US2420595A - Shuttle crane - Google Patents

Description

F. c. HARRIS SHUTTLE CRANE May 13, 1947-.

Filed Deo. 26, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .ITE

F. C. HARRIS May `13, 1947.

SHUTTLE CRANE Filed Dec. 26, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw QN s SQ mE m WM ,o WLMI I. "n C A M L K M E F @www May 13, 1947.

3 She'ets-Sheet 3 Filed DeC. 26, 1944 m ya R. E mr N N A E. WH, w ma 7 F .Y B o @Qua U65 Patented May 13, 1947 The American MonoRail Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application-December 26, 1944, Serial No. 569,823

16 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to the crane art and particularly yto a suspended -erane which can be moved vendwise as well-as sidewise.

There are many conditions in which -it would be a marked advantage to have a suspended sidewi'se movable crane which oouldbe moved end- Wise. 'An illustration olf such a condition is a building in which the crane runways are disposed between two rows of roof supporting pillars beyond one or -b'oth of which rows bays are located. lf the crane could be moved endwise it could receive a load in one hay, move it past the adjacent row 'o"f pillars and `discharge the load at some other place, such as in another hay.

IThe.problem of shifting `loads across a space between-two adjacent conveyorspasfrom `a crane past building pillars to a traclgbeyond the pillars, has existed-for a long time and Variousproposals have been made for Ysolving the problem but, so far-as I am awarefno proposals have been made by others which have been entirely-satisfactory asasolut'ionforthat problem. y Y

AIn my copending applicationeer, No. 481,733, iiled on April 1943, 'I disclosed and claimed apparatus which aimed `at the solution of that problem. While Vthe apparatus of that application be'enduite Satisfactory in 4ruse, it possessed certain disadvantages. It consisted `of a number of -rnoving vpar-ts which were expensive to Abuild-arid maintain. AIt required considerable amounts of space or headroom which in certain instances was quite valuable in `terms of cost of building construction. vIts construction was such that it was limitedas to--the size of loads it could transferfacross such a space Yand alsoas -to the size of the `space which it -could span, for-the en dwise moving-partsfcould-not be `made resistant to bending -and binding when the heavier loads were being `handled or when 'the lighter loadsA were tobe movedacross a larger space.

By thepresent `invention I have provided a sidewise movable suspended crane which is movable endwise as a unit, which comprises/a minimum numb'er'of parts, which avoids the shortcomings ofp'rior cranes and whichpossesses many advan- .tag'sfnt 4vpossessed by any suspendedcrane with which ITam familiar.

The present invention will be better understood byLthse skilledin theart from the following description 4and the drawings accompanying and forming Ava rpart of this specification and in which Figure 'l is a top plan view of a heavy duty crane embodying the-present invention;

Figure '2 is a fragmentary, side elevational 2 view, partly in section, taken on line `22 of Fiel;

Figure 3 is an end elevational View taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional VView 'taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, top plan view, partly in section, of one set of crane supporting trolleys of Fig. l.;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of .part of the mechanism fory controlling sidewise and cndwise movement 'of the crane;

Figure 7 is an elevational view, partly in section,`taken on line 'I--l of Fig. 6;

Figure 8`is a plan viewof the cable 'and drums shown in Fig. l for moving the crane endwise; and,

Figure 9 is an elevational view taken on line ses of Fig. s.` y

Figs. "1 to f5 inclusive show one form of the present invention. Parallel spaced crane run.. ways I are suspended between rows of pillars 4(not shown) `in any suitable manner, as for example, by being attached to trusses l2 of the "building (Fig. 2). The crane comprises supporting trolleysand a bridge with end frames.

The crane supporting trolleys are mounted yin opposed "pairs on runways 'I The trolleys of" one of such pairs are indicated at 3 in Fig. 1 and those of another pair are indicated at "4 in'the saine figure. fTwoof such pairs of trolleys are employed with the crane here illustrated.

All the trolleys of `pairs 3 and -4 are alike and hence the description of one will suffice Vfor all. Each of these trolleys comprises a load bar I0 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 5) which is disposed beneath runway I and has upwardly extending marginal iflanges `I"I intermediate its ends and end -projections f2 provided with vertical holes. Transverselyextending'trunnions I3 are pivotallyattaclied to ndprojections I2 and 4each trunnon hasa 'central recess "I4 in which the end proiec tion `I2 is received. Trolley yokes I5 arepvoted onthei ends ofthe trunnions and aresecured in place as Aby nuts I6.

`Each `yoke I5 carries shafts on which upper trolley `wheels nIl -are rotatably mounted. The load bar I0 also carries shafts which are at right anglesto theshafts of wheels Il and on which lowertrolley wheels I8 are mounted. From what has just been 'saiditwill'be understoodthat each crane supporting trolley comprises a load bar which carries two opposed pairs of lower wheels yIB whose axes are disposed'parallel tothe crane runway l 'andalso 'carriesthe upper wheels Il whose axes are disposed at right angles to runway I. The wheels I8 are conected in groups of four to the opposite ends of the load bar I9 and their yokes are capable of swiveling motion relative to the load bar. In other words, each trolley includes upper wheels to run on the runways and a lower set of wheels for a purpose presently to be described.

The crane bridge includes spaced parallel beams 28 connected by suitable cross members 2| and braces 22 so that it is a strong, rigid structure. At each end this bridge is securely connected to the end frames. Each end frame consists of a rigid structure formed by side members 25, cross members 26 connected thereto, braces 21 and beams 28. One side member 25 of each frame is connected to the beams 20 of the bridge and the beams 28 of each frame are aligned with and attached to the beams 20 of the bridge. The end members 26 of each end frame are better shown in Fig. 3, where, as will be seen, these members are T-shaped in cross-section with the T inverted so that the flanges normally at the bottom of the T rest on the tops of the lower wheels I8 of the trolleys. Since these end members 26 extend for some distance on either side of each runway, it will be understood that the crane may move endwise as a unit to corresponding extents. Current carrying bus bars 29 may be secured along beams 28 and 28 to be engaged by collectors on load carrying trolleys (not shown) which run on the lower flanges of these beams.

Between the end frames an operators cab 30 is suspended from cross beams 3| which are secured to the tops of bridge beams 20, This cab 39 may be equipped with the usual electrical control apparatus (not shown) The crane of Fig. 1 is provided with means by which it may be moved sidewise along runways I. The means shown includes a carriage 35 (Fig. 3) which has a, bracket 36 at one end attached to and supported by the adjacent load bar I9. At its other end, the carriage is connected to a trolley 32 having wheels to run on the runway I. The carriage 35 mounts two wheels 38 which have deformable treads engageable with the under surface of runway I and which are driven by a motor 39 attached to carriage 35. When motor 39 is energized the wheels 38 are rotated and move the crane sidewise along its runways. Preferably, such crane moving means as has just been described is provided at each end of the crane for simultaneous engagement with each runway. In this manner the crane will be moved sidewise along the runways while being maintained perpendicular to each runway.

The crane is also provided with means by which it may be moved endwise. This means is shown in Figs. l, 2, 4 and 6 to 9 inclusive. Reeling drums 58a and 49h are supported between cross beams 3l and outside of bridge beams 20 to rotate about vertical axes. Drum 49a. is driven by motor 4I. One end frame of the crane carries two sheaves 58h and 58d and the other frame carries sheaves 58a and 59e. Each load bar I0 of the crane supporting trolleys is connected to a draw bar I as at 52 in Fig. 3. Each draw bar 5I is connected to cable 55 by clamps 56. It will be understood that the l draw bars 5I are of such length that the adjacent end frame may be moved for the full predetermined length of its travel without interference of the clamps 56 with the adjacent sheaves 58. Cable 55 is endless, in effect, is provided With length adjuster 58 and is also provided with a current control bar 59.

As will be better understood by reference to Figs. 8 and 9, cable 55, starting at the righthand end of adjuster 53 threads clockwise around drum 48a, then counterclockwise around drum 49h, thence around sheaves 50a and 5013, thence counterclockwise around drum 4Gb and clockwise around drum 40a, and then around sheaves 50c and 59d and back to adjuster 58. When drum 40a is actuated by motor 4I to rotate in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 8, the reaches of cable 55 between the drums and the lefthand clamps 56 are shortened with coincident lengthening of the reaches of cable between the drums and the righthand clamps 56. This reeling in and paying out of cable reaches causes the sheaves and the entire crane to move toward the right. Obviously, when motor 4I is reversed and drums 48a and 46h are rotated in the opposite direction, the crane will be moved endwise toward the left in Figs. 1 and 8. Such endwise movement of the crane is freely permitted because it is supported on the tops of the lower wheels I8.

