US2365167A - Truck crane - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 19, 1944. R. 0. BlLLlNGS TRUCK CRANE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 2, 1942 QM hr \N v Q NhAmY fl wmm m Q o \w mw R. o. BILLINGS TRUCK CRANE Filed Sept. 2, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 2 .Illl

'E/QQ- 2o R. O. BILLINGS TRUCK CRANE Dec. 19, 1944.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 2, 1942 v INVENTOR 7' TORNZ 1 5.

Dec. 19, 1944.

R. O. BILLINGS TRUCK CRANE Filed Sept. 2, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A T TORNEY.

Dec. 19, 1944.

R. O. BlLLlNGS TRUCK CRANE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 2, 1942 INVENT OR.

A TTORIVE Vs.

Patented Dec. 19, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'raucx cams Roy 0. nminn. Milwaukee, wu. v Application Selltunber z, 1942, Serial No. 451,052

21 Claims. (01. 212-55) This invention relates to improvements in truck cranes.

Heretofore, in order to provide a truck crane it has been customary to mount the upper portion of a standard crane on a large-size truck, and because of the weight of the standard crane structure it has been considered necessary to use a seven-ton truck. The standard type of crane, however, has more power than can beutilized because when it is mounted on a truck there are definite limits as to the size of the load which can be safely handled. In practice, it has not been found practical to employ the crane for lifting more than six tons.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved truck crane structure which can be designed to readily handle loads up to six tons, and to provide a structure wherein the crane is supported in a novel manner on a relatively small-size vehicle, such as a oneand-one-half ton tractor.

A further object of the invention is to niake it possible to accomplish the above by the use of a crane structure wherein there is a ram operated telescoping boom and wherein a hydraulically operated cable and sheave means for controlling the boom load line and for controlling the angular raising and lowering of the boom is' provided. Thus the structure eliminates the complicated drums, brakes, and clutches heretofore found necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide a crane structure wherein the raising and lowering of the angular position of the boom may be accomplished with great rapidity, as distinguished from the slow manipulation resulting from the use of screw mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a truck crane wherein the boom is mounted on a turntable and wherein novel means is employed for conducting hydraulic medium through a plurality of conduits extending through the axis of rotation for the turntable, without interfering with the rotating movement of the latter.

A further object of the invention is to provide a truck crane structure including longitudinally movable outrigger wheels and novel means for controlling the movement thereof.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved truck crane and all its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved truck crane, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of the truck crane, part of the boom being broken away and the dot-and-dash lines indicating an extended position for the outrigger wheels;

Fig. 3 is a. partially diagrammatic top view of the truck crane showing more particularly the hydraulic connections and the outrigger wheel operating mechanism, the turntable and wheels being designated by dot-and-dash lines so as not to obstruct the showing of the other features;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken ap proximately on the line H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken approximately at the location indicated by the line 8-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view through the boom, looking at the inner end thereof and illustrating the supporting carriage attached to said end;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale taken approximately on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the telescopingarrangement for the boom extension;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view illus trating the cable and sheave arrangement for operating the boom and for operating the boom load line;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional view through the turntable structure, parts being broken away;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken through the center pin, illustrating associated structure;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken approximately on the line i2-l2 of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion of the center pin structure.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral l5 designates a rear portion of the chassis of a relatively small size tractor, such as a one-and-one-half ton tractor. The standard rear wheels it of the tractor are also indicated.

The auxiliary frame and outrigger Mounted on top of the portions II, and connected by means of bolts II or other suitable means, is an auxiliary frame I 8. The auxiliary frame has a portion it which projects beyond the rear wheels I of the tractor and which supports an outrigger assemblage 20, the latter being connected by bolts such as those indicated at 2|. The auxiliary frame I8 as well as the rear extension 9 thereof may be provided with a top plate 22 (see Fig. 2) and there are also a plurality of transversely extending I-beams 23 for strengthening the top plate 22.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, there is a short arm 24 extending downwardly from the top plate 22 on the rear side of the rearwardmost I-beam 23 and a similar short arm. 24 extending downwardly on the other side of the I-beam 23 (see Fig. These arms 24 and 24' support a roller 25 and a smaller roller 25 Near the other end of the rearwardmost I-beam 23 is a longer downwardly extending arm 26 on one side of the I-beam and 26' on the other side of the I-beam (see Fig. 5),. The arms 26 and 26 support near their lower ends rollers 21 and 28.

