US3061113A

US3061113A - Mobile crane

Info

Publication number: US3061113A
Application number: US10966A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter E Johnson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-02-25
Filing date: 1960-02-25
Publication date: 1962-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 1979-10-30

Description

Oct. 30, 1962 w. E. JOHNSON 3,061,113

MOBILE CRANE Filed Feb. 25. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. WALTER E. JOHNSON ATTORNEYS BY xzmvum MOBILE CRANE 3 Sheets$heet 2 BY hm ATTORNEYS Oct. 30, 1962 w. E. JOHNSON Filed Feb. 25, 1960 FIG. 2

Oct. 30, 1962 w. E. JOHNSON 3,061,113

MOBILE CRANE Filed Feb. 25, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. WALTER E. JOHNSON w. WMQW ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,06 l 1 l3 Patented Oct. '30, 1962 3,061,113 MOBILE CRANE Walter E. Johnson, 3211 W. 19th, Topeka, Kans. Filed Feb. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 10,966 16 Claims. (Cl. 212145) This invention relates to mobile railroad or the like crane constructions and more particularly to mobile cranes including power operated extensible and retractable outrigger beams and jacks for stabilizing such cranes during working operations. This application is a continuation-impart of application Serial No. 743,564.

An object of the invention is to provide a crane chassis or carrier having laterally extensible and retractable outrigger beams and operating means of improved construction and operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved operating means for actuating outriggers composed of a plurality of telescoping beams and extensible and retractable jack devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide a telescoping beam outrigger and jack construction equipped with individual actuating means for positively extending and retracting the beams and the jack, the actuating means of a particular set of beams and jack being individually operable by a single operating device of improved construction.

A still further object of the invention is to provide operating means for driving the beam and jack actuating devices and which is so mounted relatively to the actuating devices as to be connected selectively to either the outrigger beam or jack actuating devices.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the kind referred to which is capable of being restrained against undesired movement by being operatively connected to one of the devices adapted to be operated.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is read in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, side elevational View of a mobile railroad crane equipped with apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged View in front elevation with parts broken away and disclosing the apparatus in crane-stabilizing condition;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a. portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is partly side elevational and partly sectional view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2, the section being taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary enlarged view, in front elevation, of a detail of the apparatus;

- FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken in the line 8-8 of FIGURE 7; FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view similar to FIGURE 4, but showing a modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9, but showing the apparatus in an adjusted position; and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken in the line 11-11 of FIGURE 9.

A railroad wrecking crane or the like embodying the principles of the invention is represented in the drawings generally by the reference character 1 and comprises a platform or chassis 2 mounted on wheeled trucks 3 adapted to support the platform for movement over rails 4. On the platform may be mounted a turntable assembly 5 which in turn mounts a crane body 6 and a boom 7 equipped with conventional hoisting devices of various kinds.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG- URES 1-8, the platform 2 includes at each of its four corners an outrigger assembly 8 mounted for extension and retraction along a path extending transversely of the path of travel of the crane. Each of the outrigger assemblies 8 is the same, so only one will be illustrated and described in detail.

As is best shown in FIGURES 1 and 4, a box-like housing structure 9 is mounted at each corner of the platform 2 and in which is slideably mounted an outrigger structure 10 composed of a preferably rectangular, hollow primary beam 11 and a secondary beam 12, the beam 12 being telescopically received in the beam 11, Preferably, upper and lower rollers 13 and 14, respectively, are mounted within the housing structure 9 in any convenient manner and engage the beam 11 so as to -facilitate extension and retraction of the latter relative to the platform 2.

Actuating means 15 is provided for etfecting movements of the outrigger beam 11 and comprises an operating shaft 16 journaled in a bearing support 17 on the structure 9 for rotation about a vertical axis. The upper end of the shaft 16 may be formed as a socket member 18, for a purpose presently to be explained, and the shaft may have a driving pinion gear 19 mounted fast thereon. The gear 19 meshes with a driven gear 19a mounted on a shaft 16a supported by the part 17. As is best shown in FIGURE 4, the box structure 9 is provided with a notch or slot 20 through which the gear 19a projects. Also forming a part of the actuating means 15 is a toothed rack 21 mounted on the beam 11 in a position to mesh with the gear 19a. The construction and arrange- I ment of the outrigger parts thus far described are such that rotation of the gears 19 and 1%: will cause the beam 11 to be extended or retracted, depending on the direc-' tion of rotation of the gears, relative to the platform. along a substantially horizontal path. Since the beam- 12 is located within the beam 11, it will move with the latter.

