Hoisting Gear

U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,845 discloses a hoisting gear with hoisting element for load pickups, with the operating handle moving up and down with the load and with switches in the operating handle, for operating the hoisting unit motor. A basic load connecting element is provided, connected to the hoisting element, and incorporating the operating handle in the shape of a yoke. The basic element includes a rapid disconnect arrangement by means of which the load can be disconnected from the basic element. However, when connected to it, the connection is firm.

The hoisting gear previously disclosed to U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,845 has either a bar-shaped handle, which sometimes presents problems in manipulating the load, and the operator's hands remain unprotected, or an operating handle in the shape of a round yoke which has switches for the operation of the hoisting gear on one side only.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a basic load-connecting and operating element, which may be safely operated with the left hand, as well as the right hand, while at the same time providing easy access to the operating switches with either hand. This is achieved by providing the yoke-shaped operating handle with a straight or essentially straight horizontal handle piece, its ends being connected with the basic element via a web at each end, and by providing each web with a toggle lever. The toggle lever shafts, in turn, are connected via an angled connection gear, with a switch shaft arranged in the basic element body for operating a switch, and being interconnected via such switch shaft. When raising or lowering the basic operating element, the angle between hand and handle piece is changed. However, since the handle is straight, the basic position of the hand is not changed at different angles of the hand with the handle. The yoke protects the hand, with the exception of the thumb operating the toggle lever, as the major portion of the hand is behind the basic element body and inside the webs, thus in a protected area. The toggle levers arranged on both webs facilitate steering of the hoisting gear, either with the left or with the right hand, leaving one hand free for manipulating the load or other operations. The two toggle levers are connected to move in the same direction as the desired direction of movement of the load. Pressure on the upper half of each toggle lever causes, for example, the hoisting gear to lift the basic element.

As a further feature of the invention, the handle piece with webs and basic element, is divided into an upper and lower casing portion divided by a parting line, so that the tilt shaft, both angle gears and the main switch shaft with switch insert are all housed in one of the halves of the basic operating element, so that the other half can serve as a firm support for the parts installed in the basic element. The two casing halves are comprised of a resilient synthetic resin, so that no damage results from the basic element striking delicate articles, or in damage to the basic element itself striking something.

In order to provide the basic element with the stability required to carry a load, a yoke facing the handle piece is attached in the lower half of the casing, while the main operating switch is inserted into the yoke for protection. The yoke is made of heavy-duty material such as, steel, for example, and may be mounted with reinforcements in the area of its upper and lower connections. An adapter for the hoisting motor connection is provided at the top of the yoke, and an adapter for the load pickup is provided on the bottom of the yoke, so that the load capacity is satisfactorily transmitted via yoke and adapters, which are made of a heavy-duty material, from the hoisting motor to the load pickup, even though the casing is manufactured of a relatively lightweight synthetic material and only serves to protect the delicate operating parts, mechanically and electrically. The connection for the hoisting element is in a truncated-conical cap, so that the electrical cable connection between the basic element and the hoisting gear and motor may be coiled on the cap when the basic element moves upwardly.

The yoke in the basic element includes integral stops for the main operating switch, in order to ensure that its movement does not exceed a permissible degree.

The angle gears referred to above are formed by level gear segments and are attached on the main switch shaft and on the tilt shafts of the toggle levers. The switch shaft rests at each end in common bearings, together with one of the toggle shafts, such bearings being inserted between mounts in the lower half of the casing. The tiltable toggle shafts extend into recesses for the shafts provided in the switch operating buttons or levers and are pressed into the latter. The switch levers extend into guides in the bearings with bearing journals surrounding the toggle shafts, so that the switch levers, together with the tiltable toggle shafts, angle gears, switch shaft and main operating switch form a structural unit. When installed, each switch lever is supported on its respective web via a support cam at the end opposite the bearing journal therefor. The web connects the basic element with the handle piece. To avoid misdirection, each switch lever has a separating ridge on its actuating surface, parallel with the tilt shaft. Without looking, pressure may be applied, either in an upward or downward direction.

As purely illustrative of the apparatus of the invention, one may note the attached drawings, illustrating the invention incorporated into a hoist arrangement for placing the motor into an automobile.

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic arrangement of the operating element of the invention in relation to a hoist controlled thereby, the load, and the operator;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the operating element of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the operating element of FIG. 2, partially in section;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the operating element of FIG. 2, partially in section; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the bevel gear segment of the angle gear connection of the invention, as viewed from the front.

Referring to the drawings, in which like references refer to like parts throughout the several views thereof, FIG. 1 shows a worker lowering a motor into a passenger vehicle with the thumb of the right hand operating switch lever 6, covered by the thumb, for operating hoisting gear 1, while the left hand directs the motor hanging from pickup 5 in the shape of a load hook. Basic element 4 is connected with hoisting gear 1 via hoisting chain 2 around which operating cable 3 is coiled.

FIG. 2 shows the basic element with upper casing half 4e, and lower casing half 4f, which meet at 4g. The casings are connected to each other by connecting screws 25 indicated in FIG. 3. The casings are shaped to incorporate the various operating parts of basic element 4, and include upper and lower halves of the handle therefor, including webs 4d and straight handle piece 4c. Truncated-conical cap 23 is attached to upper casing half 4e by means of cap screws 24. Cable 3 is coiled on cap 23 when basic element 4 is moved upwardly. Webs 4d leading to handle piece 4c, together with a projection 4h opposite webs 4d, prevent cable 3 from falling down over basic element 4. The two casing halves 4e and 4f, with webs 4d and handle piece 4c, as well as cap 23, may be comprised of a resilient synthetic material.

Toggle levers 6 mounted in webs 4d can be seen in FIGS. 2 through 4. FIG. 2 shows a switch lever 6 with a centrally located, horizontal separation ridge 6d, providing a sensory difference for the operator between the directions indicated by arrows. In FIG. 3, tilt shaft 12 is shown extending into shaft recess 6b of toggle switch lever 6. Guidance of the lever is with bearing journal 6c in guide 14a of bearing 14, and support cam 6e supports toggle lever 6 in web 4d. Switch shaft 15 extends into bearing 14 at right angles with tilt shaft 12. Tilt shaft 12 and switch shaft 15 are connected to each other via angle gear 13 in the form of bevel gear segments, their possible tilt angle on both sides amounting to 24.degree.. The angle of tilt shown in FIG. 5 of 35.degree. is only partially utilized. Bearing 14 adheres to web 4d and is positioned on mounting 22 in the lower casing half 4f.

Switch shaft 15 extends into switch 16, which consists of several cam discs for the necessary contacts and terminals for cable 3. Switch 16 extends into yoke 17, made of steel or other materials capable of withstanding loads. The extent of movement of main switch 16 is defined by stops 21 integral with yoke 17. Yoke 17 is firmly connected to universal adapter 19 for attachment to interchangeable loads, and adapter 20 connected to hoist chain 2. The two adapters 19 and 20 are connected to yoke 17 by tension screws 26, and to reinforcements 18 on yoke 17. Adapter 20 for hoist cable or chain 2 is configured to provide a corresponding opening 23a of cap 23 in the bottom 23b thereof to accommodate connection to cable or chain 2.

While the apparatus herein disclosed forms a preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention is not limited to those specific forms of apparatus, and changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.