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Patent 2812484 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2812484
(54) English Title: CURRENT COLLECTOR CARRIAGE HAVING DETACHABLY FASTENED RUNNING GEARS
(54) French Title: TROLLEY A MECANISMES DE MOUVEMENT FIXES DE MANIERE AMOVIBLE
Status: Deemed Abandoned and Beyond the Period of Reinstatement - Pending Response to Notice of Disregarded Communication
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B66C 9/02 (2006.01)
  • B60L 5/36 (2006.01)
  • B60L 5/40 (2006.01)
  • B61B 13/04 (2006.01)
  • B61C 13/04 (2006.01)
  • B66C 9/04 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • LINDENAU, THOMAS (Germany)
  • KREBS, WOLFGANG (Germany)
  • EKRUTT, KAI-UWE (Germany)
(73) Owners :
  • DEMAG CRANES & COMPONENTS GMBH
(71) Applicants :
  • DEMAG CRANES & COMPONENTS GMBH (Germany)
(74) Agent: R. WILLIAM WRAY & ASSOCIATES
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2012-01-31
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2012-08-16
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/EP2012/051505
(87) International Publication Number: WO 2012107319
(85) National Entry: 2013-03-25

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
10 2011 000 567.6 (Germany) 2011-02-08

Abstracts

English Abstract

The invention relates to a current collector carriage (la, lb), having running gears (2a, 2b, 2c) which are connected detachably to a body (3) and by means of which the current collector carriage (la, lb) can be moved along a rail (4) having a plurality of conductors (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), and the current collector carriage (la, lb) is in electrical contact with the conductors (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), wherein the running gears (2a, 2b, 2c) can each be pivoted relative to the body (3) about an axis (A) of the current collector carriage (la, lb), the axis (A) is aligned vertically to a plane running horizontally in relation to the current collector carriage (la, lb) which is aligned, in the longitudinal extension thereof, in a direction of travel (V), and the running gears (2a, 2b, 2c) are connected to the body (3) by means of a bushing (3k, 31) which is engaged with a bolt (10b, 10c). The bolt (10b, 10c) and the bushing (3k, 31) are designed in such a manner that the connection between the running gears (2a, 2b, 2c) and the body (3) can be created by a relative movement of the running gears (2a, 2b, 2c) and the body (3) parallel to the vertical axis (A).


French Abstract

L'invention concerne un trolley (la, lb) comprenant des mécanismes de mouvement (2a, 2b, 2c) qui sont reliés de manière amovible à un corps (3) et qui permettent de déplacer le trolley (la, lb) le long d'un rail (4) muni de plusieurs conducteurs (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), le trolley (la, lb) étant en contact électrique avec les conducteurs (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e). Les mécanismes de mouvement (2a, 2b, 2c) peuvent pivoter par rapport au corps (3) respectivement autour d'un axe (A) du trolley (la, lb) orienté verticalement par rapport à un plan qui s'étend horizontalement par rapport au trolley (1a, 1b) dont l'étendue longitudinale est orientée dans une direction de déplacement (V), les mécanismes de mouvement (2a, 2b, 2c) étant reliés au corps (3) par l'intermédiaire d'une douille (3k, 31) en prise avec un boulon (10b, 10c). Le boulon (10b, 10c) et la douille (3k, 31) sont réalisés de telle sorte que la liaison entre les mécanismes de mouvement (2a, 2b, 2c) et le corps (3) peut être établie par un mouvement relatif des mécanismes de mouvement (2a, 2b, 2c) et du corps (3) parallèlement à l'axe vertical (A).

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


18
Claims
1. Current collector carriage (1a, 1b) having travelling mechanisms (2a,
2b, 2c)
releasably connected to a body (3), the current collector carriage (1a, 1b)
being
displaceable along a rail (4) having several current conductors (5a, 5b, 5c,
5d, 5e)
via the travelling mechanisms and the current collector carriage (1a, 1b)
being in
electrical contact with the current conductors (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), wherein
the
travelling mechanisms (2a, 2b, 2c) can be pivoted relative to the body (3) in
each
case about an axis (A) of the current collector carriage (1a, 1b), the axis
(A) is
aligned vertically with respect to a plane which extends horizontally with
respect
to the current collector carriage (1a, lb) aligned with its longitudinal
extension in
a displacement direction (V) and the travelling mechanisms (2a, 2b, 2c) are
connected to the body (3) via a sleeve (3k, 3l) engaged with a pin (10b, 10c),
characterised in that the pin (10b, 10c) and the sleeve (3k, 31) are formed
such that
the connection between the travelling mechanisms (2a, 2b, 2c) and the body (3)
can be produced by a relative movement of the travelling mechanisms (2a, 2b,
2c)
and of the body (3) in parallel with the vertical axis (A).
2. Current collector carriage as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that
the
travelling mechanisms (2a, 2b, 2c) are connected to the body (3) in the manner
of
a hinge joint.
3. Current collector carriage as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in
that a
resilient restoring element (18) is provided which co-operates with the pin
(10b,
10c) and the sleeve (3k, 3l) such that the travelling mechanisms (2a, 2b, 2c)
are
automatically aligned in the displacement direction (V) when the current
collector
carriage (1a, 1b) is travelling in a straight line.
4. Current collector carriage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3,
characterised in
that the pin (10b, 10c) has a round cross-section and extends with its
longitudinal
extension in parallel with the axis (A).

