EQUIPMENT FOR CONTINUOUSLY MOVING HEAVY LOADS

Abstract: The present invention refers to equipment for the translation along horizontal runs of very heavy loads which cannot be moved with other traditional systems. The continuous equipment is substantially made out of: a series of interconnected elements which form a strong loading platform suitable to bear specific pressures up to 100.00 kg/m<2>, a mechanism for the connection and translation of the unitary elements, a system of guides and means for stress transfer to external structures. The equipment therefore allows movement of heavy weights along stationary surfaces and/or lines of load or processing.

Description: EQUIPMENT FOR CONTINUOUSLY MOVING HEAVY LOADS Description The present invention refers to equipment which can resolve the problems inherent in moving heavy loads on 5. predetermined lines or routes, above all in environments which are not easily accessible and/or in places where for geometric or other reasons, there is no traditional equip¬ ment for moving heavy loads such as roller tracks, cranes, gantry cranes, platforms, etc. 10. In particular, the equipment in question allows the load¬ ing of loads with a specific pressure of up to 100,000 kg/m 2 with contained vertical and transversal dimensions and is able to ensure a perfectly level and linear trans¬ port since the load is always positioned on the same uni- 15. tary elements which provide for the movement of the load. This equipment is suited for use in steelworks, quarries, foundries, automatic warehouses with heavy weights, as well as for all those applications which require a high specific pressure such as compactors, etc. 20. The system described below therefore develops a solution to the problem of continuously moving loads with a specific pressure of up to 100,000 kg7m 2 in environments and sites which are not easily accessible and/or which either do not have available or cannot house other means 25. of transport whatever they may be. The main components of the equipment, whose description and working is given below, are shown in Fig.l. More specifically: - the weight, with a specific pressure of up to 10,000 kg/ 30. m 2 , is loaded on the loading plane 9. This plane con- sists of a series of unitary elements 1, all equal to each other, adjacent to each other and hinged to each other by means of the linking hinge 4 and fitted with moving wheels 2. 5. The mutual contrast between these elements 1 on the con¬ tact surface 3, allows the balance of the unitary ele¬ ment 1 with the load perfectly horizontal on the loading plane 9. The dimensions of the unitary elements 1 are in any case such as to sustain and move the specific loads 10. of up to 100,000 kg/m 2 . - The linking and moving mechanism, comprising the cog¬ wheels 6 and 8, as well as the linking hinges 4 for the unitary elements 1 allows, by means of the slotting of the wheels 2 in the spaces of the wheels' teeth 6 and 8, 15. the movement of the unitary elements 1. - The steering system and stress transfer to the equip¬ ment's external support structure, constituted by the elements 2-5-7 and the fixed structure 10, guarantees the support of the mobile walls 1-2-4 and the heavy load 20. on the loading plane 9 without notable deformation of the whole structure. - When the entire structure moves, the unitary elements 1, linked to each other by the link hinges 4, are unable to totate one against the other during straight horizontal 25. movement due to the mutual contrast due to contrast between surfaces 3, while, on the other hand, they are able to rotate, with an opposing direction of rotation and momentary centre of rotation which coincides with the axis of the kink hinge 4 so as to "open" the loading 30. plane 9 during the rotation of the cog-wheels 6 and 8 in whose opening the wheels 2 of the unitary elements l themselves are inserted. TYPOLOGY OF THE OVERALL UNIT The equipment is mainly constructed from steel and is in- 5. stalled, in the standard model, in a special metal struc¬ ture which is robust and reliable, with all the working equipment, alarm and safety devices. The description above does not indicate in detail the mo¬ tor mechanisms as well as the auxiliary functional items 10. such as the ways, joints, transmission, etc., since they are considered of no relevance and secondary for the pur¬ pose of describing the functioning of the equipment which is the subject of the present invention. It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the 15. form of execution described and illustrated, but that numerous variations and further improvements can be made without deviating from the basic framework of the invention. LIST OF THE MAIN COMPONENTS 20. 1 - Base element for the transporter of heavy loads 2 - Running wheel 3 - Balance and contrast surface 4 - Link, dragging and articulation hinge 5 - Horizontal sliding way wheel 2 25. 6 - Traction cog-wheel 7 - Belt return runner 8 - Belt return cog-wheel 9 - Support and longitudinal advance surface for vertical loads 30. 10- Support structure and stress transfer

Claims: 92/02440 _ ^ _ . CLAIMS . 1 - Equipment for the continuous moving of heavy loads characterized by the fact that said equipment comprises: 5. - a robust chassis with all the mechanisms for the loading and moving of heavy loads a mechanism for the link and moving of a series of unitary elements characterized by the fact that the dragging of the kinematic chain takes place 10. via a motorised cog-wheel which slots into the housings of the support and moving wheels of the unitary elements themselves - a series of rigid unitary elements whose structure is characterized by the fact that the surface uni- 15. tary load is transferred to the wheels by means of contrast between the vertical interface surfaces between the elements themselves. 2 - Equipment for the continuous moving of heavy loads according to the claim characterized by the fact that 20. the stress transfer plane comprises single similar elements interconnected between themselves, each of them sliding on wheels and linked by means of hinges which guarantee the longitudinal unity, the transfer of the pulling force and the stability of the whole. 25. 3 - Equipment for the continuous moving of heavy loads according to the claims 1 and 2 characterized by the fact that the moving of the kinematic chain is car¬ ried out by means of cog-wheels located at the ex¬ tremities of the fixed chassis- of a suitable di- 30. ameter, of which that of the m morised head ensure that the wheels of the single elements are simul¬ taneously housed in the housings and hence drags the support elements of the equipment in question. Furthermore, such geometry allows the opening of the 5. loading plane, riconstructed from single rigid ele¬ ments interconnected amongst themselves and linked by hinges around the axis of which the rotation of the single rigid elements themselves takes place on the cog-wheels. 10.

Inventors: MASSOCCO GIORGIO, REIS GIANLUIGI, MASSOCCO, GIORGIO, REIS, GIANLUIGI
Applicants: SVILUPPO MATERIALI SPA, CENTRO SVILUPPO MATERIALI S.P.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B65G17
IPC codes: B65G7, B65G17, B65G39