Title: LIFTING TOOL

The present invention concerns a lifting tool for use in mounting -and removal of heavy and/or difficult manageable parts in garages, in particular workshops for larger vehicles, and comprising a wheel carried chassis with a raise able and lowering gripping organ.

From AU 2004 208 687 A1 (JUSTOI PTY LTD), is known a lifting tool for handling of wheels and other heavy parts for vehicles. The lifting tool comprises a wheel carried chassis with a gripping organ which is raise able and lowering on rails, said gripping organ comprising pivotable organs with pivotal jaw parts in their free ends. The interacting organs comprise jaw parts are interconnected by an axially displaceable clamping part. The gripping organ is pivotally mounted to the chassis.

Further is known actual lifts, which lift the whole vehicle up from a substrate to a position where a comfortable working position for a relevant mechanic can be achieved. However, there are, regardless of the presence of the above aids, always needed lifting and positioning of relatively heavy objects in combination with inconvenient working positions, in connection with mounting- and the dismantling of spare parts, because of scarce space around the mounting site.

Especially in connection with the replacement of brakes on trucks, the above issue very pronounced. A brake caliber for a truck weigh typically well above the 50 kg, which is a relatively heavy burden for one person. When it further is considered that the caliber to be tightened by mounting bolts has to be relatively accurate positioned, the replacement of a brake caliber, or removal and reinstallation of same in connection with servicing the brakes on a truck, will be a physically demanding work which further take some time to perform, due to difficulties in posi- tioning the heavy brake caliber, contemporary with that it is maintained in the correct mounting position. A task, which claims two mechanics working in cramped space conditions until the mounting bolts arranged, and a work which claimed heavy lifting in ergonomically awkward postures.

Similar issues arise for the removal and mounting of brake drums and break discs on trucks, which also represents relatively heavy objects of metal to be lifted in the correct position and held in this position for installation using bolts which enters through holes in the drums to be positioned next to similar holes in a cur-

rent hub in which a current brake break drum or brake disc is to be placed. I this connection it shall further be recalled that space conditions are narrow, so the working position for the person performing this task will be uncomfortable and er- gonomically inappropriate.

In the following may occur use of the name spare part, the spare part, which particularly alludes to the preceding parts, but also to similar major parts which in connection with repairs of lorries, trucks, semi trailers, trailers, etc. to which there in the following will be referred to as the lorry or truck (s).

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a solution on above problems, which in addition to prevent heavy lifting in inconvenient and ergonomi- cally awkward positions, also will be labour saving, and thereby contribute to higher efficiency at workshops for lorries, trucks, semi trailers, trailers, etc., in which there are performed replacement/repair- and maintenance work on brakes.

This object is achieved with the lifting tool of the initially indicated type, which is characterized in, that the gripping organ is pivotal Iy and tilt able mounted by a ball connection in the free end of a lever arm which is pivotal mounted on the wheel carried chassis, said lever arm being raiseable and lowered by a first actuator, said gripping organ comprising a gripping head with a first and a second set of mutually interacting, spatiated, parallel oriented in first plans, pivotally mounted organs, in free ends of which are first and second pivotal mounted jaw plates, each comprising similar take outs for releasable attachment of cooperating and from said first plans opposite and projecting jaw parts for engagement of heavy and/or difficult handling parts, and where the interacting first organs are interconnected with an axially displaceable clamping unit.

Hereby is provided a lifting tool designed to assist in connection with lifting and handling of heavy, difficult manageable parts, such as break calibers, brake drums, axles and the like for trucks, as the opposing and projecting jaw parts is brought in engagement with an appropriate spare part, where after the jaw parts by the axial displaceable clamping unit is brought to the preferred holding- /mounting position.

By activating the first actuator, it is then possible to raise the lever arm to a preferred position, and subsequent by turning and tilting of the lever arm and the gripping organ, bringing the current replacement part to the mounting position

where it can be retended until fastening of the current part is carried out. The advantage is that in connection with mounting the spare part, it is not required that the spare part shall be held manually until the mounting bolts are placed in their proper position, a task which often can be difficult to perform, since the gaps, in which the mounting bolts are to be introduced are located respectively in the relatively heavy spare part to be mounted, and in an assembly on a relevant vehicle, must be positioned exactly right above each other, to facilitate introduction of the mounting bolts. By using the lifting tool heavy lifting in ergonomically inappropriate positions is spared and the installer or mechanic can concentrate fully on placing and fastening the mounting bolts.