Wheels 29 on one side of the outrigger are supported on an axle 30, and said axle projects from a slide 3|. The slide 3| has arms 32 and 33 rigidly secured thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom. These arms support rollers 34 and 35 therebetween. The wheels 36 on the other side of the outrigger are mounted on an axle 31, and said axle projects from a lower slide 38. The slide 38 has rigidly connected thereto upwardly projecting arms 39 and 48 carrying rollers 4| and 42 therebetween. The slide 38 is preferably of I-beam construction, as shown in Fig. 4, and

includes bottom flanges 43, and top flanges 44 forming a rail. The slide 3| is also of I-beam construction and includes bottom flanges 45 and top flanges 46, both of which serve as rails. In addition, the bottom flanges 41 of the I-beam 23 serve as a rail. Referring to Figs. 2, 4, and 5, the bottom flanges 41 of the I-beam 23 slide between the rollers 34 and 35, and the top flanges 46 of the slide 3| slide between the rollers 25 and 25'. Thus through these two sets of rollers the slide 3| is supported for lateral sliding movement from the full-line position of Fig. 2 to the dot-and-dash line position therein to extend the outrigger wheels 29.

The bottom slide 38 has its top flanges 44 slidable between the rollers 21 and 28 carried by the arms 26 and 26 so that the slide 38 is supported from the top plate 22 and I-beam 23. In addition the bottom flanges 45 of the slide 3| slide between the rollers 4| and 42 carried by the arms 48. Thus the slide 38 may be moved laterally from the full .line position of Fig. 2 to the dotand-dash line position therein to extend the wheels 36.

The turntable gear rests on the annular collar 5| and is additionally bolted as at 53 to the plate 22.

A turntable 54 forming a supporting frame for the crane structure has an opening 55 therein through which the portion 50 of the center pin projects, and the turntable is therefore rotatable around the center pin. Theturntable includes side channels 56 and a bottom plate 51 having openings 58 therein. Rollers 59 suitably supported on the plate 51 of the turntable project through the openings 58 to engage the top face of the ring gear 52. There are preferably four of such rollers utilized to furnish proper rolling support for the turntable. A nut 60 threaded on the upper end of the projecting portion-53 of the center pin presses a friction washer 6| loosely against the top side of the bottom plate 51 of the turntable. Thus as the turntable rotates it will rub on the bottom face of the washer 6|.

The movable boom Projectin upwardly from the turntable is a frame comprising spaced side members 62, (see Fig. 1), connected by a pair of transverse members 63 and 64 at the top (see Fig. 2). Angular guides 65, one on each side of the turntable, have their lower ends rigidly connected to the turntable and their upper ends rigidly connected to the upper portions of the vertical frame member 62. These guides have their inner faces channel-shaped to form tracks for the wheels 66 of a carriage 61 (see Fig. 7). The carriage includes a transverse rod 68 which extends rotatably through the inner end of the boom 69, as shown in Fig. 7, so that as the carriage moves from the dotted line position of Fig. l to the dot-and-dash line position therein the boom is moved from the substantially horizontal full-line position of Fig. 1 to the dot-and-dash line position therein.

Cables II connected to the boom carriage 61 as at I0 extend downwardly around sheaves I2 near the lower ends of the guides 65, and then forwardly to the bottom of sheaves 13 (see Figs. 1 and 9). The cables II then extend upwardly around sheaves I4 and then downwardly where the ends are dead-ended to the turntable frame as at 15.

The sheaves I4 are mounted on a common shaft I6. A hydraulic cylinder 11 has its lower end connected to the turntable frame and within said cylinder is a slidable ram 18, which has its upper end engaging the sheave-connecting shaft I6. When fluid is forced into the lower end of the cylinder 11 the ram I8 is pushed upwardly from the position of Fig. 1 to an elevated position, resulting in a pull upon the cables II and causing the boom to be pulled from the full line position of Fig. 1 to the dot-and-dash line position therein. Due to the fact that the boom when in the dotand-dash line position of Fig. 1 is still inclined somewhat, the boom will tend to return by gravity to the full line position of Fig. 1. Thus when hydraulic pressure is released in the cylinder II the gravity actuated movement of the boom will return the ram 18 to the position shown in Fig. l.

