Abstract:
A telescopic handling device includes at least two elements ( 1, 2 ) mounted so as to slide relative to one another with interposition of sliding shoes ( 3, 4 ). The device includes thinner holding elements ( 5, 6 ) for the sliding shoes so as to limit the separation between two sliding elements to the thickness of the interposed sliding shoes ( 3, 4 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a telescopic handling device, comprising at least two elements mounted so as to slide relative to one another with interposition of sliding shoes. 
         [0002]    The invention is particularly useful in its application to telescopic-arm handling trucks or to telescopic-arm basket cranes, as well as any other machine comprising a telescopic handling device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Telescopic-arm handling trucks comprising sliding shoes with screwed inserts are known. In order to fix these sliding shoes, it is necessary to pierce the structures which are to receive them, then to shim by means of additional parts. 
         [0004]    This arrangement requires the use of screwed sliding shoes with a large number of stacked thickness shims. 
         [0005]    This arrangement risks weakening the strength and the reliability of each screwed assembly comprising a sliding shoe and a thickness shim. 
         [0006]    Also known are telescopic-arm handling trucks having sliding shoes encased in positioning and holding cages. However, the shape and bulkiness of the holding cages depend on the shape of the telescopic arm elements. 
         [0007]    Document EP 1 955 975 B1 describes a telescopic handling device comprising at least two elements of essentially rectangular cross section, mounted so as to slide relative to one another with interposition of sliding shoes. The sliding shoes are mounted in cages provided with means for securing to a sliding element. The cages of sliding shoes comprise means for securing to a flange or to an endstop of a sliding element of the telescopic arm. The shoe securing means is generally sandwiched between the flange of a sliding element and a counter-flange. 
         [0008]    Although the provisions of EP 1 955 975 B1 make it possible to use fewer securing screws, the shape and bulkiness of the positioning and holding cages limit the reduction of the separation between the sliding tubes of the telescopic arm. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A first object of the invention is to improve the known prior art, by making the telescopic handling device more compact and by reducing the separation between elements mounted so as to slide relative to one another of a telescopic handling device. 
         [0010]    A second object of the invention is to provide a new telescopic handling device which can be applied to various shapes of sliding elements. 
         [0011]    A third object of the invention is to allow the use of sliding shoes whose thickness matches the separation between the sliding tubes of the telescopic arm, thus making it easier to replace worn sliding shoes. 
         [0012]    A fourth object of the invention is to provide a new manner of mounting sliding shoes in which each sliding shoe is independent of the other sliding shoes. 
         [0013]    A fifth object of the invention is to increase the productivity of manufacturing the telescopic handling devices, omitting the removable holding and positioning cages and permitting rapid attachment and simple replacement of the worn sliding shoes. 
         [0014]    A sixth object of the invention is to allow greater shoe wear, up to a predetermined limit, before replacement. 
         [0000]    The invention relates to a telescopic handling device, comprising at least two elements mounted so as to slide relative to one another with interposition of sliding shoes, the device comprising thinner means for holding the sliding shoes so as to limit the separation between two successive sliding elements to the thickness of the interposed sliding shoes, characterized in combination in that the means for holding the sliding shoes comprise tenon-shaped features and in that the sliding shoes each have a mortise-shaped feature which engages with a said tenon-shaped feature, and in that at least one sliding shoe holding means is T-shaped. 
         [0015]    Thus, the thickness of the assembly of the holding means and of the sliding shoes is close to the thickness of the corresponding sliding shoes. 
         [0016]    According to other alternative features of the invention:
       the bar of the T shape forms a mounting stop for a sliding shoe.   the T shape has a stem provided with a mechanical attachment means for immobilizing a sliding shoe.   the stem of the T shape may have a widened portion passing through the wall of a sliding element and comprising a tapped portion for attaching a holding screw.   the device may comprise at least one flange and at least one counter-flange for holding the sliding shoes.   the device may comprise a blocking means for preventing the sliding shoes from leaving their holding means.   the blocking means is essentially a bracket-shaped.   at least one holding means is mounted at least partially through the wall of a sliding element.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The invention will be better understood by means of the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows, schematically, a front perspective view of a first telescopic handling device according to the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows, schematically, an enlarged detail perspective view of an element of a telescopic handling device according to the invention, bearing means for holding and mounting sliding shoes. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows, schematically, a perspective view of another element of a telescopic handling device according to the invention, bearing means for holding and mounting sliding shoes. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows, schematically, a perspective view of a second telescopic handling device according to the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  shows, schematically, a partial detail perspective view of an element of a telescopic handling device according to the invention, bearing means for holding and mounting sliding shoes. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , identical or functionally equivalent elements are denoted by identical reference numbers. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 1 , a first telescopic handling device according to the invention comprises a larger-cross section element  1  and a smaller-cross section element  2 , mounted so as to slide relative to one another with interposition of sliding shoes  3  and  4 . 
         [0032]    Sliding shoes  3  are horizontal sliding shoes. 
         [0033]    Sliding shoes  4  are essentially vertical sliding shoes. 
         [0034]    The larger-cross section element  1  bears, internally, these respectively horizontal and essentially vertical sliding shoes  3  and  4 . 
