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Title:
A METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR MOVING A GROUP OF OBJECTS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2005/066047
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A group of objects (1-12) arranged in fixed relative positions on a floor (13) is moved while conserving said positions of the objects relative to each other by: providing a rigid framework (14) surrounding said group of objects and having supporting means for supporting each object as well as air cushion units (15); establishing supportive contact between each object and corresponding supporting means; lifting said framework as one rigid unit by activating said air cushion units; and displacing said framework.

Inventors:
LAURSEN CHRISTIAN FINN (DK)
Application Number:
PCT/DK2005/000009
Publication Date:
July 21, 2005
Filing Date:
January 10, 2005
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
LAURSEN CHRISTIAN FINN (DK)
International Classes:
B65G7/06; (IPC1-7): B65G7/06
Foreign References:
EP0098064A11984-01-11
GB1277892A1972-06-14
US5044866A1991-09-03
US3796162A1974-03-12
GB1277892A1972-06-14
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Bering, Jesper (Rigensgade 11, Copenhagen K, DK)
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Claims:
PATENT CLAIMS
1. A method for moving a group of objects ar ranged in fixed positions relative to each other on a generally planar supporting face such as a floor while conserving said positions of the objects rela tive to each other, the method comprising the follow ing steps: a. Providing a rigid framework, generally extend ing into the vicinity of said objects, and providing said framework with supportive members for supporting each object in said group of objects not supported in full by other of said objects; b. Providing said framework with activatable dis placement members for lifting and supporting the framework from said planar supporting face and ena bling displacement along said face; c. Establishing supportive contact between each object in said group of objects not supported in full by other of said objects and corresponding supportive members on said framework; d. Lifting said framework supporting said objects as one rigid unit by activating said activatable dis placement members; e. Moving said framework generally horizontally on said supporting surface; and: f. Optionally lifting said framework for further transportation, whereby: g. The framework with the group of objects may be subject to any useful method of lifting and/or trans portation.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said group of objects is constituted by a single piece of furniture or equipment, assembled from units or items and depending on the supporting face for maintaining its structural integrity and stiffness.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said framework generally surrounds said group of ob jects.
4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said framework constitutes a parallelepipedic lattice structure encompassing said group of objects.
5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said framework is assembled from modular units.
6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein establishing said supportive contact com prises blocking and/or shimming.
7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said supportive members comprise straight or elongate cross members generally extending over the width of the framework below the objects to be moved.
8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein step c comprises lifting the framework by means of the activatable displacement members before establishing said supportive contact.
9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the activatable displacement members are de activated after the establishing of said supportive contact, following which the level of the framework relative to the activatable displacement members is adjusted, preferably by blocking and/or shimming.
10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said displacement members are air cushion elements.
11. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein concave irregularities or steps in said sup porting face are filled with a dry powder such as sand or gravel, covered by a sheet such as a steel sheet prior to moving said framework across said ir regularities.
12. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein objects in said group of objects are secured to the framework prior to subjecting the framework with the group of objects to transportation.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein dimensions of said framework are adapted to dimen sions of a freight container, and the framework with the group of objects is secured to the container prior to transportation or further transportation.
14. Equipment for moving a group of objects arranged in fixed positions relative to each other on a generally planar supporting face such as a floor while conserving said positions of the objects rela tive to each other, the equipment comprising the fol lowing items: a. A rigid framework; b. Supportive members on said framework for sup porting each object in said group of objects not sup ported in full by other of said objects; c. Activatable displacement members for lifting and supporting said framework from said supporting face and enabling displacement along said face, and fit for being disposed below said framework in a sup portive manner; and d. Optionally connective members on said frame work for lifting the framework for further transpor tation.
15. Equipment according to claim 14, wherein said framework is assembled from modular units.
16. Equipment according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said framework constitutes a generally paral lelepipedic lattice structure encompassing said group of objects.
17. Equipment according to any of claims 14 16, wherein said framework and said supportive mem bers are adapted to the supportive members being mounted onto said framework in various desired posi tions.
18. Equipment according to any of claims 14 17, wherein said supportive members are extensible or otherwise adaptable as to their form, reach and di rection relative to the framework.
19. Equipment according to any of claims 14 18, wherein said supportive members comprise straight or elongate cross members in lower regions of the framework.
20. Equipment according to any of claims 14 19, further comprising blocks, beams and/or other blocking material and/or shims, for establishing sup portive contact between said objects and said suppor tive members.
21. Equipment according to any of claims 14 20, wherein said framework and said activatable dis placement members are adapted to the displacement members being fitted onto said framework in various desired positions.
22. Equipment according to any of claims 14 21, wherein said activatable displacement members are mounted near and/or below said supportive members.
23. Equipment according to any of claims 14 22, wherein the vertical position of said framework relative to said activatable displacement members is adjustable, preferably by means of blocking and/or shimming.
24. Equipment according to any of claims 14 13, wherein said displacement members are air cushion elements and the equipment comprises a system for supply of compressed air.
Description:
A METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR MOVING A GROUP OF OBJECTS The present invention relates to a method and equipment for moving a group of objects arranged in fixed positions relative to each other on a generally planar supporting face such as a floor while conserv- ing said positions of the objects relative to each other.

