Stackable cable holder for festoon system

Abstract

A stackable cable holder for a festoon system includes a body including an aperture for a fastener, a recess configured to receive a portion of a first cable, where the body further includes a channel underneath the recess, where the channel is configured to receive a portion of a second cable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present utility model relates to a trolley system, more particularly to a stackable cable support for a trolley system. BACKGROUND

[0002] Trolley systems are commonly used in bridge cranes, jib cranes, port cranes and other material handling applications. It connects the power system of the crane to the hoist. The trolley system is usually equipped with carriages that can be moved on wheels. Each carriage has a cable support for supporting a cable. The conventional cable support consists of at least two separate and different types of components between which the cable is fixed.

[0003] Some disadvantages of the known solution are that it can only accommodate one cable at a time and that the cable support consists of several components that require several fasteners. Several cables are arranged on top of each other, which also makes it difficult to replace a broken cable. In order to replace a broken cable, the service technician must first loosen all the fasteners, then disassemble all the components, and then disassemble the cable below the broken cable. This is both time-consuming and not ergonomic for the service technician, as all stages of the repair must be carried out high above the ground. The conventional solution is also time-consuming for the assembler who assembles a new trolley system. SUMMARY

[0004] It is an object of the present utility model to provide a solution to at least partly mitigate the above challenges. The idea is based on providing a cable support that can be stacked on top of each other and connected with one fastener. The stackable cable support for a trolley system comprises a main body comprising a hole for a fastener and a recess configured to accommodate a portion of a first cable, wherein the main body further comprises a channel located below the recess, wherein the channel is configured to accommodate a portion of a second cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] The utility model will be described in more detail below with reference to the preferred embodiments and to the attached drawings, in which

[0006] Figure 1 a simplified conventional trolley system is shown;

[0007] Figure 2 a trolley system according to an embodiment is shown;

[0008] Figure 3 an enlarged view of a cable support according to an embodiment is shown;

[0009] Figure 4 a close-up view of the cable support is shown with dashed lines;

[0010] Figure 5 A top view of the cable support is shown;

[0011] Figure 6 For Figure 5 A cross-sectional view along the line A-A;

[0012] Figure 7 Two cable supports stacked on top of each other are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Figure 1 A simplified conventional trolley system that can move under a beam 1 is shown. The beam 1 can be, for example, a girder or a beam of a bridge crane. The trolley system typically has a stationary clamping end 2, a series of carriages 4 or drums that can move on wheels 3 over the beam 1. The carriages 4 are connected to conventional cable supports 5’ that support and secure the moving cables 6 during operation of the machine. The conventional trolley system can only support one or two cables 6, and it would be very challenging for the conventional trolley system to support more cables if more cables are to be supported.

[0014] Figure 2 A trolley system according to one embodiment is shown. The trolley system comprises a beam 1, carriages 4 with wheels 3 that can move along the beam 1. In this figure, the beam 1 is shown as a C-track that is connected to the carriages 4. However, in some embodiments, the beam 1 can be any type of beam for a trolley system. In Figure 2 In embodiments, each carriage 4 houses three cable supports 5 that are stacked on top of each other and connected with one fastener 8. The same fastener 8 can also couple the cable supports 5 to the carriage 4. Depending on the number of cables 6 to be supported, the carriage 4 can house one, two or more cable supports 5.

[0015] The carriages 4 can have different designs. Figure 2 The shown carriage comprises a frame consisting of two vertical plates and two horizontal plates. The upper horizontal plate can be connected to the wheels 3 that can move along the beam 1. The lower horizontal plate can be connected directly to the cable supports 5 via the fastener 8. This design allows a service technician to tighten or loosen the fastener 8 in a simple manner.

[0016] Figure 3 An enlarged view of the cable support 5 according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 4 A close-up view of the cable support 5 is shown, where the dashed lines show the internal geometry.

[0017] The cable holder 5 comprises a main body 9 comprising at least one recess 10 for accommodating a section of a cable 6. Each recess 10 can be arranged to fit one cable 6 in width direction. The recesses 10 can be transversely rounded so that they do not have sharp corners. The main body 9 can be made of plastic which is easy to mould and thus can be made in a single piece by injection moulding in a single moulding process. The main body 9 can comprise a chamfer around it for mould separation. However, other plastic manufacturing processes can be used, such as 3D printing. Other materials than plastic can also be used, especially if they have electrically insulating properties.

[0018] The main body 9 further comprises a hole 11 for a fastener 8. The hole 11 for the fastener 8 can be located in the centre of the main body 9. The hole 11 is preferably a through hole and the fastener 8 can be a bolt and nut assembly. The bolt can be inserted into the hole 11 from below and the nut fastens the cable holder 5 to the bracket 4 from above. The fastener 8 can also be arranged to fasten two or more cable holders 5 together. As Figure 2 shown, the same fastener 8 can also be arranged to fasten two or more cable holders 5 to the bracket 4. However, in some embodiments there can be multiple holes 11 and multiple fasteners 8, for example, they can be located on opposite sides of the main body 9. Other fasteners 8 than bolt and nut assemblies can also be implemented.