19
5. Current collector carriage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4,
characterised in
that the travelling mechanisms (2a, 2b, 2c) can be connected to the body (3)
in a
positive-locking manner.
6. Current collector carriage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5,
characterised in
that the sleeve (3k, 3l) is open at an end pointing in a longitudinal
direction of the
sleeve (3k, 3l) and the pin (10b, 10c) can be slid into the sleeve (3k, 3l)
through
the open end.
7. Current collector carriage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6,
characterised in
that the sleeve (3k, 3l0 comprises a wall having a slot-shaped cut-out (3o)
which
goes through the wall beginning at a first edge (3m) partially or completely
in the
vertical direction having a width (B) and through which a supporting body (9)
connected to the pin (10b, 10c) is guided, which supporting body is supported
with an upper edge on a third edge (3q) of the sleeve (3k, 3l0.
8. Arrangement of current collector carriages as claimed in any one of
Claims 1 to 7,
characterised in that a third travelling mechanism (2c) includes two pins
(10b,
10c) which are arranged opposite each other at the front and rear in the
displacement direction (V) of the current collector carriage (1a, 1b).
9. Arrangement of current collector carriages as claimed in Claim 8,
characterised in
that a first current collector carriage (la) and at least one second current
collector
carriage (1b) can be connected together by means of the third travelling
mechanism (2c).
10. Current collector carriage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 9,
characterised in
that the pins (10b, 10c) are disposed on the travelling mechanisms (2a, 2b,
2c) and
the sleeves (3k, 3l0 are disposed on the body (3) of the current collector
carriage
(1a, 1b) or the pins (10b, 10c) are disposed on the body (3) of the current
collector

20
carriage (1a, 1b) and the sleeves (3k, 3l) are disposed on the travelling
mechanisms (2a, 2b, 2c).
11. Current collector carriage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 10,
characterised
in that running wheels (7b, 7c) and guide wheels (8b, 8c, 11) are disposed on
each
travelling mechanism (2a, 2b, 2c).
12. Current collector carriage as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11,
characterised
in that the current collector carriage (1a, 1b) is in current-conducting
sliding
contact with the current conductors (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e) via contact means
(6a, 6b,
6c, 6d, 6e) disposed on the current collector carriage (1a, 1b).

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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Current collector carriage having detachably fastened running gears
The invention relates to a current collector carriage having travelling
mechanisms
releasably connected to a body, the current collector carriage being
displaceable along a
collector carriage being in electrical contact with the current conductors,
wherein the
travelling mechanisms can be pivoted relative to the body in each case about
an axis of
the current collector carriage, the axis is aligned vertically with respect to
a plane which
extends horizontally with respect to the current collector carriage aligned
with its
German patent document DE 199 64 581 B4 discloses a current collector carriage
having
travelling mechanisms attached in a positive-locking and releasable manner for
the linear
current strengths. For mechanical coupling of the current collector carriages
to each

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other, an upper and a lower groove are each provided on a front and a rear
outer side of
the housing of each current collector carriage, which carriages, opposite one
another,
each point in a displacement direction. The grooves are aligned horizontally
and
transversely with respect to the displacement directions and are formed to be
dovetail-
shaped in cross-section. Profiled coupling parts, formed in a rod-like manner,
can be
releasably slid into the grooves in the longitudinal direction thereof. The
profiles of the
coupling parts are formed complementarily to the dovetail-shape of the
grooves, i.e., they
are also dovetail-shaped. In order to couple two successive current collector
carriages to
each other, a connecting body comprises a front and a rear coupling part,
which coupling
parts are opposite each other and point away from each other. In addition,
elongate latch
arms can be formed on the coupling parts, which latch arms extend in the
longitudinal
direction thereof. Each latch arm comprises a free and resilient end having a
region
protruding in lug-shaped manner and pointing away from the coupling part in
the
direction of the housing and, after being slid-in sufficiently far, snapping
behind a
protrusion of the groove set back in a stepped manner. Owing to the hook
effect of the
latch arms, withdrawal of the coupling part in the direction opposite the
sliding-in
direction is only possible by actively bending the latch arm in the direction
pointing away
from the housing. The grooves can also be used to releasably attach wheel sets
to the
current collector carriage. In a corresponding manner, the coupling part is
then attached
to a travelling mechanism as an integral component of a supporting body of a
wheel set.
Swiss patent document CH 277 125 A discloses a current collector carriage to
whose
body two travelling mechanisms are releasably and pivotably attached. The body
and
also the travelling mechanisms comprise sleeve sections which are disposed one
above
the other and separated from each other by cut-outs. For assembly, the
travelling
mechanisms and the body are moved towards each other in the horizontal
direction so
that the sleeve sections engage within one another in the manner of a finger
joint. The
through-going bores of the sleeve sections are disposed so as to be centred
one above the
other. The travelling mechanisms are attached to the body in the manner of a
hinge joint
via a separate pin which is slid through the sleeve sections in the vertical
direction and
forms a vertical pivot axis.

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The object of the invention is to provide an improved current collector
carriage having
releasably attached travelling mechanisms.
This object is achieved by a current collector carriage having the features of
claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in subordinate claims
2 to 12.
In accordance with the invention, an improved current collector carriage
having travelling
mechanisms releasably connected to a body, the current collector carriage
being
displaceable along a rail having several current conductors via the travelling
mechanisms
and the current collector carriage being in electrical contact with the
current conductors,
wherein the travelling mechanisms can be pivoted relative to the body in each
case about
an axis of the current collector carriage, the axis is aligned vertically with
respect to a
plane which extends horizontally with respect to the current collector
carriage aligned
with its longitudinal extension in a displacement direction and the travelling
mechanisms
are connected to the body via a sleeve engaged with a pin, is achieved by
virtue of the
fact that the pin and the sleeve are formed such that the connection between
the travelling
mechanisms and the body can be produced by a relative movement of the
travelling
mechanisms and of the body in parallel with the vertical axis. For example in
the case of
a design configured in a modular manner within a unit assembly system, a
particularly
rapid and simple assembly is hereby possible.
In an advantageous embodiment, the travelling mechanisms are connected to the
body in
the manner of a hinge joint.
Changing between straight travel and travel on a curve is improved by virtue
of the fact
that a resilient restoring element is provided which co-operates with the pin
and the
sleeve such that the travelling mechanisms are automatically aligned in the
displacement
direction when the current collector carriage is travelling in a straight
line.
A particularly smooth pivotability, and thus ability to negotiate curves, is
achieved by

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virtue of the fact that the pin has a round cross-section and extends with its
longitudinal
extension in parallel with the axis.
Further optimisation of the assembly is achieved by virtue of the fact that
the travelling
mechanisms can be connected to the body in a positive-locking manner. A
process,
which is to be performed rapidly hereby, of replacing the travelling
mechanisms or wheel
sets in the case of wear or changing intended use results in simple
maintenance and
particularly user-friendly operation of the current collector carriage.
In an advantageous embodiment, the sleeve is open at an end pointing in a
longitudinal
direction of the sleeve and the pin can be slid into the sleeve through the
open end.
In a constructionally simple design, the sleeve comprises a wall having a slot-
shaped cut-
out which goes through the wall beginning at a first edge partially or
completely in the
vertical direction having a width and through which a supporting body
connected to the
pin is guided, which supporting body is supported with an upper edge on a
third edge of
the sleeve.
In order to extend the possible uses of current collector carriages, it is
advantageous that a
third travelling mechanism includes two pins which are arranged opposite each
other at
the front and rear in the displacement direction of the current collector
carriage.
In order to string together several current collector carriages in a
constructionally simple
manner, it is advantageous that a first current collector carriage and at
least one second
current collector carriage can be connected together by means of the third
travelling
mechanism. In this manner, trains of current collector carriages can be formed
in
accordance with the principle of railways, whereby it is possible to handle
different
current strengths as required and so as to be adapted to the intended use.
For a standardised configuration of the current collector carriage, it is
advantageous that
the pins are disposed on the travelling mechanisms and the sleeves are
disposed on the

