US2353437A

US2353437A - Electric traveling hoist

Info

Publication number: US2353437A
Application number: US473333A
Authority: US
Inventors: George E Bock
Original assignee: Whiting Corp
Current assignee: Whiting Corp
Priority date: 1943-01-23
Filing date: 1943-01-23
Publication date: 1944-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1961-07-11

Description

July 11, 1944. 1 G. E. BOCK 2,353,437

- ELECTRIC TRAVELING HOIST Q Filed Jan. 25, 1943 SSheets-Sheet l JZU72%; v Geacgc 5.59675 Julyl 1, 1944. c. E. BOCK ELECTRIC TRAVELING HQIST 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 225, 1945 July 11, 1944. G. E. BOCK ELECTRIC TRAVELING HOIST 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 23, 1943 Q awn Patented July 11, 1944 ELECTRIC TRAVELING HOIST George E. Book, Chicago, 111., assignor to Whiting Corporation, Harvey, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application January 23, 1943, Serial No. 473,333

19 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to hoists. More particularly the invention relates to that type of hoist which is known as an electric traveling hoist, serves as a medium for raising, lowering and transporting loads, and comprises a wheel equipped carriage which is adapted to travel along an overhead track and has mounted thereon a reversible electric motor, a cable actuating hoisting drum, gearing for driving the drum from the motor and additional motor driven gearing for propelling the carriage.

One object of the invention is to provide a hoist of this type which is an improvement upon, and has certain advantages over, previously de signed hoists of like general character and is characterized by lightness in weight and compactness.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric traveling hoist of the type under con sideration in which the gearing for driving the cable actuating hoisting drum and the gearing for propelling the carriage along the track are of novel design and are selectively controlled by way of brakes which are normally set and have solenoids associated with them for releasing purposes. 3

Another object of the invention is to provide an electric traveling hoist of the last mentioned character in which the reversible electric motor is rotatably mounted and the gearing for driving the drum is directly driven from the armature shaft of the motor and the gearing for propelling the carriage along the track includes gears which are connected for direct drive by the casing of the motor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hoist of the last mentioned character which includes manually operable means for selectively releasing the normally get brakes and means for manually driving the drum driving gearing and the carriage propelling gearing to the end that the hoist; may be manually operated in the event of failure of electric power for the reversible motor.

A still further object of the invention i to provide an electric traveling hoist which is generally of new and improved construction and involves a novel arrangement of parts.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present hoist will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is an end view of an electric traveling hoist embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a side View;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 and illustrating in detail the construction and arrangement of the gearing for driving the cable actuating hoisting drum from the motor and the gearing for propelling the carriage along the overhead track;

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 44 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Figure 3.

The electric traveling hoist which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It erves as a medium for raising, lowering and transporting loads and is adapted to travel along an overhead track 5. The track is supported from above by way of a series of laterally spaced, vertically extending hanger posts I and comprises a vertically extending web 8 and a pair of oppositely extending side flanges 9 along the bottom margin of the web. The lower ends of the hanger posts I are welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the upper margin of the track web 8. The side flanges 9 are equal in width and extend at right angles to the web 8. The hoist is in the form of a self-contained unit and comprises an elongated carriage It, a reversible compound wound electric motor I l and a pair of coaxial hoisting drums l2.

