Suspension tool for suspending tool and method for using the same

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of facilitating fitting of a long tool suspended from a string-like member.SOLUTION: This suspension tool is used for suspending and holding a long tool from a string-like member suspended from above a target object. The suspension tool comprises: a holding part that is fixed to the side surface of the tool and that holds the tool; a bent rail provided with a space from the side surface of the tool and disposed in the direction of the tool about a center axis; an installation part that is installed between each of both ends of the rail and the holding part and that connects the rail and the holding part; and a connection part that is fitted to the rail so as to be movable between the installation parts of both ends along the rail and that connects the rail and the string-like member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sling for suspending and holding a tool during work. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in work sites such as factories, in order to facilitate the handling of heavy objects that are difficult to lift manually, lifting devices have been used to suspend heavy objects. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses an inverting device that hoists a workpiece with a chain and inverts it when carrying the workpiece into a machine tool. Also, Patent Document 2 listed below discloses an inverting mechanism that hoists a large container, inverts it, and drops its contents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-103977 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-335872 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, in a factory that manufactures steel wire, both ends of a coil of wound wire may be cut off for quality inspection of the wire. In this cutting process, the coil is held horizontally on a base, and a worker uses a cutting tool to cut the wire, and cuts the two ends of the coil in order.

[0005] The cutting tools used in this work are generally long and heavy, weighing approximately 20 kg or more. Therefore, if the cutting tool is suspended by a string-like member such as a wire and held in a generally horizontal position, making it easier to handle, it is possible to reduce the burden on the worker.

[0006] However, usually, due to its structural reasons, in a cutting tool, the direction in which the cutting portion for performing cutting abuts against the end portion of the coil is defined in one direction. Therefore, in order to cut the two end portions of the coil, after cutting one end portion, the cutting tool needs to be reversed around its central axis to cut the other end portion. When the cutting tool is suspended as described above, since the rotation of the cutting tool around its central axis is restricted, it has not been easy to reverse the cutting tool around its central axis during the operation.

[0007] Such problems are not limited to the cutting tool as described above. An object of the present invention is to provide a suspension tool with a novel structure that can facilitate the handling of various long tools that are used in a state of being suspended by a string-like member and in which an operation of changing the posture to rotate around the central axis is performed during the operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present invention can be realized, for example, in the following forms.

[0009] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment of the present invention is provided as a suspension tool for suspending and holding a long tool from above an object to be processed by a string-like member suspended therefrom. The suspension tool of the first embodiment includes a holding portion fixed to the side surface of the tool for holding the tool, a curved rail portion provided with a space between the side surface of the tool and arranged along the direction around the central axis of the tool, a bridging portion erected between each of both ends of the rail portion and the holding portion for connecting the rail portion and the holding portion, and a connecting portion attached to the rail portion so as to be movable between the bridging portions at both ends along the rail portion for connecting the rail portion and the string-like member. According to the lifting tool of the first embodiment, since the tool is suspended by the lifting tool from the string-like member, the operator can easily move the tool as follows in a state where the burden due to the weight of the tool is reduced. The operator can easily perform a rotation operation that causes the longitudinal end of the tool to orbit around the holding portion of the lifting tool. Further, in this lifting tool, the connecting portion connected to the string-like member is guided by the rail portion and moved around the central axis of the tool, so that the tool held by the holding portion can be rotated in the direction around its central axis. Therefore, the operator can easily rotate the tool in the direction around its central axis while the tool is suspended by the lifting tool from the string-like member. As described above, according to the lifting tool of the first embodiment, it is possible to facilitate the handling during work of a long tool having a large weight and a limited direction when processing an object to be processed.

[0010] [Second Embodiment] In the lifting tool of the first embodiment, the holding portion is constituted by an annular member that surrounds the tool around the central axis and grips the tool, the rail portion is curved in an arc shape, and the center of the holding portion may be offset in the radial direction of the virtual circle from the center of the virtual circle that includes the arc formed by the rail portion on its outer periphery. According to the lifting tool of the second embodiment, the center of gravity of the tool can be positioned at a deviated position offset in the radial direction from the center of the arc-shaped orbit of the connecting portion along the rail portion. This deviation in the center-of-gravity position of the tool generates a force that acts in the direction of rotating the tool gripped by the holding portion around its central axis due to the action of gravity. Therefore, a force can be generated that acts in the direction of moving the connecting portion toward the end of the rail portion, and the orientation of the tool around its central axis during work can be stabilized. Further, since the force acts in the direction of assisting the movement of the connecting portion along the rail portion, the operation of rotating the tool in the direction around its central axis can be made easier.

[0011] [Third Embodiment] In the lifting tool of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the holding portion and the rail portion may be positioned at positions offset from each other in the central axis direction of the tool when the tool is held by the holding portion. According to the suspension tool of the third embodiment, in the tool, the position where the tool is held by the holding part and the position where the rail part is arranged can be shifted in the longitudinal direction of the tool. Therefore, for example, the position where the rail part is installed can be set to a position that coincides with the center of gravity of the tool, and the position where the holding part is attached to the tool can be set to a position that is away from the center of gravity position and is easier to attach the holding part.

[0012] [Fourth Embodiment] In the suspension tool according to any one of the first, second, and third embodiments, the connecting part may support the rail part from below and include a rolling body that rolls on the inner peripheral surface of the rail part. According to the suspension tool of the fourth embodiment, the circumferential movement of the connecting part along the rail part can be made smoother. Therefore, the operation of rotating the suspended tool around its central axis can be made easier.

[0013] [Fifth Embodiment] In the suspension tool according to any one of the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments, a convex part that the rolling body can overcome by rolling may be formed in front of the end of the rail part on the inner peripheral surface of the rail part. According to the suspension tool described in the fifth embodiment, the connecting part reaches the end of the rail part when the rolling body rolls over the convex part. Therefore, the connecting part that has reached the end of the rail part is restricted by the convex part from moving freely from the end of the rail part. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the direction around the central axis of the tool in the state of being suspended by the suspension tool from changing freely without the operation of the operator. In addition, when the operator reaches the end of the rail part with the connecting part, the operator can obtain the feeling of the rolling body overcoming the convex part. Since the operator can confirm that the direction around the central axis of the tool has become the specified direction based on the feeling, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of mistakes in handling the tool during work.

[0014] [Sixth Embodiment] The sixth embodiment is provided as a method of using the suspension tool described in any one of the above first, second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments. The method of the sixth embodiment includes a step of suspending the tool from the string-like member by the suspension tool with the connecting portion moved to the installation portion on the first end side of the rail portion, and processing one end of the object to be processed in the horizontal direction by the tool; and a step of moving the connecting portion along the rail portion to the installation portion on the second end side of the rail portion, rotating the tool around the central axis, and processing the other end of the object to be processed in the horizontal direction by the tool in the rotated posture. According to the method of the sixth embodiment, an operator can efficiently process both ends of an object to be processed by manipulating the tool suspended from the string-like member via the suspension tool without having to move around to the opposite side of the object to be processed.

[0015] The present invention can be implemented in various forms other than the suspension tool and the method of using the suspension tool. For example, it can also be implemented in the form of a tool, machine, and device equipped with the suspension tool, a method of manipulating a suspended tool, a method of manufacturing or processing a coil using the suspension tool, an inspection method, and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] 1. Embodiment: 1-1. Outline of the configuration of the lifting tool: With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the schematic configuration of the lifting tool 10 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the lifting tool 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the lifting tool 10. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the lifting tool 10.

