Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Z00~4~5 ~:
A CRANE ASSEMBLY
'"-,.,.,:
This invention relates to a crane assembly suitable particularly, but
not exclusively, for lifting a vehicle or a vehicle body.
In order to put a vehicle or vehicle body (which may be of ;
monocoque construction or may have a separate chassis) on a jig for
frame or body alignment checks or realignment e.g. following accident ` ;~
damage, it is conventional to successively jack up each end of the vehicle
and lower the respective ends onto axle stands. The jig, which normally `~
comprises a heavy steel bed on castors, is then wheeled into position
under the raised vehicle or vehicle body. However, the maximum safe
height of axle stands means that the clamps which extend outwardly and
upwardly from the sides of the jig bed to grip the vehicle at intervals
along the sill area, and measuring posts which extend upwardly from the
bed itself, may well have to be mounted on the jig bed after it is in
position beneath the vehicle or vehicle body and this is of course
inconvenient and time-consuming. Furthermore, lifting each end of the ~ ` -
vehicle from its axle stands and carefully lowering it onto the jig is also a
tlme-consuming and difficult operation bearing in mind the need for
careful alignment. Alternatively crane or hoist assemblies are known 's~ `
which are suitable for lifting vehicles but such known assemblies are
difficult to use safely when it is necessary to put a vehicle or a vehicle
body on a jig for frame or body alignment checks or realignment.
Customarily this is done by lifting the vehicle or vehicle body on the end ~ I
of a chain or sling and pushing the jig underneath the lifted vehicle or
vehicle body. This is not satisfactory as it takes considerable time and
effort to locate the jig properly underneath the vehicle and to ensure that
the vehicle or vehicle body is correctly deposited thereon particularly as -~
the slung vehicle or vehicle body-can swing or twist whilst in the lifted
position and must be steadied before it is lowered on to the jig. As such
steadying is usually carried out manually this introduces an extra safety ,"",'`' ',-'~',~7',~'`~`'.'
hazard to the operator uite apart from increasing the difficulty of ``
accurately locating the vehicle or vehicle body on the jig. Similar hazards
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are also involved when unloading the vehicle or vehicle body from the jig.
A conventional four post hoist cannot be used because the longitudinal
channels for the road wheels would interfere with the jig. A conventional
two post hoist can be used but the lifting arms typically foul the jig
necessitating the use of axle stands often leaving the vehicle in an
unstable and therefore unsafe state. A conventional single post hoist
cannot be used as the central post would not allow the jig to be placed
below the vehicle.
There is accordingly a need for a crane or hoist which lifts the
vehicle or vehicle body from underneath at two or more longitudinal
locations in a simple stable manner while at the same time not interfering
with the clamps on the jig. It is also highly desirable that the crane is
safely movable in any desired direction even with a vehicle or vehicle
body loaded thereon. This facilitates moving the vehicle or vehicle body
from a storage location to a working location and also facilitates its
alignment with the jig.
G8 Patent Specification 1,125,083 describes a cradle-type lifting
apparatus for motor vehicles comprising an overhead gantry supported by
four vertical posts, two posts on each side making up a side frame and
each post being provided at its lower end with a wheel permitting the
llfting apparatus to be moved along the ground. However, it is clear that
there is no intention of moving the apparatus while loaded as the
apparatus i9 immobilised with jacking pads while in use. Furthermore the
two-post side frames would interfere with a jig placed below the vehicle.
Each side frame has its own hydraulic piston-cylinder assembly for raising
and lowering cradle frames slidable up and down the side frames and
carrying removable members extend beneath the vehicle between the
cradle frames. There is thus no suggestion that a vehicle or vehicle body
can be lifted, and safely held for transportation, by an assembly having
effectively only one post on each side of the vehicle and having removable
transverse cradle members which extend beneath the vehicle or vehicle
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body at a spacing which does not interfere with operation of a
conventional jig onto which the vehicle or vehicle body is to be lowered. - ~;
According to the present invention there is provided a crane `
assembly for lifting an object, including gantry means having a pair of
spaced apart upstanding leg portions which are interconnected at their
upper ends by a transverse cross-member portion, and between which an ;
object to be lifted can be located, which leg portions have carrier means ,
at their lower ends which extend forwardly and rearwardly of the
respective leg portion to provide stability against forward and backward
tipping particularly when the crane assembly is loaded, the carrier means
having wheel means for engaging-the ground or like support surface and
for permitting the loaded crane assembly to be moved, cradle means ' '.',i`"',~3.~'."
