Equipment lifting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting device (100) for a machine (200) comprising at least two slings (120a, 120b) having a first end designed to be attached to an anchor point (210a, 210b) of said machine (200). The device (100) comprises: a guide member (110) having a shape defining a hollow housing designed to allow the passage of a crane hook and having a base (119) oriented towards said machine (200) to be lifted, a second end of each sling (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) being connected to said guide member (110). The device (100) further comprises at least one elastic element (130a, 130b) having a first end attached to said guide member (110) and a second end attached to said machine (200). Figure for the summary: Fig. 1B

Description

Title of the invention: Machine lifting device

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device for machinery. The invention is concerned with lifting devices enabling the placement and retrieval of machinery in hard-to-reach places, as well as with lifting devices intended for launching and retrieving a vessel, preferably autonomous and / or remotely piloted.

[0002] Lifting devices currently on the market generally comprise slings that are connected together and attached to a crane hook. One end of each sling is removably attached to an anchor point on the equipment to be lifted and moved. The other end of each sling is attached to a connecting link. The connecting link can be, for example, a metal ring. The slings can also be four-legged slings, connected together by a bridle, which can itself be attached to a metal ring intended to be hung on a crane hook. Regardless of the solutions used, existing lifting devices are flexible and require human intervention to attach and detach them from a crane hook during lifting operations.

[0003] Thus, if the lifting device has a metal ring intended to be attached to a crane hook, and the vessel to be lifted is a boat that is to be launched, an operator must attach the metal ring to the crane hook in order to lift the boat. After the boat is launched, the operator must detach the metal ring from the crane hook. The operator then places the metal ring back on the boat, where it lies flat. Subsequently, the boat will be taken out of the water again, requiring the intervention of an operator to reattach the metal ring to the crane hook.

[0004] Unfortunately, it is not always possible for a person to intervene during launching or hauling-out operations. Indeed, for self-propelled boats, in particular, which are too small to accommodate a person, it is not possible to intervene on the boat. The distance of the boat from the dock also generally prevents a person from intervening to attach or detach the metal ring. When it is necessary to reattach the metal ring to the hook of a crane during hauling-out, for example, the operation proves delicate since the ring must be retrieved by some means in order to be reattached to the crane hook. In this case, an operator can, for example, use a boat hook to lift the ring and present it to the hook, but such an operation is tedious and sometimes very long, tiring, and dangerous to carry out.

[0005] Furthermore, launching and retrieving autonomous vessels is generally much more frequent than launching and retrieving conventional vessels. Indeed, autonomous and / or remotely piloted vessels are generally used for scientific purposes or for specific interventions in locations that are not always easily accessible, and are not designed to be permanently moored in a port. Consequently, conventional lifting solutions, which are lengthy and difficult to implement, are not suitable for such vessels.

[0006] The problem becomes even more complex when it comes to launching or retrieving modular autonomous vessels. Currently, such operations are difficult because they require not only launching or retrieving each module separately, generating the problems described above for each module, but also being able to connect or disconnect said modules respectively after launching or before retrieving them.

[0007] Another drawback of current lifting devices is that when the boat is launched and the hook is removed from the metal ring, the slings, being flexible, are not held securely and tend to be pulled along by their own weight and with the boat's roll. They can then fall into the water. However, when the boat is used for cleaning up oil spills at sea, for example, it is preferable to prevent the slings from falling into the contaminated water and to keep them attached to the boat. Furthermore, the slings can also pull the metal ring down with them. This makes it even more difficult to retrieve the ring and attach it to a crane hook. In addition, the metal ring can strike the hull of the boat and damage it.When the vessel is self-supporting and equipped with onboard electronics, the electronic components can also be damaged by impacts of the ring against the hull. The same applies when the slings themselves are metal chains. In this case, to prevent the slings from falling, the only solution is to completely remove the lifting device from the surface of the vessel, creating an additional problem when hauling it out of the water, requiring an operator to reinstall the lifting device.

