WO2002049953A1

WO2002049953A1 - Clutch assembly for tilt-up panels

Info

Publication number: WO2002049953A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/001628
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Sladojevic
Original assignee: Tiltform Design & Development Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2000-12-18
Filing date: 2001-12-18
Publication date: 2002-06-27
Also published as: AUPR213600A0

Abstract

A clutch assembly (10) for releasably connecting a lifting cable to an anchor embedded in a building component (such as panel), the anchor having an anchor head lying within a recess in a surface of the component. The clutch assembly (10) comprises: a body (30) having a portion adapted to lie within the recess partially around the anchor head; a coupling (20), mounted through an aperture within the body (30) for relative pivotal movement; a locking pin (40) for releasably locking the body (30) to the anchor head; and means for releasing the locking pin (40) from a position in which the body (30) is locked to the anchor head. Various improved means for releasing are disclosed. One means for releasing is actuated by pivotal movement of the coupling (20) relative to the body (30) in a first direction followed by pivotal movement of the coupling (20) in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Description

CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FOR TILT-UP PANELS

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to hoisting attachments, otherwise known as clutch assemblies, for erecting tilt-up concrete building components such as panels or walls and other concrete structures.

The following discussion providing some background to the invention is intended to facilitate a better understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of the application.

An example of a known hoisting attachment in the form of a clutch assembly is shown on Australian Patent No. 544832. The hoisting attachment or clutch assemblies of the type disclosed in this patent specification have a number of disadvantages. To release the clutch assembly from the lifting anchor within the panel being lifted, it is necessary to pull on a rope connected to a lever that extends from the end of a locking pin housed within a body of the clutch assembly. This manual operation can be difficult particularly because the rope easily tangles with the crane cable, lifting shackle or hook and /or the clutch assembly itself. Furthermore, in use, when the building component reaches its vertical orientation, the hook or shackle connected to the end of the cable of the crane tends to impact a face of the building component. This impact often causes spalling or other damage to the concrete building component.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the aforesaid problems. SUMMARY OF THE INvΕNTION:

According to a first embodiment of the invention there is provided a clutch assembly for releasably connecting a lifting cable to an anchor embedded in a building component (such as panel), the anchor having an anchor head lying within a recess in a surface of the component, the clutch assembly comprising: a body having a portion adapted to lie within the recess partially around the anchor head, the body defining an aperture at its approximate centre; a coupling, mounted through the aperture for pivotal movement with respect to the body; a locking pin for releasably locking the body to the anchor head; and a means for releasing the locking pin from a position in which the body is locked to the anchor head; wherein the means for releasing comprises two opposed arms connected to the locking pin, each arm adapted to receive a release cable, such that in use the release cables hang either side of the clutch assembly, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to and/or tangling of the release cables.

Preferably the arms extend beyond the width of the coupling.

According to a second embodiment of the invention there is provided a clutch assembly for releasably connecting a lifting cable to an anchor embedded in a building component (such as panel), the anchor having an anchor head lying within a recess in a surface of the component, the clutch assembly comprising: a body having a portion adapted to lie within the recess partially around the anchor head, the body defining an aperture at its approximate centre; a coupling, mounted through the aperture for pivotal movement with respect to the body; a locking pin for releasably locking the body to the anchor head; and means for releasing the locking pin from a position in which the body is locked to the anchor head, wherein the means for releasing is actuated by pivotal movement of the coupling relative to the body in a first direction followed by pivotal movement of the coupling in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Preferably the means for releasing comprises a means for operably connecting the pin to the coupling so that as the coupling is rotated in the second direction, the pin is moved from the position in which the body is locked to the anchor head to a position in which the body is not locked to the anchor head.

Preferably the means for operably connecting the pin to the coupling comprises an actuator and a catch, the actuator mechanically linked to the catch, wherein the actuator is actuated by contact and subsequent displacement by the coupling as it rotates in the first direction.

Preferably the means for operably connecting the pin to the coupling comprises a catch that is self -engaging.

In one preferred arrangement the catch is pivotally movable with respect to the pin from a retracted position, over which the coupling is free to pivot with respect to the body, to an extended position in which a portion of the catch extends radially into the path of the coupling. The catch is arranged and positioned such that it deflects out of the path of the coupling during pivotal movement of the coupling relative to the body in the first direction but remains in the path of the coupling during pivotal movement of the coupling in the second direction.

According to a third embodiment of the invention there is provided a clutch assembly for releasably connecting a lifting cable to an anchor embedded in a building component (such as panel), the anchor having an anchor head lying within a recess in a surface of the component, the clutch assembly comprising: a body having a portion adapted to lie within the recess partially around the anchor bar, the body defining an aperture at its approximate centre; a locking pin mounted to the body for releasably locking the body to the anchor head; and a coupling, mounted through the aperture for pivotal movement with respect to the body, the coupling having an eyelet for receiving a shackle or hook, characterised in that, when the building component is lifted into a vertical position by the clutch assembly, the eyelet is orientated such that the shackle or hook will tend to an orientation substantially parallel to the surface of the building component, thereby minimising the possibility of damage to the building component by the shackle or hook.

Preferably the coupling and body are mutually shaped and arranged to avoid point contact of the coupling with an erected panel.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in some further detail with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures. This embodiment is illustrative and is not meant to be restrictive of the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPΗON OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INNENΗON Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying figures which;

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a clutch assembly according to a first embodiment of a first aspect of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a sectional side view of the clutch assembly of Fig. 1 engaged with a lifting anchor embedded in a cast concrete panel. Fig. 3 shows a sectional side view similar to that of Fig. 2, but with the panel lifted into a vertical position using the clutch assembly.

Fig. 3a shows a clutch assembly with an alternative coupling arrangement to that shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 shows a front view of the arrangement of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a clutch assembly according to a first embodiment of a second aspect of the invention.

Fig. 6 shows a side view of the clutch assembly of Fig. 5 shown in the position it adopts in the final stage of lifting a tilt-up panel (as shown in Fig. 3).

Fig. 7 shows a side view of the clutch assembly of Fig. 5 shown in the position it adopts after the position shown in Fig. 6 and as the tension in the lifting cable (not shown) is released.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the clutch assembly in a position shown in Fig.7.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a clutch assembly according to a second embodiment of a second aspect of the invention.

Fig. 10 shows a side view of the clutch assembly of Fig. 9 shown in its position connected to a longitudinal concrete panel just before lifting.

Fig. 11 shows a side view of the clutch assembly of Fig. 9 shown in the position it adopts near the final stage of lifting a tilt-up panel.

Fig. 12 shows a side view of the clutch assembly of Fig. 9 as the tension in the lifting cable (not shown) is released.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a clutch assembly according to a third embodiment of a second aspect of the invention.

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the clutch assembly of Fig. 13 shown from behind.

Figs. 15 & 16 show an exploded view of a component of a clutch assembly shown in Figs. 13 & 14. Figs. 17, 18 & 19 show a side view, perspective view and top view of the clutch assembly of Figs. 13 & 14 as its coupling is being rotated upwards.

Figs. 20, 21 & 22 are similar to those of Figs. 18, 17 & 19 respectively showing the coupling 20 being lowered.

Figs. 23 & 24 show the coupling of Figs. 13 & 14 attached to a concrete panel or slab ready for lifting ("tilting up").

Fig. 25 shows the arrangement of Figs. 23 & 24 with the panel lifted to its vertical position ("tilted up").

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of a coupling of a clutch assembly according to a first embodiment of a third aspect of the invention.

Figs. 27 and 28 are side and front view respectively of the coupling of Fig. 13.

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a coupling of a clutch assembly according to a second embodiment of a third aspect of the invention.

Figs. 30 to 32 are end, side and front views respectively of the coupling of Fig. 29.

Fig. 33 shows a perspective view of a clutch assembly according to a fourth embodiment of a second aspect of the invention.

