US2469199A - Lifting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

May 3, 1949. G. F. I wls LIFTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 23, 1946 May 3, 1949. G. F. I l-:wls

LIFTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 23, 1946 Geol .jj www May 3, 1949. G. F. LEWIS vL IFTINGV APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 23, 1946 May 3, 1949. G. F. I Ewls l 2,469,199

LIFTING APPARATUS Filed March 23, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 3, 1949. G. F. LEWIS v 2,469,199

LIFTING APPARATUS v Filed March 23. 1946 9 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 3, 1,949

UNITED STATES PATENT *OFFICE LIFTING APPARATUS George F. Lewis, Streator, lll.

Application March 23, 1946,Serial No. 956,556

Claims. l

My invention relates to 'lifting means and more particularly to a simple means and apparatus for lifting, as for lifting a vehicle body above its supporting chassis.

One of the features of my invention is that it provides a simple lifting device. Another feature is to provide a means of raising a vehicle body above its normal position on the chassis. Another `feature of my invention is to provide a means of converting anordinary farm wagon into a dump Wagon. Another `feature is to provide means of limiting the extent to which the body is raised above its chassis. Yet another feature is to provide means of utilizing a power take-olf such as from a tractor to raise the body. A further feature is to provide lmeans for preventing the body from descending at a too rapid rate and to provide means for preventing the body from falling .in the event of failure of the lifting means. Still another feature of my invention is to provide means of raising the bodies on one or more of a plurality `of vehicles from the same power take-off. Other and further features of my invention will be apparent from the following specification and the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a tractor towing two farm wagons equipped with my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation partly in section of a wagon equipped with my invention Figure 3 is a vertical section along lines 3-3 of Figure 5;

Figure 4 is another View of Figure 3, lshowing the body in a raised position;

Figure 5 is a horizontalsection along lines 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of a wagon with my invention as a part thereof;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the right-hand portion of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an yenlarged view of the right-hand portion of Figure 3;

Figure 9 is a side elevation partly in section of the opposite side of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a side elevation partly in section of the power assembly, showing the worm gear, cable take-up drum, brake and lift-limiting arrangement;

Figure A11 is a side elevation partly in section showing the worm gear and clutch arrangement; and

Figure 12 is a side elevation partly in section showing the ratchet and pawl arrangement for restricting rotation to one direction.

Referring to Figure 1, I show a tractor i8 towing two farm wagons, I9 and 20, by means of a .2 towing `bar 2|.. A second towing bar 22 is attached `to the rear -of the .wagon vI9 lfor towing the wagon 20. The ypower take-off from the tractor is connected `to the drive shaft 23 and to the lifting mechanism on ywagon I9 through universale 24. vThe drive .shaft 2.3 is continued through wagon |9 Vas hereinafter described and by means of universels 25 is connected to the lifting mechanism .on the Wagon 20. As many portions of the lifting apparatus `are duplicated on the Lopposite side of the wagon, only one side will Abe described in detail and corresponding parts on the opposite sideare given ylike numerals with the letter a,added.

As is most clearly shown in Figure 2, my lifting device comprises `an arm 26 and an arm 21 pivoted together at 28. The vopposite end of the arm 21 is pivoted about the axis of the cross bar 2-9 which is rotatably attached to the longi-` tudinal frame member 3.0, and arm 26 is vpivoted at 3| to the longitudinal frame member 32. I find that maximum .leverage can be obtained by using arms of the parabolioshape shown in the drawings. although .other shapes can be used. Spreader means, generally designated 33, Ais in terposed between said arms. When the wagon body is in the level position shown by the solid lines in Figure 2, the lower arm rests in the metal strap 34 `which is .equipped (as vmostclearly shown in Figure 6) with ;a shoulder -35 upon lwhich the arm rests. The said arms 26 and 2" arepivoted upon a shaft 3B. Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 36 are a series yof pulleys, generally vdesignated 31, which are yheld in position against axial movement by the .collar 38. vReeved .through pulleys 3l are cables, generally designated 39.