[0018] In FIG. 1, an arrow indicating the gravitational direction G when the lifting tool 10 is in use is illustrated. Further, in FIGS. 1 to 3, arrows indicating the X, Y, and Z directions orthogonal to each other are illustrated. The X direction corresponds to the left-right direction of the lifting tool 10, the Y direction corresponds to the front-rear direction of the lifting tool 10, and the Z direction corresponds to the height direction of the lifting tool 10. When the lifting tool 10 is in use, the X direction and the Y direction are respectively in the directions along the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is in the direction along the gravitational direction G. The arrows indicating the gravitational direction G and the X, Y, and Z directions are also illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 for reference later so as to correspond to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0019] The lifting tool 10 is used to suspend a long tool (not shown) from the lower end of a flexible string-like member ST that is suspended from above. The term "long" means a shape that is long in one direction. For example, it may be a shape in which the dimension in the front-rear direction is at least twice or more the dimensions in the height direction and the width direction. As an example of the long tool, there is a cutting tool used to cut the end of a coil wound with a wire of high-hardness steel such as steel materials such as stainless steel and high-alloy steel, or non-ferrous metals such as titanium. This cutting tool will be described later.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the string-like member ST is constituted by, for example, a metal wire. The string-like member ST is not limited to a metal wire. The string-like member ST may be constituted by, for example, a chain, a belt, or the like.

[0021] The upper end side of the string-shaped member ST is wound around a reel (not shown) fixed to a fixture such as a ceiling or a beam above the work site. The string-shaped member ST can be pulled out downward from the reel and extended, and the lower end can be fixed at a position where the desired height is obtained.

[0022] At the lower end of the string-shaped member ST, a mooring tool ME for suspending the suspension tool 10 is provided. The mooring tool ME is constituted by, for example, a hook. As indicated by the arrow R1 of the dashed line in FIG. 1, the mooring tool ME can rotate around the central axis of the string-shaped member ST.

[0023] The suspension tool 10 is constituted by, for example, a metal such as steel. The suspension tool 10 includes a holding part 20 for holding a tool, a curved rail part 30, a bridging part 40 installed between the holding part 20 and the rail part 30, and a connecting part 50 for connecting the rail part 30 and the string-shaped member ST.

[0024] The holding part 20 is fixed to the side surface of the tool. In the present embodiment, the holding part 20 is configured as an annular member arranged so as to surround the central axis of the tool. The central axis direction parallel to the central axis of the annular holding part 20 coincides with the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the holding part 20 has an annular shape in which the shape of the holding part 20 when viewed in the Y direction is a perfect circle or a circle close to a perfect circle.

[0025] Also, in the present embodiment, the holding part 20 is configured to be separable into a first gripping part 21 and a second gripping part 22. The first gripping part 21 and the second gripping part 22 are each configured in a semi-arc shape, and sandwich and grip the support part of the tool between them. The first gripping part 21 and the second gripping part 22 are fastened to each other by a fastener 45 attached to the bridging part 40 described later.

[0026] The rail portion 30 has a configuration in which a long, thin plate is curved into an arc shape. The rail portion 30 has a function of guiding the movement of the connecting portion 50, and forms a track along which the connecting portion 50 moves. In this embodiment, the rail portion 30 is curved to have an arc shape that forms a part of a perfect circle or a circle close to a perfect circle. In this embodiment, the rail portion 30 has a semicircular arc shape. As will be described later, the rail portion 30 is arranged along the direction around the central axis of the tool, with a space between it and the side of the tool.

[0027] 3, when viewed in the Y direction, the holding portion 20 is located inside the arc formed by the rail portion 30, and the rail portion 30 is arranged along the first grip portion 21 of the holding portion 20. In this embodiment, the radius R of the arc of the rail portion 30 is larger than the radius r of the annular holding portion 20. Also, in this embodiment, when viewed in the Y direction, the center Ch through which the central axis of the holding portion 20 passes is offset in the radial direction of the imaginary circle VC with respect to the center Cr of the imaginary circle VC that includes the arc formed by the rail portion 30 on its outer periphery. The reason for this will be described later.

[0028] 1 and 3, in this embodiment, convex portions 35 having a height sufficient for the rollers 58 of the connecting portion 50 to climb over are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rail portion 30. The convex portions 35 are provided near each of the two end portions 31, 32 of the rail portion 30. Details of the convex portions 35 will be described later.

