CA1153784A - Motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab - Google Patents
Motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grabInfo
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- CA1153784A CA1153784A CA000372070A CA372070A CA1153784A CA 1153784 A CA1153784 A CA 1153784A CA 000372070 A CA000372070 A CA 000372070A CA 372070 A CA372070 A CA 372070A CA 1153784 A CA1153784 A CA 1153784A
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- tong
- lever
- grab
- vertical axis
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Abstract
MOTORIZED LEVER-ACTION VERTICAL AXIS COIL GRAB
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab manipulated in suspended disposition from an overhead crane by a single operator from a remote control location for clampably engaging for lifting and displacement from one location to another upright standing wrapped metal material coils of various size and dimension, with initial grab engagement of any particular coil to be moved by a motor-driven compressive clamping of the coil overply wall thick-ness to remove therefrom any wrap slack sponginess prep-atory to tong latch release of the grab lever-acting self-gripping force translating tong linkage assembly such that no extension of the tong linkage assembly thereof will be wasted in taking up coil wrap slack but rather be substan-tially translated as increasing clamp compression on the coil wall thickness in a gripping force transmission suf-ficient to lift the coil without the convoluted laminate wrap structure thereof slipping apart upon coil elevation for movement, wherein the grab hereof further embodies a a feature thereof a tong latch load sensing switch assembly automatically operable to cut crane hoist motor power in an event where the tong latch does not properly cycle and release the lever-acting tong linkage assembly to effect a self-gripping force translation upon grab elevation of the motor-driven compressively clamped coil.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab manipulated in suspended disposition from an overhead crane by a single operator from a remote control location for clampably engaging for lifting and displacement from one location to another upright standing wrapped metal material coils of various size and dimension, with initial grab engagement of any particular coil to be moved by a motor-driven compressive clamping of the coil overply wall thick-ness to remove therefrom any wrap slack sponginess prep-atory to tong latch release of the grab lever-acting self-gripping force translating tong linkage assembly such that no extension of the tong linkage assembly thereof will be wasted in taking up coil wrap slack but rather be substan-tially translated as increasing clamp compression on the coil wall thickness in a gripping force transmission suf-ficient to lift the coil without the convoluted laminate wrap structure thereof slipping apart upon coil elevation for movement, wherein the grab hereof further embodies a a feature thereof a tong latch load sensing switch assembly automatically operable to cut crane hoist motor power in an event where the tong latch does not properly cycle and release the lever-acting tong linkage assembly to effect a self-gripping force translation upon grab elevation of the motor-driven compressively clamped coil.
Description
~;37~
MOTORIgED LEVER-ACTION VERTICAL AXIS COIL GRAB
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The in~tant invention pertains to a motorlzed lever-action vertical axis coil grab adapted to be employed in suspension from an overhead crane or other such materials handling equipment for manipulative operation by one in-dividual rom a remote control location, wherein said grab provide3 a combined electxomechanical and pivotally linked self-gripping means for clampably engaying an upright 1~ stan~ing coil of wrapped mPtal material, and thereafter securely retaining the same throughout crane elevation and movement from one location to another, further wherein the grab means structure hereof additionally embodies for operational enhancement purposes a tong latch sensing switch assembly automatically operable to de-eneryize the crane hoist motor and prevent elevation or movement of an impropexly grab-engaged coil so as to thereby avoid en-countering both the hazard and problem of a coil slipping apart and out o the gripping device clamps as is otherwi~e 20 ~requently resultant when a coil is engaged thereby but not held therein with sufficient compressive force~
In a general mechanical sen~e, the instant in-vention structurally relates to that type 0f coil liftin~
grab as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,153,555 ~o Kaplan et al dated Oct. 20, 1964, and variations thexeon as further taught respectively in U S. Pa~ No 2,536~932 to Heppenstall ~ated Jan. 2, 1951, U.S. Pat. ~o. 2,803,489 to Zito et al dated Aug 20, 1957, U.SO Pat. No. 2,830,842 also to 7~
Heppenstall dated Aprll 15, 1958, and U.SO PatO NoO
3,037,806 dated June 5, 1962, and U.S. PatO No, 3,076,674 dated Feb. 5, 1963, both of the latter to Anderson, Alternative to the foregoing teachings, and that of the instant invention is the heavy duty coil grab device ag taught in UOSO Pat, No. 2,906,555 to Heppenstall dated SeptO 29, 1959, or Uas~ Pat. No. 2,945,609 to Benes et al dated July 19, 1960l which service capabillty the instant invention is able to provide without, however, the structural mass requirements otherwise necessary in a heavy duty grab.
Maintenance of ~rab balance in various con-figurations of use employment in accomplishing coil move-ment operations is another advantage~us grab capabillty, and the teaching set forth in U.S. PatO NQ. 2,370,528 to Fontaine dated Feb. 27, 1945, shows a coil grab device pr~vided with an adjustable center of gravity means for maintenance of operational use employment balanceO
The instant inventlon incorporates use of a lost motion slot structure for accommodatlng both re-cycle set of the grab prepatory to coil engagement re-use employment and to accommodate engagement of tightly wrapped coil~ a8 contrasted to the so called lost motion 510t~ ~hown re-spectively in UOS. Pat. No. 2,535,911 to Frame dated Dec. 26, 1950, and U.S, Pat. No. 3,680,907 to Siegwaxt dated Aug. 1, 1972, the latter slot applications of which are neces~ary to accommodate structural relief of ~rictio~al binding build-up forces encountered in link member trans-lational movement during routine coil engagement use employment of said lakter mentioned grabs in operation and do not per se provide true "lost motion" functions~
The tong latch mechanism employed in the instant invention is structurally and functionally similar to those as respectively taught in U.S. PatO No. 1,506,827 to Gellert dated Septa 2, 1924, and UoS3 Pat. No. 1,839,389 to Heppenstall dated Jan. 5, 1932, however, the additional embodiment in the instant inventi~n of a spring operable , load sensing switch with the tong latch is distlnyulshed over those of such similar embodiments as respectively taught in U~S. PatO No. 2,060,722 to Breslav daked NovO
10, 1936, and U.S. Pat. N~.2,718,321 to Westermeyer dated Sept. 20, 1955.
Certain other similar structural and unctional features of the instant invention, such as clamp shoes having pivotally compensating retaininy capability being respectively taught in u.S. Pat. No. 2,374,120 to Mueller et al dated April 17, 1945, and U.S. Pa~. No. 2,974,995 to Calhoun dated March 14, 1~61, or means for locking the grab clamping jaws in compressed engagement with the engaged coil thickness section as respectively taught in U.S. Pat. No 2,718,321 to Westermeyer dated Sept. 20, 1955, and UOS. Pat No~ 2,803,489 to Zito et al supra, are set forth in the above-cited prior art disclosures.
It should be understood that some of the features of the instant invention have, in some cases, structural and functional similarities to certain of thos~ teachings separately set forth in the prior art disclo~ure3 heretofore cited and briefly discussed. However, as will herelnafter be polnted out, the instant invention is distinguishable from said ~arlier inventions in one or more ways ln that the present invention has utility features and new and useful advantages, applications, and improvements ln the art o~ motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grabs not heretofore knownO
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
- _ It is the principal object sf the present in-vention to provide a motsrized lever-action vertical axlq coil grab embodying in combination a lever-acting force translating tong assembly having a pivotally joined linkage and tong latch structure which assembly supports a set o~
opposingly faced adjustably spaced compression clamps on~
such clamp of which set is displaceable toward~ and away from the other by motor-driven screw means, wherein the tong link structure comprising said assembly is adapted upon cycled tong latch release to move a pre-compressively engaged mo~or-driven clamping of the wall thickness of an upright standing wrapped coil at a point between the core radius and outer radius thereof by said compression clamps into increased lever-acting self-gripping force translated compressive engagement therewith when elevation thereof above a support surface by means such as an overhead crane or the like for accomplishing thereupon displacement Qf the coil-loaded grab from one location to another, and preferably also embodying a load sensing switch means to automatically prevent operation of the overhead lifting crane when the tong latch mechanism or said as-sembly has not properly cycled t~ release the to:ng link structure for compound sacurement by lever-acting self-gripping compressive force translation clampable engagementof the motorized pre-clamped coil thereby insuring positive engagement of a coil to be lifted for movement and electro-mechanically preventing the lifting thereof if not properly engagedO
~O It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab having a tong link structure to compression clamp connective assembly which enables optimum translation of gravitational effect clamping power increased by maximizing the additive lever-acting combined weight self-gripping clampin~ force contribution of the grab structure and that of the partlaular coil being handled in pivotal tong link structure trans~
mission through the coil core interior clamping shoe to thereby with greater efficiency clampably lock the coll in place such that as the more coil weight contribution applied to the tong linkage structure during that initial proces~ of coil lifting, the compressive self-gripping force upon the coil between the clamps automatically increase proportionately to th~ incremental weight increase application thereto with a maxLmum self-gripping effect being realized upon free vertical suspension of an elevated coil in the grabO
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axi~ coil grab wherein the coil core interior clamping shoe thereof iR
adapted to pivotally compensate in transmittal delivexy of lever-acting self-gripping clampiny force upon a motorized pre-squeezed non-spongy coil wall thickness clamped therebetween to thereby further enhance the com-pound l~ver-acting coil holding efficiency features thereo~.
