Description Field of the art

The present invention refers to the field of mechanics. More in detail, the present invention refers to a modular machine comprising a plurality of pulleys which, when suitably placed, lead to a particular and advantageous efficiency, offered by said system, during the lifting and re-descent of loads.

Prior art

Among the simple machines known since antiquity, the pulley certainly covers a position of prime importance. This is a simple and ingenious machine suitable for lifting loads. Pulleys can be divided into two large categories: fixed pulleys and movable pulleys. The fixed pulley can be considered like a lever, to which the drive force F and the load m are applied. In the fixed pulley, the axle of the pulley, which represents the motion transmission member, is fixed and the wheel has only one function: that of deviating the force applied at one end of the rope. The mechanical advantage - if the friction in the pins and in the rigidity of the rope was zero - would be equal to 1 (F = m). In practice, the ratio between the force and the load is instead always greater than 1, and this depends on the efficiency of the pulley. At any rate, theoretically, the simple pulley allows balancing a resistance force with another force with the same modulus, so that it is not possible to balance a given force with a less intense force. The simple pulley only allows acting in a manner that is more comfortable for the operator, who can, for example, operate on the rope by pulling it downward rather than directly hoisting a vertical weight, which in this case will be connected to the other end of the rope. The second category, i.e. the movable pulleys, include the pulleys in which the axle of the pulley is integrally movable with the lifted load. The aforesaid pulleys can be coupled, giving rise to systems of pulleys, also called "compound pulleys" which as is well-known allow obtaining gains in the applied force. More clearly, said systems allow balancing a resistance force with a drive force with modulus lower than that of the resistance force. Not by chance, these systems have been used since ancient times for enormously amplifying human force, in order to lift architectural elements, columns, obelisks, to drag marble blocks, to haul out-of-water boats etc.

The simplest case of compound pulley is that of a double pulley, in which a fixed pulley is associated with a movable pulley.

For such purpose, the present industrial invention patent application, described in detail hereinbelow, proposes a new and innovative system of pulleys which, when suitably sized and combined together, allows obtaining pre-established force gains during the lifting and re-descent of loads. Advantageously the present system allows obtaining the aforesaid gain while occupying a relatively small spatial region, with respect to more diffused systems of associated pulleys. At the same time, said system is structured in a manner so as to have an attractive appearance, not showing most of the gears present therein.

Description of the invention

The present industrial invention patent application describes a new and innovative system of pulleys that when suitably combined together and sized allows executing the lifting and re- descending of loads, with the expected gains in terms of applied force, occupying a relatively small spatial region with respect to the conventional systems. More in detail, the present system is composed of a plurality of pulleys, fixed and movable, variably sized and connected to each other. The system appears like a structure in which three portions are identifiable: two mirrored lateral portions, and a central portion. Overall, the structure is asymmetric.

The pulleys present are arranged in different ways and are governed, upstream, by an electric motor with 150 watt power whose actuation ensures that particular pulleys freely rotate around the axle thereof and that other pulleys rotate together with the axle thereof. The overall result is that of obtaining, downstream, a gain in terms of force. Still more in detail, the present pulley system, comprises: a first lateral module, which in the course of the present description will be indicated as the module adapted for the ascent of the load; a central module in which, due to an alternator, the conversion occurs of the mechanical energy - developed by the movement of the pulleys of the first ascent module and imparted to those of the second module - into electrical energy; and another lateral module in which a second electric motor is comprised, driven by the energy converted in the central module, and adapted to drive the rotation of the pulleys of said second lateral module for the descent of the load. Said second lateral module will then be indicated in the course of the present description as the descent module. Thus, the present pulley system comprises a lateral ascent module comprising pulleys which, when driven by an electric motor, allow the ascent of the load; a central module comprising pulleys which transfer the mechanical energy produced by their motion to an alternator that converts said mechanical energy into electrical energy, adapted to drive a further electric motor; and another lateral descent module comprising pulleys that, when driven by said second electric motor, will cause the descent of the load connected to said descent module.

From a structural standpoint, the present pulley system comprises at least fifteen pulleys, distributed in a manner such that at least six of said pulleys are comprised in the lateral ascent module; at least three are comprised in the central module; and at least six are comprised in the lateral descent module. Each pulley set comprises a corresponding number of pulleys, represented by pinions, which are spatially configured in a manner so as to define a series of pinions vertically extended in offset form. Each pinion is traversed by the axle thereof. As mentioned above, the present system comprises both movable and fixed structures. In particular, the lateral ascent module comprises, starting from the bottom, a first movable pinion - i.e. anchored to the axle thereof - which, under the action of the electric motor, will start to rotate, inducing cascading rotation of at least four other superimposed and offset pinions, also anchored to the axle thereof. The rotation of the latter movable pinion will induce the rotation of the overlying fixed pinion, i.e. free to rotate around the axle thereof while the latter remains fixed, with the result of inducing the lifting of the load connected to one end of the belt anchored to said movable pinion. The aforesaid passages, whose comprehension will be clearer also due to the observation of the enclosed drawings, will induce the movement of the pulleys of the central module. In particular, during the lifting of the load, the pinion connected thereto is fit to the axle thereof, inducing the rotation of said axle and that of a first movable pinion, starting from the top, of the central module. The rotation of said first movable pinion of the central module, hence rotating together with the axle thereof, will induce the rotation of further underlying movable pinions which will transfer their mechanical energy to an alternator that will convert said mechanical energy into electrical energy. The latter will drive the operation of a further electric motor, inducing the rotation of the pulleys comprised in the lateral descent module. Thus - in a similar manner but in the opposite sense with respect to what occurs for the lateral ascent module - the rotation of the latter fixed pinion, of the lateral descent module, will induce the descent of the load connected to the end of the belt of said free pinion. Advantageously the energy necessary for the descent of a load with weight analogous to that of the ascent load will be less than that initially required for the ascent of the load.

Advantageously, the present pulley system is not bulky and occupies a spatial region that is relatively small compared with the space required for installing conventional pulley systems. The pulleys of the system, object of the invention, are in fact suitably sized and spatially configured in order to obtain good efficiency of the pulley and thus the best compromise between applied force and lifted/lowered load. The present system also results attracting from an aesthetics standpoint: the pulleys present therein are in fact not observable, except for those set for lifting and lowering the loads, but rather are contained inside a box-like structure.

Brief description of the drawings

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the system 1 of pulleys for the ascent/descent of loads, object of the present industrial invention patent application.

More in detail the figure in question shows that said system 1 comprises the lateral module 2 for the ascent of the load 100, the central module 3, and the lateral module 2' for the descent of the load 400. Each module comprises a plurality of pulley sets: in particular the module 2 comprises, starting from the bottom towards the top, at least one common electric motor 200 which once actuated will induce, by means of the wheel 28, the movement of the pinion 4 receiving the belt 5 and integral with the axle 6. Above the pinion 4, said module 2 comprises the pinion 7 receiving the belt 8 and integral with the axle 9. Said pinion 7 is connected with the overlying pinion 10 by means of the connection element 60 which, in the figure in question, is represented by the washer 60. Said pinion 10 receives the belt 11 and is integral with the axle 12. Above, the pinion 13 can be observed receiving the belt 14 and integral with the axle 15. The connection of the superimposed pinions occurs due to the connection elements 60 which are preferably represented by washers. At the same height as the pinion 13, and integral with the same axle 15, the pinion 16 receiving the belt 17 is observable. Above and aligned with said pinion 15, the pinion 18 is observable, also receiving the belt 17 to which the load 100 is connected. The pinion 18 is traversed by the axle 19 with respect to which said pinion 18 can independently rotate.

