U.S. patent number 3,604,577 [Application Number 04/807,181] was granted by the patent office on 1971-09-14 for can-lifting apparatus.
Invention is credited to Ludwig Otto Heilmeier.
United States Patent |
3,604,577 |
Heilmeier |
September 14, 1971 |
CAN-LIFTING APPARATUS
Abstract
Material handling vehicle for lifting barrels, cans, as such,
including a readily detachable lift mechanism unit having a boom
and associated lift claws capable of universal movement.
Inventors: |
Heilmeier; Ludwig Otto
(Waldorf, MD) |
Family
ID: |
25195767 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/807,181 |
Filed: |
March 14, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/421; 414/728;
414/415; 414/736; 414/739 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60P
1/483 (20130101); B65F 3/04 (20130101); B65F
2003/023 (20130101); B65F 2003/0279 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60P
1/00 (20060101); B60P 1/48 (20060101); B65F
3/02 (20060101); B65f 003/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;214/141,302,77,78,80,147G,146.5,148,313,314,139 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Forlenza; Gerald M.
Assistant Examiner: Oresky; Lawrence J.
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. Material-handling apparatus for lifting barrels, cans, or the
like comprising a frame, a power lift mechanism including a boom
and can-engaging means connected to one end of said boom, means
supporting said boom from said frame for universal directional
movement, said support means comprising a support plate fixed to
said frame, a turntable pivotally mounted on said plate, guide
means comprising spaced tracks mounted on said turntable, extension
means comprising spaced members mounted within said tracks for
longitudinal movement relative thereto, said boom being pivotally
supported between said spaced members, a first hydraulic cylinder
having one end connected to said guide means and its other end
connected to said extension means for moving said extension means
in said guide means, a second hydraulic cylinder connected between
said extension means and said boom to pivot said boom vertically,
means supporting said second hydraulic cylinder from said spaced
members including a pair of upright plates between which said
second hydraulic cylinder is positioned, a pair of bars extending
from the forward end of said members upwardly to said upright
plates, whereby said bars and said upright plates form a guide
channel for said boom as it is pivoted vertically upon actuation of
said second cylinder, and actuating means connected to said
turntable for pivoting said turntable on said plate whereby said
boom may be extended and moved vertically and laterally relative to
said frame.
2. Material-handling apparatus as defined in claim 1 comprising a
pair of lugs mounted on the forward end of said boom, said lugs
engaging said guide bars to limit vertical pivotal movement of said
boom.
3. Material-handling apparatus for lifting barrels, cans, or the
like, comprising a frame, a power lift mechanism including a boom
and can-engaging means connected at one end to said boom, means
supporting said boom from said frame for universal directional
movement, said support means comprising a support plate fixed to
said frame, a turntable pivotally mounted on said plate, guide
means comprising spaced tracks mounted on said turntable, extension
means comprising spaced members mounted within said tracks for
longitudinal movement relative thereto, said boom being pivotally
supported on said spaced members, a first fluid motor having one
end connected to said guide means and its other end connected to
said extension means for moving said extension means in said guide
means, a second fluid motor connected between said extension means
and said boom to pivot said boom vertically, means carried by said
spaced members forming an upwardly open narrow guide channel for
said boom as it is pivoted vertically upon actuation of said second
motor, cooperating means on said boom and said guide channels for
limiting pivotal movement of said boom, and actuating means
connected to said turntable for pivoting said turntable on said
plate whereby said boom may be extended and move vertically and
laterally relative to said frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to material-handling apparatus and
more particularly to a compact, versatile, readily maneuverable
lift vehicle incorporating a novel power lift attachment mechanism
embodying a lift boom having universal movement for lifting and
emptying barrels, drums or the like, into a receptacle mounted on
the vehicle.
In the past, various type material handling apparatus including
specially designed lift trucks have been employed in industry to
lift and transport articles such as barrels or cans. While such
lift trucks have been suitably operated for some purposes, they
have been limited in usage by their generally excessive weight,
size and overall lack of maneuverability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a primary object of the invention resides in the
provision of a compact, lightweight, readily maneuverable lift
vehicle embodying a novel power lift mechanism having universal
movement for lifting and emptying containers such as barrels,
drums, cans or the like into a pivotable receptacle mounted on the
vehicle.
Another object resides in the provisions of a small, lightweight,
maneuverable lift vehicle comprising a novel hydraulic power lift
mechanism in which adjustable lift arms or claws are supported on a
longitudinally extensible boom which is pivotable in both the
horizontal and vertical directions to render the lift mechanism
highly versatile and universal in application.
