Modular gaff with a reduced carbon footprint

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular boat hook (1) with a reduced carbon footprint, adapted for installing or removing a covering element on a skip or container, or on any other space or surface to be covered. The boat hook (1) comprises a pole (3) and a bracket (7), characterized in that the boat hook (1) further comprises a fitting (10) for joining one end (6) of the pole (3) to the proximal end (8) of the bracket (7), the pole (3) and the bracket (7) being made of a composite material. Abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Modular boat hook with reduced carbon footprint. Technical field

[0001] This disclosure falls within the scope of the gaffes for covering skips or containers, or any other space or surface to be covered. Previous technique

[0002] Covering skips, particularly for waste collection or material transport, is essential to prevent materials from falling onto roads and the environment. Deploying a tarpaulin over a skip can be done by climbing onto the skip and unfolding the tarpaulin, but this technique is tedious, strenuous, and even dangerous for an operator.

[0003] Solutions exist; for example, EP 2 341 014 discloses a boat hook made of aluminum consisting of a pole with an angled end to which a tubular extension can be attached. This boat hook allows for the proper handling of a net positioned on a skip by inserting the tubular extension into a groove in the net, thus enabling the safe covering of skips transporting materials from the ground.

[0004] In a context of accelerating climate change, it is desirable to reduce the carbon impact of such a blunder, the production of which in aluminium is costly for the environment. Summary

[0005] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0006] A modular gaff is proposed with a reduced carbon impact, suitable for installing or removing a covering element on a skip or container, or on any other space or surface to be covered, the gaff comprising a pole and a bracket, the gaff further comprising an assembly fitting from one end of the pole to the proximal end of the bracket, the pole and the bracket being made of a composite material.

[0007] The modular boat hook according to the invention provides the same technical results as the prior art boat hook, while having a less harmful impact on the environment thanks to the pole and the arm, each made of a composite material, while maintaining the mechanical strength properties of the boat hook. Furthermore, the assembly fitting between the pole and the arm allows for modularity of the boat hook and simplifies the production of the pole and arm.

[0008] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0009] - the fitting is attached to the pole and the gallows in a removable manner;

[0010] - the fitting is formed of two complementary half-pieces designed to form respectively a first sleeve surrounding the end of the pole and a second sleeve surrounding the proximal end of the gallows;

[0011] - the gaff further comprising a hook separate from the fitting, the hook being mounted at the end of the pole near the fitting;

[0012] - the hook has a sleeve receiving the pole, a radial extension extending radially from the sleeve relative to the pole, and two legs extending on either side of the radial extension;

[0013] - the gallows is provided with an attachment element near its end proximal assembled to the pole by means of the fitting;

[0014] - the pole is telescopic and includes a movable locking ring between a an open position in which the length of the pole is adjustable, and a closed position in which the length of the pole is fixed;

[0015] - the pole and the boom are made of a fiber-reinforced composite material long;

[0016] - the fitting is made at least partially of thermoplastic polymer;

[0017] - the pole is provided with a means of moving the pole along a side rail. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analysis of the accompanying drawings, on which: Fig. 1

[0019] [Fig.1] shows a modular gaff according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2

[0020] [Fig.2] shows the modular gaff of [Fig.1] in which the gallows is assembled to the pole using the fitting. Description of the implementation methods

[0021] Reference is now made to [Fig.1].

[0022] Figure 1 shows a modular gaff 1 according to the invention. The modular gaff 1 comprises a pole 3 made of a composite material.

[0023] The use of composite materials instead of metal helps to limit the impact of the modular gaff on climate change due to manufacturing processes that are less energy-intensive and release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Metal needs to be heated to a very high temperature to be shaped. Examples of the gaff production process will be discussed below. A gaff according to the invention is also lighter than a prior art gaff made of metal thanks to the use of composite materials.

[0024] Composite materials include, for example, glass fibers, carbon fibers, and / or natural fibers such as flax fibers, or cotton fibers or hemp fibers.

[0025] The selected fibers are preferably integrated into a polymer matrix, in particular a resin, for example a vinyl ester resin.

[0026] In particular, the pole 3 is made of a long-fiber reinforced composite material. Long fibers are understood to be fibers several meters long. Long fibers include, for example, unidirectional fibers, cross-woven fibers, and non-woven fibers.

[0027] Preferably, the pole 3 is devoid of metal.

[0028] The pole 3 is the part of the gaff 1 held by an operator when the operator uses the blunder 1.

[0029] The pole 3 in particular has a straight and hollow tubular shape. This design makes it even lighter.

