Self-propelled vehicle for climbing along pole-shaped elements, such as tree trunks, poles and the like

Abstract: A climbing vehicle comprising a rigid frame (1) which is provided with a loading platform (10) and is carried by a pair of drive wheels (2) which, in working position, rest against the pole-like element to be climbed. The frame (1) supports a motor element (3) actuating the drive wheels (2). A pair of arms (13) is articulated at the front of the frame (1) and supports a pair of counteracting wheels (15) which are freely rotatable about a horizontal axis, whereat the counteracting wheels (15) are arranged to be clamped, during work, against the pole-like element to be climbed, in a position opposite to the drive wheels (2).

Description: The present invention relates to a self-propelled vehicle for climbing along pole-shaped elements, such as tree trunks, poles and the like. The use of aerial platforms and of other vehicle-mounted lifting equipment for the vertical movement of persons and goods is known. Such equipment is generally complicated and bulky, as well as expensive, and therefore is not available for all uses. Often, in order to climb along poles of power and telephone lines or the like it is necessary to resort to conventional ladders, possibly with the aid of appropriate safety belts, with the risks and problems which can be easily understood. One must in fact consider that the operator, in addition to having to carry the necessary tools and materials with him, must have his hands free, once he has reached the operating area, in order to perform the required task. A vehicle for climbing poles and having the features comprised in the preamble of claim 1, is known from the document DE-A-1.295.780. The aim of the present invention is to solve the above problem by providing a self-propelled vehicle by means of which the operator can rapidly and effortlessly move along a pole-like element. Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a climbing vehicle which is simple in concept, safely reliable in operation and versatile in use. This aim and this object are both achieved, according to the invention, by the present climbing vehicle for moving vertically along pole-like elements, having the combination of features of claim 1 and in particular the features of the characterizing part of such claim. The details of the invention will become evident from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the climbing vehicle, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a side view of the vehicle according to the invention; figures 2 and 3 are respectively a top view and a front view of said vehicle; figures 4 and 5 are corresponding side and top views of a different embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention; figure 6 is a top view of a further embodiment of the vehicle; figures 7 and 8 are respectively a side view and a front view of an improved embodiment of the vehicle; figure 9 is a corresponding front view of a different embodiment of said improved vehicle; figure 10 is a perspective view of said vehicle in the configuration for movement on the ground; figure 11 is a perspective view of the front portion of the vehicle in the configuration for moving toward the pole-like element to be climbed; figure 12 is a perspective view of the vehicle in the configuration for vertical movement along the pole-like element. With particular reference initially to figures 1, 2 and 3, the reference numeral 1 designates the rigid frame of the vehicle according to the invention; said frame is supported by a pair of drive wheels 2. The frame 1 supports an internal-combustion engine 3, provided with a fuel tank, and a pair of hydraulic pumps 4 and 5. The first hydraulic pump 4 is arranged to actuate a pair of jacks 6 which are articulated, about vertical pivots 6a, to the sides of the frame 1, as specified hereinafter, whereas the second hydraulic pump 5 is arranged for the actuation of a hydraulic motor which is connected to the drive wheels 2 by means of a worm gear reduction unit 7. A pair of handlebars 8, provided with couplings for a safety belt or chain 9, extend rearward from the frame 1. Below the handlebars 8, the frame 1 is provided with a platform 10 which is articulated thereto and is meant to accommodate the operator during vertical movements. The platform 10 is pivoted on pivots 11 to the frame 1 and is supported in horizontal position by a pair of chains 12 which are fixed to the handlebars 8. The platform 10 can be raised, during movement on the ground, in the position shown by the broken lines 110 in figure 1, so as to allow the operator to follow the vehicle by walking between the handlebars 8 (see also figure 10). A pair of horizontal and parallel beams 13 extend at the front from the frame 1; said beams have, at their ends, respective arms 14 which are pivoted thereto about vertical axes 13a and are articulated, about the pivots 14a, to the jacks 6. At the free end said articulated arms 14 support related counteracting wheels 15 whose diameter is smaller than that of the drive wheels 2, said related counteracting wheels beeing freely rotatable about a horizontal axis. Therefore, during the approach of the vehicle to the pole to be climbed, the articulated arms 14 are divaricated as shown by the broken lines 114, so as to arrange themselves on opposite sides of said pole until they rest against it with the drive wheels 2. The extension of the jacks 6 is then actuated so that the articulated arms 14 secure the counteracting wheels 15 against the pole, designated by the outline P1 in figures 1 and 2. The grip of the wheels 2 and 15 on the resting surface allows the vehicle to move vertically along the pole, under the control of the operator, who is carried on the platform 10 (see also figure 12, wherein the pole is designated by P). Naturally, the closure movement of the articulated arms 14 varies according to the diameter of the pole to be engaged, as shown schematically by the broken lines 214 in figure 2, where the outline P2 indicates a pole whose diameter is larger than that of the preceding one. Conveniently, the drive wheels 2 can be moved symmetrically along the transmission shaft 16, so as to vary the gauge according to the diameter of the pole to be climbed, as shown in broken