Device to aid the unloading of support elements

A device to aid the unloading of a support element having a lower shaft and an upper shaft telescopically coupled to each other and extending in a longitudinal direction, the device comprising:

• an annular first body and an annular second body configured to be coaxially coupled to each other, wherein the first body and the second body are each provided with a through-hole, the through holes being adapted so that when the first body is coupled to the second body, the upper shaft can pass through the through holes and be supported by said first body, and wherein the second body is configured to be supported by the lower shaft;
• and
• an intermediate unloading wedge configured to be positioned between the first body and the second body when the first body and the second body are coupled together, the intermediate unloading wedge configured to slide in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the sliding of the intermediate unloading wedge causes, when the support element is in a vertical position, the first body and the second body to come together or move apart in the longitudinal direction of the support element and, therefore, reduce or increase the total length of the support element;
• wherein the intermediate unloading wedge comprises a retaining device such that when the device is in the operative position, the retaining device prevents the intermediate loading wedge from moving with respect to the first body and the second body and thereby fix a separation distance between the first body and the second body;
• wherein, when the device is removed from the operative position and placed in an inoperative position, the distance between the first body and the second body is reduced;
• wherein the first body and the second body each have a first projection and a second projection, the first projection and the second projection being diametrically opposite one other;
• wherein each projection originates from an internal base of a respective one of the first body and the second body, and each projection extends by an equal length from the respective internal base;
• wherein each projection comprises a radially-inward facing surface that forms a portion of a cylinder, the radially-inward facing surface being coaxial with a respective through-hole;
• wherein each projection comprises a cantilevered protuberance extending in a direction transverse to a respective projection;
• wherein the first body and the second body comprise a corresponding cavity disposed under each cantilevered protuberance;
• wherein when the first body is coupled to the second body, each cantilevered protuberance simultaneously fits into a respective one of the cavities located on an opposite one of the first body and the second body;
• wherein the internal base is configured to support the projections and corresponding cantilevered protuberances of an opposite one of the first body and the second body;
• wherein the first body and the second body are configured to move in the longitudinal direction relative to each other such that the projections and corresponding protuberances are not supported by the internal base of the opposite one of the first body and the second body when the device is in the operative position.