Cable spool lifting and inversion bar and methods of utilisation thereof

Abstract

There is provided herein a lifting and inversion bar especially configured for repositioning cable spools which typically comprise fragile end stop annuli. The present cable spool lifting and inversion bar is configured for repositioning a cable spool comprising a length and radius between horizontal (that is wherein the axis of the cable spool is horizontal) and vertical (that is wherein the axis of the cable spools vertical) orientations. The inversion bar comprises a straight frame and an orthogonal shaft bisecting the frame into long and short ends. Furthermore, for the vertical orientation, the spool is able to freely rests atop the frame without additional support which negates the requirement for horizontal spacers as does the prior art. In this way, the spool may be conveniently lifted from the inversion by using a forklift, a convenient procedure not made possible by the prior art arrangements.

Claims

1. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar for repositioning a cable spool comprising a length and annuli having an annular radius between horizontal and vertical orientations, the bar comprising: a straight frame; and an orthogonal shaft bisecting the frame into long and short ends, the shaft and the long end comprising a strain taking connections at respective distal ends thereof and wherein: the shaft is longer than the length so as to be able to protrude through a core of the cable spool in use such that the shaft strain taking connection extends therebeyond; the long end is longer than the radius so as to be able to extend beyond an annular edge of the spool in use; the short end has the same length as the radius or is shorter than the radius so as to not extend substantially beyond the annular edge of the spool in use; and for the vertical orientation, the frame defines: an upper surface; and a widthwise stance such that, in use the spool is able to stand atop the frame upper surface and be freely laterally supported thereby.

2. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame defines a planar undersurface.

3. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 2, further comprising ground engaging lateral supportive feet extending from sides of the frame.

4. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 3, wherein the supportive feet comprise right angled brackets.

5. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame comprises a rectangular cross-section.

6. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame defines a planar upper surface.

7. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame comprises a cross-section of approximately 250 mm.

8. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame comprises a cross-section of approximately 300 mm.

9. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a length of approximately 1680 mm.

10. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a cross-section of approximately 2195 mm.

11. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a circular cross-section.

12. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 11, wherein the shaft strain taking connections comprises a plate having an eyelet therein welded lengthwise across a distal end of the shaft.

13. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft extends through the frame so as to be engaged by both upper and lower portions thereof.

14. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a length of approximately 1550 mm.

15. A cable spool lifting and inversion bar as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises a length of approximately 1950 mm.

16. A method for repositioning a cable spool from horizontal to vertical orientations using a device as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising: hoisting the inversion bar from the frame strain taking connections from a frame cable; inserting a free end of the shaft through a core of the cable spool until the shaft strain taking connection extends therefrom at an opposite end thereof; connecting a further shaft cable to the shaft strain taking connections; hoisting the cable spool using both the cables; shortening the shaft cable with respect to the frame cable such that the spool transitions from a horizontal to vertical configuration; lowering the cable spool and inversion bar to the ground; disconnecting the cables such that the cable spool rests atop the frame and is supported upright thereby.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising inserting forklift tines under a lower annulus of the cable spool in line with the frame; and lifting the cable spool from the shaft.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIGS. 1-3 show various lifting devices of the prior art;

(3) FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a cable spool lifting and inversion bar in accordance with an embodiment;

(4) FIG. 5 illustrates the engagement of a cable spool by the inversion bar;

(5) FIGS. 6-11 illustrate the repositioning of a cable spool from horizontal to vertical orientation utilising the present inversion bar;

(6) FIG. 12 shows an end-on cross-sectional elevation view illustrating the shaft extending through the frame of the inversion bar in accordance with an embodiment;

(7) FIG. 13-14 shows exemplary dimensions of the lifting bar for a six-tonne weight load limit; and

(8) FIG. 15-16 shows exemplary dimensions of the lifting bar for a 12-tonne weight load limit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(9) FIG. 4 shows a top isometric view of a lifting and inversion bar 100 especially suited for repositioning cable spools between horizontal and vertical orientations.

(10) Cable spools generally comprise a cylindrical section adjoined lateral ends thereof by respective annuli. Cable is wound around the cylindrical section between the end annuli, typically to a radius less than that of the adjacent annuli. As will be appreciated from the ensuing description, the present lifting bar 100 is configured for repositioning cable spools between horizontal and vertical orientations in an advantageous matter compared to the prior art, including in protecting the end annuli, avoiding having to pivot the spool on a corner thereof, being able to freely rest the spool on the inversion bar 100 when in the vertical orientation so as to allow access thereto utilising a forklift and the like.

(11) For reference, there will be described the inversion bar 100 for repositioning a cable spool comprising a length and a radius.

(12) As shown in FIG. 4, the inversion bar 100 comprises a straight frame 102 which, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a rectangular cross-section.

(13) An orthogonal shaft 101 is connected thereto so as to bisect the frame 102 into a long end 107 and a short end 108.

(14) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the device 100 engaging a spool 109 in a vertical orientation. As can be seen, the long end 107 comprises a length greater than the radius of the spool so as to extend out from underneath an edge of the lower annulus thereof. In this way, the one in 107 may engage a hoisting cable when the spool 109 is in the vertical configuration. Furthermore, the short end is less than that of the radius so as to not interfere with the ground when the spool 109 is in the horizontal configuration.

(15) Furthermore, the orthogonal shaft 101 is longer than the length of the spool 109 so as to be able to protrude from the opposite end of the cable spool 109 in the manner shown in FIG. 5.

