US2380626A - Mobile power shovel, crane, and the like - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1945. R. H. ZEILMAN ETAL MOBILE POWER SHOVEL, CRANE, AND THE LIKE Filed April 17, 1944' 5 Sheets-Sheet l y 1945 R. H. ZEILMAN ETAL MOBILE POWER SHOVEL, CRANE, AND THE LIKE v Filed April 1'7, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 y 1945- R. H. ZEILMAN ETAL MOBILE POWER SHOVEL, CRANE, AND THE LIKE Filed April 17, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TURS y 1945- R. H. ZElLMAN ETAL MOBILE POWER SHOVEL, CRANE, AND THE LIKE Filed April 17, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 0 o 0 o .h 4. 0

OO OOO o INVENTORS y 1945- R. H. ZEILMAN ETAL MOBILE POWER SHOVEL,

CRANE, AND THE LIKE '5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 17, 1944 2 E 3 4 & W W W mm LM W wa [Z i M M V. Mam 0a I22 Mm Y 22 B O P m F 9 0 H770 HEY Patented July 31,1945

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I MOBILE rowagis jr rii z a, carin arm Roy H. Zeilman and Alan Smythe, Elyria, Ohio, assignors to The Thew Shovel Company. Lorain, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 17, 1944, Serial No. 531,468

8 Claims. (01:212-38) Our invention relates to mobile power shovels, cranes and the like, and relates more particularly to improvements in controlling and operating mechanism therefor.

An object of our invention is to provide improved vehicular propelling mechanism for the mobile power shovel or crane of our companion co-pending application, Serial No. 502,354, filed September Another object of our invention is to independently drive the vehicle propelling mechanism and the superstructure swinging mechanism of a mobile power shovel or crane, whereby propulsion of the vehicle and rotation of the boom-carrying superstructure in alternate directions may be independently controlled, in an improved manner whereby either operation may proceed simultaneously or separately in either direction of movement. and at the same time permitting varying controlled movements of the implements carried by the boom, independently of the operation of separately controlled propelling and swing mechanism.

Another object of our invention is to provide improved manually controllable releasable locking means adapted at suitable times to prevent rotation of the superstructure of a shovel or crane wherein the above objects are achieved.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved mechanism for alternately and independently ei'fecting the operation of the vehicular propellingmeans and the turntable rotating means for a mobile power shovel or crane in an improved manner. I

Another object of our invention is to provide improved controlling mechanism for releasably locking the crane'and shovel carrying turntable of our invention against rotation.

Another object of our invention is to provide improved common controlling means for-locking the turntable of a mobile shovel crane or the like against rotation, at desirable times as for instance-when power is transmitted from a power unit on said turntable to operate the vehicle propelling means for effecting vehicular travel of the mechanism.

Another object of our invention is to p i an improved transmission mechanism for a mobile crane or shovel excavating machine of the type employing a vertically or laterally adj ustable boom and an excavating or load handling implement adiustably carried by the boom, all rotating through one or another of a plurality of friction clutches carried on a single clutch shaft whereby the vehicle may be propelled in either direction and the turntable rotated in either direction independently of each other and independently of the direction of rotation of said implement adjusting drum which may be independently simultaneously operated.

Further improvements and important advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention appertains from a consideration of the following description and drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the automotive v vehicular power operated load handling machine of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1:

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view in the nature of an extension of Fig. 2;

Fig. '4 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the plane H of Fig. 2;

Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are a series of diagrammatic views illustrating the driving connections to the drums for the sh'ovel, hoist, retract, crowd and boom hoist operations, respectively;

Fig. 9 illustrates an improved modification adapted to replace that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, for the purpose of efllciently achieving the independent propulsion of the vehicle relative to-the operation of other functional mechanisms embodied in the mobile crane or shovel, the view illustrating mechanism alternativeto that of Fig. 4 and'involving a second alternative embodiment thereof Fig. 10 is a view of certain of the mechanism of Fig. 9 taken on the line iii-l0 of Fig. .9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view, taken transversely of the line of section of Fig. 2 through a pair of the shafts thereof, to illustrate in side elevation, the pair of intermeshed gears which are carried respectively by the respective shafts of said pairs;

Fig. 12 is a view, of the nature of that of Figs. 4 and 9, illustrating an alternative improved embodixnent for certain of the mechanisms illustrated therein and, more particularly in Fig. 4, the view being a vertical section taken transversely of the vehicle, in the plane of that of Fig. 4;

Fig. 13 is a section taken on the line l8-l3 of Fig. 12, parts thereof being shown in horizontal transverse section, the viewillustrating other associated parts otherwise shown in Figs. 2 and 4:

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of a locking lever for controlling the turntable locking mechanism shown in Figs. 12 and 13 with fragments of the controlling links leading from said lever to said mechanism: and

for alternately operating a pair or clutches for controlling the transmission of power to the vehicle propelling shaft and the platform rotating shaft, and for operating the turntable locking mechanism.

