US2741506A - Brick lifting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

April 10, 1%56 A. s. MACKENZIE BRICK LIF'TING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 23, 1952 Q 7 /\w mw,%\ T Q\ P my INVENTOR firm raw 5. Mackenzie BY W1 m. aim- ATTORNEY April 10, 1956 Filed Jan. 23, 1952 A. MACKENZlE BRICK LIFTING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qmw SQJMQC/rQ'IZIZ m. nm

dTTORNEY C INVENTOR April 1956 A. s. MACKENZIE 2,741,506

BRICK LIFTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 fina'rew 5 Mac/renal BY Qm TTORNEY United States Patent O ERICK LE TING APPARATUS Andrew S. Mackenzie, St. Paul, Minn.

Application January 23, 1952, Serial No. 267,877

6 Claims. (Cl. 294-62) This invention relates to an improvement in brick lifting apparatus, and pertains more particularly to a device for lifting bricks or other similar objects that have been stacked according to a simple plan presently in widespread use. The instant application is a continuation-inpart of my co-pending application, Serial No. 230,134 filed June 6, 1951, now Patent No. 2,635,912, dated April 21, 1953.

An object of the present invention lies in the provision of an apparatus capable of engaging on opposite sides of a series of rows of bricks and acts to clamp the bricks together so that they may be lifted in unison. Other bricks overlie the rows of bricks being clamped and therefore permit a series of superimposed rows of bricks to be simultaneously lifted. The present device is particularly useful in conjunction with loading and unloading bricks or blocks on trucks and truck trailers, through the use of a hoisting apparatus of the type disclosed in an application for patent, Serial No. 119,651, filed October 5, 1949.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a clamping device which is capable of clamping rows of bricks on opposite sides or" the clamping means. In other words, the clamping means may be positioned in a space between rows of bricks and may act outwardly against the bricks on each side of the clamping means to clamp the rows of bricks againstother cooperable structures.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of an elongated clamping means designed to fit between two spaced rows of bricks and designed to include projectable elements which move laterally against the rows of bricks. In other words, in effect the clamping means expands in width when desired to engage against the bricks and to clamp them against other spaced clamping members.

A further-object of the present invention lies in the provision of clamping means which is actuated by flexible connecting means controlled by the lifting apparatus. Prior to the actual lifting operation, the flexible means acts to expand the clamping means against the rows of bricks and to hold the clamping means in this position during the raising and lowering of the bricks.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of structure for preventing outward lateral displacement of any of the rows when the bricks are subjected to clamping pressure.

The invention also has for an object to provide sufficient clamping force so that there is practically no danger of any of the bottom bricks slipping from the pile.

The invention further contemplates the provision of structure whereby the various clamping members are actuated in a manner to exert what might be termed individual or independent forces on the bricks, whereby compensation is made for discrepancies in alignment due to improper stacking and of course to difierences in manufacturing tolerances of the bricks.

' These and other objects and novel features ofmyin- 2,741,506 at nt d Ar .10, .9

2 vention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and drawings.

In the drawings forming a'pa'rt of my specification:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a pile of bricks showing the brick clamping means used in con unction therewith.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of a portion of the pile of bricks and the'clamping units showing the elevating mechanism disengagedfrom' the clamping units.

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevaticnal view of a portion of the mechanism'showingthe brick clamping units in brick clamping position. Figs. 4 and 5 are views taken in the direction of line 5-5'of Figure 6, the central dust plate having been removed for the sake of visibility of the parts beneath. While Figure 5 represents the position of the various parts shown in Figure. 6 as they appear in clamping relation, it is to beunderstood that Figure 4 represents the position of, these sameparts before a clamping force has been applied. T

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 6'-6 of Figure 5.

The device is best equipped to handle generally a rectangular pile of brick or other similar block material, which has as its lowest layer a series of rows of brick in spaced relation supporting the remainder of the pile. For example in Figure 2 'of the drawings it will be noted that the rectangular stack of bricks indicated in general by the letter A is supported by longitudinal rows of bricks indicated by the numerals 10, 11 and 12. Each of these rows of bricks comprises two rows arranged in surface contact'and located at substantially the center of the bricks 13 of the next adjacent row. As a result of this construction generally rectangular passageways 14 are provided between the brick rows 13, i1 and 12 and the bricks of the lowermost tier of the rectangularly arranged block overhang" the end rows 16 and 12 to provide longitudinally extending spaces 15 beneath the last rows of bricks of the series.

