Loading devices and methods of loading pipe fusion machines
First Claim
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1. A loading device for lifting an elongated object having an elongate axis, the loading device comprising:
- a frame having a first fulcrum surface and a second fulcrum surface;
a first effector arm having a central longitudinal axis, the first effector arm being pivotally coupled with the first fulcrum surface,a first end effector having a lifting surface and a first end effector axis about which the first end effector rotates, the first end effector being coupled to the first effector arm such that the first end effector axis is perpendicular to and intersects with the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm, and wherein the first end effector extends laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm such that the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm does not intersect with the lifting surface of the first end effector;
a second effector arm having a central longitudinal axis, the second effector arm being pivotally coupled with the second fulcrum surface,a second end effector having a lifting surface and a second end effector axis about which the second end effector rotates, the second end effector being coupled to the second effector arm such that the second end effector axis is perpendicular to and intersects with the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm, and wherein the second end effector extends laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm such that the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm does not intersect with the lifting surface of the second end effector; and
an actuator moving the first effector arm and the second effector arm between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the first and second effector arms move in opposing directions as the first and second effector arms are moved by the actuator to the deployed position.
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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.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A loading device for lifting an elongated object having an elongate axis, the loading device comprising:
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a frame having a first fulcrum surface and a second fulcrum surface; a first effector arm having a central longitudinal axis, the first effector arm being pivotally coupled with the first fulcrum surface, a first end effector having a lifting surface and a first end effector axis about which the first end effector rotates, the first end effector being coupled to the first effector arm such that the first end effector axis is perpendicular to and intersects with the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm, and wherein the first end effector extends laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm such that the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm does not intersect with the lifting surface of the first end effector; a second effector arm having a central longitudinal axis, the second effector arm being pivotally coupled with the second fulcrum surface, a second end effector having a lifting surface and a second end effector axis about which the second end effector rotates, the second end effector being coupled to the second effector arm such that the second end effector axis is perpendicular to and intersects with the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm, and wherein the second end effector extends laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm such that the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm does not intersect with the lifting surface of the second end effector; and an actuator moving the first effector arm and the second effector arm between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the first and second effector arms move in opposing directions as the first and second effector arms are moved by the actuator to the deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A loading device comprising:
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a frame having a first fulcrum surface and a second fulcrum surface; a first effector arm having a central longitudinal axis, the first effector arm being pivotally coupled with the first fulcrum surface such that a first end effector axis is perpendicular to and intersects with the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm, a first end effector having a lifting surface and the first end effector axis about which the first end effector rotates, wherein the first end effector extends laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm such that the central longitudinal axis of the first effector arm does not intersect with the lifting surface of the first end effector, a second effector arm having a central longitudinal axis, the second effector arm being pivotally coupled with the second fulcrum surface such that a second end effector axis is perpendicular to and intersects with the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm, a second end effector having a lifting surface and the second end effector axis about which the second end effector rotates, wherein the second end effector extends laterally relative to the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm such that the central longitudinal axis of the second effector arm does not intersect with the lifting surface of the second end effector, and an actuator that moves the first effector arm and the second effector arm between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the first and second effector arms move in opposing directions as the first and second effector arms are moved by the actuator to the retracted position, wherein the first end effector lifting surface and the second end effector lifting surface are each inclined to a ground surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification