Equal-sided angle steel gripping device

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, namely, to provide an equal-leg angle steel gripping device that can lift equal-leg angle steel more easily than the prior art. [Solution] The equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention is a device for gripping an equilateral angle steel arranged so that the flange joint is facing upward, and comprises a link mechanism, a locking claw, and a handle body. The link mechanism consists of two arms connected by pins, the locking claw is connected by pins at the tip of the arm, and the handle body is attached to the upper part of the link mechanism. When the link mechanism is pulled up by holding the handle body, the tips of the two arms approach and contact the equilateral angle steel by clamping it from both sides, and the locking claw rotates inward to securely grip the equilateral angle steel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention of the present application relates to a technique for carrying an equilateral angle steel, and more specifically, to an equilateral angle steel gripping device that can grip an equilateral angle steel by using a link mechanism composed of two arms.

Background Art

[0002] In a power plant, electricity of several thousand to several tens of thousands of volts is generated. However, in order to avoid losses due to electrical resistance, the electricity is transmitted at an ultra-high voltage of about several hundred thousand volts. Then, the voltage is gradually reduced at each substation such as an ultra-high voltage substation, a primary substation, a secondary substation, and a distribution substation, and then supplied to factories and the like. Further, the voltage is reduced by a pole-mounted transformer or the like and supplied to households. In any case, the electricity generated at the power plant is supplied to users via transmission lines and distribution lines, and naturally, a huge amount of transmission lines and the like are wired throughout the country.

[0003] When erecting a high-voltage transmission line with a relatively long span, the transmission line is often supported by a transmission tower. That is, the transmission tower is an extremely important facility for stably supplying power to consumers, and naturally has a robust structure and, in principle, settlement (especially uneven settlement) is not allowed. Therefore, the transmission tower is constructed so as to be supported on a supporting ground where a considerable bearing capacity such as bedrock or compacted sand layer can be expected, and the self-weight of the main body is made as light as possible.

[0004] On the other hand, in order to transmit electricity from a power plant to consumers, it is inevitable to erect transmission lines in mountainous areas. Therefore, many transmission towers have already been installed in mountainous areas, and new construction of transmission towers is also expected in the future. And since it is not uncommon to construct a transmission tower in a place where there is no traffic of people or vehicles, it is desirable to construct a transmission tower using lightweight materials so that transportation to the site is not difficult.

[0005] For the reasons mentioned above, power transmission towers using equilateral angle steel as the main component (hereinafter referred to as "angle towers" for convenience) are sometimes used. Equilateral angle steel is lighter than H-beams, steel pipes, and precast concrete members, making it relatively easy to transport to the site and relatively easy to assemble. Various technologies related to angle towers have been proposed to date, and for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology for replacing the main column members of an angle tower. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-223260 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] When constructing a new angled steel tower, or when repairing or reinforcing one as described in Patent Document 1, a large number of equal-leg angle steels with diverse specifications are used. Therefore, typically, about 10 equal-leg angle steels are delivered bundled together. These bundled equal-leg angle steels are then stacked on wooden timbers or similar materials, meaning they are temporarily stored in a stacked state. At this time, as shown in Figure 9(a), they are sometimes stacked with one flange approximately horizontal, but when many equal-leg angle steels are stacked, the center of gravity of the upper equal-leg angle steels shifts outward (to the right in the figure), which can cause them to collapse. Therefore, when stacking many equal-leg angle steels, they are often stacked so that the part where both flanges are connected (hereinafter referred to as the "flange joint") is at the top, as shown in Figure 9(b).

[0008] Equal-leg angle steel, used as a component in steel towers, has different lengths and flange widths depending on where it is used. Therefore, it is common practice to label each equal-leg angle steel piece with its specifications (such as its intended use). To verify these specifications, the stacked equal-leg angle steel pieces are separated one by one and placed on wooden timbers or similar materials. In other words, the process of lifting each equal-leg angle steel piece and transporting it to its designated location is repeated.