Still another object resides in the provision of a novel compact
power lift attachment unit which is readily mounted on a
conventional vehicle and has universal operational movement,
thereby rendering it highly versatile for general usage.
The novel lift mechanism described in the above objects is of
general usefulness and has found particular utility in the trash
collection business. For example, the vehicle is operated by a
single operator and, because it is compact, lightweight, and
readily maneuverable, access is easily gained to trash cans
positioned in carports, patios or other isolated areas. The
universal movement of the claw-supporting boom enables the operator
to bring the vehicle to a single stop position to pick up several
trash cans and empty them into the pivotable receptacle mounted on
the vehicle without having to maneuver the vehicle during each can
lifting operation. When the power operated, pivotable receptacle on
the vehicle is filled, the operator then proceeds to dump the
contents thereof into the large trash receiving truck following
therealong.
Hence, it is apparent that the novel lift vehicle and its
associated power lift mechanism reduce overall operating
expenditures through a substantial savings in labor costs while at
the same time providing more dependable and more efficient material
handling service.
Other advantages and objects will become apparent from reading the
following detailed description of the invention and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel lift vehicle and power
lift mechanism of the invention with the can engaging claws and
their support boom in the lower can pickup position;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the lift car illustrating the lift
boom in its raised dump position in which the contents of the can
are emptied into the receptacle mounted on the vehicle;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the novel power lift
attachment mechanism of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned, fragmentary side elevation view of
the power lift mechanism shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line5--5 of FIG. 3; and
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the arcuate swinging movement
of the boom and pickup claws to various horizontal positions,
thereby enabling several variably positioned cans to be handled
while the vehicle itself is stationary.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention is shown incorporated
in a compact, three wheel vehicle 10 similar in some respects to
conventional powered vehicle commonly used as golf carts.
Vehicle 10 has a main frame 12 to one side of which a hydraulic
power lift mechanism 14 is attached. A secondary bedframe 16 is
mounted on frame 12 and has a pair of upright posts 18, the inner
face of each of which is angled to conform to the inwardly angled
rear wall of receptacle 20 resting on bedframe 16.
Receptacle 20 is pivotally connected to posts 18 at high pivots 22
and is pivoted therearound through an angle of at least 90.degree.
to a raised dump position (not shown) by hydraulic cylinder 23.
Two hydraulically operated vertical jacks 24 are connected to the
rear of frame 12 and are extended to a ground engaging position to
stabilize the vehicle when receptacle 20 is raised to dump
position.
With reference now to FIGS. 3 to 5, lift mechanism 14 comprises
upper and lower can-engaging claw assemblies 26 and 28, each of
which includes a pair of arms 30 and 32 each pivoted at a pivot 34
to a cross-connecting plate 36. A hydraulic cylinder 38 connects
the end of noncircular, curved arms 30 and 32 and operation of the
cylinder suitably pivots the arms to grasp and release a can. The
curvature of the arms and the pivoting thereof enable the lift
mechanism to firmly grasp cans ranging in diameter from about 11
inches to about 28 inches.
Upper and lower plates 36 are connected by a bar 40 pivotally
secured at 42 to one end of a hollow rectangular boom 44. The end
of boom 44 is bifurcated to fit around bar 40 and, as shown in FIG.
4, the bottom wall 46 of the boom is shorter than the top wall 48
to permit limited pivoting of bar 40 about pivot 42. Bar 40 is
normally biased into engagement with upper wall 48 by spring 50
connected between bar 40 and boom 44.
Boom 44 is pivotally secured at 52 near its other end to a pair of
spaced channel members 54 and 56 slidably supported respectively in
oppositely facing channel track guides 58 and 60 which are fixed
respectively to sideplates 62 and 64 extending upright from
turntable 66. The turntable is pivotally supported at pivot 68 on a
horizontal support plate 70 welded on a pair of transverse hollow
rectangular beams 72, 74, which in turn are end welded to a
vertical sideplate 76 that is removably attached to the main
vehicle frame 12 by a series of bolts 78.
Boom 44 is pivoted in a vertical direction through an angle of
about 120.degree. by hydraulic cylinder 80, the piston end of which
is connected at 82 to the boom while the other end is pivotally
connected at 84 between a pair of spaced plates 86 and 88 which are
fixed respectively to spaced vertical plates 90, 92 which are
welded respectively to the exposed faces of channel members 54, 56
for sliding movement therewith. A spacer bolt 93 extends between
members 54 and 56 to maintain them in parallel relationship during
sliding movement thereof.
