Patent Grant
9598270
A lifting bag device may be utilized in time-sensitive or emergency situations to lift a first object from a second object or a surface. Many such situations involve a small clearance between the first object and the second object, in which the lifting bag device must be fitted into. Further, the first object may be of a substantial mass and may need to be lifted a certain height above the second object. Accordingly, aspects of this disclosure relate to an improved lifting bag device.
This Summary provides an introduction to some general concepts relating to this disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosure.
According to one aspect, a lifting system may have a lifting bag configured to expand in a first direction between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration upon being filled with compressed gas. The lifting bag may include a continuous surface including a bottom surface, a lower intermediate surface, an upper intermediate surface, and a top surface. Additionally, the bottom and lower intermediate surfaces may define a lower section and the top and upper intermediate surfaces may define an upper section positioned above the lower section along the first direction. A bottom plate may be coupled to at least part of the bottom surface and a top plate may be coupled to at least part of the top surface. The continuous surface may include a plurality of surface undulations that provide a low height profile of the lifting bag when in the deflated configuration and a higher height profile of the lifting bag when in the inflated configuration.
The plurality of surface undulations, in the deflated configuration, may have a height varying between a first deflated undulation height and a second deflated undulation height. When the lifting bag is in the inflated configuration, the height of any remaining surface undulations may vary between a first inflated undulation height and a second inflated undulation height, and the relative difference between the first and second deflated undulation heights may be greater than the relative difference between the first and second inflated undulation heights. In some examples, when the lifting bag is in the inflated configuration, the continuous surface has a relatively smoother surface as compared to the continuous surface in the deflated configuration. In certain embodiments, the relative difference between the first and second deflated undulation heights is greater than the relative height difference of any remaining features of the surface undulations.
The lower section and the upper section may be substantially spherically shaped when the lifting bag is in the inflated configuration. The lifting bag surface may comprise an aramid-reinforced neoprene. When the lifting bag is in the deflated configuration, the lower intermediate surface may folds over the bottom surface, and the top surface may fold over the upper intermediate surface.
According to another aspect, the top plate may have an interior top plate coupled to an exterior top plate. At least part of the top surface of the lifting bag may be compressed between the exterior and interior top plates. The bottom plate may have an interior bottom plate coupled to an exterior bottom plate. At least part of the bottom surface of the lifting bag may be compressed between the exterior and interior bottom plates. The bottom plate and the top plate may have raised dimple structures and the top plate may remain substantially parallel to the bottom plate as the lifting bag expands between the deflated configuration and the inflated configuration. The lifting bag may further include a middle plate disposed between the lower section and the upper section. The middle plate may be configured to resist an internal pressure exerted by a mass of air within the lower section. The middle plate may include a relief valve configured to provide pressurized gas from the lower section into the upper section upon the lower section reaching an inflated internal pressure value.
According to an aspect, the lifting system may further include a placement device having a base plate structure including one or more slider assemblies on a first side of the plate structure, a second flat side of the plate structure, and a handle connected to the base plate structure. A length of the base plate structure may be at least as long as a diameter of the lifting bag. The base plate structure may further include a frictional surface on, for example, a middle portion of the first side configured to provide friction between the placement device and a surface the placement device is resting on when the lifting bag is in the inflated configuration.
In another aspect, a lifting bag device may have a lower section defining a lower chamber and an upper section defining an upper chamber. The lower section may be configured to expand in a first direction between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration upon being filled with compressed gas. The lower section may include a top surface and a bottom surface. Further, when the lower section is in the deflated configuration, the lower section top and bottom surfaces may include a plurality of surface formations. The height of the lower section surface formations may vary between a first formation height and a second formation height. Additionally, the upper section is configured to expand in a first direction between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration upon being filled with a compressed gas. The upper section may include a top surface and a bottom surface. Further, when the upper section is in the deflated configuration, the upper section top and bottom surfaces may include a plurality of surface formations. The height of the upper section surface formations may vary between the first formation height and the formation second height. Further, the top surface of the lower section may be coupled to the bottom surface of the upper section. The lower section and upper section may have a combined first height and a combined first exterior surface area when each is in the deflated configuration and a combined second height and a combined second exterior surface area when each is in the inflated configuration. The second combined height may exceed the combined first height and the first exterior surface may be substantially equal to the second exterior surface area.