[0008] The invention therefore aims to remedy at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to design a lifting device for machinery that is easily accessible and graspable by a crane hook and easily detachable from said crane hook without the need for human intervention, and that allows the slings to remain on said machinery when the lifting device is in a resting position on said machinery.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a lifting device for machinery, said device comprising at least two slings, each sling having a first end designed to be attached to an anchor point of said machinery among at least two anchor points located on said machinery, said device being characterized in that it further comprises: -a guide element having a shape delimiting a hollow housing designed to allow the passage of a crane hook, and having a base oriented towards said lifting device, a second end of each sling being connected to said guide element and; - at least one elastic element, one end of which is fixed to said guiding member and the other end of which is fixed to said device.

[0010] Thus, the guide element has a hollow shape that facilitates its gripping by a crane hook and its detachment from said crane hook without human intervention. The elastic element, for its part, allows said guide element to be held in a resting position on said machine, facilitating its accessibility by the crane hook.

[0011] According to other optional features of the lifting device:

[0012] said guide member has a top opposite said base, said second ends of said at least two slings are connected to each other by means of a connecting element which is fixed on an internal surface of said top of said guide member and said guide member is further provided with at least two guide elements, each guide element being designed to allow each sling to slide inside said hollow housing delimited by said guide member;

[0013] each of said at least two guide elements is positioned inside said hollow housing delimited by said guide member;

[0014] each of said at least two guiding elements is in the form of a ring attached to said guiding member;

[0015] each guide element is attached to said guide member by means of an elastic return element;

[0016] said guide element has a pyramidal shape comprising two walls facing each other at the base of which two plates extend into the interior of said hollow housing, and in that each of said at least two guide elements is in the form of a slot formed at at least one end of each plate;

[0017] the lifting device comprises as many elastic elements as slings, said first end of each elastic element being fixed on a location of said guide member situated at the height of its base;

[0018] said device is an autonomous and / or remotely piloted vessel;

[0019] said vessel is modular and includes at least one additional module attached to it, and said lifting device includes at least one third sling, one end of which is fixed to at least one third anchor point of said at least one additional module and a second end is fixed to said connecting element;

[0020] the guiding member is made of a rigid metallic material chosen from aluminium, stainless steel or zinc-plated steel, or a rigid plastic material chosen from polypropylene or polyethylene, or a semi-rigid shape-memory material.

[0021] The invention further relates to a guide device adapted to guide at least two slings of a lifting device, each sling having a first end designed to be fixed on an anchor point of a lifting device, among at least two anchor points of said device and being connected to each other, at a second end, by means of a connecting element, said guide device being characterized in that it has a shape delimiting a hollow housing designed to allow the passage of a crane hook, and comprises a base and a top on an internal surface of which said connecting element is fixed, and at least two guide elements, each guide element being designed to allow each sling to slide inside said hollow housing delimited by said guide device.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying Figures which represent:

[0023] [Fig.1A] and [Fig.1B], a diagram of a lifting device for machinery according to the invention, respectively in rest position on said machinery and in lifting position;

[0024] [Fig.2A] and [Fig.2B], a diagram of a lifting device for machinery according to a first variant of an embodiment, respectively in rest position on said machinery and in lifting position;

[0025] [Fig.3A] and [Fig.3B], a diagram of a lifting device according to a preferred embodiment, adapted for lifting a remotely piloted boat, respectively in rest position on said boat and in lifting position;

[0026] [Fig. 3C], a diagram of the guiding element of the lifting device of Figures 3A and 3B;

[0027] [Fig.4A] and [Fig.4B], a diagram of a lifting device for machinery according to a second variant of an embodiment, respectively in rest position on said machinery and in lifting position;

[0028] [Fig.5A] and [Fig.5B], a diagram of the lifting device adapted for lifting a remotely piloted boat according to said second embodiment, respectively in rest position on said boat and in lifting position.