Rather many moving projects in industry relate to moving entire production lines or sections thereof. In the present specification, the term"pro- duction line"is to be understood in a broad sense, as any group of machinery, equipment or furniture, the members of which are placed in accurate positions relative to each other that is, consecutive pieces of equipment or machinery in the group may e. g. be lined up accurately relative to each other in order to be able to transfer between them items or products of the relevant process. Rather often, the pieces of equipment are resting on the floor but secured to one another by connective members, conveyors or similar, as well as cables, wiring and piping. Consequently, the relative positions of the pieces of equipment must be maintained in order for the group to function properly. The objects may be secured to the floor as well.

Moving of such production lines the tradi- tional way includes disconnecting each object of the <BR> <BR> group (each machine, etc. ) from supply lines and from consecutive pieces of machinery, often dismounting of fragile, protruding members of the machine, shifting the machine out from the production line, and moving the machine by traditional means. This will almost certainly require involvement of personnel of several

different skills that is e. g. , electricians, pipe fitters, mechanics, etc.

The largest disadvantage, however, of the tra- ditional method of moving production lines is that the entire line will have to be re-aligned from scratch on its new location. This will very often in- deed prove to be a very time-consuming and thus ex- pensive project, again involving personnel of several skills and most often fitters from the original sup- pliers of the various machines in the production line.

The major part of these disadvantages would be avoided if it would be possible to move the entire production line as one or few"pieces"of machinery.

Moving of long and voluminous loads on air cushions is generally known, cf. e. g. US Patent No.

3,796, 162 disclosing moving of large mobile homes along a production line on air cushions, guided by tracks on a floor (Figs 1-2), or GB Patent No.

1,277, 892 disclosing moving elongate freight contain- ers on modular air cushions which are inserted below the containers (Figs 22,30, 43).

These loads are however of a self-contained and self-supported nature, even if they are elongate and voluminous or even very large.

An object of the present invention is to pro- vide a method and equipment for moving a group of ob- jects e. g. forming a production line, etc. of the categories mentioned without the need for disassem- bling the line and without the consequent need for reassembling and realigning it again.

This and other objects are met in that the method of the invention comprises the following steps:

a. Providing a rigid framework, generally extend- ing into the vicinity of said objects, and providing said framework with supportive members for supporting each object in said group of objects not supported in full by other of said objects; b. Providing said framework with activatable dis- placement members for lifting and supporting the framework from said planar supporting face and ena- bling displacement along said face; c. Establishing supportive contact between each object in said group of objects not supported in full by other of said objects and corresponding supportive members on said framework; d. Lifting said framework supporting said objects as one rigid unit by activating said air displacement members; e. Moving said framework generally horizontally on said supporting surface; and: f. Optionally lifting said framework for further transportation, whereby: g. The framework with the group of objects may be subject to any useful method of lifting and/or trans- portation.

By providing a rigid framework around the group of objects to be moved, and providing said framework with supporting members which support all objects needing support, the method of the invention allows all the objects to be supported directly or indirectly by the framework.

The term"rigid"is to be understood in a broad sense that is, rigid against downward deflec- tion (flexural rigidity), rigid against torsion (tor- sional rigidity), etc. Different groups of objects

may demand different forms of rigidity, or combina- tions thereof, or different degrees of rigidity.

The term"around"is to be understood in a broad sense as well. A general requirement to the framework is that it will surround, span, fill out or otherwise incorporate or embrace the group of objects to be moved, such that the framework will extend into the immediate surroundings of each and any of the ob- jects to be moved, and at least into the vicinity of points on the objects, at which points the objects are to be supported.

Supportive contact between the supportive mem- bers and the objects may be established in several different ways; the essential point is to ensure that the objects are supported in a rigid manner and with an even distribution of load between the points of support.

Hereby, the group of objects supported on the framework will constitute one single object, which may be displaced, moved or transported in any suit- able manner, the necessary lifting forces and dis- placing forces of the process of movement now acting on the framework rather than on the objects in the group of objects themselves.

This makes possible to move the whole group of objects-or a sub-group of same-without disturbing the positions of the objects relative to one another.

By providing the framework with air cushion supportive members, supporting the framework from said planar supporting face (e. g. the floor), moving the framework with its load of objects becomes very easy, necessary horizontal displacement forces being easily provided by hand, when the air cushion suppor-

tive members are activated by means of compressed air in a manner generally known per se.

By this measure, the framework with its load of objects still arranged in their accurate relative positions is easily transported for as long as a floor or other planar and even surface extends. The necessary supply of compressed air may readily be provided along the path of the framework. Shifting a compressed air hose from one outlet to another poses no problem, as the framework will simply rest on the floor for as long as the compressed air supply is discontinued. Other solutions such as the use of a portable or mobile air compressor may be indicated by the skilled person.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the framework is built up as parallelepipedic lattice structure encompassing the group of objects.

The parallelepipedic form is generally conven- <BR> <BR> ient for many purposes: stowing, storing, etc. , and quite many production lines will in fact fit nicely into an elongate parallelepipedic. The parallelepi- pedic form is also preferable per se for a lattice structure in that it greatly simplifies design and construction of a lattice of the required strength and rigidity.

According to a particularly preferred embodi- ment of the invention, the framework is assembled from modular units.

The use of units to make up the framework is advantageous in that the framework may be disassem- bled into relatively small and handy units or ele- ments, even if these units may be rather heavy per se.

The use of modular units is further advanta- geous in that a small number of unit types may be sufficient for building the whole framework. This will simplify stocking and use of the units in that a small number of unit types will have to be stocked, and a small number of unit types will have to be brought to the workplace in order to have every type of unit at hand for erecting the framework.

It is essential that supportive contact be- tween the framework and each object needing support be established in an accurate and evenly load- distributing manner, in order to ensure that no dis- tortion of relative positions of the objects (in three dimensions) takes place when the framework is lifted or otherwise manipulated.

That is, firstly, an appropriate number of supporting points must be chosen for each object in the group of objects to be moved; secondly, suppor- tive contact between these points and corresponding points on supportive members on the framework must be pre-loaded (or"pre-stressed") to an even degree be- fore lifting or manipulating the framework. This will ensure that an even or nearly even degree of loading is maintained when the framework is lifted or manipu- lated, as compared to the situation where the objects are resting on the floor, thus relieving the objects of undue stresses. The person skilled in the art will readily accept the appropriateness of these measures.

According to the invention, supportive contact between suitable points on the objects and corre- sponding points on supportive members on the frame- work is preferably established by blocking and/or shimming. This method is simple and easy to perform, and it is easy to estimate the pre-loading of a block

or a pile of shims by simply twisting them by hand or with an appropriate tool.

It is particularly preferred to provide the supportive members of the framework as straight cross members generally extending over the width of the framework below the objects to be moved; to provide blocking in the form of lengthwise extending beams resting on said cross members and having a suitable height, thus extending upwardly to just beneath the lowest points of support on the objects; and to build up piles of shims between said beams and said points of support on the objects.

It may be preferable to lift the framework to a certain height before establishing said supportive contact; this may be due to e. g. irregularities in the supporting face or floor, demanding a certain free height below the framework when loaded with the group of objects.

Such lifting may preferably be performed using the activatable displacement members themselves, thus eliminating the use of particular lifting tools. Sup- porting the framework momentarily while deactivating the displacement members, and blocking or shimming these members again will provide more free height.

The process may readily be repeated.

The displacement members may each comprise a wheel arrangement and a lifting device, but it is preferred according to the invention to use air cush- ion elements, as these possess several desirable properties and only very few drawbacks for the pur- pose.

Air cushion elements allow displacement in every direction in the plane of the floor when acti- vated by compressed air; they are easily controlled,

e. g. by simply connecting them to one and the same compressed air outlet having a controllable pressure; they provide intrinsic load-distribution between them; they provide a very low friction, and the fric- tion is completely indifferent as to direction of displacement and change of direction; and they are comparatively moderately priced compared to other possible solutions.

One of the drawbacks mentioned above is that air cushion elements will not handle even small steps, bulges or depressions in the supporting face (e. g. the floor). Another drawback is that these ele- ments demand that the floor, besides from being pla- nar, even and smooth, is free from sharp or pointed objects, whether these be fixed or loose.

According to the invention, the former draw- back is overcome by a particular measure, which con- sists in smoothening away the irregularities by fill- ing depressions or steps with sand or gravel, pref- erably oven-dried sand, smoothening out the sand and covering the sand with a piece of iron sheet.

Experiments have shown that such dry sand have a load-carrying capacity which is quite sufficient for moving even large groups of machinery across mod- erate steps or bulges, and that the sheet of iron will secure the sand against deformation or scatter- ing.

It has proved to be preferable to seal the edges of such sheets with adhesive tape or similar, to avoid pressurised air to blow away any sand or gravel.

If the group of objects is to be subjected to further transportation by, say road or sea, extensive

securing of the objects to the framework will most often prove to be preferable.

If this sort of transportation is to be per- formed in a freight or sea container, the framework will preferably be secured inside the container in a safe and sturdy manner.

The objects of the invention are further met in that the equipment of the invention comprises the following items: a. A rigid framework; b. Supportive members on said framework for sup- porting each object in said group of objects not sup- ported in full by other of said objects; c. Activatable displacement members for lifting and supporting said framework from said supporting face and enabling displacement along said face, and fit for being disposed below said framework in a sup- portive manner; and d. Optionally connective members on said frame- work for lifting the framework for further transpor- tation.

The items a, b and c serve corresponding pur- poses as explained above with reference to the method of the invention.

The optional connective members mentioned may be ring bolts, lifting eyes, or similar devices for receiving a crane hook or similar lifting tackle.

When the framework-or indeed the various modular units for making up the framework-is provided with such connective members at various strategic points, the framework will be ready for lifting by means of conventional lifting tackle such as a lorry crane or a gantry crane.

Assembling the framework from modular units will provide corresponding advantages as explained above with'reference to the method of the invention.

Adapting the modules of the framework-or a customised framework-to constitute a parallelepi- pedic lattice structure in the assembled state pro- vide for similar advantages as explained above with reference to the method of the invention.

It is generally preferred to adapt the frame- work and the supportive members in such ways that the supportive members may readily be mounted onto the framework in various desired positions.

This measure will provide for the supportive members being mounted e. g. in a more elevated posi- tion if one particular object in the group of objects to be moved does not have any suitable supporting points at a low height above the floor. Similarly, if the object has a very inclined shape, it may need supporting at different heights in each of its ends.

Mounting the supportive members at corresponding, different heights above the floor will most likely facilitate supporting of that object.

The supportive members are preferably made ex- tensible or otherwise adaptable as to their form, reach and direction relative to the framework.