The lifting gear disclosed in AU 2004 208 687 A1 (JUSTOI PTY LTD) is not suited and indicates no options for use in the mounting of spare parts, in the above disclosed manner, simply because this does not include the possibility of holding heavy objects in the correct mounting positions, due to the fact the raiseable and lowering gripping organ is pivotal only around to a first horizontally oriented axis, and jaw parts of the free ends that are pivotally mounted around a second horizontally oriented axis, perpendicular to said first horizontal oriented axis.

In order to ensure a effective retention of the spare parts to be handled with the lifting tool, it is of great importance that clamping is achieved by a symmetrical clamping of the projecting jaw parts on the pivotal mounted organs and the lifting tool according to the invention can therefore advantageously be arranged in a manner that the first and second set of pivotal mounted organs comprises means for securing a relatively symmetrical displacement relative to the median plane of the gripping head, by operating the clamping part.

It is hereby achieved an equal a relative displacement of the pivotal mounted organs and thus of the projecting jaw parts on each side of the spare part. If the projecting jaw parts cannot attack on a straight course on the spare part, is it also possible, by the pivotal mounting of the jaw plates in which the jaw parts are mounted, to compensate during the clamping of the jaw parts to maintain the grip on the spare part, through the axial displaceable clamping part.

In a preferred embodiment of the lifting tool the means to ensure the symmetric relative displacement of the pivotally mounted organs consists of mutually interacting toothings respectively on the first and the second set of pivotal mounted organs.

As stated in the foregoing, the weight of the spare parts which are handled by lifting tool according to the invention, in relation to a person's lifting capacity, is relatively high. This will lead to an excessive strain on the ball connection, the fric- tion of which shall endure pivoting/turning the gripping head, which will call for a relatively hard clamping to fix the gripping head carrying one of the above mentioned spare parts. This will lead to time consuming adjustment work, but would be preferable compared to the lack of presence of the lifting tool according to the invention, for use in connection with mounting of the spare parts. It may further be indicated that break calibres usually is to be placed in a pivoted position relative to horizontal, which will also lead to a need for adjustments of the gripping head. However, it is desirable to minimize the time spent by the mounting and removal of those parts, including reducing the time for the adjustment of the position of the gripping head.

In order to reduce time spent in connection with adjustments of the gripping head, the lifting tool advantageously can be arranged in a manner that a balancing- and adjustment head is provided between the ball connection and the gripping head, said balancing- and adjustment head being pivotal and tillable mounted to the lever arm by said ball bearing connection, and lockable, displaceable mounted to the ball connection by a sliding bearing, and gripping head by an adjustment mechanism is adjustable, lockable, and pivotally mounted around its longitudinal axis in the balancing- and adjusting head.

This will allow balancing the replacement part which is handled with the gripping head, by displacement of the balancing- and adjustment head in the sliding bearing, which can be relevant for the handling of brake drums and discs, with a displaced centre of gravity in relation to the attack points of the projecting gripping jaws. Furthermore, it will be possible to make a swift rotation of the spare part which is handled with the gripping head by the adjustment mechanism, which by way of example consists of a second actuator, as specified in claim 5

The breaking calibers on semi trailers, is due to the close position of the load surface in relation to the wheels, placed on the lower half of the break discs, causing the need to perform relative extensive turn of the gripping head the around its own axis. In order to perform this turn, the adjustment mechanism may be displaceable lockable mounted to the balancing- and adjustment head by a third ac-

tuator, to perform a relative mainly vertically oriented displacement between the adjustment mechanism and the balancing and adjusting head.

It is hereby achieved that the gripping head can be brought in a sufficient dis- tance from the balancing- and adjustment head, that the gripping head can perform a sufficient turn around its own axis to make the lifting tool suitable for handling of break calibres for mounting on semi trailers and other sites where such parts are mounted from below.

It may further be indicated, that the second actuator and / or the third may be of a type that is powered by electricity or oil, air or other fluid under pressure, and the second actuator may further include a worm drive, resulting in a more steady turning of the gripping head, combined with the fact that the worm drive will serve as counterhold against the torque resulting from the burden carried by the gripping head.