[0029] The term "device" means any manufactured object characterized by a size and / or load such that it requires the use of a lifting device to lift it in order to move it from one place to another.

[0030] The terms "interior" or "internal" and "exterior" or "external" are used with reference to a hollow housing delimited by a guiding member, an internal element or surface located within the space of said hollow housing and an external element or surface located outside of this space.

[0031] Figures IA and IB schematically represent a lifting device 100 according to the invention. Figure IA schematically depicts the lifting device 100 in its resting position on a machine 200, and Figure 1B schematically depicts the lifting device 100 in a lifting configuration when gripped by a crane hook. In this highly simplified example, the machine 200 is in the form of a beam.

[0032] At least two anchor points 210a and 210b are provided on said device 200. They are preferably located on either side of an axis passing through the center of gravity G of said device 200.

[0033] The lifting device 100 comprises at least two slings 120a, 120b, each having a first and a second end. A first end of each sling 120a, 120b is designed to be attached to one of at least two anchor points, 210a, 210b respectively. A second end of each sling 120a, 120b is connected to the guide member 110. In this case, the guide member 110 supports the load when the machine is lifted.

[0034] The guide member is positioned above the lifting device 200. More specifically, said guide member 110 has a hollow shape defining a hollow housing designed to allow the passage of a crane hook. The hollow housing thus forms a guide for the passage of the hook. Said guide member 110 comprises a base 119 positioned opposite said lifting device 200 and a top 118 opposite said base 119. The base 119 may be open, partially open, or closed. It may be made of a material that prevents scratching or damaging the lifting device 200 when said guide member 110 is positioned in its resting position on said device 200, for example, rubber or foam.

[0035] The guide member 110 can take any shape as long as it provides a hollow housing allowing the passage of a crane hook. Thus, it can take a semi-circular shape as shown in the diagrams of figures IA and IB, or a hemispherical shape, a triangular shape or a pyramidal shape for example.

[0036] The second end of each sling 120a, 120b is preferably fixed on said guide member 110, in a location 114a, 114b situated on an outer end of said guide member 110, at the height of the base 119. For example, a ring or a hook 114a, 114b can be fixed to this location of the guide member 110 to allow said sling 120a, 120b associated with it to be connected thereto.

[0037] At least one first elastic element 130a, having a first and a second end, is connected, at its first end, to the guide member 110, and at its second end to the lifting device 200 at any anchor point. This first elastic element 130a may be selected from, for example, a spring or a tensioner. This first elastic element 130a exerts, on the guide member 110, a rest force greater than or equal to the weight of the guide member 110 so as to maintain it in a rest position on the lifting device 200 and prevent any possible fall. Thus, the elastic element 130a allows, on the one hand, to constrain said guide member 110 to reposition itself on a resting place dedicated to it on said machine 200, when the crane hook disengages from the hollow housing after lowering said machine 200 and, on the other hand, to maintain said guide member 110 on said resting place dedicated to it.This resting position is such that it prevents the slings 120a and 120b from falling. Preferably, the first elastic element 130a also allows the guide member 110 to be positioned so that its base 119 is positioned on the device 200 in such a way as to facilitate the passage of a crane hook through its hollow housing. The maximum stretched length of at least one first elastic element 130a is greater than its length when the lifting device 100 is in a lifting position. The resting position of said guide element 100 on the machine 200 may be offset from the center of gravity G of the machine 200. During the lifting operation, the elastic element 130a stretches and allows the guide element 110 to position itself relative to said machine 200, so that the tensile force F exerted on the guide element 110 is preferably located directly above the center of gravity G of said machine 200.

