from below the spider (200) and support the spider (200) at a support surface (34,127) atop each cradle arm (27,121c).

2. The lifting apparatus (100) according to claim 1, further comprising an extension flange (3,122) running a length of the offset arm (30,121a), clearing arm (11,121b), cradle arm (27,121c), securing arm (17,121d), or a combination thereof.

3. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spreader (35,110) comprises a substantially planar upper body (2,112).

4. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spreader (35,110) comprises a substantially tubular lower body (1,111).

5. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each leg member (4,120) comprises a fully boxed-frame structure having an inner plate (5), an outer plate (6), an extension flange (3) joining the inner plate (5) to the outer plate (6) along their respective edges, and a number of transverse stiffening/reinforcement plates extending between the inner plate (5) and the outer plate (6).

6. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the spreader (35, 110) comprises forklift receiving members (37).

7. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower portion of each of the leg members (4,120) comprises a skid (124).

8. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg members (4,120) are substantially planar.

9. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leg members (4,120) have a “C”-shaped, slanted “J”-shaped, or “fishhook”-shaped profile.

10. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower distal end (125) of each of the leg members (4,120) are provided on opposite sides of the plane defined by the horizontal axis (D) and vertical axis (A).

11. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing arms (17,121d) of the leg members (4,120) are provided on opposite sides of the plane defined by the horizontal axis (D) and vertical axis (A).

12. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tether receiving portion (36,113) comprises an aperture for receiving a cable, hook, rope, chain, link, or other tensile member.

13. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spreader (35,110) comprises an upper surface (114) having two angled edges which together form an apex (115) adjacent the tether receiving portion (113).

14. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising one or more gussets (19) extending between the leg members (4,120) and the spreader (110).

15. The lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a saddle (32) having a polymer structure (34) provided to the cradle arm (27, 121c) of each leg member (4, 120).

16. A method of lifting a spider (200) for a gyratory crusher comprising: providing the lifting apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims above a spider (200); lowering the lifting apparatus (100) so that the leg members (120) straddle side portions of the spider (200); turning the lifting apparatus (100) approximately 90 degrees in a direction (B) of rotation about the vertical axis (A) such that the lifting apparatus (100) cradles the spider (200) from below the spider (200) and supports the spider (200) at a support surface (34,127) atop each cradle arm (27,121c); and lifting the spider (200) by raising the lifting apparatus (100).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of lifting the spider (200) by raising the lifting apparatus (100) comprises raising a tensile member attached to the tether receiving portion (36,113) of the lifting apparatus (100).

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17 wherein the method comprises removing the spider (100) from a gyratory crusher.

19. The method according to any one of preceding claims 16-18 further comprising lowering the spider (200) onto a gyratory crusher.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures.

(2) FIG. 1 is a representative perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a lifting apparatus (100) in accordance with the invention. The lifting apparatus (100) is shown to be engaging a spider (200) of a gyratory crusher. In particular, FIG. 1 shows the lifting apparatus (100) in a “rotated and locked” operational configuration. This configuration may be used for lifting or lowering the spider (200). Cradle arms (121c) are shown to be supporting bottom surfaces of the spider (200). To remove the lifting apparatus (100) from the spider (200), the lifting apparatus (100) may be rotated clockwise about vertical axis (A) in an opposite direction of rotation (B) and raised or lifted vertically away from spider (200) along vertical axis (A).

(3) FIG. 2 shows a first isometric perspective view of the lifting apparatus (100) depicted in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a second isometric perspective view of the lifting apparatus (100) depicted in FIGS. 1 & 2.

(5) FIGS. 4 and 5 collectively show an exploded view of the lifting apparatus (100) depicted in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 4 shows particulars of a spreader (110) portion of the lifting apparatus (100), and FIG. 5 shows particulars of leg members (120) intended to be joined to the spreader (110) shown in FIG. 4.

(6) FIG. 6 depicts an isometric view of another non-limiting embodiment of a lifting apparatus (100) in accordance with the invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front side plan view of the lifting apparatus (100) depicted in FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is a partial cutaway top view of the lifting apparatus (100) depicted FIGS. 6 & 7—along the representative plane shown in FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway side view of the lifting apparatus (100) depicted FIGS. 6-8—along the representative plane shown in FIG. 7.

