US1716732A - Motor-propelled crane - Google Patents

Description

F. A.' H. iJ/JQSS/f MOTOR PROPELLED CRANE 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Nov.

gvvwento f4, /5/2 www a June l1, 1929. I P. A. H. Moss/v 1,716,732

MOTOR PROPELLED CRANE Filed Nov. 29. 1926 4 sheets-sheet 5' Smwemcoz June H, 1929, P, A, H, MQSSAAY 1,716,732

MOTOR PROPELLED CRANE Filed Nov, 29, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ansa rant Anr'ironsn HUBERT MossAY, or IPSWICH, nnGLANng-Assrsnon To Moss'ara f contraria', rrr/Irren; on LoNnoiyLnNenAnn, aoonrona'rron; y 1 f v- MoroR-rnornnnnncnans..

nppueauna 'llhisinvention relates to railless motorpro- ,y

zpelled cranes lwhich are provided-with ground Wheels adapted to act both for translational movements and for slewing movements of the 5 crane. 4: i

l@lianes of-lth-isV kind have hitherto been made Wi th a Wheel base of definite dimensions calculated in each-case to give the required f stability for; the lifting capacity of the crane,

`0 it being'desirableto keep'the rWheel base as smal-l as possible in order to permit of rapid operation Withina small turning or slewing radiusand to enable the craneA to pass throught, andto operate 1n narrow gangvvaysor other `confined spaces. v c In arriving atlthe lifting capacity of a crane of the above type it is necessaryto conrsider twov opposing moments about the 4axis ot-the front-,wheeler wheels whichfacts as a tulcrum about which the crane might tilt.

` @ne of 'these vmoments is that due tothe Vrated maximum load to Abe lifted, and the distance at which this load acts. in front ofthe tilting 'fulcrum when the jib'is fully extended,while the other and opposing moment is that ofthetotalweight of the crane concentrated at-its centreof gravity and the dis- `tance ot this centre of gravity from this tiltthe coefficient of stabil-ity of the crane, Withl out necessitating alteration in the Weight ot the crane and alsovvithout requiring undue increase in the turning or slewing radius, or inotherWords,funduc` increase in the space Within ywhich the body of .orrotate u v Vlilith theabove object in view `a crane according to the invention is provided withl ground Wheels, notonly adapted to act both tortranslational movements and for slewing.l

movements of the crane thereon, but also Y' adapted to be adjusted soas to vary the counterbalancing effect of the Weight-ot the cranek :byvvarying'the position o ty the centre of grav ity of the latter.

the crane can slew.-

;filea novembezas, 1926,' serial No. 151,505, am in Great Britain December-14,1925.

The inventioainay beappl'ied to various" forms of crane ot' the type above mentioned, 55 for exampleit may be applied to one having non-swivelling front. Wheels, in which case. the adjustment necessary toeiiiect variationin the lifting capacity `may result in some kvariation in the slewing radius, i. e., the radiusofthe circle swept out by the body of the crane .when rotating or slewing; Whereas'it is also possible to applyit to acraneof the above type having sWivelling front'wl'ieels so that pimtically a turning or slewing circle otlconstant small radius lmay, be retained irrespective of the adjustment. for liftingcapacity, a smaller Wheel base being assured.. when the crane is adjusted tor a loW liftingr capacity thus also facilitating rapid turning or slewing operations, when .dealing with light loads', \vhen there is no necessityto syvivel the front Wheels. c l i i Y ln any case according to the present invention it 'is possible to adjust the crane to op- 7 crate eliiciently when dealing With light loads, not exceeding'tor instance 'half av ton, f such as in warehouse Work, when it is desirable to haveva small Wheel base facilitating mobility and rapidity of operation, and yet to adjust the Acrane todeal With heavier loads l of saytivo tons when required, the increased lifting' capacity being attained Without any appreciable variation in the effective jib radius. l A

ln lthe accompanying drawings; lFigure l is aside sectional elevation,

Figure l is an outline sideelevation showing the end ot the overhanging jibstructure omitted trom lligfl, u y lFigure 2 is a plan partly in section, and Figure 3 is a front elevation, illustrating one form 'ot crane according to the invention, only those-parts which are .neccssaryto an vunderstanding or the'invention being shown.- Figure l is a diagram or outline plan cor.- responding to Figure @but after the Wheels -have been adiustedlor a low lifting capacity,

a short slewing radius and a minimum Wheel base. Y i

1B igures 5 and 6 respectively are a sectional elevation and a sectional plan illustrating another ormot the invention. v

liigure 57 is an outline side elevation shown ing the end ot the overhanging -jilo structure 105 emitted from l? ig.

Figure 7 is a front elevation part-ly in section of the modification illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan View illustrating different adjustment of the units.

In the form illustrated by Figures 1 to 4,

.adjustment of the wheels to increase the lifting capacity results in some increase in the length of the turning or slewing radius.

'lhe crane therein sho-wn comprises two units. 1 and 2. The unit 1 is provided with non-swivelling ground wheels 3, 3, rotating on a. fixed axle 4, while the unit 2 has asteering ground wheel 5 adaptedto be swivelled on a vertical axle (iso that it can be set relatively to the wheels 3, 3 to suit steering and slewing operations as hereinafter explained. 'The two units 1 and 2 are relatively adjustable so that the distance betweenthe point of contactof the Wheel 5 with the ground and the line joining the points of contact of the wheels 3, 3, with the ground, can be varied.

The unit 1 comprises a derrick 7 conveniently built of steely channels forsupporting the pivoted crane jib,`indicated by dot'and `dash lines 8 and a structure 9 for supporting the hoisting and vluiii'ng Winches 10, 11 whic may be' of any suitable kind.

The front channels of the derrick are supported on the fixed axle 4,`while the structure 9 is supported and can slide on 4angle irons or rails .12 forming part of the rear unit 2.

l Retaining bars 13 on the structure 9 engage with the rails 12. l

The unit 2 has a forward frame or extension 14 which at the front is supporteduby and can slide on the axle 4. Retaining bars such as angle irons 16 on the front channels of the derrick engage with the upper edges of the extension frame 14 to prevent vertical displacement, th-e sides of the extension frame the unit 2 is caused to move relatively to the unit l.

The steering ground Wheel 5, for example, shown with twin tires, is fixed on an axle 2O which is free to rotate in a fork 21 having a vertical axle mounted so as to rotate in a bearing 22 on the unit 2.

The ground steering wheel 5 is controlled by a steering hand wheel 23. The steering column 24 is mounted on a bracket 25 fixed on the unit l1. 1t has a bevel wheel '26 meshing with bevel wheel 27 fixed on a tubular shaft 28 carried in bearings 29 and 30 both lixed on the unit `1.

has a bevel wheel 31 fixed on it. A bevel wheel 32 meshes with the `wheel 31 and is fixed on a receive the shaft 33 which for the greater part of its length is square. A driving but sliding connection thus provided between the shaft-S` 28 and 33, which together form a telescopic' shaft,I to insure operation of the steering ground wheel 5 from the hand wlieel23what?"L ever be the relative adjustment between the two units 1 and 2 eiinected by the screw threaded shaft 15.

In the above example the wheels 3, 3, are assumed to be driven by electric motors 36, 36, derivingcurrent from accumulators which can be mounted on platforms (the accumulators and their supports being designated by the numerals 37, 37) on the unit 2, suitable controlling means being provided, for instance `as described in my copending appli cation Serial No. 491,099vby which the motors can be controlled to drive the wheels in the same or in opposite directions to effect translational or slewing movements of the crane and accordingly as the wheel 5 is set by l,the hand wheel 23 relatively to the wheels 3, 3. Since in the crane of Figures 1- to 4 the con- Itrols and motors 36 and accumulators 37 will be separated by a slidable connection the cur- `rent supply to the controls and motors will be provided with a corresponding slidable or extensible connection. i

When the wheel 5 is parallel to the wheels 3,13, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2and the wheels 3, 3, are driven in the same' direction the crane can make rectilinear fore and aft movements.