This will enable appropriate support of ir- regular shaped objects to be moved. If suitable points of support are e. g. found at very different distances from the framework on the various objects, or on different sides of one object, it will be ad- vantageous to place the supportive members with cor- responding, different reach from the framework.

Likewise, it will be advantageous to be able to adjust the reach and direction of the supportive

members before fastening them to the framework for good, such that as direct a contact as possible may be established between the supportive member and the object to be moved.

A particularly simple and advantageous form of supportive members has been found to be straight cross members in lower regions of the framework, that is, supportive members extending crosswise over the width of the framework in a low height above the floor.

When the supportive members extend from one side of the framework to the other, any moment of torsion or tilt produced by the supportive members on the framework will be significantly reduced, because the members are supported at each end.

Preferably, the equipment of the invention comprises blocks, beams and/or other blocking mate- rial and/or shims, for establishing supportive con- tact between said objects and said supportive mem- bers.

As stated above with reference to the method of the invention, it is considered most necessary to establish an even loading on the various points of support of the objects to be moved, in order to con- serve the relative positions of the various objects.

Any uneven loading on these points-which corres- ponds to an uneven and/or non-synchronous lifting of the group of objects to be moved-will tend to dis- tort the relative positioning between the objects, which will tend in turn to stress unduly the objects or the structures interconnecting them.

It is preferred that the framework and the displacement members are adapted so that the dis-

placement members are mountable onto the framework in various desired positions.

The purpose of the displacement members is to support the load of the framework plus the objects to be moved, as well as eliminating friction between framework and floor for the purpose of lateral dis- placement. As most types of displacement members are designed to function within a specific nominal load interval, it is essential that the load be shared be- tween the displacement members in a way allowing for this; in most cases, by sharing the load equally be- tween the displacement members.

According to the invention, the load is shared between the displacement members by shifting their positions underneath the framework, such that heavy sections of the framework will be supported by many displacement members, and lighter section supported by fewer members.

According to the invention, this is preferably achieved by making the displacement members mountable onto the framework in several different positions.

In this connexion, it is preferred that the activatable displacement members are mounted-or at least mountable-near and below said supportive mem- bers.

As the supportive members are carrying the weight of the objects to be moved in the first place, this measure will reduce the stresses in the frame- work, as a lower part of the load will have to be transmitted horizontally through the framework from a supportive member to one or more displacement mem- bers.

It is preferred that the vertical position of the framework relative to the activatable displace-

ment members is adjustable, preferably by means of blocking and/or shimming.

By this measure, it is ensured that the frame- work with the group of objects may be raised in order to negotiate a floor or similar which is not suffi- ciently planar.

Lastly, it is preferred according to the in- vention that the displacement members are air cushion elements and that the equipment comprises a system for supply of compressed air.

Such elements are distinguished by almost no friction between the element when activated by means of compressed air, and the floor, and further, such elements possess no friction or resistance against changes in direction of movement, as do e. g. wheels with rubber tyres.

The supply of compressed air may be a com- pressed air distributing network on the premises of the owner of the machinery, but it is preferred ac- cording to the invention to incorporate a portable compressor into the equipment of the invention. This will allow convenient control over air quality, pres- sure, flow capacity, etc.

In the following, the invention will be ex- plained in more detail by means of embodiment exam- ples and with reference to the schematic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a group of ob- jects to be moved, in the form of a processing line for sorting mail in a mail sorting office; Fig. 2 shows the processing line of Fig. 1, encompassed by a set of equipment of the invention, ready for moving;

Fig. 3 shows the framework of the equipment of Fig. 2, in an assembled state; Fig. 4 shows the single modules forming the framework of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 shows the framework of Fig. 3 during erection, mounted onto four pairs of displacement members of the invention with supportive members of the invention; Fig. 6 shows the assembled framework of Fig. 3, mounted onto the displacement members and supportive members of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 shows one pair of displacement members with one double supporting member in a lowered state; Fig. 8 shows the displacement members and sup- porting member of Fig. 7, in a lifted state; Fig. 9 shows one of the displacement members of Fig. 7 in a lowered state, viewed from below; Fig. 10 shows the displacement member of Fig. 9 in a lifted state, viewed from below, as well as beams and shims supporting various objects in the processing line of Fig. 1; and Fig. 11 shows two alternative mountings of ac- tivatable displacement members on a double supporting member; the displacement members are in a lowered state.

Throughout the drawings, same reference desig- nations refer to same or similar (corresponding) items.

In Fig. 1, a processing line 1 in a mail sort- ing office or similar comprises machines 2-6 for processing mail, that is, sorting letters, etc. ac- cording to size and weight, or contents of the ad- dress that is, a postal code or even the address proper.

These machines 2-6 are interconnected by hand- ling or transporting devices 7-12 for receiving, de- <BR> <BR> livering or otherwise handling the letters, etc. , and forwarding them from one machine in the line to the next. Most often, such devices form physical inter- connections from one machine to the next.

All the machines and devices shown are resting on a floor 13 through legs 42, but apparatus like the devices 7-12 may very well be resting on the machines which they interconnect.

This mail processing line is just one example of the various forms of groups of objects that can be moved with the method and the equipment of the inven- tion.

The objective of the method and the equipment of the invention is to lift from one place, displace, transport and lower into another place this entire group of objects (processing line 1), without dis- turbing the positions of any of the objects 2-12 relative to each other, not even"in the least".