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body of the current collector carriage or the pins are disposed on the body of
the current
collector carriage and the sleeves are disposed on the travelling mechanisms.
In a particularly advantageous embodiment, running wheels and guide wheels are
disposed on each travelling mechanism.
For a reliable current flow or control signal flow, it is advantageous that
the current
collector carriage is in current-conducting sliding contact with the current
conductors via
contact means disposed on the current collector carriage.
An exemplified embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail
with the aid
of the following description. In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a current collector carriage, which
can be
displaced along a rail, for supplying current to a crane trolley of a bridge
crane,
Figure 2 shows a partial sectional view of the current collector
carriage of Figure 1
with a rail in cross-section,
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a current collector carriage having
travelling
mechanisms,
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a body of the current collector
carriage of
Figure 2,
Figure 5a shows a perspective view of a travelling mechanism in a first
embodiment,
Figure 5b shows a perspective partial view of a travelling mechanism in a
second
embodiment,
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of two coupled current collector
carriages of
Figure 1, and
Figure 7 shows a view of the travelling mechanism between the two
current
collector carriages of Figure 6.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first current collector carriage 1a
which can be

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displaced along a current-carrying rail 4 in two displacement directions V,
which are
substantially horizontal and are opposite one another, via travelling
mechanisms 2a, 2b
(see Figure 3) covered by the current-carrying rail 4. The rail 4 is formed to
be c-shaped
in cross-section and open at the bottom. The rail 4, formed in this manner as
a hollow
profile, thus delimits an inner space 4j in which the current collector
carriage la is
displaced. In the inner space 4j, five current conductors 5a to 5e are
attached, extend in
parallel with each other in the longitudinal direction of the rail 4 and are
distributed
spaced apart from each other over the c-shaped profile of the rail 4. The
current
conductors 5a to 5e are connected as required to a current source or a
controller in order
to supply current or control signals. The only part of the current collector
carriage la
which can be seen is a housing 14 which surrounds a connection part 13 of a
body 3
protruding downwards from the rail 4. Disposed on the body 3 are five contact
means 6a
to 6e (see Figure 2) in order to establish a direct sliding contact between
the contact
means 6a to 6e and the current conductors 5a to 5e during the displacement of
the current
collector carriage la along the rail 4.
A crane trolley 15 of a bridge crane, which trolley can be displaced on two
running rails
15a, 15b in the displacement directions V, is supplied with current and/or
control signals
via the current collector carriage la. The crane trolley 15 comprises at least
one motor 16
for a travelling drive and/or a lifting drive. In order for the current
collector carriage la
to be able to be displaced together with the crane trolley 15 along the rail
4, the current
collector carriage la is mechanically connected to the crane trolley 6 via two
rod-shaped
entrainers 15c, 15d. In order to transfer current and/or control signals, the
current
collector carriage la is connected to the motor 16 via an electrical line 12.
The electrical
line 12 is connected to the connection part 13 of the current collector
carriage la.
Figure 2 shows a view of the current collector carriage la of Figure 1 which
is disposed
in a rail 4 illustrated in cross-section. The rail 4 is formed as a hollow
profile having the
substantially rectangular inner space 4j and is formed to be c-shaped and open
at the
bottom. Accordingly, the rail 4 comprises a horizontal upper web wall 4a to
which a left,
vertical, first limb wall 4b and a right, vertical, second limb wall 4c are
connected.

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Connected to the ends of the limb walls 4b, 4c remote from the web wall 4a are
a first
connection wall 4d and a second connection wall 4e, both directed horizontally
inwardly,
such that a downwardly-directed slot-shaped opening 4k is formed along the
rail 4
between the connection walls 4d, 4e. The web wall 4a accommodates the fifth
current
conductor 5e on the inner side, the first limb wall 4b accommodates the second
and third
current conductors 5b, 5c on the inner side and the second limb wall 4c
accommodates
the first and fourth current conductors 5a, 5d on the inner side. The inner
sides of the
web wall 4a and the connection walls 4d, 4e are used as horizontal running
surfaces 4f to
4i for wheel sets 7a, 8a of the current collector carriage la. Shown in
particular are the
first running surface 4f on the first connection wall 4d and the second
running surface 4g
on the second connection wall 4e for the lower, first wheel sets 7a, via which
the current
collector carriage la is displaced in the rail 4, and the third and fourth
running surfaces
4h, 4i on the web wall 4a for the upper, second wheel sets 8a, via which the
current
collector carriage la is guided in the rail 4.
It can also be seen that the current conductors 5a to 5e are held in clamp-
like undercuts
41. Adjoining the current conductors 5a to 5e are the contact means 6a to 6e
for
transferring current and/or control signals between the current conductors 5a
to 5e and the
current collector carriage la. The contact means 6a to 6e are resiliently
mounted in the
direction of the current conductors 5a to 5e in pockets 3f to 3j (see also
Figures 3 and 4)
of the body 3 of the current collector carriage la.
It is also shown that a part of the body 3 referred to as the support 3a
protrudes
downwards from the rail 4 between the walls 4d, 4e and is connected to the
electrical line
12 (see Figure 1) and the housing 14.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the current collector carriage la of
Figure 1 having
the travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b which are releasably connected to the body 3
of the
current collector carriage la at the front and rear as seen in the
displacement direction V.
The current collector carriage la is supported by the two travelling
mechanisms 2a, 2b
and can be displaced thereby along the current-carrying rail 4. The body 3
includes the

