Traversing hoists – Having vertically swinging boom – Having means to swing boom vertically
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-30
2001-06-26
Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3652)
Traversing hoists
Having vertically swinging boom
Having means to swing boom vertically
C212S255000, C182S002800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250485
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a boom articulation assembly or apparatus for aerial boom sections and particularly to a interconnection between the boom sections for articulating a vertical rotation of an upper boom relative to a lower boom and providing for positioning through angles of articulation up to 275 degrees.
Mobile aerial devices are well known for various applications. The aerial device generally include a first boom which is pivotally supported to a pedestal of a mobile support. The first boom is supported for pivoting upwardly from the mobile support. The second boom is pivotably coupled to the outer end of the first boom for pivotal movement into a collapsed storage position and for extension of the second boom from the first boom. The second boom is mounted for pivoting about the outer-end position of the first boom. A work platform, such as a bucket or basket, is generally pivotally mounted to the outer end of the second boom for supporting equipment and/or personnel for servicing of raised or elevated devices. Thus, mobile aerial devices are commonly used in the construction and servicing of overhead lighting systems; raised signs, tree trimming and other similar applications. Each boom may be a single member boom, telescoping boom member and may include additional booms connected to the lower or upper boom.
The ability of an articulating system to vary the angle between the upper and lower booms is significant in producing the versatility desired or necessary for workers to reach various areas of the work area without the need for continuously repositioning of the mobile support. Such articulation systems permits locating of the mobile support in a convenient stable position relative to the actual raised work area. The increased upper boom articulation allows the workers to reach some positions from two angular positions of the lower boom. If access is prohibited by obstructions such as power of telephone lines, trees, or structures for one position of the lower boom, an alternate articulation will permit a safe access. For example, with the lower boom raised 45 degrees and the upper boom open 95 degrees, the operator could reach a position directly over head. The same position could be reached with the lower boom raised 135 degrees from the stowed position and the upper boom open 265 degrees from the lower boom.
The prior art has disclosed various chain and cable or multiple pivoting link connections between the booms in combination with hydraulic cylinder units for the relative articulation of the booms. Alternate systems have disclosed various linkages interconnecting of the booms to each other in combination with operating cylinder units.
In practice, the booms are mounted for a collapsed storage positioning with the upper booms located in side-by-side relation above the lower boom. Alternatively, the upper boom can be stored in stacked relationship to the lower boom.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is particularly directed to an articulation assembly or apparatus for coupling the outer aligned ends of a lower boom and an upper boom including a single link unit in combination with hydraulic actuated cylinder or other suitable means connecting the link unit to the booms with the link unit and the booms pivotally mounted on a common pivot axis for independent pivoting thereon for articulated positioning of the booms relative to each other by pivoting of the link unit and thereby the booms. The apparatus permits location of the outer end of the upper boom, and in a preferred construction, through an angle inclusive of up to 275 degrees.
In accordance with the present invention, a special link member or unit pivots on a common pivotal support structure for connection with the articulated ends of the upper and lower booms separately pivotal thereon. The link member or unit is rotatable about the articulated ends of the booms on a common axis defined by the pivotal support structure between the two booms. The link unit includes spaced pivot connections located in orientation with respect to the common axis for connection about the articulation ends of the booms in the collapsed position. A first or lower hydraulic cylinder unit is interconnected between the lower boom and an aligned cylinder pivot connector of the link unit. A second or upper cylinder unit is connected between the upper boom and an aligned cylinder pivot connector of the link unit. The cylinder units are sequentially or simultaneously activated to position the upper boom relative to the lower boom.
The present invention can be applied to side-by-side booms and also to stacked booms, and has been particularly applied to side-by-side booms.
In the side-by-side boom unit or structure, the booms and the link unit are mounted on a common pivot axis including the boom pivot supports. The upper cylinder unit is connected to the upper boom and an upper pivot connector of the link unit to move the upper arm through a first stage of articulation relative to the lower boom. The lower cylinder unit is connected to the lower boom and a lower pivot connector and moves the upper boom through a second stage of articulation. The upper and lower cylinder units can be actuated sequentially or simultaneously to provide articulation through the full range thereof.
With the side-by-side assembly or boom arrangement, the link is connected on the common pivot axis between the booms. As applied to a stacked arrangement, the triangular link would straddle the booms at the articulated pivot support.
In both systems, the link and the booms are pivotally mounted on the common axis, preferably a shaft assembly, for free pivotal movement under the control of the cylinder units. The interconnection of the cylinder units to the link provides for the articulation of the upper boom either through the pivoting of the link as such or the pivoting of the upper boom relative to the link and its connection to the lower boom.
The link unit preferably includes aligned first and second one-piece triangular plates having aligned apexes. A common connector and boom connectors are secured to and join said plates at each apex of the plates, and each connector includes a pivot member with parallel axes for pivotal mounting of the booms and the link unit. In one construction the common pivot support includes a shaft assembly. The connectors at the boom apexes each includes a pin with the link unit having a hub journaled on the shaft. The cylinder units each includes a piston rod with an outer end journaled on the respective pivot pins and forming the sole interconnection of the booms to each other and to the support.
In the side-by-side boom assembly, the link unit is located between said booms and extends outwardly from the common pivot axis. The lower cylinder unit is located beneath said booms and in-line with the lower boom connector, with the lower cylinder unit extending outwardly between and beneath the booms from a pivotal connection to the lower boom to the lower boom connector. The upper cylinder unit is located above said booms and in-line with the upper boom connector and extends outwardly between and above the booms from a pivotal connection to the upper boom to the upper boom connector of the link unit.
In accordance with a preferred construction of the present invention, the link unit is an isosceles triangle having one apex mounted on a common pivot axis which extends between and supports the two booms. In the collapsed position, the link unit projects outwardly of the two booms. The lower boom pivot connection is located below the collapsed booms and the upper boom pivot connection is located above the collapsed booms. The hydraulic cylinder unit for the lower boom is connected to the underside of the lower boom with the cylinder connected to the lower boom and the piston rod projecting outwardly and coupled to the in-line pivot connector to the triangular link. The upper boom cylinder unit has the cylinder secured to the upper boom With the piston rod projecting outwardly into
Andrus Sceales, Starke & Sawall
Johnson R. B.
Lillis Eileen D.
Terex Telelect
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