JPS6311190B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides for a load to be freely movable along a path defined by a guide member or guide members through support or attachment points of the guide members. This relates to a device (hereinafter referred to as a "latchway") for

Such latchways are often used in technologies including, for example, construction, mining, quarrying, agriculture, and the civil engineering industry. This device provides safety, mobility,
It can satisfy many demands such as physically guiding people and preventing risks such as falling, improper support or misdirection when people are on top of buildings and structures etc. Many demands can be met for equipment that protects or prevents hazards in operations where visibility is limited, such as underwater. The apparatus of the invention is suitable for use in ropeways, cable cars and other devices for moving loads along elongated tracks defined by flexible elongated members such as wires or cables or rigid elongated members such as rods or tubes. It can be used instead of what is conventionally used. In addition, this device can be used to transport people and supplies between rock walls and ships.
It can also be used at ports and docks where people and goods must be moved for loading and unloading.

According to the invention, there is provided a rotating wheel in which a number of depressions are provided on the circumferential edge of the rotating wheel, and at least one guide member supported on the circumferential edge of the rotating wheel, and the depressions are provided in the circumferential edge of the rotating wheel. spaced apart, adjacent recesses are separated by a protrusion of the rotating wheel, and the rotating wheel and the guide member cooperate to form a latchway having relatively rotating surfaces extending across the plane of the rotating wheel. , when in use the latchway meets a load-bearing element cooperating with the latchway, the rotary wheel is rotatable relative to the guide member about its axis, said load-bearing element having one said recess or a series of recesses. A latchway is obtained which is configured to be received, guided and passed through the latchway and positioned relative to the rotating wheel by said guide member.

The rotating wheel can be made of any suitable resilient material, such as metal such as stainless steel, or plastic for light loads. Their dimensions can also vary considerably depending on their use, for example from a diameter of about 50 mm when used on boards to a diameter of about 400 mm when used in mining or heavy-lift ropeways. . The rotating wheel can be made in one piece, for example by casting or molding, or it can be assembled from separately made parts. In some embodiments, the rotating wheel and the guide member each have interlocking male and female parts. In those embodiments, a peripheral groove can be provided into which the guide member can be placed.
In those embodiments, the rotating wheel may include two discs separated by a central connecting core. Each disc is cut out to form several depressions. A flange is provided at the peripheral edge of the protrusion of each disc. The flanges are mutually positioned with corresponding grooves provided in the guide member.

The guide member can be curved to match the curvature of the peripheral edge of the rotating wheel. The corners and edges of the rotating wheels and guide members are preferably shaped and smooth to reduce friction and facilitate the various movements that occur when using the latchway.

The shape and number of the recesses and protrusions on the rotating wheel can vary, but six U-shaped recesses are equally spaced around the rotating wheel and a corresponding approximately triangular shape formed by these recesses. It has been found that the protrusions function satisfactorily. Also, the rotating wheels with three and four recesses function satisfactorily, and the appropriate shape of the protrusions automatically aligns the rotating wheels with respect to the load-bearing element. Can be done. Factors to be considered in designing those parts of the rotating wheel are the dimensions of the rotating wheel, the dimensions of the attached machinery that will be moved along or over the wire or other elongated member, and the and maintenance that should be performed on the elongated member. Each recess must be large enough to accommodate the load attachment mechanism as it moves along the wire, or, in the case of devices where the load is attached to a latchway, along the support or guideway of an elongated member. It must be large enough to accommodate other load-bearing elements that support the latchway as it moves with the load. The load-holding mechanism or load-bearing element rotates the wheel when it enters the recess (for which the wheel is freely rotatably mounted on its axis). or the latchway can move through a load-bearing location. Alternatively, the position of the rotating wheel can be controlled mechanically to achieve the desired alignment.

In these examples, the dimensions of the flange or groove on the periphery of each projection are matched to the dimensions of the groove or flange provided on the side of the guide member, so that the groove or flange of the guide member is aligned with the flange of the rotating ring. Or they can be freely combined with each other in the grooves and positioned securely.

In some applications, the latchway in these examples may be connected to a length of wire or other elongated member by attaching the ends to guide members at each end of a single diameter of the latchway, and then attaching the ends to guide members at each end of a single diameter of the latchway. A wire or other elongate member may also be able to be passed across the face of the first elongate member.