The boom portion 69 is additionally connected to the turntable by links I9 which are pivoted to the boom as at 88 and to the turntable as at 8|.

For convenience in transportation the boom is formed in two telescoping parts; that is, there is a boom extension 82 which telescopes within the boom portion 69, the fully telescoped position being illustrated in Fig. 1. In order to bring about extension of the boom, there is a hydraulic cylinder 83 connected at its inner end as at 84 to the main boom portion 69. An extensible ram 85 engages the extensible section 82 of the boom through the bracket 86 so that when fluid is pumped under pressure into thecylinder 83 the ram 85 will be forced outwardly to cause an approximate doubling in the effective length of the boom. Hydraulic fluid may flow to the cylinder 83 through a conduit 81, and said conduit 2,885,187 may be connected by a flexible hose 99 near the pivot 90 with another conduit portion 99 leading to the hydraulic system.

The extended boom portion 82 may be re tracted by gravity when the boom is in the dotand-dash line position to force the ram 80 back into the cylinder and to force the hydraulic fluid out of the cylinder back'through the lines l1, l9, and 89.

The boom load line The boom load line comprises a cable 90 which may have its lower end connected to block and tackle, to a hook, or any other suitable lifting device. The load line extends over a pulley 9I on the outer end of the boom extension 92, around a pulley 92 supported on the frame 62 near the inner end of the boom portion 99, and

then downwardly. The downwardly extending portion or the cable 90 extends around a bottom sheave 93 (see Fig. 9), upwardly around a sheave 94, downwardly again around a sheave '95, upwardly around a sheave 96, and then downof Fig. 9, the effective pull on the cable 90' is multiplied several times. Thus the load line may be raised hydraulically by cable and sheave means without employing the usual drum. The weight of the load on the load line will tend to return the ram 99 to its position of Fig. 1 within the cylinder I00 when hydraulic pressure is released.

The outrigger wheel moving mechanism Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6, a transverse plate II, which extends below the plate 22 (see Fig. 4) carries sheaves I02 and I03. This plate also carries brackets I04 and I05 which project into the I-beam slides 3| "and 38. The bracket I94 supports the inner end of a hydraulic cylinder I03, and this cylinder has a movable ram I0'I which-engages a bracket I08 secured to the slide 3|. into the cylinder I 03 it causes the ram I01 to be extended to push the slide 3| from the full line position of Fig. 2 to the dot-and-dash line position therein.

The other bracket I05 similarly supports the inner end of a hydraulic cylinder I09 within the slide 39. This cylinder has a movable ram portion IIO which bears against a bracket III connected to the slide 39. When hydraulic fluid is pumped into the cylinder I09, the ram H0 is pushed outwardly, moving the slide 38 and wheels 36 from the full line position of Fig. 2 to the dot-and-dash line position therein.

Another hydraulic cylinder II2 extending longitudinally of the tractor, as shown in Fig. 3, has its inner end suitably connected to the plate 22 through one of the transverse bracing I-beams 23', as shown in Fig. 6. The hydraulic cylinder II2 has a movable ram portion I I3 which presses against the transverse portion or a slide I I4. The slide II4 extends transversely of the tractor, as indicated in Fig. 3, and has its ends fitted with sliding plates 5, which slide in guiding chan- As a result when hydraulic fluid is pumpednels II3. A cable I", which is connected to the slide I I4, extends around the pulley I03, as shown in Fig. 3, and has its other end connected to the outrigger slide 39. Another cable II9, also connected to the slide .I I4 of Fig. 6, extends around the pulley I02 and has its other end connected to the outrigger slide 3I. f

Thus after the outrigger wheels have been extended to the dot -and-dash line position of Fig. 2,,they may be returned to normal position by creating hydraulic pressure in the cylinder II2 to cause the ram H3 and slide II4 to be moved to the positions of Figs. 3 and 6. This causes a pull on the cables Ill and H9 and returns the wheels to the full line position of Fig. 2. During this operation it is of course necessary for hydraulic pressure to be released in the hydraulic cylinders I09 and I09.

Referring to Fig. 3, there is supported on one of the side wings of the turntable an oil reservoir II9. Oil from the reservoir is conducted by a conduit I20 through suitable fluid pumps I2I into a line I22. The line I22 connects with the first valve I23 of a series of valves. The series of valves includes valves I23 to I3I inclusive. These valves are operated by individual manual control levers I32, as shown in Fig. 2. When the lever for the valve I23 is moved to a position to open said valve, liquid under pressure flows from the valve through line 99 into line 81 leading to the hydraulic cylinder 83 of the boom. Thus the valve I23 controls the telescoping of the boom extension 82.