In a simpler embodiment of the second actuator and/or the third actuator, these might consist of a hand operated worm drive, which in most cases will be sufficient, also speaking from a purely temporal consideration. Further, the hand operated worm drive will in most cases allow the user of the lifting tool to perform minor smaller compensatory turning movements at the insertion of a relevant spare part.

In order to achieve good retention of a brake caliber by the projecting jaw parts, the jaw plates may include respective opposite, projecting jaw parts, the free ends of which comprises laterally reversed and away from the opposite jaw part oriented projecting parts.

It is hereby achieved that the jaw parts can be introduced into the slit found in the surface of the outside of the caliber, and the projecting parts can be brought in engagement with the upper side plate, by stretching out the axial displaceable clamping part.

In other situations it may be advantageous that a caliber is retained from the outer side by the jaw parts, and here it may be advantageous that the opposite projecting jaw parts comprises laterally reversed against each other oriented parts which might be brought to engagement onto the lower side of the caliber, by clamping the axially displaceable clamping part.

In order to be able to compensate for a non horizontal position of the gripping head during the attachment procedure for the caliber, the projecting parts on the against the jaw plates facing side may have a sloping course. This will allow the projecting jaw parts to achieve a uniform attack against the wall of the caliber, during stretching or clamping the axial displaceable clamping part.

In order to be able to handle/use the lifting tool for the handling of brake drums and brake discs the jaw plates may respectively on the first and second mutually interacting pivoting arms, in each side of the gripping head include opposite, projecting and inter connected jaw parts, which comprises a straight course which changes to a curved course, and where the jaw parts where the curved course commence, and near the free ends of the curved course comprises ball bearings whose peripheries protrude into the cavity defined by the curved jaw parts.

Hereby the brake drums and the discs are attacked in 4 points along their periphery, namely in the points where the ball bearings are present and said attack points will be located respectively over and under the point where said parts have the greatest diameter. The advantage of using ball bearings in the attack points is that it will possible to make compensatory turns of brake drums and brake discs around their own axis to place the bolt holes in the brake drums and brake discs over their corresponding holes in a current shaft or hub. It should be noted that this embodiment of the lifting tool is also useable in connection with mounting of shafts and hubs.

It shall further be stated that first actuator of the lifting tool advantageously can be of a type powered by electricity or oil, air or other fluid under pressure. In addition, the lifting tool of course will include a command and control unit for this, depending on the actuator type are used. The same is relevant for the second actuator, and in cases where it is suitable, said command and control units include facilities for control and regulation of the first actuator and the second actuator as well.

In order to ensure an easy and effortless positioning of the frame relative to the assembly site, the wheel supported frame comprised of the lifting tool, may be supported on swivel wheels.

The invention will be further disclosed in the following referring to the accompanied drawings, where

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a lifting tool for use for lifting heavy spare parts according to the invention, seen from the side, carrying a break calibre,

Fig. 2 shows the same as fig. 1 , without the break caliber

Fig. 3 shows a detail view of a lifting head associated with the lifting tool ac- cording to the invention, suited for lifting break calibers, attacking from the inside,

Fig. 4 shows a detail view of a lifting head associated with the lifting tool according to the invention, suited for lifting break calibers, attacking from the outside,

Fig.5 shows a detail view of a lifting head associated with the lifting tool according to the invention, suited for lifting break drums,

Fig.6 shows a detail view of a lifting head associated with the lifting tool according to the invention, suited for lifting break discs, and

Fig. 7 shows the same as fig. 6, but seen from another angle.

In fig. 1 is shown an embodiment of a lifting tool 2 for use in connection with mounting and de-mounting of heavy and/or difficult manageable spare parts 4, 6, 8 in work shops, especially garages for larger vehicles such as lorries, trailers, semi trailers, and trucks.

The lifting tool 2 comprises a chassis 10 supported on swivel wheels 11 , and comprising in a pivot bearing 12 mounted, and by a first actuator 14 raiseable and lowerable lever arm 16 consisting of a first- and a second bar shaped organ 18, 20 which are interconnected by pivot connections 22, 24 to a first wing 26 in the pivot bearing 12, and by further pivot connections 28, 30 are connected to second wing 32, in the free end 34 of which is rested a pivotally, tiltable gripping organ 38 connected with the free end 34 by a ball connection 36.

