US1777475A - Load-handling mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 7, 1930. E. H; vREMDI?.

LOAD HANDLING MECHANSM Filed Dec. 1o, 192s asnees-sheet 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 7, 1930. E. H. REMDE LOAD HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 10 1925 oct. 7, 1930.

E. H. REMDE LOAD HANDLING MECHANI SM.

Filed Dec. lO 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 /f /ffa/ E. H. REMD'E 1,777,475

LOAD HANDLING MECHANISM Y Filed neo. lo, 192s 5 sheets-sheet 4 Oct.` 7, 1930.

Oct. 7, 1930. E. H. REMDE LOAD HANDLING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 10, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet www. Yum

Patented Oct..v 7, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD H. RENDE, 0.75' CLEVELAND, HIG, ASSIGNR TO THE BAKER-RAULANG C01!"- proved means for engaging and moving a parts shown in Fig. 3. load in different directions, at will, for dump- Fig is front elevation of the operating ing, transporting or elevating purposes. mechanism and cable drums and the holding Another' ob'ect of the invention is to proand release means for the latter, parts being vide, in a loa handling mechanism having a broken away. 65 crane and a hoisting or load engaging device, Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5. improved means for operating the crane and Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are sections onthe lines hoisting device independently of each other 7-7, 8-8 and 9 9 respectively of Fig. 6. from a single motor and power transmitting Fig. lOis a diagram showing the electric mechanism. circuits for the motor which drives the op- Another object ofthe invention is to comerating mechanism, the means which release bine with a load handling mechanism hav# the drum holding means and the traction moing a crane and a hoisting device operated by itor, and the controllers or switch devices for a pair of drums, improved driving means closing the circuits. foithe drums, whereby the operations of the In the drawings, 1 indicates a frame of any 75 crane and device may be readily controlled desired shape and form, preferably conand carried out. structed from channel and angle bar's suit- Another objectof the inventionis to com. ably connected by rivets or otherwise. In bine with a load'handling mechanism having the illustrated form of construction the frame a crane and a hoisting v`device operated by a 1 comprises a main portion 1a on which the 80 pair of drums, a differential mechanism for -mechanisms for raising and lowering loads operating the rope or cable drums and to proandmoving the load carrying member, to be vide improved means for controlling the oplater referred to, yare supported, and a plateration of the differential mechanism, whereform portion 1b, on which loads may be l. .by ra single motor operating therethroughvplaced; this latter frame portion serving as may be utilized to operate the crane or hoista supplemental support for a load, especially ing device at will. v where it is necessary to transport the load to A further object of the invention is to proa distant point by the driving or operation of vide an improved truck having a load hanthe truck. In this connection, it will be undling mechanism and novel means for operderstood that the platform portion lb may 90 ating the load handling mechanism in a simbe rigidly connected to the frame la and it ple and rapid manner. may be a continuation thereof or disposed Other objects of the invention will be apin a` plane therebelow, as shown in the parent lto those skilled in the art to which drawings; or ythe platform portion lb may my invention relates from the following deembody or have incorporated 1n or as- 95 'scription taken in tconnection with the acraim, or cLnv-ELAND, omo; A CORPORATION or omo i amphetamine rrncrramsrr application fue@ necember 1o, i923.v serial No. 679,605.

This invention relates toa load handling mechanism, whereby a load or loads may be readily raised and lowered, or transported from one plac to another, and discharged.

One object of the invention is to construct an apparatus of this character of relatively simple construction and capable of being operated rapidly and economically.

Another object of the invention is to provide a load handling mechanism having im- Fig. 2 is an end elevation 'of the truck and load handling mechanism .(with parts broken away), the latter being shown slewed or swiveled about its pivot to one operative position to illustrate its manner of use.

Fig. 3 is aV fragmentary side view of the motor, power transmittingrmechanism and operating means for the crane and hoisting device operating ropes.

Fig. 4 is a top plan of the mechanism and 60 sociated with it `a superposed platform, which may be raised or lowered relative to the frame 1. Where the frame is constructed' as shown in the drawings, I preferably provide a pair of relatively small trailing wheels companying drawings, wherein y Fig. l is a side elevation of a truck and a load handling mechanism embodying my invention.