In the following description of a mobile power shovel in which the mechanisms of our present invention are embodied, we have illustrated, in

Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the mechanism shown, clescribed and claimed in our co-pending previously flied application, of which the present application is in part divisional, specifically claimed therein, the said figures will therefore be first briefly described.

Referring now to the various figures of drawlugs and particularly to Fig. 1, at is we show a truck upon which a superstructure i i is mounted. Said. superstructure ii comprises the power unit i 2 and associated mechanism indicated generally at ill, said mechanism controlling the operation of the boom it and associated parts, and also movement of the truck iii. The superstructure ii is mounted on a turntable is rotatably secured to the truck Ill and the boom it is hinged at its foot in the usual manner to a forward portion of the turntable, as shown at it.

A bucket or scoop ii, in the form illustrated in Fig. 1, is affixed to a dipper stick ill longitudinally slideable in a guiding member it which, in turn, is pivoted on a cross shaft iila. The clipper stick is extended, or crowded, by means of a cable secured at one end to the guide member as at 2i and then looping over a sheave 22 at the upper end of the dipper stick and back to one or a pair of sheaves 23 freely rotatable on the cross shaft lilo.

From there the cable extends along the boom,

' around a sheave 24 at its hinge, and is finally secured to a winding drum 25, to be later described. The dipper stick is retracted in a similar manner by means of a cable 2% which is secured to the guide as at 2?, and, then loops around a sheave 28 near the lower end of the dipper sticlr and back to the second sheave 28 and sheaves 2t and 2S and is finally secured to the drum 26, but wound in a direction opposite to that of cable to.

A shovel hoist linejd is further provided having one end secured to and wound around a hoist drum ill, to be later described, and passing over a sheave 32 mounted upon the outer end of the boom it and anchored to the outer end of dipper stick it and bucket ill, as shown at 33. A boom hoist cable 35 is secured to and wound around a winding drum 3B and extends from the said drum over a sheave ill mounted upon the frame work of the superstructure to the outer end of the boom, whereby the boom may be raised or lowered.

It is to be noted, in Fig. 2, that-all the drums to which the various hoist and crowd ropes are secured are mounted upon a single drum shaft in and that winding drums and ii are freely rotatable thereon while the boom hoist drum 8b is secured thereto and rotated thereby. Power is derived from the power unit i2 to drive the drums 2E, 31 and 38 through a drive shaft desisoated generally at 55.

a The drive shaft preferably comprises a pair of shaft members united by a coupling 4% and disposed to the rear of and parallel to the drum shaft 40, although an integral shaft structure may be employed. The said drive shaft :35 de= rives its power through a pulley ll drivingly secured at one end thereo! and driven through a belt 48 by the engine pulley 4B. A collar iiil aseaaso and nut structure is secured to the opposite end of the shaft is wherefor simple access to the clutch members mounted on the drive shaft is afforded and any necessary repairs or replacements easily made.

A plurality of identical clutch members, preferably of the internally expanding type, are mounted on the drive shaft 35, and sprockets and gears are associated with certain of said clutches whereby the drums mounted on said drum shaft are rotated to effect hoisting, crowding or retract operations or the boom and dipper stick structure and whereby the crawler and turntable operations may be effected.

Referring first to the shovel hoisting operation, and particularly to Figs. 2 and 5. it will be noted that the winding drum Si is driven directly from the drive shaft d5 by means of a chain 50 connecting a sprocket ti secured to the drum with a sprocket 52. Sprocket 52 is freely rotatable on the .drive shaft but may be selectively clutched thereto by means of the manually operable clutch shifting fork 53 which operates through sleeve til to produce a driving connection between a spider iiil splined to the drive shaft, and the clutch drum to to which the sprocket 52 is secured.

To lower the bucket, the clutch may be diseneased and the unwinding of the drum iii may be then controlled by means of a conventional brake comprising, for example, the brake band 56 and brake drum ill integral with the winding drum.