[0038] Preferably, for improved stability of the guide member 110 on the device 200 in the rest position, the guide member 110 can be retained by a second elastic element 130b. Each elastic element 130a, 130b is preferably fixed to said guide member 110 at a location 114a, 114b situated on an outer end of said guide member 110, at the height of the base 119. This location is preferably identical to the attachment location 114a, 114b of each sling. In order to optimize the overall dimensions of the lifting device 100, the elastic elements 130a, 130b are preferably fixed to the same anchor points 210a, 210b. of the device 200 that the slings 120a, 120b, so that they are parallel to said slings 120a, 120b.

[0039] The second elastic element 130b does not need to have the same tension characteristics as the first elastic element 130a. Indeed, while the first elastic element 130a can exert a rest force greater than or equal to the weight of the guide member 110 to hold it in its designated position on the device 200, the second elastic element 130b improves the stability of the guide member 110 in its position. The second elastic element 130b can therefore exert a rest force lower than that of the first elastic element 130a. When stretched in the lifting position, as illustrated in [Fig. 1B], the first and second elastic elements 130a, 130b have a stretched length less than their maximum stretched length before breakage.

[0040] Figures 2A and 2B schematically represent a lifting device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Fig. 2A] schematically depicts the lifting device 100 in its resting position on a machine 200, and [Fig. 2B] schematically depicts the lifting device 100 in a lifting configuration when gripped by a crane hook.

[0041] At least two anchor points 210a and 210b are provided on said device 200. They are preferably located on either side of an axis passing through the center of gravity G of said device 200.

[0042] The lifting device 100 comprises at least two slings 120a, 120b, each having a first and a second end. The first end of each sling 120a, 120b is designed to be attached to one of said at least two anchor points, respectively 210a, 210b. Said at least two slings 120a, 120b are connected to each other at their second ends by means of a joining element 121.

[0043] A guide member 110 is positioned above the lifting device 200 so as to cover the connecting element 121. More specifically, the guide member 110 has a hollow shape defining a recess designed to allow the passage of a crane hook. The guide member 110 comprises a base 119 positioned opposite the lifting device 200 and a top 118. The connecting element 121 of the two slings 120a, 120b is fixed to the inner face of the top 118 of the guide member 110 by any known means such as screwing, hooking, riveting, or welding, for example. Preferably, the connecting element 121 is fixed to the inner face of the top 118 of the guide member 110 in a removable manner, for example, by screwing. Depending on the shape of the guide element 110, the base 119 can be open, partially open, or closed. It can be made of a material that prevents scratching or damaging the gear 200 when said guide element 110 is positioned in its resting position on said device 200, for example, made of rubber or foam. In the case of a semi-circular guide element 110 as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the base 119 is preferably at least partially open to allow movement of the slings 120a, 120b when they are tensioned during the lifting of the device 100. In the diagrams of Figures 2A and 2B, the base 119 is fully open. Said guide element 110 thus forms a hollow housing designed to allow the passage of a crane hook, so that its gripping by said crane hook and its release from said crane hook can be carried out without human intervention.

[0044] According to this embodiment, the guide member 110 is not intended to support the load during lifting, the load being entirely supported by the slings 120a, 120b. The guide member 110 guides the slings 120a, 120b so that they slide along the guide member 110 during the lifting or lowering movement of the lifting device 100, respectively. To enable such guidance of the slings 120a, 120b, the guide member 110 comprises at least two guide elements 112a, 112b, each having an opening for the passage of the sling 120a, 120b associated with it. It may be in the form of a ring, for example. The said at least two guide elements 112a, 112b are preferably positioned inside said hollow housing delimited by said guide member 110. Preferably, they are fixed on an internal end of said guide member 110 located at the height of the base 119..

[0045] The guide member 110 can take any shape as long as it provides a hollow housing allowing the passage of a crane hook. Thus, it can take a semi-circular shape as shown in the diagrams of Figures 2A and 2B, or a hemispherical shape, a triangular shape or a pyramidal shape, for example.