[0029] The bridging portion 40 connects the holding portion 20 and the rail portion 30. Two bridging portions 40 are provided, each extending in the radial direction of the holding portion 20 and bridging between the holding portion 20 and each of the two ends 31, 32 of the rail portion 30. In this embodiment, the holding portion 20 and the rail portion 30 are disposed at positions offset from each other in the Y direction, and the bridging portion 40 has a portion extending in the Y direction.

[0030] The erection part 40 has a structure in which a first erection member 41 connected to the end of the first gripping part 21 of the holding part 20 and a second erection member 42 connected to the end of the second gripping part 22 of the holding part 20 are laminated in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the first erection member 41 and the second erection member 42 have a plate-like structure and are laminated on each other in the thickness direction.

[0031] The first erection member 41 and the second erection member 42 are fastened by a fastener 45, whereby the first gripping part 21 and the second gripping part 22 of the holding part 20 are fastened. The fastener 45 is constituted by, for example, a bolt that penetrates the first erection member 41 and the second erection member 42 in the Z direction and a nut that is screwed onto the end of the bolt.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the connecting part 50 has a rectangular shape that is long in the Z direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting part 50 has an upper part 51 that is arranged on the upper side during use and to which the string-like member ST is attached, and a lower part 55 that is arranged on the lower side during use and is connected to the rail part 30.

[0033] The upper part 51 is provided with a locking hole 53, which is a through hole for locking a mooring tool ME provided at the lower end of the string-like member ST. The lower part 55 is provided with a rail holding part 56, which is a through hole through which the rail part 30 is inserted.

[0034] When the sling 10 is in use, the rail part 30 is locked and supported by the lower side part of the rail holding part 56 due to the action of gravity. The rail part 30 is not fixed to the lower side part of the rail holding part 56. As a result, the connecting part 50 can move along the rail part 30 between the erection parts 40 provided at both ends of the rail part 30, as shown by the solid line arrow R2 in FIGS. 1 and 3. FIG. 3 shows the connecting part 50 when it reaches each of the two ends of the rail part 30 in a dashed-dotted line. As shown in FIG. 1, when the connecting part 50 is connected to the lower end of the string-like member ST, the rail part 30 swings in the X direction, and the holding part 20 connected to the rail part 30 rotates.

[0035] In this embodiment, the lower side portion of the rail holding portion 56 is constituted by a roller 58. The roller 58 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rail portion 30 when the suspension tool 10 is in use, and rolls on the inner peripheral surface of the rail portion 30 when the connecting portion 50 moves along the rail portion 30. The roller 58 reduces the friction between the connecting portion 50 and the rail portion 30, and smooths the movement of the connecting portion 50 along the rail portion 30 when the suspension tool 10 is in use. In other embodiments, the rail holding portion 56 may have a sphere that functions as a rolling element instead of the roller 58.

[0036] 1-2. Method of using the suspension tool: Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 in order, the method of using the suspension tool 10 will be described. In FIGS. 4 to 6, the suspension tool 10 is hatched with dots so that it can be distinguished from the tool 100.

[0037] **1-2-1. Schematic configuration of the tool**: First, with reference to FIG. 4, an outline of the configuration of an example of the tool 100 suspended by the suspension tool 10 will be described. FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the tool 100 in a state of being suspended by the suspension tool 10. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the connecting portion 50 has moved to one end portion 31 of the rail portion 30. Also, in FIG. 4, for the sake of convenience, the wire rod WM is shown by a dashed line.

[0038] The tool 100 is a cutting tool for cutting the steel wire rod WM that constitutes the coil, which is the object to be processed. The tool 100 has an elongated shape. The longitudinal direction of the tool 100 corresponds to the central axis direction of the tool 100. The tool 100 has a cutting portion 101 that performs cutting at the tip portion in its longitudinal direction.

[0039] The tool 100 has, on the rear end side of the cutting portion 101, a large-diameter portion 110 having a relatively large-diameter cylindrical shape, and a small-diameter portion 120 having a relatively small-diameter cylindrical shape located on the rear end side of the large-diameter portion 110. Further, the tool 100 has, on its side surface, a gripping portion 130 for an operator to grip. An operation portion for the operator to control the driving of the tool 100 is provided on the gripping portion 130, but illustration and detailed description thereof are omitted. In addition, the tool 100 has, in addition to the cutting portion 101, a power cord portion 131 for connecting the tool 100 to an external power source (not shown).

