Chain hoist with improved chain entry
A chain hoist ( 10 ) having an improved chain guide ( 12 ) for a link chain ( 14 ). The chain guide ( 12 ) has a channel ( 36 ) with a cross-shaped cross section, through which the link chain ( 14 ) extends. An end surface ( 26 ) of the chain guide ( 12 ) extends away from a mouth opening ( 28 ) of the channel ( 36 ). The channel ( 36 ) establishes a through-passage direction (D) which widens in the direction of the end surface ( 26 ), and a protrusion ( 30 ) is formed on the end surface ( 26 ) around the mouth opening ( 28 ) of the channel ( 36 ).
1. A chain hoist ( 10 ) comprising
a chain guide ( 12 ) for guiding movement of a link chain ( 14 ) formed of interconnected elongated links 34 a , 34 b , 34 c,
said chain guide ( 12 ) being formed with a channel ( 36 ) which has a cruciform cross-section and through which the link chain ( 14 ) extends,
said chain guide ( 12 ) having an end face ( 26 ) having a contour which surrounds and extends away from a mouth opening ( 28 ) of said channel ( 36 ),
said channel ( 36 ) having a through-passage direction (D) along which the link chain is moveable in said chain guide channel ( 36 ), said chain guide channel ( 36 ) widening in the direction toward the end surface ( 26 ),
a protrusion ( 30 ) extending outwardly of the contour on the end surface ( 26 ) so as to form an elevation above the end face ( 26 ) and through which the mouth opening ( 28 ) of the channel ( 36 ) extends, and
said chain being moveable into said mouth opening ( 28 ) and through said chain guide channel ( 36 ) with individual elongated links of the link chain ( 14 ) passing over the protrusion ( 30 ) in sideways relation to the protrusion ( 30 ) with ends of the links ( 34 b ) above the end face ( 26 ) of the chain guide ( 12 ) before entering the mouth opening ( 28 ) of the channel ( 36 ).
2. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 in which said end face ( 26 ) of said chain guide ( 12 ) is at least partially arcuate in shape.
3. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 in which said end surface ( 26 ) of the chain guide ( 12 ) is inclined relative to the through-passage direction (D).
4. The chain hoist ( 10 ) as of claim 1 in which said channel ( 36 ) has, in cross-section (Q), two guide groove pairs ( 38 , 40 ) oriented transversely with respect to each other, and at least one of the guide groove pairs ( 38 , 40 ) widens in the direction of the end surface ( 26 ) with at least one step ( 46 a, b ).
5. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 in which said protrusion ( 30 ) has a height (H) of 20% to 80% of a length (l) of a link of the link chain ( 14 ).
6. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 in which said protrusion ( 30 ) has at least one planar surface ( 42 a - d ).
7. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 in which said protrusion ( 30 ) has at least one arcuate surface ( 42 a - d ).
8. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 in which said protrusion ( 30 ) has the form of one of a spherical segment, a conical form, or pyramidal form.
9. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 in which said chain guide ( 12 ) is made of metal.
10. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 including a lubricating device ( 44 ) formed in or on at least one guide groove pair ( 38 , 40 ).
11. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 in which said chain guide ( 12 ) is a component ( 15 ) separate from the remaining chain hoist ( 10 ).
12. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 1 including at least one swivel hook block.
13. A chain hoist ( 10 ) comprising
a housing through which a link chain passes,
a chain guide ( 12 ) for guiding movement of the link chain ( 14 ) formed of interconnected elongated links 34 a , 34 b , 34 c through said housing, said chain guide ( 12 ) being formed with a channel ( 36 ) which has a cruciform cross-section and through which the link chain ( 14 ) extends,
said chain guide ( 12 ) having an end face ( 26 ) having a contour which surrounds and extends away from a mouth opening ( 28 ) of said channel ( 36 ),
said channel ( 36 ) having a through-passage direction (D) along which the link chain is moveable in said chain guide channel ( 36 ), said chain guide channel ( 36 ) widening in the direction toward the end surface ( 26 ),
a protrusion ( 30 ) extending outwardly of the contour on the end surface ( 26 ) so as to form an elevation above the end face ( 26 ) and through which the mouth opening ( 28 ) of the channel ( 36 ) extends, and
said chain being moveable into said mouth opening ( 28 ) and through said chain guide channel ( 36 ) with individual elongated links of the link chain ( 14 ) passing over the protrusion ( 30 ) in sideways relation to the protrusion ( 30 ) with ends of the links ( 34 b ) above the end face ( 26 ) of the chain guide ( 12 ) before entering the mouth opening ( 28 ) of the channel ( 36 ).
14. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 13 in which said chain guide ( 12 ) is a component ( 15 ) separate from the housing.
15. The chain hoist ( 10 ) as of claim 14 in which said channel ( 36 ) has, in cross-section (Q), two guide groove pairs ( 38 , 40 ) oriented transversely with respect to each other, and at least one of the guide groove pairs ( 38 , 40 ) widens in the direction of the end surface ( 26 ) with at least one step ( 46 a, b ).
16. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 15 in which said end face ( 26 ) of said chain guide ( 12 ) is at least partially arcuate in shape.
17. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 16 in which said protrusion ( 30 ) has a height (H) of 20% to 80% of a length (l) of a link of the link chain ( 14 ).
18. The chain hoist ( 10 ) of claim 15 in which said protrusion ( 30 ) has the form of one of a spherical segment, a conical form, or pyramidal form.