In other embodiments, the rotating wheel may include a single disc with a groove near its periphery, and the guide member may include a flange engaging therewith.
In this case, the guide member is an external part and is formed with a groove or similar passage for receiving and locating a wire or other elongate member.

The wire guide within the rotating wheel may also be made of any material suitable for the intended use, such as metal or plastic. In addition, the wire guide is inserted into the groove provided in the flanged disc part of the rotating ring.
Alternatively, since it is usually located on the periphery of the rotating ring, it should match the dimensions of the rotating ring as much as possible. In an embodiment in which the rotating wheel is provided with six indentations,
It is advantageous to make the guide member long enough to span two adjacent projections and the recess separating them.

The wire guide may or may not have longitudinal holes for passing wires or other elongated members. The shape of the hole corresponds to the shape of the lead required for the wire or other elongate member.
The friction surface between the outer surface of a wire or other elongate member threaded through the hole and the inner surface of the hole also depends on the maintenance required. That is, depending on the conditions, a wire or other elongate member can be slid through the hole or held within the hole. However, in some situations this hole is not necessary and the wire can pass through the latchway along the chord or periphery of the rotating wheel. In that case, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, a ring or roller may be provided at a position on the guide such that its peripheral edge contacts the wire to assist in moving the load within the guide. be able to. Additionally, if it is necessary to eliminate frictional forces between the flange and the corresponding groove, for example when using the invention in heavy load applications,
A support mechanism can be provided on the flange or in the groove.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, two discs can be provided that are spaced apart and can rotate relative to each other. The discs constitute a central connecting core,
They have central portions that engage with each other. The recess is formed in one of the discs to constitute the rotating ring,
The guide member is integrally formed on the other disc and extends from the peripheral edge of the disc towards the one disc, positioning an elongated support element between the guide member and the central core. A protrusion is provided to cause the
This protrusion and the one disc, when the one disc rotates and the other disc is stationary,
have opposing surfaces that can be rotated relative to each other.

If desired, the latchway of the present invention can support one or more wires. For example, two parallel wires can be inserted into the guides in one latchway and the load can move independently along both wires.

Each rotating wheel is supported by an axis and can rotate freely or in a controlled manner about that axis. The shaft can be attached directly or indirectly to a support column or other fixed object in some applications. for example,
Each rotating ring can be mounted within a case that supports the shaft in suitable bearings. This case is fixed to the support. The case is useful in preventing the rotating wheel itself from being damaged, preventing it from being contaminated by dirt, dust, etc., and increasing safety.

If the application of the invention requires smooth and controlled movement, for example in a cable car for transporting people, then It is necessary to control movement. This is done via an opening/braking mechanism that is mechanically actuated by the passage of the load-supporting mechanism or by the rotation of a rotating wheel. but,
In general, the alignment of the latchway for the alignment function is ensured by the designed shape of the projection on the rotating wheel.

In use, the latchway of the present invention moves along a wire or other elongate member, except that a load is actually suspended from the latchway through each attachment point of the member. Fixed to intermediate support. A wire or other elongate member is threaded through a longitudinal hole in a guide in each wheel, or between the guide and the center of the wheel, and secured at each end. When a load loosely attached by a wire herring, clip, pulley or other load attachment element moves along the wire and reaches the latchway, the load attachment element slides into a recess in one of the rotating wheels and causes the wheel to rotate. , exposing one end of the guide member. The loading element slides over the guide member as the rotary wheel rotates and moves along the guide member until it reaches the other end, when it advances again to the elongated member, the guide member slides into the circumferential groove of the rotary wheel. It remains in position along the elongated member inside. Due to the curved periphery and smooth surface, if the hook is located in such a position that it first contacts the protrusion instead of the recess, the load-holding element will move into the next recess. The rotating wheel is immediately rotated so that it slides inside. This applies to one load in the case of random or relatively uncontrolled loading factors. If more precise movement of the loading element through the latchway is required, mechanical control of the rotating wheels as described above may be incorporated to ensure better alignment of the loading element with the recess. can.