As is most clearly shown in Figure 7, the spreader means, generally ydesignated 33, `vcomprise an axle 40 at the extremity of which is a roller 4| with .an .integral ool1ar'42 `formed there on. Arm `26 rests upon the Vroller 4| and the collar 42 serves .to prevent .sidewise .movement of the lsaid arm. To the inside of the roller 4| is roller 43 equipped `with an integral collar 44, which roller engages kthe arm 21. Also mounted upon the axle vMl are aseries of pulleys, generally designated r45, through `,which are reeved the'said cables 39; 'one end yof fthefcables 3,9 is secured to the cable take-up means 46, the opposite end of the said cable is :secured ,to an .eye 4l mounted upon the collar 38. `Cable ytake-up drum 46 is mounted upon va shaft 48 journaled at each end in bearings 49 4mounted upon the longitudinal frame member 30. Associated with shaft 48 is the worm drive and clutch mechanism (more clearly shown in Figure 11) comprising a casing 50, enclosing a gear 5l non-rotatably mounted on shaft 48, and engaging the gear 5| is the worm 52. The worm 52 is rotatably mounted upon drive shaft 23 and in casing 50 in such manner as to permit rotational but not axial movement. Rigidly attached to the left-hand side of the worm 52 (as viewed in Figure 11) is the clutch member 53. Slidably mounted upon the drive shaft 23 and contained within the casing 59, is the cooperating clutch member 54 which is keyed to the drive shaft 23 so as to permit axial but not rotational movement thereof with respect to the drive shaft 23. Axial movement of the clutch member 54 is effected by the lug 55 adapted to be received in the collar 56 and nonrotatably mounted upon the shaft 51; the arrangement being such that rotation of the shaft 51 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Figure 11) through the lug 55, engaging the collar 56, causes the clutch member 54 to slide to the left upon the shaft 23 to disengage its right-hand face with the clutch member 53, and rotation of the shaft 51 in the opposite direction (counterclockwise) will cause the clutch to engage. As most yclearly seen in Figure 7, the shaft 51 extends through the longitudinal frame member 30a and terminates in the handle 58 for the actuation thereof. Also attached to the shaft member 51 (as shown in Figure 10) is the automatic lift-'limiting means, comprising a lever 59 non-rotatably mounted upon the shaft 51 to which is pivoted a tubular rod 60. Lever 6l is non-rotatably mounted on cross bar 29 and the threaded rod 66x is pivoted thereto, as shown. The cross bar 29 is associated with the upper arm 21, as previously described, and rotates with the said arm. The opposite end of rod 60:1: is

inserted in the open end of the tubular rod lill.`

Lock `nuts 62 are threaded on the rod 695C and contact the end of rod 69 for the actuation of lever 59, the point of contact being adjustable by the location of the said lock nuts.

Referring to Figure 7, the cable take-up means 46a is equipped with a brake drum 63 rigidly mounted thereon andfsurrounded by a brake band 64. Asbest seen in Figure 10, one end of the brake band 64 is secured to rod 65 which passes through a hole inthe frame member 66. The end of the rod 65 is threaded to receive nut 61 and washer 68. vInterposed between the washer 68 and the hole in the frame member 66 and surrounding the rod 65 is coil spring 69.`

The opposite end of the brake'l band is pivoted upon the bar 10, non-rotatably mounted upon the shaft 1|. Shaft A1| terminates in a handle 12 for the actuation of the brake.

Mounted upon lthe opposite end of the cable take-up means 46a is a lug 13 (Figures '1 and 12). Pivotally mounted upon the cross beam 14 of the frame is the pawl element 15 held in posi` tion by gravity and the' coil spring 16 to engage the lug 13 to permit the rotation of the shaft 48 in one direction only (counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 12). Secured to the said pawl element 15 is the handle 11 mounted to withdraw the element 15 from lits engagement with the lug 13 to permit rotation of the shaft 48 in either direction.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, I show the body portion of the wagon I9 mounted upon the longitudinalframe member 32, and the longitudinal frame member 30 mounted upon the wagon chassis. The said longitudinal frame members are pivoted together at the left-hand end (as viewed in Figure 2) by a hinge 18 or other similar means. The drive shaft 23 extends completely through the casing 50, and terminates at the rear portion of the wagon. Additional wagons may be towed by the first wagon by towing bar 22, and the lifting mechanism upon such additional wagons may be actuated by extending the shaft 23 by means of the universals 25 to connect with the lifting mechanism of such additional wagons.

Having described one particular structure embodying my invention, its operation will now be described.

With the drive shaft 23, attached by universals 24 to the tractor power take-off, and with the latter in operation, the said drive shaft 23 willI be turning over idly if the handle 56 were in a lifted position and the clutch 53 and 54 thereby disengaged. To start the operation of the lifting mechanism, handle 58 is depressed, rotating shaft 51 counterclockwise (as seen in Figure 11), lug 55 thereupon engaging the right-hand side of the collar 56 moving the clutch member 54 into engagement with the clutch member 53, causing the rotation of worm 52, gear 5I and the shaft 48. The cable take-up means 46 will then begin to take up on the cables 39. I prefer to use a considerable ratio on the cable and pulley means to minimize strain on the cables. In the particular embodiment shown, I prefer a 13 to 1 ratio. Winding up of the said cable will cause a shortening of the distance between the shaft 36 and the spreader means 33, and (as the shaft 3-6 is secured to the arms 26 and 21), the said spreader means will move towards the said shaft 36. Inasmuch as the said spreader means is interposed between the arms 26 and 21, its motion will cause the arms to spread apart with the result that the right-hand end of the wagon 40 body (as viewed in Figures 2 and 4) will rise, the

left-hand end pivoting on pivot 18, continuing the winding of the cable around the cable takeup means and will continue to shorten the distance between the bar 36 andthe spreader means 33 until the arms have reached the position shown by the dotted figure in Figure 4. It can be seen that as the arms are spread apart, the arm 21 is also raised. As this arm is xed t0 the cross bar 29 in a non-rotatable manner, cross bar 29 will also have rotated a corresponding amount. The rotation of the cross bar 25 actuates the lever 6| to move it to the position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 9, thereby moving the lever 59, rotating the shaft 51, and disengaging the clutch members 53 and 54 when the arms have been spread to an extent predetermined by the position of the lock nuts 62. When the clutch has been disengaged, the cable take-up means will at first, unless held in position by the brake, rotate in the opposite direction until the lug 13 engages the pa'wl element 15 stopping such rotation. To lower the body, the clutch is left disengaged and the brake handle 12 is depressed. The action of the brake band, in conjunction with the coil spring 69, Vserves to rotate the cable take-up means in a counterclockwise direction, (as seen in Figure 12) a suicient distance to allow the pawl element 15 to be disengaged from the lug 13 by a'pull on the handle 11. The force of gravity will cause the body to drop, and the speed of the drop can be regulated by means of the brake.

Inasmuch as the drive shaft v23 vrotates idly when the clutch isy disengaged, 4the body on the second wagon, equipped with similar lifting .a time.

mechanism, can be raised without the necessity of raising the body on the rst wagon.

In fact, a plurality of wagons can be attached in the manner shown in Figure 1, and the bodies on any one or more of them can be raised at any time. By using a plurality of wagons equipped with my lifting apparatus, the farmer can pull the train thus :formed by means of a tractor or a truck into the position where it is desired to dump the first wagon. This wagon can be dumped individually, its body lowered and the entire train moved ahead an additional distance required to bring the second wagon into position for dumping. The second wagon can then be dumped individually and additional wagons moved into position and dumped one at Thus the farmer can achieve in one trip what heretofore has necessitated numerous trips.

The entire lifting unit is secured to the longitudinal frame and cross frames (as shown in the appended drawings). By removing the body from a vehicle, mounting the lifting unit on the chassis, and replacing the body and securing it to the upper longitudinal frames, such vehicles are easily converted into dump wagons or dump trucks.

The unit can be used by itself as a simple and eflcient means for raising weights, such as lifting bales to be loaded upon trucks or wagons, etc. The unit being readily attachable and detachable can be used for a multiplicity of purposes and on a multiplicity of vehicles.

While the invention has been disclosed and described herein in a particular embodiment, it is not intended that the invention is to be limited thereby to the specific disclosure made. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all modications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for raising a vehicle body from a chassis portion comprising: a pair of curved arms arranged in vertical relationship and pivoted together adjacent one end the opposite end of the upper arm being pivoted to the chassis portion adjacent the front end thereof and the opposite end of the lower arm being pivoted to the vehicle body adjacent the front end thereof in such manner vas to cross said arms intermediate the ends thereof, a spreader device interposed between said arms intermediate the point of crossing and the points of pivot to the said chassis and body, and apparatus for actuating said spreader device.

2. A device for raising a vehicle body from a chassis portion comprising: a pair of arms pivoted together adjacent one end with the upper arm pivoted to the chassis portion at the cpposite end thereof and the lower arm pivoted to the vehicle body at the opposite end thereof in such manner as to cross said arms intermediate the ends thereof; spreader means interposed between said arms intermediate the point of crossing and the said ends; and means for actuating said spreader means, including pulley means; said spreader actuating means comprising a power take-off, a driving member driven by said power take-off, a clutch interposed between the power take-off and the driving member, a driven member driven by said driving member, and a cable take-up means rotated by the driven member for operating the pulley means.

3. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 2 including: an annular brake drum rigidly connected to said cable take-up means, a brake band surrounding said drum, `and means for tightening the brake band on the brake drum.

4. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 2 including: means normally permitting the rotation of said cable take-up means in one direction only, and actuating means attached to said motion restricting means for releasing the same to permit rotation of said cable takeup means in either direction.

5. Apparatus of the character -claimed in claim 2 including: a lift-limiting means comprising a lever means associated with said upper arm and actuated .by the motion thereof to disengage the clutch when the arms have been spread to a predetermined extent.

GEORGE F, LEWIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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