having two side portions mounted for guided up and down substantially
vertical movement one on each leg portion with an object to be lifted !,`'a"'~
being slung between the two side portions on at least two bearer beams
locatable beneath the object and removably engagable at their ends on the l '~'~,.. j''.i, .,'
two side portions to extend therebetween, and means for raising and
lowering the cradle means side portions, and thus an object when slung !.. `;,`''~'~"~
therebetween, up and down the leg portions, with the guided mounting of
the cradle means side portions on the two leg portions being such as
substantially to prevent swinging (about a horizontal axis) or twisting
(a,bout a vertical axis) of the side portions, and hence of an object when
slung therebetween, relative to the leg portions.
This means that the object such as a vehicle or vehicle body can be
lifted up on the crane assembly and the whole crane assembly wheeled
over a jig and the vehicle or vehicle body deposited on the jig. This
considerably improves the ease and accuracy with which a~vehicle or
vehicle body may be located on a jig safely without the vehicle or vehicle
body swinging or twisting relative to the assembly. Furthermore the jig ; - -
can be fitted with clamps and measuring posts in advance and before
access is hindered by the vehicle or vehicle body. ^''.''~, ,r;~,' ,'
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Advantageously the leg portions extend substantially
perpendicularly from the cross-member portion and each has a reinforcing ;~
structure connecting it to a carrier means. Desirably, the reinforcing
structure permits removal and replacement of the bearer beams
therethrough at various cradle heights.
Generally, the wheel means permit movement of the loaded crane
assembly in substantially any direction and at least one of the wheel
means is provided with a brake.
~' . ' ~''
Conveniently the lower ends of each leg portion are each
reinforced by a substantially equilateral triangular reinforcing structure `~ '~'`''~``''`!'~"
which provides the carrier means and whose base substantially centrally
supports the respective leg portion end and whose apex is connected to
the respective leg portion part way along the leg portion length, with the
two reinforcing structures extending substantially in parallel to one
another, substantially at right angles to the cross-member portion.
Preferably the wheel means on each carrier means are two castor
assemblies located one at each end of the respective reinforcing structure -;~
base, each of which castor assemblies is lockable in any one of four,
mutually at right angles, directions of running and is provided with its own -
independently operable wheel brake, and with the arrangement being such ~ 'as to permit the crane assembly to be wheeled over an object to be lifted,
to be movable with a lifted object slung therefrom and to be wheeled
away from an object which has been released from the assembly.
In one arrangement, the assembly includes two secondary bearer ~ ;.
beams for releasable engagement at each end on and with the two spaced
primary bearer beams to extend therebetween at a suitable spacing apart
corresponding to the distance apart of the lifting points of an object to be
lifted, so that the object being lifted sits on said secondary bearer beams. ~ ~`~ r'.~''.'''''~7'
In another arrangement, blocks with a channel on their lower side and -
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with a resilient pad with an upper frictional surface on their upper side fit
over the primary bearer beams.
Conveniently the base of each substantially equilateral triangular
reinforcing structure and its apex provide end limits for the up and down
vertical movement of the cradle means side portions.
,`';'`' ~'''', ,''
In one embodiment the cradle means includes a crossbar portion
which interconnects the upper ends of the two side portions and which
extend substantially at right angles thereto, said crossbar portion and side
portions being dimensioned to fit between the leg portions and under the
cross-member portion. Each cradle means side portion may be a
framework in the shape of a substantially equilateral triangle with each
framework being connected at its apex to respective ends of the crossbar
portion and with the two primary bearer beams being removably
engagable with a bar forming the base of the respective triangular
framework.
Conveniently each cradle means side portion is mounted for said
guided up and down vertical movement on the associated leg portion, by
means of two loop members projecting laterally from the side portion
framework one at or adjacent the apex thereof and the other at or
ad3acent the base thereof, with the part of the associated leg portion
Iying between the base and apex of its reinforcing structures extending
through the two loop members so that the base and apex of the leg portion
reinforcing structure act as stops limiting the extent of vertical
movement of the cradle means relative to the leg portions, and with the
loop members and leg portion being formed and dimensioned to co-operate
to prevent swinging or twisting of the side portions relative to the leg
portions.
Conveniently the leg portions are in the form of closed box
sections havir;g a substantiaily rectangular cross section and wherein each
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loop member has a corresponding substantially rectangular aperture -
therethrough dimensioned to conform closely to said leg portion cross - `
section.