[0030] The pole 3 thus produced exhibits very good resistance to bending, just like the metal pole of the prior art.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the pole 3 is telescopic. This allows an operator to reach a high target while reducing the danger and arduousness of the work for the operator, who does not need to climb onto the skip, and who can adjust the length of the pole 3 as needed.

[0032] To achieve this, the pole 3 is composed of at least two concentric tubes that slide inside one another. For example, the pole 3 has a length of between 2.5 m and 3.5 m when folded, preferably between 2.7 m and 3.1 m. For example, the pole 3 has a length of between 3.0 m and 4.0 m when extended, preferably between 3.3 m and 3.7 m. In [Fig. 1], the pole 3 is shown in the folded position.

[0033] The pole 3 includes, in particular, a locking ring 5 that can be moved between an open position in which the length of the pole 3 is adjustable, and a closed position in which the length of the pole 3 is fixed. Simply tightening or loosening the locking ring 5 moves it between the open and closed positions, thus selecting the desired length of the pole 3.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the pole 3 includes a movement element 9 for moving the pole 3 along a side panel, for example, the side panel of a tipper truck. This reduces the effort required by the operator when covering the tipper. The element 9 of the movement of the pole 3 along a side rail is for example a removable wheel 91.

[0035] The removable wheel 91 is preferably mounted on a female tube of the pole 3 when the pole 3 is telescopic. Thus, it is not necessary to move the removable wheel 91 when extending the pole 3. The removable wheel 91 is, for example, mounted on the pole 3 by means of a clip, for example a metal clip screwed onto itself.

[0036] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the gaff 1 further comprises a gallows 7 and an assembly fitting 10 from one of the ends 6 of the pole 3 to the proximal end 8 of the gallows 7.

[0037] The arm 7 is made of a composite material. The characteristics described relating to the pole with respect to composite materials also apply to the arm 7.

[0038] The support 7 is notably in the form of a hollow straight tube.

[0039] Advantageously, the gallows 7 is provided with an attachment element 12 in the vicinity from its proximal end 8 assembled to the pole 3 by means of the fitting 10. The attachment member 12 includes in particular a tubular sleeve 14 for receiving the arm 7 and two lugs 16, 18, in particular a first lug 16 substantially perpendicular to the axis of the arm 7 and extending in line with the tubular sleeve 14, and a second lug 18 forming an acute angle with the arm 7. The two lugs 16, 18 extend on either side of the arm 7. The two lugs 16, 18 allow the arm 7 to be attached to an attachment part, for example a ring or an elastic band, of the covering element.

[0040] The attachment member 12 is for example fixed to the support 7 by riveting or by screwing.

[0041] The attachment member 12 is, for example, made at least partially of polymer Thermoplastic. This allows for the creation of complex patterns and the production of a part with sufficient resistance to mechanical stress and good resistance to humidity and corrosive environments. Preferably, the attachment member 12 is made of polyamide. More preferably, the attachment member 12 is made of polyamide 6.

[0042] When the boom 7 is installed on the gaff 1, the boom 7 forms an angle α with respect to the pole 3, allowing its insertion into a net groove, for example, to deploy a net over a skip from the ground. In particular, the angle α is between 90° and 130°.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the pole 3 and the gantry 7 are produced by a continuous manufacturing process.

[0044] Unidirectional, oriented fibers are supplied on reels and then passed through a heated die. A resin is injected into the die simultaneously. The fibers are passed through to impregnate them. A traction device allows for continuous pulling of the impregnated fibers. Then a cutting device, for example a circular saw, cuts the impregnated fibers to the desired length to obtain a profile and form the pole 3 or the gantry 7.

[0045] This process leads to mechanical homogeneity of the parts obtained and the advantage of being a continuous process.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the pole 3 and the arm 7 are made by filament winding around a mandrel. Continuous fibers are supplied on spools and passed through separating combs, then immersed in a resin bath and passed between two pinch rollers. A guide then brings the fibers around a rotating mandrel. The rotation of the mandrel ensures that the fibers are pulled from the spools.

[0047] According to another variant, the pole 3 and the gallows 7 are made by pultrusion.

[0048] According to yet another variant, the pole 3 and the gallows 7 are made by A pre-impregnated fiber fabric is manually wound around a mandrel to form a tube. A heat-shrinkable plastic film is then wrapped around the tube to compact the pre-impregnated fibers. The assembly is then oven-cured and removed from the mold.

[0049] The fitting 10 for assembling the pole 3 to the arm 7 is designed to allow the arm 7 to be brought back to the pole 3 when necessary.

