US2917195A

US2917195A - Auxiliary support for cable hoist suspended apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2917195A
Application number: US636280A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur F Hanson
Original assignee: United States Steel Corp
Current assignee: United States Steel Corp
Priority date: 1957-01-25
Filing date: 1957-01-25
Publication date: 1959-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 1976-12-15

Description

Dec. 15, 1959 F, so 2,917,195

AUXILIARY SUPPORT FOR CABLE HOIST SUSPENDED APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 195'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ARTHUR F HANSON,

his A llorney.

Dec. 15, 1959 HANSON 2,917,195

AUXILIARY SUPPORT FOR CABLE HOIST SUSPENDED APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flErEL 11? m r A W Wm H his Attorney.

United States Patent AUXILIARY SUPPORT FOR CABLE HOIST susrnnunu APPARATUS Arthur F. Hanson, Proctor, Minn, assignor to United .States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 25, 1957, Serial No. 636,280 8 Claims. (Cl. 214-658) This invention relates to cable hoists for car shakers or other apparatus. More particularly it relates to an auxiliary mechanism for supporting such apparatus independently of the cables by which it is hoisted. The in- .vention further contemplates certain specific improvements which require elevation of the apparatus by its hoist cables before the auxiliary supporting mechanism can be rendered inoperative.

Car shaking apparatus is commonly employed to facilitate unloading of granular material such as coal, coke, iron ore, limestone, and the like from hopper-bottom gondola cars. Such apparatus usually comprises a steel housing having shoes at its ends for bearing engagement with the upper edges of the sides of a gondola car and an eccentric drive for imparting a vibratory motion thereto. It is normally suspended by cables from a hoist for moving it to and from an operative shaking position on a car .to be emptied and the hoist is carried by a supporting frame which may be stationary or part of a trolley carriage. Since the hoistcables are subject to breakage as the result of exposure to the weather and of wear and fraying in normal operation, a hazardous condition is encountered by workmen who must pass beneath the apparatus when it is not in use. The elimination of such hazardous working condition .is one of the principal objects of this'invention.

A further object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary mechanism for supporting car shaking or other apparatus when not in use independently of the hoist cables from which it is normally suspended. Anotherand related object is directed to an improved mechanism for moving an auxiliary support to and from an operative supporting position relative to the apparatus to be supported thereby.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

In the drawings, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a conventional car shaker and cable hoist therefor which is provided with an auxiliary support constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view looking from the right of Figure 1;

Eigure 3 is .an enlarged and detailed elevational view of a portion of the auxiliary support shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IVfIV of Figure 3 Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings show a conventional trolley and cable hoist support for a car shaker 1 of the type used in unloading hopper-bottom gondola cars as described generally above. Since the structural details of the car shaker 1 are also conventional and do not form any part of this invention, they have not been shown and the car shaker has been illustrated fragmentarilyand schematically. It is supported by a pair of laterally spaced cables 2 which are wound on a hoist drum 3.

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The hoist-drum is suspended by a bracket support 4 from a trolley frame 5 having trolley wheels 7 mounting it for movement along a trolley track 9 in the form of an Lbeam the bottom flange of which provides a pair of 5 trackways for the wheels 7. A pair of safety U-shaped loops 10 are bolted to the frame 5 and extend over the track 9 to support the frame in the event that the wheels .7 become disengaged therefrom.

To eliminate hazard by reason of breakage of the 10 cables 2, an auxiliary support is provided for supporting the load of the shaker 1 directly on the trolley carriage frame 5 and for thereby relieving the cables 2 of the load of the car shaker 1 during periods when it is not in use or is being transported by the carriage over :the

trolley track 9 from one location to another. Such auxiliary support is provided by a pair of laterally spaced hook and banger assemblies 11 which may be operated to support the load of the shaker '1 directly on the trolley carriage frame 5. The assemblies 11 are arranged outwardly with respect to eyebolts 12 to which the cables 2 are attached and are thus arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of gravity of the shaker .1. In a manner to'be described, the auxiliary supporting assemblies 11 of this invention are rendered operative by hoisting of the load 1 to a predetermined position with re- ,spect to the frame 5, Subsequently, afurther hoisting movement by the cables 2 is required before the assemblies'11 can be operated to release the load 1 for lowering movement.

Each of the assemblies 11 is comprised of a hanger assembly 13 secured to spaced channels 14 at the bottom of the trolley frame 5 and a hook assembly 15 secured to the upper edge of the load 1. The assemblies 15 respectively provide supporting hooks which have an inverted L-shape facing outwardly relative to each other. I

The hanger assemblies 13 are arranged transversely of the space between the bottom channels 14 and are mounted for pivotal movement to and from an operative sup- 7 porting position under supporting arms on the hook assemblies 15 in a manner to be described.

