EP0043380B1 - Segmented extendible boom - Google Patents
Segmented extendible boom Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0043380B1 EP0043380B1 EP19810900468 EP81900468A EP0043380B1 EP 0043380 B1 EP0043380 B1 EP 0043380B1 EP 19810900468 EP19810900468 EP 19810900468 EP 81900468 A EP81900468 A EP 81900468A EP 0043380 B1 EP0043380 B1 EP 0043380B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- segments
- boom
- segment
- extended
- cables
- 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
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
- B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
- B66C23/62—Constructional features or details
- B66C23/64—Jibs
Definitions
- the above mentioned extendible boom according to US-A-2 946 556 is primarily designed for pushing or pulling objects rather than operating as a boom. It would be used, for example, to move scenery on a stage.
- the boom segments of this conventional device are supported by wheels which ride along a floor. These segments do not stow in a nested relationship, but rather are wrapped helically. This arrangement results in less compact stowage, which is particularly undesirable for a mobile object such as a boom.
- As the segments of this conventional device are extended away from a helical reeling mechanism, they form an arm which does not extend perpendicularly from the reeling mechanism. As the arm extends further and further, any attempts to use this type of arrangement as a boom will result in the creation of twisting movements.
- the invention as claimed is intended to remedy the drawbacks of the most pertinent prior art (US-A-2,946,556). It solves the problem of how to design an extendible, segmented boom which allows a compact storage of the segments. Furthermore, it is aimed to provide segments for the extendible boom structure which resists overloads and which are able to carry remarkably high boom loads. Furthermore, the invention aims to provide an extendible boom structure which resists twisting and racking and has high strength against lateral loads.
- the extendible boom structure of the invention comprises boom segments of uniform cross-sections with the longitudinal lengths of adjacent segments being progressively smaller thereby making the boom relatively lightweight at its outer end and requiring less support.
- the boom is strengthened by means of pre-stress cables which integrally pass through laterally extending flanges on each segment in order to provide strength to the boom for vertical loads.
- the placement of the pre-tension cables within the laterally located flanges also provides resistance to side forces on the boom.
- a set of auxiliary cables may be used to prevent the pivotally coupled segments from pivoting away from each other when the boom is turned up- sidedown, providing an important safety feature for the boom.
- the progressively smaller longitudinal pair length and the hollow configuration of the segments permit a boom to be compactly stored in a magazine.
- the boom segments are pivotally connected for movement about transverse axes.
- the V-shaped segments terminate at the wide ends in laterally extending flanges which contain the prestressed flexible cables which are integrally connected to each of the flanges and are located at the outer extremities of the segments.
- the cables support vertical loads on the boom. Because of their spacing at the outer extremity of the segments, the cables also resist side loading on the boom.
- the boom segments when coiled nest within each other to form a generally square configuration with the progessively smaller boom segments located near the center of the configuration.
- the boom coiling structure has a central axle about which the segments are coiled.
- the coil is automatically lowered and raised as the segments are uncoiled or coiled, respectively, to provide an optimum angle of insertion or retraction of the boom segments.
- a spring is wound up to provide a return force for retracting the boom segments into the magazine.
- the interconnected, extendible adjacent boom segments wedge together at their sides so as to resist relative side and longitudinal twisting movement of the segments.
- An auxiliary cable can be provided for supporting the boom segments when the boom is turned upside down. This cable prevents the pivotal movement of the segments.
- Clips are provided within the hollow portion of the segments for carrying power cables and the like to the end of the boom.
- the power cables are automatically fed into the clips as the boom is extended.
- the boom extension and retraction apparatus is constructed so that it can be varied in elevation by positioning the boom in a vertical direction in contact with the support underlying the entire structure. The boom can then be extended or retracted to fix the elevation of the entire structure with respect to the underlying support base. The boom is then locked into vertical position.
- a segmented extendible boom includes a plurality of boom segments 10 which are compactly stored in a storage assembly 12.
- the boom segments are extended or retracted by means of a segment support and driver assembly 14, which in turn is mounted to a fork-shaped support frame 16, also shown in Fig. 2.
- the frame 16 is rotated with respect to a support post 18.
- the support post is fixed to a support base.
- the apparatus shown provides means for extending and positioning a boom formed from a plurality of segments 10.
- the boom has, for example, a hoist cable 20 positioned at the end thereof for handling and hoisting of loads.
- the hoist cable 20 passes over a hoist sheave 22.
- a conventional hoist motor and winch assembly 24 is shown as a typical means of controlling the hoist cable 20.
- the boom segment support and drive assembly 14 includes a frame formed from a pair of side plates 30 which are maintained in a spaced-part relationship by means of a plurality of cross-brace members 32 which are welded or otherwise suitably fastened to the side plates to provide a rigid support frame. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the support frame is pivotal about pins 34 which extend through appropriate apertures at the ends of the extending arms 36 of the fork-shaped frame 16. Two hydraulic cylinders 38 are each pivotally connected at one end to the frame 16 and at the other end to brackets projecting from the support and drive assembly 14 as shown. The cylinders permit the angle of elevation of the boom to be adjusted to a desired setting. The boom may be flipped all the way over to provide a low profile for storage or transportation.
- the forked frame 16 pivots about a center pin 40 on bearings 42, 44 and is rotated by means of a swing motor 46 which drives a pulley 48.
