U.S. patent number 3,891,264 [Application Number 05/467,196] was granted by the patent office on 1975-06-24 for selectively positionable operator's cab.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Manitowoc Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Charles A. Hunter, II, James G. Morrow, Sr., David J. Pech.
United States Patent |
3,891,264 |
Hunter, II , et al. |
June 24, 1975 |
Selectively positionable operator's cab
Abstract
A support mechanism for a selectively positionable control
module for a load handling device such as a crane is provided. The
support includes articulated inner and outer members and a
parallelogram linkage. The control module may be raised, lowered,
extended and retracted with respect to the crane body by
manipulation of appropriate controls in the control module. The
support mechanism is carried on a sub-frame which is pivotally
mounted on the crane frame so that the control module may also be
rotated with respect to the crane body. The control module may be
lowered to the ground or onto a transport mechanism and can be
quickly detached from the support mechanism.
Inventors: |
Hunter, II; Charles A.
(Manitowoc, WI), Pech; David J. (Manitowoc, WI), Morrow,
Sr.; James G. (Manitowoc, WI) |
Assignee: |
The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
(Manitowoc, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
23854764 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/467,196 |
Filed: |
May 6, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/190.04;
180/89.13; 37/466; 182/2.7; 182/2.9; 180/89.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66C
13/54 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B66C
13/00 (20060101); B66C 13/54 (20060101); B62d
027/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;296/28C ;180/89R
;182/2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243,837 |
|
Mar 1963 |
|
AU |
|
971,789 |
|
Oct 1964 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Spar; Robert J.
Assistant Examiner: Underwood; Donald W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wolfe, Hubbard, Leydig, Voit &
Osann, Ltd.
Claims
We claim as our invention:
1. A support mechanism for a selectively positionable control
module for a load handling device having a frame on which a
movable, load handling boom is mounted comprising, in
combination:
a subframe attached to the frame independent of the boom;
an articulated support having inner and outer members pivotally
connected at their remote ends to said subframe and the control
module, respectively;
means including a parallelogram linkage pivotally connected at its
ends to said subframe and the control module, respectively, for
maintaining said module substantially horizontally disposed as said
support is raised, lowered and articulated;
means including a first linear actuator pivotally connected at one
end to said subframe and at the other end to said inner member for
raising and lowering said articulated support and control module as
a unit; and,
means including a second linear actuator, a rocker arm and a link
interconnecting said remote ends of said articulated support for
folding said outer member and control module in and out with
respect to said inner member, said rocker arm being interposed
between said second actuator and said link and pivotally mounted on
said inner member; whereby movement of said load handling boom may
be controlled by a person operating controls in said control
module.
2. A support mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said subframe
is mounted on a vertical pivot carried by the frame and means
interconnecting the frame and said subframe is provided for
swinging said articulated support, parallelogram linkage and
control module as a unit about said vertical pivot.
3. A support mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner and
outer articulated support members each include a pair of laterally
spaced beams interconnected by cross-braces and said first and
second actuators each include a pair of hydraulic cylinders.
4. A support mechanism as defined in claim 1 including a plurality
of control conduits extending from the control module to said first
and second actuators, and wherein said parallelogram linkage
includes inner and outer channel-shaped members adapted to house
and shield said control conduits.
5. A support mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein a plurality of
rollers are journalled within said channel-shaped members for
supporting said control conduits.
6. A support mechanism as defined in claim 4 wherein said inner and
outer channel-shaped members are pivotally interconnected to one
end of a spacing link the other end of which is pivotally connected
to said articulated support at the articulation point thereof.
7. A support mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said
articulated support and parallelogram linkage are connected to said
control module by a carrier frame and said carrier frame is
detachably connected to said control module.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to load handling devices generally, and more
particularly concerns a selectively positionable operator's control
module for cranes and the like.
In recent years, load handling devices such as cranes and the like
have grown in both size and versatility. Typically, mobile cranes
include crawler supported lower works and a load handling boom
mounted on a rotatable upper works which also carries the power
plant, main winch drum and boom hoist mechanism. An operator's cab
is normally mounted adjacent the front of the upper works of the
crane and contains the controls by which the operator regulates the
crane's functions. While such cranes are quite versatile in
handling loads, they frequently must be positioned at a site in
such a way that the operator's view of the load to be picked up or
lowered into place is partially or completely obstructed. In these
instances it is necessary, therefore, for the operator to rely on
signals or other communications from observers who have an adequate
view of the operations.
It is the primary aim of the present invention to provide a
selectively positionable control module for a load handling device
such as a crane so that the operator's view may be changed to
improve direct observation of the operations.
A more detailed object of the invention is to provide a support
mechanism for such a control module which permits the control
module to be selectively raised and lowered and extended or
retracted with respect to the crane body.
Another object is to provide a support mechanism for such a control
module which permits the control module to be rotated relative to
the crane body when this is desired to improve the operator's
view.
It is also an object to provide a support mechanism of the above
type which includes provision for maintaining the control module
substantially level as it is raised and lowered or extended and
retracted.
Finally, it is an object to provide such a support mechanism which
is rugged, yet compact, and which incorporates means for housing
and shielding the control conduits which extend from the various
actuators to the control console in the operator's module.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become
more readily apparent upon reading the following detailed
description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 illustrates in solid lines a partial perspective view of a
load handling crane including a selectively positionable operator's
control module pursuant to the present invention which is also
shown in broken lines in an elevated position and in dash lines in
a position rotated with respect to the crane body;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged fragmentary side views of the support
mechanism for the operator's module shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the support mechanism as
viewed from the plane indicated by line 4--4 in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial section of the support mechanism as
viewed from the plane indicated by line 5--5 in FIG. 2.
While the invention will be described in connection with a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended
to limit the invention to the particular embodiment shown. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a load
handling device in the form of a crane assembly 10 with which the
present invention is associated. The crane assembly 10 includes
lower works 12 and upper works 14. The lower works includes a
central car body mounted between a pair of transverse beams 16 the
ends of which are supported by a pair of traction assemblies 18.
Each traction assembly includes side frames 20 which support the
drive and idler sprockets (not shown) around which the crawler
treads 22 run. However, it should be understood that the lower
works may be of any conventional crawler or wheel supported design
without departing from the present invention. Moreover, while the
illustrated crane is self-propelled, this is not essential to the
present invention, which could also be used to advantage with
certain stationary devices.
The upper works 14 of the crane assembly 10 is rotatably supported
on the lower works 12 by a ring gear and roller path 24. The upper
works carries a boom 26, only a portion of which is shown, and
preferably is provided with automatic boom stops 28, also shown in
part. The upper works also carries a boom hoist arrangement
including the masts 30 and gantry assembly 32 which are shown in
part and which may be of conventional or specialized design. A
power plant such as diesel or gasoline engine (not shown) is
located within the body 34 of the upper works and a counter weight
is mounted on the opposite end of the body 34 from the boom 26.
Located adjacent the right front corner of the upper works 14 is an
operator's control module 40 including a cab 42 enclosing a seat 44
and control console 46. For reference purposes the cab 42 has a
front 48, a rear 50 and a left side 52 provided with windows and a
right side 54 provided with windows and an access door. The
illustrated module 40 also includes a catwalk assembly 56 along the
right side 54 and rear 50 of the cab 42.
In accordance with the present invention, the control module 40 may
be selectively positioned by the operator for greatest visibility
for each working situation. To this end, the module 40 is attached
to the upper works 14 by a novel support mechanism 60 so that the
module may be raised, lowered, extended, retracted and/or rotated
with respect to the upper works simply by manipulation of
appropriate controls on the control console 46.
As shown by solid lines in FIG. 1, the control module 40 is
disposed in a nominal working position adjacent the right front
corner of the upper works 14 and slightly elevated with respect to
the body 34. In this position the front 48 of the cab 42 faces the
same direction as the boom 26 and the windows on the left side 52
permit good visibility over the body 34. This location, of course,
is similar to some conventional fixed-position operator's cabs.
In keeping with the present invention, the control module 40 may be
lowered from the solid line position of FIG. 1 to adjacent ground
level or raised to the upper position shown by dot-dash lines as
indicated by the vertical arrows. (See also FIGS. 2 and 3).
Additionally, the control module 40 may be rotated
counter-clockwise from the solid line position shown in FIG. 1 to a
transverse position, for example, as indicated by the arcuate
arrows and the dash line illustration in FIG. 1 (see also FIGS. 4
and 5).
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2-5, it will be seen that the
support mechanism 60 is mounted on the upper works 14 of the crane
10 by means of a frame member 61 secured, for example by welding,
to the crane body 34. The frame member 61 is provided with a pair
of vertically spaced projecting ears 62 having a suitably machined
opening to receive a large pivot pin 63. A sub-frame assembly 64 is
pivotally mounted on the frame member 61 by the pin 63.
For swinging the sub-frame 64 about the pivot pin 63 a linear
actuator, preferably in the form of a hydraulic cylinder 65 is
provided. One end of the cylinder 65 is pinned to a bracket 66
secured to the crane body 34 and the other end is pinned to the
sub-frame 64. It will be understood that a pump (not shown) driven
by the power plant of the crane supplies hydraulic fluid to the
cylinder 65 as regulated by a suitable control on the control
console 46. When the cylinder 65 is retracted the sub-frame 64 and
the control module 40 are positioned along the side of the crane
body 34 as shown in the solid line illustrations of FIGS. 1, 4 and
5. When the cylinder is extended, the sub-frame 64 and control
module 40 are pivoted around the pin 63 and are positioned in front
of the crane body as shown in the upper right dash line
illustration of FIG. 1 and in the dash line illustrations of FIGS.
4 and 5.
Pursuant to another feature of the invention the support mechanism
60 includes means for raising and lowering and extending and
retracting the control module 40 with respect to the crane body 34.
