CA1144493A - Clutch mechanism for hoisting apparatuses - Google Patents
Clutch mechanism for hoisting apparatusesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1144493A CA1144493A CA000367312A CA367312A CA1144493A CA 1144493 A CA1144493 A CA 1144493A CA 000367312 A CA000367312 A CA 000367312A CA 367312 A CA367312 A CA 367312A CA 1144493 A CA1144493 A CA 1144493A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- disc
- holes
- clutch mechanism
- planar surface
- opposed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Mechanical Operated Clutches (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The specification describes a clutch mechanism for hoisting apparatuses, such as cranes, winches, shifting crabs and the like. The positively activated clutch mechanism does not rely on spring pressure for actuation but is characterized by its reliability and simplicity, the combination of which give quick and safe operation.
The specification describes a clutch mechanism for hoisting apparatuses, such as cranes, winches, shifting crabs and the like. The positively activated clutch mechanism does not rely on spring pressure for actuation but is characterized by its reliability and simplicity, the combination of which give quick and safe operation.
Description
CI.UTCI-I ~n~JCMANIS~I FOR llOISTING APPARATUSES
. .
The present invention relates to a clutch mech-anism for hoistirLg apparatuses. It is particularly useful with cranes, winches~ shifting crabs and the like.
Clutches are, of course,very well known in the art. They normally comprise two coaxially mounted plates which are urged into engagement under spring pressure and disengaged by cam action.
In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed a positively activated clutch mechanism which does not rely on spring pressure for actuation.
The clutch mechanism is characterized by its reliabil-ity and simplicity~ the combination of which give quick and safe operation In accordance with the applicant's invention, two coaxially mounted discs are e~nployed. Each disc has at least three holes therein on the face which faces the other disc. The holes are characterized by belng elongated with at least a portion of the sidewall being essentially oblique to the surface of the disc and in the opposed sidewall being preferably substan-i ` ~44~93 tially perpendicular to the surface of the disc.
Preferably each of the holes form an oblong re,-cess with downwardly dec~easing cross-sectional area ending in a generally spherically concave portion of predetermined radius of curvature. The perpendicular sidewall is also preferable a semi-cylindrical sidewall with predetermined radius of curvature and the.axis of the semi-cylindrical portion bein~ parallel,to the axis of rotation of the disc.
' The holes of each of the opposed discs are juxta-posed in opposition to one another and a dowel or such like is disposed Ln each pair of opposing holes.
The dowel preferably has rounded ends which ends are generally hemispherical having a radius of cur- ' vature corresponding to that of the generally spherical concave portion of the bottom of.the holes.- The rounded ends of the dowel rest in the corresponding bottoms of the opposing holes. The radius of a cross section of the dowel may be less than the radius of curvature of the perpendicular semi-cylindrical sidewall, however, it is preferable that the radius of each dowel be such as to provide-a close fit against the perpendicular sidewall of the hole.
, ~ , , -2-. . .
. .
11444~3 In the non-activated position the dowel lies along the oblique sidewalLs of the opposed holes. When it is desired to activate the clutch mechanism, one of the discs is rotated with respect to the other to move the dowel from the oblique sidewalls to the perpendicular sidewalls. Since the dowels have a length which is less than or equal to the combined lengths of the oblique sidewalls but greater than the combined length of the perpendicular sidewalls, the dowels will cause positive separation of t~e two disc elements when they are moved from the oblique sidewalls to the perpendicular sidewalls.
This motion, can, in turn, be transferred to a drum which has a plate which bears against a moving clutch plate when the clutch mechanism is in the engaged position. Counter-rotation of the two discs returns the dowels to their original position against the oblique sidewalls thereby disengaging the clutch plate fro~ the drum plate~ ~
In order to limit the rotation between the two discs, a positive stop may be introduced to prevent over travel. According to the invention, however, over travel is preferably prevented by the close fit of the dowel against the pPrpendicular sidewalls of the opposing holes when the two discs are separated.
These and oLher aspects of the present invention may be more fully understood with reference to the drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a sctlema~ic view of the clutch mechanism according to the present invention in a disengated po-s ition:
Fig. 2 is a clutch mechanism according to the present invention in an engaged position; and Fig. 3 is a front view of one of the discs making up the clutch mechanism showing the holes therein.
Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a drum 10 having side plates lZa and 12b. Wîre cables or ~he like may suitable be wound on the drum. Side plate 12a is translatable towards and away from en-gagemen~ with drive plate 14 affixed to driven chain wheel 16, the drive mechanism not being shown.
Abutting against the outside of plate 12b is a bearing 18 (details not shown) to permit free rotation of the drum L0 with respect to discs 20 and 22 of the clutch actuation mechan;sm. While discs 20 and 22 are preferably circular, they need not be. Disc 22 is axially fixed while disc 20 is axially moveabIe toward and away from chain wheel 16. Components 10, 18, 20 and 22 are coaxially mounted on a spindle (not shown).
~a Discs 20 and 22 are provided with holes 24 and 26, respecti~ely. In conjunction with -Fig. 3, it can be seen that these holes have sidewalls 28 and 30 re-specti~ely, which are formed as generally semi-cylin-drical por~ions having an axis o sy~metry generally perpendicular ~o the opposed faces of the disc and sidewalls 32 and 34 respectively which are oblique ~o the opposed faces of the discs. The angle which the oblique s;dewall makes with respect to the surface is not critical but is suitably at most about 80.
Each hole is a generally oblong slot having downwardLy decreasing cross-sectional area ending in a generally spherical concave portion.
As can ble seen in Fig. 3, the holes are aligned on the disc 20 SID that the opposed oblique and perpendicular sidewalls of ,each hole intersect an arc concentric with the axis of the disc. However~ i~ will be appreciated that all holes need not intersect the same arc. Further-more it can be seen that all oblique sidewalls are aligned in the same direction on one d;sc and it wilt be appreciated that they are aligned in the opposite direction on the other disc.
As shown especially in Fig~ 3, there are employed at least three holes in each disc. More may be em-ployed if desired but three has been found to be the preferable number.
The holes arR pre:Eerably substantiall y equi-dis~an~ly spaced. While this is not absolutely ne~
cessary, the radial angular distance ~ from the center line of one hole to the center line o~ the next adjacent hole in either direction should never exceed about 170 and should be about 150 or less.
Postioned in each of the holes is a dowel 36.
Each dowel has a length which is greater than the leng~h of the opposed perpendicular sidewalls 28 and 30. Furthermore, the distance 38 between the out-side of the plate 12a and the facing side of drîve plate 14 is less ~han the distance by which the length of the dowel ex~eeds the length of the two perpendicular sidewalls of the holes. The upper limit of the length of the dowel îs not critical. However, for practical reasons it should not be substantially greater (e.g. no more than about 25%3 than the combined length of the opposed oblique sidewalls 32 and 3~-r ~ and it is preferably equal to or less than that combined length.
Fîg. 2 shows the device of Fig. 1 in the engaged position. Disc 20 has been rotated with respec~ to disc 22. This can suitably be accomplished by arm 40 which may be manually operated or may be connec~ed through appropriate linkage to a drive mechanism (not shown). As the disc 20 rotates the sidewalls of the 1~4~93 dowels are moved from the oblique sidewalls of the holes towards the perpendicular sidewalls o the holes. This positively moves the plate 20 and thus the drum 10 axially moves towards the chain wheel 16 and drive plate 14 and this motion con-tinues until plate 12a of drum 10 engages drive plate 14. As can be seen, a substantial gap 42 existæ between the opposed faces of discs 20 and 22 in the engaged position.
Further rotation of the disc 20 past the deadpoint (i.e. where the dowels are parallel to the axis of rotation) can be prevented by a stop (not shown) to inhibit further movement of arm 40. Additionally, according to the invention, further rotatîon is pre-vented by the novel relationship of the dowels and holes as shown in the f~gures. The rounded ends of the d~wels 36 conform substantially to the bottom portion of the holes 24 and 26. The radius of the cylindrical portion of each dowel 36 also closely conform to the radius of curvature of the perpendicular sidewalls 28 and 30 of the ~orresponding holes. Thus:
when the dowels abut the perpendicular sidewalls 28 and 30, they are essentially captured by the semi-cylindrical sidewalls and prevent the disc 20 from rotating past this point.
r;~
As can be seen especially in Fig. 33 the direction of ~he holes makes a sma11 angle with respect to an imagînary line through the hole per-pendicular ~o the radius. That ;s, the axis G~
symmetry of each of the holes lies at a small angle with respect to a tangent of a radial line through the axis of symmetry of the semi-cylindr~a~..
sidewall of the hole.