(10) FIG. 10 depicts a frame portion of a saddle (32) having one or more over-mould retaining features (33) which may be provided over a cradle arm (27) of the lifting apparatus (100) according to some non-limiting embodiments.

(11) FIG. 11 depicts the saddle (32) of FIG. 10 having its frame portion over-moulded with a polymer structure (34) such as urethane or rubber.

(12) FIG. 12 shows a first configuration of a lifting apparatus (100) resting on an optional support chassis (300) awaiting securement to a hoist or crane—or transport by a fork lift.

(13) FIG. 13 shows a second configuration of a lifting apparatus (100) engaging a spider (200) for lowering or raising the same, wherein a tensile member of a hoist or crane is not shown to be coupled to the tether receiving portion (36) of the lifting apparatus (100) for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(14) As shown in FIG. 1, a lifting apparatus 100 (i.e., “spider hook”) may be lowered directly over a central portion of a spider 200 and rotated approximately 90 degrees (or a “quarter turn”) about a vertical axis A, and in a direction of rotation B, to cradle and support a spider 200. Once supported, the spider 200 may be lifted (i.e., raised, lowered, or suspended) using the lifting apparatus 100.

(15) While not shown, rigging is to be used in conjunction with lifting apparatus 100. The rigging used in conjunction with the lifting apparatus 100 may include any suitable rigging known in the art including, but not limited to tethers, ropes, webbing, straps, chains, cables, buckles, hooks, slings, and the like. The rigging may be operably connected to the lifting apparatus 100, for example, via a tether receiving portion 113. The tether receiving portion 113, in its simplest form, may comprise an aperture or lift eye for receiving a lifting hook at an end of a tensile member.

(16) The lifting apparatus 100 may rotate about a vertical axis A in a direction of rotation B, whilst being connected to the rigging. A spreader 110 portion of the lifting apparatus may extend along a horizontal axis D, and span between upper proximal ends 126 of two leg members 120. The two leg members 120 may each comprise their own offset axis C. Each offset axis C may comprise a vertical axis that substantially parallel with vertical axis A and separated from the vertical axis A by a first offset distance 130 along the horizontal axis D, as shown. The horizontal axis D may, as shown, extend transversely with respect to, and/or orthogonally in relation to vertical axis A, without limitation.

(17) Spreader 110 may be comprised of an upper body 112 portion and a lower body 111 portion. The upper body 112 may comprise a planar member or be formed from a plate as shown in the non-limiting embodiment of the figures. The lower body 111 may comprise a tubular portion, which can be hollow or solid (e.g., cylindrical), without limitation. The tether receiving portion 113 may comprise an aperture extending through an upper portion of upper body 112, a welded lift eye, or other means for connecting the lifting apparatus 100 to the aforementioned rigging, without limitation. The tether receiving portion 113 may be located adjacent an upper surface 114 of the upper body 112 of the spreader 110. It is envisaged that a plurality of tether receiving portions 113 may be provided to the spreader 110, for example, in a V-shaped bridal hitch configuration, rather than a vertical hitch configuration, without limitation. The upper surface 114 may take on any preferable shape, but in some preferred embodiments, as depicted, the upper surface 114 may be formed of two angled surfaces which meet to form an apex 115 adjacent the tether receiving portion 113, without limitation.

(18) Leg members 120 may extend downwardly from side ends of the spreader 110, e.g., at connections 140. Connections 140 between the leg members 120 and the spreader 110 may be temporary (e.g., via the use of fasteners) or permanent (e.g., via welding or casting). In the particular embodiment shown, each leg member 120 may comprise an upper body receiving portion 128 (e.g., an aperture) and a lower body receiving portion 129 (e.g., slit, slot) at its upper proximal end 126. The receiving portions 128, 129 may slide onto ends of spreader 110 along a direction aligned with horizontal axis D, and towards vertical axis A, without limitation. Other forms and configurations for connections 140 may be practiced.

(19) According to some embodiments, leg members 120 may be substantially planar members. They may be inexpensively formed from plate 121 or casted in a manner which provides sufficient strength. Each leg member 120 may comprise an offset arm 121a extending downwardly and away from the spreader 110 and away from the horizontal axis D, a clearing arm 121b extending downwardly from the offset arm 121, a cradle arm 121c extending from the clearing arm 121b and under the spreader 110, and a securing arm 121d extending upwardly from the cradle arm 121c and ending at a lower distal end 125. Collectively, the offset arm 121a, clearing arm 121b, cradle arm 121c, and securing arm 121d may form an opening 123 which is configured to receive the spider 200. As depicted in FIG. 1, the spider 200 may rest transversely within the openings 123.