In order to meet this objective, a frame- work 14 is according to the invention built around the entire processing line 1, and provisions are made for supporting each and any of the objects 2-12 in the processing line 1 from this framework 14; please refer to Fig. 2.

The framework 14 is in turn supported from the floor 13 by means of displacement members 15, which in the embodiment shown are constituted by air cush- ion elements, which are activated by means of com- pressed air supplied to the displacement members 15 through an air hose 17 and an air manifold 16, from a suitable source of compressed air.

When the displacement members are activated this way, and the framework with the entire produc- tion line thus lifted, the production line may be shifted laterally on the floor by means of very lit- tle lateral force due to the very low friction indeed provided by the air cushions between the floor 13 and the framework 14.

The framework 14 is preferably provided with means such as lifting eyes (not shown) or similar for allowing lifting of the framework, complete with the entire production line, displacement members, suppor- tive members, etc. , by crane or other lifting means.

The person skilled in the art will be able to design such means; a preferred position of such means will most often be on a top horizontal stretcher of the framework (19) in the immediate vicinity of a verti- cal post (20 or 21) and a brace (22).

According to the invention, it is of major im- portance that the framework is rigid. The framework is thus designed with a rigidity significantly higher than merely needed for supporting and carrying the load of the production line in a safe manner.

With a view to the requirement mentioned above, that the positions of the objects 2-12 rela- tive to each other should not be disturbed even"in the least", the framework is designed with a very high rigidity providing for a very small deflection indeed when the framework is supported (lifted) by the displacement members or suspended from the lift- ing eyes, respectively.

Zero deflection will of course not be obtain- able, in particular not when suspending the framework from a quite low number of wires or chains from a crane or similar. But an insignificant deflection may

very well be obtainable by oversizing the framework to an appropriate degree. A deflection of e. g. one centimetre of a framework supporting a processing line having a length of, say, eight metres might very well be acceptable, and a framework with a corre- sponding rigidity may readily be provided by simply over-dimensioning the framework correspondingly.

Fig. 3 shows the framework 14 proper of the embodiment shown in the drawings. In this embodiment, the framework constitutes a four-sided"frame"or a box without top and bottom, and of a lattice-girder type of structure. The general form of the frame- work 14 thus falls within a parallelepipedic.

A general requirement to the framework is that it will surround, span, fill out or otherwise incor- porate or embrace the group of objects to be moved, such that the framework will extend into the immedi- ate surroundings of each and any of the objects 2-12 to be supported; and that the framework is of such a sturdiness and rigidity that it will support the en- tire group of objects 2-12 without any significant deformation of the framework 14, when the objects are <BR> <BR> lifted from their support (which is, e. g. , the floor 13).

In Fig. 3, the lattice of the framework com- prise a through bottom rail (lower chord) 18, a through top rail (upper chord) 19, vertical posts 20 and 21, and diagonal braces 22.

According to the invention, the framework is preferably assembled from modular units. This aspect of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 4, which shows the framework 14 in Fig. 3 disassembled into four types of modular units 23-26.

The types of modular framework units shown in Fig. 4 are: a short side module 23; a medium side module 24; a long side module 25; and an end mod- ule 26. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, each mod- ule is built up from a bottom horizontal member 27, a top horizontal member 28, two end posts 29, a number of braces 22, and optionally a number of intermediate posts 20.

When the modular units 23-26 of the embodiment shown are assembled into a framework 14, the end posts 29 of consecutive modules are bolted together to form compound vertical posts 21, and so the top horizontal members 28 of the modules will together form the through top rail 19 of the framework, and the bottom horizontal members 27 will form the through bottom rail 18.

Prior to moving the objects, the framework 14 must be erected or"built"around the objects. The framework 14 will not necessarily surround the ob- jects of the production line 1 in the manner illus- trated in the drawings. The main point is, however, that the framework 14 must extend to the immediate vicinity of all the points at which the group of ob- jects is to be supported.

For any given group of objects, a number of points must thus be defined, in which the objects are sufficiently solid or tough to be supported without risk of distortion or over-stressing. Obvious usable points are the legs or supports of each object, but as these are already resting on the floor, they are not accessible for supporting from below. The immedi- ate surroundings of such legs or supports will often prove to be useful for supporting the objects, how- ever.

One particular embodiment of the method of the invention will now be described in more detail: Fig. 5 illustrates one of the steps in the erection of a framework according to the invention around the group of objects in Figs 1-2 (the objects are not shown in Fig. 5). In Fig. 5, five supportive members 30 have initially been placed on the floor 13 below the production line 1 (which is not shown), and four beams or planks 31 have been laid upon the sup- portive members to form an intermediate blocking be- tween the supportive members 30 and the objects 2-12 to be moved.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, sup- portive members 30 form lower cross members in the framework 14, and the activatable displacement mem- bers (15) to lift the framework are mounted under- neath the supportive members 30, please cf. below.

In Fig. 5, the framework 14 is in the process of being erected, and a first long side 33 has been erected on the rear side of the production line 1 (not shown); two end sides 35 have been erected at each their end of the production line 1; and a second long side 34 is in the beginning of being erected, two short side modules 23 having been mounted to the end sides 34.

In Fig. 6, the second long side 34 has been finished, and the framework is thus ready for its use according to the invention.