II the valve I24 is opened, oil under pressure flows through the line I33, through the turntable center pin conduits, and out below the turntable into line I34 leading to the hydraulic cylinder 2. Thus the valve I24 controls the operation of the outrigger wheel return ram H3. When the valve I25 is opened, hydraulic fluid under pressure flows through the line I35, through the turntable center pin conduits, and out beneath the turntable through conduit I33 to the outrigger wheel cylinder I09. To cause operation of the outrigger slide 38, the valve I29 when open allows hydraulic fluid under pressure to flow through the line I31, down through the center pin conduits, and out beneath the turntable through conduit I38 leading to the hydraulic cylinder I03 for the outrigger slide 3|.

When the valve I3I is opened, hydraulic fluid under pressure can flow through the line I39 which extends above the turntable, directly to 'the cylinder I00, which operates the ram for the boom load line through movement of the sheaves 94 and 96. Similarly, when the valve I30 is opened, oil can flow through the line I40 which leads directly to the cylinder 'I'l for operating the sheaves I4. The valves I29 and I28 are connected by lines HI and I42 with center pin conduits, and these conduits connect with lines I43 and I44 respectively beneath the turntable which lead to hydraulic cylinders I45 and I46. These cylinders have rams I41 and I48 which are suitably connected with the front wheel steering gear to steer the vehicle. The valve I21 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid through a line 14s. This line leads down through the center pin conduits to a line I50 which connects with a hydraulic cylinder I5I. The latter cylinder-operates a ram I52 which may control the clutch of the tractor engine. When the valves I23 to I3I are all closed and the hydraulic pumps are operating, fluid may be by-passed back to the reservoir I19 through by-pass line 9'.

All of the hydraulic cylinders described herein may be built according to the principles described and shown in pending application Serial No. 450,- 9'14, filed July 15, 1942.

When hydraulic fluid is forced by the pumps I20 and HI into a particular cylinder to extend the ram therein, the valve I23 to I3I being used is in open position. These are standard threeway valves and also have a neutral position which serves to lock the fluid in the cylinder to prevent retraction of the ram. The third valve position is the ram return position, and a particular valve is shifted to this position Just prior to causing return of the ram. When in this position'the oil in the particular cylinder is forced out of the cylinder, back through the valve and into the line 9' leading back to the oil reservoir H9. The pumps I20 and I2I may be continuously operating so that when none of the valves are open fluid is merely returned back through the line 9' to the reservoir.

The center pin conduits Referring to Figs. to 13 inclusive, there is rotatably mounted within the center pin 49 an oil directing cylinder I53. The inner surface of the center pin 49 is formed with a plurality of vertically spaced annular grooves I54 to I59 inclusive. Within each annular groove 'are two sets, I60 and I6I, of packing. This packing comprises a plurality of layers, each approximately V- shaped in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 13, and a plurality of coiled expansion springs I52 maintain the sets of packing I60 and I6I spaced apart. Thus in each of the grooves I54 to I59 is an annular space containing springs through which oil may flow. The springs not only serve to maintain these annular oil spaces but also cause the packing rings to bear more tightly against the side of the cylinder I53. 5

The top of the inner cylinder I53 has a plurality of downwardly extending oil ducts I63, I64, I65, I66, I61, and I68 bored therein. The duct I63 has its lower end communicating with the oil space of the groove I59, the duct I64 has its lower end in communication with the oil space of the annular groove I58, the duct I65 has its lower end in communication with the oil space of the groove I51, the duct I66 has its lower end in communication with the oil space of the groove I56, the duct I61 has its lower end in communication with the oil space of the groove I55, and the duct I68 has its lower end in communication with the oil space of the groove I54. Inasmuch as these oil spaces and grooves are circular, the

vertical ducts are in communication with their respective grooves in any position of rotation of the cylinder I 53 within the center pin 49.

As illustrated in Fig. 12, the center pin also has a radial bore communicating with each of the annular oil grooves I54 to I59 inclusive, and to these radial bores are connected the conduits I36, I44, I34, I43, I50, and'I38 leading to the various hydraulic cylinders beneath the tumtable.-

The center pin 49 is preferably formed in two half shell sections bolted together as at I69.

