Abstract:
Described is a shielding installation device in large tires and a shielding installation method in large tires. The device comprises a shaft, a reducer, a motor, a base, and a frame. The shielding installation method comprises different sequential steps, configured for installation of shielding on the thread of a large tire. The device and method of use of this device can allow a safe and practical installation of shielding in large vehicles, solving the serious safety problem related to traditional techniques of installation of this element.

Description:
INVENTION FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention consists of a shielding installation device in large tires and a shielding installation method that uses the shielding installation device. 
       INVENTION BACKGROUNDS 
       [0002]    Large tires are used in large vehicles, such as those used in mining operations (large wheel loaders and off-highway trucks, for example). For purposes of delimiting the scope of this invention, the term “large tire” means any tire having external diameter between 2 and 5 meters and between 3 and 15 tons in weight. 
         [0003]    As these devices are applied in the mining sector, the land on which they move is often slippery, with much mud and loose substrate, during rainy season, which creates a great risk of bogging. To prevent these machines from bogging or slipping during their displacement, metal shields are installed on their tires. 
         [0004]    In general, the shielding of large tires consists of a metallic mesh of intertwined chains which surrounds the tire thread, increasing the contact surface of this object, therefore ensuring higher adherence between the tire and the ground which, in turn, avoids slipping and bogging of the vehicle with these elements. To facilitate the understanding of this invention, the term “tire” means the wheel set, which means the wheel block and the tire as a whole. 
         [0005]    Since they are large tires, the shielding mesh also is large and, thus, becomes too heavy to be loaded and applied to the tire manually. 
         [0006]    In the technique status, the shielding of wheel loader tires is made with assistance of the wheel loader itself and of at least four employees, being: two maintainers, one signaler, and one wheel loader operator. 
         [0007]    The wheel loader operator is responsible for moving and controlling the machine during the shielding operation. He lifts the wheel loader bucket so that other workers have access to front tires of the wheel loader, see  FIG. 1 . 
         [0008]    Maintainers are responsible for positioning the chain mesh during the shielding process. After the machine is duly parked by the operator, the maintainers place the open mesh on the floor, attaching one of the mesh ends in the tire they want to shield. 
         [0009]    After one end of the chain mesh is attached, the machine operator moves the wheel loader, causing the mesh to be wrapped around the tire, thereby performing its shielding. 
         [0010]    As the operator moves the wheel loader, the signaler keeps distance from the machine, checking if the chain mesh is in line with the tire, and if there was any failure during the procedure. 
         [0011]    During the equipment movement, maintainers also align the mesh with the tire manually, with the assistance of metallic hooks. 
         [0012]    Therefore, maintainers are exposed to the risk of being run over by the wheel loader, or even being crushed by the bucket due to a failure in the machine hydraulic system. In addition, it required a great physical effort of the maintainers to perform the alignment of the chain mesh by using hand tools. 
         [0013]    To be performed manually, the operation demands an elevated execution time, as well as requiring an excessive number of workers involved in this work. 
         [0014]    The technique status also comprises some devices to assist in the shielding and handling of large tires, which are listed and summarized below. 
         [0015]    Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,432 discloses a device configured for application of chains for tires of different sizes. The device comprises a based fitted with two triangular prisms laid out in parallel. 
         [0016]    The triangular prisms are configured to maintain the wheel elevated, causing it to rotate in false when positioned in the space provided between the two. The prisms also ensure perfect alignment of the chain with the tire, thus facilitating its application. The base is also provided with holes in its lower face, which are configured to enable a coupling to hydraulic jacks for a higher elevation of the wheel. 
         [0017]    However, the use of such a device in large tires promotes a great friction with the grooves found in tires, preventing them from turning in false , without moving the prisms of the device. 
         [0018]    This device also generates an exposure of workers to severe risk of being run over, since the large vehicle needs to be moved to apply the shielding, and the chain mesh needs to be positioned close to the vehicle at the time of installation. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, large vehicles require slow moving, thus requiring a long time for application and maneuvering for positioning the device. 