2 below the platformportion 1" and a pair of relatively large wheels 3 below the main A frame portion 1.

4 indicates a motor, the shaft of which througha suitablepower transmittingmechanism drives the wheels 3 ifn either direction', such mechanism being shown enclosed in a suitable housing 4. 5 indicates a suspension mechanism to permit of relative movements between the motor and housing and the frame 1 incident to the driving of the truck, such mechanism being similar to that shown in Letters Patent No. 1,628,145 granted to John H. Hertner and myself jointly. 6 indicates pairs of casingelements enclosing suitable springs between the frame 1 and housing 4.

By preference, the pairs of wheels 2, 3, are mounted on knuckles whereby, through` the v connections indicated at 9 and steer handle 32, they may be simultaneously steered. 11 indicates a platform for an operative suitably supported on the frame 1. 14 indicates uprights rigidly connected to the frame 1 and forming a support for a dash 15. The dash 15 preferably supports the levers for operating certain of the controlling or operating elements for the truck and the load supporting and lenga ing member, whereby the severaloperations of driving, steering and handling the load and load carrying Imember are effected. 16- indicates a foot pedal associated vwith the platform 11, and arranged to control the release and application of a brakeV mechanism, indicated as an entirety at 17, the latter being normally biased by a spring (not shown) into engagement with an element driven directly by the motor 4, as will be understood from Fig. 1.

23 indicates as an entirety a controller for .goethe motor 4. The shaft 24 of the controller is operated through an arm 25 and link 26 by a lever 27, which'is pivoted on the dash 15. 28 indicates as an entirety a switch mechanism (1) connected by a rod 28a with the brake mechanism 17, whereby movement of the pedal 16 opens or closes the motor circuit, the purpose being to prevent operation of the motor 4 byl means of the controller if the latter is moved from its ofi position in either directionwhen the brake is in its applied position; and (2) interconnected with the controller by means of a' link 28" to prevent closing of the circuit inthe` event the' controller lever is in or is moved to an on position and attempt is/made to release the brake.

34 indicates. a frame for supporting the batteries (enclosed in a sheet metal casing 36) a load supporting member, such as a boom 40, a motor 41, a power transmitting mechanism 42 and operating means 43, 44, which will later be described. The frame 34 l is .mounted on a suitable vertically arranged shaft disposed between uprights 37 and provided with a gear 47 whlch serves las a suit-l able element by means of which the frame or support 34 is rotated in either direction about hollow bosses, to form bearings for a pivot.

pin 52. 4

-The boom 40 preferablycomprises a pair of channel ,members 40a secured together in spaced relation by a plurality of cross-pieces 40". The lower ends of thechannel bars 40 are provided with suitable knuckles through which the pivot pin 52 extends, the opposite ends of the pin being provided with nuts 54 to prevent the pin frommoving endwise in' the knuckles. The boom 40 is raised and lowered about the pivot in 52 by any suitable means, but prefera ly by means of a cable or other flexible connection 40 connected to the operating means 43.

55 indicates as an entirety a load engaging member such as a clam shell bucket or a platform, but for illustrative purposes I have shown such member as comprising a hook depending from a casing 56, whichyin turn is supported or suspended from the free end of the boom 40 by a cable or other flexible connection v57, connected' with the operating means 44 as will be later described.

The operating means 43,v 44, comprise a pair of drums 58, 59, on which the cables 40', 57, respectively, wind and unwind, for swinging the boom 40 about its pivotal support and for raising/or lowering the load engaging member 55. The dr tated independently of ea h other ineither directionin the manner to be later set forth, to swing the boom 40 and raise or lower the member 55. The cable 40 may be connected at its inner end to the drum 58 in any desired manner. From the drum 58, the cable ms 58, 59, are roy 40ileads to and reeves through and around izo sheave69, supported on the adjacent upright member 37, and then around a sheave 70 loosely mounted o n one of the reinforcingy bosses. -From the sheave 70 the cable 57 ex'- tends overa sheave 71, mounted, on a shaft 71, which is supported at its opposite ends by the plates 53. From the sheave 71 the cable reeves around a sheave 72 supported in the free end of the boom 40, then around a i sli'eave 7 3 mounted inthe casing 56, and then around a second sheave supported on the shaft 72a, the outer-end of the cable being carried down and connected by a socket and loop to the shaft ofthe sheave 73.

-102 indicates as an entirety a casting shaped and constructed to form aHcradle 102 for the 'motor 41 and a housing section 102b for the power transmitting mechanism42. The end walls of the housing section 102b are formed with openings 103 through which the driving means for the drums 58, 59, extend, as will be hereinafter described. The end walls of the housing 102b form suitable seats for a pair of annular vsupporting disks or members 104. and such walls and members are formed with aligned openings to receive cap screws 105 which rigidly secure them together and the members 104 are provided'Y with integral extensions to provide feet 106, each of which is secured to an angle 107cm'- ried by an adjacent portion of the frame 34. The feetlO operate through the disks or members 104 and the housingl and cradle casting 102 to support the motor 41 and power transmitting mechanism 42 in fixed relation upon the support 34 and in operative relationship to each other. The motor 41 is iixed tosthe cradle 102a by a plurality of screws 107 108 indicates a housing section shaped to fit upon the open end of the housing tion 102 and be clamped thereto andv also to enclose the propeller shaft 109 connected to the shaft ofthe motor 41. The housing sec-- tion 108 is adapted to support a pair of spaced bearings for the propeller shaft. Between the propeller shaft bearings, the vshaft is pro= vided with a worm 110 which meshes with and drives a gear 11'1 forming one of the ele-A ments of the power transmitting mechanism 42.

The power transmitting mechanism 42 for the operating'means 43, 44, may be of any desired construction. 'I preferto use lsome form of gear mechanism and accordingly show for illustrative purposes a well known type' of differential mechanism, such as is commonly used .for driving the wheels of automobil/es. Preferably, such mechanism is similar in construction tothe differential mechanism used by me for-driving the wheels 3 from the motor 4. By the,use of a ldif-v. ferential mechanism a single motor may be employed to. operate either opeiating means.

through the-co-operation of certain devices and means, to be later described, for holding or releasing the driven elements of the differential mechanism, whereby either drum will be rotated in a simple manner. In the illustrated form of construction, the Adifferential mechanism comprises the main gear or worm geai '111already referred to, connected to a casing 112 having oppositely extending hubs 113. The hubs 113 are mounted in suitable bearings 114 seated in pillow blocks 115, carried by the housing sections 102", 108, and secured together in any well known manner. As shown in Fig. 5, the hubs 113 are reduced to form seats for the inner races of the bearings 114. 1142, 1,14", indicate ring nuts screw threaded to the pillow blocks 115 and free ends of the hubs, and engaging the races of the bearings to hold them in place. The casing 112 supports a plurality of stud shafts 110, on which loosely rotate bevel pinions116., The pinions 116a mesh with bevel gears 117 to drive them. 118 indicates axle sections keyed at their inner ends to the hubs of the bevel gears lland connected to the drums 58, 59, to rotate them,

'preferably through` the interposition of cap vplates 119, keyed upon the free ends vof the axle sections 118 and connected to the pe-' ripherial edges of the drums 58, 59, by cap screws 120. 121 indicates sleeves surrounding the axleV sections 118 their inner free ends having flanges which abut against the inner end wall of the hubs 104a to prevent movement' of the sleeves outwardly. The outer ends or extended portions of the .sleeves serve as bearings for the drums 58, 59, to rotate on, bushings being mounted on the k sleeves to provide suitable bearing surfaces.

- section 118 and interposed between the adj a'- cent hub 113 of the casing 112 and inner end of the 'adjacent sleeve.121. The inner end of each dust sleeve fits within the end of the 'adjacent hub 113' and its opposite end is flanged at 123a to abut the flange of the sleeve 121. 124 indicates a coiled spring surroundflange 123 and arranged to actv on the latter to-'lnaintain it in close engagement with the flange of the sleeve 121.