Preferably the means for raising and lowering the cradle means -~
side portions includes a motor driven winch and pulley unit mounted on ~ e~
the gantry means cross-member portion intermediate its ends, a pulley
syatem mounted on the cradle means crossbar portion and a cable or chain
extending between said winch and pulley unit and said pulley system. ~ ~ `
Advantageously the drive motor for the winch is an electric motor
having a source of electrical power either mounted on the gantry means
or separate therefrom.
According to a first alternative embodiment of the invention each ` ;~
leg portion i8 a box section which is slotted at one side so that the slotted
sidea of the two leg portions face one another and each leg portion box
section houses a screw threaded rod member which extends therein in the ~ -
dlrection of the longitudinal axia thereof from a bearing block adjacent
the base of the leg portion to a bearing block adjacent the cross-member
portion.
Advantageously each cradle means aide portion is a framework in
the shape of a subatantially equilateral triangle, with the two primary ;~
bearer beams being removably engagable with a bar forming the base of ~ ""'d'''''''`'~'
the respective substantially triangular framework.
Conveniently each cradle means side portlon is mounted for aaid
guided up and down vertical movement on the associated leg portion, by
meana of two nut members houaed at least partially in the respective leg -portion box section and screw threadably engaged on the screw threaded
rod member for movement up and down relative to the leg portion on
rotation of the rod nnennber in one direction or the other, each id nut
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member having a nose part projecting through the leg portion slot and said
nut members being connected by said nose parts to the side portion to ;
project laterally therefrom one at or adjacent the apex of the framework
and the other at or adjacent the base thereof, the two nut members
engaging the inner surfaces of the leg portion box section via bearing
means to prevent swinging or twisting of the side portions relative to the `
leg portions.
Preferably the bearing means on each nut member are four thrust
bearings located one at or adjacent each corner of the substantially
rectangular nut member. -
Advantageously the means for raising and lowering the cradle ~
means side portions includes a motor and pulley unit mounted on the "'!'.' "".`' ' / " '.~'.'
gantry means cross-member portion intermediate its ends, and a chain and ;; ; ;;
sprocket system mounted on the cross-member portion so that chain runs
extend therealong and around sprockets mounted one on each rod member,
the chain runs being carried substantially at the centre of the cross-
member portion on sprockets drivingly connected to the motor and pulley
unit 90 that nnotion imparted thereto by the motor is transmitted via the
pulleys, sprockets and chain to the rod members to rotate the latter. ~ ~; ;.?'~
Preferably the drive motor for the motor and pulley unit is an
electric motor.
~ n a second altern-tive embodiment each cradle means side portion
comprises a substantially vertical beam with vertically spaced members
running in a guide channel on the respective leg portion and a
substantially horizontal beam substantially symmetrically secured to the
lower end of the substantially vertical beam and arranged to carry bearer
beams, the ends of whic hook thereover or are releasably connected ,~
thereto by any other suitable means. .
Preferably the ga try means carries a hydraulic piston-cylinder
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assembly and control means therefor, the arrangement being such that
extension or retraction of the piston cylinder assembly serves to raise the
cradle means side portions in unison by way of a system of cables or
chains and pulleys or sprockets.
It is also preferred that there is a movable safety catch carried by
each leg portion and engageable with the respective cradle means side
portion to hold it at an upper position, that the upper end- of each
substantially vertical beam has means for carrying a bearer beam and that
each substantially horizontal beam has a pair of stops such that a pair of
bearer beams placed between the substantially horizontal beams and
resting thereon-are held at a spacing such that a motor vehicle wheel can
be lodged between them. Less conveniently the safety catch may be on
the cradle means side portion and engage a stop on the leg portion.
The invention also extends to a method of mounting a vehicle or
vehicle body on a jig using the crane assembly described and a method of
transporting a vehicle or other object using the crane assembly described.
For example, the invention provides a method of mounting a
vehicle or vehicle body on a jig comprising positioning the crane assembly
in a position to straddle the vehicle or vehicle body, placing the bearer
beams in position beneath the vehicle or vehicle body such that the
vehicle or vehicle body is stably balanced thereon, raising the bearer
beams and the vehicle or vehicle body, moving the vehicle or vehicle body
over the jig or moving the jig beneath the vehicle or vehicle body,
lowering the vehicle or vehicle body onto the jig and removing the bearer
beams.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show
how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by
way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which~
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Figure l is a perspective view of an exploded gantry means part of
a crane assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention,
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a cradle means for the
crane assembly of Figure l, ; ~ ; -
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an assembled crane assembly
according to the embodiment-of Figures l and 2 shown in operative :; .--
association with a vehicle in a raised or lowered position,
Figure 4 is a perspective, partially broken away, view of part of a
crane assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention, .