S~ill another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab of moderate structural mass but of su~ficiently enhanced lever factor efficiency as to be sub tantially capable of securely engaging and holding the convoluted laminate wrap structure of a coil solidly together so the same will not slip apart when being lifted above a support surface and thereafter during elevat~d transfer thereo from one location to an~ther.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab having a center of gravity configuration such as to generally enable the working maintenance during operation o~ a relatively horizontal coil engaging disposition thereo~ whsn the same is suspended from an ~verhe~d crane or the llke, whether the grab is empty or under load, or whether the motor-driven coil engaging compressive clamps thereoE are in the open or closed positions.
It is additionally an object of the present in-vention to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab wherein the same is adapted for crane-suspended utilization and single operator manipulation thereof from a remote crane control location.
Details o the foregoing vbjects and of the in-vention, as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings cGmprising a part thereo.
~
Fig~ 1 is a side elevation o the motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab comprising the instant in-~3'7~
vention, the same being shown suspended frorn an overheadcrane cable in a positioll proximately above an exemplary upright standing wrapped metal material coil, wherein illustration of the latter has been foreshortened to accommodate the sheet and further wherein said coil grab is disposed with the pivotally joined tong link structure thereof held in a retracted position by the tong latch in retà ining cycle configuration and the opposingly face adjustably spaced compression clamps thereof are opened prepatory to accomplishment of coil load engagement for crane elevation and displacement thereby.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab comprising the instant invention being somewhat similar to that as previously illustrated in Fig. 1, but, however, in this view showing the component assemblies thereof wherein the same are diC-posed in a motor-driven compression clamp engagement of the wall thickness of said exemplary upright qtanding wrapped metal material coil to thereby pre-squeeze the same sufficiently to substantially remove any wrap slack sponginess from the convoluted laminate overply stxucture thereof, with the tong latch positioned in staged cycle configuration prepatory to liftable engagement of said coll by released tong latch employment of the lever-aating force translating tong assembly of said coil grab.
Fig 3 is a side elevation of the motorlzed lever-action vertical axis coil yrab wherein the component assemblies thereof are disposed with the tong latch in released cycle configuration and the coil retainably angaged by the compression clamps under increa~ed laver-actiny self-~ripping grab force in an elevated position above the support surface for crane displaced movement to another location.
FigO 4 is a side elevation of the motoxized lever-action vertical axis coil grab wherein the componentassemblies thereof are disposed with the tong latch in engagad restrained cycle configuration.
FigO 5 i~ an enlarged cut~away side elevatlon o the tong latch load sensing switch assembly correspond1ng to the retaining cycle configuration thereof as shown in Flg. 1.
Fig, 6 is a top plan view of the tong latch lug shown in Fig. 5 as seen along the line 6 - 6 thereo~O
Fig. 7 is an enlarged cut-away side elevation of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly corresponding t~ the staged cycle configuration thereof as shown in Fig. 2 Fig, 8 is a top plan view of the tong latch lug shown in Fig. 7 as seen along the line 8 - 8 thereofO
Fig. 9 is an enlarged cut-away side elevation o~
the tong latch load sensing switch assembly corresponding to the released cycle configuration thereof as shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the tong latch lug shown in Fig. 9 as seen al~ng the line 10- 1~ thereof.
FigO 11 is an enlarged cut-away side elevation of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly correspondlng to the engaged restrained cycle configuration thereof as shown in Fig. 4O
Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the tong latch lug shown in FigO 11 as seen along the line 12 - 12 thereofO
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Fig~ 1, the present invention i shown which comprises a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab 10 operably suspended from an overhead crane cable 12 and positioned in proximate disposition above an exemplary upright stan~ing wrapped metal mate~ial coil 14 - 30 prepatory to accomplishment of compresslve clampable engage-ment of said coil 14 by said grab 10 for crane elevati~n and relocation movement thereby, said grab 10 having as components thereof a lever-acting forc~ translatiny tong assembly 16 connected in suspension from said overhead crane cable 12 by means of intercommunica~ive engagement of crane hook 18 with pivot shackle 20 and dependently supporting in pivotal tong link connection therewith a horizontal frame ~ 8~
member 22 mounting therefrom a set of opposingly faced adjustably spaced coil compression clamp means being vari-ably spaceable laterally by motor-driven screw means 24 driven off reversable motor 26 through right-angle gear box 28, wherein said lever-acting force kranslatin~ tong assembly 16 is releasably operable to clamp said coil 14 with increased lever-acting self-grippin~ force translated compressive engagement through cycled operation so as not to cause engagement of the tong latch load sensing switch assem~ly 30 in turn comprised of a t~ng latch mechanism 32 in combination with a load sensing switch means 34, unle 5, however, an overload condition exists.
Referring again to Fig. 1 to describe in greater detail the component parts of this invention as well as explain the operation thereof in accomplishing coil 14 elevation and movement operations, wherein it is to be understood that said coil 14 is that type of coil commonly referred to as an upright standing coil, i~e., a coil formed by wrapping under tension a ribbon of metal material such as aluminum or the like to provide a relatively tight wrap of successive convoluted ribbon overplys 36 wherein the coil thus formed is adapted to be set upon a horizontally disposed support surface 38 for the purposes o ~toxage or the like, with the central core axis 40 theraof belng vertically diqposed to said support surface 38, thus up-wardly presentlng for coil engagement by grab means fcr pu~poses of lifting and movement operations the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42 with coil interior wall ~urface 44 access being provided by the central coil core opening 46 and the coil exterior wall surface 48 thereof being openly exposed outwardly for access. W~th the foregoing in mind as respects physical configuration of the load to be handled, the coil grab 10 of the instant invention operate as followsO
Initially, prior to and prepatory for coil engagement operations th~ lever-acting force translating tong assembly 16 of the coil grab 10 is positioned and 3~7~ L~k _9_ retained in a retracted configuration as shown in F.ig, 1, being accomplished by means of the tong la~ch mechanism 32, wherein the tong latch cam bolt 50 thereof dependently supporting cam bolt lug head 52 rotationally and realprocally within barrel cam collar 54 fixedly assembled to the non~
pivot outboard lever-arm end of the upper tong link 56 o~
said tong assembly 16 by means of tong latch mounting bracket 58 weldment: is cycled by tong latch upper barrel cam follower pins 62 also supported by said tong latch cam bolt 50 whereby the elongated axis of said cam bolt lug head 52 is downwardly disposed perpendicular of the long axis of the slot 64 centrally interme~iate the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 plvotally assembled to the non-pivot outb~ard end of the lower tong link 68 of said assembly 16 by means of pivot pin 70 and yudgeon 72, and in upward compressive engagement therewith against pivotally ext~nsive force of th~ load sensing switch compression spring 74 to thereby prevent extension of said tong assembly 16 in self-gripping function as hereinafter explained and also thereby permit positioning for initial motorized compressive engagement of the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42 of said coil 14 by opposingly faced a~justably spaced coil compression clamp means of said instant inventlon 10 being re~pectively coil ex~erior clamping shoe 76 and coil core interior clamping shoe 78 variably spaceable latexally by motor-driven screw means 24. In ef~ect, then, the lever-acting orce tran~lating tong assembly 16 as shown in Fig. 1 in the retracted configuration is held in a stabilized "c~cked" position 79 for load engagement by engagement of the tong latch mechansim 32 with the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 res~ectively ~ixedly assembled to the non-pivot outboard lever-arm upper tong link 56 and the lower tong link 68 ends both of which link members are in turn pivotally j~ine~ at the ends opposite thereto by connecting pivot bolt 80 insertably communicating conneatably through openings respectively therein. It should be noted at this point that the load sensing switch compression spring 74 adjustably held in position by spring gulde bolt 82 between the latch pivot plate pivot deflection end 84 and the compression spring upper retaining bracket 86 is rated so as not to deflect under the engaged tong latch 32 through load sensing switch pivot plate 66 upward communicated tare or "dead" weight load thrust of the coil grab 10 per se, and thereby does not deflect the switch lever 88, also adjustably assembled to the upper end of the spring guide bolt 82, whereby the normally open cran~ hoist motor load sensing latch switch 90 is maintained in the closed contact position 92 as shown thereby enabling crane driven maneuvered positioning of said coil grab 10 relative to the coil 14 load to be engaged for elevation and movementO
A more detailed illustration of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly 30 cooperative components as above-described with reference to Fig 1, corresponding ~o a tong latch upper barrel cam 60 cycled functioning thereof in the stabilized "cocked" position 79 configuration prepatory to engagement positioning of the coil grab 10 hereof upon a coil 14 to be lifted an~ moved, is shown in the enlarged cut-away side elevation of Fig. 5, with a showing of the elongated axis of the cam bolt lug head 52 of the tong latch mechanism 32 downwardly disposed per-pendicular of the long axis of the slot 64 ~entrally in~er-mediate the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 being asillustrated in the top plan view of FigO 6 taken along the line 6 - 6 of Fig. 5.
The mechanical components of coil grab 10 here~f as disclosed in Fig. 1, and supplementally detailed in FigO 5 and Fig, ~, are preferably constructed rom metal alloy materials, however, any other suitable materials or combinations thereof may he used.
Referring now to Fig. 2 to d~scribe accomplishmRnt of motorized compressive clampable engagement by grab 10 of the coil 14 to be lifted for movement, wherein it will be seen that said grab 10 has been lowered by the overhead crane means into a position of support by horizontal frame .5~7~
member 22 upon the -top of coil 14 t wlth the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness thereof interposed intermedlate the respective and opposedly variably spaced clamping faces of coil exteriDr clamping shoe 76 and coil core interior clamping shoe 78, further with a sufficient over-head crane lowering thereafter of cable 12 to cause slackening therein whereupon the upper tong link 56 i3 free to rotate about the connecting pivst bolt 80 and in so doing cau~es the tong latch cam bolt retaining shoulder 94 to drop into supportable contact with the upper surface of load sensing switch pivot plate 66, and, relative to barrel cam collar 54 be elevated with respect thereto such that the lower barrel cam follower pins 96 enga~e and trace the tong latch lower barrel cam 98 surface thus causing rotation of the cam bolt lug head 52 elongated axis angularly intermediate a position perpendicular and parallel to the long axis of the slot 64, being sub-~tantially an angle ~f forty-five degrees more-or-less, being also the tong latch mechanism 32 lever-acting force translating tong assembly stage position 100, in which position the tong link and suspension structure is mechan-ically configured to enable motorized clamping shoe com-pressive engagement of the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness dimension.
As prevlously pointed out, the coll 1~ i~ formed by wrapping under ten~ion a ribbon of metal material, how-ever, inherent to such a coil forming process there is a resultant wrap slack sponginess in the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42, which sponginess is substantially removed therefrom by motorized compressive clampable eng~gement thereof by said opposedly variab~y spaced clamping faces of coil exterior clamping shoe 76 and coil core interior clamping shoe 78 thereby to present fvr sub-sequently cycled increased lever-acting self-~ripplng force translated compressive grab enga~ement a substantlally compacted, iOe., solid, motorized grab clamped convoluted coil wrap ribbon overply 36a having wall thickness 42a accomplished as follows.
The reversable motor 26 i5 activated ~rom a remote crane control location to power motor-driven screw means 24 through right-angle gear box 28 and thereby screwably draw forward threadably communicating exterior clamping shoe adjustment block 102 thus causlng mot~rized compressive clampin~ of the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness between the adjustable coil exterior clamping shoe 76 and relatively fixed coil core interior clamping shoe 78 to a point of motor stall thereby removing there-from substantially all wrap slack sponginess, being the resultant motorized grab clamped convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42a, at which point the grab 10 is mechanically readied for cycle to increased lever-acting sel~-gripping force translatsd compressive grab 10 engagement whereupon overhead crane elevation and movement of coil 14 may there-by be expeditiously accomplished.
A more detailed illustration of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly 30 cooperative components as above-described with reference to Fig~ 2, corresponding to a tong latch lower barrel cam 98 cycle~ functioning thereof in the lever-acting force translating ton~ assembly stage poSitiQn 100 prepatory to subsequent cycling f~r in~reased lever-acting self-gripping force translated c~mpressive grab 10 engagement of a coil 14 to be lifted and moved, i5 shown in the enlarged cut-away side elevakion of Fig 7~
with a showing of the elongated axis of the cam bolt lug head 52 of the tong latch mechanism 32 beiny substantially at an angle of forty five degrees more-or-less to the long axis of the slot 64 centrally intermediate the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 being as illustrated in the top plan view of Fig~ 8 taken along the line 8 - 8 of Fig. 7O
With the coil grab 10 structure configured in a lever-acting force translating tong a sembly stage position 100~ and motorized clampahle engagement of a coil 14 having been accomplished to thereby substantially remove therefrom any wrap slack sponginess, the coil grab 10 is then readled to accomplish force translating tong assembly 16 r~leaaably operable clamping of said coil 14 with increased levPr-acting self-gripping force translated compressive engage-ment by that force created and comprised of the additive effects of the coil grab 10 dead weight per se plus the coil 14 weight operating throu.gh the tong link compound lever-arm structure respectively about primary and secondary tong link fulcrum pivots 104 and 106 all as shown in Fig~
3 and more specifically described as follows.
The overhead crane cable 12 is withdrawn upward to remove slack therefrom and then elevated further to also cause pivotal raising of the upper tong link 56 about the connecting pivot bolt 80 which simultaneously slidably elevates the barrel cam collar 54, secured t~ said upper t~ng link 56 by weldment of tong latch mounting bracket 58 therto as previously described, circumferentially about the tong latch cam bolt 50 to that point where two of the upp~rmost oppositely positioned downward leading surfaces of tong latch upper barrel cams 60 engage the outwardly extending upper barrel cam follower pins 62 and thereupon cause rotatable elevation of the tong latch cam bolt 50 to bottom stop points of the ton~ latch upper barrel cams 60 as shown whereupon the cam bolt lug head 52 elongated axis i9 aligned with the slot 64 long axis and thereupon cleared to be upwardly with~rawn therethrough durlng con~
tinued elevati~n of said overhead crane cable 12 also a~
shown, at which point transition from motorized compressive clampable enga~ement to lever-acting self-grlpping force of the coil 14 commences, being the tong latch mechanism release position 1~8.
A more detailed illustration of the tong latch load sensiny switch assembly 30 cooperative o~nents as above-described with reference to Fig. 3, correspondlng to a tong latch mechanism 32 cycling to the release position 108 for tran~ition from motorized compressive clampable engagement to commencement of lever-acting self-gripping force of the coil 14, is shown in the enlarged cutaway side elevation of Fig. 9, with a showing of the elongated axis of the cam bolt lug head 52 of the tong latch mechanism 32 upwardly withdrawn in long axis alignment through slot 64 being as illustrated in the ~op plan view of FiyO lQ
taken along the line 10 - 10 of Fig. 9.