[0019] The main body 9 further comprises a channel 16 located below the recesses 10 for accommodating a section of a second cable 6. The first and second cables 6 can be the same as or different from each other. They can have the same or different diameters. The type of cable 6 can be irrelevant to the present utility model and can be any cable 6 used in a dragline system. The cable 6 is preferably flexible and bends easily, for example, under the force of gravity, when the cable 6 and the cable holder 5 are installed horizontally. The bending of the cable 6 under the force of gravity provides the possibility for the brackets 4 to be close to each other. This is difficult to achieve with rigid cables.

[0020] The channels 16 can be located directly below the recesses 10 so that they are longitudinally parallel and vertically aligned. The channels 16 provide more space for the cables 6 to be held between the cable holders 5 when two cable holders 5 are stacked. This makes the cable holders 5 lower, i.e. take up less space and reduce material use, without squeezing the cables 6, but still allowing the cables 6 to have some bending allowance when the bracket 4 is moved.

[0021] The main body 9 can further comprise an alignment member 12 for aligning two or more cable holders 9 for stacking. The alignment member 12 is arranged to help the cable holder 9 to align with another cable holder 9 in the correct position during assembly and maintenance and also to prevent the cable holders 9 from turning or moving relative to each other.

[0022] The alignment members 12 can be made in any shape protruding vertically from the body 9. Preferably, the distal surface area of the alignment members 12 is equal to or smaller than the proximal surface area of the alignment members 12. The distal surface area herein refers to the surface area facing away from the body 9. For example, it can be a cuboid shape, a cylinder, a cone or a pyramid. In Figures 3-4 the alignment members 12 are shown as truncated pyramids having four sides.

[0023] The body 9 can comprise two alignment members 12, which are located at equal distance from the hole 11. Two or more alignment members 12 further facilitate alignment, as a second alignment member 12 can be used as a backup if the first alignment member 12 is damaged or worn, but in some embodiments one alignment member 12 is sufficient. The alignment members 12 can be located next to the hole 11 at the same longitudinal axis L, which is parallel to the groove 10. However, they can also be located at a corner or edge outside the longitudinal axis L.

[0024] The body 9 can comprise a counterpart 14 in the form of a cavity for the alignment members 12 located at opposite sides of the body 9, which can be the underside of the body 9. The counterpart 14 can be arranged to receive the alignment members 12 of the bottom cable holder 5 and prevent the bottom cable holder 5 from rotating relative to the upper cable holder 5. The counterpart 14 is preferably vertically aligned with the alignment members 12, so that the cable holders 5 can be stacked precisely in line.

[0025] The counterpart 14 can have the same shape as the alignment members 12, for example the shape shown in Figure 4 a truncated pyramid having four sides. However, in some embodiments the counterpart 14 can have a larger shape than the alignment members 12, for example it can be a pipe having the same width as the alignment members 12, for example the width of the proximal surface area. The pipe can be arranged on the longitudinal axis L, which equally prevents the bottom cable holder 5 from rotating relative to the upper cable holder 5.

[0026] In some embodiments the alignment members 12 and the counterpart 14 can be arranged in opposite directions, so that the counterpart 14 is located at the top and the alignment members 12 are located at the underside of the body 9. In yet another embodiment, the uppermost cable holder 5 can be devoid of an upper alignment member 12, so that the ridge 13 of the cable holder 5 can be directly connected to the lower horizontal plate of the cradle 4.

[0027] The body 9 can comprise only one groove 10. However, for stability and balance, it is preferable to comprise an even number of grooves 10, for example two, four, six, etc., so that the weight of the cables 6 is kept balanced around the hole 11.

[0028] Between adjacent grooves 10 a ridge 13 can be comprised, which can be parallel to the longitudinal axis L. In Figures 3-4In some embodiments, the body 9 comprises two grooves 10 equidistant from the hole 11. Between the two grooves 10 a ridge 13 is formed, such that the alignment member 12 can be located on the ridge 13. The hole 11 can also be located on the ridge 13 and between the two alignment members 12, such that it is in the middle of the body 9.

[0029] The grooves 10 can also form a side ridge 17 on the side of the body 9, which in some embodiments can provide an alternative or additional location for the hole 11 and / or the alignment member 12. In the figures, the ridge 13 and the side ridge 17 have flat surfaces, but in some embodiments the ridge 13 or / and the side ridge 17 can have a peak instead of a flat surface.

[0030] The grooves 10 can have rounded ends 15. Rounding the ends of the grooves 10 can prevent the cable 6 or its insulation from being damaged. This can also save some material costs due to the use of less material.

[0031] Figure 5 A top view of a cable holder 5 according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 6 A top view of a cable holder 5 according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 5 A cross-sectional view along the line A-A, with the groove 10 located therein. Figure 7 Two cable holders 5 are shown stacked on top of each other and holding a cable 6 therebetween.

[0032] The grooves 10 can have a different geometry than the channel 16. As Figure 6 shown, the groove 10 can be longitudinally curved and have a first radius on the top side of the body 9, with a center point that can be located somewhere below the cable holder 5. The channel 16 can be located directly below the groove 10 and can also be longitudinally curved and have a second radius, with a center point of the second radius that can be located somewhere below the cable holder 5 and below the center point of the first radius. The center point(s) are preferably vertically aligned with the center of the cable holder and are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The first radius of the groove 10 can be smaller than the second radius of the channel 16, such that a crescent shape is formed between the curves. This allows the cable 6 to have more curvature when the cradle 4 is detached. Different radii also facilitate the upside-down handling of the cradle on the workbench and the replacement of the cable 6 when needed. However, in some embodiments the groove 10 and the channel 16 can have the same radius.

[0033] With the cable holder 5 described herein, multiple cables 6 can be secured using stackable cable holders 5 and only one fastener 8. When the cable holders 5 are stacked, there is no additional gap between them, so this is a space- and material-saving solution. Cables 6 of different diameters can be lined up, as the groove 10 can accommodate different types of cables. The cable holder 5 can also be extended to accommodate different sizes of cables 6. Since the body 9 is preferably made of moldable plastic, it is both flexible and resilient.

[0034] The installation of the cables 6 is easy, because first the required number of cable supports 5 need to be fixed beforehand, they are loosely fixed together with a bolt, the cables 6 are slid into place from the side of the cable supports 5 and the bolt is tightened with a nut. In the same way, when a cable 5 needs to be replaced, first the bolt is loosened with the nut, the broken cable is slid out and replaced with a new cable, and then the bolt is tightened again with the nut. In addition, loosening and tightening can be done at once at the location where the assembly is complete, without the need to move any supports or ladders in order for the service technician to go to the next location. There is no need to remove other cable supports 5 or cables 6, because they can remain in their original position. The cable supports 5 make the work more efficient and more ergonomic.

[0035] The utility model provides a simple method of fixing cables in place and allows more components with less cables. Compared to conventional cable supports, it reduces the number of bolts, nuts and other parts needed for assembly. In addition, only one mold is needed to manufacture the cable supports.

[0036] In this solution, the horizontally extending and supported cables 6 can be very flexible, and when the carriages 4 are close to each other, the cables 6 will sag due to their flexibility and gravity. When the cables 6 hang between the carriages 4, the carriages 4 in the queue can be pushed. When the trolley of the lifting machine moves, the carriages 4 can be dragged, because the carriages 4 can be connected to each other by metal chains 7 (as shown in Figure 2 The metal chains 7, not the cables 6, are responsible for this dragging, because the straight length of the metal chains 7 is shorter than the straight length of the cables 6 between the carriages 4.

[0037] The solution can be used in bridge cranes, chain hoists, jib cranes and port cranes, such as gantry cranes and shore cranes. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the concept of the utility model can be implemented in various ways. The utility model and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but can vary within the scope of the claims. DRAWINGS

[0038] 1 beam

[0039] 2 clamping end

[0040] 3 wheel

[0041] 4 carriage

[0042] 5' conventional cable support

[0043] 5 cable support

[0044] 6 cable

[0045] 7 metal chain

[0046] 8 fastener

[0047] 9 body

[0048] 10 recess

[0049] 11 aperture

[0050] 12 alignment member

[0051] 13 ridge

[0052] 14 counterpart

[0053] 15 rounded end

[0054] 16 channel

[0055] 17 side ridge

[0056] L longitudinal axis

Claims

1. A stackable cable holder for a dragline system comprising a body comprising a hole for a fastener, a recess configured to house a portion of a first cable, wherein the body further comprising a channel located below the recess, wherein the channel is configured to house a portion of a second cable.

2. The stackable cable manager of claim 1, wherein, the hole for the fastener is located in the center of the body, wherein the fastener is arranged to fasten two or more cable holders together.

3. The stackable cable manager of claim 1, wherein, the body comprises two recesses located equidistant from the hole.

4. The stackable cable manager of claim 1, wherein, the body further comprises an alignment member for aligning two or more cable holders for stacking.

5. The stackable cable manager of claim 4, wherein, the alignment member is cylindrical, conical or pyramidal.

6. The stackable cable manager of claim 5, wherein, the alignment member is a truncated pyramid with four sides.

7. The stackable cable manager of claim 4, wherein, the body comprises two alignment members located equidistant from the hole.

8. The stackable cable manager of claim 4, wherein, the body comprises a corresponding part for the alignment member located on opposite sides of the body.

9. The stackable cable manager of claim 1, wherein, the recess has a rounded end.

10. The stackable cable manager of claim 1, wherein, the body is made from plastic as a single part.

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