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flat support 3a having an upper, first end 3b and a lower, second end 3c, on
which a first
and a second thin-walled supporting wall 3d, 3e are arranged laterally, i.e.,
in the
displacement direction V, such that a T-shaped design of the body 3 is
produced. The
supporting walls 3d, 3e extend in opposite directions directed away from the
support 3a
in each case in one of the displacement directions V. Disposed on the body 3
are the five
pockets 3f to 3j which are each formed in the shape of a container and cuboid,
are open
on one side and are used to receive the contact means 6a to 6e. The first
supporting wall
3d has the first pocket 3f passing through it at the bottom and the second
pocket 3g
passing through it at the top and the second supporting wall 3e has the third
pocket 3h
passing through it at the bottom and the fourth pocket 3i passing through it
at the top.
The openings of the first and second pockets 3f, 3g and of the third and
fourth pockets 3h,
3i each point in mutually opposite horizontal directions transverse to the
displacement
directions V, wherein at the same time the openings of the upper second and
fourth
pockets 3g, 3i and the openings of the lower first and third pockets 3f, 3h
each point in
mutually opposite directions. Disposed on the first end 3b of the support 3a
between the
supporting walls 3d, 3e is the upwardly-opened fifth pocket 3j.
Receiving connecting means in the form of a first and a second sleeve 3k, 31
are disposed
in each case on a vertical edge of the supporting walls 3d, 3e pointing away
from the
support 3a - and thus at the front and rear on the current collector carriage
la. The
sleeves 3k, 31 are identical in construction having a circular cross-section
and are formed
in a hollow-cylindrical manner with an inner bore. In the case of a current
collector
carriage la in a horizontally extending rail 4, the inner bores are aligned
vertically with
respect to their longitudinal extension. The sleeves 3k, 31 also each have a
lower, first
edge 3m and an upper, second edge 3n (see Figure 4). Each sleeve 3k, 31 is
supported in
the transition region between the sleeves 3k, 31 and the supporting wall 3d,
3e by a
reinforcement 3t. The mutually opposite end sides, pointing in opposite
vertical
longitudinal directions of the sleeves 3k, 31, are open.
The first travelling mechanism 2a is attached to the first sleeve 3k and the
second
travelling mechanism 2b is attached to the second sleeve 31. The travelling
mechanisms

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2a, 2b are identical in construction and each comprise a vertical and wall-
like supporting
body 9 (see Figures 5a and 5b) in which a lower, first wheel set 7a having two
lower
running wheels 7b, 7c and an upper, second wheel set 8a having two upper guide
wheels
8b, 8c are accommodated in a rotatably-mounted manner. A cylindrical first pin
10b, not
illustrated, (see Figures 5a and 5b) is attached to the supporting body 9 as a
rigidly
formed connecting means to be received. Disposed between the first and second
guide
wheels 8b, 8c is a flat, plate-shaped tongue 17 which is used as an entrance
aid when
entering a funnel-shaped region of the rail 4. Of course, the travelling
mechanisms 2a, 2b
can also operate without a tongue 17 of this type. The design of the
travelling
mechanisms 2a, 2b is illustrated in detail in Figures 5a and 5b. The outer
diameter of the
pin 10b is smaller than the inner diameter of the sleeve 3k, 31. The pin 10b
is slid into the
sleeve 3k, 31 from the lower, first edge 3m until the supporting body 9, which
protrudes
outwards through a vertical, slot-shaped cut-out 3o provided in the sleeve 3k,
31 and is
guided through the cut-out 3o, abuts with an upper edge against a third edge
3q (see
Figure 4) and the body 3 is thus supported on the supporting body 9 via the
edge 3q. The
travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b are connected in this manner in a positive-
locking manner
to the current collector carriage la at least in one embodiment. The
supporting body 9
and thus the travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b are disposed on the body 3 in an
articulated
manner and can be pivoted in a hinge-like manner about a vertical axis A
within an angle
a (see Figure 4) dependent upon a width B (see Figure 4) of the cut-out 3o and
the
dimensions of the supporting body 9. In other words, the pivotability of the
travelling
mechanisms 2a, 2b is limited by the geometric configuration of the cut-out 3o.
The axis
A is embodied by the pin 10b or a vertical central axis of the pin 10b and
coincides with a
central axis of the sleeve 3k, 31.
However, the axis A does not have to coincide concentrically with the central
axes of the
receiving connecting means and the connecting means to be received or of the
sleeve 3k,
31 and of the pin 10b. It is also possible that the axis A extends through one
of the
connecting means but is located eccentrically with respect to any central axes
of the
connecting means. In the case of a reconfigured cut-out 3o, the pin 10b can be
slid into
the sleeve 3k, 31 starting from the upper, second edge 3n. It is also possible
to provide a

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pivoting mechanism whose hinged movement is actively achieved in a positive-
locking
or non-positive-locking manner in another way - without a supporting body 9
protruding
through a cut-out 3o. Of course, it is also possible to dispose the sleeves
3k, 31 on the
travelling mechanism-side and in each case to dispose a supporting body 9 with
a pin 10b
on the body 3.
On a side of the travelling mechanism 2a, 2b opposite the wheel sets 7a, 8a, a
second
groove 3u extending in the longitudinal direction of the pin 10b and being
disposed
radially with respect to the axis A can be provided on the pin 10b in a second
embodiment (see Figure 5b). As seen in this radial direction, the cross-
section of the
second groove 3u, starting from the peripheral surface, has a funnel-shaped
region
extending into the interior of the pin 10b, which region is adjoined by a
rectangular cross-
sectional region (see Figure 5b). When the travelling mechanism 2a, 2b is
connected to
the body 3 and is not pivoted-out, the second groove 3u is disposed opposite a
first
groove 3p which is provided in the sleeve 3k, 31, also extends vertically and
has a
rectangular cross-section. An elongate and cuboid restoring element 18 having
a cross-
section formed in a complementary manner with respect to the first groove 3p
can be slid
into the first groove 3p and protrudes into the interior of the sleeve 3k, 31
in a web-like
manner in the radial direction. The restoring element 18 consists of a
resiliently
deformable material, e.g., a rubber material. When the body 3 and the
travelling
mechanism 2a, 2b are brought together, the restoring element 18 attached in
the second
groove 3u is connected to the first groove 3p of the sleeve 3k, 31in a
positive-locking
manner. Owing to the co-operation of the restoring element 18 with the first
groove 3p, a
resiliently pivotable positioning of the travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b is
permitted. The
restoring element 18 assumes in particular a restoring function, whereby the
deflection of
the travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b about the angle a set during travel on a
curve is
automatically cancelled during travel in a straight line. In other words,
owing to the
described arrangement of the restoring element 18, the travel of the first
current collector
carriage la in a straight line is fixed as a state of equilibrium in which the
restoring
element 18 is in a non-loaded state which is automatically set as soon as
travel on a curve
ends and the occurring outer force application upon the restoring element 18
is cancelled.

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Therefore, the travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b are automatically aligned in the
displacement
direction V by the restoring force of the spring element 18. The elastically-
resilient
restoring effect or inner restoring force of the restoring element 18 can be
varied e.g., by
the selection of different materials having correspondingly different material
characteristics or by adapting the geometric dimensions, in particular the
length of the
restoring element 18.
Additionally provided on the support 3a on two sides pointing transversely
with respect
to the displacement directions V are two horizontal bearing plates 3r, 3s
which are
identical in construction and are spaced apart from each other in parallel and
between
which in each case a horizontal, third, lateral guide wheel 11 is accommodated
in a
rotatably mounted manner.
The contact means 6a to 6e of the current collector carriage la are connected
in a
conductive manner in each case to a first end, not illustrated, of a current
cable. All of
the current cables are consolidated in the electrical line 12 which is
connected to the
system to be supplied with current. The electrical line 12 is connected to the
current
collector carriage la via a connection part 13 (see Figure 4) located on the
lower, second
end 3c. The connection point is surrounded by the housing 14.
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the body 3 without the travelling
mechanisms
2a, 2b, 2c. The support 3a, the supporting walls 3d, 3e adjoining the support
and the
pockets 3f to 3j disposed on the supporting walls 3d, 3e, in particular the
openings of the
pockets 3f, 3i, 3j can clearly be seen in particular.
In addition, the vertical, slot-shaped cut-out 3o having the minimum width B
is provided
in a sleeve wall of the sleeve 3k, 31. The cut-out 3o is arranged such that it
points away
from the support 3a in one of the displacement directions V, beginning at the
horizontal,
lower, first edge 3m, interrupts the latter whilst extending upwards and is
delimited at the
top by the central, likewise horizontal, third edge 3q which is offset in
parallel with the
first edge 3m. The vertically extending first groove 3p having a rectangular
cross-section