A pair of spaced angle-iron guide members 94, 96 extend
respectively between the forward ends of channel members 54 and 56
and the upper angled ends of plates 90 and 92. A spacer bar 98,
fixed between plates 90 and 92, maintains the plates and guide
members 94 and 96 properly spaced apart to form a guide channel for
boom 44 as it is pivoted in the vertical direction about pivot 52
to the dump position of FIG. 4 by actuation and extension of
cylinder 80.
A pair of L-shaped stops 100 and 102 are fixed respectively to the
forward ends of channel members 54 and 56 and provide a lower
limiting rest support which is engaged by the bottom of boom 44 in
its lowermost position.
Boom 44 also has a small metal plate connected to the underside of
boom 44, the ends of the plate extending beyond boom 44 and
providing a pair of side lugs 104 and 106 which, as shown in FIGS.
2 and 4, engage the guides 94 and 96 to limit the pivotal vertical
motion and define the final dump position of the boom.
The boom is also movable in a forward extended direction away from
the vehicle because of the reciprocating sliding movement of
channel members 54 and 56 to which it is pivotally connected at
pivot 52. Reciprocation of members 54 and 56 in their respective
channel tracks 58 and 60 is accomplished by hydraulic cylinder 108
pivotally connected at one end 110 to fixed plate 64 and at the
other extensible end 112 to member 56.
Actuation and extension of cylinder 108 causes members 54 and 56 to
slide forwardly in their respective tracks 58 and 60 and extend
boom 44 outwardly of the vehicle. Since the elements numbered
evenly from 80 to 102 are connected to and supported on slide
channels 54 and 56 are discussed above, they will also be
reciprocated as a unit with movement of members 54, 56 and boom
44.
Boom 44 is also pivotable laterally in arcuate path as shown
schematically in FIG. 6. To accomplish this, hydraulic cylinder 114
is connected at one end 116 to a flat metal plate 116a welded to
plate 70 and bolted by bolt 117 through the vehicle floor and into
frame 12 to prevent plate 116a from rising when cylinder 114 is
actuated. The other extensible end 118 of cylinder 114 is pivotally
connected to turntable 66. Upon actuation and extension of cylinder
114, turntable 66 slidably pivots on fixed plate 70 about pivot 68,
thereby arcuately swinging boom 44 to a desired lateral
position.
A hydraulic jack 120 is mounted on support beam 74 for extensible
vertical movement to a ground-engaging position to stabilize the
vehicle 10 when boom 44 is being manipulated, particularly when it
is pivoted to the dump position shown in FIG. 2.
A hydraulic fluid control system 122, including the necessary fluid
supply source and control valves is suitably mounted on a subframe
124 which is readily removable from vehicle frame 12. Suitable
flexible conduits lead to the various hydraulic cylinders for
actuation thereof.
A typical trash can pickup operation will not be described with
particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. With vehicle 10 brought
to rest, two rear cylinders 24 and side cylinder 120 may be
extended to ground-engaging position to stabilize lift mechanism
14. If necessary, boom 44 is moved forwardly by actuation of
cylinder 108 and claw assemblies 26 and 28 are adjustable by
cylinders 38 to grasp a first trash can "a" as in FIG. 6. Cylinder
80 is then actuated to pivot boom 44 vertically to its dump
position shown in full line in FIG. 2 and broken line in FIG. 4 at
which time lugs 104 and 106 respectively engage guides 94 and 96
with sufficient impact to jar the contents in can "a" loose,
thereby causing them to fall into receptacle 20. Empty can "a" is
then returned to its rest position and the claw assemblies
released.
Boom 44 is then retracted rearwardly by cylinder 108, pivoted
laterally by actuation of cylinder 114, and again extended
forwardly to empty can "b" in the same manner as can "a." The
procedure is again repeated for can "c."
Hence, it is apparent that, because of the universal movement of
boom 44, a number of cans may be emptied into receptacle 20 without
having to move or reposition vehicle 10.
When receptacle 20 is filled, the operator need only to back
vehicle 10 up to the rear of a conventional trash truck and dump
the contents of receptacle 20 thereinto by first extending jacks 24
to ground-engaging position and then actuating cylinder 23 to pivot
the receptacle about the high pivots 22.
It should also be noted that lift mechanism 14 is readily removable
as a unit from vehicle frame 12 simply by removing bolts 78, only
three of which are employed in the illustrated embodiment, and bolt
117.
Thus, the novel lift mechanism and its associated control system
may be quickly and easily attached to any conventional vehicle for
conversion thereof to a lift vehicle.
It is apparent that the above described invention accomplishes the
objects initially set forth by providing a compact lightweight,
lift vehicle including a lift mechanism attachment having a boom
capable of universal movement, thereby saving time and reducing
overall operating costs.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.
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