125 indicates as an entirety means for holding, locking/or connecting each drum 58, 59, to the adjacent disk or-member 104 which, be-

ing fixedwto the frame 34 in the manner alread described', serves to prevent rotation of the rum by the power transmitting or differential mechanism 42 when the motor 41 is ,operated. As the holding means for the drums 58, 59, are similar in construction, the description of one of them will suliice for both. Each said holding means 125 preferably comprises a lock, preferably of the friction type, one element of which is carried by the drum lll . 130 to freely slide on the pins 133. The openings 132 and pins 133 are preferably disposed l lpins 133I supported in openin 1n the supporting disks 104. The openingsl conical shape to form a friction engaging surface 128 with which the friction engaging surfaceor wall 129 ofthe movable lock element 130 engages. The lock element 130 is of annular shape so as to extend entirely. around the lock element 126. The lock element 130 preferably ,comprises a pair of rings 130a,

130", connected together, preferably in face to face relation, by any suitable means, for example, rivets 131. The ring 130a is preferably formed from bronze and carries at its outer peripherial edge a ange portion which forms the wall 1:29l which engages the lock element 126; the ring 130b is formedfrom soft iron, so that it may serve as an armature to effect separation of the lock elements in the manner to be later described. By forming the ring 1308L of bronze, that wall of `the lock element 130 which engages and disengages the lock element 126 will freely disengage the latter, since the metal of which it is formed is nonmagnetic, land hence it will not stick to the lock element 126 when the armature is acted upon, as will later appear. 132'indicates a set of openings formed in the lock element 130 and spaced from each other therearound and arranged to receive supporting and guiding 133aL formed 132 are of a size to permit the lock element in outer and inneralnnular series, so`thatithe lock releasing means may be disposed substantially midway between the outer and inner edges of the lock element ,130. 135 indicates springs coiled around certain of the pins 133- and 'disposed between the lock element 130 and inner face of the disk ormember 104.'

The springs 135 normally operate to move the lock element 130V laterally on the-pins 133 into engagement with the'lock element 126, so that the drum to which the rim is connected and the adjacent disk or member 104 purpose of zvhich is to hold-or lock the drum against rotaion. f l Of the releasing means, indicated as an entirety at 136, 136, indicates windings or coils carried by the disks or members 104 and arranged, when energized to attract the lock rings or armatures 130". and thus move the rings 130 laway, or to "-eifect disengagement thereof, from the lock elements 126. As -xboth releasing means are similar in construction, but one thereof need'be described. As shown in the drawings, the coil 1,36 is preferably of rin(r shape and fits into4 an annular recess 13? formedd'n the face of the supporting disk 104. 138 indicates openings formed in the disk l104 and spaced therearound to receive bolts 139, the heads of which over-lie the coil 136a to hold it in the recess 137. The inner face of the disk 104 is countersunk to receive the heads of the bolts 139 and the recess 137 Vis formed deep enough to receive the coil and permit the bolt heads to engage its outer surface. The arrangement prevents the bolt heads from projecting beyond the inner face of the disk 104 and also prevents the armature from actually contacting with the coil 136. 140, 141 indicate the terminals of the ends of the coils, each terminal being mounted in an insulating bushing "142 which in4 turn yis mounted and fixed in an opening 142 formed in the disk 104. The terminals are connected to the batteries 36 by leads in the manner to `be later described'. From the lforegoing description it will be understood that the lock elements are normally engaged, through the other driven element is locked or held against i movement. Accordingly, it will be seen that if the releasing means 136 for one lock'is operated to disengage the elements thereofand tg'he motor 41 is set in motion, the power thereof will be transmitted through the power transmitting or differential mechanism'42 to rotate the drum vwhich has been released' and thus'eifect the winding of the rope 40 or 57 thereon or therefrom accordingly as the motor is driven in'one direction or the other.

