Arrangement for secure transfer of a travelling trolley between a first and a second rail in a hoisting system

Abstract

An arrangement for secure transfer of a travelling trolley between a first and a second rail in a hoisting system is provided. The arrangement including: a first and a second engagement devices are arranged to engage when the rails are aligned; a third and a fourth engagement devices are arranged to engage when the rails are aligned; a pivotable stop which in a closed position is arranged to form a barrier in the path of the trolley, and which is coupled with the first engagement device such that the first stop is pivoted out of the path of the trolley when the first and the second engagement devices engage, such that the trolley can pass between the rails; a pivotable second stop which in a closed position is coupled with the third engagement device.

Claims

1. An arrangement for secure transfer of a travelling trolley between a first and a second rail in a hoisting system, the arrangement including: a first stop which in an open position is arranged to allow passage of the trolley from the first rail to the second rail when the rails are aligned, and which in a closed position is arranged to form a barrier in the path of the trolley, preventing passage of the trolley past the free end of the first rail when the rails are not aligned; a second stop which in an open position is arranged to allow passage of the trolley from the second rail to the first rail when the rails are aligned, and which in a closed position is arranged to form a barrier in the path of the trolley, preventing passage of the trolley past the free end of the second rail when the rails are not aligned; a first and a second engagement device arranged to engage when the rails are aligned; a third and a fourth engagement device arranged to engage when the rails are aligned; the first stop arranged so as to pivot in relation to the first rail, and such that the first stop is coupled with the first engagement device so that the first stop pivots out of the path of the trolley when the first and second engagement device engage; the second stop arranged so as to pivot in relation to the second rail, and such that the second stop is coupled with the third engagement device so that the second stop pivots out of the path of the trolley when the third and fourth engagement device engage; wherein the first and third engagement device each includes a projecting part, and that the second and fourth engagement device each include a track adapted to receive respective projecting parts, wherein both tracks are curving such that respective projecting parts are displaced in relation to the longitudinal direction of the rails by insertion into the respective tracks.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tracks are adapted with a recess disposed such that the projecting parts are in the recess when the rails are aligned.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the first stop includes a first elastic mechanism adapted so as to urge the first stop against its closed position, and that the second stop includes a second elastic mechanism adapted so as to urge the second stop against its closed position.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first stop and the second stop each includes a pivot plate arranged so as to be pivoted into the path of the trolley in the closed position of the stop, and so as to be pivoted out of the path of the trolley in the open position of the stop.

5. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first engagement device is fixed to the first rail, and that the second engagement device is fixed to the second rail.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the third engagement device is fixed to the second rail, and that the fourth engagement device is fixed to the first rail.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an illustration of the arrangement according to embodiments of the invention where the rails are not aligned;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the arrangement in FIG. 1 where the rails are aligned;

(4) FIGS. 3a-b show an illustration of the arrangement in FIG. 1 as seen from above and from one and the other side, respectively, where the covers are hidden, and where the rails are not aligned;

(5) FIG. 4 shows an illustration of the arrangement in FIG. 1 as seen from below where the covers are hidden and the rails are aligned; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows an illustration of the arrangement in FIG. 1 as seen from below where the covers are hidden and the rails are not aligned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an arrangement 1 for secure transfer of a travelling trolley (not shown) between a first and a second rail 3; 3 in a hoisting system (not shown). In FIGS. 1 and 2, the arrangement 1 and the rails 3, 3 are turned so that they are viewed from below.

(8) The rails 3, 3 are of a type with a longitudinal slot 5 intended for receiving the trolley such that the wheels of the trolley can run inside the rails 3 3, while a hoisting system is suspended from the trolley. The path of the trolley therefore follows the slot 5.

(9) In the shown embodiment, the arrangement 1 is shown in two parts, a first part 6 mounted on the first rail 3, and a second part 6 mounted on the second rail 3.

(10) The arrangement 1 includes a first stop 7 integrated in the first part 6 and a second stop 7 integrated in the second part 6.

(11) On FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and second parts 6, 6 are each shown with a cover 8, 8 shielding the mechanisms of the arrangement.

(12) On FIG. 1, where the rails 3, 3 are offset, the first and second stop 7, 7 are in their closed positions. The stops 7, 7 hereby form a barrier in the path of the trolley, preventing passage of the trolley past the free ends 9, 9 of the first and the second rail, respectively, from a position farther in on the respective rail 3, 3.

(13) On FIG. 2, where the rails are aligned, the first and second stops 7, 7 are in their open positions. The stops 7, 7 are moved outside the path of the trolley such that the trolley can pass unhinderedly from one rail to the other 3, 3. The trolley can hereby pass by the free end 9, 9 of the first or the second rail, respectively, from a position farther in on the respective rail 3, 3.

(14) The first and second stops 7, 7 change between closed and open positions by pivoting about a first and a second journal 10, 10, respectively,' that define an axis of rotation, see FIG. 3a.