The carriage it! comprises a housing I3 beeath the track 6, a pair of supporting wheels M and a second pair of supporting wheels I 5. The housing is in the form of a one-piece casting and consists of a top wall it, a pair of end walls l'i and it, a pair of side walls ill, a bottom wall 2t, and a transverse partition ill. The partition extends vertically and is disposed substanti ally midway between the end walls H and 13. It defines with the end wall I! motor chamber 22!. In addition. it defines with the end wall it a chamber 23. The wheels i4 and t5 serve to support the housing in a depending manner from the overhead track 6. As hereinafter described, they are adapted to be driven by the electric motor H in order to propel the carriage in either direction along the track. The wheels [4 are located over the portion of the housing top wall It that overlies the chamber 22 and are arranged in coaxial relation. They have treads I4 of rubber or other material having a high coefiicient of friction and are provided with outwardly extending, fixed stub axles 24. The latter are journalled in anti-friction bearings 25 at the upper ends of a pair of upstanding ears 25. The lower ends of these ears are connected to, and formed integrally with, the portion of the housing wall I6 that overlies the chamber 22. The wheels I4 ride on the side flanges 9 of the track 6 and are positioned in straddle relation with the track web 8. The wheels I are arranged in coaxial relation and are positioned over the portion of the housing top wall I5 that overlies the chamber 23. They have treads of the same material as the treads |4 for the wheels I4 and embody fixed, horizontal, outwardly extending stub axle 21. The latter are journalled in anti-friction bearings 28 on the upper ends of a-pair of upstanding ears 29. The wheels I5 ride on the side flanges 9 of the track 6 and, like the wheels I4, straddle the web 8. By reason of the fact that four wheels are employed the carriage is held against longitudinal tilting relatively to the track.

The electric motor II is mounted in the lower portion of the chamber 22 and extends lengthwise of the carriage housing I3. It serves, as hereinafter described, to drive the cable actuating hoisting drums I2 and also to drive the wheels I4 and I5 for carriage propelling purposes. As shown in Figure 3, the motor I| consists of a casing and an armature 30. The casing consists of a cylindrical side wall 3|, an outer end wall 32, and an inner end wall 33 and is rotatably supported, as described hereafter. The outer end wall 32 of the motor casing is aligned with a circular opening 34 in the lower portion of the end wall I! of the carriage housing I3 and is provided on the central portion thereof with a fixed, outwardly extending shaft 35. The inner end of the shaft is journalled in an anti-friction bearing 36 in the central portion of a circular plate 31. The latter serves as a closure for the opening 34 and is removably secured in place by way of cap screws 38. The outer end of the shaft 35 projects outwards of the closure plate 37 and is disposed in a gear housing 39 which is removably secured to said plate. The armature 30 of the electric motor comprises a shaft 40 and this is centrally disposed with respect to the motor casing. One end of the armature shaft is journalled in a bearing 4| on the central portion of the outer end wall 32 of the motor casing and the other end of such shaft is journalled in a bearing 42 on the central portion of the inner end wall 33 and projects beyond the last mentioned end wall into the inner lower portion of the chamber 22. Current is supplied to the motor I by way of slip rings 43 which are spaced apart, are suitably insulated, and surround the outer portion of the side wall I3 of the motor casing. Brushes (not shown) are in sliding contact with the slip rings and constitute the connections between such rings and current supply conductors (not shown). By employing slip rings to supply current to the motor I I the motor casing is capable of rotating without interference with the supply of current to the field and shunt windings, and the commutator on the armature 30.

The hoisting drums I2 are disposed at opposite sides of the carriage housing I3 and are positioned in coaxial relation and outwards of the chamber 23. They have associated therewith a cable 44 and are keyed or otherwise fixedly secured to the ends of the shaft 45. The central portion of this shaft is journaled in a pair of anti-friction bearings 46 which are carried by a pair of cover plates 41. The latter are removably connected to the portions of the housing side walls I9 that are at the sides of the chamber 23 and serve when in their normal or operative position to close circular openings 48 in such portions of the housing side walls. The ears 29 are connected to the upper portions of the cover plates 4'! (see Figure 4). The cable 44 serves to support a hook equipped load carrying block 48 and has the ends thereof wound around the drums I2. The end extremities of the cable are suitably anchored to the outer ends of the drums. When the drums are rotated in one direction the cable ends are wound around the drums with the result that the load carrying block 49 is caused to be raised. Reverse rotation of the drums results in unwinding of the cable and lowering of the block. The block embodies a pair of horizontally aligned sheaves 50 around which the central portion of the cable is reeved. The cable ends are applied to the drums, as shown in Figure 2, with the result that the load carrying block 49 is substantially centrally positioned with respect to the carriage.

In addition to the aforementioned parts the hoist comprises gearing for driving the cable actuating hoisting drums |2 from the electric motor II, additional gearing for driving the wheels I4 and I5 for hoist propelling purposes, and a pair of brakes 5| and 52 for selectively rendering the two gearings operative or effective.

