Boom structure

Abstract

A portable boom structure for moving a load includes an elongated boom having one end thereof pivotally mounted on a mobile frame and positioned intermediate the ends of the frame and a boom support member having one end thereof spaced from the one end of the boom and pivotally mounted on the frame and the other end adapted to be in supporting engagement with the boom. A suitable cable operatively engages the other end of the boom support member to selectively raise and lower the boom and a suitable cable engages the other end of the boom to selectively raise and lower the load. Spaced legs each have an upper end thereof pivotally mounted on the boom support member and the other end of each of the legs is adapted to be in supporting engagement with the ground surface. The boom structure includes a load control device adapted to control swinging movement of the load relative to the frame.

Description

The present invention relates to boom structures and more particularly to a boom structure having a boom support member adapted to raise and lower a boom and having spaced legs depending therefrom and each adapted to be in supporting engagement with a ground surface.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide for a portable boom structure for moving a load wherein the boom structure is easily maneuverable to position the load at a selected location; to provide such a boom structure which may be transported or shipped in a knocked down or disassembled condition and assembled at the site of use; to provide such a boom structure which is simple to assemble; to provide such a boom structure which is adapted to be manually operated and, therefore, conserve energy; to provide such a boom structure having a novel structure adapted to support and to raise and lower a boom with stability in all directions; to provide such a boom structure having a load control device adapted to control swinging movement of a load relative to the boom structure; to provide such a boom structure having spaced pivotally mounted legs depending from the boom support member and adapted to be in supporting engagement with a ground surface; to provide such a boom support structure wherein the legs are adjustable in length as required by the position of the boom and the height of the ground surface; to provide such a boom structure adapted to lower a load into an excavation and adapted to raise a load out of an excavation; to provide such a boom structure having a boom and boom support member each movable through a wide arc whereby the boom structure is versatile in use; and to provide such a boom structure which is stable in use, economical to manufacture, durable in construction, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features of the boom structure.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a portable boom structure embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of one end of the boom structure.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the boom structure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of a load control device mounted on the boom structure.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a lower portion of an other form of the portable boom structure.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an upper portion of the other form of the portable boom structure.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of upper portion of the other form of the portable structure.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in many various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a portable boom structure for moving a load 2. The portable boom structure 1 includes a boom 3 having one end 4 pivotally mounted on a frame 5 and positioned intermediate opposite ends 6 and 7 thereof. The boom 3 is engaged by a boom support member 8 having one end 9 spaced from the one end 4 of the boom 3. The one end 9 of the boom support member 8 is pivotally mounted on the frame 5. The other end 10 of the boom support member 8 is adapted to be in supporting engagement with the boom 3. A cable 11 is operatively engaged with the other end 10 of the boom support member 8 to selectively raise and lower the boom 3. A cable 12 is operatively engaged with the other end 15 of the boom 3 to selectively raise and lower the load 2. Spaced legs 16 and 17 depend from the boom support member 8 and have upper ends 18 and 19 respectively pivotally mounted on the boom support member 8. The legs 16 and 17 have the other ends 20 and 21 respectively thereof adapted to be in supporting engagement with the ground surface 22. The boom structure includes a load control device 23 adapted to control swinging movement of the load 2 relative to the frame 5 during raising and lowering of the load 2.

The frame 5 may be any suitable structure adapted to support the load 2 moved by the boom 3 and the frame 5 may be stationary or movable as desired. In the illustrative structure, the frame 5 has one of the ends thereof, for example end 6, adapted to be removably connected to a mobile vehicle, such as a truck, tractor or the like. The end 6 has a front or forward end portion having a suitable ring 24 adapted to receive and be removably retained on a suitable pintle hook 25 mounted on the mobile vehicle. The front or forward end 6 of the frame 5 has diverging side members 26 and 27 extending rearwardly and outwardly from the ring 24 and the side members 26 and 27 are suitably secured to a main portion of the frame 5, as by welding.

