Patent GB-651650-A (GB)
Title: Vehicle lifting appliance
IPC: B66F7/02
Filed: 1948-03-08
Abstract: 651,650. Load-handling machines. VILLARS, J. March 8, 1948, No. 7082. Convention date, March 12, 1947. [Class 78 (iii)] A vehicle-lifting appliance comprises a moving structure located between four columns and guided for parallel motion by means of three cables which are each attached at one end to the upper portion of a column and which suspend the moving structure at three points from the columns by passing around pulleys on the moving structure, and are attached at their other ends each to the lower portion of a different column ; and is characterized by a single actuating member for lifting which is suspended at the upper portion of a column and suspends a fourth point on the moving structure from this column. The moving structure comprises two transverse girders 1, 2 supporting runways 3, 4, the ends of the transverse girders passing into hollow columns A, B, C, D. The girders 1, 2 are of double T- section and are provided with side plates 16, Fig. 3, so as to each form two enclosed passages. Channel irons 46, Fig. 4, fixed below the runways also serve as passages. In these passages are passed three cables 34, 58 and 59, each of which is attached to the top of one column, passed over pulleys on the moving structure and attached to the lower end of another column in such a way that if any part of the moving structure is lifted or lowered, the whole will move parallel to itself. By using the arrangement of cables shown, Fig. 2, it is possible to move pulleys 48, 49, 50 and 51 which are mounted in the channel iron 46 below runway 3, together with the lengths of cables 58, 59 between pulleys 48 and 50, 49 and 51 which pass through the chennel 46 along the transverse girders 1, 2 together with the runway 3, when the runways are spaced at different distances apart, without affecting the level of the moving structure. The runways are fixed in adjusted position by engaging a pin 42 mounted on channel 46, with holes 45 in the girder 1, 2 at each end of a runway. Pulleys 28 to 30, 22 to 25, 54 and 55 are each mounted in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and 8 on the four respective ends of the transverse girders 1 and 2. Column A is wider than the rest and encloses a vertical screw 6 suspended from a bush 13 while its lower end is received in a bearing 20. This screw is driven through worm gearing 7, 8 from a motor M and on it moves a nut 18 of barrel shape, to reduce strain to a minimum, enclosed in a sleeve 15 secured to the adjacent ends of plates 16. A protecting plate 68 and the width of the column co-operate in keeping out dirt and water. The ends of each cable are secured by means of soldered nipples 61 having a tapered bore in which the strands are doubled back, the nipples resting in bushes 60, Fig. 4, which are fixed or adjustable. In case any cable should break each of the columns B, C and D are provided with racks 35, Fig. 8, which can be engaged by an abutment of an arm 36 pivoted on the moving structure and normally held out of engagement by the cable 34, 58 or 59 respective of columns B, C and D, which cable passes under a roller 37 mounted on arm 36 in its passage to the adjacent end pulley. When the cable breaks it slackens and allows a spring to turn arm 36 into engaged position.