The gearing for driving the drum I2 from the electric motor II consists of a sun pinion 53, planetary gears 54, a ring gear 55, a worm 58 and a worm wheel 5i. The sun pinion 53 is mounted on the end of the armature shaft that projects into the lower inner portion of the chamber 22. It meshes with, and serves to drive, the planetary gears 54 in response to drive of the motor armature 3D. The planetary gears are preferably three in number and surround the sun pinion 53. They are rotatably mounted on stub axles 58 which are fixed to. and carried by, a spider 59. The latter is fixedly connected to the inner end wall 33 of the motor housing by way of cap screws 6!]. The ring gear 55 surrounds, meshes with, and is driven by, the planetary gears 54 and is mounted within the side wall of the cup-shaped driving member GI. The cross wall of this driving member is disposed adjacent the lower end of the verticall extending partition 2| of the carriage housing I3 and embodies at the central portion thereof, an integral shaft 62. The latter projects away from the electric motor II and extends through an opening 63 in the bottom of said partition 2| into the lower portion of the chamber 23. The portion of the shaft 62 that is disposed in the chamber 23 is journalled in a pair of suitably retained, axially spaced anti-friction bearings 54, The worm 56 is keyed or otherwise fixed to t e central portion of the shaft 62 and is located between the bearings 64. It meshes with, and serves to drive. the worm gear 51. The latter is located in the chamber 23 between the cover plates 47 and is fixedly secured to the central portion. of the shaft 45. The brake 5| surrounds, and is applied to the side wall of the cup-shaped driving member BI and the other brake, i. e., the brake 52, surrounds, and is applied to the inner portion of, the cylindrical side wall 32 of the motor casing. When the brake 5| is released while the brake 52 is set and current is applied to the electric motor the armature shaft 40 revolves and serves to drive the drums |2 through the medium of the sun pinion 53, the planetary gears 54, the ring gear 55, the cup-shaped driving member 6|, the shaft the worm 56 and the worm gear 51. Drive of the armature shaft in one direction results in drive of the drums in one direction and re erse drive of the armature shaft in connection with reverse drive of the electric motor results in reverse drive of the hoisting drums l2. When the brake is released while the brake 52 is set in connection with drive of the drums |2 by the armature shaft and the aforementioned gearing the spider 59 remains stationary and hence the planetary gears 54 in connection with drive the; of by the sun pinion 53 effect drive of the ring gear 55 The gearing for driving the wheels It and 5 for carriage propelling purposes comprises a worm 65, a worm gear 56 and a pair of chain and sprocket connections El. The worm and worm gear are disposed in the gear housing on the closure plate 31. The Worm is keyed or otherwise fixedly secured to the central portion of the shaft 35 and meshes with, and serves to drive, the worm gear 66 when the casing of the motor H is driven, as hereinafter described. The worm gear 66 is disposed above the worm 55 and is fixedly secured to a transversely extending shaft 68. The latter is positioned at right angles to the shaft 35 and is journalled in bearings on the sides of the gear housing 39. The ends of the shaft 68 project outwards of said gearing housing sides. The chain and sprocket connections 61 comprise a pair of endless chains 69, a pair of sprocket wheels '10 on the ends of the shaft 63, a pair of sprocket wheels 1| on the outer ends of the stub axles 24, a pair of sprocket wheels 12 on the outer ends of the stub axles 69 extend around the sprocket wheels Kl on the ends of the worm gear shaft 58 then extend upwards and inwards to the sprocket wheels I! on the sub axles for the wheels M. then pass over the sprocket wheels 1|. then extend horizontally to the sprocket wheels 12 on the stub axles 21 for the wheels I5, then extend around the sprocket wheels I2, then extend diagonally downwards to the idler sprocket wheels 13 and around the latter. When the brake 52 is released while the brake 5| is set and current is supplied to the electric motor I! the armature is caused to revolve and operates through the medium of the sun pinion 53 and the planetary gears 55;, to rotate the spider 59 and the motor casing. Rotation of the motor casing causes the gearing in the form of the worm t5, the worm gear 55 and the chain and sprocket connections El to drive the wheels l4 and I5 and effect propulsion of the carriage l0 along the track 5. Rotation of the armature 30 in One direction effects travel of the carriage in one direction along the track and reverse rotation of the motor armature effects travel of the carriage in the opposite direction along the track 5. The spider and motor casing are caused to rotate when current is supplied to the motor while the brake 52 is released and the brake 5| is set by reason of the fact that when the ring gear 55 is stationary the sun pinion 53, in connection with drive or rotation of the motor armature 30, drives the planetary gears 54 around the ring gear.

The brake 5|, for locking against rotation the ring gear 55, comprises a pair of arcuate brake shoes 15. These are disposed in the lower inner portion of the chamber 22 and fit against opposite sides of the side wall of the cup-shaped driving member 5|. The lower ends of the shoes are provided with depending lugs 76 that are cross connected by way of an adjusting bolt ll which extends through coaxial holes 18 in the lugs 16. The loss project through an opening 19 in the bottom wall 20 of the carriage housing l3 in order that the adjusting bolt is disposed exteriorly of the housing and hence is readily accessible for brake adjusting purposes. The upper ends of the brake shoes l5 are provided with opposed lugs 35 and these are cross connected by way of a pair of links 8|. The outer ends of the links are pivotally connected to the lugs 85 by way of pins 82 and th inner ends of the links are pivotally connected together by way of a pin 83. The links extend inwards and downwards, as shown in Figure 5. When the pin 83 is urged downwards the links 8| operate to contract the brake shoes and thus set the brak 5| and eifect locking of the hoisting drums I2. When the pin 83 is raised the links move outwards and urge apart the brake shoes 15, thus releasing the brake 5| and permitting the drums l2 to be driven by the electric motor The brake 5| is normally maintained in its set position. It is released by a solenoid 84 which is disposed in the upper inner portion of the chamber 22 directly over the cupshaped driving member BI and comprises a stationary helix or coil 85 and a vertically slidable armature 85. The lower end of the armature is connected to the pin 83. When the solenoid is energized the armature is retracted upwards and thus efiects release of the brake 5|. A compression spring Bl surrounds the central portion of the armature and serves, when the solenoid is deenergized, to shift the armature downwards for brake setting purposes. The upper end of this spring abuts against the bottom portion of the container for the helix or coil 85 and the lower end of the spring abuts against a collar 88 on the armature. As the result of the action of the spring 8'! the brake is normally maintained set. When the solenoid 85 is energized the brake 5| is released, as hereinbefore pointed out. The brake 52 is similar in design and construction to the brake 5|. It comprises a pair of brake shoes 89 and these are positioned on opposite sides of the inner portion of the cylindrical side wall 3| of the motor casing. The lower ends of the brake shoes are cross connected by way of an adjusting screw 90 which is disposed exteriorly of the carriage housing it. A pair of links 9| like the links 8| of the brake 5|, extend between the upper ends of the brake shoes 89. The brake 52 is normally set so as to hold or lock the casing of the electric motor I! against rotation. It is controlled or released by a solenoid 92 which is disposed in the upper portion of the chamber 22 and consists of a helix or coil 93 and a vertically slidable armature 5d. The lower end of the armature is connected to the pivot pin between the inner ends of the links 9|. A compression spring 55 surrounds the central portion of the armature and serves to urge the armature downwards and thus maintain the brake 52 in its set position. When the solenoid 92 is energized the armature 94 is retracted upwards and thus releases the brake 52 so as to free the motor casing in connection with drive of the wheels I4 and I5 for carriage propelling purposes. When it is desired to drive the cable actuating hoisting drums I2 the solenoid 84 is energized and at the same time current is supplied to the electric motor II. As soon as the solenoid is energized the brake 5| is released and the armature 39 of the motor operates, as hereinbefore described, to drive the drums. By energizing the solenoid 84 the drums I2 may be driven in one direction or the opposite direction by driving the armature of the reversible electric motor I I either in one direction or the other. When it is desired to propel the carriage in connection with transfer or transportation of a load on the hook equipped block 49 the solenoid 92 is energized so as to release the brake 52. As soon as this brake is released and current is supplied to the motor I I the motor casing is caused to rotate and operates through the medium of the gearing heretofore described, to drive the wheels I4 and I5. When the motor I I is driven in one direction while the solenoid 92 is energized the carriage ID will travel in one direction along the overhead track 6. Reverse drive of the electric motor II While the solenoid 92 is energized and the brake 52 thus released results in travel of the carriage in the opposite direction along the overhead track 6.

As shown in Figure 3, the outer end of the shaft 92 projects through an opening 96 in the lower end of the end wall I8 of the carriage housing I3 and embodies a polygonal head 91. The latter is adapted to fit in a polygonal socket 93 in one end of a crank 99. When. it is desired manually to rotate the drums 22 for load hoisting or lowering purposes the crank 99 is em-- rloyed. A band lever I90 permits the brake 5! to be manually released in connection with manual drive of the drums I2 by the crank 99. This lever (see Figure 5) extends through an opening IDI in one of the side walls I9 of the carriage housing I3. The central portion of the lever is pivotally supported by way of a pin I92 on lugs adjacent the opening defining portion of said one housing side wall. This p n extends horizontally and permits the lever to swing in a vertical plane. The inner end of the lever is connected to the lower end of the armature 96 of the solenoid 84 by way of a pin and slot connection I93. The outer end of the lever is in the form of a handle whereby the lever may be gripped. When the handle is swung downwards the lever operates to release the brake 5| and thus permits manual drive of the hoisting drums I2 by the crank 99. The crank is used ordinarily when there is a stoppage in current supply for the electric motor I l. A cap I24 is removably secured to the lower end of the housing end I8 and serves to cover the polygonal head 9! when the crank 99 is not in use.

The outer end of the shaft projects through an opening I95 in the gear housing 39 and embod es a. polygonal head I05. This head is adapted to fit within a polygonal socket I01 in the central portion of the crank 99 when it is desired to use the crank in connection with manual propulsion of the carriage I 9. For the purpose of releasing the brake 52 when it is desired to use the crank on the shaft 35, a hand lever I68 is provided. This lever is like, and is arranged in side by side relation with, the hand lever 59! for manually controlling the brake 5|. It extends through an opening I99 and has the inner end thereof connected to the armature 94 of the solenoid 92 by way of a pin and slot connection. The outer end of the lever I08 is in the form of a handle. When this handle is swung downwards the armature 94 is raised against the force of the compression spring 95 and release of the brake 52 is thus effected. When the brake 52 is released the shaft 35 may be turned by the crank 99 in connection with manual propulsion of the carriage II]. The lever I98 and the crank 99 are ordinarily employed manually to propel the carriage when the supply of current to the electric motor stops.

The herein described electric traveling hoist is both compact and extremely light in weight and has special utility in the handling of bombs or other cargo in an airplane or other vehicle. By reason of the fact that the hoist includes means for manually releasing the brakes and also means for manually driving the hoisting drums and means for propelling the carriage the hoist may be operated by hand in the event of failure of current supply. Inasmuch as the cable actuated hoisting drums I2 are perpendicular or normal to the overhead track 3 the cable 44 spools properly so far as the dr ms are concerned, regardless of whether the track is level or inclined.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A hoist designed for use in connection with a track and comprising a carriage adapted for travel along the track, a rotatable ho sting element on the carriage, a rotatable element on the carriage for propelling said carriage along the track, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the elements, gearing for driving the other element from the armature of the motor, a brake for controlling drive of said one element, and a second brake for controlling drive of said other element.

2. A hoist designed for use in connection with an overhead track and comprising a carriage adapted for travel along the track, a rotatable hoisting element on the carriage. a rotatable element on the carriage for propelling said carriage along the track. an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the elements, gearing for driving the other element from the armature of the motor, a brake for controlling drive of said one element, a second brake for controlling drive of said other element. and a pair of solenoids associated respectively with, and adapted to actuate the brakes.

3. A hoist designed for use in connection with a track and comprising a carriage adapted for travel along the track, a rotatable hoisting element on the carriage, a rotatable element on the carriage for propelling said carriage along the track, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the elements, gearing for driving the other element from the armatture of the motor, a normally set brake for preventing drive of said one element, a second normally set brake for preventing drive of said other element, and means whereby the brakes may be selectively released.

4. A hoist designed for use in connection with an overhead track and comprising a carriage adapted for travel along the track, a rotatable hoisting element on the carriage, a rotatable element on the carriage for propelling said carriage along the track, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the elements, gearing for driving the other element from the armature of the motor, a normally set brake for preventing drive of said one element, a second normally set brake for preventing drive of said other element, and a pair of solenoids associated respectively with, and adapted to release, the brakes.

5. A hoist designed for use in connection with an overhead track and comprising a carriage adapted for travel along the track, a rotatable hoisting element on the carriage, a rotatable element on the carriage for propelling said carriage along the track, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the elements, gearing for driving the other element from the armature of the motor, a normally set brake for preventing drive of said one element, a second normally set brake for preventing drive of said other element, a pair of solenoids associated respectively with, and adapted to release, bra, and hand levers associated respectively with/and adapted to release, the brakes.

6. A hoist adapted to travel along an overhead track and comprising a carriage having track engaging wheels, a rotatable hoisting drum on the carriage, an electric motor rotatably mounted on I the carriage and having the casing th reof connected to drive one of the wheels, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the mo" tor, a brake for controlling drive of said one wheel by the motor casing, and a second brake for controlling drive of the drum by the armature.

"I. A hoist adapted to travel along an overhead track and comprising a carriage having track engaging wheels, a hoisting drum rotatably mounted on the carriage, an electric motor rctatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of .the wheels, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the motor, a normally set brake for preventing drive of said one wheel by the motor casing, a second normally set brake for preventing drive of the drum by the armature shaft, and means whereby the brakes may be selectively released,

8. A hoist adapted to travel along an overhead track and comprising a carriag having track engaging wheels, a hoisting drum rotatably mounted on the carriage, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the wheels, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the motor, a normally set brake for preventing drive of said one Wheel b the motor casing, a second normally set brake for prevent-- ing drive of the drum by the armature shaft, and a pair of solenoids associated respectively with, and adapted when energized to release, the brakes.

9. A hoist adapted to travel along an overhead track and comprising a carriage having track engaging wheels, a hoisting drum rotatably mounted on the carriage, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the wheels, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the motor, a normally set brake applied to the motor casing and adapted to prevent rotation thereof, a second normally set brake for preventing drive of the drum by the motor armature, and means for selectively releasing the brakes.

10. A hoist adapted to travel along an overhead track and comprising a carriage having track engaging wheels, a hoisting drum rotatably mounted on the carriage, an electric motor rotatably mounted on said carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the Wheels, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the motor, a normally set brake appiied to, and adapted to prevent rotation of, the motor casing, a normally set brake for preventing drive of the drum, and a pair of solenoids associated respectively with, and adapted when oil-- ergized to release, the brakes.

11. A hoist adapted to travel along an overhead track and comprising a carriage having track engaging wheels, a hoisting drum rotatably mounted on the carriage, an electric motor rotatably mounted on said carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the wheels, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the motor, a normally set brake applied to, and adapted to prevent rotation of, the motor casing, a normally set brake for preventing drive of the drum, a pair of solenoids associated respectively with, and adapted when energized to release, the brakes, and a pair of hand levers on the carriage for manually releasing the brakes.

12. A hoist designed for use in connection with an overhead track and comprising a carriage adapted for travel along the track, a rotatable hoisting element on the carriage, a rotatable element on the carriage for propelling said carriage along the track, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the elements, gearing for driving the other element from the armature of the motor, including a sun pinion on the shaft of the motor armature, planetary gears positioned around, and in mesh with, the pinion and having a cage therefor connected to the motor casing, and a ring gear around, and in mesh with, the planetary gears, a brake for controlling drive of said one element by the casing, and a second brake applied to said ring gear and adapted to control drive of said second element by the motor armature.