Counter-rotation of the discs 20 and ~2 will again shorten the efecti~e length of the dowels 36 as they approach the oblique sidewalls 32 and 34.
This will in turn disengage the plate 12a of the - .
drum 10 rom the drîve plate 14~
Pre-erably, the direction of rotatîon of dîsc 20 requîred to bring the drum 10 în contact wîth chain wheel 16 should be opposite the directîon of rotation of the chaîn wheel 16. Accordingly then, the friction of the system will cause the disc 20 to automatically return to the disengaged position when ~he arm 40 is released.
It will be understood that the claims are in-tended to cover all changes~and modîfications of the preferred embodiments of the invention hereîn chosen for the purpose of illustration~ which do not con-stitute departures from the spirît and scope of the inventîon.
. .
The present invention relates to a clutch mech-anism for hoistirLg apparatuses. It is particularly useful with cranes, winches~ shifting crabs and the like.
Clutches are, of course,very well known in the art. They normally comprise two coaxially mounted plates which are urged into engagement under spring pressure and disengaged by cam action.
In accordance with the present invention there is disclosed a positively activated clutch mechanism which does not rely on spring pressure for actuation.
The clutch mechanism is characterized by its reliabil-ity and simplicity~ the combination of which give quick and safe operation In accordance with the applicant's invention, two coaxially mounted discs are e~nployed. Each disc has at least three holes therein on the face which faces the other disc. The holes are characterized by belng elongated with at least a portion of the sidewall being essentially oblique to the surface of the disc and in the opposed sidewall being preferably substan-i ` ~44~93 tially perpendicular to the surface of the disc.
Preferably each of the holes form an oblong re,-cess with downwardly dec~easing cross-sectional area ending in a generally spherically concave portion of predetermined radius of curvature. The perpendicular sidewall is also preferable a semi-cylindrical sidewall with predetermined radius of curvature and the.axis of the semi-cylindrical portion bein~ parallel,to the axis of rotation of the disc.
' The holes of each of the opposed discs are juxta-posed in opposition to one another and a dowel or such like is disposed Ln each pair of opposing holes.
The dowel preferably has rounded ends which ends are generally hemispherical having a radius of cur- ' vature corresponding to that of the generally spherical concave portion of the bottom of.the holes.- The rounded ends of the dowel rest in the corresponding bottoms of the opposing holes. The radius of a cross section of the dowel may be less than the radius of curvature of the perpendicular semi-cylindrical sidewall, however, it is preferable that the radius of each dowel be such as to provide-a close fit against the perpendicular sidewall of the hole.
, ~ , , -2-. . .
. .
11444~3 In the non-activated position the dowel lies along the oblique sidewalLs of the opposed holes. When it is desired to activate the clutch mechanism, one of the discs is rotated with respect to the other to move the dowel from the oblique sidewalls to the perpendicular sidewalls. Since the dowels have a length which is less than or equal to the combined lengths of the oblique sidewalls but greater than the combined length of the perpendicular sidewalls, the dowels will cause positive separation of t~e two disc elements when they are moved from the oblique sidewalls to the perpendicular sidewalls.
This motion, can, in turn, be transferred to a drum which has a plate which bears against a moving clutch plate when the clutch mechanism is in the engaged position. Counter-rotation of the two discs returns the dowels to their original position against the oblique sidewalls thereby disengaging the clutch plate fro~ the drum plate~ ~
In order to limit the rotation between the two discs, a positive stop may be introduced to prevent over travel. According to the invention, however, over travel is preferably prevented by the close fit of the dowel against the pPrpendicular sidewalls of the opposing holes when the two discs are separated.
These and oLher aspects of the present invention may be more fully understood with reference to the drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a sctlema~ic view of the clutch mechanism according to the present invention in a disengated po-s ition:
Fig. 2 is a clutch mechanism according to the present invention in an engaged position; and Fig. 3 is a front view of one of the discs making up the clutch mechanism showing the holes therein.
Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a drum 10 having side plates lZa and 12b. Wîre cables or ~he like may suitable be wound on the drum. Side plate 12a is translatable towards and away from en-gagemen~ with drive plate 14 affixed to driven chain wheel 16, the drive mechanism not being shown.