The main portion of the frame 5 includes a front member 28 having the diverging side members 26 and 27 of the forward end 6 secured thereto adjacennt respective opposite ends of the front member 28. Longitudinally extending and laterally spaced pairs of side members 29 and 30 each have the front end thereof suitably secured to the front member 28, as by welding, and the rear ends of the pairs of side members 29 and 30 are suitably secured to a rear member 31 to thereby provide a substantially rigid frame. The frame 5 may also have one or more bracing or reinforcing members as desired to strengthen the frame or provide support for equipment or accessories carried on the boom structure 1.

A support member 32 is mounted on the front end 6 of the frame 5 and is adapted to support same in spaced relation with the ground surface 22 when the frame 5 is not connected to the mobile vehicle. In the illustrated structure, the support member 32 includes an internally threaded tubular standard 33 having a portion thereof depending below the front end 6 of the frame 5. A threaded pintle 34 is received within the tubular standard 33 and is movable longitudinally thereof. A caster type wheel 35 is mounted on the lower end of the pintle 34 and is adapted to engage the ground surface 22 thereby supporting the front or forward end 6 of the frame 5.

The illustrated frame includes two pairs of laterally spaced ground engaging wheels 36 and 37 mounted adjacent the other or rear end 7 of the frame 5 for supporting the frame 5 for movement along the ground surface 22 by the mobile vehicle (not shown). An axle 38 is secured to each of the pairs of side members 29 and 30 and is positioned adjacent the rear member 31 and substantially parallel therewith. Each axle 38 is adapted to rotatably support the respective pair of wheels 36 and 37 adjacent respective opposite ends thereof.

Suitable fenders 39 and 40 are secured to the frame 5 and positioned above the pairs of wheels 36 and 37 respectively in a conventional manner and for a conventional purpose.

It is particularly desirable to balance the load 2 being lifted by the boom 3 particularly when the load 2 is positioned well beyond the rear end member 31 of the frame 5, therefore, suitable ballast tanks 41 which are adapted to contain water, sand, rock, concrete or other ballast are mounted on the frame 5 and positioned adjacent the forward end 6 thereof.

The boom 3 is an elongated member having the one end 4 thereof pivotally mounted on the frame 5. The one end 4 of the boom 3 is positioned intermediate the ends of the frame 5 and in the illustrated structure, and end 4 is positioned adjacent the front member 28. The boom 3 may be any desired structural member, such as an I-beam, H-beam, truss, or the like.

The illustrated boom 3 includes a tubular member forming a portion of a truss which provides a substantially rigid boom. The illustrated truss includes a top member 42 spaced from the substantially parallel with a tubular bottom member 43. The top member 42 includes opposite end members 44 and 45 each extending from a respective end of the center portion of the top member 42 to the respective opposite end of the tubular bottom member 43. A plurality of spaced web members 46 extend between and have respective opposite ends secured to the top member 42 and to the tubular bottom member 43.

The pivotal mounting of the one end 4 of the boom 3 on the frame 5 includes spaced end sleeves or axle supports 47 and 48 mounted adjacent the pairs of side members 29 and 30 respectively of the main portion of the frame 5. The axle supports 47 and 48 are suitably secured to the frame 5 and extend upwardly above the front member 28 of the frame 5. The end sleeves 47 and 48 are adapted to rotatably receive an axle member 49 which has respective opposite ends thereof freely rotatable in the axle supports 47 and 48.

Axle retainers 50 and 51 are sleeved on the axle member 49 and secured in position adjacent the axle supports 47 and 48 respectively, as by suitable set screws or the like, to thereby resist lateral movement of the axle member 49. The one end 4 of the boom 3 has a tubular end member 52 extending laterally or transversely to the longitudinal axis of the boom 3 and sleeved on the axle member 49 whereby the boom 3 is freely rotatable about the axle member 49 and the axle member 49 is freely rotatable in the axle supports 47 and 48. Boom retainers 53 and 54 are sleeved on the axle member 49 and secured thereto adjacent opposite ends of the tubular end member 52, as by suitable set screws or the like, to thereby resist lateral movement of the one end 4 of the boom 3 along the axle member 49.