The current controlling means 59 above mentioned is better shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This means comprises a bar which constitutes a part of cable 55 and which is disposed between pairs of rollers 66 carried by a. frame attached to the crane. This frame includes vertical end pieces 61, top and bottom members 68 and 69 with angles 1l) and channel 1I serving as means of stiffening and for attaching the frame to the crane bridge. The bar 55 has a cam 15 on its lower surface which is engageable with cam rollers 19 of current controllers 16, 11 and 18 adjustably carried by the lower frame member 69. It will be understood that current controller 11 is connected in the electrical circuit which energizes the motors 39 for moving the crane sidewise on runways I and that controllers 16 and 18 are in the circuit which energizes motor 4I to move the crane endwise. When the cam follower 19 of controller 11 engages cam 15, as indicated in Fig. 6, motor 39 may be energized, for the crane will then be in a normal or neutral position relative to runways I. When motor 4I is energized and moves the crane endwise far enough for the follower of controller 11 to move 01T the high part of cam 15, the circuit to motor 39 will be broken. Thus motor 39 can not move the crane sidewise along the runways when the crane has been shifted endwise out of its normal position relative to the runways. When cam 15 engages the follower of controller 11 or 18 it breaks the circuit of motor 4I and thus deenergizes the motor. Preferably, the circuits of motors 39 and 4I are so interlocked that one circuit is open when the other is closed.

Altho the present invention has been described in some detail in connection with a heavy duty, cab carrying crane, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to such a crane. The cab may be omitted if desired. Also, the crane may be much lighter and embody only a single beam 20. In that case one beam 29 may be omitted and the end frames shortened. if desired, and disposed symmetrical- 1y with respect to that beam, each end frame having a single beam 28 aligned with and connected to bridge beam 20.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a crane which may be of a wide range of load carrying capacity, which is simple in construction, which is movable endwise as a unit, which is capable of receiving or discharging loads beyond a row of columns and which is practically fool-proof as regards the possibility of fouling a column when being moved sidewise.

Having thus described my invention so that others skilled in the art may be able to understand and practice' the same, I state that what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is denned in what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A suspended crane comprising trolleys having upper wheels to run on spaced parallel runways and having lower wheels, a bridge to extend transversely between and beyond both runways and having rails to run on the tops of said lower wheels, and means for moving said bridge endwise on said lower wheels, said means including a drum on said bridge and flexible means connected to said trolleys and operatively engaging said drum.

2. A suspended crane comprising trolleys having upper wheels to run on spaced parallel runways and having lower wheels, a bridge to extend transversely between and beyond both runways and having rails to run on the tops of said lower wheels, means including a drum on said bridge and a cable windable about said drum and connected to said trolleys for moving said bridge endwise on said lower wheels, and means engaging one of said runways for moving said crane sidewise along said runways.

3. A suspended crane comprising trolleys having upper wheels to run on spaced parallel runways and having lower wheels, a bridge to extend transversely between and beyond both runways and having rails to run on the tops of said lower wheels extending from end to end thereof, and means for moving said bridge endwise on said lower wheels, said means including a drum on said bridge, anchors connected to said trolleys and flexible means attached to the anchors and windable about said drum.

4. A suspended crane comprising trolleys having upper wheels to run on spaced parallel runways and having lower wheels, a bridge to extend transversely between and beyond both runways and having rails to run on the tops of said lower wheels, and means for moving said bridge endwise on said lower wheels, said means including cooperating members connected to the bridge and to the bridge supporting trolleys.

5. A suspended crane comprising trolleys having upper wheels to run on spaced parallel runways and having lower wheels below said runways, a bridge to extend transversely between and beyond both runways, having parallel spaced rails to run on the tops of said lower wheels and having spaced parallel trolley tracks between said portions and extending from end to end of said bridge, and means for moving said bridge endwise on said lower wheels, said means including rotatable drums on said bridge, means on the bridge for rotating one of said drums, anchors on said trolleys, and cables connected to said anchors and windable about said drums.

6. A suspended crane comprising trolleys having upper wheels to run on spaced parallel runways and having lower wheels below said runways, a bridge to extend transversely between and beyond both runways, having parallel spaced rails to run on the tops of said lower wheels and having spaced parallel trolley tracks between said portions and extending from end to end of said bridge, and means for moving said bridge endwise on said lower wheels, said means including an endless, movable cable connected to said bridge and anchors connected to the bridge sup.. porting trolleys and to said cable.

7. A suspended crane comprising trolleys having upper wheels to run on spaced parallel runways and having lower wheels, a bridge to extend transversely between said runways including end frames to run on the tops of said lower wheels 'and a trolley track extending from end to end of the bridge and end frames, and means for moving said bridge and end frames as a unit endwise on said lower wheels, said means including anchors attached to said trolleys, a drum on said bridge and a cable connected to said anchors and operatively engaging said drum.

8. A suspended crane comprising trolleys having upper wheels to run on spaced parallel runways and having lower wheels, a bridge including frames at each end thereof to run on the tops of said lower wheels and a track for trolleys depending from the bridge and end frame and extending for the full length of the bridge and end frame, and means for moving said crane bridge endwise on said lower wheels, said means including drums on said bridge, a cable operatively engaging said drums and cable anchors attached to said trolleys.

9. A suspended crane system comprising spaced parallel runways, crane supporting trolleys having upper wheels to run on said runways and having lower wheels, a crane extending transversely between and beyond both runways and including rails to run on the tops of said lower wheels, and a trolley track extending for the full length of the crane, means including a drum on said crane, a cable on said drum, and means for anchoring the cable` to said trolleys for moving said crane endwise on said lower wheels, and means for moving said crane sidewise along said runways, said means including a driven wheel engaging the under side of one of said runways.

10. A suspended crane system comprising spaced parallel runways, crane supporting trolleys having upper wheels to run on said runways a/nd having lower wheels, a crane extending transversely between and beyond both runways and including rails to run on the tops of said lower wheels, and. a trolley track extending for the full length of the crane, means for moving said crane endwise on said lower wheels, means for moving said crane sidewise along said runways, said endwise moving means including a member anchored to one of said crane supporting trolleys, a movable member cooperating with said anchored member and connected to said crane, and means for actuating said movable member.

1l. A suspended crane system comprising spaced parallel runways, crane supporting trolleys having upper wheels to run4 on said runways and having lower wheels, a crane extending transversely between and beyond both runways and including rails to run on the tops of said lower wheels, and means for moving said crane bridge endwise on said lower wheels, said means including rods anchored to said trolleys, sheaves and drums on the crane, an endless cable clamped to said rods and partly encircling said sheaves and drums, and means for rotating one of said drums and thereby shifting the position of the sheaves along said cable.

l2. A trolley for a sidewise and endwise movable suspended crane comprising load bars to be positioned beneath crane runway rails, trunnions pivotally attached to said load bars, yokesv on said trunnions, upper trolley wheels rotatably carried by said yokes to run on flanges of runway rails for sidewise movement of the crane, and lower wheels rotatably connected to said load loars to engage under rail surfaces of the crane and support the latter for endwise movement.

13. A suspended crane system comprising two parallel, spaced runways having trolley tracks, two trolleys on each runway, each of said trolleys including a load bar beneath a runway, yokes pivoted to said bar, upper wheels rotatably connected to said yoke and resting on said runway tracks, and lower wheels rotatably connected to said load bar to rotate on axes parallel to the runways, a crane extending transversely between and beyond both of said runways and including rails each resting on the lower wheels of trolleys on said runways and a load carrying trolley track between said rails and. extending for the full length of said crane, and means for moving said crane endwise, said means including a pair of sheaves near each end of said crane drums on the crane between Saidv pairs of sheaves, an endless cable threaded partly around each sheave and drum, means to rotate one of the drums, and clamps attached to each load bar and to the cab-le.

14. A suspended crane system comprising spaced parallel runways, crane supporting trolleys having upper wheels resting on said runways and having lower wheels, a crane extending transversely between and beyond both runways and having rails resting on the tops of said lower wheels, means to move said crane sidewise along said runways with said crane supporting trolleys, means to move said crane endwise relative to said trolleys, and control means operatively associated with both of said crane moving means to prevent sidewise movement of the crane when it is in an endwise actuated position.

15. A suspended crane system comprising spaced parallel runways, crane supporting trolleys having upper wheels resting on said runways and having lower wheels, a crane extending transversely between and beyond both runways and having rails resting on the tops of said lower wheels, electrical means including a switch for moving said crane sidewise along said runways with said crane supporting trolleys, electrical means including switches for moving said crane in either direction endwise into and out of its normal position and relative to said trolleys, and means for actuating said switches one at a time, and for actuating the switch in the sidewise moving electrical means only when the crane is in its normal position.

16. A suspended crane system comprising spaced parallel runways, crane supporting trolleys having upper wheels resting on said runways and having lower wheels, a crane extending transversely between and beyond both runways and having rails resting on the tops of said lower wheels, electrical means including a switch for moving said bridge sidewise, electrical means including switches for moving said crane endwise,

and a switch actuating cam engageable with said switches one at a time, the switch of the sidewise moving means being located between the other said switches.

` FRANK C. HARRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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