[0040] The cutting portion 101 includes a punch portion 102 and a die portion 103 that generate a shearing force for cutting the wire material WM. The punch portion 102 has a cylindrical shape and expands and contracts in the longitudinal direction of the tool 100 using the power of an external power source. The die portion 103 extends in the longitudinal direction on the side of the punch portion 102 and is supported in front of the punch portion 102 by a support arm 105 whose tip is bent and extends to a region in front of the punch portion 102. The die portion 103 is fixed at a position close to the side surface of the punch portion 102 in the extended state.

[0041] The cutting portion 101 can receive the wire material WM to be cut only from the direction of the arrow IS shown in FIG. 4 without interfering with the support arm 105. The direction of the arrow IS in which the wire material WM is inserted into the cutting portion 101 corresponds to the direction in which the tool 100 approaches the object to be processed when the tool 100 is used. Hereinafter, the direction of the arrow IS is also referred to as the "processing direction IS".

[0042] The wire material WM is inserted into the cutting portion 101 in the processing direction IS when the punch portion 102 is in a contracted state and is disposed in the region between the punch portion 102 and the die portion 103. In this state, when the punch portion 102 expands, the wire material WM is sandwiched between the punch portion 102 and the die portion 103 and a shearing force is applied. The wire material WM is cut by this shearing force.

[0043] 1-2-2. Suspension of the tool by a sling: Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a state where the tool 100 is suspended by the suspension tool 10 from the string-like member ST will be described.

[0044] First, referring to FIG. 4, a portion where the suspension tool 10 is attached to the tool 100 will be described. When the suspension tool 10 is attached to the tool 100, the holding portion 20 of the suspension tool 10 is fitted into the small-diameter portion (120) which is a support portion, and the rail portion 30 is disposed around the large-diameter portion (110). The rail portion 30 is arranged along the side surface of the large-diameter portion (110) with a space left between the side surface of the large-diameter portion (110). In a state where the tool 100 is held by the rail holding portion 56, the central axis direction of the tool 100 coincides with the Y direction.

[0045] Here, the center of gravity of the tool 100 is located in the large-diameter portion (110). The rail portion 30 of the suspension tool 10 is configured to be disposed around the center of gravity of the tool 100 when the suspension tool 10 is attached to the tool 100. Thereby, when the tool 100 is suspended from the string-like member ST via the suspension tool 10, the tool 100 is held in a posture along the horizontal direction.

[0046] On the other hand, the holding portion 20 of the suspension tool 10 is attached to the small-diameter portion (120) which is displaced in the longitudinal direction from the center of gravity of the tool 100 as described above. Since the small-diameter portion (120) has a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion (110), it is possible to miniaturize the holding portion 20. Further, it is possible to facilitate the attachment of the holding portion 20 to the tool 100.

[0047] Thus, according to the suspension tool 10, by setting the installation position of the rail portion 30 to a position corresponding to the center of gravity of the tool 100, the posture of the tool 100 when suspended from the string-like member ST can be improved. At the same time, the attachment position of the holding portion 20 can be set to a position away from the center of gravity of the tool 100 and more easily attachable to the tool 100.

[0048] Next, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the orientation in the direction around the central axis of the tool 100 when in a state of being suspended by the suspension tool 10 from the string-like member ST will be described.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the tool 100 suspended by the suspension tool 10, similar to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a state where the connecting portion 50 is located at the first end portion 31 of the rail portion 30, and FIG. 5 shows a state where the connecting portion 50 is located at the second end portion 32 on the opposite side of the rail portion 30.

