Control and guiding device for manually operating a handling unit, and modular construction kit for making such devices of different configuration

• US 6,592,321 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH (Konecranes Oyj)
• Original Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH (Konecranes Oyj)
• Inventors: Bönker, Thomas, Lichtenvort, Uwe, Gabriel, Klaus-Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Bratlie, Steven A.
• Application Number:
  US09/920,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20020018708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 414/626, 414/618, 901/31, 212/332, 212/334, 212/285
• US Class Current: 414/626
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/56 Arrangements of handles or pedals
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 3/18 Power-operated hoists
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/068 with switches mounted on a handlebar, e.g. for motorcycles, fork lift trucks, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/022 with opto-electronic switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/026 Application dead man switch: power must be interrupted on release of operating member

Abstract

A device for manually maneuvering a handling unit, includes a mounting structure for attachment to a handling unit which is operated through actuation of a control mechanism connected to the mounting structure. A handle frame is connectable to the mounting structure and includes a cross member and a pair of elongate grip elements detachably coupled to the axial ends of the cross member which is releasably attached to the mounting structure. The cross member and the grip elements can be selected from a plurality of cross members and grip elements of varying lengths to thereby establish a construction kit that allows construction of handle frames of varying configuration.

Claims

1. A device for manually maneuvering a handling unit, comprising:

a mounting structure configured for attachment to a handling unit;

a control mechanism connected to the mounting structure and including keys, actuated from outside, for activating a movement of the handling unit; and

a handle frame connectable to the mounting structure and configured to allow an operator to actuate at least one of the keys with a thumb,

wherein the handle frame includes a cross member having opposite axial ends, a pair of elongate grip elements, one of the grip elements extending transversely to the cross member and having one end detachably connected to one of the axial ends, and the other of the grip elements extending transversely to the cross member and having one end detachably connected to other one of the axial ends, and fastening means for releasably attaching the cross member to the mounting structure,

wherein the cross member and the grip elements are selected from a plurality of cross members and grip elements of varying lengths to thereby establish a construction kit to allow construction of the handle frame with a desired configuration,

wherein the fastening means includes a fastener configured to allow displacement of the cross member in axial direction and thereby effect a positional adjustment of the grip elements with respect to the keys, before securely fixing the cross member to the mounting structure.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the mounting structure is made of a profiled hollow section having open axial ends and an open long side which defines a backside of the mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure includes a lid configured to close the open long side.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the lid is a metal strip.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is integrated in the mounting structure.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the control mechanism is part of a satellite control unit slideably fastened to the mounting structure for displacement in transverse and longitudinal directions with respect to the mounting structure and having keys for activating operating features of the handling unit.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle frame has a second said cross member for interconnecting the grip elements at their other ends, and second said fastening means for releasably attaching the second cross member to the mounting structure.

7. The device of claim 1, and further comprising a second said mounting structure, said two mounting structures arranged in parallel relationship, wherein the cross member is releasably secured to the two mounting structures.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the one grip element is releasably secured with its other end to one of the mounting structures, and the other grip element is releasably secured with its other end to the other one of the mounting structures.

9. A device for manually maneuvering a handling unit, comprising:

at least two mounting structures arranged in side-by-side parallel disposition and configured for attachment to a handling unit, each of the mounting structures having incorporated therein a control mechanism which includes keys, actuated from outside, for activating a movement of the handling unit;

a closed planar handle frame connectable to the mounting structures and configured to allow an operator to actuate at least one of the keys with a thumb, wherein the handle frame includes a substantially horizontal first cross member having opposite axial ends, a pair of elongate grip elements in parallel relationship, one of the grip elements extending transversely to the first cross member and having one end detachably connected to one of the axial ends, and the other of the grip elements extending transversely to the first cross member and having one end detachably connected to other one of the axial ends, and a second cross member in parallel relationship to the first cross member and having axial ends, with one of the grip elements detachably connected with its other end to one of the axial ends of the second cross member, and the other of the grip elements detachably connected with its other end to other one of the axial ends of the second cross member; and