[0050] Advantageously, the fitting 10 is attached to the pole 3 and the arm 7 in a removable manner. It is therefore possible to remove the fitting 10 from the pole 3 and / or the arm 7 at will.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the fitting 10 is formed of two complementary half-pieces 20, 21 (only one of the half-pieces 20 is visible in figures 1 and 2, the other half-piece 21 being located at the rear of the half-piece 20) and designed to form a first sleeve 22 surrounding the end 6 of the pole 3 and a second sleeve 24 surrounding the proximal end 8 of the arm 7.

[0052] For example, each half-piece 20, 21 has a first hollow half-tube 25 receiving the pole, and a second hollow half-tube 26 intended to receive the arm 7. The second half-tube 26 of a half-piece 20, 21 advantageously intersects the first half-tube 25 of said half-piece 20, 21. Each half-piece 20, 21 further has mounting surfaces 30 for attaching the first half-piece 20 to the second half-piece 21. The mounting surfaces 30 are connected to the half-tubes 25, 26. The mounting surfaces 30 of each of the two half-pieces 20, 21 are preferably substantially flat so as to be positioned opposite each other when the fitting 10 is assembled at least to the pole 3.

[0053] The two half-pieces 20, 21 are, for example, fixed to each other by screwing. In the example shown in the figures, the two half-pieces 20, 21 are fixed to each other by means of four screws 32.

[0054] The fitting 10 is for example fixed to the pole 3 by means of rivets 34. Such rivet fixing makes it possible to keep the fitting 10 in place around the pole 3 and to prevent unintentional rotation of the fitting 10 around the pole 3 when using the gaff 1.

[0055] According to variants, the two half-pieces 20, 21 of the fitting 10 can be assembled by interlocking, clipping, gluing, or screwing onto the pole 3.

[0056] The gaff 7 is advantageously mounted on the boat hook 1 by sleeving it into the fitting 10.

[0057] According to the example shown, the modular gaff 1 further includes a hook 40 separate from the fitting 10, the hook 40 being mounted at the end 6 of the pole 3 in the vicinity of the fitting 10.

[0058] The hook 40 has, for example, a sleeve 42 receiving the pole 3, a radial extension 44 extending radially from the sleeve 42 relative to the pole 3, and two legs 46, 48 extending on either side of the radial extension 44. The two legs 46, 48 extend, for example, in line with each other. They may be straight or curved.

[0059] Advantageously, the hook 40 is attached to the pole 3 in a removable manner. It is therefore possible to remove the hook 40 from the pole 3 at will.

[0060] The hook 40 is for example fixed to the pole 3 by means of rivets 34. Such rivet fixing makes it possible to keep the hook 40 in place around the pole 3 and to prevent unintentional rotation of the hook 40 around the pole 3 when using the gaff 1.

[0061] According to variants, the hook 40 can be assembled by gluing, or by screwing onto the pole 3.

[0062] The hook 40 is, for example, made at least partially of thermoplastic polymer. This makes it possible to create complex patterns and obtain a part with sufficient resistance to mechanical stress and good resistance to humidity and corrosive environments. Preferably, the fitting 10 is made of polyamide. More preferably, the fitting 10 is made of polyamide 6.

Claims

Demands

1. A modular boat hook (1) with a reduced carbon footprint, adapted for installing or removing a covering element on a skip or container, or on any other space or surface to be covered, the boat hook (1) comprising a pole (3) and a bracket (7), characterized in that the boat hook (1) further comprises a fitting (10) for joining one end (6) of the pole (3) to the proximal end (8) of the bracket (7), the pole (3) and the bracket (7) being made of a composite material, further comprising a hook (40) separate from the fitting (10), the hook (40) being mounted at the end (6) of the pole (3) in the vicinity of the fitting (10), and wherein the hook (40) has a sleeve (42) receiving the pole (3), a radial extension (44) extending radially from the sleeve (42) relative to the perch (3), and two legs (46, 48) extending on either side of the radial extension (44).

2. Modular boat hook (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fitting (10) is attached to the pole (3) and the boom (7) in a removable manner.

3. Modular gaff (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fitting (10) is formed of two complementary half-pieces (20, 21) designed to form respectively a first sleeve (22) surrounding the end of the pole (3) and a second sleeve (24) surrounding the proximal end of the arm (7).

4. Modular boat hook (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the arm (7) is provided with an attachment member (12) in the vicinity of its proximal end (8) assembled to the pole (3) by means of the fitting (10).

5. Modular boat hook (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pole (3) is telescopic and includes a locking ring (5) movable between an open position in which the length of the pole (3) is adjustable, and a closed position in which the length of the pole (3) is fixed.

6. Modular boat hook (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pole (3) and the arm (7) are made of a long fibre reinforced composite material.

7. Modular gaffe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fitting (10) is made at least partially of thermoplastic polymer.

8. Modular boat hook (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pole (3) is provided with a device (9) for moving the pole (3) along a side rail.

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