GB2115772A - Hoisting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for loading and unloading a lorry in which bulk meat carcasses are hung by hooks from rails extending along the cargo space. A beam 3 extends between side arms 4 pivotally mountable on the side walls of the vehicle and carries end rail portions 6. A pulley and cable system enables the beam 3 to be moved from a position in which the end rail portions 6 form continuations of the vehicle rails. In the pulley and cable system a first pulley block 9 mounting pulleys 10 and 11 on a common pin 12 is reciprocable by a hydraulic ram 8. A second pulley block 13 mounts pulleys 14 and 15 on a single pin 16 and is fixed in the reciprocation axis of the pulley block 9. A cable 17 extends from an anchor point 18 around pulleys 10 and 14 and direction changing pulleys 19 and 20 to attach to one side arm 4 at 21; a second cable extends to the other side arm 4 at 25. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hoisting apparatus The invention relates to hoisting apparatus and, more particularly, to apparatus for loading and unloading lorries of the kind in which bulk meat (carcasses) is hung by hooks from rails extending along the cargo space of the lorry.

The invention provides apparatus for loading and unloading a vehicle adapted for the carriage of carcasses suspended by hooks from rails extending longitudinally along the vehicle, the apparatus comprising a beam extending between side arms pivotally mountable on the side walls of the vehicle, the beam being provided with end rail portions and being movable by a pulley and cable system between a position in which the end rail portions form end continuations of the rails and a position in which the end rail portions are loadable and unloadable with hook bearing carcasses, the pulley and cable system comprising a first pulley block reciprocable by a hydraulic ram and mounting a first pair of pulleys on a common pin, a second pulley block in a fixed position upon the reciprocation axis of the first pulley block and mounting a second pair of pulleys on a common pin, and a pair of cables each extending from an anchor point, around a different one of the first pair of pulleys, around a different one of the second pair of pulleys and via one or more directional pulleys to the beam or the side arms between which the beam extends, the directional pulleys being positioned upon or close to the reciprocation axis of the first pulley block, the pulley and cable system being transversely mountable upon the roof of the vehicle.

The term "cable" as used herein is intended to encompass any cable, cord, rope, wire, chain or the like.

The desirability of attaching the cables to the beam spaced well apart necessitates the final directional pulleys being spaced well apart transversely with respect to the vehicle. In conventional arrangements, the reciprocation axis is longitudinal with respect to the vehicle so that the pulley and cable system occupies considerable roof area. With the reciprocation axis arranged transversely of the vehicle, as in the invention, and all the elements of the pulley and cable system arranged on that axis or close to it, the pulley and cable system is of substantial dimensions only in the one necessary dimension (transverse to the vehicle). The system may be mounted on top of the roof at the rear of the vehicle. It may be employed in the conversion of existing vehicles and not just built in to new vehicles.

The apparatus according to the invention may be used with conventional wheeled meat hooks.

The invention is illustrated by the drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the beam, side arms and end rail portions of an apparatus according to the invention together with the rails of the vehicle in conjunction with which the apparatus is used; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the pulley and cable system for controlling movement of the beam of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, (inverted T)-shaped rails 1 of a vehicle (not shown) for the carriage of carcasses extend longitudinally along the vehicle.

The rails 1 are secured to the roof of the cargo space in the vehicle by rivets, bolts or the like (not shown) through flanges 2 formed integrally with the rails 1 at spaced intervals along their length.

A beam 3 extends between side arms 4 each of which is provided with a pivot mounting 5 for cooperation with a pivot pin (not shown) mounted on the side walls of the vehicle. The beam 3 is provided with end rail portions 6. Each of these, like the rails 1, is substantially (inverted) T-shaped but has an end wall 7 and the upright of the inverted T lengthens from the open end to the end wall 7.

The beam is movable around the axis of the pivot mountings 5 under the control of a pulley and cable system illustrated in Figure 2. A hydraulic ram 8 is operable to reciprocate a pulley block 9 on which is mounted pulleys 10 and 11 on a single pin 12. Another pulley block 13 mounts pulleys 14 and 1 5 on a single pin 16, this pulley block 1 3 being in a fixed position upon the reciprocation axis of the pulley block 9. A cable 17 extends from an anchor point 18 around the pulley 10, around the pulley 14 and around direction changing pulleys 19 and 20 to a mounting 21 on one of the side arms 4. A second cable 22 extends from an anchor point 23, the position of which is variable, around the pulley 11, around the pulley 15 and around a direction changing pulley 24 to a mounting 25 on the other side arm 4.

In operation, with the ram 8 in its fully extended position, the beam 3 will be at its lowermost position within its range of pivotal movement, and conveniently at a suitable working height.

Carcasses on conventional wheeled meat hooks (not shown) can be loaded on to the beam by placing the wheels of the hooks on the end rail portions 6. The beam 3 is then raised by retracting the ram 8, thereby increasing the distance between the pulley blocks 9 and 13 and correspondingly shortening the effective lengths of the cables 1 7 and 22. Raising of the beam continues until the end rail portions 6 form end continuations of the rails 1. The carcasses on their hooks may then be pushed from the end rail portions 6 past safety latches (not shown) onto the rails 1, and along the latter. Unloading may be effected by reversal of these operations.

The adjustable position of the anchor point 23 enables easy levelling of the beam 3. The shape of the end rail portions 6 ensures that the hook and carcass suspended thereon will, whatever the position of the beam within its range of pivotal movement, be biased by gravity towards the closed end and not liable to fall off the open end.

The pivot mountings 5 may be elongate to enable height adjustment of the beam 3 in its uppermost position in which the rails and end rail portions 6 are continuous. With all three end rail portions 6 loaded, the tension on the cables will be sufficient to stretch them somewhat. As the first and then the second loads are transferred to the rails 1 the cables 1 7 and 22 will contract tending to move the beam 3 away from correct alignment with the rails 1. The elongate pivot mountings enable this to be compensated by slightly extending the ram, by allowing an initial vertical movement prior to the pivotal movement.

Claims (2)

1. Apparatus for loading and unloading a vehicle adapted for the carriage of carcasses suspended by hooks from rails extending longitudinally along the vehicle, the apparatus comprising a beam extending between side arms pivotally mountable on the side walls of the vehicle, the beam being provided with end rail portions and being movable by a pulley and cable system between a position in which the end rail portions form end continuations of the rails and a position in which the end rail portions are loadable and unloadable with hooks bearing carcasses, the pulley and cable system comprising a first pulley block reciprocable by a hydraulic ram and mounting a first pair of pulleys on a common pin, E second pulley block in a fixed position upon the reciprocation axis of the first pulley block and mounting a second pair of pulleys on a rommon pin, and a pair of cables each extending from an anchor point, around a different one of the first pair of pulleys, around a different one of the second pair of pulleys and via one or more directional pulleys to the beam or the side arms between which the beam extends, the directional pulleys being positioned upon or close to the reciprocation axis of the first pulley block, the pulley and cable system being transversely mountable upon the roof of the vehicle.

2. Apparatus for loading and unloading a vehicle adapted for the carriage of carcasses suspended by hooks from rails extending longitudinally along the vehicle, the apparatus being substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.