(20) The clearing arm 121b of each leg member 120 may be offset from its respective offset axis C by a second offset distance 131 which may be substantially perpendicular to first offset distance 130. The securing arm 121d of each leg member 120 may be offset from its respective offset axis C by a third offset distance 132 which may also be substantially perpendicular to first offset distance 130, without limitation.

(21) An upper portion of the cradle arm 121c may include a support surface 127 for engaging and supporting one or more lower surfaces of a spider 200. The support surface 127 may optionally be configured with a shape or profile which is complimentary to a similar shape or profile of the underside of the spider 200, without limitation. As shown, support surface 127 may be flat.

(22) The support surface 127 and/or or portions of other arms 121a-121d may be widened with an optional extension flange 122. The extension flange 122 may serve to distribute loads (e.g., as a stiffening member) and/or increase strength and torsional rigidity of the lifting apparatus 100. The extension flange 122 may also serve to spread out point loads at contact points between leg members 120 and the spider 200. In addition to, or in lieu of extension flange 122, each leg member 120 may comprise a skid 124 at its lower end, without limitation. Support surface 127 may be treated with surface texture or a soft material to improve friction between the lifting apparatus 100 and spider, without limitation.

(23) Turning now to FIGS. 6-13, embodiments of a lifting apparatus 100 may comprise a spreader 35 supporting two leg members 4 at each end thereof. The leg members 4 may be secured to a lower body 1 of the spreader 35 by a securing device 26 (e.g., a pinned or welded endcap or flange) as shown. The lower body 1 may be coupled to an upper body 2 provided with a tether receiving portion 36. The tether receiving portion 36 may comprise an aperture extending through the upper body 2, a welded lift eye, or other means for connecting the lifting apparatus 100 to rigging for a hoist, crane, lift, or the like, without limitation. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the upper body 2 may be planar, and the lower body 1 may be tubular to reduce weight.

(24) Each leg member 4 may be provided in the form of “C-hooks”, and may have a fully-boxed frame structure comprised of an inner plate 5, an outer plate 6, and one or more transverse stiffening/reinforcement plates 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 extending therebetween. For example, as shown, a plurality of transverse stiffening/reinforcement plates 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 may be provided along the profile of each leg member at discrete distance intervals as most clearly seen in FIG. 9. An extension flange 3 may join the inner 5 and outer 6 plates together along their peripheral edges and cap/enclose each leg member 4 to form a fully-boxed frame structure as shown.

(25) Similar to the embodiment described above in reference to FIGS. 1-5, each leg member 4 may be provided with an upper offset arm 30 obliquely-extending from the lower body 1 to a substantially-vertically-extending clearing arm 11, a lower cradle arm 27 extending substantially perpendicular from the clearing arm 11, and a distal securing arm 17 rising upwardly from the cantilevered end of the cradle arm 27 and configured to secure a spider 200 cradled within the lifting apparatus 100. The leg members 4 are positioned so as to have their open sides (i.e., openings 38) oriented in oppositely-facing directions as depicted.

(26) Forklift receiving members 37 may be provided to portions of the lifting apparatus 100. For example, as shown, two forklift receiving members 37 may be provided to a portion of the spreader 35, such as to the lower body 1. Each forklift receiving member 37 may comprise a rectangular tubular member having an upper surface 23, two side surfaces 24, and a lower surface 25. Each forklift receiving member 37 may be secured to a portion of the lower body 1, for example, by one or more upper front 20 and upper back 21 support plates without limitation. In addition to, or as an alternative to the aforementioned, each forklift receiving member 37 may be secured to the lower body 1 by one or more side support plates 18, without limitation. The plates 18, 20, 21, are preferably triangular and preferably extend perpendicularly to surfaces 23, 24, 25 of the forklift receiving members 37, without limitation. It should be understood that portions of the upper plates 20, 21 may extend between an undersurface of the lower body 1 and an upper surface 23 of a forklift receiving member 37.

(27) Leg member gussets 19 may obliquely extend between the lower body 1 and an inner 5 plate of each leg member to improve strength and torsional rigidity of the lifting apparatus 100. An edge of these gussets 19 may be provided with a stiffening flange 22 to form a partial I-beam structure for additional strength.