In order to provide for an ample supply of compressed air to air cushions (not visible in Figs 5-6) constituting the displacement members 15, an air manifold 16 has been provided in the form of tub- ing 38 connecting the supportive members 30 with an air hose 17. The latter is being connected to a suit-

able supply of compressed air such as a compressor or any other available air supply system.

The framework in the drawings is supported by ten displacement members 15, please refer to Figs 7- 10.

Fig. 7 shows one supportive member 30 of the invention, comprising two lower cross members 36 and two carriers 32. The lower cross members 36 are made from square steel tubing in the embodiment shown.

Each of the carriers 32 is provided with an air cush- ion 15 on its lower side facing the floor, and an air inlet socket 37 on one of its sides. The above- mentioned air manifold 16 is connectible with this socket.

In Fig. 8, the supportive member 30 in Fig. 7 is shown with its air cushion elements 15 activated by letting in compressed air through the air inlet sockets 37. It appears that the air cushion ele- ments 15 are now inflated so as to lift the suppor- tive member 30 together with its load of the frame- work with the group of objects 1 clear of the floor 13.

Fig. 9 shows one end of the supportive mem- ber 30 in Figs 7-8 seen from below. The carrier 32 is provided with four feet 39 for carrying the load when the air cushion element 15 is deflated, and the car- rier with the framework sinks to rest on the floor.

Fig. 10 is a similar view as Fig. 9, but show- ing a little more of the surroundings of the car- rier 32, and with the air cushion element 15 in its inflated state where the compressed air fed into the air cushion element via the air manifold 16 and the air inlet socket 37 will support the load and will be escaping below the"edge"40 of the air cushion ele-

ment extending closest to the floor, thereby forming the air film which practically eliminates friction.

Fig. 10 further shows (part of) the framework and (part of) the load, that is, the group 1 of ob- jects to be moved. It is thus illustrated that the beams 31 rest on the lower cross members 36 at places 41, and that the objects to be seen in Fig. 10 - that is, objects 6 and 12-are supported from the beams 31 by means of shims 43.

The use according to the invention of shims 43 in these places 41 provides for a very precise sup- port of the objects 2-12 to be moved, so that the stiffness of the framework 14 and the beams 31 are utilised for keeping the objects 2-12 in precise and unchanged positions relative to each other, that is, the objects 2-12 do not displace, twist, bend or oth- erwise move relative to each other, whereby the probably very fragile interconnections between the objects are not stressed in any way, and all tubing, <BR> <BR> wiring, etc. , interconnecting the objects are not af- fected at all by the movement.

In Fig. 10, the shims 43 are placed between the beams 31 and parts 44 of the substructure of the objects 6 and 12 shown in Fig. 10, these parts 44 in- terconnecting legs 42 of said objects. In this way, the beams 31 act as both parts of the framework 14 and as blocking (that is, blocks, beams, planks, <BR> <BR> chocks, etc. ) filling out the distance in height be- tween the framework and the objects 2-12 to be moved.

Fine adjustment is then made by placing shims between the beams and the objects.

By using shims in this way, another advantage is achieved in that it will be possible to assess the loading on each of the places 41 of support by simply

twisting one of the shims 43. If twisting-or other- wise moving-one of the shims in each stack of shims requires the same torque or force, respectively, the probability of the loading being equal will be rather high. An equal loading on each place 41 of support will significantly contribute to keeping the ob- jects 2-12 in precise and unchanged positions rela- tive to each other, as mentioned above.

The particular arrangement of shims 43, etc., shown in the drawings is solely meant as an example, as substructures of objects to be moved together tend to be arranged in a vast multitude of manners.

The building of a suitable supporting struc- <BR> <BR> ture from beams, blocks, shims, etc. , will thus have to be tailored on a case-to-case basis; the person skilled in the art will be able to do this on the ba- sis of the exemplification above. What is demanded in this respect when working the present invention is that each of the objects is supported as evenly as possible and in a state of equilibrium with the rest of the objects in the group 1 of objects to be moved.

In cases where the free height below the ob- jects 2 12 is limited, other embodiments of the meth- od according to the invention (alternatives to the one disclosed above) may be preferable.

As a first alternative, the beams or planks 31 may be dispensed with, and the objects supported by the lower cross members 36 directly, via appropriate shims, etc, as required. By this measure, less clear- ance will be required below the objects 2-12, as room (height) for the beams or planks 31 will not have to be provided for.

The pay-off for this is that the cross members will have to be dimensioned for a somewhat greater

load, and/or more cross members will have to be used, as no load distribution is now had from the beams or planks.

As a second alternative, the displacement mem- bers may not be placed below the cross members in the first place. A preferred make of air cushions take up a height of 57 mm, and by placing the cross members directly on the floor at the beginning, the framework may now be assembled around a group of objects having a 57 mm smaller free height.

The pay-off for this is that the framework will have to be lifted in a separate step, in order that the displacement members may be placed below the cross members in the manner disclosed above.

This lifting of the framework may readily be performed using commercially available jacks, prefer- ably hydraulic jacks which may be interconnected into three groups so as to provide a virtual three-point suspension. A quite low number of jacks, say, three to six may be adequate, thanks to the intrinsic stiffness and rigidity of the framework. When the framework has been lifted more than 57 mm (in the case of the above-mentioned air cushions), the dis- placement members may be put under the cross members and the framework lowered onto these.

These two alternative embodiments may be com- bined in order to be able to lift a group of objects with a very little free height below the objects.

