Sling gear for single-arm operation by a remotely controlled gripper, in particular of a remotely controlled vehicle

Abstract

The invention concerns a sling gear (1) for single-arm operation by a remotely controlled gripper, in particular of a remotely controlled vehicle. The sling gear (1) has a closure (4) that can be moved from a closed position (5) into an open position (62), a sling body (2) that is closed in the closed position (5) of the closure (4) and open in the open position (82), and an push-button (18) for opening the closure (4). The push-button (18) has a gear section (68), which couples the closure (4) with the push-button (18), by transmitting movement. In order to improve the reliability in operation, also under adverse circumstances, for example in a heavily soiled environment on the seabed, the push-button (18) is, in accordance with the invention, equipped with an locking area (56), which, in the closed position (5), is to be found engaged with the closure (4), and locks the closure (4) in the closed position (5).

Claims

1. A sling gear (1) for single-arm operation by a remotely controlled gripper, in particular of a remotely controlled vehicle, with a closure (4) that can be moved from a closed position (5) into an open position (82), a sling body (2) that is closed by the closure (4) in the closed position (5) and open in the open position (82), and a push-button (18) for opening the closure (4), the push-button (18) contains a gear section (68) which couples the closure (4) with the push-button (18) by transmitting movement, characterised in that the push-button (18) has a locking area (56), which engages with the closure (4) in the closed position (5) and locks the closure (4) in the closed position.

2. The sling gear (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the push-button (18) is held in the sling gear (1) movably from the closed position (5) into the open position (82) and has a release position (78) between the closed position (5) and the open position (82), in which the locking of the closure (4) is released by the locking area (56) and in which the closure (4) is in the closed position (5).

3. The sling gear (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the push-button (18) comprised an idle stroke (80) starting from its closed position (5), and across which which the closure (4) remains in the closed position (5).

4. The sling gear (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the gear section (68) engages with the closure (4) at the end of the idle stroke (80).

5. The sling gear (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the push-button (18) protrudes on one side (54) from a base body (22) of the sling gear (1) and is equipped, on the other side (52), with a traction mechanism receptacle (74) for attaching a traction mechanism (50).

6. The sling gear (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the traction mechanism (50) for opening the closure (40) is fastened in the traction mechanism receptacle (74), which traction mechanism (50) juts out from the side (52) of the sling gear (1) located opposite the push-button (18).

7. The sling gear (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the locking area (56) has an adjoining locking surface (60), which, in the closed position (5) and in the direction of motion (64) of the push-button (18) from the closed position (5) to the open position (82) abuts a counterface (62) of the closure (4) free of undercuts.

8. The sling gear (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the push-button (18) is held in the sling gear (1) at one of its ends (25) in such a way that it swivels around an push-button axis (24), and the locking area (56) and the gear section (68) are located at the other end (70) of the push-button (18).

9. The sling gear (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the gear section (68) is moved disengaged from the closure (4) in the closed position (5).

10. The sling gear (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a gripping surface (32) pointing away from the push-button (18) is widened at the side (52) of the sling gear (1) located opposite the push-button (18) transversely to a direction of motion (64) of the push-button (18).

11. The sling gear (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the gripping surface (32) is formed on at least one wing (34) of a base body (22) receiving the push-button (18), which wing (34) protrudes transversely to the direction of motion (64) of the push-button (18).

12. The sling gear (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that a base body (22) receiving the push-button (18) is equipped, at a recess (26) revealing the push-button (18) for operation, with at least one thickened protective bulge (48).

13. The sling gear (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the closure (4) is pre-stressed in the direction of the closed position (5).

Description

[0024] The figures show the following:

[0025] FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of a sling gear designed in accordance with the invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 a schematic representation along the arrow II of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 3 a schematic sectional representation along the III-III plane of FIG. 1 in a closed position of the sling gear;

[0028] FIG. 4 the sectional representation of FIG. 3 in a release position of the sling gear;

[0029] FIG. 5 the sectional representation of FIG. 4 in an open position of the sling gear.