The central module 3 comprises, starting from the top towards the bottom, the pinion 20 receiving the belt 21 and integral with the axle 19, the underlying pinion 22, to which said pinion 20 is connected by means of a further connection element 60, which also in this case is represented by a common washer. The pinion 22 receives the belt 23 and is integral with the axle 24. Continuing downward, one observes the pinion 25 receiving the belt 26 and integral with the axle 27. Said pinion 27 is connected, due to a further connection element 60, to the alternator 300 adapted to convert the mechanical energy of the overlying pulley motion into electrical energy to be transferred to the electric motor 500. The latter, similar to what occurs in the lateral ascent module 2, but in opposite sense, drives the movement of the pulleys present therein, said pulleys mirroring those described in the module 2. Hence, starting from said motor 500 and proceeding upward, the following can be observed: the pinion 4', the pinion 7', the pinion 10', the pinion 1 Γ, the pinion 13', the pinion 14', and finally the pinion 18' receiving the belt 17' to which the load 400 is connected. FIGURE 2 shows a front view of the system 1 of pulleys for the ascent/descent of loads. The figure in question intends to underline the spatial arrangement of the pinions of the present system. In particular the figure shows that said pinions are spatially configured on each other in offset form, except for the pairs of pinions 16 and 18 and 16' and 18' in which the pinions of each pair are coaxial.

FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of the present system 1 of pulleys in which also the casing 50 is present, which is adapted to cover the gears of the present system. Said casing 50 has three compartments: the compartment 50', 50" and 50" ', respectively adapted to receive the components of the lateral ascent module 2, of the central module 3, and of the lateral descent module 2' . More precisely, all the pinions present in the system are enclosed in the casing 50 except for the pairs of pinions 16 and 18 and 16' and 18', which laterally project with respect to said casing 50. Description of the preferred embodiments

In its preferred embodiment, the system 1 of pulleys for the lifting/descent of loads, object of the present industrial invention patent application, has at least three portions, indicated herein as modules, each comprising a certain number of pulleys. More in detail, said system 1 comprises at least one lateral ascent module 2, adapted to lift a common load 100 due to a common electric motor 200 with 150 Watt power; at least one central module 3, adapted to transfer, by means of an alternator 300, the mechanical energy produced by the movement of the pulleys of said central module 3 into electrical energy; at least one lateral descent module 2', adapted to lower the load 400 due to another electric motor 500 actuated following the conversion of the mechanical energy of the pulleys of the central module 3 into electrical energy.

More in detail, the lateral ascent module 2 comprises at least six pulleys and in particular, starting from the bottom, one observes at least one first movable pinion 4, receiving the belt 5 and integral with the axle 6; at least one second movable pinion 7 receiving the belt 8 and integral with the axle 9; at least one third movable pinion 10 receiving the belt 11 and integral with the axle 12; at least one fourth movable pinion 13 receiving the belt 14 and integral with the axle 15; at least one movable pinion 16 receiving the belt 17 and integral with the same axle 15 of the movable pinion 13. Thus, said movable pinions 13 and 16 are situated at the same height from the ground. Continuing upward, the module 2 comprises at least one fixed pinion 18, also receiving the belt 17 and traversed by the axle 19. Said fixed pinion 18 is thus aligned with the underlying movable pinion 16, but has a greater diameter with respect thereto and, as it is fixed, is free to rotate around the axle 19 thereof that remains fixed. Said belt 17 is connected to the load 100 to be lifted.

In the lateral ascent module 2, the pinions 4,7, 10, 14 are vertically extended in offset form, while the pinions 16 and 18 are vertically extended aligned.

The second central module 3 comprises, starting from the top and continuing downward, at least one first movable pinion 20 receiving the belt 21 and integral with the aforesaid axle 19; at least one second movable pinion 22 receiving the belt 23 and integral with the axle 24; at least one third movable pinion 25 receiving the belt 26 and integral with the axle 27; and at least one underlying alternator 300, connected to the aforesaid pinion 25 by means of the wheel 29, adapted to convert the mechanical energy of the pulley movement into electrical energy.