Similarly, when a load is attached to an elongate member that moves through the latchway, or when a load is suspended from a latchway of the present invention that moves along the elongate member, the load passes through the attachment point.

This latchway has been found to work well in either orientation.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

1-6, the rotating ring 1 of the latchway according to the invention is made of disks 2,3. A hole 5 passes through the central core 4 of these discs. Each disk has 6
U-shaped recesses 6 and corresponding triangular protrusions 7
and each protrusion has a flange 8. The wire guide 9 is provided with a groove into which the flange 8 is fitted as shown, and a longitudinal hole 10 through which the wire 11 is passed. 5 and 6 show a case 12 in which a bearing 13 for a shaft supporting a rotating ring is provided.
A bracket 14 for attaching the latchway to a pillar or the like is shown.

In use, when the loading element slides along the wire 11 from right to left, it enters the recess 6 of the rotating wheel 1. Then, it comes into contact with the protrusion 7 of the rotary wheel and rotates the rotary wheel counterclockwise. The protrusion 7 then moves away from the right end of the guide 9 and the loading element slides onto the guide 9. The protrusion 7 is then pulled by the load and moved on the guide. When the projection 7 leaves the left end of the guide 9, the loading element moves from the guide onto the wire and the rotating wheel is ready for the next movement.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, the guide 9 is shown as a freely rotating wheel or roller 15. In FIG. 7B, the load 16 is held on a yoke 17, and in FIG. 8, the load 16 is shown suspended from the central axis 18 of the rotating wheel. In this case the wire attachment point is shown in section 19 in FIG. 8B.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the rotating wheel is shown to have a single disc 2 provided with a circumferential groove 20, and the wire guide 9 is shown to have a corresponding flange 21. The wire 11 is placed in the groove 22 of the guide 9.

In FIG. 11, the wire guide 9 is shown to be provided with a curved plate-like member 27, for example a part of the wall of a tube. This member 27 is
It has opposite edge regions which are received in circumferentially extending grooves 28, 29 provided in the projections of the discs 2, 3 constituting the rotating wheel 1. wire 11
engage with edges extending in opposite directions in the axial direction of the member 27.

In Figure 12, latchway 1 is connected to two wires.
The guide 9 is shown being held. A wire 11 is threaded through each wire guide 9.

13 and 14 show another embodiment of the invention in which the rotary wheel is provided with a disc 30 on which a cooperating disc 31 is provided. Each central boss 3 of the discs 30, 31 is arranged so that the disc 30 can rotate relative to the disc 31.
A common shaft is passed through 2 and 33. The disk 30 is generally cruciform and has four radial projections;
Four equally spaced depressions are formed between the protrusions. A wire guide 9 in the form of a segment-like projection is formed from the disc 31 . This protrusion extends towards the disc 30 where it connects the guide 9 and the disc 30.
The surfaces are facing each other. Their facing surfaces are
When the disk 30 rotates and when the disk 31 is stationary, it rotates relatively. The wire, rod or tubular elements 11 forming the guide track are suspended from the fixed structure by a series of supports 36 spaced along the elongate member. The member 11 is the engagement boss 32, 3 of the latchway.
3 in the space between the central core and the guide 9. When in use, member 1
A load is suspended from a latchway so that it can move along a guide track provided by 1.
When the latchway encounters a support 36, the support is received in one recess 34 and guided through and past the recess. At that time, the disk 30 rotates, but the disk 31
While moving along the surface, it always slides without rotating.