As best shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, each of the hook assemblies 15 is comprised of a vertically extending plate 16 held by bolts 17 between a pair of spaced lugs 18 Welded to the top plate 19 of the car shaker 1. The plate 16, as indicated above, has an inverted L-shape providing a vertical leg 20 which'has its lower end secured to the load 1 in the manner just described and which has a horizontal supporting arm 21 projecting outwardly from the upper end thereof. The

bottom edge 22 of the arm 21 has a downwardly opening recess 23 and its upper edge provides an outwardly and downwardly sloping camming surface 24 for purposes to be described. A kick plate 25 is secured to the.

mounting lugs 18 in an angular'ly inclined position under the recess 23 also for a purpose to be described.

Each of the hanger assemblies 13 is comprised of a pair of laterally spaced links 26 and a horizontal hook engaging supporting member 27. The upper ends of the links 26 are connected by pivot pins 28 and supporting angles to the bottom channels 14 of the trolley frame 5 for pivotal movement with respect thereto. The horizontal supporting member 27 is in the form of a roller having its opposite ends 29 extending through aligned openings in the lower ends of the links 26. The upper ends 6 of the links 26 as viewed in Figure 3 have inner portions 30 which are flat and act as stops which engage with an angle bar 31 extending between the channels 14 of the frame 5 to limit pivotal movement of the hanger assembly 13 in a counter-clockwise direction beyond the position shown in solid lines, and outer portions 32 which are curved to permit pivotal movement in a clockwise direction to the position shown in broken lines. An angle bar 33 extending between lugs 34 attached to frame serves as a stop for limiting pivotal movement of assembly 13 beyond the position shown in broken lines in Figure 3. v

A spring biased linkage is provided for effecting pivotal movement of the hanger assemblies 13 to their operative supporting positions as shown in solid lines in Figures 1 and 3. This linkage comprises

links

35 and 36 which have their outer ends respectively connected with the hanger assemblies 13. The inner end of the link 36 is connected to one end of a coil spring 37 which has its other end connected through a turnbuckle 38 to the inner end of the link 35. The coil spring 37 exerts a pulling force on the links 35 and .36 which biases the movement of the assemblies to their vertical and operative holding positions as shown in solid lines in the drawings. The biasing force exerted by the spring 37 may be adjusted by operation of the turnbuckle 38.

Outward movement of the hanger assemblies 13 to the positions shown in broken lines in Figures 1 and 3 is effected by a fluid-pressure expansible-chamber motor 40 which is preferably air operated. The motor 40 comprises a cylinder 41'having one end closed by a cap 42 which is pivotally connected by a lug 43 to one of the hanger assemblies 13. A piston rod 44 projects from the other end of the cylinder 41 and has a pivotal connection at its outer end to the other of the hanger assemblies 13. Upon admission of fluid pressure to the motor 40 to move the piston rod 44 outwardly relative to the cylinder 41, the hanger assemblies 13 are pivoted outwardly to the position shown in broken lines against the biasing action of the spring 37. Conventional valve mechanism (not shown) is provided for controlling the admission and exhaust of fluid pressure for operating the motor 40.

In the operative supporting position of the assemblies 11 shown in Figure l, the hanger members or rollers 27 are received in the hook recesses 23 (see Figure 3) and the load of the car shaker 1 is supported directlyon the trolley frame 5 thereby relieving the cables 2 of such load. In this position, accidental operation of the motor 40 is ineffective to move the hanger assemblies outwardly since its maximum thrust is ineffective to elevate the load 1 to move the supporting rollers 27 out of the recesses 23. To release the auxiliary support, the hoist drum 3 must first be operated to elevate the load 1 and hook assemblies 11 a sufficient distance to free the rollers 27 for movement outwardly from a position underneath the recesses 23. Thereafter, admission of fluid pressure to the motor 40 is effective to pivot the hanger assemblies 13 outwardly so that the load It may be lowered by operation of the cables 2. Prior to admission of fluid pressure to the motor 43 for this purpose, outward movement of the hanger assemblies 13 may be effected in part by engagement of the rollers 27 with the kick plates 25 which are designed to protect against damage by reason of elevation of the load l to an extent greater than necessary to clear the rollers 27 with respect to the hook recesses 23. To prevent excessive elevation of this character, a limit switch (not shown) is provided for stopping the operation of the drive motor for the hoist drum 3. After lowering movement of the load 1 and exhaust of fluid pressure from the motor 40, the biasing spring 37 becomes effective to return the hanger assemblies 13 to the positions shown in solid lines. Such return movement, it will be recalled, is limited by engagement of the stops 3% with the frame angle 31.

To reengage the auxiliary support of this invention after the car shaker it has performed its intended operation, it is only necessary to elevate the load 1 by operation of the hoist drum 3 and cables 2. As the hook assemblies 15 move upwardly, the camming surfaces 24 on their horizontal supporting arms 21 engage the rollers 27 and pivot the hanger assemblies 13 outwardly against the action of the biasing spring 37. As such upward movement is continued, the hook arms 21 move to a position in which the biasing action of the spring 37 becomes effective to return the hanger assemblies 13 to the positions shown in solid lines with the rollers 27 arranged under the hook recesses 23. A subsequent lowering movement of the load 1 through a small vertical distance, which may be effected for example merely by opening the control circuits (not shown) of the drive motor for the hoist drum 3, is only necessary to engage the rollers 27 in the hook recesses 23 and to thereby render the assemblies 11 fully effective for supporting the load 1 directly on the trolley frame 5. In this manner, the cables 2 are relieved of the load of the car shaker and hazard incident to the breakage of the cables 2 when the car shaker apparatus is not in use or is being transported over the trolley trackway 9 is completely eliminated.

While one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In hoisting apparatus including a load suspended by a hoisting drum and a pair of laterally spaced cables from a supporting frame, the combination with said frame of an auxiliary load supporting mechanism comprising a pair of inverted L-shaped load supporting hooks arranged respectively in positions adjacent one of said cables, each of said hooks comprising a vertical member secured at its lower end to said load and a horizontal supporting member projecting outwardly from the upper end of said vertical member, the horizontal members of said hooks extending in opposite directions relative to each other and respectively having a downwardly facing recess on the lower edge thereof, and a pair of assemblies for supporting said load by said hooks on said frame independently of said drum and cables, each of said assemblies comprising a pair of links having pivotal connections at their upper ends With said frame and a horizontal supporting arm extending between and connected with their lower ends, pivotal movement of said links being effective to swing said supporting arms 'to and from operative supporting positions under said downwardly facing hook recesses, and a common actuating means for simultaneously pivoting said assemblies comprising a fluid pressure expansible chamber motor having pivotal connections at its ends with each of said assemblies. 7

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized by said actuating means further comprising a spring biased linkage means including a pair of links respectively having connections at their outer ends with one of said assemblies and a coil spring connecting their inner ends.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized by a pair of stops on said frame for engaging and limiting pivotal movement of said assemblies in a direction away from their said operative supporting positions.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized by a pair of inclined kick plates secured to said load respectively at the base of one of said hook vertical members for engaging said horizontal arms to pivot said assemblies in a direction away from their respective operative supporting positions upon upward movement of said load relative to said frame.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized by said fluid pressure motor being effective upon operation to pivot said assemblies and swing said supporting arms outwardly from their operative supporting positions under said hook recesses, and by said actuating means further including a spring biased linkage means biasing the pivotal movement of said assemblies and their supporting arms inwardly to their said operative positions, and camming members on each of said horizontal hook members for engaging and pivoting said supporting arms outwardly against the biasing action of said 5 linkage in response to upward movement of said load and said hooks.

6. In hoisting apparatus including a load suspended by a hoisting drum and a pair of cables from a supporting frame, an auxiliary mechanism for supporting said load on said frame independently of said drum and cables comprising a pair of hooks secured at laterally spaced points to said load, a pair of supporting members respectively having pivotal connections with said frame for movement to and from an operative supporting position under said hooks, a fluid pressure expansible chamber motor having pivotal connections at its ends with said members for imparting simultaneous pivotal movement thereto respectively in opposite rotational directions, said motor being efiective to pivot said members respectively in a single rotational direction, and a spring biased linkage means for pivoting said arms in opposite rotational directions, said linkage means comprising a pair of links respectively connected at their outer ends with difierent ones of said members and a coil spring having connections at opposite ends thereof with the inner ends of said links.

7. An auxiliary load supporting mechanism as defined in claim 6 characterized by one of said coil spring connections including a turnbuckle for adjusting the biasing tension of said spring.

8. In hoisting apparatus including a load suspended by a hoisting drum and a pair of laterally spaced cables from a supporting frame, the combination with said frame of an auxiliary load supporting mechanism comprising a pair of inverted L-shaped load supporting hooks arranged respectively in positions adjacent one of said cables, each of said hooks comprising a vertical member secured at its lower end to said load and a hori zontal supporting member projecting outwardly from the upper end of said vertical member, the horizontal members of said hooks extending in opposite directions relative to each other and respectively having a downwardly facing recess on the lower edge thereof, and a pair of assemblies for supporting said load by said hooks on said frame independently of saiddrum and cables, each of said assemblies comprising a pair of links having pivotal connections at their upper ends with said frame and a horizontal supporting arm extending between and connected with their lower ends, pivotal movement'of said links being effective to swing said supporting arms to and from operative supporting positions under said downwardly facing hook recesses, and a common actuating means for simultaneously pivoting said assemblies.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,278,891 Ennis Sept. 17, 1918 1,332,192 Anderson Mar. 2, 1920 1,346,160 Barlow July 13, 1920 1,461,454 Reilly July 10, 1923 2,626,720 Woody Jan. 27, 1953 2,725,154 Hendricks Nov. 29, 1955