WO2013056329A1

WO2013056329A1 - Mobile device for protecting load hoisting cables

Info

Publication number: WO2013056329A1
Application number: PCT/BR2012/000395
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruno Higino Costa BARBOSA
Original assignee: Vale S.A.
Priority date: 2011-10-20
Filing date: 2012-10-22
Publication date: 2013-04-25
Also published as: BRPI1106614B1; BRPI1106614A2; TW201332872A; AR088476A1

Abstract

There is described a mobile device (10) for protecting cables (30) in the hoisting of load endowed with furrows, the mobile device (10) comprising an L- shaped corner piece (1) that receives the edge of the load to be hoisted; a tubular structure (2) endowed with an inner portion (21) that partially involves the corner piece (1) and an outer portion (22) that receives the cables (30) and comprises at least a pair of attaching elements (7); and at least a brace (3) associated to the attaching elements (7); the brace (3) slidably fixing the corner piece (1) and the tubular structure (2) to the cables (30).

Description

"MOBILE DEVICE FOR PROTECTING LOAD HOISTING CABLES"

The present invention discloses a mobile device for protecting steel cables in the hoisting of loads, particularly a mobile device for load hoisting cables that neutralizes the edges of the loads and prevents kinks from forming in the cable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

Maintenance teams for heavy parts, port loading and unloading teams, among others, routinely need to hoist heavy loads, having edges or live corners and that do not have a specific site for engaging the steel cable to be hoisted.

Accordingly, steel cables involving this kind of load bear deformations due to contact with the edges or live corners of the load. These deformations sustained by the steel cables consist of folds that are characterized by a discontinuity in the longitudinal direction of the cable and which, in extreme cases, result in the decrease of the traction resistance of this cable.

In the attempt to minimize the problems caused by deformation in the steel cables by contact with the edges or live corners of the parts, professionals have used rubber strips involving the live corner, such that the steel cable stays over these rubber strips, without contact with the live cable of the load. However, it was noted that this procedure in no way decreases the damage sustained by the steel cables, in addition to the risk that the rubber strip will come away from its original position during hoisting.

The state of the art also comprises a comer protector used for load hoisting. This corner protector, similar to an angled support, is magnetic such that it is directly attached to the load to be hoisted and, furthermore, bears a furrow on its outer walls where. the steel cable passes. However, besides the high cost, this corner protector has the drawback of allowing attachment only on metal surfaces of loads and, moreover, runs the risk of letting the steel cable lodged in the outer furrow escape. Various other devices for hoisting loads are known in the state of the art. Among these, we may cite the protectors described in the documents commented upon below.

Document US 5,098,143 describes a device used for loading heavy parts, the function of which is to reduce kinks in the cable and prevent the cable from sliding on the load during hoisting. This device is formed by corner pieces composed of boards and flanges creating a C-shape and a pair of bolts to attach this corner piece directly to the part. One part of the cables for hoisting the piece passes through the corner piece and another part passes through the outer portion of the corner piece, in both cases contouring the "C" and prevented from slipping due to the side flanges existing on this corner piece.

Document US 5,584,623 refers to an L-shaped corner or edge protector for lading, having openings and tabs on its outer vertical and horizontal portions, through which the load hoisting cable passes.

Further, document US 5,878,548 refers to a corner piece for protecting the edge or live corner of a pile of wood. The cable for hoisting the load passes through flaps disposed on the outer portion of this corner piece.

Although devices for protecting live comers of loads and for protecting steel cables in the hoisting of loads that are attached to the steel cable and mobile therealong for improved and easier adjustment of positioning on the live corners of the loads and for improved protection of steel cables against kinks is not known thus far.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile device for protecting load hoisting cables associated to the steel cable and displacing along this steel cable, such as to position itself at the live corners or edges of the loads and to prevent the formation of kinks in the steel cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is a mobile device for protecting cables in load hoisting endowed with edges, the mobile device comprising an L-shaped corner piece that receives the edge of the load to be hoisted; a tubular structure endowed with an inner portion that partially involves the corner piece and an outer portion that receives the cables and comprises at least a pair of attaching elements; and at least a brace associated to the elements and attachment; the brace slidably attaching the comer piece and the tubular structure to the cables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention shall now be described in greater detail based on an example of an embodiment represented in the drawings, which show:

Figure 1 - is a perspective view of the mobile device for protecting load hoisting cables that are the object of this invention;

Figure 2 - is a right-hand side view of the mobile device for protecting load hoisting cables that are the object of this invention;

Figure 3 - is a schematic view of the workings of the mobile device for protecting load hoisting cables that are the object of this invention; and

Figure 4 - illustrates the mobile device for protecting load hoisting cables that are the object of this invention mounted on a live corner of a load to be hoisted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to a preferred embodiment and as can be seen in figures 1 to 3, the present invention consists of a mobile device 10 to protect cables 30 in load hoisting, such load endowed with edges or live corners which may damage the cables 30, preferably steel cables.