The crowd and retract drum 25, Figs. 2 and 6, may be driven .in either direction so as to crowd or retract the dipper stick under power. In the retracting operation, power is transmitted to the drum 28 from a gear as mounted on the drive shatt dB and selectively driven thereby through a clutch 69 identical with the clutch 5'5 before mentioned. The gear till is in constant mesh with a similar gear 62 keyed to an intermediate countershai't t5 and thus operates to drive said shaft whenever clutch Bi is engaged. A sprocket 38 secured to the winding drum is connected by a chain '5? with a sprocket til freely rotatable on the countershaft but adapted to be driven thereby through a jaw clutch es splined to the countershait. Thus, the crowd and retract drum is driven from the drive shaft iii through the intermediary or the countershaft t5, and in a direction of rotation opposite to, that of the drive shaft due to the relative rotations of the gears till and 82.

In the crowding operation, the crowd and retract drum 2t, Figs. 2 and 7, is driven in a direction opposite to that just described, and at a lower rate of speed for greater accuracy in the operative placement of the bucket and increased power. In this operation, the betorementioned sprocket 66 on the drum is driven, by means of the chain 6i, by a small sprocket iii normally freely rotatable on the drive shaft d5 but adapted to be clutched thereto through the clutch 7!. It will be noted that the chain til follows a triangular course, indicated in Fig. 1, around the three sprockets, the drum sprocket so being driven from either or the sprockets i323 or it as determined by the setting of clutches oi, 6.9 and ii.

In either the crowd or retract operation, it is to be noted that the unwinding oi the cable 20 and the winding of the cable 25 may be controlled by means or the contractible bralreband V22 which is adapted for variable frictional eneasement with the drum its which formed ln= tegral with the crowd and retract drum; hence, the load can be "driven down on the crowding operation against the variable frictional retarding action of the brake band I22.

Coming now to the boomhoisting operation, it will be noted that the winding drum 86 therefor, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, is keyed to this shaft 40 upon which the other drums idle. Also, keyed to the shaft is a sprocket 80 which is driven through a chain 8| by a small sprocket 82 free on the countershaft.

Thejaw clutch 69, hereinbefore mentioned in association with the sprocket 68, is also adapted to engage the sprocket 82, and with the clutch 6| set to driving position will be effective to drive the drum shaft 40 and the boom hoist drum 36 keyed thereto. The boom may be lowered by disengaging the clutch 6| and allowing the drum 36 to freely unwind the control of a conventional brake band 85 on the drum 86.

Frequently, it is desired to lower the boom at a controlled speed and this is conveniently accomplished by the provision of the elements comprising the over-running clutch I20, sprocket I5, chain 16, sprocket I1 and clutch I8.

With brake 85 and clutch 6| both released and clutch I8 engaged with sprocket 11, the force of gravity causes the boom to fall and unwind the cable from drum 86 causing it to revolve in a counter-clockwise direction, which is opposite to the winding direction. This drives shaft 40, sprocket 80 and shaft 65 through chain 8| and sprocket 82. Sprocket I1 drives shaft 45 through chain 16, sprocket I and overrunning clutch I20 in the same direction which it is turning. The provision of the overrunning clutch I20 ensures that the clutch parts 18--II and therefore the shaft 65, in such operation, cannot rotate at any greater speed than the rotational speed of shaft 45 permits.

Shaft 45 revolves at a constant speed due to the control of the governor of the engine which, as previously stated, is in driving relation to shaft 45 through the pulley 41 and belts 48. The constant speed of shaft 45 reacting through the elements above mentioned to the drum shaft 40 ensures a maximum controlled speed of rotation of the drum 36 and the fall of the boom is, accomplished at a correspondingly controlled rate.

An additional winding drum 90, indicated in Fig. 3, may be incorporated for use as a power winch or similar purpose. The drum is shown as mounted on an auxiliary shaft 9| and driv- I The last of the mechanisms which derive power from the drive shaft 45 is that associated with the turntable swing and crawler drive. As shown in Fig. 2, two bevel gears I00 and IOI are freely rotatable on the drive shaft and are in constant mesh with a third bevel gear I02. Either of the gears I00. and IM may be selectively driven by the drive shaft through its respective clutch I03 or I04, and the gear I02 may thus be driven in either direction.

At this point, attention is directed to the fact that Fig. 4 of the drawings shows one method of propelling the vehicle from the shaft 45, and Figs. 9, and 11 show an alternative method of propelling the vehicle which has certain advantages, as later herein set forth.

