Lifting machine configured to lift a rail of a railway track
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024719239
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-30
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-11
AI Technical Summary
Current lifting machines for railway tracks are complex, heavy, and costly, requiring expensive equipment to lift rails simultaneously on both lines, which is inefficient in terms of productivity, cost, and ergonomics, and do not allow for precise adjustment or single-line lifting.
A compact, lightweight lifting machine with a chassis, movable part, clamp, and actuator that combines the closing movement of the clamp with lifting and the opening movement with lowering, using a single actuator to simplify design, reduce weight, and facilitate single-line lifting, featuring a movement transformation mechanism that subdivides the stroke to ensure safe and efficient operation.
The machine is more cost-effective, compact, and ergonomic, allowing for efficient lifting of a single rail line while reducing the weight and complexity of the equipment, enhancing productivity and safety by integrating clamp and lifting movements with a single actuator, thus avoiding the need for additional actuators and simplifying maintenance.
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Figure FR2024050339_03102024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] DESCRIPTION
[0002] TITLE: Hoisting machine configured to lift a rail from a railway track
[0003] Technical field of the invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a lifting machine configured to lift a rail from a railway track, intended to be used in particular during worksites for the release and maintenance of railway infrastructures.
[0005] State of the art
[0006] In the railway industry, it is known to use a lifting machine to lift a rail from a railway track during release works. These release works are periodically carried out to release the internal stresses accumulated in a railway track rail, particularly during regular monitoring and maintenance work on the rails.
[0007] The accumulation of these stresses is generally linked to several factors, such as climatic conditions (especially temperature variations) and natural wear inherent in the intensive use of the rails. Therefore, periodic release of these stresses is necessary for safety reasons (avoiding the risk of cracks, breakage or flaking) and to ensure operation in optimal conditions.
[0008] Until now, the rail lifting step was traditionally carried out simultaneously on both rail lines using complex, heavy machines requiring the use of expensive equipment.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need to improve the machines allowing the lifting of rails while respecting certain constraints of productivity, costs and ergonomics.
[0010] Subject of the invention
[0011] The present invention aims to lift a rail from a railway track during worksites for the release and maintenance of railway infrastructure, in particular while respecting certain constraints of productivity, costs and ergonomics.
[0012] For this purpose, the invention relates to a lifting machine configured to lift a rail of a railway track, comprising:
[0013] • a chassis,
[0014] • a mobile part mounted in translation relative to the chassis in a main direction and capable of coming into contact with the ground or a sleeper, • a clamp secured to the chassis varying between an open configuration in which the clamp has an opening strictly greater than the width of a railhead to be lifted, and a closed configuration in which the clamp has an opening strictly less than the width of the railhead,
[0015] • an actuator ensuring movement of the moving part relative to the chassis in the main direction over a total stroke between a first maximum position and a second maximum position,
[0016] • a movement transformation mechanism converting the movement of the movable part towards the second maximum position into a passage of the clamp from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and converting the movement of the movable part towards the first maximum position into a passage of the clamp from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
[0017] Such a lifting machine is advantageous in that the closing movement of the clamp is combined with the lifting movement and the opening movement of the clamp is combined with the lowering movement of the rail, which avoids, for example, the need to provide an actuator that would be associated with the movements of the clamp and another actuator that would be associated with the lifting / lowering movements of the rail. These arrangements are obviously advantageous in terms of simplicity of design and manufacture, for savings in cost, weight and space. This allows a reduction in the weight and price of the lifting machine to facilitate transport, track setting and use for lifting a single line of rail.
[0018] The lifting machine may further include one or more of the following features.
[0019] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the actuator comprises at least one cylinder having a body and a rod capable of sliding relative to the body, the first maximum position corresponding to a retracted configuration of the rod relative to the body and the second maximum position corresponding to an extended configuration of the rod relative to the body.
[0020] Such a lifting machine has the advantages of being compact, reliable and lightweight.
[0021] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the actuator comprises on the one hand at least one motor having an output shaft, and on the other hand comprises a transmission mechanism which connects the output shaft to the moving part, to ensure the movement of the moving part relative to the chassis.