The beam 12 preferably is generally I-shaped and, as has been referred to previously, it is telescopingly received in the beam 11 and is supported by top and bottom rollers 22 and 22a, respectively, mounted in any convenient manner on the beam 11 so as to facilitate extension and retraction of the beam 12 relative to the beam 11. Means for actuating the beam 12 is designated by.

the reference character 23 and comprises an operating shaft 24 journaled in the beam 11 for rotation about a vertical axis. The upper end 26 of the shaft 24 is formed as a socket for a purpose to be explained. As is disclosed in FIGURE 4, the upper end of the shaft 24 does not extend beyond the upper wall of the beam 11..

The purpose of this construction is to prevent interference between the shaft 24 and the box structure 9 when the;

. outrigger beams are fully retracted.

Mounted fast on the shaft 24 adjacent to its lower end and forming a part of the actuating means 23 is a pinion gear 28 similar to the pinion 19. Another part of the actuating means 23 comprises a rack 29 mounted on the beam 12 in a position to mesh with the pinion 28, the

arrangement being such that rotation of the pinion effects movements of the beam 12 into and out of the beam 11 along a continuation of the horizontal the beam 11.

At the free or outer end of each of the outrigger beams 12 is mounted a jack device 30. Each jack comprises a housing 31 welded or otherwise suitably fixed to the end of the beam 12 and including an inner, vertical chamber 32 closed at its upper end by a closure member 33. The

path traversed by housing 31 terminates at a level above the lower face 3 of the beam 12, as is shown in FIGURE 2, for a purp s to be explained. Welded or otherwise fixed to the member 33 is a vertical guide post 34 which extends a substantial distance into, but not completely through, the chamber 32. Slideably mounted on the guide post 34 1S an externally threaded screw element 35 having a longitudinally extending bore 36 of such size as to accommodate the post 34. The screw element 35 may be provided with a keyway 37 in which loosely fits a key 38 formed in the post 34, the arrangement being such as to permit relative sliding movement of the parts 34 and 35, but prevent relative rotation therebetween.

The lower end of the jack housing 31 is provided with an opening 39 through which the screw element 35 extends, the lower end of the latter being provided with a supporting element or extension 40 which is formed with a flange or plate-like part 41 having a lower surface 42 formed as a section of a spherical surface. A supporting foot member 43 has a lower non-skid surface 44 and an upper surface 45 complementing the curvature of the plate 41. The supporting foot 43 is loosely mounted on the plate 41 by means of a peripheral flange 46 secured to the upper surface of the foot in any suitable manner, as by welding, and arranged to overlie the plate 41. The construction and arrangement of the parts 41-46 are such as to permit the foot 43 to adjust to the inclination of the ground or other object on which it is to rest while permitting the line of force transmitted by the supporting element 40 to be coincident with the longitudinal axis of the latter.

Actuating means 47 is provided for extending and retracting the supporting element 49 and comprises an perating part 48 rotatably mounted in the chamber 32 and receiving the screw element 35. The operating part 43 is internally threaded in a manner to match the threads of the screw element 35 and is provided with external gear teeth 49 adapted to mesh with a pinion gear 50 keyed or otherwise mounted fast at the lower end of an operating shaft 51 which is journaled in bearing supports 52, 52a for rotation about a vertical axis. The upper end 53 of the operating shaft 51 is formed as a socket and preferably is flush with the upper surface of the housing 31 so as to permit the housing 31 to be telescoped into the outrigger beam 11 with the beam 12. As has been pointed out previously, the housing 31 terminates above the level of the lower surface of the beam 12. The purpose of this construction is to Permit the supporting foot to be nested with the beam, as shown in FIGURE 1, thereby enabling the jack device 30 to be telescoped in the beam 11.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG- URES 1-8, operating means 56 (see FIGURE 4) is associated with each outrigger assembly for effecting extension and retraction of the several parts of the assembly. Each operating means 56 preferably comprises a pneumatic wrench of known construction and including a reversible pneumatic motor 57 connected through suitable gearing housed in a gear box 57a to a rotatable spindle 58 having a fitting 59 of such size as drivingly to fit in the sockets of each of the operating shafts 16, 2'4 and 51. As is best shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, the

parts

58 and 59 are rectangular in cross-section, and the fitting 59 telescopes over the spindle 58 for a purpose presently to be explained. The wrench 56 may be connected by a hose 56a to a source of air under pressure, and may include switch and valve means (not shown) to control the operation of the wrench.

Means is provided for supporting the operating wrench 56 in such manner as to enable the latter to reach and operate, while supported, each of the actuating means 15, 23, and 47 in all of their positions of adjustment. The supporting means is indicated generally by the reference character 60 and comprises a plate 61 bolted or otherwise supported on a side frame member 62 of the platform 2 adjacent to each of the four corners thereof.

The plate 61 includes two pairs of vertically spaced cars 63 between which is mounted a pair of collars 64, the latter being rotatably maintained in position by means of pivot pins 65 passing through the ears 63 and the collars 64. Each of the collars has welded or otherwise fixed thereto a laterally projecting wing 66 to which is bolted or welded an arm 67 that is fast with a companion rod 68 of substantial length. The construction and arrangement of the parts of the supporting means described thus far are such that the rods 68 are parallel and are capable of swinging relatively to the crane body about the axes of the pins 65.

Each of the rods 68 slideably receives a telescoping pipe section 69, each of which includes at corresponding ends a yoke 71?. The yokes 70 are adapted to receive mounting :langes 71 of a clamp element 72 which comprises a strap 73 fixed to both of the flanges 71, but having a free end 74. The strap is adapted to encircle a body portion 75 of the wrench 56 and have its free end 74 removably secured to one of the flanges 71 by means of an anchor bolt 76 so as removably to clamp the wrench to the pipes 69. The flanges 71 are secured to the yokes 70 by means of bolts 71a.

The wrench supporting means is so constructed and arranged that the wrench is capable of being rigidly supported by the clamp 72 in readiness to be shifted linearly or angularly to and from a position in which the Wrench may operate any of the actuating devices. In practice, the wrench supporting parts 69 normally are in their retracted positions, as is indicated in FIGURES 1 and 4, and the telescoping fitting 59 is in a position such that it is fitted into the socket '18 See FIGURE 2. In these positions of the parts, the wrench and its associated apparatus are positively restrained against either linear or angular movement.

In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIG- URES 9l1, those parts of the apparatus which are the same as parts previously described are identified by identical reference characters. The differences between the earlier described embodiment and the embodiment disclosed in FIGURES 9-11 reside mainly in the wrenchsupporting means and in the wrench itself and these elements are indicated generally in FIGURES 9-l1 by the reference characters 611a and 5612, respectively. The structural elements of the supporting apparatus 60a are identical to those previously described and, consequently, bear the same reference characters. In the modified embodiment, however, the arms 67 are spaced from the collars 63 and the ears 64 so as to provide a clearance C. The clearance C is provided to permit the arms 67 and the rods '68 to pivot relatively to the plate 61 about the axes of the mounting bolts 67a.

The flanges 71 in the modified construction are shortened so as to provide a clearance C between themselves and the base of the yokes 70, thereby enabling the strap 73 and the wrench 56b to pivot relatively to the yokes 70 about the axes of the bolts 71a.

Due to the provision of the clearances C and C, the parts of the supporting apparatus 60a constitute a 4-bar parallelogram ilinkage by means of which the wrench 56b is capable of vertical movement. As a result, the spindle 58 of the wrench can have its lower end formed as a fitting adapted to be received in any of the sockets of the several actuating devices. Stated differently, the telescoping construction of the wrench 56 may be dispensed with inasmuch as the wrench '56!) itself is capable of vertical movement. The sizes of the clearances C and C need be only sufliciently large to assure that the wrench 56b is capable of vertical movement of such scope as to permit the fitting on the spindle 58 to seat not only in the socket of the actuating means 15 but also in the socket of the actuating means 23. During movement of the crane from place to place, the spindle fitting will be seated in the socket of the actuating device 15 so as to support both the wrench and its supporting apparatus 60a in substantially horizontal position.