When the wheel 5 is set at right angles to the wheels 3, 3, and' the latter are rotated in opposite directions ,the crane rotates or slews j' on a. circle the centre O of which is in they centre of the axis of the wheels 3, 3. l K

When the wheel 5 is set in intermediate positions the crane makes curvilinear trans-v i lational movement. If the wheel 5 is in a position so that the planetary centre falls between the wheels 3 3, these have to be rotated in opposite directions, whereas if it falls out side of these wheels they must rotate in the same direction.

When the two units 1 and 2 are adjusted as in Figures 1 to 3, the weight of the unit 2 and accessories carried by it, such as accumulators for example, is carried farther to the rear of the axis of the wheels 3,3 so that the 38, et tlie stub axles A'are mounted in theL lforked ends 'of the n xed aide' 4. The motor is also reduced.

:Wietse the craneiaite'r tliis'adjustinent isgre'ater'than when the unitsy arevadjusted to reduce theliftmg capacity, as indicated. in Figure 4, in

which casethe turning or slewing radius is at its minimum and the sizeof the wheel base lf it be desired to'n'iaintain a minimum turningor slewing radius for the crane underall `conditions o r adjustment ofv lifting capacity,then the ' ground wheels 3, 3, can be adapted to 'be siviyelled Eso' lthat their axes :canL be set te avariable planetary centre, for

mounted on stub axles Ain .a similarmanner to l that yusually adpted with. the steering wheels of am'otor car. Vlhe vertical pivot pins 3S,

plates '39, 39,1 are "connected by links l0 to a nut'll'on' a lscrewthteadedshaft 52 carried in lbearings "42,43, on the front unit l. The bevel' 'wlieel Mr ontlie endot theshaft 52 is v"in inesli'witli a1 bevel wheel 45 on the end ott a steering column46, which passes throughthe steering column.2l and-is provided with av hand steeringfwheel 4'?. f

By appropriate manipulation. of thev hand` wheel l? the wheels 3,3, can loeiswivelled or adjusted about Itheir .vertical axles 38 into a numberott positions within an angle' ot'about 45o andby these adjustments in conjunction with adjustmentsof thewheel 5 by the hand 4wheel 23u-it is possible to edect rectilinear fore andaft movements-oft the crane, andturning or slewingn'iovements with a variety of turningor slewing radii.

d"illhen the uni firare lett parallel to one anotheivas shown in dotted lines in Figure 8. rThe/crane'-can then 'rotateorfslew about the centre @"with a minimum turningradius." Even when the iiiiitslnnd 2are extended as shown in full lines'in' Figure 6 to insure a'gieater lifting,Y capacity, the saine minimum turning radius, i. e., space' swept in vswivelling can be inain- 'tained by' setting the wheel 5 at right angles tcthe fore and att Iaxis of the crane-as indieatedin vdotted lines at 5 and setting,T `the - wheels 3, 3, into the positions indicated in dotted lines so that the planetary centre about 'which the crane slewsis shifted from U to CW. The position ot wheels 8, 3, shown in i'ull lines in Figure 8 refers to an intermediate positionot the two units when the rotation center is also in O1 which ist-he rotation center when the wheels 3, 3, are in the dotted posi yaen,

any suitable means may he provided tor locking either or hoth hand steering wheels after an operation. T

yThe form otcia-ne shown in Figures 5to 8 differs somewhat in construction from that shown in Figures l to et. 'llhe structure 9 sup porting the hoisting' 'and hitting Winches. 10, v

l1, is mounted onfthe unit 2f The axle is provided with a hollow extension 48 to re`` ceive and to form a more extensive guide and support for the forward-extension let ot the unit 2, avoidiijig-both lateral and vertical dis placements between the two units. :More over, the pbS, instead of being mounted en a derriclr, is directly mounted in" pivotal f brackets 49 on the aXle t andthe extension 48 supports thebearings 42, 43, 29, 30 Jfor the shafts 52, 28.

ln this construction the major portionof :the total weight ofthe crane Acan be moved away from the axis of wheels 3,8.

r l.The nut 19 nas a retainingl piece() engaging' within al'channelled portion' 5l in the axle 4.

