Lifting system with actuated lift pins and lift collar

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12459786-B2
Application number	US-202117552966-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 16, 2021
Priority date	Dec 16, 2021
Publication date	Nov 4, 2025
Grant date	Nov 4, 2025

Abstract

A lift coupling system includes a lifting base attachable to an object. The lifting base includes a housing. Lift pins move between a retracted state within the housing and an extended state wherein a portion of each of the lift pins extend outwardly from the housing. An actuator moves the lift pins between the retracted and extended state. A lift collar includes a lift collar body configured to fit about the housing. The lift collar contacts and couples the lift pins to the lift collar when positioned about the housing and the lift pins are in the extended state and decouple therefrom when the lift pins are in the retracted state. At least one lift tab may be arranged on the lift collar body configured to enable lifting of the lifting base and the object thereby when the lift collar is coupled to the lifting base.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . A lift coupling system for enabling an object to be lifted, comprising:
a lifting base, configured to be attached to the object, comprising:
a housing,
a plurality of lift pins configured to move between a retracted state, within the housing, and an extended state, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of lift pins are extended outwardly from the housing,
a rod rotatably disposed in the housing,
a plurality of pin links pivotally attached to the rod, wherein each pin link, of the plurality of pin links, is pivotally attached to a respective one of the plurality of lift pins, and
an actuator configured to rotate the rod to move the plurality of lift pins between the retracted state and the extended state; and
a lift collar, comprising:
a lift collar body, shaped and sized to fit about the housing, configured to;
contact the plurality of lift pins when the lift collar is positioned about the housing and when the plurality of lift pins are extended outwardly to the extended state to couple the lift collar to the lifting base, and
decouple from the lifting base when the plurality of lift pins are retracted into the housing to the retracted state.

2 . The lift coupling system of claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the housing and an inner surface of the lift collar body are both circular.

3 . The lift coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of lift pins comprises four, spaced-apart lift pins.

4 . The lift coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a linear actuator that is pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically actuated.

5 . The lift coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the lift collar further comprises a plurality of spaced-apart lift tabs, arranged on the lift collar body, configured to enable lifting of the lifting base and the object thereby when the lift collar is coupled to the lifting base.

6 . The lift coupling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a remote control configured to receive manual inputs and responsively generate control signals; and a communication module configured to receive the control signals and responsively send commands to the actuator to move the plurality of lift pins between the retracted state and the extended state.

7 . The lift coupling system of claim 6 , wherein the commands include one or both of signals or power.

8 . The lift coupling system of claim 6 , further comprising:
a rod flange arranged about the rod; a stop block attached to the rod flange; a first sensor positioned to contact the stop block when the plurality of lift pins are in the extended state; and a second sensor positioned to contact the stop block when the plurality of lift pins are in the retracted state.

9 . The lift coupling system of claim 8 , wherein at least one of:
the first sensor, when contacted by the stop block, is configured to transmit a signal to the communication module indicative of the extended state, whereupon the communication module is configured to cause the actuator to stop the lift coupling system in the extended state, or the second sensor, when contacted by the stop block, is configured to transmit a signal to the communication module indicative of the retracted state, whereupon the communication module is configured to cause the actuator to stop the lift coupling system in the retracted state.

10 . The lift coupling system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to move the plurality of lift pins to a fully extended state, wherein, when in the fully extended state, the plurality of lift pins are extended to a distance greater than when in the extended state.

11 . The lift coupling system of claim 10 , wherein the lift collar includes a safety ring configured to receive the plurality of lift pins therewithin when in the extended state, wherein the safety ring is sized to block movement of the plurality of lift pins from the extended state through the fully extended state and to the retracted state when the lift collar is coupled to the lifting base.

12 . The lift coupling system of claim 1 , further comprising
a plurality of sleeves attached to the housing, wherein the plurality of sleeves each defines a side opening through the housing, and wherein each of the plurality of sleeves is configured to slidingly receive one of the plurality of lift pins.

13 . A system for enabling an object to be lifted, comprising:
an object; a single point lifting structure attached to the object; a lift coupling system, comprising:
a lifting base, attached to the single point lifting structure, comprising:
a housing,
a plurality of lift pins that are configured to move between a retracted state within the housing, and an extended state wherein a portion of each of the plurality of lift pins are extended outwardly from the housing, and
an actuator configured to move the plurality of lift pins between the retracted state and the extended state; and
a lift collar, comprising:
a lift collar body, shaped and sized to fit about the housing, configured to:
contact the plurality of lift pins when the lift collar is positioned about the housing and when the lift pins are in the extended state to couple the lift collar to the lifting base, and
decouple from the lifting base when the lift pins are in the retracted state, and

a plurality of spaced-apart lift tabs, arranged on the lift collar body, configured to enable lifting of the lifting base and the object thereby when the lift collar is coupled to the lifting base.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the lift coupling system further comprises:
a rod rotatably disposed in the housing, and a plurality of pin links pivotally attached to the rod,
wherein each pin link, of the plurality of pin links, is pivotally attached to a respective one of the plurality of lift pins, and
wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the rod to move the plurality of lift pins between the retracted state and the extended state.

15 . The system of claim 14 wherein the actuator is a linear actuator that is pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically actuated.

16 . A method of operating a lift coupling system, comprising:
lowering a lift collar onto a lifting base,
wherein the lifting base comprises a housing, and
wherein the lifting base is attached to an object;
positioning the lift collar below a plurality of lift pins of the lifting base; rotating, via an actuator, a rod within the housing to move the plurality of lift pins from a retracted state, within the housing, to an extended state in which the plurality of lift pins are extended from the lifting base,
wherein a portion of each of the plurality of lift pins are extended outwardly from the housing,
wherein the rod is pivotally attached to a plurality of pin links, wherein each pin link, of the plurality of pin links, is pivotally attached to a respective one of the plurality of lift pins; and
engaging the lift collar with the plurality of lift pins to lift the object.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the actuator is configured to be controlled remotely.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the lift collar engages with the plurality of pins at a bottom surface of the plurality of lift pins to lift the object.

19 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
generating, based on received manually inputs, control signals for lowering the lift collar.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the lift collar includes a safety ring config

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Sekulich Michael S
• Pillis Jeffrey M
• Jarosiewicz Diana K
• Nienke Trevor C
• Furr Henry L
• Rominger Mark A

Classifications

• B66C13/14

  to load-engaging elements or motors associated therewith · CPC title

• B66C1/22

  Rigid members, e.g. L-shaped members, with parts engaging the under surface of the loads; Crane hooks · CPC title

• B66C1/66 Primary

  for engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof · CPC title

• B66C1/10 Primary

  by mechanical means · CPC title