Patent AU-2018206810-A1 (AU)
Title: Wasp (wireless,autonomous spreader positioner)
Inventor: WHITFIELD SHANNAN COLIN
IPC: B66C1/10
Filed: 2018-07-20
Abstract: A device used for complicated crane lifts using a two beam lifting system with the upper beam (1) connected to the lower beam (6) via a chain (13) that is anchored to the bottom lifting lug (4) on the upper beam (1) and anchored to the top lifting lug (7) on the lower beam (6). The lower beam (6) has an inbuilt mobile unit (20) used to position the centre of mass by using a thread drive gearing system (25) as the centre of mass is shifted, the angle of the lower beam (6) changes due to natural gravitational pull. Sets of chains are rigged up to the bottom lifting lugs (10) which are then rigged up to the object being lifted. The bottom lifting lugs (10) are attached weight sensor units (43) which are attached to the internal beam (20). The upper beam (1) is rigged up to the crane using the main lifting points (2) and the lower beam (6) is rigged up to the upper beam (1) using a chain (13) The lower beam has another feature which is used to make it spin horizontally. A gearing system (19) is powered by a high torque electric motor (18). The gearing system (19) is fitted to the base plate (8) for the lifting lug (7) which has bearings to allow it to spin freely. This mechanism allows for the bottom beam (6) to be positioned correctly to avoid the suspended load colliding with the structure. Couterweights (30) are parts that are connected to the bottom lifting lugs (10) and are used to counteract the weight of an item mounted on the extension. The bottom beam (6) can either be calibrated at horizontal or put at an angle by moving the internal beam (20) during a lift to place items into a difficult area with overhead structure. In addition to the lower beam (6), high tensile steel beams called extensions (14) are used for two functions. The extensions (14) can be mounted onto the bottom lifting lugs (10) on the bottom beam (6) using the lug slots (16) in the centre of the extrusion block (15) that's positioned in the centre of the extensions (14). This forms a H-frame assembly (36) to allow a four point lifting system. This setup allows for a more stable lift for heavier or larger items. The extensions (14) can also be mounted on the edges of the bottom beam (6) using the designated fitting points (23) and by aligning the restrictor plates (24) to the edge of the lower beam (6). The functions of this device are controlled using a computer processing unit (35) which is controlled by a remote control (37). The CPU (35) is connected to antennas (11) that receive the signal from the remote control (37). The electrical and electronics are powered by rechargeable batteries (38). The batteries (38) are interchangeable and are recharged by solar panels mounted on the top of the bottom beam (6) and also by being removed and mounted into a battery recharging device (39). In addition to the CPU (35), an angle sensor device is fitted inside the bottom beam (6) and gives the operator a reading of the angle for the bottom beam (6). The angle sensor can also be used to calibrate a target angle required for a lift. There are sets of restriction switches that cut the circuit to the thread drive system (25) when the lower beam (6) has an angle exceeding the limit or if the lifting lugs (10) have moved to close to the edge of the cutouts (38). The switch for the cutouts (38) is a "push/off" switch (34) that cuts the positive line to the thread drive motor (25). The angle switch (33) cuts off the negative terminal when the angle of the bottom beam (6) reaches a certain angle. The circuit for the thread drive (25) has a forward and reverse function so that when one terminal is cut by a restrictor switch, the opposite function will still work. The storage box (40) is where all the parts are stored when not in use. The storage box (40) is fitted with forklift slots (41) and lifting lugs (42) to make it easy for transporting. Fig 2- 2 5 '41 25A 19 87 31 20 21 6 1 lF1-24