The circuits to thel coils 136a may be closed by separate switch devices to energize 'the coils independently and a separate circuit for the motor 41 losed by a suitable controller, may be provided; but to simplify the con` e struction of the mechanlsm, as wel as to simthat either coil may be connected in series I with the motor, wherebyl the operation of the controller to .drive the motor 1n either direction will simultaneously effect the operation of leither releasing means and the unlocking of the lock acted on thereby to permit operation of the adjacent operating means 43 or 44. As a result either- drum 58, 59, may be rotated in one direction or the other to swing thel boom' 40 about its pivot pin 52 or to raise or lower the load engaging device 55, as desired. `To carry out these operations, I provide (1) a lever 143, pivotally mounted on the dash 15 and connected through an arm 144 and link 145 with a crank arm 146, which is connected to the shaft of a controller indicated as van entirety at 147; and (2) a lever 148, pivotally mounted on the dash 15, and connected through an arm 149 and a link 150 with a crank arm 151 which is connected to the shaft of a controllervor switch device 152. rlhe purpose of the controller 147 is l the motor 41, so that upon the operation of described.

the cont-roller lever` 143, the'selected drum will be rotated in one direction or` the other., zliccording to the direction of movement of the ever.

The selector lever 148 is shown in a neutral position in Fig. 2, Ythat is, that position in which neithercoil 136a is connected in the circuit of the motor and batteries, but by movement of the lever to the right or left, one of the coils may be connected in the circuit as already described. This arrangement insures the complete cutting out of one coil and its de-energization before the other coil can be connected. to it. rlhe operation ofthe leversl43 andv 148 and the controllers 147, 152, operated thereby, respectively, will be more clearly understood from the diagrammatic view (Fig. 10), which will be later rllhe motor 41 is preferably of the electric type in order that it `may be operated from batteries and co-operate with theoperation of the means for releasing the drum holding means herein illustrated and described; but

i it will be understood that the holding means and the motor may be operated in some other manner without departing from the scope of the invention. The motor 41 may be of of any desired construction. 1t preferably has associated with it a brake mechanism, indicated as an entirety at 153, to stop the rotation of its shaftand elements driven therenected to each other that upon"n thel movement casing. The arm 158a of the lever 159 is connected to one end of a spring 160. rPhe spring 160 operates to move the lever 157al in that direction whichapplies the brake shoes and thus normally keeps the latter in braking position. To release the brake shoes, the lever 159 is rocked about the pivot or shaft 159a in the opposite direction, this operation being -preferably effected by a solenoid 161, the

core of which is connected by a link 162 with the arm 158c of the lever 159. The winding on the solenoid is connected in series with the circuit to the motor as will later be set forth in connection with Figm'l() so that when the circuit is closed the solenoid is energized and automatically eects the vrelease of the brake shoes; likewise, u on the opening of the motor circuit the so enoid winding is de-energized and thus permits the spring 160 to auor downwardly by winding the rope 40 on or unwinding it from the drum 58 and the support 34 is swung or rotated about the shaft 33 by the operation of a suitable motor (not shown) The movement of each of these elements is automatically stopped when moved in either direction (except in the downward movement of the loa-d engaging element 55) at a predetermined position by a mechanism which opens the circuit to the motor that operates such element. rlhe mechanisms for stopping'the movements just referred' to may be similar in construction, each being preferably similar in construction yto the mechanism which forms the subject matter of my copending application Serial No. 610,791. The mechanism for stopping the swinging or rotation ofthe frame 34, comprises a switch means enclosed in a casing 163'; the mechanism for stopping the movement of the boom 40 comprises a switch means enclosed in caselement 55 comprises a switch means enclosed in a casing 169 carried by the boom 40, a flexible connection 170 connected at one end to the :mmv 171 of the switch means and leading over sheaves mounted on the boom 40 and connected at its opposite end to a weight 174, which is disposed inthe path of movement izoI of the casing 56. The arm 171 is connected to a spring 175 which tends to swing the arm in one direction-that direction vwhich will operate the switch means to open the circuit. The arm is moved in the other directionthatY direction which operates the switch means to close the circuit-'by `the welght 174, so that if@ the casing 56 is elevated far a result, t

enough to lift the weight, the spring 175 will move the arm 171 and thru it e'ect the opening of the circuit thru the switch means. As motor 41. will be automatically stopped.