- a drive cable 50 driven by the pulley 48 engages a groove 52 extending around the top portion of a base 54.
- Rollers 58 are mounted on tabs 60 which project from a support 55 fixed to a deck or the like and the rollers guide the post 18.
- the height of the entire boom assembly is adjustable and the base 54 is positioned at various points by means of a lock pin 62 which passes through the support 55 and one of a plurality of vertically spaced apertures on the post 18, which post is adapted to have additional extensions connected thereto.
- Each of the segments 10 has a uniform cross-sectional configuration and the segments differ only in length. Fabrication of the segments is simplified by using standardized segments. The strength of each segment is the same as the other segments, wherever located in the boom.
- Each segment 10 is a truncated, V-shaped structure which includes a generally flat bottom portion 70 with side walls 72 extending upwardly and at oblique angles to the flat bottom portion 70. Extending longitudinally along the outside of the flat bottom portion 70 is a pintle rail 74 having a generally hollow interior, as shown. Holes 75, as shown in Fig. 7, are provided in the rail 74 at uniform spacings for receiving pins, or pintles 76.
- the pintles 76 form a rack which is engaged by a gear for driving the segments in a longitudinal direction.
- a pair of downwardly extending flanges 78 are formed near the outside edge of each of the flat bottom plates 70 for each segment. These flanges cooperate with the pintle rail to provide a pair of cable troughs for a plurality of auxiliary cables 79.
- Laterally extending reinforcement ribs 82 are provided along the bottom plate 70 near the longitudinal ends of each segment 10.
- Welded in place near the top and at one end of each segment 10 is a rod, or cross-member 80, to which are affixed clamps 82 for cables, hoses, and the like.
- Each clamp 82 has two segments which spring together to hold, for example, an electrical cable or a pneumatic hose providing power to operate the hoist motor or the like, as required.
- Figs. 3, 7 and 9 show some of the details for pivotal connection of adjacent segments.
- the pivotal connection of the segments 10 is utilized primarily in storing the segments and is accomplished by means of a pair of elastically extendible hinge straps 90, as shown in Fig. 3. Because the heavy loading on the boom is carried by a series of cables, the hinges are not necessarily required to be heavy duty.
- One end of each of the straps 90 is riveted by means of a rivet 92 to the exterior wall of the segment, as shown.
- An outwardly bowed spring portion 94 is provided on each strap 90 which permits each strap 90 to be elastically lengthwise extended.
- Pins 96 engage elongated slots 98 formed in the straps to permit elastic lengthwise extension of the straps.
- hinge pins 100 Two straps are joined together by means of hinge pins 100 so that adjacent segments 10 are pivotal about the hinge pins 100 by as much as 90°, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawing.
- the elasticity of the hinge straps permits the abutting ends of the segments 10 to move slightly apart if an overload force is applied against the segments 10 to prevent damage to the segments and joints and to provide a safety factor when the support cables are stretched by heavy loading.
- Each of the boom segments 10 is guided and locked end-to-end in an abutting relationship with adjacent segments.
- the segments are guided together by means of the angled plates 102, 104, shown in Figs. 7 and 8.
- Figs. 7 and 9 show an outwardly extending end portion of the rod 80 engaged by a cam-slot 106 formed in a projecting end portion of each segment 10.
- Fig. 9 shows a rod 80 positioned at the entrance of the cam-slot 106.
- the rod 80 rides within the slot 106 and guides the angle plates 102, 104 into an engaging relationship, as shown in Fig. 8. When the angle plates are engaged, lateral movement of the adjacent segments is prevented.
- Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional end view of a boom segment 10 having a pair of oppositely extending flanges 108 located at the wider end of each segment.
- Each flange has a lower half 110 and an upper half 112.
- the flange lower half 110 is fixed to the exterior wall of a segment.
- the halves 110, 112 of each flange contain corresponding countersunk apertures for receiving fastening hardware, such as nuts and bolts or rivets 113.
- fastening hardware such as nuts and bolts or rivets 113.
- Located at the outer extremities of the flange half are the hinge straps 90, previously described.
- Each flange lower half 110 has a raised convex portion 114 and a grooved concave portion 116 which extend the length of the flange.
- each flange upper half 112 has a grooved concave portion 118 and a raised convex portion 120.
- the convex portions provide some additional strengthening to the flanges in areas of greater stress under heavy loading.
- the raised and the grooved portions engage oppositely formed portions of guide and support rollers described below.
- Figs. 6 and 7 show a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs 130 formed in the upper and lower halves 110, 112 of the flanges 108.
- a plurality of half-sleeve members 132 fit in the slots formed between the ribs 130.
- Each half-sleeve 132 engages and clamps one side of one of a plurality of longitudinally extending stress cables 134 (typically shown).
- the main stress cables 134 are sandwiched and held within the flanges 108.
- the main stress cables 134 extend the length of the boom from segment to segment and are tensioned to support the boom. When the segments are extended, the cables 134 are placed in tension and provide the main strength for supporting vertical loads on the boom.
- the cables are not clamped adjacent the hinge points to allow free flexing of the cable to minimize sharp angles and abrasion.
- Fig. 4 shows a force vector F having a sideload force component on the boom.
- the cut-away section of the boom segment shows the main stress cables 134.
- the sideload force component creates a moment tending to laterally pivot the boom segments about the side 153.
- the cables 134 provide forces opposing lateral pivoting.