First, referring to Fig. 4, the gear I02 is keyed to a vertical shaft I05 having also keyed thereto, at its lower end, a pinion I06. A gear I01 is in constant mesh with both the pinion and a second gear I08, both gears being freely mounted on vertical shafts I09 and I I0, respectively, to which they may be selectively drivingly engaged by means of jaw clutches III and H2. Shaft I09 operates to swing the turntable and superstructure relative to the undercarriage and to this end has secured'thereto a pinion II3 meshing with an internal ringgear II4 formed asa part of the turntable support II5.

Shaft IIO operates to drive the crawler mechanism and hence extends downwardly through the hollow kingpin I I6 to drive a bevel gear I H which, in turn, transmits power through the intermeshed gear I33 to the crawler drive shaft indicated at II8 whereby the tracks I0 are driven in any well known manner.

The clutches on the shaft 45 are, as above stated. of the internally expanding type and it is to be noted that they are all similarly formed so that the same size and shape of clutch may be used in either one of the five positions on the main drive shaft where such clutches are used. In other words, the clutches are interchangeable and only one type clutch needs to be used in the construction of our machine or in the repair thereof.

It is to be noted that the expanding friction clutches, whereby all propulsion or rotation of the machine, as well as motivation of all. load handling means employed therewith is controlled, are mounted on a single drive shaft, and that the drums are mounted on a single drum shaft and receive driving power under operator control through said friction clutches from the drive shaft. Thus, it can readily be seen that the machine may be simply and efficiently operated.

Figs. 9 and 11 inclusive illustrate the application of alternative apparatus which may be applied to the machine, otherwise as previously described, in order that the vehicle, illustrated in Fig. 1. may be driven in either direction, on the track I0. also shown in Fig. 9, through supplementary gearing, at a time when it may also be desired to operate other portions of the mechanism for the purpose of raising or lowering the load carried by the boom, or swinging the boom.

Such an operation is very desirable where, due to the projection of the boom forwardly of the vehicle, it may be necessary to laterally direct the boom with its carried load to clear obstructions when turning the vehicle. This condition permits the vehicle to travel through narrow alleys with turns therein, and to operate the machine in construction work where time may be saved by utilizing the mobile character of the vehicle at a time when the boom is being swung to perform its material lifting and transporting functions.

To effect this additional desired result, the

chain 93 driven by sprocket 94 on shaft 65, occasionally utilized for driving the sprocket 92, and through the associated clutch, the drum for such purpose, as previously described, such as operating a power winch or the like, as shown in Fig. 3. is transferred to a sprocket I2I which is keyed onto a shaft I22 rotatably carried in bearings I23 on extensions of the frame at I24, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Bevelled gears I25 and I26 are selectively clutched to the shaft I22 through the sliding clutch I21 operable by the controlling arm, partially shown at, I20. The bevelled gears I20 and I26 are engaged with the gear I29 fixedly secured onto a shaft I35 mounted within bearings I90 on a tubular extension ISI of the frame, and at the lower end of the shaft, a gear pinion I is anixed.

The pinion I is meshed with a gear I32 which is splined onto the upper end of a shaft I I. The shaft H0 and the gear I92, which is splincd to its upper end, is substituted for the shaft I I0 and gear I08 with its controlling clutch H2, previously described and shown in Fig. 4 as employed in the preceding embodiment. Like the shaft IIO, the shaft "0 carries, at its lower end, the bevelled gear driving pinion III meshed with the pinion I33 which is fixedly secured onto the vehicle driving shaft H0.

In adapting the mechanism of Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive to the additional mechanism shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive,,the apparatus of Fig. plus the substituted gear I32 and shaft 1 I0 are mounted on the frame as illustrated and described and it will be understood that extension portions of the casing I08 are provided with suitable openings or may be removably bolted to the frame proper to permit the installation of the apparatus of Fig. 10 and the substitution of the shaft III) for the previously described shaft I10 and the installation of the gear I32 for the previously described gear I00 whereby the added and substituted elements may be applied to any existing machine, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive and described in connection therewith, or may be installed as original mechanism thereof.

