Support element and a method for supporting an elongated beam, and a rotary platform

Abstract

A rotary milking platform () comprises a platform () having a circular carrier beam () secured to the underside of the platform (). The carrier beam () is supported on a plurality of support elements (), each of which comprise a freely rotatable roller () which is configured to rollably engage an under surface () of the carrier beam (). Each support element () comprises an anchor plate () adjustably mounted on a corresponding ground engaging element () which is secured to the ground. A carrier plate () is carried on four guide bolts () extending upwardly from the anchor plate (). Side members () extending downwardly from the carrier plate () rotatably carry the roller (). Compression springs () acting between abutment washers () secured to the guide bolts () and the carrier plate () urge the carrier plate () against heads () of the guide bolts (). The compression springs () accommodate downward and upward movement of the roller () in order to accommodate rising and falling of the under surface () of the beam (). The compression springs () permit tilting movement of the roller () about a tilt axis () which extends in the direction of motion of the beam () in order to facilitate tilting of the roller () to follow any non-horizontality of the under surface () of the beam (). The tilt axis is located just below a line of contact () of the roller () with the under surface () of the beam () to minimise lateral movement of the roller relative to the beam () as the roller () tilts about the tilt axis.