Fig. 34 shows a sectional side view of the clutch assembly of Fig 33. engaged with a lifting anchor embedded in a cast concrete panel in a raised or "tilted up" position.

Fig. 35 shows a sectional view similar to that of Fig. 34, but with the clutch coupling being lowered.

Referring to Fig. 1, a clutch assembly 10 according to an embodiment of a first aspect of the invention is shown having a body 30 and a coupling 20. The body 30 is shaped to partially fit within a recess formed in a concrete panel 8. The body 30 has a recess which receives the upper end of a lifting anchor 9 embedded within the concrete panel 8. Body 30 houses a pin 40 that, in a position shown in Fig. 1, locks the body to the anchor head 9. Coupling 20 has a loop at its proximal end which passes through an aperture 32 (as shown in Fig. 2) within body 30 thereby connecting the two components in such a way that relative rotation is possible. At the distal end of the coupling 20 an eyelet 25 is provided to allow connection of the clutch assembly 10 to a shackle or hook on the end of a crane cable.

The clutch assembly shown in Figs. 1 to 4 allows a concrete panel 8 to be lifted from a horizontal position (in which it may have been cast) to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 3 quickly, easily and safely. Once the concrete panel 8 is in its raised vertical condition the crane connected to the clutch assembly 10 through eyelet 25 of

connector 20 is lowered allowing coupling 20 to descend from the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In order to release the body 30 of the clutch assembly 10 from the panel 8 it is necessary for the locking pin 40 to be retracted. This is achieved by pulling on ropes or cables 48 connected to arms 44 as is most clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. A provision of spreader arms 42 in conjunction with two ropes or cables 48 greatly improves the ease of use of the clutch assembly. More specifically the fact that the ropes are horizontally displaced from the end of the locking pin greatly reduces the chance of them becoming tangled with either the coupling 20 or the crane cable or its associated hook or shackle connected through eyelet 25.

A first embodiment of a second aspect of the invention is shown is perspective view in Fig. 5. With the second aspect of the invention there is provided a means for releasing the locking pin from which the body is locked to the anchor head. This means for releasing is actuated by pivotal movement of the coupling 20 in a first direction indicated by arrow 29 followed by a pivotal movement of the coupling 20 in an opposite direction. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 to 8 the means for releasing the locking pin is a combination of an actuator in the form of a bar 53 and two catches in the form of U shaped clamps 51. As the coupling 20 rotates upwards in the direction shown by arrow 29 it engages actuator bar 53 which in turn causes U shaped clamps 51 to wrap around and engage the proximal end of coupling 20 so that when the coupling 20 is lowered downwards (in the opposite direction to that shown by arrow 29) locking pin 40 is rotated so as to free body 30 from the head of the lifting anchor 9. This is clearly illustrated by the two progressive positions shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 shows the coupling as it would be after lifting a tilt-up panel 8 into a vertical position. As the crane is lowered the coupling 20 falls back in the opposite direction to that shown by arrow 29 dragging with it the pin 40 into the release position shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

A second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention is shown in Figs. 9 to 12. This embodiment of the invention differs to that of the first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention in that the means 60 for operably connecting the pin 40 to the coupling 20 comprises an actuator trigger 63 (instead of a actuator bar 53) joined to a hook 61 (instead of a U shaped clamp). The means 60 is pivotally mounted for rotation about an axis coaxial with the longitudinal axis of arms 42 as shown in Fig. 9. However, the arms 42, as shown in Fig. 9, may be deleted.

Referring to Fig. 11, the clutch assembly is shown in the position it adopts in the final stage of lifting a panel into a vertical position. The direction of movement of coupling 20 relative to panel 8 (not shown) is indicated by arrow 29. Surface 68 (on ring 29 or ring insert 28) engages trigger 63 to cause hook 61 to move upwards into engagement with surface 64. After the panel 8 (not shown) has been raised into its final vertical position (similar to the position shown in Fig. 3) the crane cable supporting coupling 20 is lowered allowing the coupling 20 to fall under gravity into the position shown in Fig. 12. As coupling 20 falls hook 61 is moved by its engagement with surface 64 to extract pin 40 from engagement with lifting anchor 9 thereby allowing the clutch assembly 10 to separate from the lifting anchor 9 and hence panel 8. This embodiment of the invention will function irrespective of whether the coupling 20 is in line with the body 30 (as shown in Figs. 9 to 12) or inclined sideways relative to the body 30.

