Loading devices and methods of loading pipe fusion machines
First Claim
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1. A method of loading a pipe having a central elongate axis into a pipe fusion machine, the method comprising:
- a. positioning a loading device coupled to the pipe fusion machine proximate the pipe, the loading device comprising a front boom having a frame with a plurality of roller elements coupled to the frame, each of the roller elements being configured to rotate about a roller element axis, the loading device further comprising a pair of effector arms positioned on opposing sides of the boom frame, each effector arm having a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end of the effector arm to a distal end of the effector arm, and pivots relative to a longitudinal axis of the boom frame, about a pivot axis at the proximal end of the effector arm, and further comprising a pair of end effectors, wherein one of the end effectors is coupled to the distal end of one of the effector arms, each end effector having an effector axis about which the end effector rotates;
b. positioning the end effectors along opposing sides of the pipe;
c. pivoting the effector arms about one or more fulcrum surfaces of the loading device towards the pipe and into a deployed position, wherein in the deployed position the longitudinal axis of each of the effector arms is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the boom frame, the effector axis of each of the end effectors is transverse to the elongate axis of the pipe, and each of the end effectors cross the central elongate axis of the pipe;
d. contacting the pipe with the end effectors to apply a lifting force to the pipe at a location below the elongate axis; and
e. causing the pipe to traverse the front boom and the roller elements into the pipe fusion machine.
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Abstract
A loading device for lifting an elongated object having an elongate axis includes a frame having a first fulcrum surface and a second fulcrum surface, a first effector arm that pivots about the first fulcrum surface, a second effector arm that pivots about the second fulcrum surface, and an actuator moving the first effector arm and the second effector arm between a retracted position and a deployed position.
36 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of loading a pipe having a central elongate axis into a pipe fusion machine, the method comprising:
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a. positioning a loading device coupled to the pipe fusion machine proximate the pipe, the loading device comprising a front boom having a frame with a plurality of roller elements coupled to the frame, each of the roller elements being configured to rotate about a roller element axis, the loading device further comprising a pair of effector arms positioned on opposing sides of the boom frame, each effector arm having a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end of the effector arm to a distal end of the effector arm, and pivots relative to a longitudinal axis of the boom frame, about a pivot axis at the proximal end of the effector arm, and further comprising a pair of end effectors, wherein one of the end effectors is coupled to the distal end of one of the effector arms, each end effector having an effector axis about which the end effector rotates; b. positioning the end effectors along opposing sides of the pipe; c. pivoting the effector arms about one or more fulcrum surfaces of the loading device towards the pipe and into a deployed position, wherein in the deployed position the longitudinal axis of each of the effector arms is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the boom frame, the effector axis of each of the end effectors is transverse to the elongate axis of the pipe, and each of the end effectors cross the central elongate axis of the pipe; d. contacting the pipe with the end effectors to apply a lifting force to the pipe at a location below the elongate axis; and e. causing the pipe to traverse the front boom and the roller elements into the pipe fusion machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of loading a pipe having a central elongate axis into a pipe fusion machine, the method comprising:
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a. positioning a loading device coupled to the pipe fusion machine proximate the pipe, the loading device comprising a front boom having a frame with a plurality of roller elements coupled to the frame, each of the roller elements being configured to rotate about a roller element axis, the loading device further comprising a plurality of effector arms, each effector arm having a longitudinal axis and pivots relative to a longitudinal axis of the boom frame; b. positioning a first end effector and a second end effector along opposite sides of the pipe, each end effector coupled to one of the effector arms, wherein the end effectors each have an axis about which the end effector rotates; c. pivoting each of the effector arms towards the pipe; d. contacting and traversing the pipe with and over the first end effector and the second end effector, to apply a lifting force to the pipe at a location below the central elongate axis, wherein when the lifting force is applied to the pipe, the effector arms are located in a deployed position, wherein in the deployed position the longitudinal axis of each of the effector arms is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the boom frame, the axes of the end effectors are transverse to the central elongate axis of the pipe, and the first end effector is positioned before the second end effector, relative to the central elongate axis of the pipe, so that the pipe sequentially traverses the first end effector and the second end effector; and e. causing the pipe to traverse the front boom and the roller elements into the pipe fusion machine. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification