EP0012387B1 - Device for laying paving stones and accessory device for aligning the stones - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for the setting of paving blocks includes a movable chassis, an outrigger arm mounted on the chassis for heightwise adjustment, and grab tong devices suspended from the outrigger arm, the grab tong devices each being operable to grip a group of paving blocks laterally. Each of the grab tong devices has opposed jaws, one of which is fixedly mounted and the other of which is movably mounted, and linkage means are provided to operably mount the movable jaw such that upon suspension of the grab tong device from the outrigger arm with paving blocks disposed between the opposed jaws, the linkage means is operable to effect a clamping action on the paving blocks to thereby provide for lifting of the paving blocks with the clamping force being proportional to the weight being lifted.

Description

The invention relates to a device for laying paving stones with a movable chassis, a cantilever arm that is height-adjustable relative to the chassis and a gripping tongs element that is attached to the cantilever arm so that it can be rotated and pivoted in a pendulum manner and to move.

Such a device is known from DE-GbmS 72 31 217, in particular there of FIG. 5, which is used to lay larger block-shaped or plate-shaped road surface elements, the gripping pliers with their clamping jaws being many times the load of such a road surface element can attack from the side, which is also necessary for reliable holding. The pliers used there have an opening angle of approximately 180 ° spread jaws, the suspension acting directly in the area of the jaw linkage. Such a simple pliers construction can grasp one-piece blocks, if necessary also a row of paving stones, but it is not able to reliably detect blocks or stone rows lying side by side, in which length differences cannot be compensated for. Such a simple construction would not give a satisfactory result even with several pliers of this type lying side by side, since length differences of stone rows in the area of the 180 ^° spreading of a plier are not or only very difficult to grasp in the case of an oversize, in the case of an undersize too large vertical paths would lead so that the stone rows are no longer in one plane.

Even a construction shown in DE-GbmS 75 19 906 with two pliers grippers connected to one another via a rigid cross member is intended and also suitable for gripping elongated curbs at two locations apart, but not for detecting several adjacent stones or rows of stones of a common position and to transport. The pliers illustrated there only have insufficient clamping forces in relation to the detected stone weight. Constructive changes in the sense of increased clamping forces would, however - as in the modification considered for DE-GbmS 72 31 217 - lead to correspondingly increased vertical and depending on the length of a stone or a row of stones different vertical deflections of the pliers, so that a position as such does not to be transported.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which, when paving, enables the laying of paving stones in groups, in particular in more than two adjacent rows, in a simple, reliable and exact manner.

This object is achieved according to the invention in an embodiment of a device of the type referred to in that the gripping pliers element has a set of more than two gripping pliers, which are mounted in a common plane of engagement, are arranged and act in parallel, and in which pivotally mounted clamping jaws have levers such as levers the suspension are connected so that they move in the direction of the clamping engagement under load and each of the tongs is individually connected to the suspension of the gripping tongs element by load-distributing lever transmissions in the form of a system of balance beam.

This creates a device with which a whole layer of packaged delivered paving stones can be gripped, driven to the paving site, lowered, aligned by laying on and put down. For this purpose, only about a quarter of the time to be put in by hand is required, the paving being convenient and easy to work, in particular no longer having to kneel and no longer having to lay the stones by hand.

Compared to the known devices for the laying of individual stones, the gripping pliers element with more than two gripping pliers mounted in a common plane of attack and with pivoting clamping jaws ensures that the clamping jaws do not lower differently depending on the required clamping path. Rather, the common level of engagement ensures that the stones or rows of stones lying next to one another also remain in a common plane. Nonetheless, the gripping tongs are simultaneously equipped with clamping force by the load-distributing lever transmissions, so that shorter stones or rows of stones cannot fall down due to lower clamping forces due to tolerances.

Further configurations of the device result from claims 2 to 12. Two different additional devices for line-by-line alignment and rearrangement of the paving stones of a paving stone layer, as are expediently to be provided for the alignment to a bandage before laying, result according to claim 13 with one against Spring action by the weight of the stone lowerable table with the paving stone rows associated slider, to which the lowering movement of the table is transmitted via deflecting gears, such that each of the stone rows is pushed by a slide against a stop assigned to the row or according to claim 14 by a table mounted in the manner of a seesaw, which tilts when the paving stone layer is placed on it, the paving stone rows sliding in front of suitably attached stops. In both cases, the table can have rollers distributed on its surface in the manner of a roller conveyor.

• Fig. 1 eine Seitenansicht des Gerätes,
• Fig. 2 eine Draufsicht auf das Gerät nach Fig. 1,
• Fig. 3 eine Teil-Stirnansicht der Greifzange zum Gerät nach Fig. 1 und 2,
• Fig. 4 eine Seitenansicht der Greifzange nach Fig. 3,
• Fig. 5 eine Seitenansicht eines Zusatzgerätes und
• Fig. 6 eine Draufsicht auf das Zusatzgerät nach Fig. 5.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and are described in more detail below. The drawing shows:

• 1 is a side view of the device,
• 2 is a plan view of the device of FIG. 1,
• 3 is a partial front view of the gripping pliers for the device according to FIGS. 1 and 2,
• 4 shows a side view of the gripping pliers according to FIG. 3,
• Fig. 5 is a side view of an accessory and
• 6 is a plan view of the additional device according to FIG. 5.

The device consists of a chassis 1 with a wheel axle 2, a support axle 3, a hydraulically moved cantilever arm 4 and a gripping tongs element 5 hanging thereon. The gripping tongs element 5 comprises a plurality of gripping tongs 6.

Several jaw base frames 7 of the gripping tongs 6 are firmly connected to one another. The gripping tongs element, including the concrete paving stones covered with them, is suspended via support levers 8, balance beam 9 and brackets 10 so that the weight is evenly distributed among the individual gripping tongs. This ensures that in the case of dimensional tolerances of the concrete paving stones with each other or despite contamination, e.g. Sand, every single gripper 6 clamps evenly and securely between the concrete paving stones.

The gripping tongs 6 are constructed so that they do not reach under the concrete paving stones, but instead press the rows of concrete paving stones by lateral pressure so that the bridges formed, formed from the rows of concrete paving stones 11, cannot break through. The same effect can be achieved if the concrete paving stones are gripped and clamped across the line.

A force P ₂ necessary for this on a gripping pliers 6 is generated by lever transmission from a force P _l which corresponds to the weight of the concrete paving stones and associated parts of the gripping pliers element 5 gripped by the gripping pliers 6. The support levers 8 for each gripper 6 are mounted on the associated clamping jaws 7 (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4). They transmit the translated greater force via pull tabs 12 to angle lever clamping jaws 13. The angle lever clamping jaws 13 exert the force P ₂ , which is a multiple of the force P, through the overall transmission, sufficient to close the bridge formed from the individual concrete paving stones 11 hold. The counterforce to the force P ₂ is intercepted by jaws 14 which are rigidly attached to the jaw base frames 7 so that they are always at right angles to the concrete paving stones 11.

If the concrete paving stones are to be put down, it is necessary to open the gripping tongs 6 of the gripping tongs element 5 and to keep them open so that the gripping tongs element can be lifted off when empty and the device can be driven empty to a concrete paving stone package. For this purpose, a cable 15 can be guided from the clamping jaw base frames 7 to the operating side of the device, which is pulled and locked via a lever transmission 16, so that all levers of the gripping tongs element 5 are relieved and the movable angle levers 13 that open up by their own weight are opened are.

The gripper element then hangs on the clamping jaw base frames 7 and not, as when clamping, on the balance beam 9. Instead of a cable 15, a linkage with a corresponding redirection of the power transmission can also be selected. The change in the suspension can be done in different ways, e.g. with hook and eye.

The clamping jaws 14, which are rigid with respect to the interconnected base frames 7, are located in the joints between the already laid and the newly added concrete paving stones. So that they do not jam in the joint when lifting and cause displacements of the concrete block paving, they must be pulled up vertically. For this purpose, a push-off lever 17 is mounted on the base frames 7 approximately in the middle between the rigid clamping jaws 14 and the center of gravity of the empty gripping tongs element 5. The suspension on the cable 15 is attached to one end of the lever 17 above the center of gravity of the empty gripper element, while the other end of the lever 17 can rest on the paving stones 11 near the jaws 14. As a result, the force when receiving the empty gripper element 5 is first redirected so that the lever 17 is supported on the concrete paving stones 11 and the clamping jaws 14 are lifted out of the joint. The movement of the lever 17 is limited by stops so that only the movement necessary for lifting the clamping jaws 14 is given.

The concrete block layer must be able to be connected exactly to the lying pavement. Therefore, the gripper element 5 must be rotatable and pivotable in all directions. In addition, the floating concrete paving stone layer must always hang horizontally, regardless of the position of the device. Therefore, the suspension on the cantilever 4 with the fixed webs 18 is pivotally connected to an eye tab 19 via a bolt 20. For the possibility of swiveling in the direction offset by 90 ° provides a bearing pin 21. An angled horizontal disc 22 rests in a corresponding pan 23 for the possibility of rotation about a vertical central axis. The disc 22 is firmly connected to the eye pin 24.

A rotation is possible between pan 23 and disc 22, disc 22 sliding up on the slope of pan 23. Resistance must be overcome. When the torque decreases, the disk 22 returns to the starting position. The gripper element 5 thus always aligns itself with the rest of the device.

In order to raise the gripper element 5 to such an extent that a layer of concrete paving stones can be removed from a package up to a height of approximately 1.20 m, the cantilever arm 4 is raised by a hydraulic cylinder 25. Here, the cantilever arm 4 swivels around a bearing 26.

A pressure vessel is attached to the device, which is partly filled with oil and partly with compressed air. In this exemplary embodiment, the chassis 1 is formed from tubes and also serves as a pressure vessel. From the lower area, in which the oil under pressure is located, a line goes to the hydraulic cylinder 25 via a manual valve.

In order to extend the hydraulic cylinder 25 and thus bring the empty gripper element 5 to a greater height, a manual valve is opened. The pressurized oil extends the hydraulic cylinder. The height of the gripper pliers element 5 brought to the level of the concrete block paving is determined by closing the manual valve, since there is only oil in the hydraulic cylinder 25 and in the lines.

An upper layer of concrete paving stones is gripped from the package with the gripper element 5 and moved away from the package with the device. The pressure in the hydraulic cylinder 25 is increased accordingly by the weight of the concrete paving stone layer hanging in the gripper element 5. If the manual valve is now opened, the oil under greater pressure flows out of the hydraulic cylinder back into the pressure vessel. That means: the load is lowered. The speed and the stopping of the lowering can be regulated with the manual valve.

Alternatively, the cantilever arm 4 can also be lifted from prestressed springs by means of spring force without compressed air storage, the hydraulic cylinder 25 also being extended. Then the hydraulic cylinder 25 is used only for lowering and locking. The oil container is then not under pressure. The lowering is done as previously described, whereby the springs are tightened again.

According to a further alternative, the cantilever arm 4 is lifted by spring force and a mechanical brake is used instead of the hydraulic cylinder described above.

The concrete block paving layer is lifted by tilting the entire device around the wheel axis 2 as with a hand truck. The laying of the concrete paving stones is done in the same way.

In order to be able to cover a larger area when the device is tilted without having the hands at an uncomfortable height, several handles 27 are expediently arranged one above the other.

Depending on the weight of the concrete paving stones, some concrete paving stones can be placed in a basket 28 as a counterweight. The pressure in the hand is reduced and handling is made easier. Instead of the basket 28, a container for sand or the like can also be attached.

To overcome a height difference in the terrain, it is advisable that the wheels of the wheel axle 2 are braked separately. The braked or locked wheel then serves as a fixed fulcrum to allow the other wheel to roll over an obstacle by turning the entire device sideways. Operating levers for the brakes are arranged on the handles 27 so that the handles do not have to be released when braking. The transmission to the brakes of the wheels can be carried out using a linkage, cable or Bowden cable.

Not all concrete paving stones are delivered to the construction site as they should be in the finished paving. Rectangular stones, e.g., often lie with intersecting joints in the layer of the package.

In order to be able to carry out laying with the device according to the invention, an additional device for rearranging the concrete paving stones within the concrete paving stone layer is required. In order not to be dependent on energy sources such as electricity or motors, the weight of the concrete paving stones is used as an initial force.

An additional device provided for this purpose, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, consists of a support table 29 with four legs 29 '. The legs 29 'are designed as hydraulic cylinders which are held in the extended state by springs 30 when the support table 29 is reloaded. By placing a layer of concrete paving stone 31, the springs 30 are compressed and the hydraulic cylinders are retracted. The oil displaced in this way is pressed through interconnected lines 32 into horizontally acting parallel working cylinders 33 on the support table 29. Piston rods 34 of the working cylinders 33 extend and push the concrete paving stone rows in front of opposite stops 35. After the device has taken up the concrete paving stone layer 31, the springs 30 provide for the lifting of the support table 28 as well as for the extension of the hydraulic cylinders of the legs 29 ′ and the insertion of the piston rods 34 .

Implementation of the downward movement of the Support table 28 in the horizontal movement of the concrete paving stone rows can also be done by lever mechanism in connection with return springs or counterweight.

The support table 29 can also be provided with rigid legs which are attached on one side. A counterweight ensures that it is horizontal when not in use. When the concrete paving stone layer is placed on it, the support table 29 tilts and is thus tilted so large that the concrete paving stone layer slides on it until every row of concrete paving slips before a stop. In order to reduce the friction of the concrete paving stones, the support table 29 can be designed as a roller table.

After the rearranged concrete paving stone layer has been picked up by the device, the support table 29 tilts back into the horizontal starting position.

Claims (15)

1. A device for laying paving stones having a mobile chassis (1), a jib (4) which is adjustable in height in relation to the chassis and a gripping tongs element (5) which is suspended on the jib for rotary and pendulum movement and which renders it possible to pick up and displace at least one paving stone with a clamping force amounting to a multiple of its weight, depending on the load, by means of clamping jaws pressing laterally, characterised in that the gripping tongs element (5) comprises a set of more than two pairs of gripping tongs mounted in a common plane of action and disposed and acting parallel to one another, wherein clamping jaws (13, 7, 14) which are mounted for pivoting in relation to one another are connected to the suspension via levers (8, 12) in such a manner that, on loading, they move in the direction of the clamping engagement and each pair of tongs is connected individually to the suspension of the gripping tongs element (5) by means of load-distributing lever transmissions in the form of a system of compensating balance beams (9).

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that, apart from the suspension acting on the levers (8, 12), the gripping tongs have a second suspension (15, 17) relieving the movable clamping jaws of load on actuation.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the relieving suspension (15, 17) is articulated on the one clamping jaw (7, 14) of each pair of gripping tongs via a two-armed pressing lever (17) which can be moved down by its one end to press the paving stones out of the clamping jaws (13, 7, 14) as far as a stop, during which the relieving suspension acts on the other end of the pressing lever (17).

4. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the rotationally movable suspension of the gripping tongs element (5) in relation to the jib (4) is constructed in the form of a suspension (22, 23) which is adapted to restore itself into a predetermined position of rest.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the self restoring suspension comprises a pivot bearing with two bearing surfaces rising from a position of rest which, on twisting of the gripping tongs element (5), lead to its lifting and hence to a restoring moment.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the self restoring suspension comprises a restoring spring means acting at both sides.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the jib (4) is adjusted in known manner by a hydraulic piston and cylinder device (25) with supply of pressure fluid from a pressure tank which is subject to gas pressure and is partially filled with oil, while a manually operated hydraulic control valve actuates and locks the hydraulic piston and cylinder device (25).

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the chassis (1) is made from tube and serves as a pressure tank with at least one sealed off tube region.

9. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it has, at the operator's side, a plurality of handles (27) which are disposed one above the other to the right and left and which render it possible to manipulate the chassis on tilting on a pair of its wheels to a convenient working height.

10. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that a basket or container (28) which can be filled with counterweights is provided on the chassis at the service side for better handling with an overhanging weight.

11. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that two brakes, which are independent of one another, and which are manually operable without having to let go of the handles (27), are provided on the wheels of one wheel axle (2).

12. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that it comprises at least three wheels disposed on two wheel axles (2, 3) which are parallel to one another.

13. A device for aligning and rearranging the paving stones line by line within a course of paving stones intended for laying, particularly as an auxiliary device to a laying device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised by a table (29) which can be lowered by the weight of the paving stones against spring action, with slides (34) which are associated with the rows of paving stones and to which the lowering movement of the table is transmitted via a change of direction drive (33) in such a manner that each of the rows of paving stones is pushed by a slide against a stop (35) associated with the row in each case.

14. A device for aligning and rearranging the paving stones of a course of paving stones line by line, particularly as an auxiliary device to a laying device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised by a table which is mounted in the manner of a rocker and which tilts when the course of paving stones (31) is placed on it, whereupon the lines of paving stones slide against suitably mounted stops in each case.

15. A device as claimed in claim 13 or 14 characterised in that the table (29) comprises rollers on its surface distributed in the manner of a gravity-roller conveyor.

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