[0022] This embodiment is advantageous in terms of the weight of the lifting machine as well as the simplicity of assembly and use. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the movement transformation mechanism is configured so as to subdivide the total stroke into:
[0023] • a first fraction of travel between the first maximum position and an intermediate position, the movement of the moving part from the first maximum position to the intermediate position causing the clamp to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration,
[0024] • and a second fraction of travel between the intermediate position and the second maximum position, during which the clamp occupies the closed configuration.
[0025] Therefore, a single actuator advantageously drives both the rail lifting / lowering movement and the clamp opening / closing movement. The clamp opening / closing movement is advantageously combined with the rail lifting / lowering movement. These arrangements ensure the simplicity and safety of use of the lifting machine and avoid the need to provide an actuator associated with the clamp movements and another actuator associated with the rail lifting / lowering movements, which would make the solution heavier, more expensive, more cumbersome and more prone to potential breakdowns.
[0026] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the movement transformation mechanism is configured so that the movement of the movable part from the intermediate position to the first maximum position causes the clamp to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
[0027] This embodiment has advantages in terms of ease of assembly, cost, weight and safety of the lifting machine; any involuntary opening of the clamp is avoided.
[0028] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the movement transformation mechanism comprises at least one pin secured to one chosen from the clamp and the mobile part, and at least one non-rectilinear opening formed in the other chosen from the clamp and the mobile part, the pin being able to slide in a guided manner along said opening during the movement of the mobile part relative to the chassis.
[0029] This embodiment has the advantage that the movement transformation mechanism is particularly simple, efficient and inexpensive while being reliable.
[0030] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the clamp comprises at least two jaws, where at least one jaw is pivotally mounted relative to the chassis, the jaws being separated from each other in the open configuration of the clamp by a first distance strictly greater than the width of the head of the rail to be lifted, and the jaws being separated from each other in the closed configuration of the clamp by a second distance strictly less than the width of the head of the rail to be lifted.
[0031] These provisions ensure that the clamp is simple, economical, while being highly efficient in lifting action and reliable.
[0032] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the lifting machine comprises a base, the base comprises at least a first foot and a second foot arranged at locations suitable for the first foot and the second foot to come respectively into a first zone situated outside the track and into a second zone situated between the two rails of the track.
[0033] This arrangement makes the lifting machine particularly suitable for lifting a single rail line at a time, which ensures the compactness and limitation of the weight of the lifting machine, while limiting the power of the components required for lifting.
[0034] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the lifting machine comprises at least one control element in communication with the actuator and accessible by the operator, the at least one control element being configured so that the operator can send a lifting instruction and / or a lowering instruction of the rail.
[0035] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the base is movable relative to the movable part along a main axis having a component along the main direction so as to vary between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration.
[0036] These arrangements mainly allow, thanks to the telescopic organization between the base, the mobile part and the chassis, to limit the overall size of the lifting machine, particularly during the transport phases of the lifting machine. In addition, this also promotes precise adjustment of the positioning of the base in relation to the ground.
[0037] According to a non-limiting embodiment, the lifting machine comprises a return member configured to permanently urge the clamp towards one of the open configuration or the closed configuration.
[0038] The return device advantageously ensures adjustment of the opening / closing of the clamp to the parameters of the rail (in particular to the width of the rail head), which simplifies maintenance operations.
[0039] Summary description of the drawings
[0040] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings listed below. Figure 1 shows a rear view of a first example of a lifting machine according to the invention, where the movable part is in the first maximum position and the clamp is in an open configuration.
[0041] Figure 2 shows a front view of the lifting machine of Figure 1 resting on a railway track rail.
[0042] Figure 3 shows a front view of the lifting machine of the previous figures, the moving part being in the intermediate position and the clamp being in the closed configuration.
[0043] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the hoisting machine of Figure 3, the hoisting machine being arranged on a railway track rail.
[0044] Figure 5 shows a rear view of the lifting machine of the preceding figures, the movable part being in the second maximum position and the clamp being in a closed configuration, the railway track rail being thus lifted.