Referring to Fig. 11, there is disposed axially within the oil conducting cylinder I53 a tube I10. This tube has its lower end extending through an opening in a bottom plate I and secured to a bracket I12. Slidable on the tube I10 is a sleeve I13, which has a portion projecting slidably through the opening in the bottom plate I1 I. The

lower end of this extension is connectedto a cable I15 guided around an idler pulley I18. The cable I15 may extend to the throttle on the carburetor of the tractor. There is also a stop collar I11 welded to the sleeve I13, which limits downward movement of the latter. At the upper end of the sleeve is another welded collar I18. This collar is adapted to be engaged by a part I19 of a bell crank I80. The bell crank in turn is pivotally connected as at I8I to the top of the cylinder I53. A hand lever I82 suitably connected by a cable I83 with the bell crank I serves to impart vertical movement to the sleeve I13 for the purpose of controlling th throttle from on top of the turntable. In addition to the above, an electric wire I84 extending from the self starter for the tractor extends upwardly through the tube I10 and is electrically connected to a fixed contact ring I85 surrounding the upper end of the tube I10. Another electric wire I86 extends upwardly through the tube I10 and is electrically connected to another contact ring I81. The rings I85 and I81 engage brushes I88 and I89 respectively which rotate with the cylinder I53 and with the turntable. Wires I90 and I9I leading from these brushes extend to a starter button I92 and to an ignition switch I93 which are conveniently mounted on the turntable. Thus the starting of the tractor, and the hydraulic steering thereof through the steering cylinders I45 and I46 may be controlled by an operator seated on the seat I94 -of the turntable. In addition this operator may hydraulically control the clutch of the tractor engine through the hydraulic lines leading to the engine clutch cylinder.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is a gasoline engine I95 mounted on the turntable having a driving connection through sprocket I96, endless chain I91, and sprocket I98 with a shaft I99. The shaft I99 in turn drives a smaller sprocket 200 which is connected by an endless chain 20I with a sprocket 202 mounted on a shaft 203. The shaft 203 has a bevel gear thereon driving a bevel gear 204 which is ri idly connected to a vertical shaft driving a pinion 205. The pinion 205 engages the stationary ring gear 52 so that when the pinion is rotated the turntable rotates around the ring gear. The gasoline engine I95 may also be employed for driving the hydraulic pumps I20 and I2I.

The operation In use of the improved tractor crane, the crane may of course be transported to a desired location by running the tractor in the usual manner. When actually working on a location, the operator seats himself on the turntable seat I94 where he can both operate and steer the tractor and operate the crane.

The first operation is to open the valves I25 and I26. This causes the rams in the cylinders I06 and I09 to be extended to push the outrigger wheels from the full line position of Fig. 2 to the dot-and-dash line position therein. This extension of the outrigger wheels is best accomplished while the tractor is moving along slowly. With the outrigger wheels extended,- a much firmer support is afforded for the operation of the crane. Next the operator opens the valve I23 to cause the boom section 82 to be extended. The valve I23 is then placed in neutral or holding position. Following this the valve I30 may be opened to cause flow of hydraulic fluid into the cylinder 11, and extension of the sheaves 14. This causes a pull on the cable II and an elevating of the boom to a desired angular position, such as the dot-and-dash line position of Fig. 1. When the desired angular position has been obtained, then the valve I30 is placed in neutral or holding position. Next the valve I3l may be opened to cause a flow of hydraulic fluid into the cylinder IIJIJ and raising of the sheaves 94 and 96 to bring the block and tackle or hook on the suspended portion of the cable 90 to the desired working position. By fully extending the ram in the cylinder I00, the load may be raised to a maximum elevation. If it is then desired to again lower the load line 90, the valve I3I may be placed in reverse position and the weight of the load will cause a lowering of the sheaves 94 and 98 and will force fluid from the cylinder I back into the reservoir. In case the weight of the load is insufficient, the shaft 98 connecting the sheaves 94 and 96 may be weighted. During these operations the clutch connected with the engine I95.may be operated to swing the turntable to a desired position of rotation.