[0030] First of all, the construction of a sling gear 1 designed in accordance with the invention is explained, by way of example, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Merely in order to explain, the sling gear consists of a hook that can be operated by a gripper (not shown) of a remotely controlled submarine vehicle (not shown) without any further aids.

[0031] The sling gear 1 has a sling body 2, which, in this case, is hook-shaped. The sling body 2 is closed by a moveable closure 4, if the closure 4 is in the closed position 5 of the sling gear shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] The closure can be swivelled around a closure axis 6, preferably on a plane 8 of the sling body 2 between an open position, not shown in FIG. 1, and the closed position 5 shown in FIG. 1, wherein the closure 4 is swivelled away from the sling eye 2 in the open position. At the end 10 facing away from the closure axis 6, the closure 4 can be equipped with at least one form-fit element 12, which engages with a form-fit element 14 of the sling body 2 designed to complement it, securing the end 10 crosswise to the plane of movement 8 of the closure 4. For example, the end 10 can be designed in a bifurcate manner, and, in the closed position 5, receive a securing protrusion 16 of the sling eye 2.

[0033] An push-button 18, which is incorporated into a shaft 20 of a base body 22 of the sling gear 1, monolithically forming the sling body 2, is provided for opening the closure 4. If no forces impact upon it from outside the sling gear 1, the push-button 18 is to be found in the closed position. It is moved into an open position by pressure, and thereby drives the movement of the closure 4 into the open position, as explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. The push-button may be supported in a manner permitting it to be swivelled around an push-button axis 24 on the base body 22. The push-button axis 24 is preferably provided for at the end 25 of the push-button 18 facing away from the sling body 2. Instead of a swivellable push-button 18, a sliding button can also be used in the shaft 20, without any differences in the mode of operation described below resulting therefrom.

[0034] In order to be easily accessible from outside by means of a gripper and be protected at once, the push-button can be provided for in a recess 26 of the base body 22. The recess 26 may, as shown in FIG. 1, be rectangular.

[0035] The push-button 18 is preferably a flat body, the flat sides 29 of which face towards the walls 28 of the shaft 20. In order to avoid the push-button 18 getting stuck, at least one flushing aperture 30 may exist, which pushes through the flat sides 29 of the push-button 18, and is always, at least partially, accessible from outside the sling gear.

[0036] A widened gripping surface 32 may be provided on the sling gear 1, opposite the push-button 18, which, when the push-button 18 is operated using a gripper, forms an abutment. The gripping surface 32 may have at least one wing 34, which protrudes crosswise to the direction of motion and/or operation 36 of the push-button 18 and/or a flat side 38 of the base body 22. There is preferably always at least one wing provided for on both flat sides 38 of the base body 22. The gripping surfaces 32 are inclined in the direction leading away from the flat sides 38, back towards the push-button, so that they form an outwardly directed obtuse angle 42 with the planes 40 spread out from the flat sides 38. The recoiling of the gripping surfaces 32 enables them to be gripped by a gripper, also at inconvenient angles, for example at a slant from the side.

[0037] The sling gear 1 is, moreover, equipped with a fastening section 44, which may comprise a mounting eye 46 or a fastener designed in another way. With the aid of the anchorage section 44, the sling gear 1 can be attached to further lifting gear, sling gear or lashing systems, for example a rope or a chain. The push-button 18 is provided for, in the embodiment shown, merely by way of example, in FIG. 1, between the sling body 2 and the anchorage section 44. The gripping surface 32 recoils somewhat in the direction of the push-button in relation to the anchorage section 44. In the area of the push-button 18, the base body 22 is therefore constricted.

[0038] At at least one end or edge of the recess 26, at least one protective bulge 48 is provided for, which projects crosswise to the direction of operation 36 or the plane 8 of the sling body 2 and forms a bulge protecting the push-button 18.

