Smart lift sling

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart lift sling comprising at least one filiform body (2) with an upper end (3), for attachment to a lifting mechanism, and a lower end (4), for securing a load, with or without intermediate auxiliary elements such as hoists, hooks or other elements. The smart lift sling comprises sensors or other electronic detection means (5) for detecting the deviation and rotation of the lift sling (1) about the vertical axis (e) and that are built into the lift sling (1); a camera (6) for capturing images that is built into the lift sling (1); and an electronic emitter device (7), built into the lift sling (1), which is linked to said detection means (5) and said camera (6) which, in turn, is connected to an electronic receiver device (8) with a screen, such as a smartphone, computer or electronic tablet, equipped with specific software to display both the image captured by the camera (6) and the information captured by the detection means (5).

Description

[0001] SMART SLING

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, relates to an intelligent sling that provides, for its intended function, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below.

[0005] More particularly, the object of the invention focuses on a sling, specifically a load sling of the type used to lift and transport heavy loads safely, which, being able to be of variable constitution, for example of cable, chain, nylon, rope, or another type, even round, has the advantageous particularity of comprising incorporated in it electronic means for detecting the deviation and rotation of the body of the sling on the vertical axis as well as an image capture camera associated with a transmitting device that can be connected, wirelessly, to a mobile telephone or receiving device with a screen and provided with specific software that allows to see the position of the sling and correct the position of the crane for the correct lifting of the load.

[0006] FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of load lifting devices and apparatus.

[0008] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is the difficulty that often exists in controlling the correct vertical position during load lifting operations to avoid imbalances and unwanted movements during the movement that could cause accidents or complicate the lifting of the load.To this end, and to avoid having to depend on third parties to carry out said control of the position of the crane with respect to the load, the objective of the invention is the development of an intelligent sling, that is to say, the sling itself is equipped with electronic means which, using technology based on inclination, rotation and display sensors, allow the user who handles and carries out the lifting operation to know and control directly and at all times the position of the same in order to be able to correct it if necessary, facilitating and simplifying the execution of the work and, above all, improving safety in a practical and simple way, as it is a system of reduced economic cost and simple manufacture.

[0010] On the other hand, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least on the part of the applicant, the existence of any other smart sling, or any other invention of similar application, that presents technical, structural and configuration characteristics equal or similar to those claimed here, is unknown.

[0011] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The intelligent sling proposed by the invention is therefore configured as an optimal solution to the objectives previously indicated and which, in turn, represents an improvement on the current state of the art, with the characterising details that make it possible and distinguish it being conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this description.

[0013] Specifically, what the invention proposes, as previously indicated, is a sling, specifically a load sling, which, combined with lifting devices such as cranes, hoists and hooks, serve to lift and move heavy loads safely, and can be made of different materials, for example steel cable, metal chain, nylon or polyester straps or synthetic fiber ropes, and can comprise one or more branches or even be round.

[0014] And, based on said already known configuration, the smart sling object of the invention has the particularity of comprising: - electronic means for detecting the deviation and rotation of the sling body on the vertical axis, for example one or more inclination and rotation sensors, incorporated in one or several points of the sling,

[0015] - an image capture camera, also incorporated into the sling, and

[0016] - a transmitting device, also incorporated in the sling, to which said detection means and said camera are linked and which, in turn, is connected, preferably wirelessly, for example via Bluetooth, to a smartphone or other electronic device with a screen, such as a computer or an electronic tablet, which acts as an external receiver and will be conveniently equipped with specific software to display the image captured by the camera and to convert the information captured by the tilt and rotation detection means and display it, for example through graphic and audio representation or not, allowing the correct position of the crane with respect to the load to be seen and controlled.

[0017] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the object of the invention, this descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, with some sheets of drawings, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0019] Figure 1.- Shows a schematic elevation view of an example of the smart sling object of the invention, represented next to an example of a receiving device, showing the parts and elements it comprises, as well as their arrangement.