The gripping organ 38 comprises a balancing- and adjustment head 40, and a thereto connected gripping head 42 with a first and a second set mutual cooperating, in parallel oriented first planes 44, 46 spatiated, pivotally mounted organs

48, 50, in the free ends of which are arranged first and second pivotally mounted jaw plates 52, 54 mounted in the pivot connection 55, said jaw plates 52, 54 comprising similar take outs 56, 58 for release able attachment of there with cooperating jaw parts 60,62 projecting from said first planes 44, 46, for engagement of heavy and/or difficult manageable spare parts 4, 6, 8, and where the first organs 48, 50 are mutual connected by an axially displaceable clamping part 64.

As it most clearly appears from fig. 3, the first- and second set of pivotally mounted organs 48, 50 comprises mutual cooperating toothings 66 for ensuring a symmetrical relative displacement of the pivotally mounted organs 48, 50 by adjustment of the distance between the pivotally mounted organs 48, 50 with the axially displaceable clamping part 64. It is hereby ensured that the projecting jaw parts 60, 62 during their displacement by activating the axially displaceable clamping part 64, are displaced in the same extent against and away from each other for engaging a relevant spare part 4, 6, 8.

The embodiment of the lifting tool according to the invention shown in fig. 1 , fig. 2 and fig. 3 is suited for handling of a break caliber 4 for a lorry, truck or trailer, where pair wise opposite projecting jaw parts 60, 62 are inserted in the take outs 56, 58 in the jaw plates 52, 54, the free ends of said jaw parts 60, 62 comprising projecting parts 68 oriented away from the opposite jaw part, for engagement of the housing 5 of the break calibre through an opening 7 in the surface of the housing, as it is shown in fig. 1.

The embodiment of the gripping organ 38 comprised of the lifting tool shown in fig. 4 is suited for handling of a brake caliber 4 for a lorry, truck or a trailer, where there in the jaw plates 52, 54 are inserted opposite projecting jaw parts 60, 62, where the free end of the second jaw part 62 comprises laterally reversed against each other oriented projecting parts 68, for engagement of the housing 5 of the break caliber from the outside. As it further appears from fig. 4, the first jaw part 60 is attached to the second jaw part 62, and serves thus as a stabilizing part of the jaw part 62.

As it appears from the shown embodiments of the gripping organ 38 com- prised of the lifting tool shown in fig. 3 and fig. 4, for handling of a break caliber 4 for a lorry, truck, semi trailer or trailer, the projecting parts 68 on the against the jaw plates 52, 54 facing side of the projecting jaw parts 60, 62 an oblique course

70 which results in that a good grip in the caliber 4, either by attack inside the housing 5 of the caliber (fig. 1) or outside on the housing, as it appears from fig. 4.

As shown in fig. 1 and the following figures, the gripping organ 38 comprises between the ball connection 36 and the gripping head 42 a balancing- and adjustment head 40 which is pivotally and tiltable mounted on the lever arm by said ball connection 36. The balancing- and adjustment head 40 is lockable displaceable mounted to the ball connection 36 by a sliding bearing 72, as it most clear appears in fig. 4 and fig. 5.

The sliding bearing connection 71 comprises a rail part 74 which is attached to the upper side 76 of the balancing- and adjustment head 40, and a slipping part 78 connected to a mounting plate 80, which is connected with the ball connection 36. The mounting plate 80 comprises further a downwards oriented plate 82 with a locking device 84 comprising a spring-influenced locking pin 86, which is cooperating with a row of holes 88 oriented parallel with the rail 74, in a manner that the balancing- and adjustment head 40 can be displaced to and locked in a preferred position i relation to the ball connection 36. This feature is very advantageous since it results in that a spare part 4, 6, 8 can be balanced in a manner that it ap- proximately hang laterally from the ball connection 36, which in connection with mounting of a current spare part will ease the work arranging this in the correct position with the holes for the clamping bolts overlapping holes on the location where the spare part are to be mounted.