[0046] The guide member 110 may comprise more than two guide elements 112a, 112b. The number of guide elements 112a, 112b depends in particular on the shape of said guide member 110. Indeed, the guide elements allow the slings 120a, 120b to be guided so that they conform to the hollow shape of said guide member 110 when it is positioned in the resting position on said machine 200. It is indeed important that the slings 120a, 120b conform to the shape of the hollow housing to ensure that the crane hook can pass through the hollow housing without being obstructed by said slings 120a, 120b. In Figures 2A and 2B, the guide member 110 has a semi-circular shape, and several guide elements 112a, 112b are required to hold the slings 120a, 120b so that they conform to this semi-circular shape. In this case, the guide elements 112a, 112b are fixed to the inner face of said guide member 110 and regularly spaced. Thus, the guide member holds and guides the slings so that they do not risk falling from the machine when the lifting device is placed on said machine. In the case where the guide member 110 has a triangular shape, for example, with the slings 120a, 120b being fixed to the apex 118 by means of the connecting element 121, two guide elements 112a, 112b positioned at each inner end located at the height of the base 119 of said guide member 110 are sufficient to allow said slings to conform to the triangular shape of said guide member 110.

[0047] The guide element 110 is preferably made of a rigid material. However, it is also possible to consider making said guide element 110 of a semi-rigid shape-memory material, which returns to its hollow shape when positioned at rest on the machine 200.

[0048] When the guide member 110 is rigid, and depending on its shape, the guide elements 112a, 112b can also be connected to the rigid guide member 110 by means of elastic return elements 113a, 113b, such as springs or tensioners, for example, so as not to constrain the rigid guide member 110 during the lifting movement of the lifting device 100. Indeed, during lifting, as illustrated in [Fig. 2B], the slings 120a, 120b, which support the tensile force, become taut. As they become taut, they move closer together and away from the walls of the rigid guide member 110, so that they no longer conform to the semi-circular shape of the hollow housing, as illustrated in the example shown in [Fig. 2B].In this case, elastic return elements 113a, 113b, arranged regularly along the hollow shape of the rigid guide member 110 and connected to said guide elements 112a, 112b, allow the slings 120a, 120b to move without exerting force on the guide member 110 that could cause its deformation or even breakage. Such elastic return elements are not necessary if the guide member 110 is made of a semi-rigid shape-memory material.

[0049] In the case where the guide member 110 has a triangular shape, for example, such elastic return elements 113a, 113b are not necessary because the slings 120a, 120b then follow the same triangular shape of the hollow housing as the lifting device 100, whether in the rest position or the lifting position. In this case, only one guide element 112a, 112b per sling 120a, 120b can be provided on the inner end located at the height of the base 119 of said guide member 110. The slings 120a, 120b are connected, via their connecting element 121, to the apex 118 of the hollow housing of said guide member 110 and are guided by said guide elements 112a, 112b located at the height of the base 119 of said guide element 110, they follow the triangular shape of said guide element 110, whether it is in the rest position or in the lifting position.

[0050] At least one first elastic element 130a, having a first and a second end, is connected, at its first end, to the guide member 110, and at its second end to the lifting device 200 at any anchor point. This first elastic element 130a may be selected from, for example, a spring or a tensioner. This first elastic element 130a exerts, on the guide member 110, a rest force greater than or equal to the weight of the guide member 110 so as to maintain it in a rest position on the lifting device 200 and prevent any possible fall. Thus, the elastic element 130a allows, on the one hand, to constrain said guide member 110 to reposition itself on a resting place dedicated to it on said machine 200, when the crane hook disengages from the hollow housing after lowering said machine and on the other hand, to maintain said guide member 110 on said resting place dedicated to it.This resting position is such that it prevents the slings 120a and 120b from falling. Preferably, the first elastic element 130a also allows the guide member 110 to be positioned so that its base 119 is positioned on the device 200 in such a way as to facilitate the passage of a crane hook through its hollow housing. The maximum stretched length of at least one first elastic element 130a is greater than its length when the lifting device 100 is in a lifting position. The resting position of said guide element 100 on the machine 200 may be offset from the center of gravity G of the machine 200. During the lifting operation, the elastic element 130a stretches and allows the guide element 110 to position itself relative to said machine 200, so that the tensile force F exerted on the connecting element 121 of said slings 120a, 120b is located vertically above the center of gravity G of said machine 200.