Figure 5 is a partially sectibned view from above taken on the line
A-A of Figure 4, but reversed for convenience, - - - .
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cradle means side portion for
. ~ ~
use in the crane assembly of Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a crane assembly according to a :~
third embodiment of the invention,
.. . ~.. ,.~
Figure 8 is an end view of the crane assembly of Figure 7,
, . . .:, . ,.. ;.i:: ~
Figure 9 is a side view of the crane assembly of Figure 8, ,
Figure lO is a detail view of a safety catch, ~ s-.
Figure ll is a diagrammatic perspective view of the crane about to
lower a motor car onto a jig, and
Figure 12 is a front end view of a crane showing the motor car of . ;. .
Figure ll lowered onto the jig.
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A crane assembly of the invention is intended for lifting an object,
such as a vehicle or vehicle body, for enabling the vehicle or vehicle body
to be placed on an alignment or realignment jig. Figures 1 to 3 of the
accompanying drawings show a crane assembly according to a first
embodiment of the invention including gantry means generally referenced
1 and cradle means generally referenced 2. The gantry means 1 has a pair
of spaced apart upstanding leg portions 3 between which an object such as
a vehicle 4 to be lifted can be located. The leg portions 3 are made of
any convenient material and preferably are hollow steel box sections
made, for example, from Grade 43 steel. ~
These leg portions 3 have wheel means at their lower ends~ for
engaging the ground or like support surface. Conveniently the wheel
means on each leg portion 3 are two castor assemblies 5 each of which
ca~tor assembly is lockable in any one of four, mutually at right angles,
directions of running and is provided with its own independently operable
wheel brake. The crane assembly can thus be moved in substantially any
direction when the castor assemblies are unlocked.
The two leg portions 3 are interconnected at their upper ends by a
cross-member portion 6 made of any convenient material such as box
section Grade 43 steel with reinforcing webs 6a. The leg portions 3
extend substantially perpendicularly from the cross-member portion 6 and
as illustrated in Figure 1 the lower ends of each leg portion 3 are each
reinforced by a substantially equilateral triangular reinforcing structure
7. The base 7a of each structure 7 provides a carrier means which
extends forward and rearwardly of the respective leg portion to provide~
stability against forward and backward tipping, particularly when the
crane is loaded (see Figure 4). The base 7a substantially centrally
supports the respective leg portion 3 and the apex 7b is connected to the
respective leg portion 3 part way along the leg portion length. The two
reinforcing structures 7 extend substantially in parallel to one another
substantially at right angles to the cross-member portion 6.
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The cradle means 2 has two side portions 8 and a crossbar portion 9
which interconnects the upper ends of the two side portions 8 and which
extends substantially at right angles thereto. The crossbar portion 9 and
side portions 8 are dimensioned to fit betwebn the leg portions 3 and
under the cross-member portion 6. ~ ~ `
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The side portions 8 and crossbar portion 9 can be made of any
suitable material such as steel preferably made up of box sections of
Grade 43 steel. As illustrated in Figure 2 each side portion 8 is a
framework in the shape of a substantially- equilateral triangle with each
framework being connected at its apex 8a to respective ends of the
crossbar portions 9. The two side portions 8 are mounted for guided up
and down substantially vertical movement one on each leg portion 3. Tn
this embodiment this is done by means of two loop members 10 which
project laterally from the side portion framework one at or adjacent the
apex 8a thereof and the other at or adjacent the base 8b thereof and
which encircle each leg portion 3. The part of the associated leg portion
3 Iying between the base 7a and apex 7b of its reinforcing structure 7
extends through the associated loop member 10 so that the base 7a and
apex 7b of the leg portion reinforcing structure 7 act as stops limiting the
extent of vertical movement of the cradle means 2 relative to the leg
portions 3. The loop members 10 and leg portion 3 are dimensioned and
formed to co-operate to prevent swinging or twisting of the side portions
8 relative to the leg portions 3. To this end the leg portions 3 are in the
form of closed box sections having a substantially rectangular cross
section and each loop member 10 has a corresponding substantially
rectangular aperture lOa therethrough dimensioned to conform closely to
the leg portion cross section. -
To enable an object to be lifted to be slung between the two sideportions 8 of the cradle means 2 at least two primary bearer beams 11 are
,brovided. These two primary bearer beams 11 are preferably box sections
made of Grade 50 steel, conveniently having a safe working load of two
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tons each. The primary bearer beams 11 are loeatable beneath the object
and removably engagable at their ends on the bases 8b of the two side
portions 8 to extend therebetween. The primary bearer beams 11 thus
extend in spaced apart fashion substantially parallel to one another
underneath a vehicle or other object to be lifted and can be inserted
thereunder with the cradle means 2 resting on the ground over an object
to be lifted. To this end each primary bearer beam 11 is provided at its
ends with clip or hook portions-lla shaped to conform to and co-operate
with the base 8b of each side portion 8 in an easily releasable manner.
Additionally two secondary bearer beams 12 are provided for releasable
engagement at each end on and- with the two spaced apart primary bearer
beams 11 to extend therebetween at a suitable - spacing apart
corresponding to the distance apart of the lifting points of an object such
as a vehicle to be lifted. If the object to be lifted is a vehicle the
secondary bearer beams 12 act as sill supports on which the sills of the
vehicle sit and to this end the secondary bearer beams 12 may be provided
with end pads 12a made of any convenient high friction protective
material for engagement with the vehicle sill9 in a non-slip and non-
damaging manner. Additionally the secondary bearer beams 12 may be
provided at their ends with safety lips 12b for hooking over the primary
bearer beams 11. The length of the secondary bearer beams 12 and thus
the spacing of the bearer beams 11 is sufficient to stably mount the
vehicle or vehicle body while at the same tlme not interfering with
clamps on a jig onto which the vehicle or vehicle body is lowered, the
clamps normally being outside the beams. The beams 12 may be replaced
by blocks 37 as described below in connection with Figure 7.
The crane assembly of the invention also includes means for raising
and lowering the cradle means side portions 8, and thus an object when
slung therebetween, up and down the leg portions 3 with the guided
mounting of the cradle means side portions 8 by means of the loop
members 10 on the two leg portions 3 being such as substantially to
prevent ~winging or twisting of the side portions 8 and hence of an object
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when slung therebetween, relative to the leg portions 3. As can be seen
from Figures 1, 2 and 3 the means for raising and lowering the cradle
means side portions 8 includes a motor driven winch and`pulley unit 13
having a motor 13a, a pair of winches 13b driven through reduction
gearing (not shown) and pulley 13c. The unit 13 is mounted on the gantry
means cross-member portion 6 intermediate the ends of the portions 6.
The cradle means cross bar portion 9 has a pair of pulleys 14 mounted
thereon and a cable or chain 15 extends between the winches 13b leaving
one winch 13b, passing downwards around one pulley 14 and upwards over-
pulley 13c, then downwards again around the other pulley 14 and back to
the other winch 13b, the pulley 13c serving to balance- the proportion of
the load carried by the two winches 13b. The arrangement can be more
easily seen from Figure 3. T accommodate the pulley system 14 more
easily the crossbar portion 9 of the cradle means 2 is made conveniently
of two spaced apart U-section channels as illustrated in Figure 2, with the
pulley system 14 mounted therebetween. The drive motor 13a for the
winch or winches 13b preferably is an electric motor having a source of
electrical power either mounted on the gantry means such as by means of
the illustrated battery 16 or separately therefrom e.g. a mains supply.
The battery 16 may be provided with a cover 17 and an optional battery
charger 18. Additionally the winch and pulley unit 13 may be fitted with
a safety overload device to cut out in the event that the assembly is askqd
to lift a load greater than its planned capacity, which preferably is a safe
working load of two tons. If desired the winch and pulley unit 13 may be
controlled by remote radio control module or a conventional wandering
lead. Alternatively a pneumatic power supply can be used.
As shown in Figure 3 the crane assembly of the invention allows a
vehicle to be lifted and the whole assembly and vehicle moved by means
of the castor assemblies 5 over a body jig without any twisting or tilting
or swinging of the vehicle 4 during such movement. The assembly can be
used for loading and unloading vehicles from body jigs of all types, for
lifting vehicles for inspection and work after first placing axle stands
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underneath and/or operating a safety catch e.g. as shown in Figure 7, for
moving badly damaged or partially dismantled vehicles, for removing
bodies from chassis or even for removal of engines from vehicle. The
assembly affords complete mobility and easy storage which may be over a
vehicle and the assembly can be built with any convenient lifting height
such as, for example, a lifting height of 1 metre.