The other or upper end of the boom 3 is adapted to be operatively engaged by the cable 12 which is operative to raise and lower the load 2. In the illustrated structure, a pulley or sheave 55 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the boom 3, as by a suitable removable block 56 having a sleeve portion 57 which is suitably removably secured to the upper end of the boom 3, as by a plurality of spaced bolts. The block 56 has an end member 59 spaced from the end of the boom 3 and adapted to close the block 56. An axle 60 has the pulley or sheave 55 rotatably mounted thereon and the axle 60 extends through the sleeve portion 57 and is suitably secured thereto, as by nuts.

The boom support member 8 has the one end 9 thereof pivotally mounted on the frame 5 and the other end 10 of the boom support member 8 is adapted to be in supporting engagement with the boom 3. The one end 9 of the boom support member 8 is spaced from the one end 4 of the boom 3. The illustrated boom support member 8 has spaced side frames 61 and 62 each having a lower end thereof pivotally mounted on the frame 5 and the boom support member 8 has at least one connecting member 63 extending between the upper ends of the side frames 61 and 62. A wheel 64 is rotatably mounted between the upper ends of the side frames 61 and 62 and has a peripheral rim surface 65 adapted to be in supporting engagement with the tubular bottom member 43 of the boom 3.

In the illustrated structure, end sleeves or axle supports 66 and 67 are positioned adjacent the pairs of side members 29 and 30 respectively of the main portion of the frame 5 and the end sleeves or axle supports 66 and 67 extend above the rear end member 31. An axle member 68 has opposite ends thereof received in the end sleeves or axle supports 66 and 67 and the axle member 68 is freely rotatable therein. Tubular end members 69 and 70 are mounted on the lower ends of the side frames 61 and 62 respectively and the tubular end members 69 and 70 extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the boom 3 and are freely rotatable on the axle member 68.

Retainers 71 and 72 are positioned on the axle member 68 adjacent and between the tubular end member 69 and 70 of the side frames 61 and 62. The retainers 71 and 72 are suitably secured to the axle member 68, as by suitable set screws to thereby position respective end members 69 and 70 adjacent the respective end sleeves or axle members 66 and 67. Axle retainers 73 and 74 are suitably secured to opposite ends of the axle member 68 and positioned outwardly of the end sleeves or axle supports 66 and 67 to thereby maintain the axle member 68 within the end sleeves or axle supports 66 and 67.

The side frames 61 and 62 are positioned on opposite sides of the boom 3 and each includes side members 75 and 76 having their lower ends secured to a respective one of the tubular end members 69 and 70 and diverge therefrom. An end member 77 extends between the other ends of the side members 75 and 76 to complete the respective side frame. An axle 78 extends between the side frames 61 and 62 and has opposite ends thereof suitably secured to one of the side members of each of the frames 61 and 62. The axle 78 is positioned below the boom 3 and has the wheel 64 rotatably mounted thereon. A connecting member 63 is positioned above the boom 3 and is suitably secured to the other side of the frames 61 and 62.

The end members 77 have suitable means thereon for connecting the cable 11 thereto for raising and lowering the boom support member 8 relative to the frame 5, as later described.

The boom structure 1 includes spaced legs 16 and 17 depending from the boom support member 8 and having the upper ends 18 and 19 respectively thereof pivotally mounted on the boom support member 8. The legs 16 and 17 have the other or lower ends 20 and 21 respectively thereof adapted to be in supporting engagement with the ground surface 22. The legs 16 and 17 are each adjustable in length to thereby support the boom 3 at a selected spacing above the ground surface 22.

