Releasable Lifting Link Offset Center of Lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lifting links for concrete panels often damage the panel edges during tilting from horizontal to vertical due to insufficient clearance between the shackle and the panel edge, leading to costly remedial work.
Innovation Solution
A modified lifting link with a hollow toroidal ring design featuring a transverse slot, a curved latch with a radial arm, and a U-shaped slot, which provides increased clearance and prevents accidental disconnection under load by offsetting the center of lift away from the anchor, ensuring the shackle remains clear of the panel edge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lifting link is used to lift concrete panels from horizontal to vertical position, then the panel can be lifted and erected, but the shackle contacts the panel edge causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting link employs an asymmetric geometry where the shackle's center of lift is deliberately offset from the anchor point. This asymmetric design ensures that during the lifting rotation from horizontal to vertical position, the shackle follows a trajectory that maintains clearance from the panel edge, preventing contact damage while still achieving the lifting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a spatial dimension solution by positioning the shackle at a specific radial distance and angular orientation relative to the anchor. This three-dimensional arrangement creates a lifting path that naturally clears the panel edge throughout the rotation, transforming a two-dimensional contact problem into a three-dimensional clearance solution.
2Volume of moving object
If the shackle is positioned closer to the anchor to reduce clearance requirements, then the lifting link becomes more compact, but the shackle may accidentally disconnect under load
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting link structure serves as an intermediary element between the shackle and the anchor. It provides a controlled connection geometry that maintains optimal distance for stability while preventing accidental disconnection through its structural design, which includes features that guide and constrain the shackle's movement and engagement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the shackle is positioned farther from the panel edge to prevent damage, then panel edge clearance is improved, but the lifting link complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting link applies local quality by concentrating the geometric complexity only where needed - in the radial positioning and angular orientation of the shackle relative to the anchor. The rest of the structure remains simple and straightforward, achieving edge clearance through localized geometric features rather than overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting link (101) for anchors embedded in concrete panels is disclosed having a shackle (102) with a recessed cross bridge (151). A part circular latch (114) rotates within a chamber (105) of a hollow toroidal ring (104). The chamber has a circular longitudinal axis (119). The upper portion of the ring is formed into a U-shaped slot (113) through which a handle (115) of the latch (114) rotates. A transverse slot (109) accepts the head of anchor (6). The shackle bears against the exterior surface (103B) of the U-shaped slot (113). The radius of curvature of the exterior surface (103B) has a center which is not coincident with the center of the radius of curvature of the chamber axis (119). The part circular latch (114) extends through more than half a circle. Thus the center of lift (125) of the shackle (102) is worked away from the adjacent surface (10) of the concrete panel, thereby saving the surface (10) from damage during lifting.