US1901566A - Article handling device - Google Patents

Description

March 14, 1933. o. F. PRESBREY ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE Origin'al Filed March 26, 192'! e' Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY March 14, 1933. o. F.-PRE$BREY ARTICLE HANDLING DE VICE Original Filed March 26, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 27s f/kas'axfzr ATTORNEY Margh14, 1933. Q P' REY' 1,901,566

ARTI CLE HANDLING DEV I CE Original Fild March 26,- 192! 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 077d fflfiSB/rf/ ATTORNEY Mag-ch 14, 1933. o. F. PRESBR EY ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE Original Filed March 26, 1927 6 Sheets-She et 4 INVENTOR 07/; [Era-@505) IIII'I lll- ATTORNEY March 14, 1933.

o. F. PRESBREY ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE Original Filed Mar-ch26, 192'! 6 Shee ts-Shee t 5 I INVENTOR 07/; x /rz-is'axrir ATTORNEY 16 Sheets- Sheet 6 lNVEN TOR 077.: KHz-3:905)" ATTORNEY '0. F. PRESBREY ARTICLE HANDLING DEVICE Orig'inl Fiieduarch 2a, 1927 /IIIIE;

March 14, 1,933.

' both Patented Mar. l4, 1933. I

PATENT OFFICE one I. ransnanv, or BROOKLYN, nnw Yoax ARTICLE nannnme nnv'rcn Application area March 2a, 1927, Serial No. 178,690. mesa August 9, 1932.

This invention relates to improvements in article handling devices and has particular reference to portable cranes, lifting devices and the like.

An important object ofthe invention is to provide a ortable crane which can swing in a full circ e and which when self-propelled employs a single power unit for both the hoisting" and the propelling operations.

Another object is to provide such a device wherein a superstructure of novelconstruction is mounted upon a standard commercial tractor truck, or trailer, without disturbing 1 any of the parts of the tractor.

incident to the use of the device.

Another object is to provide a portable swinging crane with a turret or su porting 1 post and bracing means therefor w ich renders the device exceptionally rugged yet comparatively light in weight. I

Another object is to rovide an improved lift such as is common y known in the art as a platform loader or stacker, said impr0vedlift being characterized by a platform which is-pivoted with reference to its elevating support, and which is disposed gloser to the ground than prior art lift platorms.

Another object is to provide a'portable lift, with novel guidingmeanswhereby to prevent swaying of the elevator during its:

operation, and at the same time reducing friction to a minimum.

Another object is to rovide a tractor with a swinging crane an a rear lift, with a novel ower transmission system wherein said hoist' mechanisms are operable by a single cab e or other flexible connection.

Another object is to provide hoisting mechanism which will be substantiall fool- 5 proof and free from possibility of amage 1n .the event that themechanism is operated be ond its limits of normal movement.

ith these and other objects in view, the

invention resides in the novel details of construct1on,"c0mb1nat1on and arrangement of Another object is to provide such a device I with a resilient mounting for the superstructure, whereby to' absorb shocks and strains.

parts hereinafter set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portable swinging crane embodying the inventon and showingthe cable rigging for permitting the full circle swing of the crane boom;

Fig. 1-a is a similar fragmentary view of the outer end of the boom and associated parts omitted from Fig. '1;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the complete device, showing the cable rigging as employed for the operation of the rear lift;

Fig. 3 is a substantially horizontal sectional viewapproximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing portions of the tractor conventionally in dotted lines;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view on line'44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar sectional View on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional View on line 77 of Fig. 3, and showing the connection of the superstructure to the rear axle of the tractor;

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of the device as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse sectional View through the crane turret;

Fig. 11 is a substantially horizontal sectional View on line 11-1l of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a similar sectional view on line 12-12 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view. on

'line 13-13 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14's a fragmentary. top plan view counterweight basket holder;-

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view'through the free end of the crane boom;

Fig. 16 is 'aAvertical transverse sectional view on line 16- 16 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary vertical sectional means showing said p atform as held in inoperative position;

Fig. 19 is a vertical transverse sectional view on line 19-19 of Fig. 18; and

Fig. 20 is a horizontal sectional view on line 2020 of Fig. 18.

The invention has been shown in the drawings as applied to a tractor, and it is especially well adapted for use on and with the commercially well known Fordson tractor because of its ruggedness, economy in operation, and ease of handling.