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is provided in the interior of the sleeves 3k, 31 and is disposed opposite the
cut-out 3o and
extends in a plane with the supporting wall 3d, 3e.
The cut-out 3o in the sleeve 3k, 31 has a height H which is a result of the
distance of the
lower, first edge 3m from the central, third edge 3q, which means that a
closed and
regular peripheral surface remains only above the cut-out 3o between the
central, third
edge 3q and the upper, second edge 3n. The angle a is formed by a notional
line, which
extends in a plane with the supporting walls 3d, 3e and intersects the axis A,
and an inner
side of the cut-out 3o of the sleeve 3k, 31. The decisive feature is the width
B (see also
Figure 6) of the inner side as the minimum horizontal dimension of the cut-out
3o.
It is also possible that the cut-out 3o extends in a continuous manner in the
vertical
direction, also interrupts the second edge 3n and does not produce a third
edge 3q. The
vertically divided peripheral surface of the sleeve 3k, 31 thus forms two
resilient latch
arms which permit accommodation of the pin 10b e.g., in the form of a snap-fit
connection or clip-connection by positive-locking or non-positive-locking
assembly in
one of the displacement directions V. The downwardly directed connection part
13 on
the second end 3c of the support 3 is also illustrated.
Figure 5a shows the first and second travelling mechanism 2a, 2b having the
wheel sets
7a, 8a which are each connected to the supporting body 9 lying one above the
other. The
pin 10b, which is vertically aligned in its longitudinal extension, is
disposed on a vertical
side of the supporting body 9 spaced apart from the wheel sets 7a, 8a.
Figure 5b illustrates a partial view of the connection between the
first/second travelling
mechanism 2a, 2b in the third embodiment having the body 3 in a pivoted-out
position.
The restoring element 18 is particularly shown and is disposed in the first
groove 3p of
the sleeve 3k, 31 and is simultaneously accommodated by the second groove 3u
of the pin
10b. Furthermore, it can be seen that the restoring element 18 is deformed
owing to a
deflection or rotation of the pin 10b with respect to the sleeve 3k, 31 or
about the axis A
and by the angle a.

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Figure 6 shows the first current collector carriage la having a first
travelling mechanism
2a and a second current collector carriage lb having a second travelling
mechanism 2b.
The current collector carriages la, lb can be displaced on a curved track K
and are
coupled together via a third travelling mechanism 2c. The third travelling
mechanism 2c
includes - in a similar manner to the supporting body 9 of the travelling
mechanisms 2a,
2b - a wall-like connecting web 9a. The shape of the connecting web 9a
resembles two
assembled supporting bodies 9 forming a vertical axis of symmetry. Disposed on
two
ends of the connecting web 9a facing away from each other are in each case the
first pin
10b and a second pin 10c which are vertically aligned with respect to their
longitudinal
extension. The connecting web 9a accommodates, between the pins 10b, 10c and
along
the axis of symmetry, two wheel sets 7a, 8a so that these are rotatably
mounted one above
the other. In order to connect the two current collector carriages la, lb
together, the pin
10b is slid into the sleeve 31 of the first current collector carriage la and
the pin 10c is
slid into the sleeve 3k of the second current collector carriage lb. The pins
10b, 10c are
identical in construction to the first embodiment, and thus comprise a regular
peripheral
surface. There is thus no positive-locking connection between the pins 10b,
10c and the
first groove 3p, whereby the travelling mechanism 2c can be pivoted with
respect to the
current collector carriages la, lb within the angle a (see also Figure 7). Of
course - in a
similar manner to the configuration of the travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b - it
is also
possible to provide the pins 10b, 10c in each case with a second groove 3u and
a restoring
element 18 in order to permit an elastically-resilient pivotability of the
travelling
mechanism 2c with respect to the current collector carriages la, lb.
Figure 7 shows a view of the current collector carriages la, lb coupled via
the pins 10b,
10c of the third travelling mechanism 2c. The connecting web 9a of the
travelling
mechanism 2c without the wheel sets 7a, 7b is shown in a position pivoted-out
with
respect to the supporting walls 3d, 3e. In addition, the axis A illustrated as
a dot and the
width B of the cut-out 3o are identified. At the maximum possible deflection
with the
angle a, the connecting web 9a adjoins one of the inner sides of the cut-out
3o of the
sleeve 31. A similar situation occurs for the angle ratios on the sleeve 3k
between the

