Lifting apparatus with compensation means
AssigneeGorbel, Inc.
InventorJames M. Alday
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a lifting assembly such as a jib crane or similar apparatus having an articulated arm assembly and a flexible means for connecting a load to an actuator. The lift arm assembly forms an articulated cantilever boom, which is extensible so as to traverse a suspended load within a work cell area. The lift arm assembly further includes a first and second member pivotally connected to one another whereby an inclined plane (e.g., a cam) at the pivot point of the articulating arms provides a vertical displacement of the secondary arms thereby moving the distal end of the secondary arm to counterbalance inherent forces acting thereon.
Claims18
A lifting apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
- a primary arm pivotally coupled to said base;
- a secondary arm pivotally coupled to the distal end of said primary arm, thereby permitting free swinging movement of said arms within a generally horizontal plane defined by the primary and secondary arms;
- an actuator operatively associated with at least one of said arms, said actuator operatively engaging a cable so as to control the height of a load suspended from a free end of the cable beneath the distal end of the secondary arm;
- and
- a mechanical adjustment for displacing the second arm relative to the first arm and thereby counterbalance forces acting upon the secondary arm as a result of movement of the load suspended therefrom.
An articulating arm assembly for connecting a lifting device to a load, comprising:
- a first arm operatively attached to a support at a proximal end thereof and including a pivot pin at a distal end thereof;
- a second arm having a first member pivotally coupled by said pin to the distal end of said first arm and a second member adjustably coupled to the distal end of said first arm for permitting free swinging movement of said arms relative to one another;
- a cable between the lifting device and the load that mechanically constrained to pass lengthwise along said first and second arms;
- and
- a cam, positioned in proximity to and interposed between the pivot pin and the second member of the second arm, said cam angularly displacing the second member in a vertical direction relative to said first member.
A method for controlling the position of an articulated arm lift, comprising:
- operatively attaching a primary arm to a support at a proximal end thereof, said primary arm including a pivot pin at a distal end thereof;
- and
- pivotally coupling a secondary arm to said primary arm to permit free swinging movement of said primary and secondary arms relative to one another, while angularly displacing the secondary arm in a vertical direction relative to said primary arm as said arms are horizontally pivoted relative to one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.