The latchway is in a resting position with the elongate member extending through the latchway. In the embodiments of the invention described above, the guide member can be configured to change orientation as the elongate member passes through the latchway.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of the rotating ring and guide of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an end view of the rotating ring and guide shown in Figure 1;
Figures 3 and 4 are a plan view and sectional view of the rotating ring and guide shown in Figure 1, Figures 5 and 6 are a side view and end view of the rotating ring and guide inside the protective case, and Figure 7
Figures A and 7B show a load attached to a moving wire supported by the latchway of the invention, and Figures 8A and 8B show a load suspended from the latchway of the invention; 9,1
0 shows an embodiment in which the rotating ring has one disk, FIG. 11 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 12 shows a latchway and two parallel wires, FIG. 14 shows a front view and a side view, respectively, of yet another embodiment of the present invention. 1... Rotating wheel, 2, 3, 30, 31... Disk,
6, 34... recess, 7... protrusion, 8, 21...
... flange, 9 ... guide member, 11 ... elongated member, 12 ... case, 13 ... bearing, 14 ... bracket, 15 ... roller, 18 ... center shaft,
20, 22, 28, 29... groove, 36... support.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A rotating wheel 1 in which several recesses 6, 34 are formed on the periphery for receiving load supporting elements 17, 19, 36, and a rotating wheel 1 supported on the periphery of the rotating wheel 1. By making both guide members 9 into one guide member 9 and having a shaped portion that roughly follows the outer periphery of the rotating ring 1, there is almost no protrusion radially outward from the outer periphery, and the elongated member 11 is positioned radially outward of the rotating ring. a guide member 9 having a guide surface or sliding surface which engages directly in the elongate member, said load-bearing elements 17, 19, 36 extending across the plane of the rotary wheel 1 and in use with the latchway. Cooperatively, the recesses are equally spaced around the circumference of the rotating wheel, adjacent recesses are separated by a projection 7 of the rotating wheel, and the rotating wheel 1 and the guide member 9 are arranged so that the rotating wheel 1 is centered about its central axis. having cooperating and relatively rotating surfaces such that the load-bearing element can rotate relative to the rotating wheel by said guiding member, while the load-bearing element is arranged relative to the rotating wheel by said guiding member; A latchway, characterized in that it is received, guided and passed through said recess. 2. A latchway according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating ring and the guide member have interlocking male and female parts 8; 20, 21; 28, 29. 3. In the latchway according to claim 2, the rotating wheel comprises two discs 2, 3 separated by a central connecting core 4, each disc having a number of recesses. A latchway characterized in that the cutout, the protrusion of each disk and the guide member have a peripheral flange and a groove 8 to which they are connected. 4. Latchway according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the guide member 9 has a longitudinal hole 10 through which the elongated member passes during use. 5. The latchway according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 3, characterized in that a mechanism for suspending the load 16 from the latchway is provided. 6. In the latchway according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a freely rotating element 15 is provided on the guide member, and in use, the peripheral edge of this element passes through the latchway. A latchway characterized by contacting an elongated member. 7. In the latchway according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the support mechanism is incorporated into a flange on the rotating ring or into a corresponding groove between the rotating ring and the guide member. Features a latchway. 8. A latchway according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a mechanical control device is provided for the rotating wheels. 9. In the latchway according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the rotary wheel 1 is so shaped that it directs itself when it encounters the load-bearing element, thereby Latchway, characterized in that the recess of the rotating wheel is positioned to receive a load-bearing element. 10 In the latchway according to claim 3, the guide member is constituted by a curved plate-like member 27, and this plate-like member has corresponding grooves 29, 30 provided in the protruding parts of the discs 2, 3. A latchway having opposed end regions defining flanges slidably engaged with the latchway. 11. In the latchway according to claim 1, the periphery of the rotating ring is bridged between a flange 21 extending on the periphery of the guide member and a corresponding recess 20 provided in the protrusion of the rotating ring. The guide member 9 has a portion that allows the rotary wheel to rotate relative to the guide member and positions the guide member over the rotary wheel, and the guide member has a groove 22 for receiving and positioning the elongated member. A latchway characterized by the formation of. 12. The latchway according to claim 1, comprising two discs 30, 31 separated and relatively rotatable, each having central engaging portions 32, 33 constituting a central connecting core; Disk 3
The recess 34 is formed in the rotating wheel 1.
The guide member 9 is integrally formed with the other disc 31, and an elongated member extends from the periphery of the other disc toward the disc between the guide member and the central core. A projection is provided for locating a support element, said projection and said one disc being oppositely rotatable relative to each other when said one disc rotates and said other disc is stationary. A latchway characterized by having a surface. 13. A latchway according to claim 12, characterized in that the protrusion 9 has the shape of a portion of a circle defining the periphery of the stationary disk. 14. The latchway according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that two guide members 9 are provided at both ends of one diameter of the rotating ring. 15. In the latchway according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the guide member 9 guides the elongated member extending through the latchway and causes the elongated member to change orientation at the position of the latchway. A latchway featuring: