Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Apparatus for controlling orientation of suspended loads
-
Application No.: US16462813Application Date: 2017-11-21
-
Publication No.: US11370642B2Publication Date: 2022-06-28
- Inventor: Derick Markwell
- Applicant: ROBORIGGER PTY LTD
- Applicant Address: AU West Perth
- Assignee: ROBORIGGER PTY LTD
- Current Assignee: ROBORIGGER PTY LTD
- Current Assignee Address: AU West Perth
- Agency: Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP
- Agent Bret A. Hrivnak
- Priority: AU2016904755 20161121,AU2017903055 20170802
- International Application: PCT/AU2017/051277 WO 20171121
- International Announcement: WO2018/090104 WO 20180524
- Main IPC: B66C13/00
- IPC: B66C13/00 ; B66C13/08 ; B66C1/10 ; B66C13/06 ; B66C13/16 ; B66C13/40 ; B66C13/46 ; B66C13/04

Abstract:
A rotator apparatus (10, 100, 200) for rotationally positioning a suspended load (16). A flywheel (44, 144) can be directly or indirectly driven by a motor (40, 140). Vanes (50, 150) on a fan (45) or on the flywheel can be used to provide additional rotational control through air resistance/braking. A controller (20, 24, 120, 124) can provide wired or wireless control. Thrusters (52) can provide additional rotational impetus or resistance. One or more load cells (54, 232, 234) can provide load sensing. Cameras (28) can be used to visualise the load and can record load moving operations and details of the load for logistics tracking and safety. The attachment part (202) and/or the load support (216) can be connected to the body via a respective pivot (204, 214). The apparatus can include replaceable or rechargeable batteries (206, 210), such as within in a removable container (230), preferably supported by at least one drawer (231), which drawer may be mounted on telescopic drawer slides (212). The replaceable or rechargeable batteries (206, 210) can be provided as a cassette arrangement whereby the batteries plug in and are removable as a unit. At least one hook (157) for suspending a load from the rotator can include a groove or recess (158) to restrict or prevent load rotation.
Information query