[0045] Figure 6 shows a partial rear view of the lifting machine of the previous figures, where the lifting machine comprises two cylinders offset from each other laterally, the movable part being in the second maximum position and the clamp being in a closed configuration.
[0046] Figure 7 shows a partial rear view of another example of a lifting machine according to the invention, where the lifting machine comprises a single centrally arranged hydraulic cylinder, the movable part being in the second maximum position and the clamp being in a closed configuration.
[0047] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements. The elements represented in the different figures are not necessarily drawn to scale in order to facilitate understanding of the figures.
[0048] Detailed description
[0049] In this description, two elements are called "solidary" when they are associated with each other by a mechanical embedding connection, ensuring that there is no possible movement between the two elements.
[0050] A lifting machine 100 according to the invention, a particular embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7, is configured to lift a rail 101 from a railway track.
[0051] The lifting machine 100 comprises a chassis 1 and a mobile part 2 mounted in translation relative to the chassis 1 in a main direction D and capable of coming into contact with the ground S or a crosspiece 102.
[0052] The lifting machine 100 also comprises a clamp 4 secured to the chassis 1 varying between an open configuration (visible in figures 1 and 2) in which the clamp 4 has an opening strictly greater than the width of a head 103 of the rail 101 to be lifted and a closed configuration (visible in figures 3 to 7) in which the clamp 4 has an opening strictly less than the width of the head 103 of the rail 101.
[0053] In addition, the lifting machine 100 comprises an actuator 5 ensuring the movement of the movable part 2 relative to the chassis 1 in the main direction D over a total stroke between a first maximum position (visible in figures 1 and 2) and a second maximum position (visible in figures 5 to 7).
[0054] Finally, the lifting machine 100 comprises a movement transformation mechanism 6 converting the movement of the movable part 2 in the direction of the second maximum position into a passage of the clamp 4 from the open configuration to the closed configuration and converting the movement of the movable part 2 in the direction of the first maximum position into a passage of the clamp 4 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
[0055] The chassis 1 may have a support member 7 configured to bear on an element external to the lifting machine 100, such as for example on the rail 101, on a ballast (not shown), or on a sleeper 102. According to the particular embodiment, in particular as illustrated, the support member 7 is configured to bear on the rail 101 of the railway track and is constituted, by way of non-limiting example, of a rolling element, such as for example a roller or a wheel, typically provided with at least one lateral flange.
[0056] The main direction D, in which the mobile part 2 is mounted in translation relative to the chassis 1, has a vertical component when the support member 7 is supported on the rail 101, making it possible to provide the lifting effect. The manner of carrying out the translational mounting of the mobile part 2 on the chassis 1 is not limiting and those skilled in the art will know how to use any suitable known means.
[0057] The lifting machine 100 thus advantageously makes it possible to combine the opening and closing movements of the clamp 4 with the lifting and lowering movements of the rail 101. This avoids having to use an actuator which would be associated with the opening / closing movements of the clamp 4 and another actuator which would be associated with the lifting / lowering movements of the rail 101. These arrangements are advantageous in terms of simplicity of design and manufacture, for savings in costs, weight and the price of the lifting machine 100, to facilitate transport, track setting and use for lifting a single line of rail.
[0058] In particular, this feature related to the lifting of a single rail line makes it possible to lighten the lifting machine 100 by limiting the number and size of equipment used and to increase productivity on site (in particular when the release of constraints is necessary only on a particular section of a single rail line and not on both rail lines simultaneously). According to one embodiment, the actuator 5 may comprise at least one cylinder 5a, 5b, 5c having a body and a rod capable of sliding relative to the body. The first maximum position corresponds to a retracted configuration of the rod relative to the body and the second maximum position corresponds to an extended configuration of the rod relative to the body. This configuration of the actuator 5 has the advantages of being compact and reliable, and of lightening the lifting machine 100.