Upon clearing of the cam bolt lug head 52 up-wardly through slot 64, and continued elevation of the overhead crane cable 12, the upper tong link 56 rotates upwardly from pivot shackle connection bolt 110 about ~he primary tong link fulcxum pivot 104 to hereby translate an outward pushing force on the lower tong link 68 through connecting pivot bolt 80 thereby exerting a pulling force pivotally translated through the lower tong link connecting pivot bolt 112 about the secondary tong link fulcrum pivot 106 to exert an increasing lever-acting self-gripping com-pressive coil clamping force upon progres~ive coil load plus grab dead weight translation as there is an elevation of coil 14 retained through coil core interior clamping shoe 78 to c~il exterior clamping shoe 76, said increasing lever-acting self-grippiny compressive coil clamping force being exerted self-adjustably in pivotal compensation through interior clamping shoe pivot 114 upon interpo~ed lever-action grab clamped convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42b thereby enabling overhead crane elevation and movement of said coil 14 withQut that hazard of having the lever-action clamped wrap of successive convoluted ribbon overplys 36b slipping apart upon lifting above an~
elevated displacement movement therof over the hvrizontally disposed support surface 38. It is by manipulation and mechanism of the foregoing mechanical sequence that said motorized lev~r-action vertical axis coil grab 10 normally operates during employment thereof in accomplishing engage-ment, elevation, and movement operations as applied to up-right standing wrapped metal material coils 14.
On occassion, however, either initially or intex~
mediate during coil handling operations with said grab 10 such as when an operator would set the engaged coiJ. upon 3~
a support surface after initial elevation and movement but pr~or to final positioning placement thereof, the lever-acting force t.ranslating tong assembly 16 may slightly collapse, from the extended configuration thereof as here-tofore described, a~ a con~equence of inadvertent overheadcrane cable 12 slackening, which may thexeupon result in partial pivotal closing of the upper tong link 56 whereup~n a re-entry of the cam bolt lug head 52 downward through the slot 64 and index camming thereof to the lever-acting force translating tong assembly restrained engagement position 116 whereupon any subsequent attempt to elevate the motorized clamped coil will ca~se cam bolt lug head 52 pivotal upward re-engagement with and deflection ~f the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 ab~ut the pivot pin 70 as a result of the combined force effects of the grab dead weight and the coil weight over-load upon the load sensing switch cvmpression spring 74, which spring is rated to restrain without deflection the coil grab 10 dead weight only, thus causing compression thereof and deflection of the switch lever 88 thereby operatin~ the normally open crane hoist motor load sensing latch switch 90 to the switch open position 118 thus breaking the crane hoist motor power circuit through switch conduits 120 to auto-matically and electromechanically prevent the inadvertent elevation for movement o~ a coil 14 which is not properly secured by lever-acting sel-gripping clamp compresslon, and thereby also preventing the hazard of having a coil 14 slip apart upon elevation as a result of either inadequate or impropex compressive clamp engagement thereof~ all as illustrated in Fig. 4, showing the coil 14 remaining in depQsit upon the horizontally disposed support surface 380 A more detailed illustration of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly 30 cooperative components as above-described with reference to Fig. 4, corresponding t~
a tong latch upper barrel cam 60 cycled functioning thereof in the lever-acting force translating tong assPmbly re strained engagement position 116 csnfiguration to electro-mechanically prevent elevation of coil 14 for movem~nt by said grab 10 is shown in the enlarged cut-away side eleva-tion of Fig. 11, with a showing therein also of the normally open crane hoist motor load sensing latch swikch 90 in the S switch open position 118 whereby power to the crane hoist motor thr~ugh switch conduits 120 is broken. The top plan view ~hown in Fig. 12, taken along the line 12 - 12 of Fig. 11, illustrates plvotal downward deflective engagement configuration of the cam bolt lug haad 52 with the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 when the same are cycled into the lever-acting force translating tong assembly re-strained engagement position 116.
It should be noted that re-cycling of the mo-torized lever-action vertical axis coil grab 10 to re-set for accomplishment of initial load engagement operations with re~pect to an upri~ht standing wrapped metal matexial coil 14 as previously discussed and illustrated in and on con~ideration of Fig. 1, to which reference is now again made, is simply accomplished from the lever-acting self-gripping extended tong configuration as illustrated inFig. 3 by permitting full slackening of the ~varhead crane cable 12 as shown in Fig. 2 and then elevating by means of the overhead crane to the grab 10 free suspen~i~n con-figuration as shown in Fig. 1, through which se~uence barrel cam collar 54 cycles the tong latch cam bolt 50 during normal operational u~e employment of grab 10 i~
coil 1~ handling operations whereby the cam bolt lug head 52 is configured to the tong assembly 16 3tabilized "cock~d"
position 79 as further detailed respectively in previously discussed Figures 5 an~ 6, in which respect ~he uppex tong link 56 by means of an elongated "lost motion" opening 122 therein being communicative about insertably connectin~
pivot bolt 80 as shown mechanically provides that tong link assembly controlled lost motion latitude n~cessary furthar whereby said grab 10 tong latch load sensing switch assembly 30 and the tong latch mechanism 32 thereof is reset~
An additional tong link assembly controlled motion ~ L~ 7~
~17-operational latitude provided by elongated lost motion opening 122 is in the event, and upon motorized clampable engagement, of a compactly wrapped coil having littlel or relatively speaking no, wrap slack sponginess therein whereby any tong link structure reverse movement trans-mission consequent therefrom is compensated within said elongated lost motion opening 122 and not translated to the tong latch mechanism 32 whereby clearance of the cam bolt lug head 52 with the slot 64 in such an event, upon proper operational sequence cycling, is maintained.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is xecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full sc~pe of the ~laim~ so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatusO
MOTORIgED LEVER-ACTION VERTICAL AXIS COIL GRAB
.
The in~tant invention pertains to a motorlzed lever-action vertical axis coil grab adapted to be employed in suspension from an overhead crane or other such materials handling equipment for manipulative operation by one in-dividual rom a remote control location, wherein said grab provide3 a combined electxomechanical and pivotally linked self-gripping means for clampably engaying an upright 1~ stan~ing coil of wrapped mPtal material, and thereafter securely retaining the same throughout crane elevation and movement from one location to another, further wherein the grab means structure hereof additionally embodies for operational enhancement purposes a tong latch sensing switch assembly automatically operable to de-eneryize the crane hoist motor and prevent elevation or movement of an impropexly grab-engaged coil so as to thereby avoid en-countering both the hazard and problem of a coil slipping apart and out o the gripping device clamps as is otherwi~e 20 ~requently resultant when a coil is engaged thereby but not held therein with sufficient compressive force~
In a general mechanical sen~e, the instant in-vention structurally relates to that type 0f coil liftin~
grab as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,153,555 ~o Kaplan et al dated Oct. 20, 1964, and variations thexeon as further taught respectively in U S. Pa~ No 2,536~932 to Heppenstall ~ated Jan. 2, 1951, U.S. Pat. ~o. 2,803,489 to Zito et al dated Aug 20, 1957, U.SO Pat. No. 2,830,842 also to 7~
Heppenstall dated Aprll 15, 1958, and U.SO PatO NoO
3,037,806 dated June 5, 1962, and U.S. PatO No, 3,076,674 dated Feb. 5, 1963, both of the latter to Anderson, Alternative to the foregoing teachings, and that of the instant invention is the heavy duty coil grab device ag taught in UOSO Pat, No. 2,906,555 to Heppenstall dated SeptO 29, 1959, or Uas~ Pat. No. 2,945,609 to Benes et al dated July 19, 1960l which service capabillty the instant invention is able to provide without, however, the structural mass requirements otherwise necessary in a heavy duty grab.
Maintenance of ~rab balance in various con-figurations of use employment in accomplishing coil move-ment operations is another advantage~us grab capabillty, and the teaching set forth in U.S. PatO NQ. 2,370,528 to Fontaine dated Feb. 27, 1945, shows a coil grab device pr~vided with an adjustable center of gravity means for maintenance of operational use employment balanceO
The instant inventlon incorporates use of a lost motion slot structure for accommodatlng both re-cycle set of the grab prepatory to coil engagement re-use employment and to accommodate engagement of tightly wrapped coil~ a8 contrasted to the so called lost motion 510t~ ~hown re-spectively in UOS. Pat. No. 2,535,911 to Frame dated Dec. 26, 1950, and U.S, Pat. No. 3,680,907 to Siegwaxt dated Aug. 1, 1972, the latter slot applications of which are neces~ary to accommodate structural relief of ~rictio~al binding build-up forces encountered in link member trans-lational movement during routine coil engagement use employment of said lakter mentioned grabs in operation and do not per se provide true "lost motion" functions~
The tong latch mechanism employed in the instant invention is structurally and functionally similar to those as respectively taught in U.S. PatO No. 1,506,827 to Gellert dated Septa 2, 1924, and UoS3 Pat. No. 1,839,389 to Heppenstall dated Jan. 5, 1932, however, the additional embodiment in the instant inventi~n of a spring operable , load sensing switch with the tong latch is distlnyulshed over those of such similar embodiments as respectively taught in U~S. PatO No. 2,060,722 to Breslav daked NovO
10, 1936, and U.S. Pat. N~.2,718,321 to Westermeyer dated Sept. 20, 1955.