According to yet another aspect, a ratio of the combined second height to the combined first height may be at least 7. The combined first height may be between approximately of 2.5 inches and 5.0 inches, and the combined second height may be approximately 20 inches to 60 inches. The lifting device may include a bottom plate coupled to at least part of the bottom surface of the lower section, and a top plate coupled to at least part of the top surface of the upper section. At least one of the plates may have a relief valve configured to release pressurized gas out of the lifting device if an internal pressure of the lifting device meets or exceeds a maximum pressure. An internal pressure in the lower chamber, the upper chamber, or both, may reach approximately 150 psi when in the inflated configuration. The plurality of surface formations on the lower section and the upper section may include a plurality of undulations. The lifting device may further include a middle plate disposed between the lower chamber and the upper chamber. The middle plate may have a first relief valve configured to provide pressurized air from the lower chamber into the upper chamber upon the lower chamber reaching an inflated internal pressure value, and a second relief valve configured to provide pressurized air from the upper chamber to the lower chamber upon the lower chamber having a lower relative internal pressure than the upper chamber, and the middle plate may otherwise be configured to restrict airflow from passing therethrough. When the lower section and the upper sections are in the deflated configuration, the top section surfaces may fold on top of the bottom section surfaces.
In yet another aspect, a lifting device may have a lifting bag that expands in a first direction between a deflated configuration and an inflated configuration upon being filled with compressed gas. The lifting bag may have a top surface and a bottom surface. A top plate may be coupled to the top surface of the lifting bag and a bottom plate may be coupled to the bottom surface of the lifting bag. Additionally, when the lifting bag is in the deflated configuration, the top and bottom surfaces may have a plurality of undulating arcs between a first edge defining an interior circumference of the lifting bag and a second edge defining an exterior circumference of the lifting bag and, when the lifting bag is in the inflated configuration, the top and bottom surfaces may define the shape of a substantially circular arc between the first edge and the second edge of each surface. The lifting device may have an upper intermediate surface and a lower intermediate surface between the top surface and bottom surface such that the bottom and lower intermediate surfaces define a lower section, and the top and upper intermediate surfaces define an upper section.
The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:
Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different component of one single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale.
In the following description of various examples of lifting device systems and lifting devices of the this disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made from the specifically described structures and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a lifting device or lifting device system including a lifting bag configured to be inflated in order to lift, or otherwise move a first object away from a second object or surface. In particular, the described lifting bag may include a continuous surface. In some examples, the continuous surface includes a bottom surface, a lower intermediate surface, an upper intermediate surface, and a top surface. The bottom and lower intermediate surfaces, in turn, may define a lower section and the top and upper intermediate surfaces may define an upper section. Further, when the lifting bag is in the deflated configuration, the continuous surface may include a plurality of surface undulations or other formations (e.g. shapes of varying heights, wherein the heights may vary within a certain height range) that provide a low height profile of the lifting bag. In some examples, when the lifting bag is in the inflated configuration, the plurality of surface undulations or formations may have a smaller variation or variations in height, as compared to the variation or variations in height in the deflated configuration, and the lifting bag may have an overall higher height profile.
In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
In one implementation, the lifting device 100, otherwise referred to as a lifting bag device or an emergency lifting device, may have a lower section 120 defining a lower chamber and an upper section 140 defining an upper chamber, although in some embodiments the device may comprise a section or sections defining one chamber, or more than two chambers. The lower section 120 and upper section 140 may each be configured to expand substantially along a first direction 108 upon being filled with a compressed gas (e.g. air, oxygen, nitrogen, helium, among others, or a combination of two or more gases). As such,
In one example, the lower section 120 may have a lower intermediate or top surface 120a and a bottom surface 120b and the upper section 140 may have a top surface 140a and an upper intermediate or bottom surface 140b. As depicted in
In one example, the lower section 120 and upper section 140 may comprise a continuous surface that defines a lifting bag 102. The lifting bag 102 may be constructed from an aramid-reinforced neoprene. In one specific example, sidewalls of lifting bag 102 may comprise one layer of an aramid material to reinforce a neoprene material. In other examples, however, the lifting bag 102 may utilize more than one layer of an aramid material to reinforce a neoprene material, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In other example embodiments, one or more layers or other applications (e.g. a partial layer or multiple partial layers, either standing alone or in addition to at least one complete layer) of other reinforcement material(s), e.g., other fiber material(s), may be used in addition to or in place of aramid material. In some example embodiments, other material(s), e.g., other rubber and/or polymer material(s), may be used in addition to or in place of neoprene material.