When 'such an improved alternate mechanism is provided, instead of driving the vehicle through the meshed gears I08 and I01, the clutch I I2 and shaft IIO, as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive and Fig. 12, such driving is effected from the sprocket 94 on the shaft 65, chain 93, then through the sprocket I2I on the newly supplied shaft I22 (Figs. 9 and 10) whereby, by operating the clutch I21, driving will be accomplished through either of the bevelled gears I or I28,

according to the directionof vehicular travel desired, through the gear I29, shaft I35, pinion I34, gear I32, shaft 0' and the meshed pair of gears I I'I-I33 previously described. This substituted inter-related group of elements effects driving of the vehicle in either direction independently of the swing clutches I03 and I04, travel now being effected through the clutch GI. By virtue of this provision, the vehicle may be propelled in either direction while the mechanism previously associated therewith can independently, at any time, perform the hoisting, rotation of the cab and swinging of the boom, entirely independently as to whether the vehicle is stationary or traveling,

meanwhile driving of the swing pinion H3 in aiternate directions is accomplished by alternate operation of the clutches I03 and I04.

Although, in the preceding description, the apparatus of Figs. 9, 10 and 11, has been sometimes referred to as alternate to that part of the mechanism, illustrated chiefly in Fig. 4, comprising the propellor shaft IIO, the clutch and gear H2 and I08 carried thereby, we contemplate herein that said apparatus peculiar to Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive may be permanently installed substantially in the manner illustrated in these figures and, therefore, in the present application, it may be considered that the apparatus of Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive is permanently installed upon the vehicle either in substitution for the replaced apparatus of Fig. 4, or initially.

In Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive, we illustrate further'features of improvements involving apparatus which may be substituted either originally or later for the clutching elements III and 2 of 4, together with other apparatus associated with or ancillary thereto. The apparatus of these figures is adapted to render the transmission of driving power to the shafts I09 and H0 alternative and to effect locking of the shaft I09 against rotation thereof whenever the shaft H0 is being driven through the dog clutch I I2 for the purpose of effecting propulsion of the vehicle.

To accomplish this object in an effective and eiiicient simple manner, the dog clutch element II I, which otherwise corresponds to the element III of Fig. 4, is provided with a dog receiving groove n4, Fig, 12, to receive the dog 22I normally projecting laterally thereof over the clutch element III' whereby, when the clutch element I I l' is moved upwardly on the shaft I09 to which it is splined at I09, the dog tooth 22I is fitted within the transverse groove .1: of the clutch element and the dog thereby prevents rotation of the clutch element and also the shaft I09 upon which it is splined and therefore prevents rotation of the shaft I09 and the swin pinion Il3, keyed to said shaft to prevent rotation of the platform I I5, by reason of any rotation of the pinion II3 on the circular rack II 4 affixed and carried by the vehicle chassis H5.

Also as in the previous embodiments, when the clutch element II I is lowered to intermesh its lowermost teeth with the upwardly extending teeth amxed to the driving gear I01, power communicated, as previously described, to the gear I01 through the pinion I06 will effect rotatidn of the shaft I09 and therefore the swing pinion II3 to swing the platform in either direction according to the adjustment of the apparatus shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 12.

In the present described embodiment, a bell crank lever comprising arms 206 and 20'! being journalled for oscillation on the shaft 204 is provided for alternate lifting of the clutch elements III and H2. Each of. the crank arms 206 and 207 have forked ends 209 and 209 respectively, the end of each fork being provided with an inwardly projecting key 11 to key the forks of each arm within the circumferential groove 2: of the respective clutch elements iII' and H2 whereby rocking of the crank lever on the shaft 205 will lift one of said clutch elements and depress the other or reversely as desired.

Therefore, in one extreme adjusted position of the crank lever, the clutch element I I2 splined on the propulsion shaft I i0 is interlocked by pendant clutch teeth with the opposing teeth of the propulsion gear I08 and the clutch element I I I' being simultaneously lifted. rotation thereof is effectually prevented by reception within the slot 1: of said element of the dog tooth 2I I. Lifting of the dog tooth against spring pressure is permitted by the mounting of the dog slideably on spaced parallel shafts 224 rigidly carried by a standard 230. Helical spring 222 is loosely placed over each of said dog supporting shafts 224 and interposed between said dog and an uppermost element 223 of said standard, the lowermost element thereof 226 limiting the downward movement of the dog.

