Handling device for a distribution spout of a shaft furnace

A handling device for the distribution spout of a shaft furnace including rails being suspended underneath a working platform which is positioned around the shaft furnace, the handling device comprising:

• a front axle and a rear axle, each of said axles being mounted on roller means adapted for movement on rails suspended underneath a working platform positioned about the shaft furnace;
• tilting frame means mounted on said front axle, said frame means having a front end and a rear end;
• supporting cradle means for the distribution spout being suspended at the front end of said frame means and being associated with a counterweight and a supporting cable;
• a pair of arm members, said arm members having front ends and rear ends, said rear end of said frame means being articulated to said front ends of said arm members, said arm members being mounted on said rear axle;
• first lever means having a first end and a second end, and second lever means having a first and a second end;
• jack means having a rod received in a cylinder, said first end of said first lever means being pivotably connected to said rod and said first end of said second lever means being pivotably connected to said cylinder;
• said second end of said first lever means being fixed to said rear axle and said second end of said second lever means being fixed to said rear end of said frame means thereby forming a pair of first articulation points between said jack means and each of said first and second lever means, said first articulation points and said articulation between said frame means and said two arm members defining a triangular configuration, said triangular configuration being deformable under the action of said jack means for causing said frame means to tilt about the axis of said front axle.