When the work is finished and it is desired to return-the boom to telescoped position, this is best accomplished by having the boom in the dot-and-dash line position of Fig. 1. Then, with the valve I23 shifted to reverse position, the weight of the boom section 82 will push the ram 85 back into the cylinder 83 and the hydraulic fluid from the cylinder will flow back to the fluid reservoir II 9. After the boom has'been telescoped, then the valve I30 may be placed in reverse position and gravity will cause the boom to swing from the dot-and-dash line position of Fig. 1 to the full line position therein. This of course causes the ram I8 of the cylinder II to be pushed back to the position of Fig. 1, and the fluid from the cylinder I'I flows back into the oil reservoir H9.

To return the outrigger wheels to normal driving position, the valves I25 and I26 are first tion, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims. WhatIclaim is: 1. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom mounted on said frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane,"a guiding sheave at the portion of the cable when the movable sheave is moved away from the other of said spaced sheaves on the frame, and means on the frame for causing movement of said movable sheave.

2. In a crane or the like having a supporting frame, a boom mounted on said frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a pair of sheaves supported on said frame, a hydraulic ram having one end connected to said frame and having a movable portion, a pair of sheaves supported on said movable portion of the hydraulic ram in spaced relation from the first pair of sheaves, and a load line cable having a load lifting end and having its opposite end fixed relative to said supporting frame and then extending upwardly to one of the sheaves on the movable portion of the ram, downwardly to one of the sheaves supported on the frame, upwardly to the other sheave on the movable portion of the ram, and' downwardly to the other sheave on the frame whereby operation of the ram will cause a pull of multiple length on the cable to lift objects, a

. guiding sheave supported at an elevation above shifted to reverse position and then the valve I24 is opened to causea flow of oil under pressure to enter the outrigger return cylinder III. This acts through the slide carriage I I I to exert a pull on the cab es II I and 8, which cables in turn pull the outrigger slides 3| and- 38 back to the full line position of Fig. 2. During this operation the oil from the cylinders I06 and I09 is returned to the reservoir I I9.

It is obvious, therefore, that a light weight but eflicient crane structure has been provided which can be mounted on a relatively small tractor and which can be operated by one man. It is also obvious that due to the hydraulic arrangement for controlling the angular position of the boom, a fast acting boom is made possible. Heretofore the angular position of a boom has been commonly changed through the use of a slow acting screw. The novel hydraulic operation for the load line is also fast acting and is more powerful and efficient than the drum arrangement commonly employed. Due to the novel center pin arrangement including the cylinder I53 for the hydraulic conduits which is rotatable within the center pin 49, the hydraulic operation is made possible in a'turntable mounted crane, and it is possible to conduct hydraulic fluid both to locations above or below the turntable without interfering with the rotation of the latter and even while the turntable is rotating.

Although only one form of the invention has been shown and described, it is obvious that various changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the inventhe frame, and a guiding sheave on the outer end of the boom, the load lifting end of the cable being guided over said guiding sheaves.

3. In a crane or the like having a frame, a

boom mounted on said frame for pivotal move- I ment on an intermediate fulcrum to change the boom angle in a vertical plane, a cable having one end secured to the inner swingable end portion of the boom and having its other end anis moved away from the other sheave, and means for causing movement of said movable sheave.

4. In a crane'or the like having a frame, a boom mounted on said frame for pivotal movement to change the boom angle, a cable having one end secured to a swingable portion of the boom and having its other end anchored, sheaves, at least one of which is movable, carried by the frame and cooperable with a portion of the cable between the anchored end and the boom secured end to exert a pull on the latter portion of the cable when the movable sheave is moved away from the other sheave, and a hydraulic ram for causing movement of said movable sheave.

5. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom, means projecting upwardly from the frame and permanently pivotally connected to the boom outwardly of its inner end to provide for angular swinging movement of the boom in a vertical plane. a track extending angularly upwardly from the frame, means on the inner end of the boom engageable with said track to move longitudinally thereof, and means including a cable and sheaves of its inner end to provide for angular swinging movement 'of the boom in a vertical plane, a

track extending angularly upwardly from the frame, a carriage on the inner end of the boom cooperable with said track, and hydraulically operated means including a cable and sheaves for exerting a pull on said carriage to cause angular movement of the boom. I

7. In a vehicle having lifting mechanism thereon, wheels for said vehicle including a set positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism where greatest tilting strains occur, hydraulic rams for laterally spreading the wheels of said set, and cable means for returning said wheels and rams to normal position, and means for exerting a pull on said cable means.