Certain other similar structural and unctional features of the instant invention, such as clamp shoes having pivotally compensating retaininy capability being respectively taught in u.S. Pat. No. 2,374,120 to Mueller et al dated April 17, 1945, and U.S. Pa~. No. 2,974,995 to Calhoun dated March 14, 1~61, or means for locking the grab clamping jaws in compressed engagement with the engaged coil thickness section as respectively taught in U.S. Pat. No 2,718,321 to Westermeyer dated Sept. 20, 1955, and UOS. Pat No~ 2,803,489 to Zito et al supra, are set forth in the above-cited prior art disclosures.
It should be understood that some of the features of the instant invention have, in some cases, structural and functional similarities to certain of thos~ teachings separately set forth in the prior art disclo~ure3 heretofore cited and briefly discussed. However, as will herelnafter be polnted out, the instant invention is distinguishable from said ~arlier inventions in one or more ways ln that the present invention has utility features and new and useful advantages, applications, and improvements ln the art o~ motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grabs not heretofore knownO
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
- _ It is the principal object sf the present in-vention to provide a motsrized lever-action vertical axlq coil grab embodying in combination a lever-acting force translating tong assembly having a pivotally joined linkage and tong latch structure which assembly supports a set o~
opposingly faced adjustably spaced compression clamps on~
such clamp of which set is displaceable toward~ and away from the other by motor-driven screw means, wherein the tong link structure comprising said assembly is adapted upon cycled tong latch release to move a pre-compressively engaged mo~or-driven clamping of the wall thickness of an upright standing wrapped coil at a point between the core radius and outer radius thereof by said compression clamps into increased lever-acting self-gripping force translated compressive engagement therewith when elevation thereof above a support surface by means such as an overhead crane or the like for accomplishing thereupon displacement Qf the coil-loaded grab from one location to another, and preferably also embodying a load sensing switch means to automatically prevent operation of the overhead lifting crane when the tong latch mechanism or said as-sembly has not properly cycled t~ release the to:ng link structure for compound sacurement by lever-acting self-gripping compressive force translation clampable engagementof the motorized pre-clamped coil thereby insuring positive engagement of a coil to be lifted for movement and electro-mechanically preventing the lifting thereof if not properly engagedO
~O It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab having a tong link structure to compression clamp connective assembly which enables optimum translation of gravitational effect clamping power increased by maximizing the additive lever-acting combined weight self-gripping clampin~ force contribution of the grab structure and that of the partlaular coil being handled in pivotal tong link structure trans~
mission through the coil core interior clamping shoe to thereby with greater efficiency clampably lock the coll in place such that as the more coil weight contribution applied to the tong linkage structure during that initial proces~ of coil lifting, the compressive self-gripping force upon the coil between the clamps automatically increase proportionately to th~ incremental weight increase application thereto with a maxLmum self-gripping effect being realized upon free vertical suspension of an elevated coil in the grabO
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axi~ coil grab wherein the coil core interior clamping shoe thereof iR
adapted to pivotally compensate in transmittal delivexy of lever-acting self-gripping clampiny force upon a motorized pre-squeezed non-spongy coil wall thickness clamped therebetween to thereby further enhance the com-pound l~ver-acting coil holding efficiency features thereo~.
S~ill another object of the present invention is to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab of moderate structural mass but of su~ficiently enhanced lever factor efficiency as to be sub tantially capable of securely engaging and holding the convoluted laminate wrap structure of a coil solidly together so the same will not slip apart when being lifted above a support surface and thereafter during elevat~d transfer thereo from one location to an~ther.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab having a center of gravity configuration such as to generally enable the working maintenance during operation o~ a relatively horizontal coil engaging disposition thereo~ whsn the same is suspended from an ~verhe~d crane or the llke, whether the grab is empty or under load, or whether the motor-driven coil engaging compressive clamps thereoE are in the open or closed positions.
It is additionally an object of the present in-vention to provide a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab wherein the same is adapted for crane-suspended utilization and single operator manipulation thereof from a remote crane control location.
Details o the foregoing vbjects and of the in-vention, as well as other objects thereof, are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings cGmprising a part thereo.
~
Fig~ 1 is a side elevation o the motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab comprising the instant in-~3'7~
vention, the same being shown suspended frorn an overheadcrane cable in a positioll proximately above an exemplary upright standing wrapped metal material coil, wherein illustration of the latter has been foreshortened to accommodate the sheet and further wherein said coil grab is disposed with the pivotally joined tong link structure thereof held in a retracted position by the tong latch in retà ining cycle configuration and the opposingly face adjustably spaced compression clamps thereof are opened prepatory to accomplishment of coil load engagement for crane elevation and displacement thereby.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab comprising the instant invention being somewhat similar to that as previously illustrated in Fig. 1, but, however, in this view showing the component assemblies thereof wherein the same are diC-posed in a motor-driven compression clamp engagement of the wall thickness of said exemplary upright qtanding wrapped metal material coil to thereby pre-squeeze the same sufficiently to substantially remove any wrap slack sponginess from the convoluted laminate overply stxucture thereof, with the tong latch positioned in staged cycle configuration prepatory to liftable engagement of said coll by released tong latch employment of the lever-aating force translating tong assembly of said coil grab.
Fig 3 is a side elevation of the motorlzed lever-action vertical axis coil yrab wherein the component assemblies thereof are disposed with the tong latch in released cycle configuration and the coil retainably angaged by the compression clamps under increa~ed laver-actiny self-~ripping grab force in an elevated position above the support surface for crane displaced movement to another location.
FigO 4 is a side elevation of the motoxized lever-action vertical axis coil grab wherein the componentassemblies thereof are disposed with the tong latch in engagad restrained cycle configuration.
FigO 5 i~ an enlarged cut~away side elevatlon o the tong latch load sensing switch assembly correspond1ng to the retaining cycle configuration thereof as shown in Flg. 1.
Fig, 6 is a top plan view of the tong latch lug shown in Fig. 5 as seen along the line 6 - 6 thereo~O
Fig. 7 is an enlarged cut-away side elevation of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly corresponding t~ the staged cycle configuration thereof as shown in Fig. 2 Fig, 8 is a top plan view of the tong latch lug shown in Fig. 7 as seen along the line 8 - 8 thereofO
Fig. 9 is an enlarged cut-away side elevation o~
the tong latch load sensing switch assembly corresponding to the released cycle configuration thereof as shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the tong latch lug shown in Fig. 9 as seen al~ng the line 10- 1~ thereof.
FigO 11 is an enlarged cut-away side elevation of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly correspondlng to the engaged restrained cycle configuration thereof as shown in Fig. 4O
Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the tong latch lug shown in FigO 11 as seen along the line 12 - 12 thereofO
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Fig~ 1, the present invention i shown which comprises a motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab 10 operably suspended from an overhead crane cable 12 and positioned in proximate disposition above an exemplary upright stan~ing wrapped metal mate~ial coil 14 - 30 prepatory to accomplishment of compresslve clampable engage-ment of said coil 14 by said grab 10 for crane elevati~n and relocation movement thereby, said grab 10 having as components thereof a lever-acting forc~ translatiny tong assembly 16 connected in suspension from said overhead crane cable 12 by means of intercommunica~ive engagement of crane hook 18 with pivot shackle 20 and dependently supporting in pivotal tong link connection therewith a horizontal frame ~ 8~
member 22 mounting therefrom a set of opposingly faced adjustably spaced coil compression clamp means being vari-ably spaceable laterally by motor-driven screw means 24 driven off reversable motor 26 through right-angle gear box 28, wherein said lever-acting force kranslatin~ tong assembly 16 is releasably operable to clamp said coil 14 with increased lever-acting self-grippin~ force translated compressive engagement through cycled operation so as not to cause engagement of the tong latch load sensing switch assem~ly 30 in turn comprised of a t~ng latch mechanism 32 in combination with a load sensing switch means 34, unle 5, however, an overload condition exists.