[0009] When equal-leg angle steel is stacked as shown in Figure 9(b), the inclined flanges make it difficult to use general tools for transporting plate-shaped members. Even if such tools are used, the gripping force is weak, and there is a risk of the equal-leg angle steel falling during transport. Conventionally, for example, two workers would lift and transport the equal-leg angle steel directly by hand. As explained earlier, equal-leg angle steel is lightweight, but it is still quite heavy for workers to lift, and getting fingers caught can result in a serious accident. In addition, bending forward when lifting it places a considerable strain on the workers' lower backs.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, namely, to provide an equal-leg angle steel gripping device that can lift equal-leg angle steel more easily than the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention utilizes a link mechanism consisting of two arms, and is based on the idea that a locking claw, which is connected by a pin, is provided at the tip of each arm, and that the equal-leg angle steel is securely locked in place by the inward rotation of this locking claw. This invention is based on an unprecedented concept.

[0012] The equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention is a device for gripping an equilateral angle steel positioned with the flange joint facing upwards, and comprises a link mechanism, locking claws, and a handle body. The link mechanism consists of two arms connected by pins, the locking claws are connected by pins at the tips of the arms, and the handle body is attached to the upper part of the link mechanism (when in use). When the link mechanism is pulled up by holding the handle body, the tips of the two arms approach each other and contact the equilateral angle steel by clamping it from both sides, and the locking claws rotate inward to securely grip the equilateral angle steel.

[0013] The equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention may also be provided with a stopper mechanism at the tip of the arm. This stopper mechanism is a means for restricting the rotation of the locking claw to a predetermined angular range.

[0014] The equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention may also be configured such that the notch into which the flange end of the equilateral angle steel fits is formed into a locking claw.

[0015] The equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention may also be equipped with two or more link mechanisms. In this case, two arms relating to adjacent link mechanisms are pin-connected at their ends, and the gripping body is attached to the uppermost link mechanism (when in use).

[0016] The equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention may further include a columnar operating lever. This operating lever is provided on the link mechanism and is positioned so as to protrude substantially perpendicular (including perpendicular) to the surface consisting of two arms, and so as to be pin-connected to the arms. In this case, the link mechanism can be raised and lowered by gripping the operating lever.

[0017] The equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention may also be configured such that a tapered portion is formed on the locking claw. This tapered portion is a part whose lower surface is inclined so that it becomes thinner towards the inside. In this case, as the link mechanism is lowered, the locking claw descends with the lower surface of the tapered portion in contact with the upper surface of the flange of the equilateral angle steel.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] The equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention has the following advantages. (1) Since the equilateral angle steel can be transported without direct hand contact, it is possible to prevent disasters such as fingertips being pinched. (2) It is configured to sandwich with two arms while utilizing the self-weight of the equilateral angle steel, and it can be transported only by lifting the handle body (grip). As a result, the operator does not need to bend forward, that is, is released from the burden on the waist. (3) If a notch is formed in the locking claw, a part of the equilateral angle steel is engaged by the notch, so that even if the equilateral angle steel is inclined or wet with rainwater or the like, it can be safely transported without slipping.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] A side view schematically showing a situation where two operators lift an equilateral angle steel using the equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention. [Figure 2] A front view showing the equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention. [Figure 3] A side view showing the equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention. [Figure 4] A front view schematically showing a situation where the equilateral angle steel gripping device grips the equilateral angle steel. [Figure 5] (a) is a perspective view showing the locking claw, and (b) is a partial front view showing the locking claw in a state of being pin-connected to the arm. [Figure 6] A partial front view showing a state where a part of the lower end of the equilateral angle steel is fitted into the notch of the locking claw. [Figure 7] A front view showing a situation where the equilateral angle steel gripping device is lowered with the tapered portion of the locking claw in contact with the flange surface of the equilateral angle steel. [Figure 8] (a) is a partial front view schematically showing a rotating bolt inserted through a rotating hole and a groove bolt inserted through a guide groove, and (b) is a partial front view showing a locking claw rotatable with respect to the arm. [Figure 9] (a) shows a side view schematically showing equilateral angle steels stacked with one flange in a substantially horizontal state, and (b) shows a side view schematically showing equilateral angle steels stacked with the flange joint portion upward.