- the cable furthest from the side 153 has a moment arm L and the other cables also have smaller moment arms. All of the cables with their corresponding moment arms provide moments opposing lateral pivoting of the boom.
- the wide transverse width of the flanges increases the effective moment arms of the cables to advantageously withstand lateral loads.
- boom segments 10 are driven inwardly and outwardly from the boom support means 14 by means of a main boom drive hydraulic motor 140 having a drive sprocket gear 142 connected thereto.
- the drive sprocket gear 142 engages a drive chain 144 which, in turn, engages a driven sprocket 146 which is affixed to the main boom segment drive pinion gear 148, the teeth of which engage the pintles 76 forming the rack on the bottom of the boom segments 10.
- the boom segments are thus moved inwardly and outwardly by a rack and pinion arrangement.
- the boom segments 10 are guided and supported within the boom support means 14 by a plurality of rollers. Side rollers 160 contact the upwardly extending sides 72 of the segments 10, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
- Figs. 1, 2 and 6 show a plurality of rollers, each of which is spaced and aligned for support of the boom segment flanges. All of the rollers described herein are appropriately mounted using conventional bearings and mountings.
- Figs. 2 and 4 show the top inside rollers 1 50 having convex external surfaces which mate with corresponding concave surfaces 118 on the boom segment flanges.
- the top outside rollers 152 have concave external surfaces which match the convex raised surfaces 120 formed on the flanges.
- the lower surface of the flanges are engaged by a pair of large inside rollers 1 54 having a concave exterior surface which mates with the corresponding convex surface 114 of the flange and lower half 110 as shown in Figs 1, 2, 5, and 6.
- a pair of smaller inside rollers 156 are aligned in the same line of direction as the rollers 154.
- a pair of outside convex lower rollers 158 engage the concave portions 116 of the flange lower half 110.
- rollers as described above, provide support for the boom when it is extended and serve as guides for extending and retracting the boom segments 10.
- auxiliary cables 79 are stored on a drum 170 which is concentric with the main boom drive pinion gear 148.
- the cables are shown in Fig. 6.
- Fig. 3 shows the free ends of a cable 79 loops and fastened around the axle 172 of the drum 170 with cable fasteners 174.
- a cable 79 is fed through an aperture in the grooved surface of the drum 170.
- a cable 79 is laid within the groove so that one portion of the cable overlies the other portion.
- the cables 79 are payed out from the grooves on the drums 170 into the longitudinally extending cable troughs along the bottom of the segments.
- the cables extend out to the endmost section, as shown in Fig.
- each cable passes around sheaves 176, 178.
- the sheaves 176 rotate about an axle 180 which is supported by a bracket 182.
- the position of the bracket is adjusted relative to the segment by means of an adjustment screw 184 which passes through the end of the adjustment bracket 182, through a block 186 fastened to the segment 10 and into an adjustment nut 188.
- the longitudinal position of the bracket 182 is adjusted to provide sufficient tension on the cables 79.
- the length of the wraps of cable 79 around the drum 170 is approximately equal to the boom segment lengths. Because the inner cable wrap has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the outer cable wrap, the outer cable wrap is somewhat longer than the inner cable wrap and the sheave 176 permits the lengths to be equalized.
- auxiliary cables 79 The purpose of the auxiliary cables 79 is to maintain the boom segments 10 in their extended positions when the boom is turned over or when an upward force is exerted against the boom. Without the cables 79, the boom segments 10 would pivot about their pivot pins 100 and collapse the boom. The cables 79 thus serve as safety cables and also permit the boom to be used in an inverted position.
- Fig. 10 of the drawing shows a sectional view of a boom segment, the drum 170 and the drive pinion gear 148.
- Figs. 1 and 2 show an auxiliary hose storage reel 190 mounted on a bracket 192.
- Hydraulic swivel couplings 194 provide fluid connection between external hydraulic hoses (not shown) and a hollow hose reel shaft 195.
- the hollow shaft 195 is connected to hydraulic hoses 196 coiled on each of the reels 190.
- auxiliary hoses, cables and the like may be stored on the reels 190, as required.
- the cables, hoses, or the like stored on said reels are used for a variety of auxiliary functions, such as, for example, operating a hoist motor or winch at the end of the boom.
- Means are provided for automatically feeding the hoses 196 into the clips 82 which extend upwardly from the rods 80 on each of the boom segments 10.
- This means includes a pair of feed wheels 200 rotatably positioned beneath the storage reels 190.
- Figs. 12A and 12B show a feed wheel 200 having a portion of a hose 196 contained within a groove 197 extending around the periphery of said wheel as shown.
- the spring clips 82 have resilient, opposing side spring members 202 which are normally biased together to hold a hose or the like therebetween.
- the feed wheel 200 is shown to have tapered edges 204 formed next to the circumferencial peripheral groove 197.
- the tapered sides 204 of the feed wheel open the flexible arms of the clip 82 as it moves past the feed wheel 200 and the hose 196 is placed between the arms.
- the resilient arms 202 spring together and hold the hose 196 in position on a boom segment.
- the clips 82 securely hold the hoses in position.
- Fig. 1 shows the segment storage means 12 having the interconnected boom segments 10 coiled in multiple wraps around a core 206.
- the segments 10 form a generally square configuration around the core 206 and the core 206 rotates on an axis formed by an axle 208.
- the ends of the cables 134 are fixed to the core 206.
- the lengths of the segments 10 are chosen to have the segments compactly nest together.
- the sides of the core are 20.3 cm in length.
- Each segment increases the thickness of the configuration by 50.8 mm.
- the first segment on the core is 22.8 cm long.
- the second and third segments are 25.4 cm long.
- the fourth and fifth segments are 31.2 cm long. This sequence is continued to provide the square configuration on the core 206 as shown in Fig. 1.
- the entire segment storage assembly 12 moves up and down along the storage assembly support posts 210 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 11.
- the core support axle 208 extends through a pair of slidable brackets 212, each of which is mounted for movement on one of the support posts 210 by means of four rollers 214. Attached to each of the posts 210 is a rack 216. Each rack 216 is engaged by a pinion gear 218 which is fixed to a larger gear 220. The larger gears 220 are each driven by a chain 222. Each chain is connected to a gear 224 on one end of the axle 208 as shown in Fig. 1.
- each side of the core 206 Attached to each side of the core 206 is a sheave 226, each of which has a cable 228 wrapped around it. Each cable 228 is also wrapped around one of a pair of helically grooved drums 230 which are mounted between the side plates 30 on an axle 232.
- a spring motor 234 having a helically wound ribbon spring 236 tensions the cables 228.
- the axle 208 is lowered which permits the boom segments 10 to be longitudinally aligned with the rollers in the boom support means 14.
- the axis of the core is moved upwardly by means of the rack and gear arrangement.
- the spring motor 234 provides a substantially constant force to tension the cable 228. As segments are removed from the core, the cables 228 are removed from the helically grooved drums 230 and the radius of the grooves of the drum 230 increases to counteract the increasing force provided by the spring motor 234. This provides a substantially constant tension on the cables 228 to assist in recoiling the boom segments.
- Fig. 1 shows that the entire boom assembly can be pivoted about the pins 34 so that the entire assembly can be turned upside down, as indicated by the elements shown in phantom.
- An overbalance spring 250 provides assistance in moving the assembly.
- One end of the spring is fixed to the pin engaging one end of the hydraulic cylinder 38.
- the other end of the spring is moved horizontally by the slide and pivot mechanism 251 which slides along a rail 252.
- the entire boom assembly can be pivoted about the pins 34 to any elevation angle desired by means of the hydraulic cylinders 38.
- the boom assembly can be raised and lowered along the main support post 18. This is accomplished by lowering the end of the boom so that the longitudinal axis of the boom is positioned in a generally vertical direction. The boom segments are then either retracted or extended, causing entire assembly to be raised with respect to the support 55.
Abstract
Description
- There is already known from US-A-2 946 556 a segmented extendible boom having longitudinal inner and outer ends and having a plurality of hingedly connected segments, a mechanism for extending the segments for forming the boom and for retracting the segments into a coil onto a storage reel, said storage reel being located during retraction and extension of the segments generally adjacent the longitudinal inner end of the boom, and further comprising means for supporting the extended segments for carrying a vertical load thereon.
- The above mentioned extendible boom according to US-A-2 946 556 is primarily designed for pushing or pulling objects rather than operating as a boom. It would be used, for example, to move scenery on a stage. The boom segments of this conventional device are supported by wheels which ride along a floor. These segments do not stow in a nested relationship, but rather are wrapped helically. This arrangement results in less compact stowage, which is particularly undesirable for a mobile object such as a boom. As the segments of this conventional device are extended away from a helical reeling mechanism, they form an arm which does not extend perpendicularly from the reeling mechanism. As the arm extends further and further, any attempts to use this type of arrangement as a boom will result in the creation of twisting movements.
- From DE-B-11 1 99 461 an extendible boom is known with segments comprising a V-shaped cross-section. This conventional boom becomes rigid only by locking two boom sections (top and bottom) together. As a result, two independent reeling mechanisms are required. The result is that twice the weight is required for both the reeling mechanisms and the boom.
- The invention as claimed is intended to remedy the drawbacks of the most pertinent prior art (US-A-2,946,556). It solves the problem of how to design an extendible, segmented boom which allows a compact storage of the segments. Furthermore, it is aimed to provide segments for the extendible boom structure which resists overloads and which are able to carry remarkably high boom loads. Furthermore, the invention aims to provide an extendible boom structure which resists twisting and racking and has high strength against lateral loads.
- In accordance with the invention, the above technical problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 1.
- The advantages offered by the invention are mainly that the segments of the present invention stow in a nested relationship and that the elastic hinges allow these segments to nest inside one another even if there is some obstructions such as dirt or the like between the nesting segment and the segment therebelow. Preferred embodiments and further improvements of the subject matter of claim 1 are comprised within the sub-claims.
- The extendible boom structure of the invention comprises boom segments of uniform cross-sections with the longitudinal lengths of adjacent segments being progressively smaller thereby making the boom relatively lightweight at its outer end and requiring less support. The boom is strengthened by means of pre-stress cables which integrally pass through laterally extending flanges on each segment in order to provide strength to the boom for vertical loads. The placement of the pre-tension cables within the laterally located flanges also provides resistance to side forces on the boom. A set of auxiliary cables may be used to prevent the pivotally coupled segments from pivoting away from each other when the boom is turned up- sidedown, providing an important safety feature for the boom.
- The progressively smaller longitudinal pair length and the hollow configuration of the segments permit a boom to be compactly stored in a magazine. The boom segments are pivotally connected for movement about transverse axes. The V-shaped segments terminate at the wide ends in laterally extending flanges which contain the prestressed flexible cables which are integrally connected to each of the flanges and are located at the outer extremities of the segments. The cables support vertical loads on the boom. Because of their spacing at the outer extremity of the segments, the cables also resist side loading on the boom.
- The boom segments when coiled nest within each other to form a generally square configuration with the progessively smaller boom segments located near the center of the configuration. The boom coiling structure has a central axle about which the segments are coiled. The coil is automatically lowered and raised as the segments are uncoiled or coiled, respectively, to provide an optimum angle of insertion or retraction of the boom segments. As the boom segments are dispensed from the storage magazine, a spring is wound up to provide a return force for retracting the boom segments into the magazine. The interconnected, extendible adjacent boom segments wedge together at their sides so as to resist relative side and longitudinal twisting movement of the segments. An auxiliary cable can be provided for supporting the boom segments when the boom is turned upside down. This cable prevents the pivotal movement of the segments. Clips are provided within the hollow portion of the segments for carrying power cables and the like to the end of the boom. The power cables are automatically fed into the clips as the boom is extended. The boom extension and retraction apparatus is constructed so that it can be varied in elevation by positioning the boom in a vertical direction in contact with the support underlying the entire structure. The boom can then be extended or retracted to fix the elevation of the entire structure with respect to the underlying support base. The boom is then locked into vertical position.
- One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail below with reference to drawings which illustrate only one specific embodiment, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a partially cut-away side elevation view of as assembled segmented extendible boom apparatus with the boom segments in a coiled, restricted arrangement;
- Fig. 2 is a front elevation view of a segmented extendible boom assembly;
- Fig. 3 is a partially cut-away side view of the first and second outermost boom segments with the drive sprocket gear engaging the second boom segment;
- Fig. 4 is a top, partially cut-away view of the forward portion of the upper roller part of the boom retraction apparatus shown engaging the top surfaces of a boom segment;
- Fig. 5 is a view of the bottom rollers of the boom retraction apparatus shown contacting the lower surfaces of a boom segment;
- Fig. 6 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of a boom segment shown engaging the support rollers of the retraction apparatus;
- Fig. 7 is a partially cut away sectional view of portions of two adjacent engaged boom segments taken along section line 7-7 of Fig. 6;
- Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the interlocking wedges of two adjacent boom segments taken along section line 8-8 of Fig. 7;
- Fig. 9 is a view showing two adjacent segments pivoted with respect to each other;
- Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a boom segment and sprocket gear taken along sectional line 10-10 of Fig. 3;
- Fig. 11 is a diagrammatical representation of the boom elevation apparatus;
- Fig. 12a is a side view of an auxiliary hose guide means; and
- Fig. 12b is a front view of the auxiliary hose guide means.
- Referring to Fig. 1, a segmented extendible boom includes a plurality of
boom segments 10 which are compactly stored in astorage assembly 12. The boom segments are extended or retracted by means of a segment support anddriver assembly 14, which in turn is mounted to a fork-shaped support frame 16, also shown in Fig. 2. Theframe 16 is rotated with respect to asupport post 18. The support post is fixed to a support base. The apparatus shown provides means for extending and positioning a boom formed from a plurality ofsegments 10. The boom has, for example, ahoist cable 20 positioned at the end thereof for handling and hoisting of loads. Thehoist cable 20 passes over ahoist sheave 22. A conventional hoist motor andwinch assembly 24 is shown as a typical means of controlling thehoist cable 20. - The boom segment support and drive
assembly 14 includes a frame formed from a pair ofside plates 30 which are maintained in a spaced-part relationship by means of a plurality ofcross-brace members 32 which are welded or otherwise suitably fastened to the side plates to provide a rigid support frame. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the support frame is pivotal aboutpins 34 which extend through appropriate apertures at the ends of the extendingarms 36 of the fork-shapedframe 16. Twohydraulic cylinders 38 are each pivotally connected at one end to theframe 16 and at the other end to brackets projecting from the support and driveassembly 14 as shown. The cylinders permit the angle of elevation of the boom to be adjusted to a desired setting. The boom may be flipped all the way over to provide a low profile for storage or transportation. - The forked
frame 16 pivots about acenter pin 40 onbearings 42, 44 and is rotated by means of aswing motor 46 which drives apulley 48. Adrive cable 50 driven by thepulley 48 engages agroove 52 extending around the top portion of abase 54.Rollers 58 are mounted ontabs 60 which project from asupport 55 fixed to a deck or the like and the rollers guide thepost 18. The height of the entire boom assembly is adjustable and thebase 54 is positioned at various points by means of alock pin 62 which passes through thesupport 55 and one of a plurality of vertically spaced apertures on thepost 18, which post is adapted to have additional extensions connected thereto. - The construction of a