Referrin to Fig. 10: the traction motor 4\ sides of the batteries 36. 180 indicates'a connection in the circuit leads 179, 179, which permits the batteries to be connected with the terminals on with a charging plug to recharge the batteries.

The circuit for the motor 76 ma be tracedV as follows: from the terminal 1 8a by the lead 18,0 to the terminal 181 of the switch means 163; if the frame 34 is .to be rotated to the right, the circuit is through the lead 182 to terminal 183, across contact 184 to terminal 185, lead 1.86, winding of brake solenoid, lead 187 to brush 188, from brush 189 to lead 190, terminal 191, contact 192, terminal 193, lead 193', terminal 194, iield coil 195, terminal 196 and lead 197 to terminal 178. If the frame 34 is to be rotated to the left as shown in Fig. 2,' the circuit is traced as follows: terminal 178, lead 180', terminal 181, lead 198, terminal 199, contact 200, ter minal 191, lead 190, brush 189, brush 188, lead 187, winding of brake solenoid, lead 186, terminal 185, contact 201, terminal 193, lead 193', terminal 194, field coil 195, terminal 196 and lead 197 to terminal 17 8.

If the boom 40 isto be raised, the circuit r`forthe motor 41 and the electro-magnet to `be connected in series with the motor 41 sov as to release the, clutch 130 whichholds the drum 58, is traced as follows: from terminal 17 8, througlrlead 202, Winding of brake solenoid, lead 203, winding. 136* of magnet 136 y adjacent the drum 58 (see Fig. 5), lead 204,

` tor brushes, terminal -217, lead 217, termiv terminal 205 of switch means 165, terminal 206, lead 207, contact 208, contact 209, terminal/210 of the selector switch 152, lead 211, terminal 212 of the controller 147, contact 213terminal 214, lead 215,.terminal 216, mo-

nal 218, contact 219, terminal 220, leads 221,

222, field coils 223 and lead 224 to terminal.

178; if the boom 40 is to be lowered, the circuit is as follows: from terminal 17 8, through lead 202, winding of the brake solenoid, lead 203, winding 136a of magnet 136, ,lead 204, terminal 205 of switch means 165, terminal 225, lead 226, terminal 227 of the selector switch 152, contact 228, terminal 229, lead 230, 'terminal 231 of the'controller 147 contact 232, terminal 218, lead 217 a, terminal 217, motor brushes, terminal 216, lead 215, terminal 214, contact 233, terminal 234, lead 235, lead 222, ield coils 223 and lead 224 to terminal 178.

If the load engaging element 5 5 is to be raised, the circuit may be tracedas follows: from the terminal 17 8a, through lead 202, winding of the brake solenoid, lead 237, winding 136EL of the releasing means 136 adjacent the drum 59, lead 238, terminal 239 of switch means 169, terminal M0, lead 241, terminal 242, Contact 243,iterminal 210, lead 211, terminal 212, contact 213, terminal 214, lead 215, terminal 216, brushes of motor 41, terminal 217, leadl 217, terminal 218.contact 219, terminal 220, leads 221, 222, field coils 223 of motor and lead 224 to terminal 17 8. If the load engaging element is to be lowered, the circuit may be traced as follows: from terminal 178a through lead 202, winding of brake solenoid, lead 237 winding 136 of the releasing means 136,' lead 244, terminal 245, contact 246, terminal 229, lead 230, terminal 231, Contact 232, terminal 218, lead 217 a, terminal 217, brushes of motor, terminal 216, lead 215, terminal 214,

field co'ls 223 and lead 224 to terminal 17 8.

247 is a resistance arranged to be connected inv shunt with the motor circuit when the motor is operated to lower the boom 40 or the `loady engaging member 55, to prevent acceleration in the speed of the motor shaft.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that have provided a .load handling mechanism in Awhich' the load may be moved or operated in any one of a plurality of directions in a rapid and simple manner, for example, by a raising or lowering of the loadengaging member, and by a raising or lowering of the boom; such operations being effected by providing locking means for certain elements through which the power of the mtor is transmitted to driven means and causing a release of one vof such elements accordingly as one movementl of the load or another is d'esired. While I have shown an electrically operated means for operating-that is, ryeleasing-' either clutch, it will be understood that other types of release means may be employed.