In order to pickup. the bricks and to carry them while still retaining the stack formation, I provide a series of elongated clampingunits indicated in general by the letter B. These clamping units are designed to extend through the longitudinal-passages 14 beneath the stack of bricks A. To absorb the 'reaction 'of'the clamping units B, there are employed outer members designated generally by the letter C which extend beneath "the'edges of the stack of bricks in the spaces'1 5. Both'the clamping units B and the reaction'members C, which latter of course cooperate in the performing of the clamping function, are of sufficient length 'to extend completely through the stack of bricks and to project slightly to either side thereof as best viewed'in-'Figure 1.

Describing the clamping units B, these units include a basic framework structure or skeleton 16 comprised of a pair of elongated sidebars 17 and 19 retained in spaced parallelism by end partitions 20, spaced intermediate partitions 21, and preferably a dust plate or protetcor 18. (See- Figure 6 The surmounted plate 13 is intended to shield the hereinafter described movable parts from any foreign matter that might drop from the bricks above. Each end partition 20 is provided with a pair of apertures 22 and 23, for the accommodation of a pair of sheaves 24' and 25 which are pivotally mounted on offset axes 26 and 27 for a purpose later to be explained. The intermediate portions21 are provided with apertures 29 and 30 therethrough to slidably support a pair of movable rods 31and 32. Thus, it' will'be observed that the rods 31 and 32. may be moved longitudinally relative to the spaced bars 17 and 19.

As best seen; from, Figures. 4. and 5, remembering that thesnfiglll'esshow only a fragment of the complete units V stack A is not uniformly distributed. a a

' B, the rod 31 carries a series of spaced, fixed collars 33 and 34 thereon, one of each being shown in these two figures, and the rod 32 similarly carries a corresponding number of collars designated by the numerals 35 and 36. Interposed between the various collars 33, 34, and 35, 36 and circumscribing the rods 31 and 32 are springs 37 and 39 abutting the collars 33 and 35 at one end and a pair of cam blocks 46 and 41 at the other end. The cam blocks 40 and 41 are each provided with a passage of slightly larger diameter than the rods 31 and 32 so that the cam blocks are fully slidable upon said rods.

Afiixed to, or integral with, the I-beams or bars 17 and 19respec'tively, are bearings'42 and 43 equipped with bifurcated ends which are drilled to accommodate pivots 44 and 45, thereby serving as pivot supports for bell crank or angular levers 46 and 47. .Hingedly connected at the distal ends 49 and 56 of the levers 46 and 47 are clamping plate members 51 and 52, whereas the opposite distal ends 53 and 54 of the levers 46 and 47 serve as followers for the cam blocks 46 and 41, 'said cam blocks being notched or cut out at 55 and 56 for the reception of the leverends 53 and54. Stated otherwise, the ends of the notches 55 and 56 form shoulders or cam surfaces for the engaging of the lever ends 53 and 54. As best learned from Figure 6, the lower face of the cam block 40 is notched, and the upper face of the block 41 is notched,

thereby permitting the levers 46 and 47 to cross each other for a purpose best reserved for full comprehension when later considering the operation of the apparatus.

This arrangement of course places the rods 31, 32 and the cam blocks' i'll, 41 at different elevations, as will be clearly seen from an examination of Figure 6.

For transmitting moving force to the rods 31 and 32, I secure the ends of a cable 57 to the ends of the rods, as by means of set .screws or by brazing. Each cable 57 'is directed about the sheaves 24 and 25 into a vertically extending relation and is trained over a pulley 59 of a pulley block 66; The pulley block 60 is in turn provided with an eye 61 by which it may be lifted, a hook 62 suspended at the end of a chain 63 being readily engageable with said eye 61. The upper end of each chain 63,

7 there being one at each end of each unit B, connects with a cross arm 64 at each side of the stack of bricks A, the cross arms being suspended by lifting cables 65 which are connected to a hoist (not shown). It will be appreci- Beneath the cross arms 64 are additional cross arms 66, these being coiled springs 67 for supporting the unloaded lower arms 66 (referring to the position assumed in Figure 2) from the upper arms 7 64. Also extending between the cross arms 64 and 66 is a pair of stud elements 69,the lower ends of which are made fast to the arms 66, whereas the upper end portions extend freely through a pair of apertures 79, said upper end portions having nut members 71 threaded thereon in an upwardly displaced 'relation to the arm 64 when the arm 66 is freely supported by the spring 67 without elongation thereof. .The exact functioning of the studs 69 and nuts.

'71 will be made more apparent hereinafter, although it may be stated at this point that thestuds 69 actually shoulder: the entire brick load during any elevation of i the bricks A.

Two different types or designs of brackets 72 and 73 are rendered slidable on the cross arm 66 by virtue of crosswise apertures 74 and 75 through each bracket, these apertures accommodating the arm 66. Each bracket 72 and 73 is'provided'with a thumb screw 76 which threadsthrough the forward side of each bracket into engagement with the arm 66 to make the brackets fast relative to the arm 66 once said brackets have been individually adjuste into an optimum position. 5

The brackets 73 and 72 are both designed to transmit respectively lifting force from the arm 66 to the units and CI Accordingly, the brackets 72 are fabricated with two rectangular apertures 77 extending therethrough. The extreme ends of the bars 17 and 19 are notched at 79 adjoining their lower surfaces in order that the brackets 72 may be placed thereover with the units B resting on the ground or other supporting surface 73 without interference from said ground or supporting surface. Since the members C are of relatively simple construction, being.

generally channel shaped and provided with projecting ends 89 notched at their bottoms Sit, the'brackets 73 need have only one rectangular aperture '82 each for engagement and support of the end 39. p

The operation of the apparatus is'fairly simple and should be apparent from the following operational sequence. Preparatory to beginning any part of the actual passages 14 and spaces 15, and the cables 65 are lowered so that the lower cross arm 66 suspends the, brackets 72 and '73 just above the unit s B and C,Whereupon the brackets may be laterally moved into superjacency with the units B and C. Further lowering of the cables 65 may then be made until the brackets 72 and 73 rest upon the ground 78 or are slightly spaced thereabove. The several brackets may then be easily moved so that the apertures 77 and 82 thereof are in registry with the ends of the members 17, 19 and ends 843, whereupon once having made the desired engagement of the brackets 72 and 73'yvith said ends, the thumb screws 76 are firmly tightened against the arm 66. Of course, it will be under stood that the members C should be positioned closely adjacent or contiguous the outer rows 10 and 12 of bricks to thereby minimize or eliminate any lateral shift ing of these rows during the clamping phase about tobe described. 7

During the initial raising of the arm 64 by means of the cables65, it will be apparent that the springs 67 cause a corresponding raising of the lower arm 66 to thereby bring the members 17, 19 and C into an abutting relation with the underside of the next to' bottom tier of bricks, much like the relative positioning of the parts pictured in Figure 3, but as yet without the plates 51 and 52 being urged into clamping position." From the moment the upward movement of the brackets 72 and 73 is arrested by the above mentioned abutting contact, the springs 67 thereafter startfto yield, permitting further upward movement of the cross arm 64 but not the arm 66, since the nuts 71 on the studs 79 are still spaced above the arm 64. It is during this stage that the chains 63 exert a tensional pull upon the rods 31 and 32 via the pulleyblocks '60 and the cables 57. .Prior to this particular portion of the operationthe parts remain in the relative positions shown in Figure'4, but the upward pull on the various cables 57 willslide the respective rods 31 and 32 outwardly to cause the collars 33 and 35 to, compress the springs 37 and 39 against the, cam blocks 40 and 41. The

compression of the springs 37 and 39 into the condition 7 shown in Figu e 5 of course causes the blocks illand 41 to cam against the ends 53 and 54 of the levers 46 and 47, these bell crank levers 4-6 and 67 in turn urging the clamping plates 51" and 52 in opposite directions into clamping engagement with the various bricks each plate is directed against. From Figure 1 it will be seen that each rod 31 or 32 is responsible for actuating four clamping plates, although any practical number could be used, and that each rod 31 and 32- exte'nds half the length of each unit 13. 'The two rods 31 and the two rods 32 of each unit B, which rods are in axial alignment with each other, move in outward or opposite directions from a central inner point, one rod 3i and one rod 32 being moved by one cable 57and the other rods 31 and 32 of the same unit B being moved in an opposite direction by a second cable 57. The total number of pairs of cables 57 required is obviously multiplied by the number of units B that are employed.