As it further appears from fig. 4, the gripping head 42 is mounted in an adjustment mechanism 92 which forms a part of the balancing- and adjustment head 40. The adjustment mechanism 92 comprises a ball bearing connection 90 which is connected to a shaft 91 on the gripping head 42. The adjustment mechanism 92 is arranged in a manner that the gripping head 42 is adjustable, lockable, pivotally around the longitudinal axis 94 of the shaft in the balancing- and adjustment head 40. The adjustment mechanism 92 thus at least comprises locking means (not shown) for locking the shaft in a certain position. In another embodiment the adjustment mechanism 92 may comprise a second actuator (not shown) to perform pivoting and retention of the shaft 91 supporting the gripping head 42. The actua- tor may advantageously comprise a worm gear.

As well the first actuator 14 as the second actuator 92 might be of the kind, that are driven by electricity, or by oil, air or another fluid under pressure.

In a special embodiment the actuator in the adjustment mechanism 92 may consist of a manually operated worm gear (not shown).

Having the possibility to turn the gripping head 42, and therewith the burden carried in this, and being able to maintain the gripping head 42 in the turned position by the adjustment mechanism 92, it will be possible to put a break caliber 4 in correct turned position above a break disc 8, without the need of manual power for the positioning, beyond operating the actuator/the worm gear. This capacity is im- portant in connection with the mounting of break calibers on semi trailers, where the calibers due to the load surface relatively close location, are mounted oblique from below. To enable this relatively extensive turn of the gripping head 42 which in this case is required, the adjustment mechanism 92 is lockable displaceable mounted to the balancing- and adjustment head 40 by a third actuator 112, to per- form a relative, mainly vertical oriented displacement between the adjustment mechanism 92 and the balancing- and adjustment head 40. It is hereby achieved that the gripping head 42 is pivotable 360 degrees around its own shaft 91 , which leads to that the lifting tool 2 is useable for any mounting position for break calibers 4 or the like.

The pivot function for the gripping head 42 is also very valuable in connection with mounting break drums 6 on shaft and axles, where much accuracy often is required with respect to positioning of the relevant part, handled with the lifting tool 2 according to the invention.

As it appears from the embodiment shown in fig. 5 of the gripping organ 38 comprised by the lifting tool 2, suited for handling of a break drum 6, the jaw plates 52, 54 comprises opposite projecting and by bar connections 95 mutual connected jaw parts 60, 62 in each side of the gripping head 42, said jaw parts 60, 62 which after a straight course 96 changes to a curving course 98. The opposite curving courses 98 leads to a good grip around the breaking drum, clamping the axially displaceable clamping part 64.

As it further appears from fig. 5, ball bearings 102 are located at the transition between the straight part 96 and the curved part 98 and near the free ends 100 of the curved parts 98 on the jaw parts 60, 62, the periphery of said ball bearings 102 are projecting into the cavity 106 defined by the curved jaw parts 60, 62. The peripheries 104 of the ball bearings is hereby serving as attack points on the break

drum 6, which hereby is pivotable around its own axis 108 performing of a compensating turning of the break drum 6 in connection with positioning of the bolt holes (not shown) therein relative to bolt holes (not shown) in a relevant hub (not shown).

In fig. 6 and fig. 7 is shown an embodiment of the gripping organ 38 belonging to the lifting tool 2, suited for handling of break discs 8. The principle of the construction of the jaw parts 60, 62 are highly similar to the one shown in fig. 5, but defers in that the length of the straight courses 96 before the change to curving courses 98 are larger, which is reasoned in that the diameter of the drum 110 associated with the break disc 8 is less that the diameter of a break drum. As it also appears from fig. 6 and fig. 7, the jaw parts 60, 62 ball bearings 102 are located at the transition between the straight part 96 and the curved part 98 and near the free ends 100 of the curved parts 98 on the jaw parts 60, 62, the periphery of said ball bearings 102 are projecting into the cavity 106 defined by the curved jaw parts 60, 62. The peripheries 104 of the ball bearings is hereby serving as attack points on the break drum 110 on the break disc 8, which hereby is pivotable around its own axis 108 in connection with performance of compensating turning of the break drum 6 in connection with positioning of the bolt holes (not shown) therein relative to bolt holes (not shown) in a relevant hub (not shown).