A third embodiment of the second aspect of the invention is shown in Figs. 13 to 24. This embodiment of the invention differs to that of the second embodiment of the second aspect of the invention in that means 60 for operatively connecting pin 40 to the coupling 20 does not have an actuator trigger 63. Instead hook (or catch) 61 is rotatably mounted about an axle 65. A bias means in the form of a leaf spring 66, is provided to bias hook 61 into the position shown on Figs. 13 &14.

Figs. 15 & 16 show the pin 40, hook support 43 and 42 and hook or latch 61 in exploded views. Also shown is the leaf spring 66 that is attached to the hook support 43 and is positioned to bias the hook or catch 61 into a radially extended position.

Figs. 23 & 24 show the clutch assembly of the third embodiment of the invention of a second aspect of the invention in the position adopted when connected to a horizontal slab or panel 8 with tension applied to the coupling 20 by a crane or other lifting means.

Figs. 17 to 19 show the clutch assembly 10 in a position during the lifting process where the panel is part way tilted up. In this Figure it can be seen that the ring 29 or ring eyelet 28 engages hook 61 to depress it against a bias means (not shown) in Figs. 17 to 19 to allow the coupling 20 to ride over the pin 61.

Fig. 25 shows the clutch assembly locked to a panel 8 in its vertical raised position. Figs. 20 to 22 show the position of clutch assembly as it is released from a vertical panel 8. In this figure it can be seen that hook 61 has been engaged by surface 64 to drag pin 40 out of engagement with lifting anchor 9.

Figs. 33 to 34 show a fourth embodiment of a second aspect of the invention. With this embodiment, disengagement guides 70 extend from either side of arm 42. The disengagement guides 70 have slots 72. Pins protrude from either side of coupling 20 into respective slots 72 as shown in Fig. 33. A pin joint 46 is provided on the end of arms 42 to enable the disengagement guide 70 to rotate with respect to the arms 42.

Fig. 34 shows the clutch assembly 10 in its uppermost position as it would be just after lifting a panel 8 into a vertical position. Fig. 35 shows the clutch assembly 10 as it is being lowered down from the position shown in Fig. 34. In Fig. 35 coupling 20 is shown in the position in which pins 24 engage the end of the end 74 of slotted hole 72 thereby transferring movement from the coupling to the pin 40 through arms 42. In this way the pin 40 is automatically retracted from the body 30 to enable release of the clutch assembly 10 from the anchor 9 embedded within concrete panel 8.

Referring to Figs. 26 to 28, a coupling of a clutch assembly according to a first embodiment of a third aspect of the invention is shown. The eyelet 25 is orientated such that a shackle or hook connected through the eyelet to the cable of a crane will tend to orientate substantially parallel to the plane in which ring 29 lies. In the

assembled clutch assembly as shown in Fig. 9 ring 29 passes through aperture 32. As a result of the relative orientation of the eyelet 25 and the ring 29, a shackle or hook connected to the cable of the crane will tend to lie parallel to the surface of the building component when the clutch assembly is in use. This is most clearly shown in Fig. 3 (shackle or hook not shown).

In a further aspect of a first embodiment of a third aspect of the invention, the coupling 20 and body 30 are mutually shaped and arranged to avoid point contact with a panel 8 in a position shown in Fig. 3 (panel fully vertically erected). This figure shows a flat edge 22 of coupling 20 against the surface of panel 8. The large contact area insures that the possibility of spalling or other damage to the concrete panel is minimised. Fig. 3a shows and alternative arrangement in which point contact does occur, but occurs close to the anchor point. Damage in this area is less important as the anchor point hidden and the area around the anchor point is usually prepared after the concrete panel has been erected.