The lifting bag 102 may be formed initially with dimensions substantially similar to an inflated configuration using a base mold. In one implementation, the surface of the lifting bag 102 includes an aramid fiber sandwiched or wrapped between layers of rubber, where the rubber outside surface may be easily separated from the base mold after initial formation of the layers. Accordingly, the lifting bag 102 may have an even continual weave of aramid and/or other fiber reinforcement within the, e.g. neoprene layers. A continual, non-overlapping aramid-reinforced neoprene layer may enhance a maximum lift provided by the lifting device 100 by strengthening the surface of the lifting bag 102 when in the inflated configuration. When molding the formed structure of lifting bag 102, surface features associated with the molded configuration may be provided by vulcanizing the surface into a different profile than the initially formed profile to achieve a low insertion height (by, e.g. adding undulations to the surface), as described herein, without changing or significantly changing the external surface area of the surface of the bag. This may be done using a vulcanization mold providing a shape corresponding to the desired shape of the deflated configuration of the lifting bag (for example, using an exterior mold and an interior mold with the formed rubber/fiber layers in between). Thus, in the deflated configuration, the lifting bag 102 may have a low insertion profile with a low first height H1, and, in the inflated configuration, the lifting bag 102 may have a second height H2 greater than the first height and a high strength lift capacity.
In one example, as depicted in
The bottom plate 110 and/or the top plate 150 may be formed using a variety of materials, including any of the materials discussed above in reference to the lower section 120 and upper section 140. In one implementation, the bottom plate 110 and/or the top plate 150 may comprise one or more metal or alloy elements, including but not limited to a high strength, lightweight aluminum, stainless steel or steel.
The lifting device 100 may be expanded from the deflated configuration depicted in
In one example, the inlet 128 may comprise a structure constructed from one or more metals or alloys. In one example, the inlet 128 may comprise a brass structure. In other examples, the inlet 128 may be constructed from a steel or an aluminum (or alloys thereof), among others. In one implementation, the inlet 128 may comprise a bore configured to receive one or more standardized coupling sizes, and in particular may have a portion of an axial length with a threaded sidewall. As such, the bore, and the threaded sidewall may comprise any diameter and/or thread size known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one implementation, the inlet 128 may be configured to receive standardized couplings configured to handle compressed gas (e.g. compressed air). In one example, the inlet 128 may be configured to receive a threaded nipple device (e.g. air hose nipple). In some examples, the inlet may comprise one or more projections that extend in a radial direction relative to the to the inlet, which may rest against an internal surface of the bag or device to help resist an internal pressure from within the bag or device so the inlet remains in place.
The lower section 120 and upper section 140 may expand in the first direction 108, between a deflated configuration, as depicted in
The lifting device 100 may be configured to expand to a maximum lifting height, i.e. the second height H2, associated with an inflated configuration. In one implementation, the maximum lifting height may be reached when an internal pressure in the lower section 120 and the upper section 140 each reach approximately 150 psi (approximately 10.3 bar). In another implementation, the internal pressure in the lower section 120 and the upper section 140 may be at least 140 psi (approximately 9.7 bar) or in a range between 140 psi and 150 psi when the maximum lifting height is reached. In one example, the lifting height may range from approximately the first height H1, when the lower section 120 and upper section 140 are each in the deflated configuration to the second height H2, when the lower section 120 and the upper section 140 are each in the inflated configuration. In another implementation, the lifting device 100 may be configured to expand to different heights, e.g., at various intervals between the first height H1 and the second height H2, without departing from the scope of these disclosures.