In a third alternative embodiment of the in- vention, the carriers 32 with air cushions 15 are situated between two lower cross members 36 and are preferably made slidable on these, please refer to Fig. 11, which is a similar view as Fig. 7.

In Fig. 11, the activatable displacement mem- ber 15-in the form of an air cushion-has now been situated between the two lower cross members 36, and thus occupies no extra height relative to the cross members alone.

Lifting forces are being transmitted from the air cushions 15 to the cross members 36 by means of alternative embodiments of the carrier 32.

Two alternative embodiments of the carrier 32 are in fact illustrated in Fig. 11. The carrier 45 over the foremost air cushion 15 has been made as a heavy, rectangular piece of steel sheet with six bends at right angles. The carrier 46 over the rear- most air cushion 15 has been welded from a rectangu- lar (almost square) piece of steel sheet and two lengths 51 of square steel tubing, fitting over (around) the lower cross members 36.

Both carriers 45 and 46 are made with a loose fit on the lower cross members 36, and the air cush- ions 15 are a loose fit in the carriers. This enables that the carriers 45 and 46 are readily slidable on the lower cross members 36, and that the air cush- ions 15 may be put into the carriers 45,46 subse- quent to the assembly of the framework, including i. a. the carriers 45,46.

By these measures, the carriers 45,46 are made movable on the lower cross members 36, together with their associated air cushions 15.

The carrier 45 has been made from a rectangu- lar piece of steel sheet, its short side having a length corresponding to the side length of the air cushion 15. Outside of a square central section, cor- responding in size to the air cushion (which is square in this embodiment of the invention), the

steel sheet has been bent downwardly for a distance corresponding to the height of the air cushion, and then horizontally outwards, forming a sort of claw 47, capable of carrying the lower cross mem- ber 36 with its load. Finally, the claws are bent up- wards outside the dimension of the lower cross mem- ber 36, forming rims 48, securing the lower cross members in place.

The carrier 46 has been made from two lengths 51 of square steel tubing having a loose fit around the lower cross members 36 and thus readily slidable thereon. The two tube lengths 51 are inter- connected by a rectangular piece of steel sheet 50, having a short side dimension corresponding to the side dimension of the air cushion. The long side di- mension is ample to cover the two lengths 51 of tub- ing together with the air cushion.

Depending on dimensions and on the particular conditions on the working site, a gap 52 may form be- tween the air cushion and the carrier. This gap may be eliminated by blocking or shimming.

In fact, such blocking or shimming may readily be utilised for lifting the entire framework in a convenient manner. As the lifting capacity of air cushions is limited to, say, 25 mm, a greater lift may very well be desirable in order to e. g. negotiate irregularities in the planarity of the floor.

As the number of air cushions are very much smaller than the number of blocking or shimming points below the objects in the group of objects to be moved, it will be far more convenient to shim only the air cushion carriers 45.46.

To do so, the air cushions are lifted to their maximum height, and the framework is blocked up;

blocking in a few places will suffice, say, four or six places, due to the stiffness of the framework.

The air cushions 15 are then deflated, and they will sink down, leaving spaces 52 above each and any. When these spaces are properly blocked and shimmed, the framework may readily be lifted to a greater height, as desired.

The use of the carriers"eliminates"the height of the air cushions (e. g. 57 mm), because they are placed between the lower cross members 36, which have to be placed below the load in any case.

The use of the carriers 45,46 also provides for a possibility for exchanging an air cushion dur- ing use, in case of a defect, and for the possibility of shifting the air cushion along the lower cross members 36 in cases where the load in not symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal centre line of the framework. If, for example, the framework is very heavily loaded with objects in a first side and very lightly loaded in a second side, the air cushion in the second side may be shifted to or towards the first side, in order to obtain a (more) equal loading of the air cushions.

In Fig. 11, the lower cross members are shown shorter than their actual length, for the sake of clarity. They will of course extend beyond each car- rier 45,46 in order to provide some free length for being fastened to the framework.

When the framework with the suspended group of objects is to be subjected to further transporta- tion, that is, transported by e. g. truck or ship, the objects will have to be secured to the framework in a manner to withstand greater forces, and in particular forces acting in horizontal or inclined directions.

The person skilled in the art will be able to propose such securing; an adequate form of securing will be tying the objects down by means of adjustable lashings, preferably from the top of each object to the lower rails of the framework. It will be adequate to oversize the lower cross members 36 in this case, as they will have to withstand the lashing force in addition to the weight of the objects as well as dy- namic loads from the objects.

According to the invention, a framework for this kind of transportation may preferably be made in a manner providing it with ample stiffness and rigid- ity in horizontal directions, such that sideways lashing or other support may be made between the ob- jects and upper portions of the framework as well.

When further transporting is to be made in standard freight or shipping containers, the frame- work according to the invention will preferably be made having such dimensions that it will fit into such a container in a manner convenient with respect to being brought into and out from, and being fas- tened inside the container in simple and effective manners.

According to the invention, the container may be provided in this respect with a smooth floor, preferably connectible with a smooth extension to the floor, extending outside the container and providing ample floor space for lowering the framework onto the floor extension from a crane or similar. The frame- work may then be slid into the container, utilising the activatable displacement members, e. g. air cush- ions.