In the alternate extreme position of th bell crank, the clutch element III is depressed to mesh its lowermost teeth with the opposing teeth of the hub of gear I01 to effect communication of driving power through said clutch and shaft from -means carried by the turntable, a propeller shaft said gear to the swing pinion III, the latter being positioned as shown in Fig. 4 under the control of the apparatu previously described in connection with Figs. 2 and 4 for controlling the actuation of the pinion I06 to drive the gear I01. Keyed to the shaft 204 which carried the aforesaid bell crank lever, we provide suitable manually controlling means, such as the manual operable lever 20l, lateral movements thereof to the dotted line position a and b shown in Fig. 14 accomplishing the swinging of the bell crank lever, as previously described and for the purpose set forth.

Means for holding the lever 20I in the normal and alternate operable positions against the maladjusting influences of vibration such as are present in a crane or shovel mechanism are provided as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, comprising a spring pressed pressure bolt 2I2 to the upper end of which the head 23I is positioned and which bolt 2I2 is spring pressed upwardly by a helical spring 2I I, said bolt being loosely mounted in a frame element 232 and pendant bracket 233 passing through apertures of said frame element and bracket. Bolts234 limit the upward movement of the bolt more particularly during assembly of the apparatus.

The upper surface of the head 23I of the nuts 234 being adjustably secured on the lock threaded end of the bolt permits an adjustment of its pos-' sible upward movement, the fiat head 23I of the bolt is spring pressed against either the intermediate lowermost flat surface of the lever 20I or the alternate more laterally disposed flat surface which laterally disposed surfaces engage the upper surface of the bolt head when the lever 20I is moved to the alternate dotted line position shown in Fig. 14.

The application of the foregoing improvements of Figs. 12 to 15 inclusive, relating to the application of the lock mechanism for the swing. shaft to the embodiment of Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive, will be obvious from the foregoing description of the application thereof to the embodiment of Fig. 4; in such a modification, the gear I08 of Fig. 12 would be of such smaller diameter as not to mesh with gearII, whereupon the apparatus comprising the differential gearing I2I-I22--I29, of Fig. 9, would drive, through such a pinion as I34, said gear I08, independently of gear I01.

Such an installation permits independent driving of either gear I01 and I08 in either direction, in the manner of the apparatus of Fig. 9, and at the same time permits the use of the locking dog 22I, lever'206 and dog clutches III and H2 in the manner as described for the apparatus of Fig. 12. Thus, the flexibility of control over the propel and swing shafts H0 and I09 may advantageously be increased, over that accruing from either the apparatus of Figs. 4, 9 or 12, as will be well understood from the foregoing,

Having described the invention in varying embodiments of improved mechanisms which may be advantageously employed under different conditions for which the crane or shovels are to be used, We are aware that numerous departuresmay be made from the specific embodiments herein illustrated and described and within the purview of our invention.

We claim:

1. In mobile power shovels, cranes and the like, the combination with a vehicle chassis, a turntable rotatably mounted thereon, an adjustable boom carried by and extending from an end of the turntable, propulsion means supporting said turntable, a prime mover and power transmission extending downwardly from the turntable coaxially with its axis of rotation for communicating power from said prime mover through said transmission means to said propulsion means, a swing shaft carried by the turntable disposed in spaced parallel relation to said propeller shaft, a ring gear supported on the chassis encircling said propeller shaft and disposed co-axially therewith, a swing pinion carried by the lower end of said swing shaft and meshed with said ring gear to effect rotation of the turntable, a pair of gears each having a hub, each of said hubs being journailed on an upper portion of a different one of the aforesaid shafts, said transmission means adapted to simultaneously rotate both of said gears, a clutch element for each said shaft nonrotatably mounted thereon and adapted for reciprocatory adjustment longitudinally of the shaft whereby upon movement in a first direction each clutch element affords a driving connection between the associated gear and the associated shaft, each element when moved in the opposite direction being adapted to disable said driving connection, manually operable controlling means adapted to adjust either of said clutches to either of its alternative positions, and a dog so positioned as to be interengaged with the swing shaft clutch element when it is moved in said opposite direction to a maximum degree, whereby said dog, said swing shaft, swing pinion and ring gear lock the turntable against rotational movement.

2. The mechanism substantially as recited in claim 1 characterised by said controlling means comprising a rock lever having a pair of arms extending in relatively opposite directions from an intermediately disposed rocking axis to simultaneously depress either of said clutch elements and elevate the other clutch element whereby when the propeller shaft clutch element is moved in the recited first direction, the swing shaft clutch is correspondingly moved in the recited opposite direction to engage said locking dog.