For this purpose an articulated support 70 is provided having inner
and outer members 71, 72 pivotally connected at their remote ends
to the sub-frame 64 and a carrier frame 73 for the control module
40. The inner end of the outer member 72 is pivotally mounted on a
pin 74 journalled in a bracket 75 secured to the outer end of the
inner member 71. It will be understood, of course, that suitable
bushings or bearings (not shown) are incorporated in each of the
pinned connections at the ends of the inner and outer members 71,
72. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner and outer members 71, 72
each include a pair of laterally spaced I-beams interconnected by
X-type cross braces 76 and it will be understood that there is a
pivot pin 74 at the inner end of each I-beam of the outer member
72. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, there are four
brackets 75, one on each side of each I-beam of the inner member
71.
To raise and lower the articulated support 70 and the control
module 40 as a unit, a pair of hydraulic cylinders 77 are provided.
One end of each cylinder 77 is pinned to an extension 78 of the
sub-frame 64 and the other end is pinned between a pair of the
plate like brackets 75 on each side of the inner I-beams. Hydraulic
fluid from a pump (not shown) is supplied to the cylinders 77 as
regulated by a control on the control console 46. As shown in FIGS.
2 and 3 the cylinders 77 are substantially fully extended. When the
cylinders 77 are retracted, the articulated linkage 70 and the
control module 40 are lowered as a unit from the positions shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3.
For folding the outer member 72 and the control module 40 in and
out with respect to the inner member 71 articulating means
including another pair of hydraulic cylinders 81 are provided. One
end of each cylinder 81 is pinned to a mounting plate 82 secured to
the inner end of each I-beam of the inner member 71. The other end
of each cylinder 81 is pinned between the ends of a rocker or lever
arm 83 pivotally mounted at one end between a pair of the plates
75. The other end of each rocker arm 83 is pinned to a link 84
which is connected to a mounting plate 85 secured to the remote end
of each I-beam of the outer member 72. Hydraulic fluid is
selectively supplied to the cylinders 81 when the operator
manipulates a suitable control on the control console 46.
In FIG. 2 the cylinders 81 are shown substantially fully extended
and the outer member 72 and control module 40 are folded in toward
the inner member 71. When the cylinders are retracted, the rocker
arms 83 are pivoted rearwardly and the links 84 draw the outer
member 72 and the operator's module 40 out and up about the pivot
pins 74 as shown in FIG. 3.
To maintain the control module 40 substantially horizontally
disposed as the support 70 is raised, lowered and articulated,
means including a parallelogram linkage 90 is provided. An inner
member 91 of the linkage 90 is pinned at one end to an upper
extension 92 of the sub-frame 64 and at the other end to a spacing
link 93 by a pivot pin 94. An outer member 95 is also pivotally
mounted at one end on the spacing link 93 by the pin 94 and at the
other end is pinned to an ear 96 on the upper portion of carrier
frame 73 for the control module 40. The lower end of the spacing
link 93 is mounted on the pins 74 which pivotally connect the inner
and outer members 71, 72 of the articulated support 70.
As the inner and outer members 71, 72 of the articulated support 70
are raised or lowered, the corresponding inner and outer members
91, 95 of the parallelogram linkage 90 are likewise raised and
lowered in generally parallel fashion. In this way, the linkage 90
maintains the control module 40 substantially horizontal throughout
the range of movement of the articulated support 70.
To communicate control signals from the control module to the
hydraulic cylinders 65, 77 and 81 a plurality of control conduits
97, 98 and 99, only a portion of which are shown, are respectively
provided. In the preferred embodiment, the inner and outer members
91, 95 of the linkage 90 are of generally channel-shaped
cross-section adapted to house and shield the control conduits 97,
98 and 99. A plurality of rollers 100 journalled between the legs
of the channel-shaped members 91, 95 are provided to support the
control conduits 97, 98 and 99 and to permit limited and
substantially frictionless movement therein.
In keeping with a further aspect of the invention, the control
module 40 may be lowered to the ground or onto a transport
mechanism and can be quickly detached from the support mechanism
70. To this end, the carrier frame 73 is provided with upper and
lower connecting elements 102 and 103, respectively. In the
illustrated embodiment, the upper connecting element 102 is in the
form of a pair of pins adapted to be received in downwardly opening
recesses 105 formed in vertical frame members 106 secured to the
control module 40. The lower element 103 is in the form of a
forwardly opening channel adapted to receive and retain a bottom
frame member 107 of the control module. When the control module is
suitably supported on the ground or some other object, the channel
103 may be released and withdrawn from engagement with the bottom
frame 107 and the pins 104 retracted from the notched recesses 105.
The control conduits 97, 98 and 99, of course, are also
disconnected from the control module 40.
From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that the
present invention provides a very versatile, selectively
positionable operator's control module 40 for a load handling
device such as a crane. Simply by manipulation of appropriate
controls on the control console 46, the operator may raise or lower
and extend or retract the control module 40 with respect to the
crane body 34. The control module may also be rotated relative to
the crane body when this is desired to improve the operator's view
of the crane's operations.
* * * * *