boom segment 10 is shown in cross-section in Fig. 6. Each of thesegments 10 has a uniform cross-sectional configuration and the segments differ only in length. Fabrication of the segments is simplified by using standardized segments. The strength of each segment is the same as the other segments, wherever located in the boom. Eachsegment 10 is a truncated, V-shaped structure which includes a generallyflat bottom portion 70 withside walls 72 extending upwardly and at oblique angles to theflat bottom portion 70. Extending longitudinally along the outside of theflat bottom portion 70 is apintle rail 74 having a generally hollow interior, as shown.Holes 75, as shown in Fig. 7, are provided in therail 74 at uniform spacings for receiving pins, orpintles 76. Thepintles 76 form a rack which is engaged by a gear for driving the segments in a longitudinal direction. A pair of downwardly extendingflanges 78 are formed near the outside edge of each of theflat bottom plates 70 for each segment. These flanges cooperate with the pintle rail to provide a pair of cable troughs for a plurality ofauxiliary cables 79. Laterally extendingreinforcement ribs 82 are provided along thebottom plate 70 near the longitudinal ends of eachsegment 10. Welded in place near the top and at one end of eachsegment 10 is a rod, or cross-member 80, to which are affixedclamps 82 for cables, hoses, and the like. Eachclamp 82 has two segments which spring together to hold, for example, an electrical cable or a pneumatic hose providing power to operate the hoist motor or the like, as required. - Figs. 3, 7 and 9 show some of the details for pivotal connection of adjacent segments. The pivotal connection of the
segments 10 is utilized primarily in storing the segments and is accomplished by means of a pair of elastically extendible hinge straps 90, as shown in Fig. 3. Because the heavy loading on the boom is carried by a series of cables, the hinges are not necessarily required to be heavy duty. One end of each of thestraps 90 is riveted by means of arivet 92 to the exterior wall of the segment, as shown. An outwardly bowed spring portion 94 is provided on eachstrap 90 which permits eachstrap 90 to be elastically lengthwise extended.Pins 96 engageelongated slots 98 formed in the straps to permit elastic lengthwise extension of the straps. Two straps are joined together by means of hinge pins 100 so thatadjacent segments 10 are pivotal about the hinge pins 100 by as much as 90°, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawing. The elasticity of the hinge straps permits the abutting ends of thesegments 10 to move slightly apart if an overload force is applied against thesegments 10 to prevent damage to the segments and joints and to provide a safety factor when the support cables are stretched by heavy loading. - Each of the
boom segments 10 is guided and locked end-to-end in an abutting relationship with adjacent segments. The segments are guided together by means of theangled plates rod 80 engaged by a cam-slot 106 formed in a projecting end portion of eachsegment 10. Fig. 9 shows arod 80 positioned at the entrance of the cam-slot 106. As thesegments 10 are pivoted together, therod 80 rides within theslot 106 and guides theangle plates - Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional end view of a
boom segment 10 having a pair of oppositely extendingflanges 108 located at the wider end of each segment. Each flange has a lower half 110 and anupper half 112. The flange lower half 110 is fixed to the exterior wall of a segment. Thehalves 110, 112 of each flange contain corresponding countersunk apertures for receiving fastening hardware, such as nuts and bolts or rivets 113. Located at the outer extremities of the flange half are the hinge straps 90, previously described. Each flange lower half 110 has a raised convex portion 114 and a grooved concave portion 116 which extend the length of the flange. Similarly, each flangeupper half 112 has a groovedconcave portion 118 and a raisedconvex portion 120. The convex portions provide some additional strengthening to the flanges in areas of greater stress under heavy loading. The raised and the grooved portions engage oppositely formed portions of guide and support rollers described below. - Figs. 6 and 7 show a plurality of longitudinally extending
ribs 130 formed in the upper andlower halves 110, 112 of theflanges 108. A plurality of half-sleeve members 132 fit in the slots formed between theribs 130. Each half-sleeve 132 engages and clamps one side of one of a plurality of longitudinally extending stress cables 134 (typically shown). When the upper andlower halves 110, 112 of theflanges 108 are assembled together with the half-sleeve 132, themain stress cables 134 are sandwiched and held within theflanges 108. Themain stress cables 134 extend the length of the boom from segment to segment and are tensioned to support the boom. When the segments are extended, thecables 134 are placed in tension and provide the main strength for supporting vertical loads on the boom. The cables are not clamped adjacent the hinge points to allow free flexing of the cable to minimize sharp angles and abrasion. - Fig. 4 shows a force vector F having a sideload force component on the boom. The cut-away section of the boom segment shows the
main stress cables 134. The sideload force component creates a moment tending to laterally pivot the boom segments about the side 153. Thecables 134 provide forces opposing lateral pivoting. The cable furthest from the side 153 has a moment arm L and the other cables also have smaller moment arms. All of the cables with their corresponding moment arms provide moments opposing lateral pivoting of the boom. Thus the wide transverse width of the flanges increases the effective moment arms of the cables to advantageously withstand lateral loads. These moments provided by thecables 134 are in addition to the forces provided by the structural design of the segments alone. - Referring to Figs. 1 and 2,