The invention is not restricted to this specific application, however, but it may be employed in association with other makesoftractors, as well as with trucks, trailers and the like. 7 prises a front axle 1 and a rear axle 2, respectively provided with rubber tired wheels 4 and 4, said axles being rigidly connected together by aunited transmission case 5 and engine crank case 6. Also asso- -ciated with the axles and crank case'is a usual water cooling radiator 7 and fuel tank 8, rearwardly of which is the steering wheel 9 and operators seat 10. At one of its sides (see Fig. 2) the tractor is provided with a power take-off mechanism 11 which supplies power to a hoisting drum or niggerhead 12 to which is secured oneend of a cable 13 and upon which the cable is adapted to" be wound or unwound as the drum is selectively rotated. While the power take-ofi mechanism 11 may be of other types if desired, I prefer to employ such a mechanism as is disclosed in my copending application for Letters Patent for power transmission mechanisms, filed October 11, 1926, Serial No. 140,845.

Briefly stated, this preferred and novel power take-ofi' mechanism is made up as a unit, and can readilybe applied to a standard commercial tractor, and it is characterized by a lurality of planetary gear sets having di erent gear ratios,.and each of said gear sets being controlled by a frietional binding element through the manual manipulation of control levers 14 and 15. Said control levers 14 and 15 are conveniently placed with reference to the operators seat 10, and they. render the take-off mechanismll capable of rotating the drum.

12 in either direction, as desired. The special utility. of my novel power take-off unit will readily appear 'as the description of the present invention is read.

Mounted upon the tractor chassis is a super-structure which constitutes a support for a swinging crane turret, and guide means for a platform lift. Said superstructure comprises a pair of structural steel The illustrated tractor com-- side rails 16 and .17 extending longitudinally of the tractor, which are connected together at their forward ends by means of angle brackets 18 to a front cross member 19 which is of sufficient length to extend sidewardly beyond the front wheels 3 whereby to effectively function as a bumper. The

firm connection between the side rails 16 and 17 and the front cross member 19 is augmented by diagonal braces 20, best shown in Fig. 3, and all of these structural elements may be secured together as by rivets, bolts or other desired fastening means. .Adjacent their rear ends the side rails 16and 17 v are respectively secured to upwardly extending channel members 21 and 22'which are arranged in parallel relation to each other, and provided with inwardly extending flanges 23 and 24 forming spaced guide rails for anelevator carriage. The channel members'21 and 22 are firmly united together by alower cross plate 25 and an upper cross channel 26. Between said members 25 and 26 said channel members are further connected by a lon%er cross'channel 27 which is e same length as the front preferably of t cross member 19 and disposed slightly above the side rails 16 and 17, and between said channel 27 and the uppercross channel 26 is a steel angle member 28 (Figs. 2 and 9). The cross channel 27 is preferably connected This superstructure is firmly connected to t the axles of the tractor chassis in such a manner that there will be. a slight dztgree of resiliency whereby to eliminate ill e ects from torsional strains incident to the use of the device. For this anchorage the'side'rails 16 and 17 have secured to them in the proximit. of the rear axle 2, a pair of anchoring brac ets 34 and 35 which are disposed at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the tractor, said anchoring brackets being alike in all respects except that one is right hand and the other left hand. As best shown in Figs. 3, 7 and 8, each of these anchoring brackets has a relatively flat body portion 36 secured to the web of the corresponding side-rail, as b rivets 37, and having a laterally extending portion '38 which firmly seats 'a ainst the lower flange of the side rail,.sa1d portion 38 extending downwardly and formed with a semicircular bearing por- .tion 39adapted to rest upon-the housing of the rear axle. Anchoring caps 40 are firmly imlaintained in opposition to the bearing portions 39 by means of cap screws 41, and the arrangement is such that the superstructure when so connected will be capable of'slight rotation about the axis of the rear axle 2. Extending upwardly from the body porbraces 44 which have t tions 36 of the anchoring brackets 34 and 35 are diverging arms 42 and 43, and secured to said arms 42 by rivets or otherwise are upwardly and rearwardly extending angular eir upper ends secured to the webs of the respective lift rails 21 and 22. The functions of the arms 43 will be set forth hereinafter.

Rearwardly with respect to the front cross member 19, the side rails 16 and 17 are se cured together by means of a substantially U-shaped bracket 45 which is best shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. Said bracket 45 depends below the side rails 16 and 17, and is connected approximately at its center b means of a bolt 46 with one of a pair 0 spaced ears 47 integrally formed adjacent thefront end of the crank case 6. The central portion of the front axle-l is engaged between said spaced ears 47 and the bolt or connecting pin 46 extends through both of said ears and the axle, as well as through the bracket 45 in the direction of the longitudinal center of the tractor. In addition to this connection of the superstructure to the front axle 1, a cross brace 48 extends transversely between the side rails 16 and 17 above said.

front axle, said brace having a bearing portion 49 which is adapted to engage against a shoulder 50 on the crank case 6, and thus insure the device against accidental breakage or dislocation of parts. At-its opposite ends the cross brace 48 is provided with flanges 51- andbetween said flanges and the webs of the respective side rails 16 and 17 are secured the body portions 53 of a pair of front anchoring brackets 54. Each of the brackets 54 has an upwardly extending and rearwardly-inclined arm 55 extending above the side rails,'and has a lower flange engaging portion 56 which terminates in a downwardly and outwardly inclined socket member 57. Associated with each socket member 57 is aninverte'd cup 58 whichreceives the upper end of a coiled compression spring 59, the-lower end of which is similarly received in a sprin cup 60 attached to the axle 1. From this it will beevident that the springs 59, at the opposite sides of the frame provide slifli'cient resiliency to permit slight movement'of the superstructure about the axis of the-bolt 46, acting as shock absorbers, for which-adjusti means may be provided if desired, to vary tie compression of the springs 59. v

Disposed above the frame, in a substantially central position, is an upwardly extendin turret A which includes a stationary cy indrical tube 61, secured in a turret channels, or the like, and they have their lower ends secured ltdlthe armportions 55 of the front anchoring brackets 54. Similarly, there are two rear supporting legs 64 which have their lower ends secured to the arms 43 of the rear anchorin brackets 34. The turret base 62 includes a rake housing 65, and a sleeve 66 (Fi 10 to 13-, inclu sive) said sleeve being diametrically kerfed,

as at '67, to provide opposed clamping portions 68 whereby the tubular member 61 may be firmly clamped in position, and between said brake housing and'sleeve portion 66 is an inwardly extending annular flange 69 constituting a stop for the lower end of the tubular member 61. Adjacent its lower end, the stationary turret tube 61 is provided with a counterbore 70 in which is secured a bushing 71 of bronze or other suitable anti-friction bearing material, said bushing providing a bearing for the lower end of a' rotatable turret post 72, which extends upwardly through and. beyond the stationary turret tube 61. Secured to the upper end of including outwardly extending bifurcated lugs 74 for the securement of downwardly diverging braces 75 and 76. The braces 75 are provided at their opposite ends with right hand and left hand 1 screw-threaded brace caps 77 and 78, which are respectively securedas by. bolts 79 and 80 to the bifurcated lugs 74 of the thrust block 73,,and to while their caps 7 8 are secured at 82 to foot brackets 83, which are fastened to the rear the turret tube 61 is a thrust block 73, which v is also preferably of tubular formation, and

cross channel 27. It willbe noted that the points of connection of the braces 75 and 76 to the turret are considerably above the connections of the supporting legs '63 and 64 to the turret base, and furthermore that the lower ends of said braces are attached to the superstructure frame -at points "substantial distances outwardly from the points of connections of said supporting legs to the frame. From this it will be clear that the turret is very rigidly supported with reference to the structural steel frame previously described. -'By way of further bracing these members,

however, I may employ a pair of substan-. tially'horizontal angle iron braces 84 which are connected at their inner ends'by means of -a plate85-to the thrust block 73, and

said braces diverging therefrom for connection adjacent their outer ends with a cross bar 86 ofthe rear lift frame. I, may

also provide steel angle brafies 87 .extend- 'ing horizontally between the cross angle 28 and the turret base 62, and with the'sebraces I prefer to associate a roof plate88wh1ch 93 may furnishes substantial shelter for the operator in the seat 10. .7

The thrust block 73 is slottedas at 90 adjacent its u per end, and provided at opposite sides 0 said slot with apertured lugs 91 for the accommodation of a clamping bolt 92, by means of which a thrust block sleeve be secured in said thrust block. The thrust block sleeve 93 is also preferably formed of bronze or the like, and has at its upper end a flange member 94 having a substantially conical thrust bearing seat 95. Intermediate its end, the rotatable turret post 72 has .firmly clamped to it a bearing member 96, in the form of a sleeve which has at its lower end a flange 97, and a conical bearing surface 98 which is contra-generic to the'surface 95 of the thrust block sleeve 93, and resting thereon. From this it will be evident that the turret post 72 is rotatable in a full circle about its axis, and

cylindrical flange 102 of substantial proportions, the inner periphery of which furnishes an engaging surface for friction brake bands 103 and 104 which are respectively carried by brake shoes 105 and 106 pivoted at 107 on a shelf portion 108 of a brake saddle 109. The free ends of the brake shoes 105 and 106 are normally forced against the to-a cam or crank 113' which is manually operable b a lever 114 to release the brake. The shelf portion 108 of the brake saddle forms a closure for the brake housing 65, and has a pair of downwardly extending parallel ears 115 between which a sheave wheel 116 is rotatable on a bolt 117. The cable 13 passes u wardly from the power take-off drum 12 t rough an opening 118 in the shelf portion 108 to which it is guided by the'sheave wheel 116, and thence u wardly through the' rotatable turret post 2 and over another sheave 119 at the upper end of the post. The sheave wheel 119 is rotatably mount-- ed at 120 between the spaced vertical flanges of a pair of angle plates 121v which are se-.'

cured to the end of a turret top casting 122, .the body of which is in the form of a slotted sleeve clamped tothe upper end of the tur-u ret post 72 by clamping bolts123. As best shown in .Figs. 10 and 14, the top 122 has a pair of, substautiallyvertical plate boom braces. 128 are provided with a series of bolt holes ner surface of the flange 102 by a spring 10 and are connected by toggles 111 and 112 casting portions 124 and125 at its opposite sides, to which are detachably connected by bolts 126 a pair of boom braces127 and 128 which, as their name implies, functions to brace a boom 129. Said boom 129 is fabricated from a plurality of structural steel elements, and preferably includes .a pair of spaced parallel side channels 130 and 131 connected together at intervals in their length by cross plates 132.' The web por- .tions 133 of the boom side channels 130 and 131 are preferably in opposition to each other and the upper and lower flanges 134 and 135 extending outwardly as clearly shown in the drawings, and said cross plates 132 are secured as by riveting to said flanges. The boom 129 is inclined upwardly in a direction away from the turret post, and has the lower ends of the side channels 130 and 131 respectively riveted to arms 136 and 137.

which are pivotally secured by a bolt 138 to the rotatable bearing member 96 (Figs. 10 and 11). 0

Intermediate their ends the boom side channels 130 and 131 are provided with brace attaching brackets 140, portions of which extend above the channel flanges 134, and to which are respectively secured the boom braces 127 and 128, their connections being pivotal at 141, adjacent the outer ends of said The said boom braces 127 and 142 for the selective passage of the bolts 126, and it will be evident that said boom may be moved about its pivotal, center 138 to raise or lower the free end of the boom by adjusting said brace connections at the turret top bolts 126. Such adjustments are necessary at times where the operating head room for the device is limited, and with the present structure, sa1d adjustments can be made very quickly, and this provision does not detract from the strength of the crane. Bg way of obtaining a greater range of a j ustments, the boom side channels 130 and 131 have their webportions 133 provided with a series of apertures 143, and the brace attachin brackets 140 are adapted to be secured y bolts144 in any of the said aperftures 143 selected.

tem, as will be evident from Figs, 1 and 1--a.

The sheave wheel 147 is pivoted at 148 inan adjustable bracket 149, as best shown,

in Figs. 15 and 16, said bracket having. lip portions 150 and 151 at its opposite sides adapted to extend over and rest upon the top flanges 134 of the boom side channels 130 var j and 131. Extending between said boom channels, the bracket 149 has a pair of arms 152 and 153 which are transversely apertured for the reception and support of a tube 154a, throu h which extends an anchoring bolt 154, which also passes through the boom channel webs, and positivel maintains the sheave bracket in its desire position. The, boom channel webs are also provided with a series of apertures 155, any one of which may be employed for the reception of the anchoring bolt 154. with the result that said sheave bracket and its associated sheave 147 may be selectively positioned at different distances from the supported inner end of the boom. This adjustment is sometimes desirable in lifting exceptionally heavy articles, so that the entire tractor will not lose its equilibrium.

As has previously been stated, oneend of the cable 13 is secured to the drum 12, and now it is to be noted that the other end of said cable is secured as'at 156 to the tube 154a of the adjustable sheave anchoring bracket 149. The cable is of sufficient length to have a suspended loop 13--a extending downwardly between said tube 153a and the sheave 147, and associated with said loop is a hoisting block 157 ofany desired type,-

preferably carrying at its lower end a usual hook 158. When the device is to be used as a full circle swinging crane, the cable 13 passes upwardly through the turret post 72 as previously explained, over the sheave 119 and thence to the sheave 147, as shown in ounterbalancing means 159 are preferably associated with the turret in order to asslst in maintaining the same in its vertical position and to relieve it of excessive strains incident to hoisting with the crane boom. Also, the counterbalancing meansreduces shock on the springs 59 and the pivots 46, etc., and enables such springs and givots to better perform their functions.

uch counterbalancing means comprises a pair of lower spaced angle bars 160 and 161 which are secured as at 162 to the rotatable turret bearing member 97 and extending in opposite direction from that of the boom 129. Adjacent their outer ends said angle bars 160 and 161 are rigidly connected together by a plurality of cross bars 163 which form the bottom of a counterbalance basket 164, in which suitable weights (scrap iron, sand bags, or the like) may be placed. The counterbalance basket is further characterized by a pair of spaced upper angle bars 165 and 166, which may be connected to the lower. angle bars 160 and 161 by substantially vertical braces 167. The inner ends of the angle bars 165 and 166 are secured to a double ended yoke 168 (Fig. 14) which, in turn, has its inner end secured by bolts or the like 169 to the turret top 122. Associated with the counterbalance" means a winch adjusting cable 173. Said cable passes over a sheave 174, which is rotatably secured at 175 in the turret topsheave angle 121,. and thence looped around a sheave 176 and the free end of the cable secured as at 177 to a portion of the counterbalance means. The sheave 176 is carried by a pulley block 178 which is pivotally-attached at 179 to a .pair I of united angle plates 180 which are secured so 7 as by rivets, .or the like, to the upper flanges 134 of the boom side channels adjacent the outer ends thereof. In adjusting the boom 129 as previously explained, it is only necessary to remove the boom brace bolts 126 and thereafter to manually operate the winch 171 to wind .or unwind the cable 17 3 on the drum 172 resulting in raising or lowering the boom. When the desired setting has been obtained, the brace bolts 126 can be again assembled in place, and tightened, leaving the device ready for use in the adjusted condition. By virtue of the fact that the winch 171 is mounted on the counterbalance means and bodily rotatable about the axis .of the turret simultaneously with the boom, it will be evident that the adjustment for height can be effected at any time regardless of the plane in which the boom happens to be standing.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 18, 19 and 20, it will be seen that the rear lift or elevator comprises a substantially-rec-- tangular carriage 183 which is reciprocable upwardly and downwardly between the vertical guide rails '21 and 22 of the superstructure previously described. Said carriage 183 is equipped at its opposite side'with upper andlower guide rollers 184 and 185,

which preferably have peripheries of frustoconical formation to fit fairly between the flanges 23 and 24 of the guide rails. The

rollers 184 and 185 reduce friction to aminimum and maintain the carria e 183 against dis lacement from its operative plane. If desired, an additional pair of guide rollers 186 and 187 may be mounted at the back of the carriage 183, said rollers being rotatable riage 183 and effectively eliminate end, thrust on the rollers 184' and 185. Adja- Said rollers-186 and cent its upper end and preferably in linewith its vertical center,'as viewe in Fig.

18, the carriage is provided with a sheave 190, rotatably held by a bolt or pin 191 which inthe illustrated embodiment also i 1g 2 and 9) whereby to anchor sa' serves to hold the roller 186 in position; Under normal operating conditions the cable 13 has a loop 13b which passes downward- 1y from and between the boom sheaves-145 and 146, and said loop engages over the carriage sheave 190.

Adjacent its lower end, the carriage 183 is.

provided at its opposite sides with rearwardly extending bifurcated lugs 192 and- 193, to which are hingedly connected, as by bolts 194, a pair of rearwardly extending heels-or stop arms 195, which are preferably integral with a lift platform 196. The normal operative position of the lift platform 196'is substantially horizontal, as shown in Fig. 2, and when it is not desired for use it can be swung in against the carriage 183, as clearly shown in Fig. 19. When the platform is swung down to using position, the heels or sto arms 195- bear upwardly on the frame the carriage so that the platform will support the load thereon. -To maintain. the carriage 183 and its pivoted platform 196 in inoperative position, the guide rails 21 and 22 are provided with alined apertures 197 and 198, and the side flanges 199 and 200 of the carriage 183 are similarly rovided with apertures which may beahned therewith. When the carriage is brought torest in such a position that said apertures are in alinement, a locking rod 201 is adapted to. be extended through the apertures (Fig. 18) and in this condition the carriage 183 will be incapable -of reciprocation. As the locking rod 201 is inserted through the apertures 197 and 198 in the manner above set forth, a pair of eyebolts 202 are threaded thereon in a position between the lift guide rails 21 and 22, and each of said eye-bolts 202 has a threaded shank 203 of sufiicient length toextend rearwardly through'apertures 204 in the platform 196 when said platform is swung. up against the carriage. Threaded nuts 205 cooperate with said threaded shanks 203 to maintain the platform in its inoperativeposition.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 17, the upper cross channel 26 of the lift guide means has secured to it an eye-bolt 206, which carries" a-loose rmg 207. When it is desired to opreference to the guide rails 21 and 22. It

will be evident from this that as the winch 11 is operated-to wind the cable .13 on thedrum 12, the tendency will be for, the downward loop 13- b of the cable to become shorter, and, as a consequence, the lift carriage 183and its associated parts will be drawn upwardly,'such as to a position indicated by dotted lines C in Fig. 2. As the control levers 14 and 15 are mani ulated to reverse the direction of rotation o the drum 12, the cable 13 will beunwound, and the resultant. slack will be pulled into the loop 13-17 by the weight of the carriage 183 resulting in downward movement of said carriage. I

, It will be noted that the guide rails 21 and 22 of the fabricated superstructure, extend downwardly. below the center of the rear axle 2 and into close proximity with the ground line. Said guide rails, therefore, will act as stops to prevent overturning of the complete tractor, in the event that a oad on the platform or suspended on the crane should prove to be too heavy for the machine. The lower ends of the guide rails 21 and 22 have no obstructions for the rollers 185 or for the carriage 183 and as a result the lower end of said carria e can go all the way to the ground line. T e fact that the platform 196 is pivoted to the carriage at 194 renders the device especially well adapted for use upon rough ground, and in the event that some impediment should be on the ground below the platform, it will cause said platform to move about its pivot as the carriage continues to the ground line (see dotted lines D in Fig. 2). The platform 196 has been shown in thedrawin s as of substantially rectangular'form and 0 approximately the same width as the carriage .183, but it is to be understood that the shape and size of said platform maybe varied in many ways for special adaptations. Such special adaptations in some instances include means for automatically tilting, holding and ejecting or discharging the articles, such as barrels, bales, cases, etc., from the platform or itsequivalent; and some forms of the invention are further characterized b having the elevator guiding means exten ing upwardly to and supported by the boom, in front of the tractor, instead of forming a part of a rigid frame as in the drawings. In its upward movement the carriage 183 is limited b the abutment of its upper edge with the ower side of the top cross member 26, giving a substantial range of movement, and in the specific embodiment illus rated, in connection with a Fordson tractor, the device is capable of lifting weights upward ofa ton. As has previously been stated, my improved power take-off unit disclosed in the previously identified copending application 1s particularly desirable in the resent ma-' chine, since it renders the same ool-proof. It frequently happens that an operators attention is diverted from thelift while it is movingin one direction .or the other, and

I .has reached its uppermost limit,there will be no serious consequences, since the frictional control members w1th1n the take-off housing permit slippage.

When it is desired to use the hoisting, block 157 in conjunction with the boom 129,

it is only necessary to anchor the carriage.