MIn my construction I am enabled to eiect contact 233, terminal 234, lead 235, lead 222,

thevarious operations of the load engaging as adapting it to a construction in which thev loading engaging member is controlled in its l vertical and to ping movements by iiexible members woun on and off the drums.

'- and the controller actuated thereby are arranged to'be set at a neutralposition, at which time neither electro-magnet winding is energized, and that they must be moved in one direction or-.Kthe other to effect the operation (release) of the desired clutch elements. By this arrangement I insure the (le-energizing of oneA magnet winding prior to the energizing of the other magnet ivinding,so that proper operations of the load engaging member and boom to handle the load as desired are eii'ected in a rapid and positive manner.

'To those skilled in the art to whichmy iiivention relates many alterations in construction and widely differing embodiments andy applications of the invention will suggest themselves withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. rThe disclosuresV and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

l.' In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a frame and a source of power supply thereon, lof a motor, connections between said motor and said source of power supply, a plurality of mechanisms connected in driving relation with said motor for handling and positioning a load, separate means between said frame and each of said mechanisms for normally holding the latter against movement, and means for releasing each of' said holding means, and meansl for selectively connecting either oitl said holding means into the connectioiisbetween said motor and said source of power, whereby the latter operates 011e of said holding means when thc motor is operated. 1

2. In apparatus oitl the class described, the combination with a frame andfa source of power supply thereon, of a motor arranged to be connected with said source o power supply, a plurality of mechanisms connected in driving relation with said motor for han'- dling and positioning a load, separate means between said frame and each of said mechanisins for normally holding the latter against movement, and means forselectively releasing either of said holding means, the operation of said releasing means being dependent upon the supply of power to said motor, but independent of its direction of rotation.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination' with a frame and a source of electric power supply thereon, of an electric motor arranged to be connected with said source of power supply, aplurality of mechag nisms connected in driving relation with said motor for handling and positioning a load, separate means between said frame and each of said mechanisms for normally holding the latter against movement, means for-connecting said motor with said source of power supply to drive it in either directio i, sepa' rate magneticmeans for releasing each of .said holding means, and a selective mechanism arranged to connect either of said magnetic means in the motorcircuit, whereby one ofsaid means is operated when the motor is started. a

4. l'In apparatus of the class described, the

combination with a frame, of a source of electric power supply, an electric motor arranged to be connected with said source of power supply, a plurality of mechanisms connected in connection in the motor circuit, in series withV said motor, a selector for connecting any of said leads into the Ymotor circuit and a circuit closer tor said motor circuit.

driving relation with said `motor for handling 5. In apparatus of the class described, the

. plurality of mechanisms connected :in driving relation with said motor for handling and positioning a load, means between said frame and each of said mechanisms for normally holding the latter against movement, means dependent upon the supply of power to said motor for releasing either of said holding means, and a selective means for effecting operation of one of said releasing means when the motor is connected to said source of power supply. s l

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a frame and a source of power supply thereon, of a motor, connections between saidmotor andsaid source of power supply, a plurality of mechanisins'connected in driving relation with said motor for handling and positioning a load`,spring operated means between said iframe and each of said mechanisms for normally holding the latter against movement,'means for connecting said motor with said source of. supply to drive it in eith- -er direction, releasing means for each of said holding means arranged to operate simultaneously with the completing of the connection between said motor and said source of power supply, and means for selectively connecting either of said releasing means with said connections between'said motor and said source of power supply. y