connectors for detachably mounting the grip elements to the first and second cross members, each of the connectors having at least one protrusion for insertion in a complementary receptacle of the mounting structures, wherein the protrusion of one of the connectors projects in a same direction as the protrusion of each of the other connectors and extends in parallel relationship to the protrusion of each of the other connectors,

wherein the cross members, the grip elements, the mounting structures and the connectors are selected from a plurality of cross members, grip elements, mounting structures and connectors of varying lengths to thereby establish a construction kit to allow construction of the handle frame with a desired configuration.

10. A modular construction kit for making a device for manually maneuvering a handling unit, comprising:

a plurality of mounting structures of varying configuration and configured for attachment to a handling unit, whereby some of the mounting structures have incorporated therein a control mechanism for activating a movement of the handling unit, and some of the mounting structures are devoid of a control mechanism;

a plurality of cross members of varying configuration;

a plurality of elongate grip elements of varying configuration;

a plurality of connectors of varying configuration for connecting a one of the cross members with two of the grip elements to thereby construct a handle frame of desired configuration; and

a plurality of retainers configured for application with the cross members and releasably attaching a selected one of the cross members to a selected one of the mounting structures, wherein each of the retainers is configured to allow displacement of the selected cross member in axial direction and thereby effect a positional adjustment of the grip elements with respect to the keys, before securely fixing the cross member to the mounting structure.

11. The kit of claim 10, wherein each of the mounting structures is made of a hollow section having open axial ends and an open long side which defines a backside of the mounting structure, wherein the mounting structure includes a lid configured to close the open long side.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the lid is a metal strip.

13. The kit of claim 10, and further comprising a plurality of secondary control units configured for attachment to the mounting structures as to be displaceable in transverse and longitudinal directions, each said control unit provided for activating operating features of the handling unit.

14. The kit of claim 10, wherein each of the connectors has a substantially L-shaped configuration with one leg being curved so as to establish a handle frame with offset arrangement of a selected one of the cross members and the grip elements.

15. The kit of claim 10, wherein each of the connectors has a curved tubular member and a protrusion for insertion in a complementary receptacle of the mounting structures so as to establish a handle frame with arrangement of a selected one of the cross members and the grip elements in a common plane.

16. A device for manually maneuvering a handling unit, comprising:

at least one mounting structure configured for attachment to a handling unit;

a control mechanism connected to the mounting structure and including keys, actuated from outside, for activating a movement of the handling unit; and

a handle frame connectable to the mounting structure and configured to allow an operator to actuate at least one of the keys with a thumb,

wherein the handle frame includes at least one cross member having opposite axial ends, a pair of elongate grip elements, one of the grip elements extending transversely to the cross member and having one end detachably connected to one of the axial ends, and the other of the grip elements extending transversely to the cross member and having one end detachably connected to the other one of the axial ends, and fastening means for releasably attaching the handle frame to the mounting structure, wherein the fastening means includes a fastener configured to allow displacement of the cross member and thereby effect a positional adjustment of the grip elements with respect to the keys, before securely fixing the cross member to the mounting structure.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the fastener has a tubular configuration with a horizontal cylindrical through-opening for passage and axial displacement of the cross member.

18. A modular construction kit for making a device for manually maneuvering a handling unit, comprising:

at least one mounting structure supporting a control mechanism for activating a movement of the handling unit;

a plurality of cross members of varying configuration;

a plurality of elongate grip elements of varying configuration;

a plurality of connectors of varying configuration for connecting a one of the cross members with two of the grip elements to thereby construct a handle frame of desired configuration; and

a plurality of fasteners for allowing releasable attachment of a selected one of the cross members to the mounting structure, wherein each of the fasteners is configured to allow displacement of the selected cross member and thereby effect a positional adjustment of the grip elements with respect to the keys, before securely fixing the cross member to the mounting structure.