Said electrical energy is used for actuating the electric motor 500, adapted to induce, by means of the wheel 30, the movement of the pulley system of the third ascent module 2 of the present system 1 of pulleys.

Said third lateral ascent module 2 comprises, starting from the bottom and continuing upward, in addition to the aforesaid electric motor 500, at least one first movable pinion 4' receiving the belt 5' and integral with the axle 6' ; at least one second movable pinion 7' receiving the belt 8' and integral with the axle 9' ; at least one third movable pinion 10' receiving the belt 1 and integral with the axle 12'; at least one fourth pinion 13' receiving the belt 14' and integral with the axle 15' ; at least one fifth movable pinion 16' receiving the belt 17' and integral with the same axle 15' of the movable pinion 13' and therefore at the same height as said movable pinion 13'. Continuing upward, the third lateral descent module 2' comprises at least one fixed pinion 19' with the same size as the pinion 19 of the ascent module 2, and receiving the belt 17'. Said pinion 18' is traversed by the axle 19. Said belt 17' is connected with the load 400 to be brought to the ground.

The terms "fixed" and "movable" associated with the aforesaid pinions are to be intended like those terms conventionally attributed to pulleys for respectively indicating fixed pulleys, in which the pulley rotates around the axle thereof while this remains fixed, and movable pulleys, in which the pulley rotates together with the axle thereof.

As mentioned above, from a mechanical standpoint, the implementation of the present system 1 first provides for the actuation of the electric motor 200 which, due to the wheel 28, will activate the movement of the belt 5 of the pinion 4 which, by rotating together with the axle 6 thereof, will transfer the motion to the overlying pinion 7 which, likewise, will transfer the motion to the overlying pinion 10 which in turn will transfer the motion to the pinion 13. The latter will induce the rotation of the coaxial pinion 16, inducing, due to the belt 17, the ascent of the load 100 and the rotation of the fixed pinion 18. During the ascent of the load 100, the pinion 18 will rotate until it is fit with the axle 19 thereof, also inducing the rotation of such axle. The overall result is that of transferring the motion to the pulley system of the central module 3. The mechanical energy produced by the motion of the movable pinions 20, 22, and 25 of said central module 3 is transferred, due to the wheel 29, to the alternator 300, which converts said mechanical energy into electrical energy, by means of the relay 600 inducing the actuation of the electric motor 500, as well as the movement of the overlying pinions 4',7', 10', 13' and 16' and 18' and finally the descent of the load 400. The entire pulley system 1, object of the present invention, appears like a box-like structure that "hides" the set of pulleys. More in detail, the pulley system 1 is included within the box- like casing 50, within which three compartments (50', 50", and 50" ') are identifiable that are respectively set to receive the pulley system comprised in the lateral ascent module 2, the central module 3, and the lateral descent module 2'. Of all the pinions comprised in the present system 1, only the pinions 16, 16', 18, 18' as well as the belts 17 and 17' are situated outside the casing 50 and hence are visible.

From a size standpoint, the diameters of the pinions used for obtaining the present pulley system 1 vary between 3 cm and 100 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 90 cm. Still more preferably, the pinions 4 and 4' have a diameter comprised between 12 and 18 cm and, preferably of 16 cm; the pinions 7, 7', 11, 11', 13, 13', 20 and 22 have a diameter comprised between 25 cm and 35 cm and preferably of 32 cm; the pinion 25 has a diameter comprised between 35 and 45 cm and preferably of 40 cm; the pinions 16 and 16' have a diameter comprised between 18 and 23 cm, preferably of 21.8 cm. The pinions 18 and 18' have a diameter comprised between 80 and 110 cm, preferably of 90 cm. The connection elements 60, represented by washers, have a diameter comprised between 4 cm and 15 cm, preferably of 7 cm.