[0051] Preferably, for better stability of the guide member 110 on the machine 200 in the rest position, the guide member 110 can be retained by a second elastic element 130b. Each elastic element 130a, 130b is preferably fixed to said guide member 110, in a location 114a, 114b situated on an outer end of said guide member 110, at the height of the base 119. For example, a ring or a hook 114a, 114b can be fixed to this location of the guide member 110 to allow connection to said elastic element 130a, 130b which is associated with it. In order to optimize the footprint of the lifting device 100, the elastic elements 130a, 130b are preferably fixed on the same anchor points 210a, 210b of the device 200 as the slings 120a, 120b, so that they are parallel to said slings 120a, 120b.

[0052] The second elastic element 130b does not need to have the same tension characteristics as the first elastic element 130a. Indeed, while the first elastic element 130a must be able to exert a rest force greater than or equal to the weight of the guide member 110 to hold it in its designated position on the device 200, the second elastic element 130b improves the stability of the guide member 110 in its position. The second elastic element 130b can therefore exert a rest force lower than that of the first elastic element 130a. When stretched in the lifting position, as illustrated in [Fig. 2B], the first and second elastic elements 130a, 130b have a stretched length less than their maximum stretched length before breakage.

[0053] The height of said guide member 110, measured between the inner face of the top 118 and the base 119, is chosen so as to facilitate the passage of a crane hook in the hollow housing delimited by said guide member 110, but also for optimal retention of the slings 120a, 120b along the shape of the hollow housing and to prevent their falling when the lifting device 100 is in the rest position on said machine 200.

[0054] The diagrams in Figures 2A and 2B represent a lifting device 100 comprising two slings 120a, 120b. However, such a device 100 may comprise more than two slings depending on the type of equipment 200 to be lifted.

[0055] Figures 3A and 3B show a diagram of a lifting device 100 according to a preferred embodiment, adapted for lifting a remotely piloted and / or autonomous vessel 200, respectively in its resting position on said vessel 200 and in its lifting position. Figure 3C shows in more detail the guiding element 110 of the lifting device of Figures 3A and 3B. For the sake of simplicity, these three figures are described simultaneously, with the same reference numerals designating the same elements.

[0056] According to this preferred embodiment, the guide member 110 is preferably rigid and pyramidal in shape, the apex 117c having a flat surface that surmounts two opposing walls 117a, 117b, forming two of the pyramid's faces. The other two faces of the pyramid are open, providing a passage for a crane hook. This pyramidal guide member 110 guides four slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d along each of the four edges of the pyramid. Each of the four slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d has a first and a second end. The slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d are fixed, by their first end, to four anchor points of the boat 200, of which only two anchor points 210a, 210d are visible in figures 2A and 2B, for the sake of simplification.Preferably, said slings are attached in a removable manner to said anchor points 210a, 210d, . by means of hooks or snap hooks 122a, 122d for example. The four slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d are connected to each other at their second end by means of a connecting element 121, as illustrated in [Fig. 3C]. The connecting element 121 of the slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d is fixed to the inner face of the top 117c of said guide member 110.

[0057] Advantageously, the base 119 of the rigid guide member 110 comprises two plates 115 arranged opposite each other at the base of the walls 117a, 117b. These two plates 115 are oriented towards the interior of said hollow housing delimited by the pyramidal shape of said guide member 110. Each plate 115 forms a support base enabling the guide member 110 to be stabilized when positioned in the rest position on a dedicated location of a platform 210 of said vessel 200.