3. The mechanism substantially as set forth in claim 1 characterised by said controlling means comprising a bell-crank lever and a manually operable arm for rocking said lever in either of two alternative directions, spring means operable to maintain said arm, when in normal, neutral, or either alternative operative positions, against extraneous vibration jarring impulses, said bellcrank lever having a pair of oppositely extending arms, the upper end of each of which being engaged with a different one of the recited pair of clutch elements, whereby said lever when moved in one direction will simultaneously depress one of said clutch elements and elevate the other clutch element, and when moved in the opposite direction will reverse the relative positions of said clutch elements, and when said lever is disposed intermediate said alternate operative positions both of said clutch elements will be restored to neutral operative position.

4. In a mobile crane, shovel or the like, the combination with a vehicle chassis, propelling means therefor, a superstructure journalled upon said chassis for rotation thereon, a drive shaft driven by said prime mover, a pair of spaced opposing bevel gears journalled on said drive shaft, independently operable clutches for alternately driving either of said gears from said shaft, a driven crown pinion constantly meshed with both of said gears, relatively spaced parallel vehicle propeller and superstructure swinging shafts, respectively, adapted when rotated to drive-said propelling means, and to rotatably swing said superstructure, an intermeshed pair of gears respectively journalled on said propeller and swing shafts, respectively, transmission means -for simultaneously transmitting rotary driving power from said crown gear to said intermeshed pair of gears, a clutch element for each said propeller and swing shafts non-rotatably mounted thereon and adapted for reciprocatory adjustment longitudinally of the shaft whereby upon movement in a first direction each clutch element affords a driving connection between the associated gear 2,sao,ose

mover, a load handling implement carried by the boom, cables for variably positioning said implement, and transmission mechanism, said transand the associated shaft, each element when moved in the opposite direction being adapted to disable said driving connection, manually operable controlling means adapted to adjust either of said clutches to either of its alternative positions, and a dog so positioned as to be interengaged with the swing shaft clutch element when it is moved in said opposite direction to a chassis, a turntable rotatably mounted on said ring gear, and a boom, a prime mover,-power transmission means carried by the turntable, the combination of relatively spaced propeller and swing shafts respectively for propelling the vehicle and swinging said turntable also carried by the turntable, a swing pinion on the swing shaft meshed with said ring gear, said transmission means comprising a clutch shaft, a winding drum shaft and a secondary shaft, said clutch shaft being driven by said primemover, a plurality of clutch drums on the clutch shaft, 9. transmission element fixedly secured to each clutch drum, a friction clutch for each clutch drum for independently clutching its associated clutch drum. and attached element to the clutch shaft, alternately operable means comprising a pair of said clutch drums and their associated clutches and elements for selectively driving said swing shaft independently of said secondary shaft in either of two directions, a second pair of alternately operable means each comprising one of said clutch drums with its associated clutch and element for selectively driving the secondary shaft in relatively opposite directions, means comprising an additional of said clutch drums with itsassociated clutch element and interconnecting transmission means adapted to drive one of said winding drums in a single direction from said clutch shaft, transmission mechanism interchangsably adapted by alternate operation of one or the other of the said second pair of alternately operable means to drive another of said winding drums in either alternate direction, a train of transmission elements interconnecting said propeller shaft to said secondary shaft whereb said propeller shaft may be alternately rotated in opposite directions responsive to driving of said secondary shaft by operation of said second pair of elements, and said transmission train comprising rotation reversing means, whereby said vehicle may be driven in either direction independently of the direction of simultaneous rotation of said swing shaft, said secondary shaft and/ or of the recited winding drums.

6. In a mobile vehicular load handling mechanism provided with a rotatable superstructure, I

mission mechanism comprising a drive shaft driven by the prime mover, a plurality of clutch drums Journalled upon said shaft, operator controllable clutch means for each said drum to clutch it in driven relation to said shaft, each of said clutch drums provided with an axially projecting hub portion, some of said hub portions having gears and others having sprockets formed thereon, a plurality of cable winding drums, journailed on said superstructure, adapted to variably operate said cables according to variable rotative movements of said drums, driving connections between the driving elements of certain of said clutch drums and said winding drums adapted upon selective operation of the associated clutch means for said driving elements to selectively rotate any of said winding drums and to selectively rotate one of said drums in either rotative direction, said driving means comprising an alternatively operable pair of driving transmission means, one driven from the driving element of one of said clutch drums and the other from the driving element of a different of said clutch drums, and one of said transmission means comprising a reversing mechanism interposed between its associated driving clutch drum and the driven winding drum, a pair of adjacent of said driving elements being gears of the bevel type and being disposed in relatively opposed spaced confronting relation, a ring gear disposed between and constantly in mesh with both said bevel gears and adapted when rotated to effect rotation of the superstructure whereby selective operation of the clutches associated with said bevel gear carrying driving elements will selectively effect rotation of said superstructure in either dircetion, vehicle propelling mechanism and drive means therefor, said drive means comprising another of said drums and a reversing gear mechanism, and operator controllable means to selectively operate said gear mechanism to selectively drive the vehicle in either direction from said drive shaft, whereby the various operations comprising rotation of, the turntable in either direction, propulsion of the vehicle in either direction and operation of said winding drums and one thereof in either direction may each be relatively independently effected.