The crane assembly according to a second embodiment of the
invention as illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 6 is basically similar to that of
the first embodiment and like parts have been given -like reference
numerals and will not be described again in detail. The basic difference is
that in the assembly in the-second embodiment there is no crossbar
portion on the cradle means side portions 8. Instead the leg portions 3 are
each in the form of a box section which i5 slotted with a slot 19 at one
side so that the slotted sides of the two leg portions 3 face one another as
shown in Figure 4. Each leg portion box section houses a screw threaded
rod member 20, of which only one has been shown for convenience, in
Figure 4, which extends therein in the direction of the longitudinal axis
thereof from a bearing block or assembly 21 adjacent the base of the leg
portion 3 and a bearing block or assembly 22 adjacent the cross-member
portion 6.
Each cradle means side portion 8 is still a framework in the shape
of a substantially equilateral triangle with the two primary bearer beams
11 being removably engagable with the bar 8b forming the base of the
respective substantially triangular framework. However each cradle
means side portion 8 is mounted for the guided up and down vertical
movement on the associated leg portion 3 by means of two nut members
23 housed at least partially in the respective leg portion box section and
screw threadably engaged on the screw threaded rod member 20 for
movement up and down relative to the leg portion on rotation of the rod
member in one direction-or- the other. Each nut member 23 has a nose
part 24 projecting through the leg portion slot 19. The nut members 23
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are connected by their nose parts 24 to the side portion 8 to project
laterally therefrom one at or adjacent the apex 8a of the framework and
the other at or adjacent the base 8b thereof depending on how high above
the ground the side portion is to be when in its lowermost position. The
nut members 23 preferably are substantially rectangular in cross section
so as to engage relatively closely the inside walls of the rectangular box
section leg portion 3 and thereby prevent swinging or twisting of the side
portions 8 relative to the leg portions 3. Additionally the nut members 23
engage the inner surfaces of the leg portion box section via bearing means
such as thrust bearings 25 rotatably mounted at each corner of the nut
members 23. The thrust bearings 25 are conveniently rotatable wheels
made of nylon for running on the inside surfaces of the leg portion box
sectlon.
In this embodiment the means for raising and lowering the cradle
means side portions 8 includes a motor and pulley unit 26 mounted on the
gantry means cross-member portion 6 intermediate its ends and a chain
and sprocket system including two chain runs 27 and four sprockets 28.
The chsin and sprocket system is mounted on the cross-member portion 6
also so that the chain runs 27 extend therealong and around respective
sprockets 28 which are mounted one on each rod member and fixedly
connected to the rod member to rotate therewith. The chain runs 27
engage at their other ends around two sprockets 28 located substantially
at the centre of the cross-member portion 6 in driven connection with the
motor and pulley unit 26, preferably via a belt 29 and pulley 30, so that
motion imparted by the motor to the chains 27 is transmitted thereby to
the rod members 2û to rotate the latter. Preferably the drive motor for
the motor and pulley unit 26 is an electric motor as in the first
embodiment.
Anti-scuff or safety covers may be fitted to the side portions 8 of
the cradle me~sns 2 in both embodiments of the invention. Such a cover is
shown diagrammatically at 31 in Figure 5. The covers 31 may also
function as safety curtains.- Additionally the motor or the motor and
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pulley unit 26 may also be provided with a safety overload cut out.
The embodiment of Figures 7 to lO is similar in most respects to
the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6 but lifting is effected by a single piston-
cylinder unit mounted in the cross-member portion of the gantry and ~ .
connected to the cradle means side portions by cables. The shape of the
cradle means side portions has been changed to improve both appearance
and accessibility.