A further feature of the coupling 20 shown in Figs. 26 to 28 (and in use in Fig. 3) is that the eyelet is shaped to ensure that in its final in use position, a shackle or hook connected to the eyelet, is close to the surface of the panel (contrast Fig. 3 to Fig. 3a).

An alternative embodiment of the coupling of Figs. 26 to 28 is shown in Figs. 30 to 32.

While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments in order to facilitate better understanding of the invention, it should be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A clutch assembly for releasably connecting a lifting cable to an anchor embedded in a building component (such as panel), the anchor having an anchor head lying within a recess in a surface of the component, the clutch assembly comprising: a body having a portion adapted to lie within the recess partially around the anchor head, the body defining an aperture at its approximate centre; a coupling, mounted through the aperture for pivotal movement with respect to the body; a locking pin for releasably locking the body to the anchor head; and means for releasing the locking pin from a position in which the body is locked to the anchor head, wherein the means for releasing is actuated by pivotal movement of the coupling relative to the body in a first direction followed by pivotal movement of the coupling in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. A clutch assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for releasing comprises a means for operably connecting the pin to the coupling so that as the coupling is rotated in the second direction, the pin is moved from the position in which the body is locked to the anchor head to a position in which the body is not locked to the anchor head.

3. A clutch assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for operably connecting the pin to the coupling comprises an actuator and a catch, the actuator mechanically linked to the catch, wherein the actuator is actuated by contact and subsequent displacement by the coupling as it rotates in the first direction.

4. A clutch assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the means for operably connecting the pin to the coupling comprises a catch that is self-engaging.

5. A clutch assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the catch is pivotally movable with respect to the pin from a retracted position, over which the coupling is free to pivot with respect to the body, to an extended position in which a portion of the catch extends radially into the path of the coupling.

6. A clutch assembly as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a spring that biases the catch towards the extended position.

7. A clutch assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the catch is arranged and positioned such that it deflects out of the path of the coupling during pivotal movement of the coupling relative to the body in the first direction but remains in the path of the coupling during pivotal movement of the coupling in the second direction.

8. A clutch assembly as claimed in either of claims 6 or 7 wherein the spring is a leaf spring.

9. A clutch assembly for releasably connecting a lifting cable to an anchor embedded in a building component (such as panel), the anchor having an anchor head lying within a recess in a surface of the component, the clutch assembly comprising: a body having a portion adapted to lie within the recess partially around the anchor bar, the body defining an aperture at its approximate centre; a locking pin mounted to the body for releasably locking the body to the anchor head; and a coupling, mounted through the aperture for pivotal movement with respect to the body, the coupling having an eyelet for receiving a shackle or hook, characterised in that, when the building component is lifted into a vertical position by the clutch assembly, the eyelet is orientated such that the shackle or hook will tend to an orientation substantially parallel to the surface of the building component, thereby minimising the possibility of damage to the building component by the shackle or hook.

10. A clutch assembly for releasably connecting a lifting cable to an anchor embedded in a building component (such as panel), the anchor having an anchor head lying within a recess in a surface of the component, the clutch assembly comprising: a body having a portion adapted to lie within the recess partially around the anchor head, the body defining an aperture at its approximate centre; a coupling, mounted through the aperture for pivotal movement with respect to the body; a locking pin for releasably locking the body to the anchor head; and a means for releasing the locking pin from a position in which the body is locked to the anchor head; wherein the means for releasing comprises two opposed arms connected to the locking pin, each arm adapted to receive a release cable, such that in use the release cables hang either side of the clutch assembly, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to and/or tangling of the release cables.

11. A clutch assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the arms extend beyond the width of the coupling.

12. A clutch assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the coupling and body are mutually shaped and arranged to avoid point contact of the coupling with an erected panel.

13. A clutch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 1 to 4.

14. A clutch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 5 to 8.

15. A clutch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 9 to 12.

16. A clutch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 13 to 25.

17. A clutch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 26 to 28.

18. A clutch assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 29 to 32.