[0059] Each cylinder 5a, 5b, 5c used may be a hydraulic cylinder, or a pneumatic cylinder, or an electric cylinder, or any other equivalent solution. In particular, in the case of a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder, the actuator 5 may further comprise a hand pump system (then without motorization) or a pump system powered by a motor (electric or thermal for example) associated with the cylinder.
[0060] The actuator 5 may comprise a cylinder 5c arranged in a central position and / or at least two cylinders 5a, 5b offset from each other laterally to be on either side of the rail 101 in operation. The exemplary embodiment using a single centered cylinder 5c is visible in Figure 7. The exemplary embodiment using two lateral cylinders 5a, 5b is visible in Figures 1 to 6.
[0061] In a combined or alternative manner, the actuator 5 may comprise on the one hand at least one motor having an output shaft and on the other hand a transmission mechanism which connects the output shaft to the mobile part 2, to ensure the movement of the mobile part 2 relative to the chassis 1.
[0062] The at least one motor may be electric or thermal and the transmission mechanism may comprise, for example, a set of toothed wheels, or a belt passing through pulleys, or a drive chain or even a wheel and worm system.
[0063] The actuator 5 may comprise a reduction mechanism. This reduction mechanism may be integrated into the at least one motor to form in this case a geared motor. Alternatively, the reduction mechanism may be integrated into the transmission mechanism.
[0064] The motion transformation mechanism 6 is configured to subdivide the total stroke into:
[0065] • a first fraction of travel between the first maximum position (visible in figures 1 and 2) and an intermediate position (visible in figures 3 and 4), the movement of the mobile part 2 from the first maximum position to the intermediate position causes the clamp 4 to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, • and a second fraction of travel between the intermediate position (visible in figures 3 and 4) and the second maximum position (visible in figures 5 to 7), during which the clamp 4 occupies the closed configuration.
[0066] Figures 1 and 2 show the movable part 2 in the first maximum position with the clamp 4 in the open configuration. Then, in Figures 3 and 4, the passage of the movable part 2 from the first maximum position to the intermediate position is accompanied by the passage of the clamp 4 from the open configuration to the closed configuration.
[0067] Combining the movement of the clamp 4 with that of the moving part 2, using the same actuator to drive both movements, advantageously simplifies the design of the lifting machine 100 while ensuring savings in cost, weight and size.
[0068] The movement transformation mechanism 6 is configured so that the movement of the movable part 2 from the intermediate position to the first maximum position causes the clamp 4 to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration. As can be deduced from Figures 5 to 7, the clamp remains closed during the movement of the movable part 2 from the intermediate position to the second maximum position and vice versa.
[0069] This embodiment has advantages in terms of ease of assembly, cost, weight and safety of the lifting machine 100 (any involuntary opening of the clamp 4 is avoided).
[0070] According to one embodiment, the movement transformation mechanism 6 may comprise at least one pin 6a secured to one chosen from the clamp 4 and the mobile part 2, and at least one non-rectilinear opening 6b formed in the other chosen from the clamp 4 and the mobile part 2, the pin 6a being able to slide in a guided manner along said opening 6b during the movement of the mobile part 2 relative to the chassis 1.
[0071] According to the particular example illustrated in figures 1 to 7, the at least one pin 6a is integral with the clamp 4 and the at least one opening 6b is integral with the mobile part 2. But this is not limiting in itself and a reverse assembly can quite easily be envisaged, by providing that the at least one pin 6a is integral with the mobile part 2 and the at least one opening 6b is integral with the clamp 4.
[0072] The at least one non-rectilinear opening 6b may, for example, have a J-shape with at least one vertical component and one lateral component, as can be seen in the figures.
[0073] This embodiment is advantageous in the sense that the movement transformation mechanism 6 is particularly simple, effective and inexpensive, while being reliable. As illustrated in all of the figures and in particular in figures 2 and 4, the clamp 4 may comprise at least two jaws 4a, 4b where at least one jaw, in particular each jaw, is pivotally mounted relative to the chassis 1. The jaws 4a, 4b are separated from each other in the open configuration of the clamp 4 by a first distance d1 (figure 2) strictly greater than the width of the rail head 103 of the rail 101 to be lifted, and the jaws 4a, 4b are separated from each other in the closed configuration of the clamp 4 by a second distance d2 (figure 4) strictly less than the width of the rail head 103 of the rail 101 to be lifted.