boom segments 10 are driven inwardly and outwardly from the boom support means 14 by means of a main boom drivehydraulic motor 140 having adrive sprocket gear 142 connected thereto. Thedrive sprocket gear 142 engages adrive chain 144 which, in turn, engages a drivensprocket 146 which is affixed to the main boom segmentdrive pinion gear 148, the teeth of which engage thepintles 76 forming the rack on the bottom of theboom segments 10. The boom segments are thus moved inwardly and outwardly by a rack and pinion arrangement. Theboom segments 10 are guided and supported within the boom support means 14 by a plurality of rollers.Side rollers 160 contact the upwardly extendingsides 72 of thesegments 10, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. - Figs. 1, 2 and 6 show a plurality of rollers, each of which is spaced and aligned for support of the boom segment flanges. All of the rollers described herein are appropriately mounted using conventional bearings and mountings. Figs. 2 and 4 show the top inside rollers 1 50 having convex external surfaces which mate with corresponding
concave surfaces 118 on the boom segment flanges. The top outsiderollers 152 have concave external surfaces which match the convex raisedsurfaces 120 formed on the flanges. - The lower surface of the flanges are engaged by a pair of large inside rollers 1 54 having a concave exterior surface which mates with the corresponding convex surface 114 of the flange and lower half 110 as shown in Figs 1, 2, 5, and 6. A pair of smaller
inside rollers 156 are aligned in the same line of direction as therollers 154. A pair of outside convexlower rollers 158 engage the concave portions 116 of the flange lower half 110. - The rollers, as described above, provide support for the boom when it is extended and serve as guides for extending and retracting the
boom segments 10. - Referring to Figs. 3 and 6, the
auxiliary cables 79 are stored on adrum 170 which is concentric with the main boomdrive pinion gear 148. The cables are shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 3 shows the free ends of acable 79 loops and fastened around theaxle 172 of thedrum 170 withcable fasteners 174. Acable 79 is fed through an aperture in the grooved surface of thedrum 170. Acable 79 is laid within the groove so that one portion of the cable overlies the other portion. Thecables 79 are payed out from the grooves on thedrums 170 into the longitudinally extending cable troughs along the bottom of the segments. The cables extend out to the endmost section, as shown in Fig. 3, and each cable passes around sheaves 176, 178. The sheaves 176 rotate about anaxle 180 which is supported by a bracket 182. The position of the bracket is adjusted relative to the segment by means of anadjustment screw 184 which passes through the end of the adjustment bracket 182, through ablock 186 fastened to thesegment 10 and into anadjustment nut 188. The longitudinal position of the bracket 182 is adjusted to provide sufficient tension on thecables 79. The length of the wraps ofcable 79 around thedrum 170 is approximately equal to the boom segment lengths. Because the inner cable wrap has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the outer cable wrap, the outer cable wrap is somewhat longer than the inner cable wrap and the sheave 176 permits the lengths to be equalized. - The purpose of the
auxiliary cables 79 is to maintain theboom segments 10 in their extended positions when the boom is turned over or when an upward force is exerted against the boom. Without thecables 79, theboom segments 10 would pivot about their pivot pins 100 and collapse the boom. Thecables 79 thus serve as safety cables and also permit the boom to be used in an inverted position. Fig. 10 of the drawing shows a sectional view of a boom segment, thedrum 170 and thedrive pinion gear 148. - Figs. 1 and 2 show an auxiliary
hose storage reel 190 mounted on abracket 192.Hydraulic swivel couplings 194 provide fluid connection between external hydraulic hoses (not shown) and a hollowhose reel shaft 195. Thehollow shaft 195 is connected tohydraulic hoses 196 coiled on each of thereels 190. It is readily apparent that other auxiliary hoses, cables and the like may be stored on thereels 190, as required. The cables, hoses, or the like stored on said reels are used for a variety of auxiliary functions, such as, for example, operating a hoist motor or winch at the end of the boom. Means are provided for automatically feeding thehoses 196 into theclips 82 which extend upwardly from therods 80 on each of theboom segments 10. This means includes a pair offeed wheels 200 rotatably positioned beneath thestorage reels 190. Figs. 12A and 12B show afeed wheel 200 having a portion of ahose 196 contained within agroove 197 extending around the periphery of said wheel as shown. The spring clips 82 have resilient, opposingside spring members 202 which are normally biased together to hold a hose or the like therebetween. In Fig. 12B, thefeed wheel 200 is shown to have taperededges 204 formed next to the circumferencialperipheral groove 197. The taperedsides 204 of the feed wheel open the flexible arms of theclip 82 as it moves past thefeed wheel 200 and thehose 196 is placed between the arms. As thehose clip 82 moves away from thewheel 200, theresilient arms 202 spring together and hold thehose 196 in position on a boom segment. When the boom is inverted, theclips 82 securely hold the hoses in position. - Fig. 1 shows the segment storage means 12 having the
interconnected boom segments 10 coiled in multiple wraps around acore 206. Thesegments 10 form a generally square configuration around thecore 206 and thecore 206 rotates on an axis formed by anaxle 208. The ends of thecables 134 are fixed to thecore 206. - The lengths of the
segments 10 are chosen to have the segments compactly nest together. As an example, the sides of the core are 20.3 cm in length. Each segment increases the thickness of the configuration by 50.8 mm. The first segment on the core is 22.8 cm long. The second and third segments are 25.4 cm long. The fourth and fifth segments are 31.2 cm long. This sequence is continued to provide the square configuration on thecore 206 as shown in Fig. 1. - The entire
