US2796997A

US2796997A - Remote control system for truck mounted cranes

Info

Publication number: US2796997A
Application number: US394700A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lavern R Iserman
Original assignee: UNITED EQUIPMENT ACCESSORIES Inc
Current assignee: UNITED EQUIPMENT ACCESSORIES Inc
Priority date: 1953-11-27
Filing date: 1953-11-27
Publication date: 1957-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 1974-06-25

Description

June 25, 1957 L. R. ISERMAN REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TRUCK MOUNTED CRANES I II INVENTOR Lavem R. lserman ATTORNEYS June 25, 1957 R. ISERMAN 2,796,997

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TRUCK MOUNTED CRANES Filed NOV. 27, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. F G 8 Lovern R. lsermon ATTORNEYS O United States REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FGR TRUCK MOUNTED CRANES Lavern R. Iserman, Waverly,

Equipment Accessories, Inc., ration of Iowa Iowa, assign-or to United Waverly, Iowa, a corpo The present invention relates to improvements in remote control systems and more particularly to an improved system for remotely controlling a truck from the swing platform crane cab rotatably mounted thereon. The present invention constitutes an improvement over the unit disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 292,219 filed June 6, 1952, and now Patent No. 2,761,569.

While it has been desirable to effect operation of both the declutching and shifting mechanisms of the truck by means other than electrical controls of the crane cab a serious limitation has been present in view of the relative rotation between the crane cab and truck chassis. Specifically, it has been found that the interconnection between the control means of the crane cab and the operating mechanism on the truck must be made through the center pin conventional in such arrangements. In my prior application, operation of the declutching mechanism was effected by a foot operated pressure cylinder mounted on the crane cab, the interconnection being by means of the conduits passing through the center pin, which conduit was provided with a rotatable coupling about the center pin whereby relative rotation between the operating lever on the swing platform and truck chassis would not be interfered with.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved remote control system wherein not only the declutching means is non-electrically effected but also wherein shifting is effected by non-electrical control means on the crane cab swing platform.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved remote control system for truck mounted cranes wherein the interconnection between the nonelectrical control means on the swing platform and the operating mechanism on the truck occupies a minimum of space so that the bore through the center pin need not be of excessive size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved remote control system wherein the interconnection between the clutching and shifting control means on the crane cab swing platform and the respective operating means therefor on the truck utilize a common member which extends through the center pin to effect operative interconnection through the center pin.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow. Generally speaking, my invention utilizes declutching means similar to that disclosed in my referred to copending application. However, the conduit section extending through the centerpin must have its lower end formed from flexible material and its upper end must be modified by the inclusion of a rotatable coupling to which a lever is connected whereby upon operation of the lever the conduit section through the centerpin is longitudinally reciprocated. Connected with the portion of the conduit below the centerpin is a valve means which is operated by reciprocation of the conduit section .and which controlsfluid pressure to a cylinder which constitutes a storr and plun er'arrang'ement which is 7 atet The'remote control me connected with the shifting lever of the truck for operation thereof. V

The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the remote control system of the present invention as applied to a truck mounted crane;

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of theclutch operating means; i

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the remote control means for the clutch operating means; i T

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the operating means for shifting;

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the remote contr'olmeans for the shifting means;

Fig. 6 is a detail .view showing the valve means by which shifting is effected in response to operation of the means of Fig. 5; i Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 77 of Fig. 5; I

Fig. 8 is a detail somewhat diagrammatic view showing a modified arrangement utilizing pressure rather than vacuum; and e Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantiallyron the line 9-9 of Fig. 4. i. f

Referring particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals'designate like parts throughout, and with particular attention being given to Fig. 1, it will be seen that there is provided a truck mounted crane designatedgen erally by the numeral 10 which includes a truck cab' 12 and chassis 14 with a swing platform 16 rotatably mounted on'the chassis 14. In the truck cab a plurality of-oper' ating mechanisms are providedpeach of which is adapted to operate one of the essential driving mechanisrhsof the truck. Of these operating mechanisms, there is included an acceleration operator designated generally by the number 18, a shifting operator. designatedgenerally bythe numeral 20, a steering operator designated generally by the numeral 22, a clutching operator designated generally a by the numeral 24 and a braking operator designated generally by the numeral 26. There is also provided'a parallel ignition circuit designated generally by 'the numeral 23 for effecting ignition of the truck electrical system. Still further, there is provided a starter operator designated generally by the numeral 30, abrake locking means designated generally by the numeral 32. Of the foregoing operators the acceleration operator 18, 'steering operator 22, braking operator 26 and also the ignition circuit 28, starter opertor 30, and brake locking means 32 are substantially identical with that disclosed in the above'referred to copending application. Therefore, it is deemed that a more detailed description of these operators is unnecessary as reference may be had to that application for the details of construction and operation.

The remote control system for effecting operationof the operating mechanism above referred to is comprised of electrical control means designated generally by the numeral 34 and non-electrical control means designated generally by the numeral 36. The electrical: control means 34 are substantially identical with that disclosed in my copending application with the exception that there is omitted the electrical switch means for controlling the operation of the shifting mechanismiQf the truck. The electrical control means 34 utilize sleeve means 38 which isass ociated with the center pin ,40. The sleeve means 38 is substantially identical with that disclosed in the referred to application with the exception that fewer brush means are required in view of the V omission of electrical controls forthe' shifting" operator." Ag y,

of electrical switches mounted on a panel 42 carried by the swing platform 16. The lead wire 44 extends from the control panel 42 thatis connected to the battery 45 mounted on the swing platform 16. The other lead from thebattery is of course grounded. .On the panel 42 is provided an ignition switch 46, a push button starter vswitch 48,'a single pole, double throw momentary contact steering switch 50, acceleration switch 52, brake switch 54 and brake locking switch 56. A plurality of conductors 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and .70 interconnect the switch contacts on the panel 42 with the sleeve means 38 on which there are a plurality of brush assemblies 72'identical with those referred to in my copending application. A cable 74 interconnects the plurality of brush assemblies with the various operating mechanisms of the truck, as for example the acceleration operator 18, steering'operator 22 and braking operator 26. The intermediate portion of the cable 74 extends through the bore of the center pin.

The control means 78 by which the clutch operator 24 is operated is as shown in Fig. 3 comprised of a casing 80 in which is mounted a pressure cylinder 82 having a fluid reservoir 84 integrally formed therewith and in communication with the interior of the cylinder 82 by means of the bleed opening 86. A piston 88 is reciprocably mounted in the cylinder 82 and has a shaft 90 extending therefrom for pivotal connection with the lower end of the lever 92. The lever 92 is pivotally mounted about the pin 94 extending transversely of the housing 80 but has its upper end extending outwardly of the housing. A manually operable lever 96 having a pedal 98 secured to its outer end is also pivotally mounted about the pin 94 and has a link 100 interconnecting anintermediate portion thereof with the free end of the lever 92 by means of the pivot pin 102. It will thus be seen that upon depression of the foot pedal 98,.the piston 88 will be axially moved within the fluid pressure cylinder 82 delivering fluid pressure through a conduit generallydesignated 104 and embodying the two

sections

103 and 105.

The clutch operating mechanism 24 is best shown in Fig. 2, reference also being made to Fig. 3'to show the manner in which the fluid pressure is delivered from the remote control to the operating mechanism 24. In conventional truck clutch arrangements, depression of the clutch pedal 106 effects pivoting about the pivot 108 whereby movement of the clutch linkage rod 110 is effected. The clutch operating fork 112 is adjustably mounted on the externally threaded rod 110 by means of a pair of nuts 114. The operative connection be tween the clutch fork and the clutch is substantially conventional.

In order to eifect remote control of the movement of the clutch fork 112, without utilizing a positive mechanical connection, there is provided a single action cylinder 116 carried by the bracket plate 118 which in turn is suitably secured to the frame so as to align the plunger 120 of the piston 122 with the rod 110 of the conventional linkage. The end plate 124 of the cylinder is provided with an opening 126 and nipple 128 to which is connected an end of section 103 of the fluid pressure conduit 104 for supplying fluid pressure upon depression of the pedal 98 (see Fig. 3). The light stopper spring 130 is disposed within the cylinder between the piston 122 and the end 132 to resiliently limit the piston movement and return it to starting position as hereinafter set forth. A stop nut 134 is adjustably mounted on the plunger 120 for engagement with the stop 136 fixedly carried by the bracket for limiting the movement of theplunger. The conventional rod 110 has a push plate 138 suitably carried by the end 140 adjacent the end 142 of the rod 120. I

It willthu's be 'seenthat clutch release must be accomplished bythe depression'of thepedal 98 on the swing platform which thereby supplies :fluid pressure through the conduit 104 to the cylinder 118 whereby the plunger engages the push plate 138, thus effecting movement of the rod 110 and clutch fork 112 connected thereto. Upon release of the pedal 98 the spring in the control means elfects return of the pistons to their initial positions. Of course, clutch release by an operator in the truck cab is not hampered.

In order to permit relative rotation between the swing platform 16 and the truck chassis, the conduit 104 is constituted of a pair of sections swivelly and sealingly interconnected by the swivel joint end 146. Details of the swivel joint 146 are shown in Fig. 5. The joint 146 is thus seen to comprise a pair of recessed

elements

148 and 150 joined together by bolts 152. The substantially vertically extending conduit section 103 is sealingly engaged through an opening in the lower portion 150 while the other conduit section 105 is sealingly connected with the pair of

recess elements

148 and 150. Thus the swivel connection 146 is stationary relative to the conduit section 105 and the two rotate relative to the conduit section 103 as the swing platform rotates relative to the truck chassis. It is to be particularly noted that as opposed to the arrangement as shown in my copending application the conduit section 103 is extended somewhat above the top of the sleeve means 38 for a purpose to be presently described. Furthermore, it is to be particularly noted that the conduit section 103 is at least in part formed of flexible material especially at the portion thereof beneath the center pin, the reason for which will become apparent in the description which follows.

The shift operating mechanism is best shown in Fig. 4 and is mounted on the floorboard 154 of the truck cab by a pair of

brackets

156 and 158 which support the double acting cylinder 160. The pair of ports at 162 and 164 are provided for communicating opposite sides of the piston 166 with a source of vacuum by the hereinafter described conduits whereby the plunger 168 connected to the gear shift lever 170 effects shifting into either forward or reverse from neutral. While truck structures as well as other automotive vehicles have a number of positions for the gear shift other than the forward, reverse and neutral positions referred to, in the operation of the shift mechanism from the swing platform while the crane is in use, itis only necessary to use the forward and reverse positions. When the shift mechanism is operated from the truck cab the connection between the plunger 168 and the gear shift lever 170 may be broken so that the other shift positions can be employed. The piston 166 is comprised of a pair of

discs

172 and 174 clampingly securing therebetween a pair of leather discs 176 and 178. On opposite sides of the piston 166 are positioned a pair of

springs

180 and 182 for normally retaining the piston in the gear shift neutral position. The connection between the plunger 168 and the gear shift lever 17 0 includes a clamp element 184 held on the gear shift lever170 by means of the nut and

bolt

186 and 188. The clamp element 184 is bifurcated at 190 so as ,to receive the flat end 192 of the plunger 168 therebetween. Aligned openings are formed in the fiat end 192 and bifurcated portion 190 respectively and a coupling pin or rivet 194 is engaged throughthe openings.

In order to control operation of the piston 166 I provide a valve means 196 which is fixedly carried by the frame of the chassis preferably adjacent the lower portion of the conduit section 103 as shownbest in Fig. 6. The valve means includes the housing 198, of cylindrical form having a shaft opening at 200 and 202 adjacent its upper and lower closed ends. The medial wall portion of the housing 198 is formed with an opening and a conduit 204 is connected with the housing 198 at this opening, the opposing end of the conduit 204 being connected with tank 206 which in turn is connected with the intake manifold. of'the engine 208 by means of.the conduit 210.

iionduits

212 and 214 which communicate upper and lower portions of the valve housing 198 with opposing ends of the cylinder 160 by the connections or

ports

162 and 164. Reciprocably mounted in the valve housing 198 is a plunger 216 which carries a pair of spaced

pistons

218 and 220, the spacing of which is such as to afford communication between the conduit 204 and only one of the

conduits

212 and 214 at any given time. As shown, when the conduit 204 is communicated with the conduit 214, the plunger 216 and

pistons

218 and 220 are so positioned as to communicate the conduit 212 with atmosphere by means of the ports 198a.

In order to effect operation of the valve means 196, the upper end of the plunger 216 is threadably engaged in a turnbuckle 222, a lock nut fixing the relative adjustment between the turnbuckle and valve plunger 216. The opposing end of the turnbuckle 222 has a link rod 226 threadably engaged therein and locked by the nut 228. The link rod 226 is arcuated and has its upper end portion at 230 lying against the lower end portion of the conduit 103 at which point it is secured by any suitable means such as solder or weld.

The portion of the conduit 103 between the coupling 146 and upper end of the sleeve means 38 is provided with a pair of spaced

collars

232 and 234. On the swing platform 16 are fixed a pair of

upstanding posts

236 and 238 through which a pin 240 extends. A hand lever 242 is pivotally mounted on the pin 240 and has one end portion thereof bifurcated at 244 so as to slidably engage the conduit section 103 between the

collars

232 and 234. The opposing end of the lever 242 is formed with a handle 246. In order to frictionally limit the free pivoting movement of lever 242 a spring 248 is provided and encircles the pin 240 between one of the posts as, for example 236, and the lever 242 whereby the lever 242 frictionally abuts the opposing post 238 (see Figs. 5 and 7).

In operation, when it is desired to shift from reverse to low or vice versa, the operator on the crane cab swing platform 16 depresses the pedal 98 so as to deliver fluid pressure through the conduit 104, embodying

sections

105 and 103 joined by the swing coupling 146. The fluid pressure is thus delivered to the cylinder 118 and longitudinal movement of the rod 120 effects disengagement of the clutch. The operator then moves the lever 242 about its pivotal axis, either up or down depending upon the required shifting. Pivoting of the lever 242 effects vertical movement of the conduit section 103 and the link rod 226 connected therewith. In this manner the valve plunger 216 is moved to either of two positions whereby either side of the cylinder 160 is connected with the vacuum of the cylinder 206 while the other side of the cylinder 160 is connected with atmosphere by one of the ports 198a thus effecting movement of the piston within the cylinder 160 and shifting of the shift lever in the truck cab. As soon as the desired shifting has been effected the operator removes his foot from the foot pedal so as to achieve clutching action.

In view of the foregoing, it will be realized that the flexibility of the

sections

103 and 105 embodied in the conduit 104, are necessary so as to permit reciprocation of the section 103 whereby operation of the valve means 196 is achieved.

While it has been shown that the shifting is accomplished by vacuum means, Fig. 8 shows in somewhat diagrammatic form the provision of a compressor 258 connected with the reservoir 206, the compressor being operated in any desired fashion that is either by a power take-off from the truck or by its own internal combustion engine, or by an electric motor run on the truck battery 252. With this arrangement, of course, the reservoir 206 is not connected with the exhaust manifold of the engine and thus pressure can be delivered to either side of the cylinder 160 for effecting operation of the shift lever .0. thecab ay be embodied in several forms without departing'from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by' the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an earth working machine embodying a motorized truck having, a crane swing platform rotatable on the truck chassis about a pivot post, gear and clutch shift elements; mechanism for remotely controlling the clutch shift element from the crane swing platform comprising a fluid actuated element, means forming an operative coupling between said element and the clutch shift element whereby to effect declutching operation of the shift element when said fluid element is actuated, a power cylinder on the platform, a fluid conduit coupling the power cylinder with the fluid actuated element and having a portion passing axially through said pivot post, said conduit including a swivel coupling positioned to permit turning movement of the power cylinder with the platform, and means on the platform for actuation of the power cylinder by a person thereon for effecting actuation of the fluid actuated unit, and said means forming the operative coupling between the fluid actuated element and the clutch shift element being so constructed and arranged that the clutch shift element is actuatable in the conventional manner from the truck independently of the fluid actuated element.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the said portion of the fluid conduit extends vertically through the pivot post and terminates above the post in said swivel coupling.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the fluid actuated element embodies a fluid cylinder, a piston therein, and a plunger operatively connected with said piston for reciprocal movement and having a free outer end, and said last means comprising a thrust receiving element secured to the clutch shift element in opposed relation with said free outer end of the plunger.

'4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said clutch shift element embodies a threaded stem between the clutch operating foot pedal and the clutch shift fork and said fluid actuated element embodies a fluid cylinder, a piston therein and a plunger connected with the piston and the means forming said operative coupling between the fluid actuated element and the clutch shift element comprising the alignment of said free end of the plunger with said threaded stem and a thrust receiving element on the stem.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said portion of the conduit is axially movable in the pivot post, power means operatively coupled with the gear shift element for actuating the latter in either of two selected directions, means governing operation of the power means, means connected with said axially movable portion of the conduit for shifting the latter, and an operative coupling between said governing means and said portion of the conduit whereby axial movement of said conduit portion in either of two directions effects actuation of the power means through said governing means.

6. In an earth working machine embodying a motor ized truck having, a crane swing platform rotatable on the truck chassis about a pivot post, gear and clutch shift elements; mechanism for remotely controlling the gear and clutch shift elements from the crane swing platform comprising a fluid motor for the clutch shift element, a fluid motor for the gear shift element, each of said motors including a reciprocable piston and a plunger connected therewith, means forming an operative coupling between the plunger of the first motor and the clutc ment, means formingan operative coupling b plunger of the second 0' h shift ele.-. I'

an operating fluid carrying conduit connected at one end with the motor and having a first portion passing freely axially through said pivot post and a second portion sup ported on-the swing platform, a swivel, coupling between said portions of the conduit and the top part of the pivot post whereby the second portion may move with the platform around the pivot thereof, piston means on the platform connected with the other end of said conduit for operation by a person on the platform to efiect actuation of the first motor for declutching movement of the clutch shift element, fluid conduits connected with the second motor for connecting a selected side of the piston thereof with a source of operating fluid, means providing a source of operating fluid, valve means for selectively coupling said source with the last named conduits, means for man- 15 2,674,333

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,140,109 Kellar Dec. 13, 1938 2,161,153 Gallun et a1 June 6, 1939 2,254,192 White Aug. 26, 1941 2,638,232 Perkins May 12, 1953 Zeilman et al. Apr. 6, 1954