In one implementation, when in the inflated configuration, lower section 120 may have a first geometry (e.g. a substantially spherical shape, as depicted in
In one implementation, the lower section 120 and/or the upper section 140 may each have a substantially spherical shape when in the inflated configuration and a substantially circular disc shape when in the deflated configuration. In particular, the lower section 120 and/or the upper section 140 may each have a length, a width, and a thickness when in a deflated configuration. In one implementation, the length may be approximately equal to the width. However, in another implementation, the length may not be equal to the width and such that device 100 has, e.g., a substantially elliptical shape when in a deflated configuration.
In one example, a height to which the lower section 120 and the upper section 140 may expand to an inflated configuration (e.g. along the first direction 108 to height H2), may depend upon the size of the lower section 120 and/or the upper section 140 (e.g. length and width, amount of surface area). In one example, the length of each section may range from approximately 6 inches (approximately 152 mm) to approximately 37 inches (approximately 939 mm). Further, the width may range from approximately 6 inches (approximately 152 mm) to approximately 37 inches (approximately 939 mm). In yet another implementation, the length and width may be embodied with any dimensional values below 6 inches, or above 37 inches, without departing from the scope of these disclosures.
The expanded configuration of the lower section 120 and/or the upper section 140, as depicted in
In one implementation, the lifting device 100 may be configured to lift a mass ranging from up to approximately 1.5 tons (approximately 1360 kg). In another implementation, the lifting device 100 may be configured to lift a mass ranging from approximately 1.5 tons to approximately 90 tons (approximately 81,646 kg). In some embodiments, the lifting device 100 may be configured to lift a mass ranging from approximately 1.5 tons to approximately 31 tons, in certain embodiments from approximately 1.5 tons to approximately 60 tons, and in some examples from approximately 1.5 tons to approximately 90 tons. In certain embodiments, the lifting device 100 may be configured to lift a mass ranging from approximately 25 tons to approximately 90 tons, in certain embodiments from approximately 40 tons to approximately 90 tons, and in some examples from approximately 70 to approximately 90 tons. However, the lifting device 100 may be configured to lift a mass below 1.5 tons, or above 90 tons, without departing from the scope of these disclosures.
In one implementation, the lifting device 100 may include a marking 105 to indicate a center of the lifting device 100. In one example, and as schematically depicted
The top surface 120a and the bottom surface 120b of the lower section 120 and top surface 140a and the bottom surface 140b of the upper section 140 may each be substantially parallel when the lifting bag is in a deflated configuration, as depicted
When in the deflated configuration, as depicted in
Accordingly, the surface formations 160 (for example, undulations, arcs, or a series of geometric features of varying heights (such as repeating triangular, or trapezoidal features)) may provide a low height profile in the deflated configuration, as they allow additional surface area to be contained within a smaller height range, and a substantially higher height profile and high lifting capability in the inflated configuration, as this additional surface area allows, e.g. a larger inflated chamber.
Similarly, the upper section bottom surface 140b includes a plurality of peaks 160h, 160j, and 1601 and a plurality of valleys 160i, 160k, and 160m. As depicted in
As illustrated in
wherein, when the lifting bag is in the inflated configuration, the continuous surface has a relatively smoother surface as compared to the continuous surface in the deflated configuration, and wherein the relative difference between the first and second deflated undulation heights is greater than the relative height difference of any remaining features of the surface undulations, and wherein the lifting bag has a higher height profile in the inflated configuration.
Again turning to
The lifting device 100 may have a middle plate 130 disposed between the lower section 120 and the upper section 140. In one example, middle plate 130 may be affixed into place after the mold process using, e.g. a glue. In another example, middle plate 130 may be molded in place during the mold process. Middle plate 130 may have a rubber seal overmolded onto its surface or a portion of its surface (e.g. an exterior diameter), for example by overmolding a rubber ring or seal onto a tapered surface of the middle plate 130. In one implementation, middle plate 130 may be configured to resist an internal pressure exerted by a mass of air within the lower section 120. The middle plate 130 may include an upper middle plate 138 which is coupled to a lower middle plate 137. In some examples, the middle plate may be entirely configured to restrict airflow from passing therethrough. In certain of these embodiments, the lifting device comprises at least two external air inlets for filling of each chamber.