In the illustrated structure, projections 80 and 81 extend outwardly from the side frames 61 and 62 respectively to pivotally receive the upper ends of the legs 16 and 17 respectively. The side frames 61 and 62 are suitably reinforced, as by a reinforcing member 82 extending between the respective end member 77 and the side member having the respective projection thereon.

The legs 16 and 17 are each illustrated as being formed of telescoping members each having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures adapted to receive suitable pins or bolts 84 to hold the telescoping portions in a selected relation. A lower end of the lower member or portion of the telescoping legs 16 and 17 have feet 85 and 86 respectively adapted to engage the ground surface 22 thereby supporting the boom support member 8 and the boom 3 thereon.

The upper ends of the legs 16 and 17 are freely pivotable about the projections 80 and 81, therefore, the frame 5 has suitable means thereon and connected to the legs 16 and 17 for retaining same at a selected spacing from the frame 5. In the illustrated structure, a suitable flexible member, such as a chain, cable or the like, passes through suitable eyes or guides 87 and 88 on the legs 16 and 17 respectively and has opposite ends thereof removably secured to the rear end of the frame 5 to hold the legs 16 and 17 in a selected position.

The cables 11 and 12 are extended and retracted by suitable winches preferably mounted on the frame 5. In the illustrated structure, a platform 89 extends upwardly from the forward or front end 6 of the frame 5 and has a first winch 90 operative to dispense and retract the cable 11 which operatively engages the other end 10 of the boom support member 8. The cable 11 may have a suitable hook on the end thereof which is engaged with the connecting member 63 or a suitable pulley or block may be pivotally supported on the connecting member 63 with the cable 11 extending therearound with the end of the cable 11 being secured to the platform 89.

A second winch 91 is mounted on the platform 89 and spaced from the first winch 90 and is operative to extend and retract the cable 12 in any suitable conventional manner with the cable 12 extending over the pulley or sheave 55 on the upper end of the boom 3.

The boom support structure 1 includes means mounted on the frame 5 and operatively engaging the means for raising and lowering the load 2 for controlling movement of the load 2 relative to the frame 5. In the illustrated structure, a support or housing 95 is mounted on the frame 5 and has opposed upstanding ends portions 96 and 97. An elongated shaft 98 extends between and is rotatably mounted on the end portions 96 and 97. The shaft 98 has suitable means thereon, such as a handle 99, for rotating the shaft 98. A first sheave 100 is mounted on the shaft 98 and suitably secured thereto, as by being keyed to the shaft, and the first sheave 100 is thereby rotatable with the shaft 98. A second sheave 101 is mounted on a sleeve 101' which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 98. The second sheave 101 is spaced from the first sheave 100. The second sheave 101 and the sleeve 101' are movable longitudinally of the shaft 98. The first and second sheaves 100 and 101 have facing gears 102 and 103 respectively engaged by a suitable miter or bevel gear 104, as later described, whereby rotation of the first sheave 100 in one direction effects rotation of the second sheave 101 in the opposite direction.

A cable 105 is mounted on the first sheave 100 and has suitable means thereon, such as a hook 106, adapted to be connected to a respective portion of the load 2. A cable 107 is mounted on the second sheave 101 and has suitable means thereon, such as a hook 108, adapted to be attached to a respective portion of the load 2 whereby one of the cables 105 and 107 is selectively dispensed and the other cable is retracted to thereby control movement of the load 2 upon rotation of the shaft 98, as by the handle 99. The handle 99 may also be held in position to prevent turning of the load 2.

The miter or bevel gear 104 is connected to a handle or lever 109 which is pivotally mounted on the housing 95, as by a shaft extending throough an aperture in the housing 95, whereby the gear 104 may be selectively moved into and out of operative engagement with the gears 102 and 103 on the sheaves 100 and 101.

FIGS. 5 to 7 inclusive illustrate an other form of the portable boom structure wherein a boom extension 110 is mounted on the upper end of the boom 3 to thereby position the load 2 at a greater distance from the rear of the frame 5. The boom extension 110 is mounted on the upper end of the boom 3 by removing the block 56 from the boom 3 and securing the block 56 on the upper end of the boom extension 110. The boom extension has a mating lower end having sleeve portion 111 substantially similar to the sleeve portion 57 which is attached to the lower tubular member 43, as by suitable bolts.

The boom extension 110 is illustrated as having a lower tubular member 113 defining the bottom portion of a truss having a top member 114 spaced from and substantially parallel with the lower tubular member 113 and having end member 115 and 116 extending from respective ends of the top member 114 and secured to the lower tubular member 113. Suitable web members 117 extend between the lower tubular member 113 and the top member 114 to thereby provide a substantially rigid member.

Suitable bracing collars 118 and 119 are removably secured to the lower tubular member 43 of the boom 3 and the lower tubular member 113 of the boom extension 110 respectfully. The bracing collars 118 and 119 extend laterally from the lower tubular member 43 and the lower tubular member 113 respectively and have side tie members 120 and 121 extending between and suitably secured to the collars 118 and 119, as by nuts mounted on threaded ends of the tie members 120 and 121.

Also illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 inclusive is a frame extension 122 having side members 123 and 124 extending rearwardly from the rear member 31 of the main portion of the frame 5 and secured to the legs 16 and 17 respectively and a bracing or tie member 125 extends between the legs 16 and 17 to thereby provide a substantially rigid structure for supporting the boom support member 8. The side members 123 and 124 may be telescoping to permit the legs 16 and 17 to be positioned at a selected location relative to the frame 5, as determined by the position of the boom support member 8. Suitable wheels 126 are mounted on the lower ends of the legs 16 and 17 whereby the modified boom structure may be maneuvered with the legs 16 and 17 in position supporting the boom support member 8 and the boom 3.

The boom structure having the boom extension 110 and the frame extension 122 is used in substantially the same manner as the boom structure 1 except that the boom extension 110 permits placing loads in excavation after the boom structure is moved adjacent said excavation.

The boom structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive and the boom structure illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 inclusive may be disconnected from the respective prime mover and operated independently thereof. The respective prime mover may then be used for any other desired use.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention, it is not to be limited to these specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

Claims

What I claim and desire to secure by letters patent is:

1. A boom structure comprising:

a. an elongated generally horizontal frame having opposite sides and opposite ends, said frame having means adjacent the opposite ends thereof for supporting said frame relative to a ground surface;

b. an elongated boom having an upper surface and a lower surface and one end thereof pivotally mounted on said frame, said one end of said boom being positioned intermediate the ends of said frame;

c. an elongated boom support structure having one end thereof pivotally mounted on said frame adjacent one end thereof and the other end adapted to be in supporting engagement with the lower surface of said boom, said one end of said boom support structure being spaced from said one end of said boom, said boom support structure having laterally spaced side frames each positioned on respective opposite sides of said boom and having a lower end thereof pivotally mounted on the one end of said frame adjacent a respective one of the opposite sides thereof, said boom support structure having a wheel rotatably mounted between upper ends of said frames and having a peripheral rim surface in supporting engagement with the lower surface of said boom;

d. an elongated flexible member operatively engaging the other end of said boom support structure and means operatively connected to said flexible member for moving said boom support structure to thereby selectively raise and lower said boom; and

e. a second elongated flexible member extending over the other end of said boom and means operatively connected to said second flexible member for selectively raising and lowering a load,

f. said boom support member further having elongated legs each having and end thereof pivotally mounted on the other end of said boom support member and the other end thereof adapted to be in supporting engagement with the ground surface at a location spaced from the one end of said frame.