[0058] In this case, said at least two guiding elements of said guiding member 110 may be in the form of a guide slot 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d which is provided at each end of each plate 115, said end being located along an edge of said pyramidal shape, so as to allow the passage of a sling 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d.

[0059] Additional guide elements beyond the slots 116a, 116b to 116d formed in the plates 115 may also be provided along the edges of the pyramid formed by the walls 117a, 117b. These additional guide elements may be in the form of rings 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d for example, which are hooked along the edges. Thus, the slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d slide in the slots 116a to 116d and in the rings 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d when the lifting device 100 is driven by a crane hook between a resting position on a platform 210 of said craft 200, shown in [Fig.3A], and a lifting position, shown in [Fig.3B].In this embodiment, the slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d in the lifting position are taut and continue to follow the pyramidal shape of the guide member 110, they do not move away from the walls of said member 110 so that it is not necessary to provide elastic return elements and the guide rings 112a, 112b can be directly fixed on the edges of the walls 117a, 117b of the pyramid.

[0060] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 3A and 3B, there are as many elastic elements 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d as there are slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d. In order to optimize the overall dimensions of the lifting device 100, these elastic elements 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d, having a first and a second end, are preferably arranged parallel to said slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d. To this end, the first end of each elastic element 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d is fixed to one end of each plate 115, said end being located along an edge of said pyramidal shape, for example at the height of the guide slot 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d. Each elastic element 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d is then associated with a sling 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d guided by said guide slot 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d to which it is attached. The second end of each elastic element 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d is attached to the same anchor point 210a, 210d of the vessel 200 as said sling 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d with which it is associated.

[0061] Figures 4A and 4B schematically represent a second embodiment of a lifting device 100 according to the invention. Figure 4A schematically depicts the lifting device 100 in its resting position on a modular machine 200, and Figure 4B schematically depicts the device 100 in its lifting position when gripped by a crane hook. In Figures 4A and 4B, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements as in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0062] According to this embodiment, the device 200 is modular and can be attached to at least one additional module 250. In this case, the lifting device 100 comprises at least one third sling 125, the first end of which is fixed to a third anchor point 251 of said at least one additional module 250 and the second end of which is fixed to said connecting element 121. Preferably, the third anchor point 251 is located directly above the center of gravity of said additional module 250.

[0063] Figures 5A and 5B show a diagram of a lifting device 100 according to this second variant, respectively in its resting position on a modular boat 200 and in its lifting position. According to this variant, the boat 200 is remotely piloted and / or autonomous and connected to at least one additional module 250 equipped with an anchor point 251. The anchor point 251 of said additional module 250 is preferably located at the center of gravity of said additional module 250. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements as in Figures 3A and 3B.

[0064] In this second embodiment, the lifting device 100 includes at least one additional sling 125 which is fixed by a first end to said additional anchor point 251 located on the additional module 250 and by a second end to said connecting element, not visible in Figures 5A and 5B.

[0065] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 5A] and [5B], where the guide member 110 has a pyramidal shape with two facing walls 117a, 117b, a through opening 126 is advantageously provided in one of the walls 117b of the pyramid and near its apex 117c to allow the passage of said additional sling 125 inside the hollow housing formed by said pyramid and its attachment to said connecting element. The through opening 126 is provided over a height of said pyramid sufficient to allow a deflection of said additional sling 125 when it is put under tension during the lifting movement of said lifting device 100.

[0066] Generally, the slings 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, 125 of the lifting device 100 are flexible. They can be made of textile straps or metal chains or cables thin enough to retain flexibility. Preferably, they are textile slings.

[0067] The guide element 110 is preferably made of a rigid material resistant to weathering and humid and saline environments. This rigidity allows the hollow housing to be maintained and guides the slings so that they conform to the shape of the hollow housing. When not intended to bear the load, according to the first and second variants, the guide element 110 does not need to be highly mechanically resistant. This material can, for example, be chosen from a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, or a plastic such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or a treated and rot-resistant Class 5 wood. According to another variant, the guide element 110 can be made of a semi-rigid, shape-memory material. In this case, the guide element 110 can withstand mechanical stresses by deforming, while returning to its hollow shape when positioned at rest on the device 200.