Referring again to Fig. 1 to describe in greater detail the component parts of this invention as well as explain the operation thereof in accomplishing coil 14 elevation and movement operations, wherein it is to be understood that said coil 14 is that type of coil commonly referred to as an upright standing coil, i~e., a coil formed by wrapping under tension a ribbon of metal material such as aluminum or the like to provide a relatively tight wrap of successive convoluted ribbon overplys 36 wherein the coil thus formed is adapted to be set upon a horizontally disposed support surface 38 for the purposes o ~toxage or the like, with the central core axis 40 theraof belng vertically diqposed to said support surface 38, thus up-wardly presentlng for coil engagement by grab means fcr pu~poses of lifting and movement operations the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42 with coil interior wall ~urface 44 access being provided by the central coil core opening 46 and the coil exterior wall surface 48 thereof being openly exposed outwardly for access. W~th the foregoing in mind as respects physical configuration of the load to be handled, the coil grab 10 of the instant invention operate as followsO
Initially, prior to and prepatory for coil engagement operations th~ lever-acting force translating tong assembly 16 of the coil grab 10 is positioned and 3~7~ L~k _9_ retained in a retracted configuration as shown in F.ig, 1, being accomplished by means of the tong la~ch mechanism 32, wherein the tong latch cam bolt 50 thereof dependently supporting cam bolt lug head 52 rotationally and realprocally within barrel cam collar 54 fixedly assembled to the non~
pivot outboard lever-arm end of the upper tong link 56 o~
said tong assembly 16 by means of tong latch mounting bracket 58 weldment: is cycled by tong latch upper barrel cam follower pins 62 also supported by said tong latch cam bolt 50 whereby the elongated axis of said cam bolt lug head 52 is downwardly disposed perpendicular of the long axis of the slot 64 centrally interme~iate the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 plvotally assembled to the non-pivot outb~ard end of the lower tong link 68 of said assembly 16 by means of pivot pin 70 and yudgeon 72, and in upward compressive engagement therewith against pivotally ext~nsive force of th~ load sensing switch compression spring 74 to thereby prevent extension of said tong assembly 16 in self-gripping function as hereinafter explained and also thereby permit positioning for initial motorized compressive engagement of the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42 of said coil 14 by opposingly faced a~justably spaced coil compression clamp means of said instant inventlon 10 being re~pectively coil ex~erior clamping shoe 76 and coil core interior clamping shoe 78 variably spaceable latexally by motor-driven screw means 24. In ef~ect, then, the lever-acting orce tran~lating tong assembly 16 as shown in Fig. 1 in the retracted configuration is held in a stabilized "c~cked" position 79 for load engagement by engagement of the tong latch mechansim 32 with the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 res~ectively ~ixedly assembled to the non-pivot outboard lever-arm upper tong link 56 and the lower tong link 68 ends both of which link members are in turn pivotally j~ine~ at the ends opposite thereto by connecting pivot bolt 80 insertably communicating conneatably through openings respectively therein. It should be noted at this point that the load sensing switch compression spring 74 adjustably held in position by spring gulde bolt 82 between the latch pivot plate pivot deflection end 84 and the compression spring upper retaining bracket 86 is rated so as not to deflect under the engaged tong latch 32 through load sensing switch pivot plate 66 upward communicated tare or "dead" weight load thrust of the coil grab 10 per se, and thereby does not deflect the switch lever 88, also adjustably assembled to the upper end of the spring guide bolt 82, whereby the normally open cran~ hoist motor load sensing latch switch 90 is maintained in the closed contact position 92 as shown thereby enabling crane driven maneuvered positioning of said coil grab 10 relative to the coil 14 load to be engaged for elevation and movementO
A more detailed illustration of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly 30 cooperative components as above-described with reference to Fig 1, corresponding ~o a tong latch upper barrel cam 60 cycled functioning thereof in the stabilized "cocked" position 79 configuration prepatory to engagement positioning of the coil grab 10 hereof upon a coil 14 to be lifted an~ moved, is shown in the enlarged cut-away side elevation of Fig. 5, with a showing of the elongated axis of the cam bolt lug head 52 of the tong latch mechanism 32 downwardly disposed per-pendicular of the long axis of the slot 64 ~entrally in~er-mediate the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 being asillustrated in the top plan view of FigO 6 taken along the line 6 - 6 of Fig. 5.
The mechanical components of coil grab 10 here~f as disclosed in Fig. 1, and supplementally detailed in FigO 5 and Fig, ~, are preferably constructed rom metal alloy materials, however, any other suitable materials or combinations thereof may he used.
Referring now to Fig. 2 to d~scribe accomplishmRnt of motorized compressive clampable engagement by grab 10 of the coil 14 to be lifted for movement, wherein it will be seen that said grab 10 has been lowered by the overhead crane means into a position of support by horizontal frame .5~7~
member 22 upon the -top of coil 14 t wlth the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness thereof interposed intermedlate the respective and opposedly variably spaced clamping faces of coil exteriDr clamping shoe 76 and coil core interior clamping shoe 78, further with a sufficient over-head crane lowering thereafter of cable 12 to cause slackening therein whereupon the upper tong link 56 i3 free to rotate about the connecting pivst bolt 80 and in so doing cau~es the tong latch cam bolt retaining shoulder 94 to drop into supportable contact with the upper surface of load sensing switch pivot plate 66, and, relative to barrel cam collar 54 be elevated with respect thereto such that the lower barrel cam follower pins 96 enga~e and trace the tong latch lower barrel cam 98 surface thus causing rotation of the cam bolt lug head 52 elongated axis angularly intermediate a position perpendicular and parallel to the long axis of the slot 64, being sub-~tantially an angle ~f forty-five degrees more-or-less, being also the tong latch mechanism 32 lever-acting force translating tong assembly stage position 100, in which position the tong link and suspension structure is mechan-ically configured to enable motorized clamping shoe com-pressive engagement of the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness dimension.
As prevlously pointed out, the coll 1~ i~ formed by wrapping under ten~ion a ribbon of metal material, how-ever, inherent to such a coil forming process there is a resultant wrap slack sponginess in the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42, which sponginess is substantially removed therefrom by motorized compressive clampable eng~gement thereof by said opposedly variab~y spaced clamping faces of coil exterior clamping shoe 76 and coil core interior clamping shoe 78 thereby to present fvr sub-sequently cycled increased lever-acting self-~ripplng force translated compressive grab enga~ement a substantlally compacted, iOe., solid, motorized grab clamped convoluted coil wrap ribbon overply 36a having wall thickness 42a accomplished as follows.
The reversable motor 26 i5 activated ~rom a remote crane control location to power motor-driven screw means 24 through right-angle gear box 28 and thereby screwably draw forward threadably communicating exterior clamping shoe adjustment block 102 thus causlng mot~rized compressive clampin~ of the convoluted coil wrap wall thickness between the adjustable coil exterior clamping shoe 76 and relatively fixed coil core interior clamping shoe 78 to a point of motor stall thereby removing there-from substantially all wrap slack sponginess, being the resultant motorized grab clamped convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42a, at which point the grab 10 is mechanically readied for cycle to increased lever-acting sel~-gripping force translatsd compressive grab 10 engagement whereupon overhead crane elevation and movement of coil 14 may there-by be expeditiously accomplished.
A more detailed illustration of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly 30 cooperative components as above-described with reference to Fig~ 2, corresponding to a tong latch lower barrel cam 98 cycle~ functioning thereof in the lever-acting force translating ton~ assembly stage poSitiQn 100 prepatory to subsequent cycling f~r in~reased lever-acting self-gripping force translated c~mpressive grab 10 engagement of a coil 14 to be lifted and moved, i5 shown in the enlarged cut-away side elevakion of Fig 7~
with a showing of the elongated axis of the cam bolt lug head 52 of the tong latch mechanism 32 beiny substantially at an angle of forty five degrees more-or-less to the long axis of the slot 64 centrally intermediate the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 being as illustrated in the top plan view of Fig~ 8 taken along the line 8 - 8 of Fig. 7O
With the coil grab 10 structure configured in a lever-acting force translating tong a sembly stage position 100~ and motorized clampahle engagement of a coil 14 having been accomplished to thereby substantially remove therefrom any wrap slack sponginess, the coil grab 10 is then readled to accomplish force translating tong assembly 16 r~leaaably operable clamping of said coil 14 with increased levPr-acting self-gripping force translated compressive engage-ment by that force created and comprised of the additive effects of the coil grab 10 dead weight per se plus the coil 14 weight operating throu.gh the tong link compound lever-arm structure respectively about primary and secondary tong link fulcrum pivots 104 and 106 all as shown in Fig~
3 and more specifically described as follows.