[0050] When the tool 100 is suspended by the string-like member ST, the connecting portion 50 is moved to one of the end portions 31, 32 of the rail portion 30 in order to stabilize the direction around the central axis of the tool 100. The suspension tool 10 is attached to the tool 100 such that the processing direction IS of the tool 100 is along the horizontal direction when the connecting portion 50 is located at one of the end portions 31, 32 of the rail portion 30. As a result, the cutting portion 101 of the tool 100 can approach the wire material WM extending along the gravity direction G from the side, and the wire material WM can be cut.

[0051] The tool 100 held by the suspension tool 10 and suspended by the string-like member ST can be rotated in the direction around its central axis by moving the rail portion 30 with respect to the connecting portion 50 fixed to the string-like member ST. That is, according to the suspension tool 10, by moving the connecting portion 50 along the rail portion 30, it is possible to change the direction of the processing direction IS of the tool 100 without tangling the power cord portion 131 of the tool 100 while the tool 100 is suspended by the string-like member ST.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the rail portion 30 has a semi-circular arc shape with a length corresponding to a half-circumference region of the large-diameter portion 110. Therefore, when changing from the state where the connecting portion 50 is located at the first end portion 31 of the rail portion 30 as shown in FIG. 4 to the state where the connecting portion 50 is located at the second end portion 32 of the rail portion 30 as shown in FIG. 5, the up-down direction of the tool 100 is reversed. According to the suspension tool 10, it is also possible to reverse the up-down direction of the tool 100 from the state of FIG. 5 to the state of FIG. 4.

[0053] In the above, as described with reference to FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the center Ch of the holding portion 20 is offset in the radial direction of the virtual circle VC from the center Cr of the virtual circle VC that includes the arc formed by the rail portion 30 on its outer periphery. More specifically, the center Ch of the holding portion 20 is offset in a direction away from the rail portion 30 with respect to the center Cr of the virtual circle VC.

[0054] The center of gravity of the tool 100 is on the central axis of the tool 100 or at a position close to the central axis. When the suspension tool 10 is attached to the tool 100, it is located at the center Ch of the holding portion 20 or in the vicinity of the center Ch. Therefore, in a state where the suspension tool 10 is attached to the tool 100, the center of gravity of the tool 100 can be positioned at a position offset from the center Cr of the virtual circle VC corresponding to the center of the arc-shaped orbit of the connecting portion 50 along the rail portion 30.

[0055] If there is a bias in the position of the center of gravity of the tool 100 with respect to the center Cr of the arc-shaped orbit of the connecting portion 50, when the tool 100 is suspended by the string-like member ST, a force can be generated in a direction to rotate the tool 100 held by the holding portion 20 around its central axis due to the action of gravity. By utilizing this force, a force can be generated in a direction to move the connecting portion 50 toward the ends 31, 32 of the rail portion 30. Therefore, the connecting portion 50 can be positioned at the ends 31, 32 of the rail portion 30, and the orientation around the central axis of the tool 100 during operation can be stabilized. Further, since the force acts in a direction to assist the movement of the connecting portion 50 along the rail portion 30, the operation of rotating the tool 100 in the direction around its central axis can be facilitated.

[0056] In the above, as described with reference to FIG. 3, in the suspension tool 10 of the present embodiment, convex portions 35 that the rollers 58 of the connecting portion 50 can climb over are formed in front of the ends of the rail portion 30 on the inner peripheral surface of the rail portion 30. In the present embodiment, the convex portions 35 have a hemispherical shape, and a plurality of them are provided. The convex portions 35 are preferably formed to have a size such that the rollers 58 can roll over and climb over them by applying a slight external force other than gravity.

[0057] In the lifting tool 10, by moving the connecting portion 50 along the rail portion 30 and causing the roller 58 to cross over the convex portion 35, the connecting portion 50 can reach the end portions 31, 32 of the rail portion 30. Therefore, when the operator moves the connecting portion 50 to the end portions 31, 32 of the rail portion 30, the operator can obtain the feeling that the roller 58 crosses over the convex portion 35. Based on this feeling, the operator can confirm that the orientation of the tool 100 around the central axis has reached the specified orientation. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of mistakes in handling the tool 100 during the operation.

[0058] Further, after causing the roller 58 to cross over the convex portion 35 and reach the end portions 31, 32 of the rail portion 30, since the convex portion 35 acts in a direction to suppress the rolling of the roller 58, it is possible to prevent the connecting portion 50 from moving freely from the positions of the end portions 31, 32 of the rail portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the orientation around the central axis of the tool 100 suspended by the lifting tool 10 from the string-like member ST from changing freely without the operation of the operator.

[0059] 1-2-3. Handling of the tool using the lifting tool: FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a working process by the tool 100 suspended by the lifting tool 10 from the string-like member ST.

[0060] In the working process of this example, the operator cuts off a part of both ends of the coil CL around which the steel wire rod WM is wound by the tool 100 in order to inspect the quality of the wire rod WM. The coil CL is supported by the base so that its central axis is horizontal. Further, the tool 100 is suspended from the string-like member ST by the lifting tool 10.

[0061] In the first step, the operator suspends the tool 100 from the string-like member ST by means of the sling 10 with the connecting part 50 moved to the installation part 40 on the first end part 31 side of the rail part 30, as described with reference to FIG. 4. Then, the operator manipulates the suspended tool 100 via the gripping part 130 to cut the wire material WM of one coil end CLa of the coil CL which is the object to be processed.

[0062] In the second step, the operator moves the tool 100 to the other coil end CLb side of the coil CL. Then, the operator rotates the tool 100 around the central axis via the gripping part 130, and moves the connecting part 50 along the rail part 30 to the installation part 40 on the second end part 32 side of the rail part 30, thereby inverting the up and down of the tool 100. The operator cuts the wire material WM of the other end of the coil CL with the tool 100 in this rotated posture.

[0063] In this way, by using the sling 10, the operator can easily rotate the tool 100 in the direction around its central axis without worrying about entanglement of the power cord part 131 or the like while the tool 100 is suspended from the string-like member ST. Therefore, the operator can cut both ends of the coil CL without moving around such as getting around to the opposite side of the horizontally installed coil CL, and can efficiently perform the quality inspection of the coil.

[0064] 1-3. Summary: As described above, according to the sling 10 of the present embodiment, without using a complicated rotation mechanism or device, the long tool can be easily rotated in the direction around its central axis while being suspended from the string-like member ST. Therefore, it becomes easier to manipulate a heavy tool whose approaching direction to the object to be processed during work is defined in one direction, and the efficiency of the work using the tool can be improved.

[0065] 2. Other Embodiments: The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and can be realized, for example, in the following forms. In this specification, all the configurations described as other embodiments are also positioned as an example of the forms for implementing the present invention, similar to the above-described embodiments.

[0066] 2-1. Other Embodiment 1: The suspension tool 10 is suitable for a cutting tool that cuts a steel wire rod as described in the above embodiment. However, the tool to which the suspension tool 10 is applied is not limited to a cutting tool. The tool may be, for example, a welding tool for performing steel welding, or may be one for performing other processing. Further, the tool is not limited to one that performs a processing operation on the object to be processed, and may be, for example, a measuring tool for measuring the dimensions, structure, etc. of the object to be processed. The shape of the tool only needs to be a long shape and is not limited to the shape described in the above embodiment.

[0067] 2-2. Other Embodiment 2: The holding part 20 provided in the suspension tool 10 only needs to be configured to be fixed to the side surface of the tool and does not necessarily need to be configured in an annular shape. Further, even when the holding part 20 is configured in an annular shape, the shape when viewed in the Y direction is not limited to a perfect circle or a circle close to a perfect circle as described in the above embodiment. The shape of the holding part 20 when viewed in the Y direction may be configured to match the outer peripheral shape at the attachment part of the tool. The shape of the holding part 20 when viewed in the Y direction may be an elliptical shape, an oval shape, or may have a square shape or other polygonal shapes.

