GB2077697A

GB2077697A - Breakdown recovery vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2077697A
Application number: GB8013360A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MORA HYDRAULICS AB
Current assignee: MORA HYDRAULICS AB
Priority date: 1980-04-23
Filing date: 1980-04-23
Publication date: 1981-12-23

Abstract

Hoisting apparatus, particularly of the type adapted to be mounted on a truck or similar vehicle and to be employed for handling disabled motor vehicles and for performing hoisting, pulling or towing operations, comprises a winch (35) with a service cable (33) running over a sheave (31) or similar guide attached to the end of a boom which is pivotally mounted on a supporting framework including two horizontal parallel beams (11, 13). The boom comprises a bottom boom section (15) pivotted to the framework, and a top boom section (17) telescopically displaceable inside the bottom boom section (15); the bottom boom section (15) being arranged and displaceable in a vertical plane situated midway between the two beams (11, 13) of the framework and operable by means of two symmetrically located hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units (18, 21 and 19, 23) which extend from attachment points on opposite sides of the outermost end of the bottom boom section (15) and extend, at an angle to each other, to mounting attachment points on separate ones of the framework beams (11, 13). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Breakdown recovery vehicle The present invention relates to breakdown recovery vehicle or similar hoisting apparatus, particularly of the type adapted to be mounted on a truck or similar vehicle and to be employed for handling disabled motor vehicles and for performing hoisting, pulling or towing operations. The apparatus includes a winch with a service cable running over a sheave or similar means attached to the end of a boom pivoted to a supporting framework.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel structure of this type which is relatively simple in construction, has a great reach and is right and stable in spite thereof, particularly when the recovery vehicle is employed for pulling an automobile back onto a highway, in which case the service cable often extends sideways at a substantially angle to the direction of extension of the recovery vehicle.

According to the present invention there is provided breakdown recovery lifting apparatus or similar hoisting apparatus, particularly of the type adapted to be mounted on a truck or similar vehicle and to be employed for handling disabled motor vehicles and for performing hoisting, pulling or towing operations, comprising a winch with a service cable running over a sheave or similar guide attached to the end of a boom which is pivotally mounted on a supporting framework, characterised in that the boom comprises a bottom boom section pivoted to said framework and a top boom section telescopically displaceable inside said first-mentioned boom section; said top boom section supporting the sheave, said bottom boom section being arranged and displaceable in a vertical plane situated midway between two horizontal, flush and parallel beams of said framework and being operable by means of two symmetrically located hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units which extend from attachment points on opposite sides of the outermost end of the bottom boom section and extend, at an angle to each other, to attachment points on separate framework beams.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a truck equipped as a breakdown vehicle (for rescue or salvage of vehicles) with the bottom boom section being raised and the top boom section being extended; Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation wherein the bottom boom section is lowered and the top boom section is retracted; and Figure 3 is a top plan view corresponding to the part shown in Fig. 2 but with certain parts omitted.

The apparatus according to the invention is built on a framework attached to the floor or platform of the recovery vehicle. This framework comprises two horizontal, flush and parallel beams 11, 1 3 which are preferably placed directly above longitudinal beams of the chassis of the truck. A boom is arranged in a vertical plane midway between said beams and comprises an inboard or bottom boom section 1 5 and an outer or top boom section 1 7 telescopically mounted in section 1 5. The left-hand end (not shown) of said bottom boom section 1 5 is pivoted about two coaxial, horizontal pins oppositely situated on the inwardly facing vertical sides of the beams 11, 13, whereby the boom is pivotable in the vertical plane midway between said beams.

Displacement is effected by means of two hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units 18, 1 9 having piston rods 21, 23 which are pivotally connected to points on opposite sides of the boom section 1 5 and close to its outer end, and the cylinders 18, 1 9 are pivotally connected to the framework beams 11, 1 3 at points located opposite each other (i.e. on the same line at right angles to the beams).The arrangement is symmetrical and the cylinders are set at an angle to each other and prop the boom section 1 5 from opposite sides in all positions thereof, thus affording good stability, rigidity and strength-particularly in respect of forces occurring when the service cable is pulling in a direction at a great angle to the direction of longitudinal extension of the recovery vehicle. By supplying pressure fluid to the cylinders 18, 19, the boom can be raised from the horizontal position of Fig. 2 into the inclined position of Fig. which normally corresponds to a maximum angle of 30 to 40 degrees to the horizontal.

The top boom section 1 7 consists of a square-sectioned tube which is surrounded by and displaceable within the bottom boom section 15, also formed as a square-sectioned tube. The extension and retraction of the boom is performed by a double-acting hydraulic unit having a cylinder 25 which is connected to the bottom boom section 1 5 and a piston 27 which is connected to a bracket 29 upon the outer end of the top boom section 17. A sheave 31 is also connected to said bracket and a cable 33 runs thereover and extends from the drum of a winch (not shown) supported on the boom section 15; said cable ending in a hauling hook 37. A section service cable 39 runs between two parallel rollers 41, located on the bracket 29, and a second winch 35 also mounted upon the lower end of the boom section 1 5.

Attached to the outer end of the boom section 1 5 is an inclined, downwardly extending foot member 43 on which a lifting device 45 is pivoted about a shaft 47, so that lifting device 45 can be dropped from the rest position shown in full lines into the operative position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

Lifting device 45 comprises two parallel, extendible arms 49 for supporting forks (not shown) insertible therein and suitable for being placed below and around the axles of a disabled car required to be towed away on the road.

A stabilizing group support is fastened to the rear end of each of the beams 11, 1 3 and comprises a square-sectioned tube 53 with a telescoping bar 55 having a shoe 57 at the end. The shoe 57 is hydraulically driven into or onto the ground before the cable 33 and/ or the cable 39 with a wrecked car attached thereto is hauled in.

Claims

1. Breakdown recovery lifting apparatus or similar hoisting apparatus, particularly of the type adapted to be mounted on a truck or similar vehicle and to be employed for handling disabled motor vehicles and for performing hoisting, pulling or towing operations, comprising a winch with a service cable running over a sheave or similar guide attached to the end of a boom which is pivotally mounted on a supporting framework, characterised in that the boom comprises a bottom boom section pivoted to said framework and a top boom section telescopically displaceable inside said first-mentioned boom section; said top boom section supporting the sheave, said bottom boom section being arranged and displacable in a vertical plane situated midway between two horizontal, flush and parallel beams of said framework and being operable by means of two symmetrically located hydraulic piston-and-cylinder units which extend from attachment points on opposite sides of the outermost end of the bottom boom section and extend at an angle to each other to attachment points on separate framework beams.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which a lifting device is mounted on said bottom boom section and extends in the form of arm means adapted to be engageable with a vehicle for lifting such.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which two extendible arms are provided.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which said arms are adapted to receive vehicle supporting forks.

5. Breakdown recovery apparatus constructed and arranged to operate substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.