lines 102 in figure 2. The wheels 2 are thus retained on the shaft 16 by means of respective locking elements 17 which are arranged to engage a plurality of seats 18 which are distributed along said shaft. This gauge variation could alternatively be provided by means of one or more hydraulic jacks which are arranged to actuate the translatory motion of the drive wheels 2 along the shaft 16 and to then keep them in the set position. The constant and correct clamping of the pole-like element between the drive wheels 2 and the counteracting wheels 15 is conveniently adjusted by a valve which intervenes automatically when the pressure varies, in relation to any changes in the diameter of the pole, keeping the two articulated arms 14 constantly engaged. If it is convenient to give the vehicle a more stable and safer grip, it is possible to equip each one of the articulated arms 14 with a pair of preferably identical counteracting wheels 15 arranged along horizontal and parallel axes which allow them to follow the same generatrix of the pole-like element. Furthermore, if the operator and the tools must be carried during movement on the ground as well, the loading platform 10 can be fixed and rigidly coupled to the frame 1, and can be provided with one or more ground resting wheels. The use of a hydraulic transmission system makes the vehicle compact and allows to have a wide range of speed and power variations. Furthermore, in order to reverse the travel direction it is sufficient to redirect the flow of the oil in the hydraulic motor. It should furthermore be noted that the use of the worm gear reduction unit 7 offers a high degree of safety, during the vertical movements of the vehicle, by virtue of the non-reversible nature of said reduction unit. However, it is possible to use another type of reduction unit, possibly provided with snap-action or ratchet stops, brakes or other devices able to ensure the necessary safety. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 4 and 5, the vehicle is provided with a mechanical transmission; this allows, among other things, to limit the frame of the vehicle to a simple structure formed by the pair of beams 13 and by a cross-member 19 which in turn has a gearbox/reduction unit assembly 20 rigidly coupled thereto. The vehicle is furthermore equipped with a motion inverter 21 actuatable by the lever 22, by a clutch element 23, and by the lever 24 for the actuation of the gearbox. The further embodiment illustrated in figure 6 has a single counteracting wheel, designated by the reference numeral 30 for the sake of greater clarity. Said counteracting wheel 30 is supported, with a horizontal axis, at the end of an articulated arm 31 which is actuated by a jack 32 and is vertically pivoted, about a pivot 33, on a rod 34 which can be telescopically extended, by a further jack 35, from the beam 36 which is rigidly coupled to the rigid frame of the vehicle. The combined movements for the extraction of the rod 34 and for the rotation of the articulated arm 31 allow to move the counteracting wheel 30 to the divaricated position indicated by the broken lines 130, so as to allow the vehicle to approach the pole frontally, until the drive wheels 2 rest thereon, and then clamp said pole by means of said counteracting wheel 30, which is parallel and centered with respect to the wheels 2. Naturally, in this case, too, the opening and closure movement of the articulated arm 31 will vary according to the diameter of the pole to be clamped, as schematically shown by the broken lines 230a, 230b related to the pole indicated by P2. Furthermore, the articulated arm 31 can be equipped, in the manner already described, with a pair of counteracting wheels 30 arranged so as to follow a same generatrix of the pole-like element or otherwise arranged side by side, with a fixed or adjustable gauge. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an improved embodiment of the vehicle, which is structurally similar to the one of figures 1, 2 and 3 described above. Said improved vehicle uses a pair of drive wheels having, toward the inside of the gauge and starting from a substantially cylindrical portion, a frustum-shaped taper 40 which is particularly suitable for vertical movement. Said drive wheels are preferably provided by means of a light-alloy casting covered by a layer of smooth or grooved rubber. For some specific uses, however, it is possible to provide the frustum-shaped part 40 of the drive wheels with an outer surface made of materials stronger than rubber and grooved so as to ensure the necessary grip. The converging taper defined as a whole by the two drive wheels defines a sort of guide for the centering of the pole-like element to be climbed, particularly allowing the optimum centering of poles having different diameters P even without varying the gauge, in addition to keeping safely unchanged the attitude and orientation of the vehicle during vertical movements. The two drive wheels are spaced from the bulk of the reduction unit 7 which is interposed between them, as shown particularly in figure 8, wherein said wheels can also be moved along the transmission shaft 16 so as to vary the gauge and are retained by respective locking elements 17 as described above. In the solution illustrated in figure 9, the vehicle is provided with a lateral transmission 70 for the actuation of the drive wheels. This allows to arrange said wheels mutually adjacent, thus allowing to climb even pole-like elements which have a small diameter. In some cases, in particular for vehicles used on poles having a practically constant diameter, advantageously the drive wheels have a fixed gauge or are defined monolithically. It is furthermore possible to provide the climber vehicle, both in the fixed-gauge versions and in the variable-gauge versions, with an independent-wheel transmission, so as to allow to correct the attitude and direction of vertical movement. The improved climbing vehicle furthermore has a pair of stabilizer rollers 41 which are rotatably supported by respective couplings 42 which protrude from the upper part of the rigid frame 1. The rollers 41, preferably made of light alloy and rubber, are arranged along horizontal and converging axes, according to the taper of the underlying drive wheels, so as to rest simultaneously