A crane equipped with apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and located at the site of its working operations is conditioned for operation by .ex-, tending the outrigger beams 11 and 12 laterally of the path of travel of the crane and by extending the screw element of the jack'dcvice 30 until its supporting foot 43 engages a supporting surface which, as is shown in FIG- URE 2, may comprise a number of timbers T arranged on the road bed R adjacent to the tracks 4.

To effect extension of the outrigger beams and the jack device, the wrench may be operated to cause rotation of the fittings 59 or 59:: while the wrench is in the position shown in FIGURE 2 or FIGURE 9. Rotation of the fitting in a predetermined direction will effect operation of the actuating means 15 so as to cause the beam 11 to be extended laterally of the chassis 2. Lateral movement of the beam 11 will cause corresponding movement of the beam 12 and the jack device 30 inasmuch as the latter are mounted in the beam 11.

When the beam 11 has been extended a desired distance, the fitting 59 or 59a may be lifted out of the socket 18 so as to disconnect the wrench from the operating shaft 16. Thereafter, the wrench may be swung and extended to such position'that the fitting mayregister with the socket 26 at the upper end of the operating shaft 24. See FIGURES 3 and 10. The wrench then may be operated to effect rotation of the shaft 24 in such direction as to cause the beam 12 to be extended relatively to the beam 11.

When the beam 12 has been extended a desired distance, the wrench fitting may be lifted to disconnect the latter from the shaft 24, and the Wrench swung and extended so as to enable the fitting to be seated in the socket at the upper end o-f the jack operating shaft 51. The Wrench then may be operated to effect rotation of the shaft 51 in such direction as to cause the supporting foot 43 to be extended vertically downwardly relative to the housing 31 and engage the upper surface of the top timber T or other supporting surface. In these positions of the parts, the

beams

11 and 12 will be canted somewhat so as to disengage them from the

rollers

13, 14 and 22a so as to be frictionally engaged by their respective housings.

To retract the outrigger beams and jack device, it is necessary only to reverse the procedure just described.

As is apparent from FIGURES 2 and 10, the socket 26 is at a lower level than the socket 18. The socket 53' of the jack is at an even lower level. Thus, the relative lengths of the wrench shaft 58 and the telescoping fitting 59, and the size of the clearances C and C must be such that the wrench fitting is capable of movement a distance at least as great as the distance from the socket 18 to the socket 53. Also, the lengths of

parts

68 and 69 must be such as to enable the wrench to be extended to operate all of the

devices

15, 23, and 47 in all of their positions of relative adjustment.

As will be apparent from FIGURE 3, the

several operating shafts

16, 24 and 51 are located at varying distances from the longitudinal center of the path of reciprocation of the

beams

11 and 12. An important characteristic of the invention, therefore, is the ability of the wrench 56 to partake of such movement relative to the chassis 2 as to be capable of connection to and operating each of the

actuating devices

15, 23 and 47 while being supported on the apparatus 60.

The disclosed embodiments are representative of preferred forms of the invention, but are intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a mobile crane or the like construction, a mobile platform member; an outrigger member; means mounting said outrigger member for extension and retraction relative to said platform member; first actuating means reacting between said platform member and said outrigger member for effecting movements of the latter relative to said platform member; a jack device having an extensible and retractable supporting element; means mounting said jack device on said outrigger member for movement of said element relative to said outrigger member; second actuating means spaced from said first actuating means and operatively connected to said element for effecting movements of said element relative to said outrigger mem-, ber; operating means for effecting operation of said first and second actuating means; and means mounting said operating means on said platform member for extension and retraction relative to the latter so as selectively to enable connection of said operating means to either of said first and second actuating means. i

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second actuating means are located at different levels and wherein said operating means includes a part adjustable to each of said different levels.

3. In a mobile crane or the like construction, a mo bile platform member; an outrigger member, means mounting said outrigger member for extension and re-v i traction relative to said platform member; first actuating means reacting between said platform member and said outrigger member for effecting movements of the latter relative to said platform member; a jack device having an extensible and retractable supporting element; means mounting said jack device on said outrigger member for movement of said element relative to said outrigger mem-. her; second actuating means spaced from saidfirst actuat-- ing means and operativelyconnected to said element for effecting movements of said element relative to said outrigger member; operating means for effecting operation of said first and second actuating means; and means mounting said operatingmeans on said platform member, for extension and retraction relative to the latter so as selectively to enable connection of said operating means to either of said first and second actuating means, said mounting means comprising a telescoping device connected to said operating means and rotatably connected to said platform.