[0068] 2-3. Other Embodiment 3: The curved shape of the rail part 30 is not limited to the arc shape of a perfect circle or a circle close to a perfect circle as described in the above embodiment. The arc formed by the rail part 30 may be a part of an elliptical arc or a part of an oval arc. The rail part 30 only needs to be configured in a curved shape so that the movement of the connecting part 50 is not hindered. Further, the rail part 30 is not limited to a semi-circular arc shape. The length of the arc of the rail part 30 may be appropriately determined according to the range of the angle for rotating the tool around the central axis.

[0069] 2-4. Other Embodiment 4: When viewed in the Y direction, the suspension tool 10 may be configured such that the center Ch of the annular holding portion 20 and the center Cr of the virtual circle VC including the arc formed by the rail portion 30 on the outer periphery overlap. Even with this configuration, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to easily rotate the tool to which the suspension tool 10 is attached in the direction around its central axis while being suspended by the string-like member ST.

[0070] 2-5. Other Embodiment 5: The suspension tool 10 may be configured such that when attached to the tool, the holding portion 20 and the rail portion 30 are arranged at the same position in the central axis direction of the tool. Further, the suspension tool 10 may be configured such that when attached to the tool, the holding portion 20 is arranged on the tip side and the rail portion 30 is arranged on the rear end side. Even with these configurations, as in the above-described embodiment, it is possible to easily rotate the tool to which the suspension tool 10 is attached in the direction around its central axis while being suspended by the string-like member ST.

[0071] 2-6. Other Embodiment 6: In the suspension tool 10, the roller 58 of the connecting portion 50 and the convex portion 35 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rail portion 30 may be omitted. Further, the convex portion 35 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rail portion 30 is not limited to the hemispherical shape described in the above embodiment. The convex portion 35 may be configured, for example, in a rib shape.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 10... sling, 20... holding part, 21... first gripping part, 22... second gripping part, 30... rail part, 31... first end, 32... second end, 35... convex part, 40... installation part, 41... first installation member, 42... second installation member, 50... connecting part, 51... upper part, 53... locking hole, 55... lower part, 56... rail holding part, 58... roller, 100... tool, 101... cutting part, 102... punch part, 103... die part, 105... support arm, 110... large diameter part, 120... small diameter part, 130... gripping part, 131... power cord part, Ch, Cr... center, CL... coil, CLa, CLb... coil ends, G... gravity direction, IS... processing direction, ME... mooring tool, ST... cord-like member, VC... virtual circle, WM... wire

Claims

1. A suspension device for suspending and holding a long tool from a string-like member suspended from above an object to be processed, comprising: a holding portion fixed to a side surface of the tool for holding the tool; a curved rail portion provided with a space between the side surface of the tool and arranged along a direction around the central axis of the tool; a bridging portion bridged between each of both ends of the rail portion and the holding portion for connecting the rail portion and the holding portion; a connecting portion attached to the rail portion so as to be movable between the bridging portions at both ends along the rail portion for connecting the rail portion and the string-like member; and the suspension device.

2. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein: the holding portion is constituted by an annular member that surrounds the tool around the central axis and grips the tool; the rail portion is curved in an arc shape; the center of the holding portion is offset in a radial direction of the virtual circle with respect to the center of the virtual circle including the arc formed by the rail portion on its outer periphery.

3. The suspension device according to claim 1, wherein: the holding portion and the rail portion are located at positions offset from each other in a central axis direction of the tool when the tool is held by the holding portion.

4. The suspension device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the connecting portion supports the rail portion from below and includes a rolling body that rolls on an inner peripheral surface of the rail portion.

5. The suspension device according to claim 4, wherein: a convex portion that can be overcome by the rolling of the rolling body is formed in front of an end portion of the rail portion on the inner peripheral surface of the rail portion.

6. A method of using the suspension device according to claim 1, comprising: a step of suspending the tool from the string-like member by the suspension device with the connecting portion moved to the bridging portion on the first end side of the rail portion and processing one end of the object to be processed in the horizontal direction with the tool; a step of rotating the tool around the central axis by moving the connecting portion along the rail portion to the bridging portion on the second end side of the rail portion and processing the other end of the object to be processed in the horizontal direction with the tool in the rotated posture. and the method.

Images