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0020] An example of an embodiment of the equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a situation where two workers lift an equilateral angle steel AN using the equilateral angle steel gripping device 100 of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the equilateral angle steel gripping device 100 of the present invention is particularly effective when lifting an equilateral angle steel AN placed on a square bar ST in a state where the flange joint portion (the portion where both flanges are connected) is upward. Unless otherwise specified, when explaining the direction of the equilateral angle steel gripping device 100, it will be explained in the direction during use as shown in this figure. That is, when explaining "up and down", it is the up and down during use, the direction approaching the equilateral angle steel AN is "inside", and the opposite direction is "outside".

[0022] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the equilateral angle steel gripping device 100 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing the equilateral angle steel gripping device 100 of the present invention. As shown in these figures, the equilateral angle steel gripping device 100 includes a link mechanism 110, a locking claw 120, and a handle body 130, and can further include an operation lever 140.

[0023] The link mechanism 110 constituting the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100 mainly consists of two arms 111, as shown in Figure 2. One arm 111 (hereinafter referred to as the "left arm 111L") and the other arm 111 (hereinafter referred to as the "right arm 111R") are arranged to intersect in an X shape, and the intersection is then pin-connected PJ. Furthermore, the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100 shown in Figure 2 is composed of two upper and lower link mechanisms 110. In this case, the lower end of the left arm 111L related to the upper link mechanism 110 and the upper end of the right arm 111R related to the lower link mechanism 110 are pin-connected PJ, and the lower end of the right arm 111R related to the upper link mechanism 110 and the upper end of the left arm 111L related to the lower link mechanism 110 are pin-connected PJ. Furthermore, the equilateral angle steel gripping device 100 of the present invention can be configured with a two-stage link mechanism 110, or with a single-stage link mechanism 110 or with three or more stages of link mechanisms 110.

[0024] The handle body 130, which constitutes the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100, is a component (so-called handle) for an operator to grasp the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100, and is positioned generally horizontally and supported by the handle frame 131. The lower central part of the handle frame 131 is plate-shaped, and the upper ends of the left arm 111L and the right arm 111R, which are related to the uppermost link mechanism 110, are pin-connected PJ at this plate-shaped part.

[0025] The locking claws 120 that constitute the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100 are members that lock onto the lower end of the equal-leg angle steel AN, which is positioned so that the flange joint is facing upwards. The locking claws 120 are pin-connected PJ at the tips of the left arm 111L and the right arm 111R, which are part of the lowest link mechanism 110. As a result of having the link mechanism 110 and the locking claws 120 being pin-connected PJ at the tips of the arms 111, the equal-leg angle steel AN can be firmly gripped simply by pulling the handle body 130 upwards, as shown in Figure 4. More specifically, when the operator pulls the handle body 130 upwards, the tips of the left arm 111L and the right arm 111R approach each other and contact the equal-leg angle steel AN as if sandwiching it from both sides. As the handle body 130 is further pulled up, the locking claws 120 rotate inward, thereby locking onto the lower end of the equal-leg angle steel AN as if embracing it. Furthermore, as the worker lowers the handle 130 downwards, the locking claws 120 rotate outwards, releasing the lock on the equal-leg angle steel AN. As the handle 130 is lowered further, the tips of the left arm 111L and the right arm 111R separate from the equal-leg angle steel AN, thereby allowing the lifted equal-leg angle steel AN to be placed on the square timber ST.

[0026] Figure 5 shows the locking claw 120, where (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a partial front view of the claw pinned to the arm 111. The locking claw 120 shown in this figure has a "notch 121" formed on its inner wall surface and a "tapered portion 122" formed on its lower surface. Depending on the situation in which the equal-angle steel gripping device 100 is used, a locking claw 120 without the notch 121 or tapered portion 122 can also be used.