13. A hoist designed for use in connection with an overhead track and comprising a carriage adapted for travel along the track, a rotatable hoisting element on the carriage, a rotatable element on the carriage for propelling said carriage along the track, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the elements, gearing for driving the other element from the armature of the motor, including a sun pinion on the shaft of the motor armature, planetary gears positioned around, and in mesh with, the pinion, and having a cage therefor connected to the motor casing, and a ring gear around, and in mesh with, the planetary gears, a brake applied to the motor casing and adapted to control drive of said one element by the casing, and a brake applied to said ring gear and adapted to control drive of said other element by the armature.

14. A hoist adapted to travel along an overhead track and comprising a carriage having track engaging wheels, a hoisting drum rotatably mounted on the carriage, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the wheels, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the motor, including a sun pinion on the shaft of the motor armature, planetary gears positioned around, and in mesh with, the pinion and having a cage therefor connected to the motor casing, and a ring gear around, and in mesh with, the planetary gears, a brake applied to the motor casing and adapted to control drive of said one wheel by the casing, and a brake applied to the ring gear and adapted to control drive of the drum by the armature.

15. A hoist adapted to travel along an overhead track and comprising a carriage having track engaging wheels, a hoisting drum rotatably mounted on the carriage, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the wheels, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the motor, including a sun pinion on the shaft of the motor armature, planetary gears positioned around, and in mesh with, the pinion and having a cage therefor connected to the motor casing, and a ring gear around, and in mesh with, the planetary gears, a normally set brake applied to the motor casing, a normally set brake applied to the ring gear, and means for selectively releasing the two brakes.

16. A hoist adapted to travel along an overhead track and comprising a carriage having track engaging wheels, at hoisting drum rotatably mounted on the carriage, an electric motor rotatably mounted on the carriage and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the wheels, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the motor, including a sun pinion on the shaft of the motor armature, planetary gears positioned around, and in mesh with, the pinion and having a cage therefor connected to the motor casing, and a ring gear around, and in mesh with, the planetary gears, a normally set brake applied to the motor casing, a normally set brake applied to the ring gear, and means for selectively releasing the brakes embodying a pair of solenoids associated with the brakes respectively.

17. A hoist adapted for use in connection with an overhead track and comprising an elongated carriage disposed beneath the track and in the form of a substantially closed housing having laterally spaced complemental sides spaced equidistantly from the transverse center of the track, and also having track engaging Wheels at the top thereof whereby it is supported for lengthwise travel along the track, a pair of separate rotatable coaxial hoisting drums positioned outwards of the sides of the housing, a single electric motor mounted in the housing in centered relation with said sides, gear mechanism for driving the drums from the motor, gear mechanism for driving one of the wheels from said motor, and means for selectively effecting drive of the gear mechanisms by said motor.

18. A hoist designed for use in connection with an overhead track and comprising a carriage in the form of a housing elongated lengthwise of the track and having track engaging wheels at the top thereof whereby it is supported for travel along the track, a pair of independent coaxial rotatable hoisting drums positioned at opposite sides of the housing and also wholly exteriorly of the latter, a single reversible electric motor mounted in, and extending longitudinally of, the housing, gear mechanism for driving the drums from the motor, gear mechanism adapted to be driven by said motor and to propel the carriage along the track, and means for selectively effecting drive of the gear mechanisms by said motor.

19. A hoist designed for use in connection with an overhead track and comprising a carriage in the form of an elongated housing having track engaging wheels at the top thereof whereby it is supported for lengthwise travel along the track, a hoisting drum rotatably supported on, and positioned externally of, the housing, a reversible electric motor mounted rotatably in the housing and having the casing thereof connected to drive one of the wheels for carriage propelling purposes, gearing for driving the drum from the armature of the motor, including a sun pinion on the armature shaft, planetary gears positioned around, and in mesh with, the sun pinion and having a spider therefor secured to the motor casing, and a ring gear around, and in mesh with, said planetary gears, a brake applied to the motor casing and adapted to control drive of said one wheel by said casing, and a brake applied to the ring gear and adapted to control drive of the drum by the armature.

GEORGE E. BOCK.