         [0020]    Document US20060027334 discloses a device for removal and installation of tires on large wheels. The device comprises a motor, a holder and a mechanical arm. 
         [0021]    The wheel is coupled to the support configured to fix it and hold it at a given distance from the ground. Both elements when coupled are rotated by the motor. The motor is connected to reducers that allow to change the speed at which you want to rotate the wheel. 
         [0022]    The mechanical arm of the device is responsible for removing the tire while it is rotated. The said arm comprises a hook at its end, configured to access the space between the wheel and the tire, and thus pulling it out of the wheel. 
         [0023]    However, such a device is specifically employed to remove and apply tires on large wheels and, therefore, is not used to perform the tire shielding. 
         [0024]    Furthermore, the device comprises a mechanical arm which would prevent the chain mesh to be applied around the tire, clashing with the mechanical arm and damaging the device. 
         [0025]    Document U.S. Pat. No. 8,672,729 discloses a device configured for polishing of truck and car tires. Such device comprises a motor, a wheel holder and a riding skid. 
         [0026]    The wheel removed from the truck is coupled to the wheel holder, so that they are rotated by the motor. The motor is connected to reducers that allow to choose the speed at which you want to work. 
         [0027]    The riding skid is used only to carry the device near the truck and, therefore, ensure greater speed in the process. The device also allows an angular adjustment of the wheel holder, and can be adapted to different wheel sizes. 
         [0028]    However, the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,672,729 is specifically configured to perform the polishing and other treatments in the vehicle wheel, not being configured to perform shielding of large tires. 
         [0029]    In addition, the device is configured to perform the support of car and truck tires, not being suitable for use in large tires. 
         [0030]    Therefore, it is concluded that, in the technique status, there is no shielding installation device in large tires that performs the shielding in a fast and practical manner. In addition, in the technique status, there is no device that perform shielding installation safely, without exposing workers to hazards and non-ergonomic conditions. 
       INVENTION PURPOSES 
       [0031]    The present invention aims to a shielding installation device for large tires, able to perform the shielding quickly and safely. 
         [0032]    This invention also aims to a shielding installation method that uses the shielding installation device for large tires. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    This invention is described in detail, based on the respective figures: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a large wheel loader machine; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the shielding installation device for large tires; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the shielding installation device for large tires; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the shielding installation device for large tires; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0038]    The present invention consists of a shielding installation device  10  for large tires  5 . The device  10  is configured to rotate the large tire  5  off the vehicle  9  in which it is applied, thus making it possible to rotate the tire  5  in a safe distance from the ground, and at a suitable speed to install the shielding  7 . 
         [0039]    The safety of the shielding  7  installation process is also increased, because, as the large tire  5  is removed from the vehicle  9  to install the shielding  7 , the workers are not exposed during the movement of the vehicle  9 . Thus, the risk of being hit by the vehicle  9 , or being crushed wheel loader bucket are eliminated, since it is no longer moved during the process. 
         [0040]    The device  10  of this invention comprises a base  1 , a frame  2 , a motor  3 , a reducer  4 , and a drive control (see  FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 ). Base  1  consists of a plate configured to attach the frame  2  to the ground, ensuring the balance of the device  10  during operation. 
         [0041]    Such base  1  is provided with two flat faces, one in contact with the ground, and the other attached to the frame  2  of the device  10 . The frame  2  consists of a structure configured to support the rotating elements of the device  10  and keep the large tire  5  at a safe distance from the ground during operation. 
         [0042]    Such chassis  2  comprises a shaft  6  in its upper part, configured to support the large tire  5  when installed to the device  10 , where the rotating elements to rotate the large tire  5  are installed. The motor  3  is installed on the shaft  6  of the frame  2 , being configured to perform rotation and consequently ensure the necessary movement during installation of the shielding  7 . 
         [0043]    The reducer  4  is coupled to the motor  3 , so that it is rotated with the frame  2  shaft. The reducer  4  is configured to adjust the rotation speed provided by the motor, so that it is possible to reduce or increase the rotation speed according to the need. 
         [0044]    The reducer  4  also comprises a brake, configured to stop the shaft  6  in a faster and more practical way. In addition, the brake also ensure more safety during the placement and removal of the large tire  5  in the device. 