[0027] As shown in Figure 6, the notch 121 of the locking claw 120 is a portion cut out so that a part of the lower end of the equal-leg angle steel AN fits into it. Therefore, the shape of the notch 121 when viewed from the front is approximately the same as the tip of the equal-leg angle steel AN, but slightly larger. In this way, by fitting a part of the equal-leg angle steel AN into the notch 121, the equal-leg angle steel AN can be firmly gripped, and once gripped, the equal-leg angle steel AN will not come off the locking claw 120, and even swinging is suppressed.

[0028] The tapered portion 122 of the locking claw 120 is the part where a surface that slopes upward toward the inside (hereinafter simply referred to as the "inclined surface") is formed, as shown in Figure 5. In other words, it is the part where the thickness of the bottom of the locking claw 120 becomes thinner toward the inside. Normally, when lifting an equal-leg angle steel AN using the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100 of the present invention, as shown in Figure 7, the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100 is first lowered until the locking claw 120 is at the height of the lower end of the equal-leg angle steel AN. At this time, it is necessary to spread the tips of the left arm 111L and the right arm 111R, but it is preferable to lower the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100 with the locking claw 120 in contact with the upper flange surface of the equal-leg angle steel AN, as this will cause the tips of the left arm 111L and the right arm 111R to spread naturally. Furthermore, by providing a tapered portion 122 on the locking claw 120, the inclined surface will come into contact with the upper surface of the flange of the equal-leg angle steel AN (indicated by the dashed line in the figure), allowing the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100 to be lowered smoothly along the inclination of the flange without damaging the equal-leg angle steel AN. Therefore, the inclined surface of the tapered portion 122 should be formed in a shape that makes as much contact as possible with the upper surface of the flange of the equal-leg angle steel AN when the equal-leg angle steel gripping device 100 is lowered.

[0029] The locking claw 120 can also have through holes arranged vertically, as shown in Figure 5. The lower through hole (hereinafter referred to as the "rotating bolt hole 123") is for inserting a rotating bolt 125, which will be described later, and threads are engraved on the inner surface of the hole so that they can be screwed into the threads of the rotating bolt 125. On the other hand, the upper through hole (hereinafter referred to as the "grooved bolt hole 124") is for inserting a grooved bolt 126, which will be described later, and threads are engraved on the inner surface of the hole so that they can be screwed into the threads of the grooved bolt 126.

[0030] As described above, the rotating bolt 125 is inserted through the rotating bolt hole 123, with its tip protruding from the rotating bolt hole 123. Then, as shown in Figure 8(a), the portion of the rotating bolt 125 that protrudes from the rotating bolt hole 123 is inserted through the rotating hole 112 formed at the lower end of the arm 111. However, although a part of the rotating bolt 125 is screwed into the rotating bolt hole 123, the protruding portion of the rotating bolt 125 is inserted so as to be freely rotatable within the rotating hole 112. As a result, the locking claw 120 is pin-connected PJ to the lower end of the arm 111, that is, the locking claw 120 is freely rotatable relative to the arm 111 as shown in Figure 8(b). The rotating hole 112 can be formed to penetrate the plate thickness of the arm 111, or it can be formed without penetrating it.

[0031] The locking claw 120 rotates relative to the arm 111, but if rotation is allowed until, for example, the tip of the locking claw 120 points vertically downward, extra work may be required to correct the orientation of the locking claw 120. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a stopper mechanism at the tip of the arm so that the locking claw 120 rotates only within a predetermined angular range. Various conventional technologies can be used as this stopper mechanism. For example, the stopper mechanism shown in Figure 8 utilizes a guide groove 113 provided at the lower end of the arm 111, and restricts the rotation of the locking claw 120 by inserting a part of the groove bolt 126 into the guide groove 113. In other words, when the locking claw 120 rotates around the rotating bolt 125, the groove bolt 126 screwed into the groove bolt hole 124 of the locking claw 120 also rotates, but since the groove bolt 126 can only move within the guide groove 113, the range of rotation of the locking claw 120 is also restricted. Therefore, the grooved bolt 126 is inserted into the grooved bolt hole 124 so that its tip protrudes, and the guide groove 113 is formed in a shape corresponding to the rotational trajectory of the grooved bolt 126. The guide groove 113 can be formed to penetrate the plate thickness of the arm 111, or it can be formed without penetrating it.