'7. Ina mobile vehicular load handling mechanism provided with a rotatable superstructure, said superstructure supporting a boom, a prime mover, a load handling implement carried by the boom, cables for variably positioning said implement, and transmission mechanism, said transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft driven bythe prime mover, a plurality of clutch drums journalled upon said shaft, operator controllable clutch means for each said drum to clutch it in driven relation to said shaft, means adapted to selectively independently effect rotation of the superstructure in either alternative direction to selectively operate said cables to variably position said implement in both vertical directions and the fore-and-aft direction in the vertical plane of said boom, said means being energized by selective operation of appropriate of said clutch means, a plurality of cable winding drums, journalled on said superstructure, adapted to variably operate said cables according to variable rotative movements of said drums, driving connections between the driving elements of certain of said clutch drums and said winding drums adapted upon selective operation of the asso-" ciated clutch means for said driving elements to selectively rotate any of said winding drums and to selectively rotate one of said drums in either rotative direction, one driven from the driving element of one of said clutch drums and the other from the driving element of a different of said clutch drums, and one of said transmission means comprising a reversing mechanism interposed between its associated driving clutch drum and the driven winding drum, a pair of adjacent of said driving elements being gears of the bevel type and being disposed in relatively opposed spaced confronting relation, a ring gear disposed between and constantly in mesh with both said bevel gears and adapted when rotated to effect rotation of the superstructure whereby selective operation of the clutches associated with said bevel gear carrying driving elements will selectively effect rotation of said superstructure in either direction,-

vehicle propelling mechanism and drive means therefor, said drive means comprising another of said drums and a reversing gear mechanism, and operator controllable means to selectively operate said gear mechanism to selectively drive the vehicle in either direction from said drive shaft.

8. In a mobile ehicular load handling mechanism provided with a rotatable superstructure, said superstructure supporting a boom, a prime mover, a load handling implement carried by the boom, cables for variably positioning said implement, and transmission mechanism, said transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft driven by the prime mover, a plurality of clutch drums jou'rnalled upon said shaft, operator con-.

trollable clutch means for each said drum to clutch it in driven relation to said shaft, means adapted to selectively independently effect rotation of the superstructure in either alternative direction to selectively operate said cables to variably position said implement in both vertical directions and the fore-and-aft direction in the vertical plane of said boom to effect propulsion of the vehicle selectively in either fore or aft directions by selective operation of said clutch means, said means comprising a driving element for each of said clutch drums, a plurality of cable windin drums, journalled on said superstructure, adapted to variably operate said cables according to variable rotative movements of said drums, driving connections between the driving elements of certain of said clutch drums and said winding drums adapted upon selective operation of the associated clutch means for said driving elements to selectively rotate any of said windint drums, and to selectively rotate one of said drums in either rotative direction, one driven from the driving element of one of said clutch drums and the other from the driving element of a'difierent of said clutch drums, and one of said transmission means comprising a reversing mechanism interposed between its associated driving clutch drum and the driven winding drum, a pair of adjacent of said driving elements being gears of the bevel type and being disposed in relatively opposed spaced confronting relation, a ring gear disposed between and constantly in mesh with both said bevel gears and adapted when rotated to effect rotation of the superstructure whereby selective operation of the clutches associated with said bevel gear carrying driving elements will selectively efiect rotation of said superstructure in either direction, vehicle propelling mechanism and drive means therefor, said drive means comprising another of said drums and a reversin gear mechanism, and operator controllable means to selectively operate said gear mechanism to selectively drive the vehicle in either direction from said drive shaft.

ROY H. ZElIIMAN. ALAN SMYTHE.

Images