(16) In a preferred embodiment, the shaft 101 comprises round bar so as to maximise the occupancy of the core of the spool which may be limited in embodiments.

(17) A strain taking connection 103 is located at a distal end of the long end 107. Similarly, a strain taking connection 104 is located at a distal end of the shaft 101.

(18) As is shown a FIG. 4B, the connection 104 may take the form of a rounded plate comprising an eye 106 therein welded widthwise across the distal end of the shaft 101.

(19) Similarly, the long end 107 connection 103 may take the form of a plate similarly defining an eye and welded to an end face of the long end 107. In the embodiment shown, the plate may be triangular so as to locate the eye towards the upper surface of the frame 102.

(20) Now, as can be appreciated from the vertical orientation configuration provided in FIG. 5, the lower annulus of the spool 109 is able to rest atop an upper surface 110 of the frame 102. In a preferred embodiment wherein the frame 102 is rectangular, the upper surface 107 may be planar so as to evenly support the lower annulus thereacross avoiding damage thereto.

(21) Furthermore, the framework 102 may comprise a widthwise stance so as to be able to freely support the spool 109 upright without topping over. In other words, the cables may be disconnected from the connections 103, 104 such that the spool 109 remains stable atop the frame 102. In this way, the spool 109 may be stored atop the inversion bar 100. Furthermore, by being freely supported by the frame 102, the spool 109 may be ready for picking up by a forklift as will be described in further detail below.

(22) In the embodiment wherein the frame 102 is rectangular, the frame 102 may similarly comprise a lower planar surface comprising a width which extends sufficiently laterally so as to stabilise the spool 109 thereatop without topping over.

(23) For enhanced lateral support, further lateral extending feet 105 may extend from edges of the frame 102.

(24) The utilisation of the inversion bar 100 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 6-11 illustrating the repositioning of a spool 109 from horizontal to vertical orientations.

(25) FIG. 6 shows the spool 109 in the horizontal configuration which may be the configuration the spool 109 arrives atop a truck bed or the like.

(26) An adjacent crane, suspending the frame 102 at the long end 107 using a frame cable 113 lowers the inversion bar 100 adjacent and end annulus such that, as is shown in FIG. 7, the shaft 101 is able to be inserted longitudinally through the core of the cable spool 109 so as to protrude from an opposite end thereof exposing the connection 104 of the shaft 101.

(27) Thereafter, a shaft cable 114 is attached to the shaft connector 104. As such, the cable spool 109 may be hoisted from these cable is 113, 114 simultaneously.

(28) Once suspended and as is illustrated in FIG. 8, the shaft cable 114 may be shortened with respect to the frame cable 113 such that the spool 109 transitions from the horizontal to the vertical configurations as is illustrated from FIGS. 8-10 in a controlled manner (as compared to the uncontrolled mannerisms of the prior art). In one embodiment, each crane cable 113, 114 may be controlled independently, such as by separate cranes or differing cable mechanisms of a single crane. Alternatively, the cables may loop about a driven shaft which is controlled to rotate one way or the other to respectively lengthen or shorten the cables with respect to each other. At no time of the cables free running around a pulley as per the prior art in an uncontrolled manner.

(29) Furthermore, as can be appreciated, the transitioning from the horizontal to vertical configurations does not require the spool 109 to be pivoted on a corner thereof on the ground which may damage the end annuli 112.

(30) Once repositioned in the vertical orientation, the spool 109 may be lowered such that the frame 102 rest upon the ground.

(31) Thereafter, the cables 113, 114 may be disconnected from the respective connections 103 104.

(32) As can be appreciated, the widthwise stance of the frame 102, such as the planar undersurface thereof comprising sufficient width and, in embodiments, the additionally laterally supportive feet 105, may maintain the cable spool 109 in the upright configuration. In such a configuration, the spool 109 may be left indefinitely atop the inversion bar 100 without toppling over.

(33) When required for repositioning or moving, tines 115 of a forklift 116 may be inserted under the lower annulus of the cable spool 109 and subsequently lifted so as to lift the cable spool 109 from the shaft 101.

(34) As can be appreciated, the pair of tines 115 may slide under the lower annulus of the spool 109 adjacent the frame 102. In this regard, the laterally extending supportive feet 105 may be provided by way right angled brackets which do not unnecessarily interfere with the insertion of the tines thereunder.

(35) FIG. 12 shows an embodiment wherein the shaft 101 extends through the frame 102 so as to be engaged both at upper and lower portions thereof for enhanced structural robustness. In embodiments, the proximal end of the shaft 101 may be recessed halfway within the base portion of the frame 102 and welded therein.

(36) FIGS. 1-14 show exemplary dimensions of the inversion bar 100 for a six-tonne weight load limit. As can be seen, in this embodiment, the frame 102 may comprise a length of approximately 1680 mm in the shaft may comprise a length of approximately 1550 mm. Furthermore, the frame 102 may comprise a cross-section of 250 mm.sup.2. The shaft 102 may engage the frame 102 such that the short end 108 is approximately 630 mm. The lateral extending support feet 105 may comprise a width of approximately 150 mm and may be set off 30 mm from the end of the frame 102.

(37) FIGS. 15-16 show a further embodiment wherein the inversion bar 100 is configured for a 12-tonne weight load limit. As can be appreciated, the inversion bar 100 in accordance with this embodiment is of greater dimension wherein the frame 102 may comprise a length of approximately 2195 mm and the shaft 101 may comprise a length of approximately 1950 mm. Furthermore, the short end is approximately 245 mm. Yet further, the frame 102 may be of approximately 300 mm.sup.2.

(38) The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.