[0032] The operating lever 140, which constitutes the equilateral angle steel gripping device 100, is a component for raising and lowering the link mechanism 110 without raising or lowering the handle body 130. As shown in Figure 3, this operating lever 140 is a columnar component, positioned to protrude in a direction substantially perpendicular (including vertical) to the surface formed by the left arm 111L and the right arm 111R, and is provided at the position where the left arm 111L and the right arm 111R are pin-connected PJ. As a result, by raising and lowering the operating lever 140 held by the operator, the link mechanism 110 can be raised and lowered without raising or lowering the handle body 130. [Industrial applicability]

[0033] The equilateral angle steel gripping device of the present invention can be used in various cases where equilateral angle steel is utilized, including the construction of new angle towers, the repair and reinforcement of existing angle towers. Considering that the present invention can prevent accidents such as pinching of workers' fingertips and reduce the burden on workers, it can be said that this invention is not only industrially applicable but also has the potential to make a significant contribution to society. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 100 Equal-sided angle steel gripping device of the present invention 110 Link mechanism (of an equilateral angle steel gripping device) 111 (Link mechanism) Arm 111L (Left arm of linkage mechanism) 111R (Link mechanism) Right arm 112 Rotation hole (of the arm) 113 (Arm) Guide groove 120 (Locking claw of an equal-angle steel gripping device) 121 Notch (of the locking claw) 122 Tapered portion (of the locking claw) 123 Rotating bolt hole (of the locking claw) 124 (Locking claw) groove bolt hole 125 Rotating bolt (for gripping device of equal-angle steel) 126 (Equal-sided angle steel gripping device) Groove bolt 130 (Handle body of an equilateral angle steel gripping device) 131 Handle frame (for an equilateral angle steel gripping device) 140 (Operating lever of the equal-angle steel gripping device) AN Equal-sided angle steel ST lumber

Claims

1. A device for gripping an equal-sided angle steel section, with the flange joint facing upwards, A link mechanism in which two arms are pin-connected, A locking claw is pinned to the tip of the aforementioned arm, It comprises a handle body that is attached to the upper part of the link mechanism when in use, When the link mechanism is pulled up by holding the handle, the tips of the two arms approach each other and contact the equal-sided angle steel by clamping it from both sides, and the locking claws rotate inward to lock the equal-sided angle steel. A gripping device for equilateral angle steel, characterized by the following features.

2. A stopper mechanism is provided at the tip of the arm to restrict the locking claw from rotating within a predetermined angular range. The equilateral angle steel gripping device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a gripping device for equilateral angle steel.

3. The locking claw has a notch formed in which the flange end of the equal-sided angle steel is fitted. The equilateral angle steel gripping device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a gripping device for equilateral angle steel.

4. The link mechanism comprises two or more of the above-mentioned link mechanisms, The two arms relating to the adjacent link mechanism are pin-connected at their respective ends. The handle body is attached to the uppermost part of the link mechanism when in use. The equilateral angle steel gripping device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a gripping device for equilateral angle steel.

5. The link mechanism further includes a columnar operating lever, The operating lever is provided at a position where the two arms are pin-connected to each other, so as to protrude perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the surface formed by the two arms. The link mechanism can be raised and lowered by gripping the aforementioned operating lever. The equilateral angle steel gripping device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a gripping device for equilateral angle steel.

6. The locking claw has a tapered portion formed on its lower surface, which is inclined to become thinner towards the inside. As the link mechanism is lowered, the locking claw descends with the lower surface of the tapered portion in contact with the upper surface of the flange of the equal-sided angle steel. The equilateral angle steel gripping device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a gripping device for equilateral angle steel.

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