8. In a vehicle, a turntable mounted on said vehicle, lifting mechanism on said turntable, manual controls on the turntable cfor said lifting mechanism, wheels for said vehicle including a set positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism where greatest tilting strains occur, means controlled from the turntable for spreading the wheels of said set, and means controlled from the turntable for returning said wheels to normal position.

9. In a vehicle having a frame portion, a turntable mounted on said frame portion, hydraulically operated members on the vehicle frame, hydraulically operated lifting mechanism on the turntable, hydraulic control valves on the tumtable, means for conducting hydraulic fluid under pressure from said control valves to the hydraulically operated lifting mechanism on the turntable, a hollow cylindrical center pin projecting upwardly from the vehicle frame around which said turntable rotates, an inner cylindrical member rotatable with the turntable and within said center pin, and means including registering ducts in said inner cylindrical member and center pin for conducting hydraulic fluid from said control valves on the turntable to said hydraulically operated members on the vehicle frame.

10. In a device including hydraulically operated units and having a frame, a turntable mounted on said frame, a hollow cylindrical center pin projecting upwardly from the frame around which said turntable rotates, an inner cylindrical member rotatable with the turntable and within said center pin, and means including registering ducts in said inner cylindrical member and center pin for conducting hydraulic fluid to said hydraulically operated units, the ducts in the inner cylindrical member having longitudinally spaced radially extending ports, and the ducts in the center pin including spaced annular grooves on the inner wall surface of the center pin, each groove registering with one of said radial ports of the inner cylindrical member.

11. In a device including hydraulically operated units and having a frame, a turntable mounted on said frame, a hollow cylindrical center pin projecting upwardly from the frame around which said turntable rotates, an inner cylindrical member rotatable with the turntable and within said center pin, and means including registering ducts in said inner cylindrical member and center pin for conducting hydraulic liuid to said hydraulically operated units, the ducts in the inner cylinregistering with one of said radial ports on the inner cylindrical member, there also being two sets of packing rings in each annular groove, and means for maintaining a space for hydraulic fluid between said sets of packing rings.

12. In a device including hydraulically operated units and having a frame, a turntable mounted on said frame, a hollow cylindrical center pin projecting upwardly from the frame around which said turntable rotates, an inner cylindrical member rotatable with the turntable and within said center pin, and means including registering ducts in said inner cylindrical member and center pin for conducting hydraulic fluid to said hydraulically operated units, the ducts in the inner cylindrical member having longitudinally spaced radially extending ports, and the ducts in the center pin including spaced annular grooves on the inner wall surface of the center pin, each groove registering with one of said radial ports of the inner cylindrical member. there also being two sets of packing rings in each annular groove, and a plurality of expansion springs between the sets of packing rings in each groove for maintaining a space for hydraulic fluid and for urging the packing rings into an effective oil sealing position.

13. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom mounted on said frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a guiding sheave at the outer end of said boom movable with the boom, a guiding sheave mounted on the frame near the inner end of the boom, 2. load line cable having a load lifting portion guided over the guiding sheaves, spaced sheaves, at least one of which is movable, carried by the frame and cooperable with a portion of the cable to exert a pull on the load lifting portion of the cable when the movable sheave is moved away from the other of said spaced sheaves on the frame, and an hydraulic ram on the frame for causing movement of said movable sheave.

14. In a crane or the like having a boom supporting frame, means upstanding from the frame and pivotally connected to the boom at a distance outwardly from the inner end of the boom to support the boom for pivotal movement in a vertical plane, a cable guiding sheave on the outer end of the boom movable with the boom,

a cable guiding sheave supported at an elevation from the frame near the inner end of the boom when said inner end is in raised position, a load line cable having an outer load lifting portion guided by the sheave on the boom, said load line cable extending longitudinally of the boom to the sheave which is supported at an elevation from the frame near the inner end of the boom, and means including additional sheaves and an hydraulic ram mounted on the boom supporting frame and cooperable with the inner end portion of the cable for exerting a pull on the load lifting portion of the cable in any position of adjustment of the inner end of the boom.

15. In a crane or the like having a frame. a boom mounted on said frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane to change the boom angle. a cable having one end secured to a swingable portion of the boom, and means including an hydraulic ram on the frame for exerting a pull on said cable to cause pivotal movement of the boom in a vertical plane.

16. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom mounted on said frame for pivotal movement in a vertical plane to change the boom angle, a cable having one end secured to a swingable portion of the boom, and means including sheaves and an hydraulic ram on the frame for exerting a pull of multiplied length on said cable to cause pivotal movement of the boom in a vertical plane.

17. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom, means projecting upwardly from the frame and permanently pivotally connected to the boom outwardly of its inner end to provide for angular swinging movement of the boom in a vertical plane, a track extending upwardly from the frame, means on the inner end of the boom engageable with said track to move longitudinally thereof, and hydraulically operated means including a cable and sheaves for exerting a downward pull on said track engaging means to cause angular movement of the boom.

18. In a crane or the like having a frame, a boom, means pivotally connected at its lower end to the frame and at its upper end to the boom outwardly of the inner end of the boom to provide for angular swinging movement of the boom in a vertical plane, a track extending upwardly from the frame at an oblique angle, means on the inner end of the boom engageable with said track, and hydraulically operated means including a cable and sheaves for exerting a pull on said track engaging means to cause angular movement of the boom.

19. In a vehicle having a lifting mechanism thereon, wheels for said vehicle including a set positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism where greatest tilting strains occur, hydraulic rams for laterally spreading the wheels of said set, cable means for returning said wheels and rams to normal position, and an additional hydraulic ram for exerting a pull on said cable means.

20. In a vehicle having a lifting mechanism thereon, wheels for said vehicle including a set positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism where greatest lifting strains occur, a transverse wheel supporting slide for the wheels on each side of said set, means on the vehicle supporting said slides for transverse movement, and transversely extending hydraulically operated means on the vehicle positioned adjacent said slides and co-acting therewith to move the slides outwardly.

21. In a vehicle having a lifting mechanism thereon, wheels for said vehicle including a set positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism where greatest 'lifting strains occur, a transverse wheel supporting slide for the wheels on each side of said set, said slides being positioned one below the other, means for slidably suspending said slides from the vehicle for transverse movement, the lowermost slide being additionally slidably suspended from the slide thereabove, and means for causing outward and inward movement of said slides.

22. In a vehicle having a frame portion, a

turntable mounted on said frame portion, hy-

draulically operated members on the vehicle frame, hydraulically operated lifting mechanism on the turntable, hydraulic control valves on the turntable, means for conducting hydraulic fluid under pressure from said control valves to the hydraulically operated lifting mechanism on the turntable, a pair of cylindrical center pin members rotatable one around the other, one of said members being rotatable with the turntable and one of said members projecting upwardly from the vehicle frame, and means including registering ducts in said center pin members for conducting hydraulic fluid from said control valves on the turntable to said hydraulically operated members on the vehicle frame.

23. In a device including hydraulically operat-' ed units and having a frame, a turntable mounted on said frame, a pair of cylindrical center pin members rotatable one around the other, one of said center pin members being connected to the turntable and the other of said members projecting upwardly from the frame, and means including registering ducts in said cylindrical center pin members for conducting hydraulic fluid to said hydraulically operated units, the ducts in one of said members having longitudinally spaced radially extending ports, and the ducts in the other center pin member including spaced annular grooves, each groove registering with one of said radial ports;

24. In a vehicle having lifting mechanism thereon, outrigger means movably positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism where greatest tilting strains occur, hydraulic rams for laterally moving said outrigger means, cable means for returning said outrigger means and rams to normal position, and means for exerting a pull on said cable means.

25. In a, vehicle, a turntable mounted on said vehicle, lifting mechanism on said turntable, manual controls on the turntable for said lifting mechanism, outrigger means for said vehicle positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism where greatest tilting strains occur, means controlled from the turntable for laterally moving said outrigger means, and means controlled from the turntable for returning said outrigger means to normal position.

26. In a vehicle having lifting mechanism thereon, outrigger means for the vehicle movably positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism where greatest tilting strains occur, an hydraulic ram for laterally moving said outrigger means, cable means for returning said outrigger means to normal portion, andan additional hydraulic ram for exerting a pull on said cable means.

2'7. In a vehicle having lifting mechanism thereon, outrigger means for said vehicle positioned below the portion of the lifting mechanism where greatest strains occur, said outrigger means including a transverse supporting slide and means on the vehicle supporting said slide for transverse movement, and transversely extending hydraulically operated means on the vehicle co-actlng with said slide to move the latter outwardly.

ROY O. BILLINGS.

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