CA 02812484 2013-03-25
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PCT/EP2012/051505
connecting web 9a and the first supporting wall 3d of the second current
collector
carriage lb.
The variable setting of elastically-resilient and non-resilient pivotability
of the travelling
mechanisms 2a, 2b, 2c with respect to the body 3 is preferably produced by an
application-specific exchange or use of travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b, 2c
formed in a
correspondingly modular manner. In other words, the corresponding type of
pivotability
is thus produced by the described connections between two intrinsically rigid
connecting
means - e.g., between the pins 10b, 10c slid into the sleeves 3k, 31 and
rotatable therein
and having the second groove 3u for the restoring element 18 provided thereon.
In addition to the substantially horizontal alignment described above, the
mutually
opposite displacement directions V can of course be aligned to be non-
horizontal and thus
form different degrees of inclination.
Also, the travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b, 2c can be connected to the body 3 not
only by a
relative movement of the travelling mechanisms 2a, 2b, 2c and of the body 3 in
parallel
with the axis A but also transversely with respect to the axis A.

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List of reference numerals
la First current collector carriage
lb Second current collector carriage
2a First travelling mechanism
2b Second travelling mechanism
2c Third travelling mechanism
3 Body
3a Support
3b First end
3c Second end
3d First supporting wall
3e Second supporting wall
3f First pocket
3g Second pocket
3h Third pocket
3i Fourth pocket
3j Fifth pocket
3k First sleeve
31 Second sleeve
3m First edge
3n Second edge
3o Cut-out
3p First groove
3q Third edge
3r First bearing plate
3s Second bearing plate
3t Reinforcement
3u Second groove
4 Rail
4a Web wall

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4b First limb wall
4c Second limb wall
4d First connection wall
4e Second connection wall
4f First running surface
4g Second running surface
4h Third running surface
4i Fourth running surface
4j Inner space
4k Opening
41 Undercut
5a First current conductor
5b Second current conductor
5c Third current conductor
5d Fourth current conductor
5e Fifth current conductor
6a First contact means
6b Second contact means
6c Third contact means
6d Fourth contact means
6e Fifth contact means
7a First wheel set
7b First running wheel
7c Second running wheel
8a Second wheel set
8b First guide wheel
8c Second guide wheel
9 Supporting body
9a Connecting web
10b First pin
10c Second pin

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11 Third guide wheel
12 Electrical line
13 Connection part
14 Housing
15 Crane trolley
15a First running rail
15b Second running rail
15c First entrainer
15d Second entrainer
16 Motor
17 Tongue
18 Restoring element
a Angle
A Axis
B Width
= Height
= Curved track
/ Displacement directions

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

2024-08-01:As part of the Next Generation Patents (NGP) transition, the Canadian Patents Database (CPD) now contains a more detailed Event History, which replicates the Event Log of our new back-office solution.

Please note that "Inactive:" events refers to events no longer in use in our new back-office solution.

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Event History

Description Date
Time Limit for Reversal Expired 2015-02-02
Application Not Reinstated by Deadline 2015-02-02
Deemed Abandoned - Failure to Respond to Maintenance Fee Notice 2014-01-31
Inactive: Cover page published 2013-06-10
Inactive: IPC assigned 2013-04-25
Inactive: IPC assigned 2013-04-25
Inactive: IPC assigned 2013-04-25
Inactive: IPC assigned 2013-04-25
Inactive: Notice - National entry - No RFE 2013-04-25
Inactive: IPC assigned 2013-04-25
Application Received - PCT 2013-04-25
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2013-04-25
Inactive: IPC assigned 2013-04-25
National Entry Requirements Determined Compliant 2013-03-25
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 2012-08-16

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2014-01-31

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
Basic national fee - standard 2013-03-25
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
DEMAG CRANES & COMPONENTS GMBH
Past Owners on Record
KAI-UWE EKRUTT
THOMAS LINDENAU
WOLFGANG KREBS
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Description 2013-03-25 17 764
Abstract 2013-03-25 1 26
Representative drawing 2013-03-25 1 40
Drawings 2013-03-25 8 176
Claims 2013-03-25 3 103
Cover Page 2013-06-10 2 66
Notice of National Entry 2013-04-25 1 196
Reminder of maintenance fee due 2013-10-01 1 112
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (Maintenance Fee) 2014-03-28 1 171
PCT 2013-03-25 10 367