segment storage assembly 12 moves up and down along the storage assembly support posts 210 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 11. Thecore support axle 208 extends through a pair ofslidable brackets 212, each of which is mounted for movement on one of the support posts 210 by means of fourrollers 214. Attached to each of theposts 210 is arack 216. Eachrack 216 is engaged by apinion gear 218 which is fixed to alarger gear 220. The larger gears 220 are each driven by achain 222. Each chain is connected to a gear 224 on one end of theaxle 208 as shown in Fig. 1. It should be readily understood that as the segment core rotates with itsaxle 208, the rack and gear arrangement will move the coiled up segments along the support posts 210. Attached to each side of thecore 206 is asheave 226, each of which has acable 228 wrapped around it. Eachcable 228 is also wrapped around one of a pair of helically grooveddrums 230 which are mounted between theside plates 30 on anaxle 232. Aspring motor 234 having a helicallywound ribbon spring 236 tensions thecables 228. As eachboom segment 10 is removed from around thecore 206, thecore 206 rotates with itsaxle 208 and moves along the support posts. As segments are removed from the core, theaxle 208 is lowered which permits theboom segments 10 to be longitudinally aligned with the rollers in the boom support means 14. When the boom segments are being retracted and coiled into thestorage assembly 12, the axis of the core is moved upwardly by means of the rack and gear arrangement. - The
spring motor 234 provides a substantially constant force to tension thecable 228. As segments are removed from the core, thecables 228 are removed from the helically grooveddrums 230 and the radius of the grooves of thedrum 230 increases to counteract the increasing force provided by thespring motor 234. This provides a substantially constant tension on thecables 228 to assist in recoiling the boom segments. - Fig. 1 shows that the entire boom assembly can be pivoted about the
pins 34 so that the entire assembly can be turned upside down, as indicated by the elements shown in phantom. Anoverbalance spring 250 provides assistance in moving the assembly. One end of the spring is fixed to the pin engaging one end of thehydraulic cylinder 38. The other end of the spring is moved horizontally by the slide andpivot mechanism 251 which slides along arail 252. The entire boom assembly can be pivoted about thepins 34 to any elevation angle desired by means of thehydraulic cylinders 38. - The boom assembly can be raised and lowered along the
main support post 18. This is accomplished by lowering the end of the boom so that the longitudinal axis of the boom is positioned in a generally vertical direction. The boom segments are then either retracted or extended, causing entire assembly to be raised with respect to thesupport 55. - While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made. It is therefore contemplated to cover by the present application any and all such modifications that fall within the scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein.
Claims (5)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11017380A | 1980-01-07 | 1980-01-07 | |
US110173 | 1980-01-07 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0043380A1 EP0043380A1 (en) | 1982-01-13 |
EP0043380A4 EP0043380A4 (en) | 1982-07-13 |
EP0043380B1 true EP0043380B1 (en) | 1984-10-24 |
Family
ID=22331600
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19810900468 Expired EP0043380B1 (en) | 1980-01-07 | 1980-12-29 | Segmented extendible boom |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0043380B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3069535D1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1981002036A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10598153B2 (en) | 2014-02-24 | 2020-03-24 | Paul C. Dietzel | Power generation architecture using environmental fluid flow |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ATA360883A (en) * | 1983-10-10 | 1987-09-15 | Voest Alpine Ag | MOVABLE CONVEYOR |
DE3842726C3 (en) * | 1988-12-19 | 2001-01-18 | Mannesmann Ag | Multi-section bolt connection |
US6213318B1 (en) | 1999-03-01 | 2001-04-10 | Manitowoc Crane Group, Inc. | Rotatable connection system for crane boom sections |
CN113696223B (en) * | 2021-08-24 | 2023-11-21 | 江苏科技大学 | Vertical synchronous linkage multistage telescopic arm based on nested guide structure |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US209971A (en) * | 1878-11-19 | Improvement in fire-escapes | ||
GB1053945A (en) * | 1900-01-01 | |||
US736104A (en) * | 1902-09-13 | 1903-08-11 | William Hubartt | Combined fire ladder and escape means. |
US991401A (en) * | 1911-01-27 | 1911-05-02 | Jesse L White | Ladder. |
US2946556A (en) * | 1959-02-12 | 1960-07-26 | Wayne Iron Works | Push-pull actuator |
US3319203A (en) * | 1961-04-07 | 1967-05-09 | Sherwin Williams Co | Filler for fluorescent ballast |
NL287419A (en) * | 1962-01-23 | |||
US3234698A (en) * | 1962-04-02 | 1966-02-15 | Earl E Kimblern | Structurally rigid collapsible linkage assembly structure |
NL288560A (en) * | 1962-05-24 | |||
US3179267A (en) * | 1963-10-03 | 1965-04-20 | Fairey Canada Ltd | Extensible chain boom |
DE1556861C3 (en) * | 1965-10-06 | 1975-12-11 | Lars Harald Kiruna Widegren (Schweden) | Crane boom with a windable extension piece |
US3382626A (en) * | 1965-10-19 | 1968-05-14 | Thiokol Chemical Corp | Rigid plate type extensible boom |
SU565738A1 (en) * | 1975-06-05 | 1977-07-25 | Предприятие П/Я В-2869 | Reel uncoiling device |
-
1980
- 1980-12-29 EP EP19810900468 patent/EP0043380B1/en not_active Expired
- 1980-12-29 DE DE8181900468T patent/DE3069535D1/en not_active Expired
- 1980-12-29 WO PCT/US1980/001767 patent/WO1981002036A1/en active IP Right Grant
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US10598153B2 (en) | 2014-02-24 | 2020-03-24 | Paul C. Dietzel | Power generation architecture using environmental fluid flow |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE3069535D1 (en) | 1984-11-29 |
EP0043380A1 (en) | 1982-01-13 |
EP0043380A4 (en) | 1982-07-13 |
WO1981002036A1 (en) | 1981-07-23 |
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