[0074] All of Figures 1 to 7 show a particular embodiment of the lifting machine 100, where the lifting machine 100 comprises two pins 6a and two J-shaped openings 6b. Each of the two pins 6a is integral with the clamp 4, in particular by being fixedly integral with the two jaws 4a, 4b, while the two J-shaped openings 6b, with which the two pins 6a cooperate, are delimited by a part of the mobile part 2.
[0075] The lifting machine 100 may also comprise a base 3. The base 3 may comprise at least a first foot 3a and a second foot 3b arranged at locations suitable for the first foot 3a and the second foot 3b to come respectively into a first zone 81 situated outside the track and into a second zone 82 situated between the two rails of the track.
[0076] The first zone 81 and the second zone 82 are identified in Figure 4 and allow in this particular embodiment of the lifting machine 100 to lift a single line of rail. This makes it possible to guarantee the compactness and weight of the lifting machine 100, while limiting the power of the components necessary for lifting.
[0077] According to one embodiment, the lifting machine 100 may comprise at least one control element in communication with the actuator 5 and accessible by the operator, the at least one control element being configured so that the operator can address a lifting instruction and / or a lowering instruction of the rail 101.
[0078] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3 and 5, the at least one control element may comprise at least one trigger positioned at the handles 8a, 8b of the lifting machine 100, the actuation of this trigger making it possible to control the emission of a lifting instruction and / or an instruction to lower the rail 101.
[0079] According to one embodiment, the base 3 is movable relative to the movable part 2 along a main axis having a component along the main direction D so as to vary between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration. The movement of the base 3 relative to the movable part 2 can be carried out manually by the operator or using a power component separate from the actuator 5 and detailed later.
[0080] The lifting of the rail 101 using the lifting machine 100 can be described according to the following steps: • a first step illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the movable part 2 is in the first maximum position, the clamp 4 is in the open configuration, and the first foot 3a and the second foot 3b are in the configuration raised relative to the ground S. In this case, the two jaws 4a, 4b of the clamp 4 are separated by the first distance d1, strictly greater than the width of the head 103.
[0081] • a second step illustrated in Figure 4, in which the mobile part 2 is in the intermediate position, ensuring that the first foot 3a and the second foot 3b are still at a distance from the ground S but closer to the latter than in the first step. The passage of the mobile part from the first maximum position to the intermediate position has caused the passage of the clamp 4 from the open configuration to the closed configuration, visible in Figure 4. The two jaws 4a, 4b of the clamp 4 are then separated by the second distance d2, strictly less than the width of the mushroom 103.
[0082] • a third step illustrated in Figure 5, in which the movable part 2 is in the second maximum position, the clamp 4 having remained held in the closed configuration during the movement of the movable part 2 from the intermediate position to the second maximum position. The first foot 3a and the second foot 3b are in the lowered configuration and positioned in abutment against the ground S or against the sleeper 102. The two jaws 4a, 4b of the clamp 4 are always separated by the second distance d2, strictly less than the width of the rail head 103. The rail 101 is lifted during this third step.
[0083] These arrangements allow precise adjustment of the positioning of the base 3 relative to the ground S and, thanks to the telescopic organization between the base 3, the mobile part 2 and the chassis 1, to further limit the overall size of the lifting machine 100.
[0084] According to another embodiment, the lifting machine 100 may comprise a power component separate from the actuator 5, and the movement of the base 3 relative to the movable part 2 is ensured by said power component. The power component may in particular be constituted by a jack, for example hydraulic or electric.
[0085] Alternatively, the movement of the base 3 relative to the mobile part 2 can be directly ensured by the operator.
[0086] According to yet another simplified embodiment, the base 3 can be fixed relative to the rest of the mobile part 2.
[0087] The lifting machine 100 may comprise a return member configured to permanently bias the clamp 4 towards one of the open configuration or the closed configuration. Said return member may be, for example, an elastic joint, a tension spring, a compression spring, a leaf spring or an elastic spring.
[0088] Said return member ensures an adjustment of the opening / closing of the clamp 4 to the parameters of the rail 101, in particular an adjustment to the width of the head 103. This makes it possible to simplify maintenance operations. Such a return member can be used as a substitute for the movement transformation mechanism 6 provided with at least one pin 6a and at least one opening 6b, or in a combined manner.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. Lifting machine (100) configured to lift a rail (101) of a railway track, comprising: a chassis (1), a movable part (2) mounted in translation relative to the chassis (1) in a main direction (D) and capable of coming into contact with the ground (S) or a sleeper (102), a clamp (4) secured to the chassis (1) varying between an open configuration in which the clamp (4) has an opening strictly greater than the width of a rail head (103) of the rail (101) to be lifted, and a closed configuration in which the clamp (4) has an opening strictly less than the width of the rail head (103) of the rail (101), an actuator (5) ensuring a movement of the movable part (2) relative to the chassis (1) in the main direction (D) over a total stroke between a first maximum position and a second maximum position,a movement transformation mechanism (6) converting the movement of the movable part (2) in the direction of the second maximum position into a passage of the clamp (4) from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and converting the movement of the movable part (2) in the direction of the first maximum position into a passage of the clamp (4) from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
2. Lifting machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator (5) comprises at least one jack (5a, 5b, 5c) having a body and a rod capable of sliding relative to the body, the first maximum position corresponding to a retracted configuration of the rod relative to the body and the second maximum position corresponding to an extended configuration of the rod relative to the body.
3. Lifting machine (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the actuator (5) comprises on the one hand at least one motor having an output shaft, and on the other hand comprises a transmission mechanism which connects the output shaft to the movable part (2), to ensure the movement of the movable part (2) relative to the chassis (1).
4. Lifting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the motion transformation mechanism (6) is configured to subdivide the total stroke into: a first fraction of travel between the first maximum position and an intermediate position, the movement of the movable part (2) from the first maximum position to the intermediate position causing the clamp (4) to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and a second fraction of travel between the intermediate position and the second maximum position, during which the clamp (4) occupies the closed configuration.
5. Lifting machine (100) according to claim 4, wherein the movement transformation mechanism (6) is configured so that the movement of the movable part (2) from the intermediate position to the first maximum position causes the clamp (4) to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
6. Lifting machine (100) according to one of claims 4 or 5, in which the movement transformation mechanism (6) comprises at least one pin (6a) integral with one chosen from the clamp (4) and the movable part (2), and at least one non-rectilinear opening (6b) formed in the other chosen from the clamp (4) and the movable part (2), the pin (6a) being able to slide in a guided manner along said opening (6b) during the movement of the movable part (2) relative to the chassis (1).
7. Lifting machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the clamp (4) comprises at least two jaws (4a, 4b), where at least one of the two jaws is pivotally mounted relative to the chassis (1), the jaws (4a, 4b) being separated from each other in the open configuration of the clamp (4) by a first distance (d1) strictly greater than the width of the head (103) of the rail (101) to be lifted, and the jaws (4a, 4b) being separated from each other in the closed configuration of the clamp (4) by a second distance (d2) strictly less than the width of the head (103) of the rail (101) to be lifted.
8. Lifting machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a base (3), the base (3) comprises at least a first foot (3a) and a second foot (3b) arranged at locations suitable for the first foot (3a) and the second foot (3b) to come respectively into a first zone (81) located outside the track and into a second zone (82) located between the two rails of the track.
9. Lifting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one control element in communication with the actuator (5) and accessible by the operator, the at least one control element being configured so that the operator can address a lifting instruction and / or a lowering instruction of the rail (101).
10. Lifting machine (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base (3) is movable relative to the movable part (2) along a main axis having a component along the main direction (D) so as to vary between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration.
11. Lifting machine (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a return member configured to permanently urge the clamp (4) towards one of the open configuration or the closed configuration.