2. A boom structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. one end of said frame is adapted to be removably connected to a mobile vehicle;

b. said frame has laterally spaced ground engaging wheels mounted adjacent the other end thereof for supporting said frame for movement along the ground surface by the mobile vehicle; and

c. said legs are each adjustable in length to thereby support said boom at a selected spacing above the ground surface and to accomodate uneven ground levels.

3. A boom structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. said boom support member has spaced side members each having a lower end thereof pivotally mounted on said frame and a connecting member extending between upper ends of said side members; and

b. a wheel is rotatably mounted on said upper ends of said side members and has a peripheral rim surface adapted to be in supporting engagement with said boom.

4. A boom structure as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. spaced elongated legs each having one end thereof pivotally mounted on the other end of said boom support structure and the other end thereof adapted to be in supporting engagement with the ground surface at a location spaced from the one end of said frame, said legs each being adjustable in length to thereby support said boom at a selected spacing above the ground surface and accommodate uneven ground levels; and

b. means mounted on said frame and connected to said legs for retaining same at a selected spacing from said frame.

5. A boom structure as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. a housing mounted on said frame and having upstanding end portions;

b. a shaft extending between and rotatably mounted on said end portions of said housing, said shaft having means operatively connected thereto for rotating same;

c. a first sheave and a second sheave each on said shaft, one of said first and second sheave being connected to said shaft, said first sheave and said second being in spaced relation;

d. means mounted on said first sheave and on said second sheave and on said housing for effecting rotation of one of said first and second sheaves in one direction in response to rotation of the other of said first and second sheaves in the other direction; and

e. a first cable mounted on said first sheave and a second cable mounted on said second sheave and each cable having means thereon adapted to be attached to respective portions of the load whereby one of said first and second cables is dispensed and the other cable is retracted to thereby control swinging movement of the load relative to said frame.

6. A boom structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pivotal mounting of the one end of said boom support structure on said frame includes:

a pair of tubular axle supports each mounted on said frame adjacent a respective one of said opposite sides thereof;

b. an elongated axle member having opposite end portions thereof received in respective axle supports and rotatable therein;

c. a pair of tubular end members each mounted on the lower end of a respective one of said side frames of said boom support structure and sleeved on said axle member whereby said boom support structure is freely rotatable on said axle member;

d. means mounted on said axle member and in engagement with each of said end members of said boom support structure side frames for retaining said adjacent said respective axle supports; and

e. means mounted on each of the opposite end portions of said axle member and positioned outwardly of said axle supports for retaining said axle member therein.

7. A boom structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the pivotal mounting of the one end of said boom on said frame includes:

a. a pair of tubular axle supports each mounted on said frame adjacent a respective one of said opposite sides thereof;

b. an elongated axle member having opposite end portions thereof received in respective axle supports and rotatable therein;

c. a tubular end member mounted on the one end of said boom and sleeve on said axle member whereby said boom is freely rotatable on said axle member;

d. means mounted on said axle member and in engagement with said end member of said boom for retaining same against lateral movement of said tubular end member along said axle member; and

e. means mounted on each of the opposite end portions of said axle member and positioned outwardly of said axle supports for retaining said axle member therein.

8. A boom structure as set forth in claim 1 including:

a. a housing mounted on said frame and having upstanding end portions;

b. a shaft extending between and rotatably mounted on said end portions of said housing, said shaft having means operatively connected thereto for rotation same;

c. a first sheave secured on said shaft and rotatable therewith;

d. a second sheave rotatably mounted on said shaft and being in spaced relation with said first sheave, said second sheave being movable longitudinally along said shaft;

e. means mounted on said first sheave and on said second sheave and on said housing for selectively effecting rotation of one of said first and second sheaves in one direction in response to rotation of the other of said first and second sheaves in the other direction; and

f. a first cable mounted on said first sheave and a second cable mounted on said second sheave and each cable having means mounted thereon adapted to be attached to respective portions of the load whereby one of said first and second cables is dispensed and the other cable is retracted to thereby control movement of the load.