(28) One or more upper stiffening plates 28 and/or one or more lower stiffening plates 29 may also be provided to inner 5 or outer 6 plates of each leg member, particularly at the curved junction between the offset arm 30 and clearing arm 11, and junction between the offset arm 30 and cradle arm 27, without limitation.

(29) Optionally, a bottom plate 31 may be provided to the lower body 1 of the spreader to allow for additional rigging, protect the lower body 1 from impact or damage, and/or to serve as a resting or “bottom-out” surface. Such a bottom plate 31 may, for example, find practical use in centering or self-aligning the lifting apparatus 100 with an underlying support chassis 300 (FIG. 12).

(30) Turning now to FIGS. 10-13, a saddle 32 may be provided to an upper portion of the cradle arm 27 of each leg member 4. The saddle 32 may comprise a frame portion (FIG. 10) having one or more integral over-mould retaining features 33 on its upper side as depicted. Each over-mould retaining feature 33 preferably has an overhang or undercut feature which is configured to retain an over-moulded polymeric substrate. For example, as depicted in FIG. 11, a polymer structure 34 (e.g., an over-mould layer of urethane or rubber) may be formed over the frame to provide adequate protection to the cradle arms 27 and spider 200, as well as provide better gripping and conforming with the undersurface of spider 200.

(31) In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc. When describing methods and steps thereof, the order or appearance of a listed step may not be important. Thus, it is possible for method steps to be taken out of sequence from what is described.

(32) The above description of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

(33) In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, “has”, “having”, “incorporates”, “is provided with”, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed. It should further be understood that embodiments described and/or depicted herein are provided for exemplary purposes only, and that certain elements, features, components, or steps described and/or depicted may be optionally omitted, replaced with art-recognized equivalents, or combined in any logical permutation consistent with the aims of the inventive concept.

LIST OF REFERENCE IDENTIFIERS

(34) 1 Lower body (e.g., tubular portion, pipe, bar) 2 Upper body (e.g., plate) 3 Extension flange 4 Leg member (e.g., C-hooks) 5 Inner plate 6 Outer plate 7 Transverse stiffening/reinforcement plate 8 Transverse stiffening/reinforcement plate 9 Transverse stiffening/reinforcement plate 10 Transverse stiffening/reinforcement plate 11 Clearing arm 12 Transverse stiffening/reinforcement plate 13 Transverse stiffening/reinforcement plate 14 Transverse stiffening/reinforcement plate 15 Transverse stiffening/reinforcement plate 16 Transverse stiffening/reinforcement plate 17 Securing arm 18 Side support plate—Forklift receiving member 19 Gusset 20 Upper front support plate(s)—Forklift receiving member 21 Upper back support plate(s)—Forklift receiving member 22 Stiffening flange 23 Upper surface—Forklift receiving member 24 Side surface(s)—Forklift receiving member 25 Lower surface—Forklift receiving member 26 Securing device (e.g., endcap) 27 Cradle arm 28 Upper stiffening plate 29 Lower stiffening plate 30 Offset arm 31 Bottom plate (of lower body 1) 32 Saddle 33 Over-mould retaining feature(s) 34 Polymer structure (e.g., over-mould layer of urethane or rubber) 35 Spreader 36 Tether receiving portion 37 Forklift receiving member(s) 38 Opening A Vertical axis B Direction of rotation C Offset axis D Horizontal axis (e.g., transverse or orthogonal to vertical axis A) 100 Lifting apparatus (e.g., “spider hook”) 110 Spreader 111 Lower body (e.g., tubular portion, pipe, bar) 112 Upper body (e.g., plate) 113 Tether receiving portion 114 Upper surface (e.g., angled) 115 Apex 120 Leg member (e.g., C-hooks) 121 Plate 121a Offset arm 121b Clearing arm 121c Cradle arm 121d Securing arm 122 Extension flange 123 Opening 124 Skid 125 Lower distal end 126 Upper proximal end 127 Support surface 128 Upper body receiving portion (e.g., aperture) 129 Lower body receiving portion (e.g., slot) 130 First offset distance (i.e., between axes A & C) 131 Second offset distance (between vertical axis C and clearing arm 121b) 132 Third offset distance (i.e., between offset axis C and securing arm 125) 140 Connection 200 Spider of a gyratory crusher 300 Support chassis