         [0035]    The horizontal sliding shoes  3  are generally larger than the essentially vertical sliding shoes  4 , while being similar in shape, as described in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . 
         [0036]    The element  1  comprises an end flange  7  provided with three tapped portions designed to receive screws  9  passing through orifices of a counter-flange  8  for retaining sliding shoes  3  and  4  on holding means  5  and  6 . 
         [0037]    The lower rim of the counter-flange  8  blocks the sliding shoes  3  and  4  on their holding means  5  and  6  when elements  1  and  2  slide with respect to one another in the direction of extension of the telescope, while the base of the holding means  5  and  6  is arranged in abutment so as to block the sliding shoes  3  and  4  in the direction of retraction of the telescope. 
         [0038]    Removing the counter-flange  8  also makes it easier to replace the worn shoes  3  and  4  or to periodically inspect and lubricate them. 
         [0039]    The telescopic handling device according to the invention also comprises at least one smaller-cross section element mounted so as to slide in a relative manner with interposition of sliding shoes  3  and  4  in the larger-cross section element  1 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows at least one sliding shoe holding means  5 . 
         [0041]    Each sliding shoe holding means  5  is T-shaped, with a bar  13  oriented transversely to the sliding element and a straight part oriented longitudinally in the telescoping direction of the sliding element. 
         [0042]    The bar  13  of the T shape forms a mounting stop for a sliding shoe, so as to prevent it from sliding too far into the corresponding sliding element. 
         [0043]    The straight part or stem  14  of the holding member  5  has a mortise-shaped feature with faces  14   a,    14   b  oriented so as to form an opening angle A between 100 and 140 degrees. 
         [0044]    The faces  13   a  of the bar  13  of the T shape of the holding means  7  are preferably orthogonal faces essentially perpendicular to the sliding element  1 . 
         [0045]    The T shape of the holding means  5  is preferably attached by welding the distal side of the bar  13  of the T shape to the wall of the fixed element  1 , and welding the proximal side of the straight part  14 . 
         [0046]    The invention described with reference to particular embodiments is in no way limited thereto, but rather covers any form variant and any modification of realization within the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show a rear view of a second telescopic handling device according to the invention, with  FIG. 3  omitting the larger-cross section sliding element  1 , which is not shown for reasons of clarity. 
         [0048]    The smaller-cross section element  2  bears, externally, respectively horizontal and essentially vertical sliding shoes  3  and  4 . 
         [0049]    The sliding shoes  3  and  4  are mounted on tenon-shaped features of supports  11  and  12  and each have, to that end, a mortise-shaped feature destined to engage with the tenon-shaped feature of the corresponding support  11  or  12 . 
         [0050]    In order to avoid the sliding shoe  3  or the sliding shoe  4  coming out, provision is made to block the proximal face of the sliding shoe  3  or of the sliding shoe  4  by means of an abutment member held by all screw  9  screwed into a tapped portion of the support  11  or  12 . 
         [0051]    In this example, each of the sliding shoes  3  or des sliding shoes  5  is blocked individually. 
         [0052]    A sliding shoe  3  and a sliding shoe  5  may also be blocked simultaneously by means of an essentially bracket-shaped feature blocking two shoes mounted with the aid of two screws  9 . 
         [0053]    This arrangement is particularly advantageous for blocking sliding shoes of a telescopic handling device similar to the device described in EP 1 955 975 B1. 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  shows a sliding shoe holding means  11 . 
         [0055]    The sliding shoe holding means  11  is T-shaped, with a bar  13  oriented transversely to the sliding element and a straight part oriented longitudinally in the direction of telescoping of the sliding element. 
         [0056]    The transversely oriented bar  13  of the T shape forms a mounting stop for a sliding shoe, so as to prevent it from sliding too far into the corresponding sliding element. 
         [0057]    The straight part or stem  14  of the holding member  11  has a mortise-shaped feature with faces  14   a,    14   b  oriented so as to form an opening angle A between 100 and 140 degrees. 
         [0058]    The faces  13   a  of the bar  13  of the T shape of the holding means  7  are preferably orthogonal faces essentially perpendicular to the sliding element  1 . 
         [0059]    The front face of the straight part  14  of the holding means  7  has a widened opening so that is it possible to create therein a tapped portion  14   c  able to receive an attachment screw  9 . 
         [0060]    This widened part  14   d  is formed so as to prevent the shoe blocking means from rotating. 
         [0061]    The thickness of the T shape is increased on the side of this front face of the straight part  14  and of the proximal end of the sliding element  2 , so as to effect an interlayered mounting. 
         [0062]    The T shape of the holding means  11  is preferably attached by welding the distal side of the bar  13  of the T shape to the wall of the sliding element  2 , and by welding the proximal side of the straight part  14  close to the tapped portion  14   c  to the proximal end of the sliding element  2 . 
         [0063]    It may be possible to create a reverse weld beneath the thickness of the wall of the sliding member  2 , to further reinforce the securing of the holding means  11  to the wall through part of which the sliding element  2  passes. 
         [0064]    The invention described with reference to particular embodiments is in no way limited thereto, but rather covers any form variant and any modification of realization within the scope of the appended claims.