[0068] The lifting device 100 described above has the advantage of being simple in construction, using sling systems commonly used in the handling field, and allowing for easy gripping and unhooking of a crane hook, without requiring human intervention. The lifting device 100 according to the second embodiment also allows the slings 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d to be held within the hollow housing defined by the guide element 110, preventing them from falling when the guide element is in its resting position on the lifting equipment 200.

Claims

Demands

1. Lifting device (100) for a machine (200) comprising at least two slings (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d), each sling (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) having a first end designed to be attached to an anchor point (210a, 210b) of said machine (200) among at least two anchor points located on said machine (200), said device being characterized in that it further comprises: - a guide member (110) having a shape delimiting a hollow housing designed to allow the passage of a crane hook, and having a base (119) oriented towards said machine (200) to be lifted, a second end of each sling (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) being connected to said guide member (110) and; - at least one elastic element (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) of which one end is fixed to said guiding member (110) and of which a second end is fixed to said device (200).

2. Lifting device (100) for a machine (200), according to claim 1, characterized in that said guide member (110) has a top (118) opposite said base (119), in that said second ends of said at least two slings (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) are connected to each other by means of a connecting element (121) which is fixed on an internal surface of said top (118) of said guide member (110), and in that said guide member (110) is further provided with at least two guide elements (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d; 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d), each guide element (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d) being designed to allow each sling (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) to slide inside said hollow housing delimited by said guide member (110).

3. Lifting device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said at least two guide elements (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d; 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d) is positioned inside said hollow housing delimited by said guide member (110).

4. Lifting device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each of said at least two guide elements (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d) is in the form of a ring attached to said guide element (110).

5. Lifting device (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each guide element (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d,) is attached to said guide member (110) by means of an elastic return element (113a, 113b).

6. Lifting device (100) according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said guide member (110) has a pyramidal shape comprising two walls (117a, 117b) facing each other at the base of which two plates (115) extend into said hollow housing, and in that each of said at least two guide elements (116a, 116b, 116c, 116d) is in the form of a slot formed at at least one end of each plate (115).

7. Lifting device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises as many elastic elements (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) as slings (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d), said first end of each elastic element (130a, 130b, 130c, 130d) being fixed on a location (114a, 114b, 116a, 116b) of said guide member (110) located at the height of its base (119).

8. Lifting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said device (200) is an autonomous and / or remotely piloted vessel (200).

9. Lifting device (100) according to claim 8 when it depends on any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said boat (200) is modular and includes at least one additional module (250) attached to it, and in that said lifting device (100) includes at least one third sling (125) having a first end fixed to at least one third anchor point (251) of said at least one additional module (250) and a second end fixed to said connecting element (121).

10. Lifting device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guiding member (110) is made of a rigid metallic material selected from aluminium, stainless steel or zinc-plated steel, or a rigid plastic material selected from polypropylene or polyethylene, or a semi-rigid shape-memory material.

11. A guiding device (110) adapted to guide at least two slings (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) of a lifting device (100), each sling (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) having a first end designed to be fixed to an anchor point (210a, 210b) of a lifting device (200), among at least two anchor points of said device (200) and being connected to each other, at a second end, by means of a connecting element (121) and, said guiding device (110) being characterized in that it has a shape delimiting a hollow housing designed to allow the passage of a crane hook, and comprises a base (119) and a top (118) on an internal surface of which said connecting element (121) is fixed, and at least two guiding elements (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d), each guiding element (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, 116a, 116b, 116c, 116d) being designed to allow each sling (120a, 120b, 120c, 120d) to slide inside said hollow housing delimited by said guide member (110).

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