The overhead crane cable 12 is withdrawn upward to remove slack therefrom and then elevated further to also cause pivotal raising of the upper tong link 56 about the connecting pivot bolt 80 which simultaneously slidably elevates the barrel cam collar 54, secured t~ said upper t~ng link 56 by weldment of tong latch mounting bracket 58 therto as previously described, circumferentially about the tong latch cam bolt 50 to that point where two of the upp~rmost oppositely positioned downward leading surfaces of tong latch upper barrel cams 60 engage the outwardly extending upper barrel cam follower pins 62 and thereupon cause rotatable elevation of the tong latch cam bolt 50 to bottom stop points of the ton~ latch upper barrel cams 60 as shown whereupon the cam bolt lug head 52 elongated axis i9 aligned with the slot 64 long axis and thereupon cleared to be upwardly with~rawn therethrough durlng con~
tinued elevati~n of said overhead crane cable 12 also a~
shown, at which point transition from motorized compressive clampable enga~ement to lever-acting self-grlpping force of the coil 14 commences, being the tong latch mechanism release position 1~8.
A more detailed illustration of the tong latch load sensiny switch assembly 30 cooperative o~nents as above-described with reference to Fig. 3, correspondlng to a tong latch mechanism 32 cycling to the release position 108 for tran~ition from motorized compressive clampable engagement to commencement of lever-acting self-gripping force of the coil 14, is shown in the enlarged cutaway side elevation of Fig. 9, with a showing of the elongated axis of the cam bolt lug head 52 of the tong latch mechanism 32 upwardly withdrawn in long axis alignment through slot 64 being as illustrated in the ~op plan view of FiyO lQ
taken along the line 10 - 10 of Fig. 9.
Upon clearing of the cam bolt lug head 52 up-wardly through slot 64, and continued elevation of the overhead crane cable 12, the upper tong link 56 rotates upwardly from pivot shackle connection bolt 110 about ~he primary tong link fulcxum pivot 104 to hereby translate an outward pushing force on the lower tong link 68 through connecting pivot bolt 80 thereby exerting a pulling force pivotally translated through the lower tong link connecting pivot bolt 112 about the secondary tong link fulcrum pivot 106 to exert an increasing lever-acting self-gripping com-pressive coil clamping force upon progres~ive coil load plus grab dead weight translation as there is an elevation of coil 14 retained through coil core interior clamping shoe 78 to c~il exterior clamping shoe 76, said increasing lever-acting self-grippiny compressive coil clamping force being exerted self-adjustably in pivotal compensation through interior clamping shoe pivot 114 upon interpo~ed lever-action grab clamped convoluted coil wrap wall thickness 42b thereby enabling overhead crane elevation and movement of said coil 14 withQut that hazard of having the lever-action clamped wrap of successive convoluted ribbon overplys 36b slipping apart upon lifting above an~
elevated displacement movement therof over the hvrizontally disposed support surface 38. It is by manipulation and mechanism of the foregoing mechanical sequence that said motorized lev~r-action vertical axis coil grab 10 normally operates during employment thereof in accomplishing engage-ment, elevation, and movement operations as applied to up-right standing wrapped metal material coils 14.
On occassion, however, either initially or intex~
mediate during coil handling operations with said grab 10 such as when an operator would set the engaged coiJ. upon 3~
a support surface after initial elevation and movement but pr~or to final positioning placement thereof, the lever-acting force t.ranslating tong assembly 16 may slightly collapse, from the extended configuration thereof as here-tofore described, a~ a con~equence of inadvertent overheadcrane cable 12 slackening, which may thexeupon result in partial pivotal closing of the upper tong link 56 whereup~n a re-entry of the cam bolt lug head 52 downward through the slot 64 and index camming thereof to the lever-acting force translating tong assembly restrained engagement position 116 whereupon any subsequent attempt to elevate the motorized clamped coil will ca~se cam bolt lug head 52 pivotal upward re-engagement with and deflection ~f the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 ab~ut the pivot pin 70 as a result of the combined force effects of the grab dead weight and the coil weight over-load upon the load sensing switch cvmpression spring 74, which spring is rated to restrain without deflection the coil grab 10 dead weight only, thus causing compression thereof and deflection of the switch lever 88 thereby operatin~ the normally open crane hoist motor load sensing latch switch 90 to the switch open position 118 thus breaking the crane hoist motor power circuit through switch conduits 120 to auto-matically and electromechanically prevent the inadvertent elevation for movement o~ a coil 14 which is not properly secured by lever-acting sel-gripping clamp compresslon, and thereby also preventing the hazard of having a coil 14 slip apart upon elevation as a result of either inadequate or impropex compressive clamp engagement thereof~ all as illustrated in Fig. 4, showing the coil 14 remaining in depQsit upon the horizontally disposed support surface 380 A more detailed illustration of the tong latch load sensing switch assembly 30 cooperative components as above-described with reference to Fig. 4, corresponding t~
a tong latch upper barrel cam 60 cycled functioning thereof in the lever-acting force translating tong assPmbly re strained engagement position 116 csnfiguration to electro-mechanically prevent elevation of coil 14 for movem~nt by said grab 10 is shown in the enlarged cut-away side eleva-tion of Fig. 11, with a showing therein also of the normally open crane hoist motor load sensing latch swikch 90 in the S switch open position 118 whereby power to the crane hoist motor thr~ugh switch conduits 120 is broken. The top plan view ~hown in Fig. 12, taken along the line 12 - 12 of Fig. 11, illustrates plvotal downward deflective engagement configuration of the cam bolt lug haad 52 with the load sensing switch pivot plate 66 when the same are cycled into the lever-acting force translating tong assembly re-strained engagement position 116.
It should be noted that re-cycling of the mo-torized lever-action vertical axis coil grab 10 to re-set for accomplishment of initial load engagement operations with re~pect to an upri~ht standing wrapped metal matexial coil 14 as previously discussed and illustrated in and on con~ideration of Fig. 1, to which reference is now again made, is simply accomplished from the lever-acting self-gripping extended tong configuration as illustrated inFig. 3 by permitting full slackening of the ~varhead crane cable 12 as shown in Fig. 2 and then elevating by means of the overhead crane to the grab 10 free suspen~i~n con-figuration as shown in Fig. 1, through which se~uence barrel cam collar 54 cycles the tong latch cam bolt 50 during normal operational u~e employment of grab 10 i~
coil 1~ handling operations whereby the cam bolt lug head 52 is configured to the tong assembly 16 3tabilized "cock~d"
position 79 as further detailed respectively in previously discussed Figures 5 an~ 6, in which respect ~he uppex tong link 56 by means of an elongated "lost motion" opening 122 therein being communicative about insertably connectin~
pivot bolt 80 as shown mechanically provides that tong link assembly controlled lost motion latitude n~cessary furthar whereby said grab 10 tong latch load sensing switch assembly 30 and the tong latch mechanism 32 thereof is reset~
An additional tong link assembly controlled motion ~ L~ 7~
~17-operational latitude provided by elongated lost motion opening 122 is in the event, and upon motorized clampable engagement, of a compactly wrapped coil having littlel or relatively speaking no, wrap slack sponginess therein whereby any tong link structure reverse movement trans-mission consequent therefrom is compensated within said elongated lost motion opening 122 and not translated to the tong latch mechanism 32 whereby clearance of the cam bolt lug head 52 with the slot 64 in such an event, upon proper operational sequence cycling, is maintained.
Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is xecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full sc~pe of the ~laim~ so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatusO
Claims (9)
1. A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab adapted to be operably employed and controlled from a remote location in suspension from an overhead crane for use in compressively engaging for elevation and movement thereof from one location to another by means of said over-held crane at least one of a plurality of upright standing wrapped metal material coils disposed upon a horizontal support surface within the operable range vicinity of said overhead crane, said motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab comprising in combination:
(a) a tong link support structure having respectively a pivotally interconnected angularly dis-posed upper tong link connectably communicating with a lower tong link about a pivot set in a "lost motion" open-ing at one end of the tong link support structure, said upper tong link in turn being operably connected to an intermediate pivot shackle about which it is adapted to be pivotally vertically displaced in dependent suspension from an overhead crane cable hook and said lower tong link being operably connected through an intermediate pivot to a horizontal frame member having an additional cooperative pivotal connection with a downward disposed portion of said upper tong link, (b) a set of dependently disposed clamping shoes movably supported within said horizontal frame member wherein a first shoe of said set is laterally disposed outwardly on said horizontal frame member to-wards one end thereof and is provided with an adjustment means for laterally displaceable longitudinal movement thereof with respect to a second shoe of said set which is pivotally disposed centrally intermediate the later-ally disposed ends of said horizontal frame member and is in turn laterally displaceable with respect to said first shoe of said set through appropriate pivotal move-ment of the operably connected tong link support structure, (c) a tong latch assembly comprising a tong latch mechanism affixed at the end of said upper tong link remote from the pivot and having mechanical means cooperatively operable therewith, subsequent to a clampable engagement of an upwardly disposed wall thickness segment of one of said coils compressively interposed said set of dependently dis-posed clamping shoes through lateral displacement of said first shoe with said adjustment means towards said second shoe upon said wall thickness segment therebetween in accomplishing a pre-compressed removal of coil wrap slack sponginess from the convoluted structure of said coil grab and thereby effect a pivotally translated lever-acting self-gripping compressive force to said clamping shoes upon said pre-compressed wall thickness segment therebetween by a combined tong link tare plus coil weight translated force operable through pivotal angular movement lateral displacement of said second shoe of said set of dependently disposed clamping shoes towards said first shoe thereof to clampably engage by means of said lever-acting self-gripping tong link structure compressive force translation said coil for elevation and movement thereby, and (d) a tong latch load sensing switch assembly.
(a) a tong link support structure having respectively a pivotally interconnected angularly dis-posed upper tong link connectably communicating with a lower tong link about a pivot set in a "lost motion" open-ing at one end of the tong link support structure, said upper tong link in turn being operably connected to an intermediate pivot shackle about which it is adapted to be pivotally vertically displaced in dependent suspension from an overhead crane cable hook and said lower tong link being operably connected through an intermediate pivot to a horizontal frame member having an additional cooperative pivotal connection with a downward disposed portion of said upper tong link, (b) a set of dependently disposed clamping shoes movably supported within said horizontal frame member wherein a first shoe of said set is laterally disposed outwardly on said horizontal frame member to-wards one end thereof and is provided with an adjustment means for laterally displaceable longitudinal movement thereof with respect to a second shoe of said set which is pivotally disposed centrally intermediate the later-ally disposed ends of said horizontal frame member and is in turn laterally displaceable with respect to said first shoe of said set through appropriate pivotal move-ment of the operably connected tong link support structure, (c) a tong latch assembly comprising a tong latch mechanism affixed at the end of said upper tong link remote from the pivot and having mechanical means cooperatively operable therewith, subsequent to a clampable engagement of an upwardly disposed wall thickness segment of one of said coils compressively interposed said set of dependently dis-posed clamping shoes through lateral displacement of said first shoe with said adjustment means towards said second shoe upon said wall thickness segment therebetween in accomplishing a pre-compressed removal of coil wrap slack sponginess from the convoluted structure of said coil grab and thereby effect a pivotally translated lever-acting self-gripping compressive force to said clamping shoes upon said pre-compressed wall thickness segment therebetween by a combined tong link tare plus coil weight translated force operable through pivotal angular movement lateral displacement of said second shoe of said set of dependently disposed clamping shoes towards said first shoe thereof to clampably engage by means of said lever-acting self-gripping tong link structure compressive force translation said coil for elevation and movement thereby, and (d) a tong latch load sensing switch assembly.
2. A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab according to claim 1, in which the tong latch load sensing switch assembly comprises a load sensing switch pivot plate provided with a slotted opening centrally intermediate therein and pivotally affixed at the end of said lower tong link laterally outward of said tong latch mechanism and having a deflection end positioned to communicate pivotally upward against a resistive compression spring of a load sensing switch.
3. A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab according to claim 1, which additionally includes a closed normally open crane hoist motor load sensing switch operable to open only upon deflection of a communicably connected switch lever with upward move-ment of said deflection end of said load sensing switch pivot plate about the pivotal affixment thereof by means of an overload force communicated thereto through said tong latch mechanism affixed to the upper tong link and operable against the said resistive compression spring to cause compression thereof and thereby break power trans-mission through a communicating circuit to the crane hoist motor and also thereby automatically prevent the elevation and movement of a coil not properly engaged by said coil grab as a consequence of incomplete sequential operational cycling of said tong latch mechanism to effect a lever-acting self-gripping tong link structure compressive force translation.
4. A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab according to claim 1, in which the "lost motion" pivot is provided with an elongated oval opening in the upper tong link at a parallel elongated axis disposition to the longitudinal dimension thereof to thereby provide means whereby a controlled lost motion latitude necessary to accomplish a re-set cycle of said coil grab for coil en-gagement is accomplished.
5. A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab according to claim 1, wherein said "lost motion" pivot is further adapted to provide a controlled lost motion latitude necessary to enable a proper operational cycling of said tong latch without a tong link structure reverse movement transmission binding thereof upon a pre-compressed engagement of an already compactly wrapped metal material coil having substantially no slack wrap sponginess therein.
6. A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab according to claim 1, in which the first shoe adjustment means is a motor-driven screw threadably communicating through a shoe adjustment block disposed at one end of the tong link support structure and connected to a reversable drive motor through a right-angle gear box at the other end thereof whereby laterally displaceable longitudinal move-ment of the said first shoe is accomplished.
7. A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab according to claim 1, in which the tong latch load sensing switch assembly (d) comprises in combination a tong latch mechanism provided with a barrel cam adapted to rotationally and reciprocally drive a cam bolt having an elongated lug head cooperatively operable with a load sensing switch pivot plate provided with a complementary elongated open-ing centrally intermediate therein adapted to cooperatively receive reciprocally therethrough said elongated lug head when cammably cycled by said barrel cam to be on alignment therewith, said pivot plate being pivotally affixed one end thereof and positioned with the other end thereof to communicate deflectively upward against a pivot deflection resistive compression spring of a load sensing switch means operable to cause a power terminating opening upon retractive deflection thereof a closed normally open switch with upward deflective movement of said load sen-sing switch pivot plate about the pivotal affixment there-of by means of an overload force upon said coil grab com-municated thereto by restrained inaction of the tong link structure upon a non-complementary elongated lug head con-figuration therewith after being received through said load sensing switch pivot plate elongated opening and upon a barrel cam reciprocally driven retraction upwardly thereagainst of a force sufficient to cause retractive deflection of said spring, being said overload force, to thereupon cause coil grab prime movement means to become inoperative.
8. A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab according to claim 1, in which the resistive compression spring has a compression resistance rating so as to with-stand compressive deflection under the tong link structure to load sensing switch pivot plate transmitted weight force effect of the coil grab tare weight per se.
9. A motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab according to claim 8, in which the compression resistance rating of the resistive compression spring will enable deflective yielding under the tong link structure to load sensing switch pivot plate transmitted combined weight force effect of the coil grab tare weight plus that weight of an improperly engaged upright standing wrapped metal material coil when added thereto.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000372070A CA1153784A (en) | 1981-03-02 | 1981-03-02 | Motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000372070A CA1153784A (en) | 1981-03-02 | 1981-03-02 | Motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1153784A true CA1153784A (en) | 1983-09-13 |
Family
ID=4119347
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000372070A Expired CA1153784A (en) | 1981-03-02 | 1981-03-02 | Motorized lever-action vertical axis coil grab |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1153784A (en) |
-
1981
- 1981-03-02 CA CA000372070A patent/CA1153784A/en not_active Expired
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