In devising the pr ctical embodiment of my invention selected for purposes of illustration, 1 have endeavored to secure as much leverage from the levers 45 and 47 as is possible with the limited space available, and in this connection, only hereinbefore briefly commented upon, it is to be observed that the arms of the levers carrying the ends 53 and :74 across each other at different elevations to provide an enhanced leverage. Thus, the right hand cam block 3 is the actuator for left hand lever 47, and the left hand block 43 is the actuator for the right hand lever 46, as viewed in Figures 4 and 5.

Cognizance of a further feature should be had at this .'me, the feature concerning the individual and automatic co. pensation afiorded each clamping plate 51 or 52 of he entire series. By employing a plurality of springs 7 and 39 (Figure 1), it will be appreciated that the egr c of compression may vary between any two springs,

urged tightly into engagement with its associated brick. For example, should one brick be quite near one of the clamping plates, then that plate will not have to travel as far as some of the others will with the consequent result that the spring 37 or 39 controlling that plate will he severely compressed.

nether thing that perhaps may be commented upon at this time is the fact that the members C absorb effectively the various force components produced by the p ates 51 and 52, the outer rows 19 and 12 being urged thereagainst by the plates 51 and 52 carried as part of the units l3 within the passageways 14. Thus the members C serve in the capacity or reaction members.

Continuing the description of the operational sequence, the continued raising of the arm 64 after contact of the arm 64 with the nut members 71 will then cause the lower cross arm 6-6 to be lifted by means of the studs 59. Because of the direct and inflexible mechanical connection existing between this arm 66 and the members l7 and 19, as well as the members C, by way of the brackets 72 and 73, any lifting of the arm 66 will cause the members 17, 1.9 and C to lift against the bottom side of the second tier, to thereby elevate the entire stack of bricks A. During this last mentioned phase, th arm 64 remains relatively displaced from the arm 66 to thereby maintain a full clamping action of the clamping plates 51 and 52 against the bricks they have initially been urged into engagement with.

When the elevated pile A is to be set down, a reverse procedure automatically akes place. However, it should perhaps be noted that the collars 34 and 36 urge the cam blocks 4% and ll from the position shown in Figure 5 to tha shown in Figure 4, thus releasing clamping pressure of the plates 51 and 52 from the bricks.

In accordance with the patent statutes, 1 have described the principles of construction and operation of my brick lifting apparatus, and while I have endeavored to set .nd that any particular plate 51 or 52 will be assuredly forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1 claim:

1. A brick lifting apparatus for use between rows of bricks, the apparatus including elongated supports designed to extend between said rows of bricks in parallel relation, clamping means supported by said elongated supports and engageable with the rows of bricks on opposite sides of said supports, clamping means actuating members slidably supported upon each of said supports for individually operating the clamping means on each side of said supports, a flexible connection connecting the members on each support for actuating these memers in unison, a pulley through which the intermediate part of each flexible connection extends, means connected to said supports for lifting the same, an arm supported above said lifting means, means connecting said pulleys to said arm to actuate said clamping means upon upward movement of said arm, and means connecting said lifting means to said arm for raising said lifting means after said pulleys have been lifted a predetermined distance.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 and in which the elongated supports are adjustable with respect to said lifting means for movement a greater or lesser distance apart.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 and in which the lifting means includes an arm, and members adjustable longitudinally of said arm and engageable with said lifting means.

4. A brick lifting apparatus for use between spaced rows of bricks supporting a stack of bricks, the apparatus including an elongated support designed to extend through each space between the spaced rows of bricks and to project on both sides of the stack, clamping means on said support designed to engage against the spaced rows of bricks, a transverse arm designed to extend along each said side of the stack of bricks, means adjustably supported on each said arm designed to detachably secure the arms to the ends of the elongated supports, and hoisting means connected to said arms.

5. The structure described in claim 4 and in which the adjustably supported means are slidable longitudinally of said arms.

6. The structure described in claim 4 and including means detachably connected to said hoisting means and to said clamping means for actuating said clamping means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,094,762 Strickland Oct. 5, 1937 2,250,273 Priester July 22, 1941 2,527,103 Noaclr et a1. Oct. 24, 1950 2,530,375 Cartwright Nov. 21, 1950 2,635,912 Mackenzie Apr. 21, 1953

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