(15) FIGS. 3a-b show an illustration of the arrangement 1 in FIG. 1 as seen from above and from one and the other side, respectively, where the covers 8, 8 are hidden such that other parts of the arrangement can be seen, and where the rails 3, 3 are not aligned.

(16) The arrangement 1 furthermore includes a first and a second engagement means or devices 11, 13. In the shown embodiment, the first engagement means or device 11 is fixed to the first rail 3, and that the second engagement means or device 13 is fixed to the second rail 3. The first and a second engagement means or devices 11, 13 are arranged to engage when the rails 3, 3 are aligned. When the rails 3, 3 are sufficiently displaced, the engagement between the first and the second engagement means or devices 11, 13 will cease.

(17) The first engagement means or device 11 is coupled with the first stop 7 such that the first stop 7 pivots out of the path of the trolley when the first and second engagement means or devices 11, 13 engage.

(18) In the shown embodiment, the first engagement means or devices 11 is provided with a first projecting part 15 in the form of a wheel, see FIG. 3b, and the second engagement means or device 13 is a curving first track 17. Moreover, the projecting part 15 is fastened to a bent first plate member 19. The first stop 7 is integrated in the first plate member 19 in the form of a pivot plate 20 arranged so as to be pivoted into the path of the trolley in the closed position of the stop, and so as to be pivoted out of the path of the trolley in the open position of the stop. The plate member 19 is furthermore pivotably suspended by the first journal 10.

(19) The curvature of the first track 17 is adapted such that the projecting part 15 is displaced in relation to the longitudinal direction of the rail when the first projecting part 15 is inserted into the track 17. This displacement causes the first plate member 19 to rotate about the first journal 10 such that the first stop 7 is pivoted in relation to the first rail 5 into a position outside the path of the trolley.

(20) The first stop 7 includes a first elastic mechanism. The elastic mechanism is adapted such that it acts on the first plate member 19 with a force urging the first stop 7 against its closed position. In the shown embodiment, the first elastic mechanism includes both a torsion spring 23 and a extension spring 25. Redundancy is hereby achieved such that the function of the stop is not compromised if one of the springs fails.

(21) In alternative embodiments, the elastic mechanism may include one or more spring means or devices selected among, but not limited to, torsion springs, extension springs, compression springs and/or helical springs.

(22) The arrangement 1 furthermore includes a third and a fourth engagement means or devices 11, 13. In the shown embodiment, the third engagement means or device 11 is fixed to the second rail 3, and the fourth engagement means or device 13 is fixed to the first rail 3. The third and a fourth engagement means or device 11, 13 are arranged to engage when the rails 3, 3 are aligned. When the rails 3, 3 are sufficiently displaced, the engagement between the third and the fourth engagement means or devices 11, 13 will cease.

(23) The third engagement means or device 11 is coupled with the second stop 7 such that the second stop 7 pivots out of the path of the trolley when the third and fourth engagement means or devices 11, 13 engage.

(24) In the shown embodiment, the third engagement means or device 11 is provided with a second projecting part 15 in the form of a wheel, and the fourth engagement means or device 13 is a curving second track 17. Moreover, the second projecting part 15 is fastened to a bent second plate member 19. The second stop 7 is integrated in the second plate member 19 in the form of a pivot plate 20 arranged so as to be pivoted into the path of the trolley in the closed position of the stop, and so as to be pivoted out of the path of the trolley in the open position of the stop. The plate member 19 is furthermore pivotably suspended by the second journal 10.

(25) The curvature of the second track 17 is adapted such that the projecting part 15 is displaced in relation to the longitudinal direction of the rail when the projecting part 15 is inserted into the track 17. This displacement causes the second plate member 19 to rotate about the second journal 10 such that the second stop 7 is pivoted in relation to the second rail 5 into a position outside the path of the trolley.

(26) The second stop 7 includes a second elastic mechanism. The second elastic mechanism is adapted such that it acts on the second plate member 19 with a force urging the second stop 7 against its closed position. In the shown embodiment, the second elastic mechanism includes both a torsion spring 23 and a extension spring 25. Redundancy is hereby achieved such that the function of the stop is not compromised if one of the springs fails.

(27) The tracks 17, 17 are each adapted with a recess 27, see FIG. 3a. The recesses 27 are disposed such that the respective projecting parts 15, 15 are in the recess 27 when the rails are aligned. This will provide a centering effect so that the rails 3, 3 remain in the aligned position until they are moved intentionally.

(28) FIG. 4 shows an illustration of the arrangement 1 in FIG. 1 as seen from below where the covers 8 are hidden and where the rails 3, 3 are aligned. FIG. 5 shows the same arrangement 1 as FIG. 4 with aligned rails 3, 3.

(29) It is clearly seen here how the stops 7, 7 by pivoting the plate members 19, 19 under action of the engaging means or device 11, 11, 13, 13 shift between closed and open positions.

(30) Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

(31) For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of a or an throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and comprising does not exclude other steps or elements. The mention of a unit or a module does not preclude the use of more than one unit or module.