Abutting against the outside of plate 12b is a bearing 18 (details not shown) to permit free rotation of the drum L0 with respect to discs 20 and 22 of the clutch actuation mechan;sm. While discs 20 and 22 are preferably circular, they need not be. Disc 22 is axially fixed while disc 20 is axially moveabIe toward and away from chain wheel 16. Components 10, 18, 20 and 22 are coaxially mounted on a spindle (not shown).
~a Discs 20 and 22 are provided with holes 24 and 26, respecti~ely. In conjunction with -Fig. 3, it can be seen that these holes have sidewalls 28 and 30 re-specti~ely, which are formed as generally semi-cylin-drical por~ions having an axis o sy~metry generally perpendicular ~o the opposed faces of the disc and sidewalls 32 and 34 respectively which are oblique ~o the opposed faces of the discs. The angle which the oblique s;dewall makes with respect to the surface is not critical but is suitably at most about 80.
Each hole is a generally oblong slot having downwardLy decreasing cross-sectional area ending in a generally spherical concave portion.
As can ble seen in Fig. 3, the holes are aligned on the disc 20 SID that the opposed oblique and perpendicular sidewalls of ,each hole intersect an arc concentric with the axis of the disc. However~ i~ will be appreciated that all holes need not intersect the same arc. Further-more it can be seen that all oblique sidewalls are aligned in the same direction on one d;sc and it wilt be appreciated that they are aligned in the opposite direction on the other disc.
As shown especially in Fig~ 3, there are employed at least three holes in each disc. More may be em-ployed if desired but three has been found to be the preferable number.
The holes arR pre:Eerably substantiall y equi-dis~an~ly spaced. While this is not absolutely ne~
cessary, the radial angular distance ~ from the center line of one hole to the center line o~ the next adjacent hole in either direction should never exceed about 170 and should be about 150 or less.
Postioned in each of the holes is a dowel 36.
Each dowel has a length which is greater than the leng~h of the opposed perpendicular sidewalls 28 and 30. Furthermore, the distance 38 between the out-side of the plate 12a and the facing side of drîve plate 14 is less ~han the distance by which the length of the dowel ex~eeds the length of the two perpendicular sidewalls of the holes. The upper limit of the length of the dowel îs not critical. However, for practical reasons it should not be substantially greater (e.g. no more than about 25%3 than the combined length of the opposed oblique sidewalls 32 and 3~-r ~ and it is preferably equal to or less than that combined length.
Fîg. 2 shows the device of Fig. 1 in the engaged position. Disc 20 has been rotated with respec~ to disc 22. This can suitably be accomplished by arm 40 which may be manually operated or may be connec~ed through appropriate linkage to a drive mechanism (not shown). As the disc 20 rotates the sidewalls of the 1~4~93 dowels are moved from the oblique sidewalls of the holes towards the perpendicular sidewalls o the holes. This positively moves the plate 20 and thus the drum 10 axially moves towards the chain wheel 16 and drive plate 14 and this motion con-tinues until plate 12a of drum 10 engages drive plate 14. As can be seen, a substantial gap 42 existæ between the opposed faces of discs 20 and 22 in the engaged position.
Further rotation of the disc 20 past the deadpoint (i.e. where the dowels are parallel to the axis of rotation) can be prevented by a stop (not shown) to inhibit further movement of arm 40. Additionally, according to the invention, further rotatîon is pre-vented by the novel relationship of the dowels and holes as shown in the f~gures. The rounded ends of the d~wels 36 conform substantially to the bottom portion of the holes 24 and 26. The radius of the cylindrical portion of each dowel 36 also closely conform to the radius of curvature of the perpendicular sidewalls 28 and 30 of the ~orresponding holes. Thus:
when the dowels abut the perpendicular sidewalls 28 and 30, they are essentially captured by the semi-cylindrical sidewalls and prevent the disc 20 from rotating past this point.
r;~
As can be seen especially in Fig. 33 the direction of ~he holes makes a sma11 angle with respect to an imagînary line through the hole per-pendicular ~o the radius. That ;s, the axis G~
symmetry of each of the holes lies at a small angle with respect to a tangent of a radial line through the axis of symmetry of the semi-cylindr~a~..
sidewall of the hole.
Counter-rotation of the discs 20 and ~2 will again shorten the efecti~e length of the dowels 36 as they approach the oblique sidewalls 32 and 34.
This will in turn disengage the plate 12a of the - .
drum 10 rom the drîve plate 14~
Pre-erably, the direction of rotatîon of dîsc 20 requîred to bring the drum 10 în contact wîth chain wheel 16 should be opposite the directîon of rotation of the chaîn wheel 16. Accordingly then, the friction of the system will cause the disc 20 to automatically return to the disengaged position when ~he arm 40 is released.
It will be understood that the claims are in-tended to cover all changes~and modîfications of the preferred embodiments of the invention hereîn chosen for the purpose of illustration~ which do not con-stitute departures from the spirît and scope of the inventîon.
Claims (9)
1. Clutch mechanism for hoisting apparatuses comprising:
(a) a driven plate;
(b) a drum having opposed end plates, one said end plate being moveable into and out of engagement with said driven plate;
(c) a first disc having one side acting upon the other said end plate of said drum;
(d) the other side of said first disc having a generally planar surface;
(e) a second disc, said second disc having a generally planar surface which faces the planar surface of the first-disc;
(f) at least three holes in the planar surface of each said disc, each said hole in the planar surface of said first disc opposing one hole of said second disc to form opposed pairs;
(g) each said at least three holes having one sidewall which is substantially perpendicular with respect to the planar surface and a sec-ond opposed sidewall oblique to the planar surface;
(h) a dowel in each said opposed pair of holes, said dowel having a length greater than the combined lengths of the perpendicular side-walls of the opposed pair of holes;
(i) said discs having a first position wherein the dowels are positioned towards oblique walls of the holes and a second position wherein the opposed dowels are positioned towards the perpendicular walls of the holes;
(j) said discs being movable from said first position to said second position by relative rotation thereof;
(k) said one said end plate of said drum being in positive engagement with said driven plate when said discs are in said first position; and (1) said one said end plate being out of positive engagement with said driven plate when said discs are in said second position.
(a) a driven plate;
(b) a drum having opposed end plates, one said end plate being moveable into and out of engagement with said driven plate;
(c) a first disc having one side acting upon the other said end plate of said drum;
(d) the other side of said first disc having a generally planar surface;
(e) a second disc, said second disc having a generally planar surface which faces the planar surface of the first-disc;
(f) at least three holes in the planar surface of each said disc, each said hole in the planar surface of said first disc opposing one hole of said second disc to form opposed pairs;
(g) each said at least three holes having one sidewall which is substantially perpendicular with respect to the planar surface and a sec-ond opposed sidewall oblique to the planar surface;
(h) a dowel in each said opposed pair of holes, said dowel having a length greater than the combined lengths of the perpendicular side-walls of the opposed pair of holes;
(i) said discs having a first position wherein the dowels are positioned towards oblique walls of the holes and a second position wherein the opposed dowels are positioned towards the perpendicular walls of the holes;
(j) said discs being movable from said first position to said second position by relative rotation thereof;
(k) said one said end plate of said drum being in positive engagement with said driven plate when said discs are in said first position; and (1) said one said end plate being out of positive engagement with said driven plate when said discs are in said second position.
2. The clutch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the per-pendicular sidewall of each hole is a semi-cylindrical concave section having its cylindrical axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the disc,
3. The clutch mechanism of claim 2 wherein the dowels have round end portions and the bottom portions of each said hole are concave portions substantially conforming to the shaped of said rounded end portions.
4. The clutch mechanism of claim 3 wherein said rounded end portions are hemispherical end portions.
5. The clutch mechanism of claim 2 wherein the axis of symmetry of the hole makes a small angle with respect to a line perpendicular to a radial line of said disc through said cylindrical axis.
6. The clutch mechanism of claim 1 wherein there are three holes, the centers of which are radially spaced from the adjacent hole by no more than about
7. The clutch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the length of each dowel is not substantially greater than the combined length of the oblique sidewalls of the opposed pair of holes in which the dowel is situated.
8. The clutch mechanism of claim 1 wherein a bearing is disposed between the said one side of the said first disc and the said other said end plate of the said drum.
9. The clutch mechanism of claim 1 wherein the direction of said relative rotation from said first position to said second position is undirectional with the direction of rotation of said driven plate.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US13924680A | 1980-04-11 | 1980-04-11 | |
| US139,246 | 1980-04-11 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1144493A true CA1144493A (en) | 1983-04-12 |
Family
ID=22485747
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000367312A Expired CA1144493A (en) | 1980-04-11 | 1980-12-22 | Clutch mechanism for hoisting apparatuses |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1144493A (en) |
-
1980
- 1980-12-22 CA CA000367312A patent/CA1144493A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |