Suspended control device

The invention refers to a hanging control device connected to a unit to be managed, specifically control switches or hanging control panels in order to control hoisting gear, by means of a control line, whereby the control line contains electrical lines (2) to transmit control signals and strain relief, which is supported at the top of the unit to absorb weight and traction forces.In order to create a hanging control device for which the length of the control line can be easily changed, we suggest that strain relief be created by means of hose (6), which can be folded flat and has the design of a type of textile hose, and that electrical lines (2) run through the inside of the hose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to a hanging control device connected to the unit to be managed, specifically control switches or hanging control panels controlling hoisting gear, by means of a control line according to the genus of claim1.

For example, hanging control devices in the form of hanging control panels are known from EP 0 592 795 A1 and DE-OS 26 03 409, which are used to control the up and down movement of hoisting gear located above an operator. The hanging control panels exhibit housings containing a series of switches. The switch housing's upper end is connected with the hoisting gear via a connecting cable. The connecting cable exhibits a sleeve containing an electrical control line to transmit control signals and strain relief in the form of a steel rope or a metal cable. Strain relief is used to absorb weight and traction forces, and the rope, or cable, is fastened at the top of the hoisting gear. Traction forces are created especially when an operator is pulling transversely on the switch housing in order to move the hoisting gear, which can be moved by means of a carrier. The switch housing may provide a respective handle for this purpose. On the other hand, the sleeve itself may also consist of solid plastic, so that, in addition, the operator may use it as a gripping component.

The disadvantage of known hanging control devices is that their lengths do not extend at all. It is only possible to shorten the cable, which is furthermore complex.

It is often attempted to get by with the chosen length of a connecting cable despite its more complex operability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the task of the invention to indicate a hanging control device for which the length of a control line can easily be changed.

This task is solved by the characteristics of claim1. The sub-claims contain advantageous designs of the hanging control device.

The solution provides that strain relief is designed as a hose, which is a type of textile hose and can be folded flat, and that electrical lines run through the inside of the hose. Only the use of such a “textile” hose has made it possible to deposit the part of a control line not needed for a required length in a space-efficient manner and together with electrical lines, without having to forego effective strain relief and a good reach of the control line, specifically when pulling the unit to be controlled.

Depositing the hose folded together with the electrical lines in a repository, i.e. folded along their longitudinal and transverse sizes, results in a low storage volume.

The control line's reach improves, if the hose is filled with elastic material within the operator's realm of reach.

This is easy to do, if the elastic material forms a hollow cylinder, which is slit lengthwise, and through whose hollow space the electrical lines or the cable, if they form such, are run.

Another possible alternative is that the hose runs through a hollow cylinder of elastic material within the operator's realm of reach.

One cost-effective solution provides that the elastic material be made of plastic.

In order to ensure the hose's long durability, we suggest that the hoses support on the unit be accomplished by means of a support device evenly distributing weight and traction forces on the hose's perimeter.

A simple and effective support device can be created using a frustum located on the inside of the hose with an opening for electrical lines and an inner funnel, which is located on the outside of the hose, supported by the unit and which corresponds to the frustum's outer shape, whereby the frustum is pulled into the funnel by means of weight and traction forces, and the hose is thus fixed axially on the unit.

Making the funnel part of the unit is an advantageous alternative.

For an easy assembly, we recommend that the frustum and funnel each be designed slit lengthwise and formed by two halves, which can be stuck together.

In order to be able to disengage the attachment of the hose to the unit, we recommend that the support device exhibit an element with which the frustum can be moved upward from the outside by pressing in on the hose, for which purpose the element is equipped with nibs facing inward and seizing the frustum from below.

For reasons of functionality, the funnel exhibits a longitudinal guide for the element, which can be moved on the outside.

In order to retain the control line not needed, we recommend that a repository for the electrical lines be provided behind the support device, when seen from the hanging control device in the direction of the unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1shows transmitter unit1of the hanging control device for the control signals of a unit to be managed (neither one is shown), while the hanging control device relative toFIG. 1is fastened to the bottom of control line1. The hanging control device may be a control switch with a series of control panels used for the up and down movement of hoisting gear, for example.

Control line1exhibits electrical lines2in the form of cable3, at whose ends one electrical connector each4,5are fastened. Electrical lines2in the form of cable3are used to transmit control signals from the hanging control device to the unit to be managed, in this case, therefore, the hoisting gear.FIG. 1only shows the lower part of cable3with electrical lines2. Aside from cable3, control line1also possesses strain relief in the form of flatly folded hose6, that is a type of textile hose. Hose6may consist of woven or braided textile like a textile hose. The textile material may be plastic as well as natural textile matter. The outer diameter of cable3is correlated to the inner diameter of hose6at a minimum ratio of 1:3, in this case 1:5. Hose6is supported at the top of the unit via support device7, which is created by frustum8and corresponding (inner) funnel9, while frustum8is located on the inside of hose6. By means of element10, frustum8may be moved slightly upward from the outside in relation to fastened funnel9, in order to disengage the connection between hose6and the unit. Hollow cylinder12, consisting of rigid elastic material and thus forming a solid handle while protecting electrical lines2, is located within an operator's realm of reach11and inside of hose6; the rigid elastic material may also extend beyond the entire lower length of the hose. Electrical lines2run through its opening, while longitudinal slit13facilitates an effortless introduction of electrical lines2, respectively cable3, into the hollow cylinder. Hose6is filled with elastic material within an operator's realm of reach11.

The elastic material is elastic foam with a respective rigidity.

The entire strain relief to absorb occurring weight and traction forces is accomplished via hose6alone.

However, as an alternative, hose6with cable3running through its inside may also pass through a hollow cylinder of elastic material, which may therefore also encase hose6on its outside.

FIG. 2shows a sectional lateral view of control line1;FIG. 3shows its corresponding front view. SpecificallyFIG. 2points out cable3running from bottom to top with lines2, which are placed flat and their upper ranges folded together with the surrounding hose, thus forming cable repository14.

Further,FIG. 2shows support device7in operation, as weight and traction forces are distributed evenly on the hose perimeter. Frustum8, formed by its two halves, is located inside hose6. Its travel downward is limited by funnel9and upward by nib15(seeFIG. 1) on funnel9. As shown inFIG. 1, element10in funnel15is guided by means of pilot10a. Funnel9is firmly supported by the unit, that is the hoisting gear, so that as traction forces occur, frustum8is pulled down, whereby the hose is again fixed axially relative to funnel9. Of course the frustum's shape must correspond to the inner funnel of funnel9. This way, weight and traction forces are distributed evenly on the hose perimeter.

Frustum8is equipped with opening16, through which cable3with electrical lines2is run in a loose manner. If element10is moved upward, it will take along frustum8through hose6, so that the connection between frustum8and funnel9is disengaged again. It is subsequently possible to drop hose6with cable3from repository14from above and pull it downward through support device7after frustum8has been moved upward, whereby a simple extension of control cable1is made possible.

Conversely, control cable1may also be shortened in this manner.