[0039] Finally, the sling gear 1 may comprise a traction mechanism 50, which is hung in the push-button 18. The traction mechanism 50 serves to additionally operate the closure 4. The traction mechanism 50 projects from the side 52 of the sling gear 1 located opposite the push-button 18. By pulling on the traction mechanism 50, the push-button 18 is moved in exactly the same way as by exerting pressure on the other side 54. The traction mechanism may, for example, be a towing rope, in particular a steel cable with a loop.

[0040] It cannot be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the closure 4 and/or the push-button 18 are pre-stressed by a closure spring in the direction of the closed position 5 (cf. FIGS. 3-5).

[0041] Next the function of the push-button 18 is described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0042] It is shown in FIG. 3 that the push-button 18 is pre-stressed by means of a closure spring 55 around the push-button axis 24 along a clockwise direction 88 shown in FIG. 3.

[0043] The closure 4 is also pre-stressed by means of a closure spring 55 around the closure axis 6 along an anti-clockwise direction 90 shown in FIG. 3.

[0044] The closure spring 55 of the closure 4 and the push-button 18 are each designed as a leg spring 55a.

[0045] In FIG. 3, the closure 4 and the push-button 18 are each shown in an end position 92, in which the closure 4 and the push-button 18 are swivelled by the respective closure spring 55, as long as no actuation pressure 66 or pull 76 is exerted on the push-button 18.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows the sling gear 1 in the closed position 5, in which the push-button 18 and the closure 4 are to be found in their respective resting positions, where no force is exerted upon them from outside the sling gear 1. The closure 4 is locked in the closed position 5. It cannot be moved directly, but only indirectly, by pressing the push-button.

[0047] A locking area 56 of the push-button 18 is to be found engaged with the closure 4, and blocks its swivelling motion 58 around the closure axis 6. The locking area 56 has an locking surface 60, which is always pressed against the complementary counterface 62 of the closure under the influence of a closure spring 55 pre-stressing the push-button 18 into the closed position 5 and the closure 4 into the closed position 5. In other embodiments of the sling gear 1, only the closure 4, or also only the push-button 18, may be pre-stressed with a closure spring 55.

[0048] The locking surface 60 and the counterface 62 abut one another in regard to a direction of motion 64 of the push-button 18 around the push-button axis 24 without undercutting one another, or, at the most, while undercutting one another only slightly. Should the push-button be moved from the closed position 5 by the actuation pressure 66, the surfaces 60 and 62 may slide away from one another.

[0049] The push-button 18 is, in addition, equipped with a gear section 68, which can be brought to engage with the closure 4, by transmitting movement. In the closed position 5, the gear section 68 is preferably to be found disengaged from the closure. The gear section 68 may, for example, interlock with the closure 4, and thus couple the movement of the push-button 18 with the movement of the closure 4 then running in the opposite direction due to the pressure 66. The gearing 69a of the push-button 18 is allocated a corresponding complementary gearing 69b of the closure 4.

[0050] While the locking area 56 statically holds the closure 4 in the closed position 5, protecting it against external impact, the gear section 68 serves the purpose of dynamically transmitting movement from the push-button 18 to the closure 4.

[0051] The locking area 56 and the gear section 68 can, as shown in FIG. 3, be found at the other end 70 of the push-button 18 in relation to the push-button axis 24. The locking area can in particular be found on an extension 72 of the push-button extending away from the axis, which may additionally form a traction mechanism receptacle 74 for the traction mechanism 50. The traction mechanism receptacle 74 may be placed at the end 70, so that the locking area 56 extends between the traction mechanism receptacle 74 and the push-button axis 24. The gear section 68 may, in turn, be provided between the locking area 70 and the push-button axis 24.

[0052] By pulling 76 on the traction mechanism 50, the push-button 18 is indirectly moved in exactly the same way as it is moved directly by exerting actuation pressure 66 on the button. The traction mechanism 50 is thus an alternative means of actuation.