As it appears from fig. 5 and fig. 6, the break drum 6 and the break disc 8 are suspended laterally, although the centre of gravity for said spare parts are different. This is caused by an adjustment of the suspending point by the sliding bearing 72. As it appears from fig. 5, the slipping part 78 is locked close to the middle of the rail part 74 by the spring-influenced locking pin 86 in a hole in the row 88 of holes, which indicates that the centre of gravity for the breaking drum 6 is situated close to its midpoint.

As it appears from fig. 6, where the gripping organ carry a break disc 8, it appears that the slipping part 78 is locked closest to the one end of the rail part 74 by the spring-influenced locking pin 86 in a hole in the row 88 of holes, which indicates that the centre of gravity for the this part is located closest to the break disc 8.

The lifting tool 2 according to the invention is used in the following manner, taking as a basis the mounting of a break caliber 4, which is attacked from "the inside" as it is shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2. The suited gripping jaws 60, 62 are

mounted in the jaw plates 52, 54 and the distance between the projecting parts 68 on the gripping jaws 60,62 is adjusted by adjustment of the distance between the pivotally mounted organs 48, 50 using the axialiy displaceable clamping part 64. The gripping head is then by the first actuator 14 lowered, and the gripping jaws is introduced in the opening in the housing 5 of the break caliber, the gripping jaws 60, 62 are then by the axial displaceable clamping part 64 brought into intervention with the break caliber 4. The break caliber is then by the first actuator 14 lifted up to the preferred level of mounting, and if the mounting site makes it necessary (semi trailers), the adjustment head with the second actuator 92 possibly also acti- vating the third actuator 112, the position of the position/location is possibly compensated on the mounting site. Held in the mounting position the break caliber is then fastened by suited bolts etc. and the gripping jaws are then released from the break caliber by the axialiy displaceable clamping part 64, to remove the gripping jaws from the mounted break caliber. Dismounting of a break caliber 4 is per- formed in the same manner, only in reverse order.

The inventor have recognized that the lifting tool 2 according to the invention might be realized in other embodiments than the ones disclosed above, for example the chassis 10 might be designed in a manner that the distance between the swivel wheels can be variable, and the first and second actuator 14, 92 might be controlled in the same handset. Further the inventor have realized that the lifting tool 2 might be useable for lifting and handling of other burdens, provided the jaw parts are adapted thereto.

However this does not change the inventive aspect that consists in providing a lifting tool 2 for the use in connection with lifting and handling break calibers, brake drums, brake discs in workshops for lorries, trucks, trailers, semi trailers or similar heavy vehicles, work that hitherto has taken place by performing manual lifting operations in ergonomic inappropriate working positions, which causes un- necessary wearing down of the persons who carry out said tasks.

Position numbers:

2 lifting tool

4 break caliber

5 housing for 4

6 break drum

8 break disc

10 chassis for lifting tool

11 swivel wheel

12 pivot bearing

14 first actuator

16 raise- and lowerable lever arm

18 first bar organ of 16

20 second bar organ of 16

22, 24 pivot connections between 18, 20 and 26

26 first wing

28, 30 further pivot connection between 18, 20 and 32

32 second wing

34 free end of 32

36 ball rest connection

38 pivotal, tillable gripping organ

40 balancing- and adjustment head

42 gripping head

44, 46 first levels

48, 50 pivotally mounted organs

52, 54 first- and second pivotally mounted jaw plate

55 pivot connection for 52, 54

56, 58 similar take outs in 52, 54 for 60, 62

60, 62 opposite projecting jaw parts

64 axially displaceable clamping part between 48, 50

66 cooperating toothings on 48, 50

68 projecting parts on 60, 62

70 sloping course of 68

72 sliding bearing connection between 40 and 36

74 rail part of 72

76 upper side of 40

78 sliding part

80 mounting plate

82 downwardly oriented plate on 80

84 locking device

86 spring-influenced locking pin

88 row of holes

5 90 bearing connection in 92

92 adjustment mechanism on 40

91 shaft on 42

94 length axis of 91

95 bar connections between 60, 62 10 96 straight course on 60, 62 before

98 curving course on 60, 62

100 free end of 98

102 ball bearing

104 periphery of 102

15 106 cavity defined by 60, 62

108 centre axis of 6

110 drum on 8

112 third actuator on 40

-20