~'.'.~
A gantry means l comprises a cross-member portion 6 comprising
an upper beam 6a and a lower beam 6b between which is mounted a drive - ~.
unit 35 to be described in more detail below, and two leg portions or posts
3. Each leg portion 3 is a single hollow box section beam which facilitates
access to the jig and two mutually facing L-section members are welded - s
to the inwardly facing side of each beam to provide a vertical T-section ` ;
cavity with access through a vertical slot 19. The lower end of each leg
portion 3 is bolted to the centre of a carrier beam 7a which extends
forwardly and rearwardly of the leg portion 3 to provide stability when
the crane assembly is loaded with a vehicle and moved in the loaded ~ ;~
condition. A pair of inclined reinforcing beams 7 extend between the ;
respective ends of the carrier beams 7a to points on opposite sides of the ~ Sl~
leg portions 3 about halfway along their length. The beams 7 are bolted in ~ Y;i
sockets welded to the carrier beam 7a and the leg portion respectively. ;
At each end of each carrier beam 7a there is a castor assembly 5 of
conventional type in which a bracket holding a wheel is freely rotatable `,'~.~.,,.,''`,`,.~"5''j''',-.'~
about a vertical axis, the horizontal wheel axis being displaced from the
vertical axis to obtain a trailing effect as the castor assembly is pushed
along. Each castor assembly may be provided with a brake and means for
locking it in a selected orientation in a conventional manner.
The cradle side portions 8 each comprise a vertical beam 8a welded
to a horizontal base means 8b and to a shorter- horizontal upper beam 8c, - :
and inclined struts 8d are welded in-position between a point inwardly of ;~
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the end of the base beam 8b and point about one third of the way up the
vertical beam 8a. The horizontal beams 8b and 8c each have flanges 8e at
their ends to locate transverse bearer beams 11 which, as previously
described, have hook portions 11a at their ends which fit over the base
beam 8b. However, the beams 11 can also be hooked onto the beams 8c
(with a closer spacing) so that a block can be bolted to the two beams 11
midway along their length, the block being provided with a chain or the
like to lift engines out of vehicles for example. It is also envisaged that a
similar arrangement is used for lifting and transporting builders' skips.
The arrangement thus has considerable versatility. In this- embodiment,
the secondary bearer beams are replaced by blocks 37 having channels 38
on their lower sides which fit over the bearer beams 11 and are positioned
to engage appropriate parts of the underside of the vehicle, the blocks 37
having the pads 12a of frictional material on their upper surface. The
blocks 37 are even less likely to interfere with the jig than the secondary
bearer beams 12 of the first and second embodiments.
Each vertical beam 8a has two bearing members 23 of a T-shape
similar to that shown in Figure 6 (but without the central hole) which
extend through the slots 19 into the cavity provided by the ~-section
members welded to the leg portion 3 and substantially correspond with its
internal shape, with greasing providing an adequately free slide bearing.
The top bearing member 23 i8 at the top of the beam 8a but the bottom
béaring member is above the bottom of the beam 8a to permit the beam
8a to reach the ground without the bearing member 23 abutting the
carrier bearn 7a.
The points of attachment of the struts 8d to the base beam 8a are
such that if the bearer beams 11 are placed inside these points of
attachment, the bearer beams 11 have a spacing suitable for locating and
holding a vehicle wheel. With this arrangement, the front or rear end of a
vehicle can be lifted in the manner of a 'spectacle' lift to facilitate
inspection and/or repair.
2004415 - ~ ~;
- 18 - `
The drive unit 35 comprises an electric (or pneumatic) motor 40
which drives a hydraulic pump 42 in a conventional manner. The hydraulic ~ c
pump 42 is connected through a conventional valve to a horizontal piston- `~ i
cylinder assembly 44, the piston rod 46 of which drives a vertical plate 48 `; ~ -
along rails 50 secured to the mutual facing sides of beams 6a, 6b, the - `
plate 48 having notched bearing surfaces which fit over the rails. Secured '
to the lower portion of the plate 48 are a first pair of wire cables 52 ; ` ~ -
which extend along respective sides-of the beam 6b over pulleys 54 and
downwardly to one cradle side portion 8. Secured to the upper portion of i~
the plate 48 are a second pair of cables 62 which extend along the
respective sides of beam 6a in the same direction as cables 5Z but àre -~
reversed around pulieys 64 on beams 6a and pass around pulleys 66 before ;
descending to the other cradle side portion 8. In practice guards 67 are ; `;
placed over the pulleys to prevent the cables coming off if they become ~
slack for any reason. This arrangement provides a simple, efficient and ;; ~}
inexpensive means of raising and lowering the cradle which employs a '".. '.'.~''''`''','~! ':'~''''''~,'
single piston-cylinder assembly 44 mounted where it does not obscure .",.. ,,,.. ;~
access and where it jB not prone to damage in a crowded workshop. ;- i
Preferably the motor 40 is only switched on for the raising operation, the
lowering operation being effected by bleeding hydraulic fluid in the - -
piston-cylinder assembly back to the fluid reservoir (not shown).