[0053] If the push-button 18 is pressed, or if the traction mechanism 50 is pulled, the locking area 56 is first of all disengaged from the closure 4, and the lock in the closed position 5 is disengaged. This is shown in FIG. 4: The sling gear 1 is to be found in a release position 78, in which the lock of the closure is disengaged, however the closure 4 is still to be found in the closed position. The gear section 68 precisely engages with the closure, so that the movement of the push-button 18 is precisely transmitted to the closure 4. The locking surface 60 and the counterface 62 have precisely fully disengaged.

[0054] The actuation pressure 66 or the pull 76 is exerted against the force exerted by the closure spring 55 of the push-button 18, so that the closure spring 55 is stressed.

[0055] During the movement from the closed position 5 (drawn in with a dotted line in FIG. 4) into the release position 78, the push-button 18 executes an idle stroke 80, during which the closure 4 is not moved.

[0056] If the push-button 18 continues to be pressed or the traction mechanism 50 continues to be pulled, the movement of the push-button 18 is transmitted to the closure 4, which is thereby, against the spring tension of the corresponding closure spring 55, moved away from the closed position 5 until the sling gear 1 is located in the open position 82 shown in FIG. 5, in which the sling body 2 is open. In the open position 82, a stop surface 84 on the push-button side abuts a stop surface 86 on the closure side, and prevents any further movement of the closure 4 and the push-button 18. In the open position 82, the push-button still always preferably protrudes from the sling gear 1 or the recess 26 over its entire length accessible from the outside in the open position. Thus, the entire movement of the push-button 18 from the closed position 5 into the open position 82 may be effected from the outside under the actuation pressure 66 of a single gripper.

[0057] So that the closed position 5 is resumed, the push-button 18 or the traction mechanism 50 is simply released. Under the impact of said at least one closure spring 55 pre-tensioning the push-button 18 and/or the closure 4, the push-button 18 and the closure 4 return to the closed position via the release position 78.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0058] 1 Sling gear [0059] 2 Sling body [0060] 4 Closure [0061] 5 Closed position [0062] 6 Closure axis [0063] 8 Plane [0064] 10 End of the closure facing away from the closure axis [0065] 12 Form-fit element of the closure [0066] 14 Form-fit element of the sling body [0067] 16 Securing protrusion [0068] 18 Push-button [0069] 20 Shaft [0070] 22 Base body [0071] 24 Push-button axis [0072] 25 The end of the push-button facing away from the sling body [0073] 26 Recess in the base body [0074] 28 Shaft wall [0075] 29 Flat side of the push-button [0076] 30 Flushing aperture of the push-button [0077] 32 Gripping surface of the base body [0078] 34 Wing of the base body [0079] 36 Direction of operation of the push-button [0080] 38 Flat side of the base body or sling gear [0081] 40 Plane of the flat side [0082] 42 Angle between the gripping surface and the flat side [0083] 44 Fastening section of the sling gear [0084] 46 Mounting eye [0085] 48 Protective bulge [0086] 50 Traction mechanism [0087] 52 The side of the sling gear located opposite the push-button [0088] 54 Side of the push-button [0089] 55 Closure spring [0090] 55a Leg spring [0091] 56 Locking area [0092] 58 Swivelling motion of the closure [0093] 60 Locking surface of the push-button [0094] 62 Counterface of the closure [0095] 64 Direction of motion of the push-button [0096] 66 Actuation pressure on the push-button [0097] 66 Gear section of the push-button [0098] 69a Gearing of the gear section [0099] 69b Gearing of the closure [0100] 70 The end of the push-button facing away from the push-button axis [0101] 72 Extension of the push-button [0102] 74 Traction mechanism receptacle [0103] 76 Pull on the traction mechanism [0104] 78 Release position [0105] 80 Idle stroke [0106] 82 Open position [0107] 84 Stop surface [0108] 86 Stop surface [0109] 88 Clockwise direction [0110] 90 Anti-clockwise direction [0111] 92 End position