In other examples, the middle plate 130 may include first relief valve 132 to provide pressurized gas from the lower section 120 into the upper section 140 upon the lower section 120 reaching an inflated internal pressure value. In some examples, the valve provides pressurized gas upon the lower section reaching a pressure of approximately 20 psi or more. In other examples, it provides gas upon the lower section reaching a pressure of approximately 75 psi or more, or approximately 140 psi or more, or approximately 150 psi. In another example, the middle plate 130 may have a first relief valve 132 to provide pressurized air from the lower section 120 into the upper section 140 upon the lower section 120 reaching an inflated internal pressure value, and a second relief valve 134 to provide pressurized air from the upper section 140 to the lower section 120 upon the lower section 120 having a lower relative internal pressure than the upper section 140. Besides the first relief valve 132 and the second relief valve 134, the middle plate 130 may otherwise be configured to restrict airflow from passing therethrough. The middle plate 130 may form separate internal chambers, e.g., the lower section 120 and upper section 140. Accordingly, lower section 120 may first inflate to the inflated configuration. Once the lower section 120 has reached an internal pressure associated with the inflated configuration, first relief valve 132 opens to provide pressurized air to the upper section 140. Upon release, the second relief valve 134 releases airs from both sections at the same time.
In an example, the bottom plate 100 may have a relief valve 112 and/or the top plate 150 may have a relief valve 152 to release pressurized gas out of the lifting device 100 if an internal pressure of the lifting device 100 meets or exceeds a maximum pressure. In one example, relief valves 112, 132, 134 and 152 may each be bolted in their respective end plates. In another example, relief valve 112 may be provided on the bottom interior plate 116 and relief valve 152 may be provided on top interior plate 156. Top plate 150 and bottom plate 110 may each comprise solid surfaces oriented towards the internal pressure such that the force of the internal pressure pushes entirely on the interior plates rather than fastening devices between the interior and exterior plates (e.g. the fasteners are screws that extend into the plate, but not entirely though it to reach the interior side of the plate).
In one example, the lower section 120 and/or the upper section 140 may be configured to expand substantially along direction 108 (i.e. along the direction of the arrow 108, or along the associated negative direction of arrow 108 (180° opposite direction to arrow 108)). In one implementation, as the lower section 120 is expanded from a deflated configuration, as depicted in
In one example, a lifting system may comprise a lifting device 100 and a placement device 200. As shown in
A length L of the base plate structure 201 may be at least as long as a diameter D of the lifting device 100. Accordingly, the base plate structure 201 may have a larger cross sectional area than a cross sectional area of lifting device 100, thus providing greater stability to the lifting device 100 when in the inflated configuration. In an example as depicted in
In one example, the placement device 200 may be configured to allow a user to position the lifting device 100 into place for lifting an object while maintaining a certain distance between a user and the object to be raised. As such, the placement device 200 may include a handle 260, coupled to a portion of the placement device, e.g., proximate to a transport assembly 240 as depicted in
When the handle 260 is not in use, it may be tied or coupled to a side or other portion of the placement device to keep the handle in place. For example, as depicted in
In one example, lift system may include a gas source. In one implementation, gas source may be an air source and may be embodied with any materials and/or dimensions configured to store pressurized air, e.g., a pressurized canister of air. In another implementation, the gas source may be configured to store pressurized oxygen, nitrogen, helium, or another gas that may be utilized to inflate a lifting device 100. A pressure regulator may be utilized, and the pressure regulator may comprise a mechanism configured to reduce a high internal gas pressure within the gas source down to a working pressure that may be utilized to inflate a lifting device 100. Accordingly, the pressure regulator may be embodied with any specific pressure regulator designs/mechanisms, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. An interconnecting hose may be used to deliver pressurized gas between a pressure regulator and a controller mechanism. As such, the interconnecting hose may comprise any length or inner/outer diameters configured to handle a pressurized gas stored within source. Controller mechanism may comprise one or more manually operated controls as well as one or more output meters (e.g. pressure meters) configured to allow a user to manually control flow of gas into, or out from the lifting device 100. Additionally, a safety valve, e.g., a pressure relief valve, may be included to keep the lifting device 100 in an inflated configuration (e.g. the inflated configuration depicted in
The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160355385 A1 | Dec 2016 | US |