         [0045]    The motor  3  and the reducer  4  are connected to the drive control, which is configured to turn these elements on and off. The drive control activates the motor  3 , and allows to regulate the rotation speed through the reducer  4 . 
         [0046]    In addition, the drive control also comprises a button to activate the break provided in reducer  4 , therefore ensuring the safety of the device  10  operator. 
         [0047]    The preferential configuration of base  1  consists of a metallic plate, in order to have a higher strength to support the weight of frame  2  without damage or deformations that would imply in the loss of balance of the device  10 . 
         [0048]    The preferential configuration of frame  2  consists of a metallic structure fitted with a shaft  6 , also metallic, in order to support the efforts during the rotation and sustentation of the large wheel  5 . 
         [0049]    The preferential configuration of engine  3  consists of a electric motor with power adequate to perform the rotation of the shaft  6  and large tire  5 . As an alternative, combustion motors or other types of energy sources may be used to the rotation of shaft  6 . 
         [0050]    The preferential configuration of reducer  4  consists of a reducer comprising planetary gears, which make it able of reaching a reduction of up to 99:1. As an alternative, other types of reducers may be used, comprising other types of gears, only being required to perform an adjustment of the speed provided by motor  3 , for each reducer  4  used by the device  10 . 
         [0051]    The preferential configuration of drive control consists of a small control that may be kept at a safe distance from the device  10 . As an alternative, the drive control may be attached near to the device  10 , so that the operator needs to stay very close to device  10 . 
         [0052]    This invention also comprises a shielding  7  installation method for large tires  5 , using the device  10 . Such method comprises  8  steps, duly described below. 
         [0053]    The first step is the removal of the large tire  5  from the large vehicle  9 . In this step, the worker raises the vehicle  9  to remove the tire  5 , and then transport it to the device  10 . 
         [0054]    The second step is the application of the large tire  5  to the device  10 . Such application is performed by a lifting equipment, which raises the tire  5  so that it is installed in the shaft  6  of the device. 
         [0055]    The third step is the positioning of the shielding  7  mesh to shield the tire  5 . The shielding  7  mesh is placed and laid open on the ground, so as it is in line with the tire  5  thread (see  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0056]    The fourth step consists of attaching one of the ends of the shielding  7  mesh to the large tire  5 . Such attaching is carried by a hook at the end the shielding  7  mesh. 
         [0057]    The fifth step is the rotation of the large tire  5  in the device  10 . Such stage is performed by activating the motor  3 , which is activated by the drive control. The motor  3  is turned on and rotates the shaft  6 , which then rotates the large tire  5 . 
         [0058]    Shielding  7  mesh, with one of its ends attached to the tire  5  on the fourth step, is then wrapped according to the rotation of tire  5 , so as it is shielded. 
         [0059]    The sixth step is the adjustment of shielding  7  of the large tire  5 . In this step, workers make the attachments and adjustments required for a perfect shielding. 
         [0060]    To make adjustments, the shaft  6  is rotated at a low speed, controlled by the reducer  4 , thus ensuring greater safety for the workers who perform the adjustment of the shielding  7  by using hand tools. 
         [0061]    The seventh step is the removal of the large tire  5  from the device  10 . To perform this step the operator must stop the rotation of the device to avoid accidents. Such stop of device  10  is performed by the drive control, which brakes the shaft  6 , and turns off the motor  3 , ensuring that the tire  5  does not rotate during its removal. 
         [0062]    The removal, and also the application of the tire  5 , is performed through a lifting equipment (a munck, a forklift or any crane, for example) which transports the tire  5  from its support point on shaft  6  to the vehicle  9  where it will be applied. 
         [0063]    The eighth and last step is the installation of tire  5  in the vehicle  9  where it will be applied. Such operation is also performed by lifting the machine to attach the tire  5 . 
         [0064]    Having described some examples of preferred achievement of the invention, it is noteworthy that the scope of protection given by this document encompasses all other alternative forms appropriate to the execution of the invention, which is defined and limited only by the content of the claim scope attached.