The mobile device 10 comprises an L-shaped corner piece 1 endowed with two flat surfaces 4, 4' disposed perpendicularly with each other, forming a setting region 9 which receives the edge from the load to be hoisted.

The mobile device 10 further comprises a tubular structure 2 endowed with an inner portion 21 which partially involves the comer piece 1 and an outer portion 22 which receives the cables 30 and comprises at least a pair of attaching elements 7.

More specifically, the inner portion 21 of the tubular structure 2 involves a forward region 5 of the corner piece 1 , opposite the setting region 9, providing support for the corner piece 1 and a surface with smooth curvature for setting the steel cables 30, which corresponds to the outer surface 22.

The pair of attaching elements 7 preferably consists of perpendicularly screws associated to the outer portion 22 of the tubular structure 2, at the first and second ends , 12 of this tubular structure 2. However, other attaching elements such as pins and clips can be used.

Further in relation to the tubular structure 2, at least a pair of flanges 6 is attached to the outer portion 22, at the first and second ends 11 , 12. The flanges 6 present the same tubular structure section 2 and their function is to reinforce the ends of this tubular structure 2.

As illustrated in figure 1 , the mobile device 10 also comprises at least one brace 2 associated to the screws 7 of the tubular structure 2. This brace 3 is preferably in a metal splint and is associated to the screws 7 by fixing means 8, preferably a pair of washers and wing-nuts. Other fixing means can be used, provided they enable the brace 3 to be fixed to the attaching elements 7 of the tubular structure 2.

As can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the assembly and use of the mobile device 10 is made supporting at least one steel cable 30 to the outer portion 22 of the tubular structure 2 and fixing the brace 3 to the screws 7 by wing-nuts 8, such that the steel cable 30 becomes disposed between the tubular structure 2 and the brace 3.

Accordingly, the brace 3 slidably fixes the corner piece 1 and the tubular structure 2 to the cable 30, enabling the mobile device 10 to be slidable along the cables 30 to which it is attached.

When a load needs to be hoisted, at least one mobile device 10 is fastened or coupled to the steel cables 30 which will be used for hoisting, such as described above. The mobile device 10 is then moved along the steel cable 30 so as to be positioned at the edge of the load. The steel cable 30 is hoisted and the mobile device 10 fits into the edge or live corner of the load such that the edge of the load is supported on the flat surfaces 4, 4' of the corner piece 1. After fitting it into the edge, the steel cable 30 passes over the outer portion 22 of the tubular structure 2 of the mobile device 10 and the load is hoisted without contact between the steel cable 30 and the edge of the load.

The mobile device 10 for protecting steel cables 30 in hoisting loads eliminates damage caused to the steel cables 30 by virtue of the edge or live comers of the loads to be hoisted, usually heavy loads.

This mobile device 10 also presents a simple construction, provides greater security to the operator that accompanies the hoisting and does not compromise the operator's ergonomics.

Additionally, the mobile device 10 is removable, that is, it can be fastened and withdrawn from the steel cables when desired, besides enabling an improved and easier fitting into the edge of the load, since it is slidable along the steel cable 30 and can therefore be adjusted with greater precision to the furrow to be used for hoisting.

Accordingly, with the mobile device 10 that is the object of this invention, the edges or live corners of the loads to be hoisted are neutralized and there is no kink in the steel cable 30 used in hoisting.

Having described an example of a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention encompasses other possible variations, being limited only by the content of the accompanying claims, potential equivalents being included therein.

Claims

1. A mobile device (10) for protecting cables (30) in the hoisting of load endowed with edges, the mobile device (10) being characterized by comprising

an L-shaped corner piece (1 ) piece that receives the edge of the load to be hoisted;

a tubular structure (2) endowed with an inner portion (21) that partially involves the corner piece (1) and an outer portion (22) that receives the cables (30) and comprises at least one pair of attaching elements (7); and

at least one brace (3) associated to the attaching elements (7);

the brace (3) slidably fixing the corner piece (1) and the tubular structure (2) to the cables (30).

2. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact of being slidable along the cables (30).

3. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the cables (30) are disposed between the tubular structure (2) and the brace (3).

4. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the corner piece (1) comprises two flat surfaces (4, 4') disposed perpendicularly of each other, forming a setting region (9) that receives the edge of the load to be hoisted.

5. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that the corner piece comprises a forward region (5) that is involved by the tubular structure (2), the forward region (5) is opposite the setting region (9).

6. A device, according to claim , characterized by the fact that the tubular structure (2) comprises first and second ends (1 1 , 12) to which at least one pair of flanges (6) is associated.

7. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that at least one pair of fixing elements (7) is perpendicularly associated to the tubular structure (2).

8. A device, according to claim 1 , characterized by the fact that at least one brace (3) is associated to the elements and fixing (7) by fixing means