It is to be understoodthat the invention The propelling` and hoisting and hiding may be eiected in any desired manner as by electric motors" or hy internal combustion engines, petrolelectric transmission or steam.I engines.

ln' both the crane thatA of Figures 5 t0 8` the crane structure remains in a definite verticalplane, and for each adjiistment oi' the units there is a fixed relation between the .maximum overhang of the'load and the wheel base in all positions of the crane. rlhe operator, therefore, has

of Figures ltoll and simply to adjust the units to lift the desiredload and once lifted Vno further manipulats 1 and 2 are fully retracted for a minimum Vlifting; capacity, the `wheels tion ot the crane will imbalance it, so that the ability of thecrane to be adjusted to lift the load is the test of the ability to carry thev load and deposit it. lt is unnecessary to predetermine-the weight of lthe parts to he trans-l ported. lWheiiever the load is too heavy this will be immediately shown dnring'the attempt to litt it and the operator will know.

that the units must be adjusted for greater lifting power and that this adjustment when made will scrveifer all the subsequent move- Aments of thecrane with itsload. f

- Having now particularly described 'and ascertained the nature of my said inventionv andin what manner the same is to he per-v lformed, l declare'that what ll claim is a direction parallel to said plane, and a supper von opposite sides and a rear portion having a wheel on a 'line between said front wheels in generally triangular formation so as to provide a three point support, a crane sup. port-ing structure on said front portion adapted tosupport a lifting crane to over-- hang forwardly between saidforward Wheels, means for driving at least one of said wheels to propel said crane, means for steering said wheel and means for adjusting one portion with relation'to the other to move said center of gravity backward. 3. A railless motor propelled crane comprising a front portion having two wheels on opposite vsides and a rear portion having a wheel on a line between said front wheels in generally triangular formation so as to provide a three point support, a crane support ing structure on said front portion adapted to supporta lifting crane to overhang for-` wardly between said forward wheels, means for driving at least one of said front wheels to propel said crane, means 'for steering said wheel and means for adjusting one portion with relation to the other to move said center of gravity backward. 4. A railless motor propelled crane comprising a frontportion having twowheels on opposite sides and a rear portion having a wheel on a line between said front wheels in generally triangular formation 'so as to pro- `vide a three point support, a crane supporting structure on saidfront portion adapted y to support a lifting crane to overhang fory wardly between said forward wheels, means for'driving at least one of said wheels'to propel said crane, means for steering said rear wheel from-said front portion and means v for adjusting one-,portion with relation to',y the other to'move the center of gravity back ward. 5. A railless motor propelled crane comprising a front portion rhaving two wheels onopposite sides and a rear portion having a wheel on aline with said front wheel in generally triangular formation so as to provide a three point support, means for adjusting the front and rear portions with. relation to each other to move the center-of gravity backward, steering means for said rear' other, means forv driving at least one of said wheels to'propel said crane and` means for supporting a-crane structure on said wheels in position to overhang forwardly between said forward wheels.

6. A railless motor propelled crane comprising a front portion having two wheels t on opposite sides and a rear portion having a wheel ona 'line with saidfront wheel in generally triangular formation so as to provide `athree point support, means for ad justing the front andrear portions with/rela tion to each other to move the' center of rear wheel from said front portion and separatel steering means on said front portion adjacent said means for steering said rear wheel for said forward wheels adapted to adjust said wheels simultaneously in prede-` termined angular relation to each other, means for driving said front wheelsto propel said crane and means for supporting a crane structure on said wheels in position to overhang forwardly between said forward wheels.

7. A crane, comprising in combination a mobile member, material-lifting devices thereon, three wheel elements for said member arranged in generally triangular formasaid wheel elements being arranged 1n a pair at opposite sides of said member and the third wheel elementat one end of said member, means for vari ably setting the wheel pair saidwheels, a second unit, slidable connec-l tions between the two units affording relative movements in the plane of the j ib, a third wheel supporting said second unit, hand steering means on the first recited unit, eX-

tensible connections between said steering means Aand said third wheel, and a power supply means on said second unit for supplying power to said motors.-

PVAUL ALPHONSE lrlUBERT MOSSAY.

90 tion to provide a three-point support, two of

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