Desirably the bleeding can be effected at two or more speeds by control ~;
valves so that the vehicle can be lowered more slowly as it approaches the
ground or the jig.
For safety reasons a catch 70 is provided on each leg portion ~ and
is shown in detail in Figure 10. This comprises a plate 72 of suitable end - ~ ,
profiie for engaging the underside of struts 8d tor of base 8b) and ; ~;
pivotably mounted about a horizontal axis 74 on the leg portion for - `
movement between an operative position below the particular part of the ~ - - -9
side portion 8 snd an inoperative position which is clear of the side `
portion 8. Lugs 85 welded to the leg portion provide stops for-limiting the
movement of the plate 72, the plste 72 being held against the lugs 85 in
both the operative positlon and the inoperative position by the force of
2004415
-19_
gravity. The plate 72 shown is conveniently connected via a rotary shaft
on axis 74 to a similar plate on the other side of the same leg portion 3 to -
provide additional security. - - rb"-
For safety reasons, each carrier beam 7a is normally at least about
180 cm long but this length does not interfere with the operation of the
crane assembly. On the other hand the length of the beams 8b is ~' .',,~,.~r~
pre ernbly nbout 106 cm, with the benrer ùenmn ll buing nbrut 210 cm
Another advantage of the crane assembly is that once the vehicle l
i5 clamped to the jig, the vehicle and the jig can be lifted together and `
moved to another part of the workshop, the beams 11 passing beneath the
i9
Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, the jig 90 is shown ~ ~ ~
diagrammatically as it is of conventional form. It comprises a heavy `; i--
rectangular bed 92 mounted on four castors 94 adjacent the four corners.
Two screw clamps 96 (omitted from Figure 12 for simplicity) are mountedon respective spaced brackets 98 which extend upwardly and outwardly
from each side of the bed 92. These clamps 96 each have a pair of clamp
plates 10Z which can be moved along the brackets 58 so as to form a ` ~ `
movable vice for clamping the sill of the car 4. Measuring posts 1û4 are ;also provided on the bed 92 but can be pivoted from their operative
vertical position into a horizontal storage position. In operation, the car 4 ~ ~;
which is carried by the beams 11 is lowered onto the jig 90, the crane
assembly and the jig 90 being moved relative to each other to achieve the
required alignment. The single post 3 and the triangular reinforcing
arrangement 7 provide good accessibility to the car 4 and the clamps 96
and permit easy removal of the beams 11 and blocks 37 when the car 4
rests on the clamps 96, and the beams 11 do not interfere with the clamps
11 during the lowering operation. The car 4 can be lifted from the jig
after repair by sliding beams 11 and blocks 37 in position beneath it.: An ;~
alternative conventional jig (not illustrated) with which the crane may be
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Z~044~5
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used has tailormade brackets th; b;t onto the jig and onto vsrious
locations on the vehicle such as suspension points, engine mounts etc.
The three embodiments specifically described could be modified so -
that the cradle is raised and lowered by hydraulic piston-cylinder -~,
assemblies mounted in the leg portions 3. `~
Other uses envisaged for the crane assembly include interchanging
lorry bodies e.g. from a container body to a flat-top body and loading and ~i;
unloading boats from lorries or trailers using slings and moving them ,
around shipyards or other boat-storage and boat-maintenance areas. `
,. , ~.,
It is also envisaged that the wheels could be fully controllable as to
direction by ai~ operator and could be driven e.g. by a hydraulic or electric ,~
motor. As mentioned above, the crane assembly can be totally battery
powered to make it independent of electric or pneumatic connections to ;
mains systems. Certain terrains will necessitate pneumatic tyres on the
The following safety features will in practice be incorpor~ted in all :
three embodiments:-
- safety catches operable in two positions
- use of four cables .,
- full electrical insulation ; ;~
- key operable handset to immobilise lowering of hoist
- dlrectional and rotational brakes on all wheels -
- side frames stop 5 cm from ground to prevent toes being trapped ~ - ' i ;
- 5 cm gap between side and main frames to svoid hands being , ;~
- nature and location of the bearings meaning fingers cannot be ;--
trapped ~ `i~
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- 21 -
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- flow valve on hydraulics to limit drop to 0.1 metre/second in
event of hydraulic failure ; -
- microswitch on lower crossbar to avoid roof damage to tall ,
vehicles - cuts off electrical supply .
- guards over all pulleys to locate cables if they become slack.
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