183 by means of the rod 201 as previously explained, and release the hook 158 from the ring 207 so that the hoisting block 157 will be suspended by the cable loop 13-05,

as shown by the dotted lines E in Fig. 2. With this arrangement of the parts, the sheave wheel 190 on the carriage 183 is merely an idler in the power transmission system and the hoisting block 157 will be raised and lowered as the cable 13 is wound or unwound on the drum 12. While the cable loop 13-?) includes said sheave wheel 190 in the system, the boom 129 will be limited in its swinging movements about the axis of the turret A, and if, it is desired to swing said boom in a full circle, it isonly necessary to disengage said cable loop 13') from the sheave wheel 190, and wind up' the slack on the drum 12, whereupon the cable extends directly from the sheave Wheel 119 to the sheave wheel 147, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 1cr, and eliminating the sheave wheels 145, 1,46 and 190. As was previously pointed out, swinging of p the crane about the axis of the turret can easilybe accomplished while the brake lever 114 is held, to release the turret brake shoes 105 and 106 from their normal binding relation with the brake drum 100, and as soon as said brake lever is released the brake automatically takes hold again to prevent rotation of 1 the turret post 72 and its associated parts.

This apparatus has proven itself to be a great labor saver in railroad freight yards, steamship docks, industrial plants and other environments because of its compactness and abilit to operate in a relatively small space, and urther, because of its high efliciency and exceptional ruggedness. The motive power of the tractor is not only sufiicient to transport the crane and the lift from one lace to another, but will also transport heavy loads which are being maintained by the crane or the lift. In addition to the swinging crane and rear lift herein disclosed, the tractor maybe equipped with attachments for removable rotary brooms. ditch fillers, and the like, or it may be permanently fitted with such devices.

From the foregoing it will be evident that an improved article handling apparatus has been provided embodying many desirable and novel features, which constitute a substantial advance in the art. The invention is, of course, susceptible of numerous modifications in the details of construction and arrangements of parts, and the right is herein reserved to make such. changes as fall 'withinthe scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what which is movable in a circle about the other,

a flexible operative connection common to each of the lifting devices and the hoisting means, and meansv for operating any selectedone of the lifting means independently by anchoring the other lifting means.

3. In combination with a wheeled vehicle, a hoisting crane, upwardly extending guiding means on the vehicle frame, and a lifting platform guided on such guiding means, a hoisting drum, and a single cable constituting a power transmission means from the drum to both the crane and the lifting platform, to each of which the cable is constant ly connected.

4. In combination with a wheeled vehicle, a swinging crane including a hoisting block,

upwardly extending guiding means on the vehicle frame, an elevator guided on the guiding means, a hoisting drum, a single and constant operative connection between the havinga hoisting block, an elevator also as sociated withthe tractor, a hoisting drum operable by the tractor power unit, a cable for transmitting power from the drum to the hoisting block, fixed at one end to the crane and having a loop for receiving the block, and means for detachably. connecting said cable with the elevator.

' 6. Article handling apparatus of the character set forth, comprising a mobile support, a, swinging crane carried'thereby, a]

platform lift including a movable carriage and substantially rigid guiding means there- 7 for also carried by the mobile support, and means including a single constantly connected cable for supplying power to the crane and the platform lift as desired.

7. In combination with a wheeled vehicle, a superstructure including upwardly extending flanged guides disposed in spaced parallel relationship, an elevator carriage reciprocable in said guides, anti-friction rollers engaging the flanges of said guides to maintain the carriage in operative position, and a lifting platform extending outwardly from the carriage-and hinged with reference thereto, the platform having rearqwardly projecting heels for bearing upwardly 'upon'the'lower part of the carriage when the platform is swung down.

8. In combination with a wheeled vehicle, a superstructure including upwardly extending flanged guides disposed in spaced paral-' lel relationship, an elevator carriage IGCiP'w rocable in said guides, anti-friction rollers engaging the flanges of said guides to maintain the carriage in operative position, and a lifting platform extending outwardly from the carriage and hinged with reference thereto, the carriage and the guides having.

openings adapted to register, and a locking bar adapted to extend through said openings to lock the carriage a ainst movement, and means carried by the ocking bar for securing the 'platform in inoperative position.

. 9. Portable hoisting apparatus including,

in combination, a vehicle having frontand rear axles, a frame supported on said axles, a turret mounted above the frame, ac ed parallel guides associated with said rame and in substantially upright position, bracing means connectmg said guides with the turret mounting, an elevator reciprocable in said guides, an outwardly-extending boom associated with theturret, a hoisting block, a source of power, and a flexible connection forming a transmission system from said source of power'to the elevator and thehoisting block, said flexible connection sus-l pending the hoisting block from the boom.

OTIS F. PRESBREY.

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