4. The construction set forth in claim 3; wherein said telescoping device includes a first pair of parallel members connected to said platform and a second pair of parallel members telescopingly mounted on said first pair of members and connected to said operating means.

5. In a mobile crane or the like construction, a mobile platform member; an outrigger member; means mounting said outrigger member for extension and retraction relative to said platform member; first actuating means reacting between said platform member and said outrigger member for effecting movements of the latter relative to said platform member; a jack device having an extensible and retractable supporting element; means mounting said jack device on said outrigger member for movement of said element relative to said outrigger member; second actuating means spaced from said first actuating means and operatively connected to said element for effecting movements of said element relative to said outrigger member; operating means for effecting operation of said first and second actuating means; telescoping frame means supporting said operating means; and means swingably mounting said frame means adjacent to said outrigger member on said platform member whereby said operating means may be swung and extended to such positions'as to enable it to operate either of said actuating means.

6. The construction set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second actuating means are located at different levels and wherein said operating means includes a vertically extensible and retractable part operable to adjust to the level of each of said actuating means.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said means mounting said operating means supports said operating means for vertical movements.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said first pair of parallel members are connected to said platform for swinging movements in a vertical plane.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 8 wherein said operating means is mounted on said second pair of parallel movements for swinging movements relative thereto about a substantially horizontal axis.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim wherein said first and second actuating means are located at different levels and wherein said telescoping frame means is pivotally connected to said platform member for swinging movements in a vertical plane for adjusting said operating means to the level of each of said actuating means.

11. In a mobile crane or the like construction, a mobile platform member; an outrigger member having a primary beam mounted on said platform member for extension and retraction relative thereto along a substantially horizontal path, and a secondary beam telescopingly mounted on said primary beam for extension and retraction relative to said primary beam along said substantially horizontal path; first actuating means reacting between said platform member and said primary beam operable to effect movements of the latter along said path; second actuating means reacting between said primary beam and said secondary beam operable to effect movements of the latter along said path; a jack device mounted on said secondary beam and including a supporting element extensible and retractable along a substantially vertical path; third actuating means operatively connected to said element for effecting movements of the latter along said substantially vertical path, said first, second and third actuating means being spaced from one another along said substantially horizontal path and at varying distances therefrom; operating means for operating any selected one of said actuating means; and means mounting said operating means for movement along a path substantially parallel to said substantially horizontal path and for rotation in a substantially horizontal plane so as to enable said operating means to be connected to any selected one of said actuating means in all positions of said primary and secondary beams.

12. The construction set forth in claim 11 wherein said first actuating means comprises a pinion; an operating shaft connected to said pinion and journaled on said platform member for connection to said operating means; and a rack on said primary beam in mesh with said pinion.

13. The construction set forth in claim 11 wherein said second actuating means comprises a pinion; an operating shaft fast with said pinion and journaled on said primary beam for connection to said operating means; and a rack on said secondary beam, in mesh with said pinion.

14. The construction set forth in claim 11 wherein said supporting element comprises a screw threaded part and wherein said third operating means comprises a second threaded part in engagement with the first mentioned part; an operating shaft journaled in said jack device for connection to said operating means; and a pinion mounted on said shaft for rotation therewith, said second part having gear teeth thereon meshing with said pinion.

15. The construction set forth in claim 14 including an attaching element fixed to one end of said supporting element of said jack device, said attaching element having a surface formed on the arc of a circle; a foot member having a surface complementary to said surface of said attaching element; and means carried by said foot member and loosely engaging said attaching element for loosely mounting said foot member on said attaching element.

16. The construction set forth in claim 11 wherein said operating means comprises a pneumatic motor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,008,776 Berney Nov. 14, 1911 1,035,267 Terrill Aug. 13, 1912 2,365,169 Billings Dec. 19, 1944 2,733,817 Course Feb. 7, 1956 2,842,972 Houdart July 15, 1958