US3165344A

US3165344A - Lifting hook with unloading link

Info

Publication number: US3165344A
Application number: US302529A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ronald W Holder
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-08-16
Filing date: 1963-08-16
Publication date: 1965-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-12

Description

Jan. 12, 1965 R. w. HOLDER LIFTING HOOK WITH UNLOADING LINK Filed Aug. 16, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V! N TOR RONALD W. H01. 05/? A ffomey Jan. 12, 1965 R. w. HOLDER LIFTING HOOK WITH UNLOADING LINK 3 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 16, 1963 PIE-'- 5 //V VE/V T0 RONALD M. HOLDER By M A flarney Jan. 12, 1965 R- w. HOLDER LIFTING HOOK WITH UNLOADING LINK 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 16, l963 //V VE' N 70/? RONALD n. HOLDER Attorney United States Patent 3,165,344 LIFTING HGOK WITH UNLOADING LINK Ronald W. Holder, 144 Maple St., Manchester, Conn.

Filed Aug. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 302,529

3 Claims. (Cl. 294--67) vide animproved apparatus, as set forth above, which includes a pair of -c" lifting-hooks connected in parallel spaced relation espacially suitable for handling elongated articles such as metal billets, bars and the like; a bail connectedv with the pair of C lifting-hooks; and a unique latching means on the bail whereby the bail can be locked in a position to render the apparatus self-unloading or self-loading by manipulation of the crane hook by the crane operator.

As a corollary to the above, it is another. object of my invention to provide a C lifting-hook apparatus which is completely manipulatable by the crane operator to load,

carry and unload elongated objects without the assistance It is'a further object of my invention to provide a G lifting-hook apparatus of the character described which can be easily loaded andunloaded in closely-confined areas.

after referring to the following specification and attached drawings, in which: t

FIGURE l is a front elevational view;

'FIGURE Z is a side elevational view;

FIGURES 3 through 7 are partial elevational views partly in section showing the sequence of operation of the bail-latching mechanism of the invention from approach to latching position to release from latching position;

FIGURE 8 is a developed view of the cam slot of the invention; and I FIGURES 9 through 14 are generally schematic illustrations of the several steps in. a sequence of operation of the apparatus of the invention being used for transporting a load of billets from the cooling beds to a shipping car. I

Referring more particularlyto the drawings, reference numeral 2 designates generally the apparatus of the invention which includes a pair of upright substantially C-shape members 4 arranged in spaced parallel relation. Each of the members 4 is formed with a lower loadbearing arm 6, an upper arm 8 spaced above and extending substantially parallel with the load-bearing arm 6 and a connecting arm 10 integral with and extending between the

arms

6 and 8 at one end thereof.

A separator beam 12 having an inverted T-slot 14 in its upper side intermediate the ends thereof is connected with and extends between the connecting arms 10 of the members 4, as best shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. A shaft 16 is journaled at its ends in depending projections 18 on the upper arms 8 of the C-shape members 4. The shaft 16 extends transversely between the C-shape members and carries thereon a bail 20 which is rigidly afiixed to the shaft by means of U-bolts 22. The shaft 16 is rotatable in anti-friction bearings 24 contained in the projections 18 so that the bail is tiltable between the C-shape members from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position, as shown by solid lines and broken lines, respectively, in FIGURE 2.

These and other objects will become more apparent A sleeve 26 having a circumferential flange 28 intermediate its ends is rigidly mounted on the bail by means of bolts 30 which pass through the flange 28 and the body of the bail and are secured bynuts 32; As best shown in FIGURES l and 2, sleeve 26 is disposed with its longitudinal axis extending normal to the bail and its ends projecting beyond opposite faces of the bail. A stop frame which includes an abutment plate 34 may be rigidly mounted on the upper arms 8 with the abutment plate projecting above the C-shape members and extending transversely therebetween so as to be engageable by the closed forward end 36 of the sleeve 26 to thereby limit forward movement of the bail.

The opposite or rearward end 38 of sleeve 26 is formed with a reduced-diameter: opening which forms a circumferential shoulder 39 A carn barrel 40 is slidably mounted in the sleeve 26 for relative axial and rotatable The cam barrel 40 is formed with an end portion 42 which normally projects outwardly of the movement therein.

. shoulder 45 at its proximate end and has formed thereon at its distal end a substantially rectangularly-shaped latch 44 which is adapted to cooperatively engage the inverted T-slot 14 in the separator beam 12 to lock the bail 20 in horizontal position, as best shown in FIGURE 5 The outer surface of the main body 'of the cam barrel 40 within the sleeve 26 is provided with a circumferentially-extend ing cam slot 46 which is adapted to be engaged by cam followers 48 formed on the inside of the sleeve 26 to effect -degree rotation of the cam barrel on relative exial movement between the cam barrel and sleeve in one direction, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. i

A helical tension spring 50 is disposed in the sleeve 26 with one end bearing against the closed end 36 of the sleeve and its other end bearing against the main body of the cam barrel to constantly urge the latter away from the closed end of the sleeve.

A clevis 52 is attached to and projects from the free end of the bail 20 for attachment to the hook H of an overhead crane (not shown).

When it is desired to utilize the apparatus of the invention for unloading or loading, the bail 20 is locked in horizontal position so that the apparatus will tilt when it is raised by the crane hook H. This is done by lowering the apparatus to the fioor or'other supporting surface and tilting the bail to a substantially horizontal position between the C-shape members 4 by further lowering of the crane hook after the apparatus has been lowered to the floor. As the bail is lowered to horizontal position, the latch 44 enters the inverted T-slot 14 in the separator beam 12 (FIGURE 3). After the latch has entered the inverted T-slot 14, the shoulder 45 on the end of the projecting portion 42 of the cam barrel engages the top of the separator beam 12 and prevents further downward movement of the cam barrel (FIGURE 4). However, due to the weight of the bail 20, the sleeve 26 moves downwardly along the cam barrel compressing the spring 50 after the shoulder 45 of the cam barrel engages the beam 12. As the sleeve moves downwardly relative to the cam barrel, the cam followers 48 move along the cam slot 46 to force the cam barrel 40 and integral latch 44 to rotate 90 degrees so that the latch is locked in the inverted T-slot 14 and the bail is secured to the separator beam in substantially horizontal position (FIGURE 5). With the bail 20 thus locked in horizontal position, the C-shaped members 4 will tilt when the apparatus is lifted Patented Jan. 12, 1965 the crane hook can be manipulated to position load bearing arms 6 under a load of articles to be carried after which the bail is unlocked and raised to vertical position.

When the load'has been carried to its destination, the crane book can again be manipulated to lock the bail in horizontal position so that the apparatus will'tilt and the load will be dumped therefrom when the apparatus is lifted, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

When the apparatus is lifted with the bail 20 secured in horizontal position (FIGURE downward pressure is removed from the sleeve 26 and spring 59 causes the sleeve to move upwardly along the main body portion of the cam barrel 40 until the sleeve shoulder 39 abuts the shoulder 41 on the cam barrel. During such upward relative movement of the sleeve 26, the cam followers 48 travel upwardly .alongvertical legs of the cam slot 46 so that the cam barrel is not rotated and the latch 44 remains locked in the inverted T-slot 14.

As shown developed in, FIGURE 8, cam slot 46 has a' substantially sawtooth. configuration consisting of a plurality of angular legs 54 connected by vertical legs 56.

In operation, to transfer a group of billets B from a cooling bed or hot bed 58 to a gondola car G, the apparatus of the invention, with the bail 20 locked in horizontal position, is lowered and the crane hook H is manipulated between the rails of the bed to position the load-bearing arms 6 on the floor under the billets, as

. shown diagrammatically in FIGURES 9 and 10. The

crane hook H is then lowered to cause the sleeve'26 to travel downwardly along the main body portion of the cam barrel (FIGURE 10); During this downward movement of the sleeve relative to the cam barrel, .cam followers48 travel along angular legs 54 of the cam slot forcing the cam barrel to rotate 90 degrees (FIGURE 10.) Rotation of cam barrel 40 causes the latch. 44 to turn in the inverted T-slot 14 to a position for egress therefrom (FIGURE 7). The bail is then raised to vertical position, and the apparatus is lifted by further raising of the crane hook to engage and remove the group of billets from the bed 58, as shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 11. The loaded apparatus is then transported to the gondola car G and lowered to rest on the door of the car by the crane, as shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 12.

After the loaded apparatus has been lowered to the gondola car floor, the bail 20 is tilted to horizontal positi'on, as shown diagrammatically in FIGURE 13, and secured to the separator beam 12 by means of the latch 44, asdescribed hereinbefore. With the bail 20 thus secured in horizontal position, the crane hook H is raised to lift and tilt the apparatus, dump the group of billets, and remove the apparatus from the gondola car, as shown diagrammatically in FIGURE l4.

, 4,; rel 40 and during such movement of the sleeve, cam followers 48 travel upwardly along vertical legs' 56 of the cam slot 46 so that the cambarrel is not rotated and the latch 44 remains locked in the inverted T-slot..14.

It should now be apparent that I have accomplished the objects initially set forth. I-have provided an improved carrying apparatus, for elongatedfobjec'ts which is adapted to be suspended from the hook of an overhead crane and which can be loaded and unloaded by manipulation of the crane hookby the. crane operator without theassistance of a fioorman. I have provided an improved lifting devicehaving a'bail and a unique baillatching means whereby the bail can be locked in a posi-- tion to render the device self-loading and self-unloading by manipulation of-the crane hook by the'crane operator.

1 have provided an improved lifting device which can be easily loaded and unloaded in'closely confined areas.

While one embodiment of my invention-has been shown and described, it will'be apparentthat other adaptafrom the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus adapted to be suspended from an overhead crane for carrying articles which comprises a pair of substantially O-shape upright 'members arranged in spaced parallel relation, each of said members including a lower load-bearing arm, an-upper-arm spaced above said load-bearing arm and extending substantially parallel therewith and a connecting arm portion extending between said arms at'one end thereof, a separator beam connected with and extending between the connecting arm portions of said C-shape'membergsaid separatorybeam having aninverted T-slot in the upper surface thereof intermediate its ends, a bail pivoted to and disposed between said'upper arms intermediate the ends thereof, and rotatable means on said bail adapted toc'ooperatively engage said inverted T-slot to lock'said bail in position between said connecting arm portionswhen said bail is-pivoted toward said sep- Whenthe apparatus is initially lifted with the bail 20 arator beam.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 in'whichsaid rotatable means'includes a barrel cam, asleeve secured. to

said bail, saidcam being slidable axially and rotatable about its longitudinal axis in'said sleeve, a projection on' said barrel cam extending beyond said sleeve, cam fo1- lowers in said sleeve for rotating saidcarn whereby to effect relative axial and rotative movement between said cam and said sleeve on pivoting of said bail toward said beam and engagement of said projection in said inverted T-slot.

3. Apparatus as defined by claimj2 inwhich the axis of the barrel cam is normal to the plane of the'bail.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS tions and modifications may be made without departing

Claims

1. APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE SUSPENDED FROM AN OVERHEAD CRANE FOR CARRYING ARTICLES WHICH COMPRISES A PAIR OF SUBSTANTIALLY C-SHAPE UPRIGHT MEMBERS ARRANGED IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION, EACH OF SAID MEMBERS INCLUDING A LOWER LOAD-BEARING ARM, AN UPPER ARM SPACED ABOVE SAID LOAD-BEARING ARM AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL THEREWITH AND A CONNECTING ARM PORTION EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID ARMS AT ONE END THEREOF, A SEPARATOR BEAM CONNECTED WITH AND EXTENDING BETWEEN THE CONNECTING ARM PORTIONS OF SAID C-SHAPED MEMBERS, SAID SEPARATOR BEAM HAVING AN