[0020] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In view of the described figure 1 and only one, and in accordance with the numbering adopted therein, a non-limiting example of the intelligent sling of the invention can be seen, which comprises what is indicated in detail below. Thus, as seen in said figure, the sling (1) of the invention, being of those that comprise, at least, a filiform body (2) with an upper end (3), suitable for fixing to some lifting mechanism, and a lower end (4), suitable for holding the load to be lifted and moved, interposing or not one or more intermediate accessory elements such as hoists, hooks or others, is distinguished by comprising:

[0022] - one or more sensors or other electronic means of detecting (5) the deviation and rotation of the sling (1 ) about the vertical axis (e), incorporated in one or more points of the sling (1 ),

[0023] - an image capture camera (6), also incorporated in the sling (1), and

[0024] - an electronic transmitting device (7), also incorporated in the sling (1), which is linked to said detection means (5) and said camera (6) and which, in turn, is connected to an electronic receiving device (8) with a screen, preferably a smartphone, a computer or an electronic tablet, equipped with specific software to display both the image captured by the camera (6) and the information captured by the detection means (5), in this case by means of graphic and / or sound representation, allowing to see and control if the position of the sling and, consequently, of the crane with respect to the load is correct.

[0025] As a non-limiting example, Figure 1 shows how the electronic receiving device (8) displays on its screen a graphic representation of the verticality axis (e) that the sling (1) must have and a control line (I) that represents the actual position of the sling (1)-

[0026] Preferably, the connection (c) between the transmitting device (7) and the receiving electronic device (8) is a wireless connection, for example via Bluetooth.

[0027] Preferably, the electronic means of detection (5) of the deviation from the vertical axis (e) and the emitting device (7) are incorporated in one or more points of the sling (1), and preferably protected within the same casing (9).

[0028] For its part, preferably, the camera (6) is also fixed to the sling (1) at the same point and in the same casing (9) in which the detection means (5) and the transmitter (7) are integrated, said casing (9) being able to be fixed to the filiform body (2) of the sling itself, between the upper end (3) and the lower end (4).

[0029] In addition, a power supply is incorporated into said casing (9), preferably a battery with the corresponding connection for recharging.

[0030] In any case, optionally, the camera (6) is fixed through a mobile support (10), to be able to orient the image capture at will, and its movement can be controlled remotely through the electronic receiving device (8).

[0031] It is worth mentioning that the filiform body (2) of the sling (1), although represented as a steel cable, can be made of different materials, for example metal chain, nylon or polyester strap, rope or synthetic fibers.

[0032] Furthermore, although preferably the filiform body (2) of the sling (1) comprises a single branch, as in the example shown in figure 1, it is not ruled out that said filiform body (2) may comprise two or more branches joined at its upper end (3) or that it may be round, in which case, preferably, the detection means (5), the camera (6) and the transmitter (7), are incorporated in the upper end (3).

[0033] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the manner of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to explain it further so that any expert in the field may understand its scope and the advantages derived from it, noting that it may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, provided that the fundamental aspects are not modified.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- SMART SLING that, comprising at least a filiform body (2) with an upper end (3), suitable for fixing to a lifting mechanism, and a lower end (4), suitable for holding a load to be lifted and moved, interposing or not one or more intermediate accessory elements such as hoists, hooks or others, is characterized by comprising: - one or more sensors or other electronic means of detecting (5) the deviation and rotation of the sling (1 ) about the vertical axis (e), incorporated in one or more points of the sling (1 ), - an image capture camera (6), also incorporated in the sling (1), and - an electronic transmitting device (7), also incorporated in the sling (1), which is linked to said detection means (5) and said camera (6) and which, in turn, is connected to an electronic receiving device (8) with a screen, preferably a smartphone, a computer or an electronic tablet, equipped with specific software to display both the image captured by the camera (6) and the information captured by the detection means (5), in this case by means of graphic and / or sound representation, allowing to see and control if the position of the sling and, consequently, of the crane with respect to the load is correct. 2.- SMART SLING, according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection (c) between the transmitting device (7) and the receiving electronic device (8) is wireless. 3.- SMART SLING, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electronic means of detection (5) of the deviation and rotation of the vertical axis (e) and the emitting device (7) are incorporated in one or several points of the sling (1) protected within the same casing (9). 4.- SMART SLING, according to claim 3, characterized in that the camera (6) is also fixed to the sling (1) at the same point and in the same housing (9) in which the detection means (5) and the transmitter (7) are integrated. 5.- SMART SLING, according to claim 4, characterized in that the housing (9) is fixed to the filiform body (2) of the sling, between the upper end (3) and the lower end (4). 6.- SMART SLING, according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that an electrical power source is incorporated into the housing (9). 7.- SMART SLING, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the camera (6) is fixed through a mobile support (10), to be able to orient the image capture at will, and with movement controlled remotely through the electronic receiving device (8).

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