against the pole to be climbed. Said stabilizer rollers 41 can be mounted on adjustable supports, particularly elastic supports, to allow adaptation of the attitude according to the diameter of the pole, and can have a frustum shape like the drive wheels. The presence of the stabilizer rollers 41 causes the counteracting wheels 15 to be preferably located at a height which is intermediate between said drive wheels and said rollers. For this purpose, the counteracting wheels 15 are conveniently rotatably supported at the top of related brackets 43 which are rigidly coupled to the articulated arms 14. Also in the case of the vehicle thus improved, it is possible to make the articulated arms 14 support a pair of counteracting wheels 15 each, said counteracting wheels being arranged along horizontal and parallel axes. Similarly, it is possible to duplicate the stabilizer rollers 41; these last, too, can furthermore be supported on oscillating or elastic supporting means, so as to allow to easy overcome any obstacles present along the pole-like element, especially if one has to climb along tree trunks. An oscillating track can be mounted on said oscillating supports for the same purpose. To conclude, the climbing vehicle according to the invention optimally solves the problem of the vertical movement of goods and persons along pole-like elements. It is easily possible to preset the vehicle for the vertical transport only of materials and goods, said vehicle being guided by means of appropriate remote-control means, like winches and other conventional lifting means. Especially for embodiments of this type, the loading platform can be wider and balanced, extending on two opposite sides of the vehicle or all around the pole-like element to be climbed; in both cases the platform should conveniently be formed by two or more mutually connected and articulated parts so as to perform the opening and closure movements required for centering on the pole-like element. In the practical embodiment of the invention, the materials employed, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Climbing vehicle for vertical movement along pole-like elements, comprising a rigid frame (1) which is provided with a loading platform (10) and is carried by a pair of drive wheels (2) which, in working position, are arranged to rest against the pole-like element to be climbed, a motor element (3) which is supported by said frame (1) and is arranged to actuate said drive wheels (2), at least one counteracting wheel (15) which is supported freely rotatable about a horizontal axis (14a), said counteracting wheel (15) being able to be clamped, during work, against said pole-like element to be climbed, in a position opposite to said drive wheels (2), characterized in that said drive wheels (2) are movable symmetrically along a related shaft (16), so as to vary the gauge according to the diameter of the pole-like element to be climbed, and said at least one counteracting wheel (15) is supported by at least one corresponding arm (14) which is articulated to said frame (1). Climbing vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a pair of counteracting wheels (15) each being supported by a respective arm (14), each arm being articulated through respective horizontal and mutually parallel beams (13) extending at the front from said frame (1), whereat respective related jacks (6) are provided at the free end of each beam (13) to actuate said arms (14). Climbing vehicle according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the diameter of said counteracting wheels (15) is smaller than the diameter of said drive wheels (2). Climbing vehicle according to one or more of claims 1-3, characterized in that said drive wheels (2) have, toward the inside of the gauge and starting from a substantially cylindrical portion, a frustum-shaped taper (40) which is suitable to act as guide for the centering of the pole-like element to be climbed. Climbing vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive wheels (2) are made of a light-alloy casting covered with a layer of rubber. Climbing vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pair of handlebars (9) extends rearward from said frame (1), said handlebars (9) being adapted to steer said vehicle during movement thereof with the drive wheels (2) supported on ground. Climbing vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said loading platform (10) is pivoted to said frame (1) about a horizontal axis, such that to be raisable during movement on the ground. Climbing vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is furthermore provided with a pair of stabilizer rollers (41) which are supported, freely rotatable, by respective couplings (42) which protrude from the upper part of said rigid frame (1) and are arranged along horizontal converging axes, so as to rest, simultaneously with said drive wheels (2), against the pole-like element to be climbed, in a position opposite to said pair of counteracting wheels (15). Climbing vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said counteracting wheels (15) are arranged at an intermediate height with respect to said drive wheels (2) and said stabilizer rollers (41) and are rotatably supported at the top of related brackets (43) which are rigidly coupled to said arms (14). Climbing vehicle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive wheels (2) being movable symmetrically along a related shaft (16), so as to vary the gauge according to the diameter of the pole-like element to be climbed, are coupled to said shaft (16) by means of respective locking elements (17) which are arranged to engage a plurality of seats (18) distributed along said shaft (16). Climbing vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said counteracting wheel (15) is supported, with a horizontal axis at the end of said articulated arm (14) being actuated by a jack (32), said counteracting wheel (15) being vertically pivoted on a rod (34) which can be extended telescopically, by means of a further jack (35), from a beam (36) which extends toward the front from said rigid frame (1).

Inventors: CELLI ALFREDO, CELLI, ALFREDO
Applicants: ALCEGARDEN SRL, ALCEGARDEN S.R.L.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B66F11
IPC codes: H02G1, B66F11, B66B9, A63B27