A more preferred embodiment of the method ac- cording to the invention for loading a framework with

a group of objects into a container comprises the following steps: 1. The framework, being suspended from a crane, four wires or chains of which are attached to the upper rail of the framework, is moved with a first end into a framework for as long as the wires will permit-say, 1 m; 2. A number, say, two, "dollies" (i. e. , small, strong roller"bogies"or"transport rollers"having very sturdy wheels a load-carrying upper face) are placed below the end of the framework now projecting into the container, and the other end in supported by blocks and/or shims; 3. The two crane wires or chains nearest to the container are disconnected and the framework is lifted by the remaining two wires or chains an pushed into the container. These two wires or chains mat be connected to the framework at its end or at temporary extensions, so that the crane may move the framework all the way into the container without the wires or chains fouling the container roof; 4. A number, say, two dollies are placed below the outermost end of the framework; 5. It will now be possible to push the frame- work further into the container, using a fork-lift truck or similar; and 6. Finally, the framework must be secured in- side the container by e. g. lashing or packing. The skilled person will be able to propose adequate solu- tions, as mentioned above.

The container and the framework may preferably be fitted with standardised, matching, engageable fastening means, designed to withstand worst-case

forces to be encountered during the transportation or form of transportation in question.

E X A M P L E No. 1 A framework according to the invention was de- signed, having a length of 18 m, and equipped with four lifting eyes placed on the upper horizontal mem- ber of the framework long sides, 1.5 m from each end of each long side. Thus, a distance between two lift- ing eyes on one side was 15 m.

The design was based on the criterion that the framework should have ample stiffness to carry an evenly distributed load of 10 t with insignificant deflection. The framework was designed as built up from separate modular elements in a similar way as described above, all long side elements having a length of 3 m.

From these elements, a shorter framework was assembled, having a length of 9 m, and this framework was loaded with a group of objects weighing 6 t to- tal.

When lifted by a crane in the four lifting eyes mentioned, the deflection was assessed not to be able to be seen with the naked eye when viewing in the direction of the bottom horizontal member, that is, less than 1 or 2 cm.

E X A M P L E No. 2 Finite Element calculations were carried out on the modular long side elements described in exam- ple 1.

In one calculation, a framework was assembled from these 3 m long elements, the framework having a length of 9 m and being loaded with an evenly dis-

tributed load of 6 t. The framework was suspended in the four lifting eyes described in example 1.

The maximum downward deflection calculated was 0.76 mm, which is considered to be of no consequence whatsoever to a production line or similar, having a length of 9 m.

E X A M P L E No. 3 Finite Element calculations were carried out on the modular long side elements described in exam- ple 1.

In one calculation, a framework was assembled from these 3 m long elements, the framework having a length of 18 m and being loaded with an evenly dis- tributed load of 10 t. The framework was suspended in the four lifting eyes described in example 1, which were thus placed 15 m apart on each long side of the framework.

The maximum downward deflection calculated was 15.72 mm, which is considered to be of no practical consequence to a production line or similar, having a length of 18 m.

Even if the invention has been explained above with reference to air cushions as the only type of elements for enabling the loaded framework to be dis- placed horizontally on the floor, other types of sup- port enabling sideways movement may be used instead of air cushions.

An example of such support is freely rotatable and swivelling wheels, as known on very many trans- port trolleys and other vehicles for manual propul- sion. Such wheels may be supported on the framework in a vertically displaceable manner, and displaced downwards to lift the framework from the floor.

It will be possible to displace the wheels downwards by means of hydraulic cylinders, and it will be possible to interconnect the hydraulic cylin- ders in three groups, thus obtaining a virtual three- point support of the framework in its lifted-up con- dition, and at the same time an efficient sharing of load between the wheels.

The swivel mechanism of some or all of the wheels may be adapted to be locked in one or more an- gular positions, thus enabling the framework to have e. g. swivelling wheels in one end and fixed wheels in the opposite end like, say, an automobile. This will facilitate e. g. steering of the framework along an intricate trajectory.

A drawback in the use of swivelling wheels is the resistance of such wheels against swivelling if the tread of the wheel is made from soft rubber or similar, and in particular if the tread is wide. This disadvantage may be diminished to some degree, how- ever, by replacing each wheel with a group of more narrow, freely rotatable wheels, mounted side-by-side on the same axle.

The use of wheels may lead to problems when positioning heavy objects to narrow tolerances, espe- cially when the wheels are turned with their direc- tion of travel at a large angle to the direction of desired movement.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS 1 Group of objects; 30 27 Bottom horizontal member Production line 28 Top horizontal member 2 Machine 29 End post 3 Machine 30 Supportive member 4 Machine 31 Beam 5 Machine 35 32 Carrier 6 Machine 33 First long side 7 Interconnecting device 34 Second long side 8 Interconnecting device 35 End side 9 Interconnecting device 36 Lower cross member 10 Interconnecting device40 37 Air socket 11 Interconnecting device 38 Air manifold tubing 12 Interconnecting device 39 Foot 13 Floor 40 Edge 14 Framework 41 Place of support 15 Displacement member 45 42 Leg 16 Air manifold 43 Shims 17 Air hose 44 Substructure part 18 Lower horizontal member 45 Carrier 19 Upper horizontal member 46 Carrier 20 Simple vertical post 50 47 Claw 21 Compound vertical post 48 Rim 22 Diagonal brace 49 Carrier plate 23 Short side module 50 Carrier plate 24 Medium side module 51 Tube 25 Long side module 55 52 Space 26 End module




 
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