7. In apparatus o theclass described, the combination with a frame and a source of electric'current lsupply thereon, of an electric motor arranged to be connected with said source of supply, a plurality of mechanismsr connected in driving relation with said motor for handling and positioning loads, means between said frame and each of said mechallO Jinisms arranged to normally hold the latter against inovement, magnetically operated means for' releasing each of said holding means, and selective means for connecting either of said magnetically operating means `in the circuit between said motor and said source of supplyp Wherebysaid releasing means are actuated and the motor driven in one direction.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a frame Aand a source of electric current" supply, of an electric motor arranged to be connected with said source ofsupply, a plurality of mechanisms connected in driving relation with said motor for handling and positioning loads, means between- 'said frame and each of said mechanisms-arranged to normally liold the latter against movement, magnetically operated means pr releasing each of saidahglding means, means for connecting said motor with said source of supply, and means for selectively connecting y in series in the circuit between said motor and said source of supply either of said magnetically operating releasing means, whereby the connection of said motor with said source of supply will simultaneously eiiect the operation of one of said releasing means.

- 9; In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a frame and a source. of

electric current supply, of an electric motor. arranged to be connected with lsaid source oi supply, a plurality of mechanisms connected in driving relation with said motor for handling and positioning loads, means between said frame and each of said mechanisms arranged to normally hold the latter against movement, magnetically operated means for lreleasing each of said holding means, means for connecting said motor with said source of supply to drive`it in either direction, and means for selectively connecting in series in the circuit between said motor i and said source of supplycither of said magcombination withy a frame and aso-nrce. of

power supply thereon, of a motor. arranged to be connected with said source of power supply,'a differential mechanism having a'main gear connected in driving relation with said motor, separate means connected respectively in driving relation with the driven elements of said mechanism for handlingand positioning'a load, devices between said frame and each of said means for normally holdingthe latter against/movement, means forV connecting` said motor with said' source of power supply to drive it in either direction, means for releasing either of. said, holding means,

.nism for handling and positioning a load, W

devices between said frame and each of said operating means for normally 'holding the latter against movement, means for connecting said motor with said source of power ,I

supply to drive it in either direction, means for releasing each of said holding devices, said releasing means being arranged to operate simultaneously with the completing of i the circuit between said motor and said source of power s pply, and selective means for connecting eiilier of said releasing means in the circuit in series with said motor.

l2. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination with a frame and a source of electric current supply, .0f an electric motor arranged to be connected with said source of Supply main gear connected with'iand driven by s aid motor, separate operating means respectively connected with the' driven elements ot said mechanism for handling and positioning loads, brake devices between said frame and each of said operating means arranged to hold the latter against movement, magnetically operated means for releasing either of said brake devices, means for connecting said motor with said source of supply, and means for selectively connecting in seriesin thecircuit between said motor and said source oi supply either of said magnetically operating releasing means, whereby theconnection of `said moto'r with said source of supply will simultaneously effect the operation of one 0f said -releasing means.

ka dii'erentialffmechanism having a` .13. In apparatus of the class described, the I combination .with a frame and Ya source of electric current supply, of an electric. motor differential mechanism having a main. rate operating means respectively co nected with the driven elements'of said mechanism obe connected with said source of r connected4 with said motor, sepa-l .1,

for handlijng and positioning loads, devices between said frame and each of said. operating means arranged to hold the latter against movement, magnetically operated means for releasing either' oitl said holding devices, means for connecting saidvmotor with said source of supply to drive it in either .direction, and meansfor selectively connecting in series inthe circuit between said motor and said source of supply either of said magnetically operating releasing means irrespective of the' direction of rotation of said motor, whereby the connection of said motor with said source of supply will simultaneously effect the operation of one of said releasing means.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination witha' frame and a source of electric current supply, of an electric motor arranged tobe connected with said source of supply, a dierential mechanism having a maingear connected to said motor, a pair of drums connected to the-driven elements of said differential mechanism, load handlin members, movable relative to said frame an each other and eachconnected by a flexible i member with one of said drums, devices between said frame and each drum and arranged to hold the latter against movement, magnetically oerated means for releasing 4 each of said ho ing devices, means yfor con'- necting said mot r with said source of supply,

and means for selectively connecting in serlesA in the circuit between saidy motor and said' source of supply either of said magnetically operating releasing means, whereby the conl nection of said motor withsaid source of supply will simultaneously eiect the operation of. one of said releasing means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name'. 1 f' EDWARD H. REMDE.

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