IMPROVEMENTS IN CRANES
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel, of No. 20, Southampton
Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CRANES."-A communication from
abroad by Ignatius Hahn, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in the
United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel.
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 8th September 1875.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 20, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CRANES," to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to an improved construction of cranes wherein
the crane post with its jib is mounted with its lower end on an axis or
trunnion on a carriage in such manner that the post together with its
jib can be moved in a vertical plane round such axis, so that the crane

page_text: may be made to raise a load at a greater distance from its point of
support than the reach of the jib proper. The power for so actuating
the post and jib is applied directly to the post at its lower end, preferably
by means of a hydraulic cylinder supported by the carriage in a manner
to be presently described, the point of support of such cylinder being
made to lie in a vertical plane, or nearly so, with the trunnion-of-the
cranc post, and with the point of support of the wheels of the carriage
on the ground. The jib of the crane is preferably hinged to the upper
end of the post, so that it can by means of a toothed quadrant and worm
or pinion, or by wedges or other known means, be made to extend at
any desired angle from the post or be made to lie in a line therewith.
The axis or trunnion on which the post is pivotted is carried in brackets
on a circular base plate, having on its under side a projecting ring
fitting as an annular piston into a horizontal annular cylinder that con-
stitutes the carriage of the crane, so that by admitting fluid pressure
through a pipe and admission valve into the annular cylinder below the
said ring the base plate and with it the crane and its load will be sup-
ported on such fluid pressure as a cushion, whereby the crane with its
base plate may be swung round on the carriage into any desired position
with the greatest ease.
The extent to which the base plate can be raised by the fluid pressure
is limited by bolts attached to the base plate, and having heads that
come in contact with the under side of the cylinder when the plate is
slightly raised.
-
The annular cylinder is provided externally with trunnions or axles,
on which are fitted two wheels for supporting the crane on the ground.
Within_the_said cylinder is placed the before-mentioned hydraulic
cylinder for actuating the crane post, such cylinder being mounted with
lateral-trunnions-in-bearings-formed-on-the-base-plate, while its piston
rod or ram-is-connected-by-a-hinge joint to the lower end of the crane
post somewhat to one side of the point of attachment of the post to the
base plate, so that by admitting fluid pressure into the hydraulic
cylinder the forcing outward of the ram will cause the crane post
together with the jib and its load to be turned upon such point of
attachment, and consequently to be raised into any desired position;
while for lowering the post and jib with its load the fluid pressure is
allowed to escape from the hydraulic cylinder by opening suitable escape
valves or cocks.

page_text: Although it is preferred to actuate the crane in the above described
manner by fluid pressure, yet in place of the hydraulic cylinder may be
used other known mechanical devices, such as a toothed rack and pinion
or a screw for raising and lowering the crane post.
The before described annular cylinder constituting the carriage of the
crane is capable of being maintained in a horizontal position inde-
pendently of any inclination of the ground on which the crane stands,
by means of an adjusting screw supported by a pair of small wheels
connected by a framing to the trunnions of the carriage, the said screw
being provided with nuts that support the end of an arm projecting
horizontally from the said cylinder, so that by screwing the nuts up or
down upon the screw the position of the arm and consequently of the
cylinder is regulated.
For transporting the crane from place to place the crane post is
lowered to a horizontal position, the jib being at the same time
straightened out so as to be in line with the post, and to rest with a
roller provided at its end on the ground, such roller thus affording a
support to the jib and post at the front end, while the back or lower end
of the post is supported by the before described carriage, the wheels of
which are by preference made with a central groove to run on rails and
with a broad tread on cach side to enable them to run on the ground.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 10th February 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
DENTON ABEL, of No. 20, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five,
in the thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Charles Denton Abel,
Her special license, that I, the said Charles Denton Abel, my executors,

page_text: administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Charles
Denton Abel, my.executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
-Great-Britain-and-Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS IN CRANES," (a communication to me from
abroad by Ignatius Hahn, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in the United
States of America,) upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Charles Denton Abel, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Denton Abel, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the
accompanying Sheets of Drawing, and to the figures and letters marked
thercon, that is to say :-
This Invention relates to an improved construction of cranes,. wherein
the crane post with its jib is mounted with its lower end on an axis or
trunnion on a carriage in such manner that the post together with its
jib can be moved in a vertical plane round such axis, so that the crane
may be made to raise a load at a greater distance from its point of
support than the reach of the jib-proper. The power for so actuating
the post and jib is applied directly to the post at its lower end, preferably
by means of a hydraulic cylinder, supported by the carriage in a manner
-to-be-presently described, the-point of support of such cylinder being 2
made to lie in a vertical plane, or nearly so, with the trunnion of the
crane post and with the point of support of the wheels of the carriage
on the ground. The jib of the crane is preferably hinged to the upper
end of the post, so that it can, by means of a toothed quadrant and
worm or pinion, or by wedges or other known means, be made to extend g
at any desired angle from the post, or be made to lie in a line therewith.
The axis or trunnion on which the post is pivotted is carried in brackets
on a circular base plate, having on its under side a projecting ring fitting

page_text: as an annular piston into a horizontal annular cylinder that constitutes
the carriage of the crane, so that by admitting fluid pressure through a
pipe and admission valve into the annular cylinder below the said ring
the base plate, and with it the crane and its load, will be supported on
3 such fluid pressure as a cushion, whereby the crane with its base plate
may be swung round on the carriage into any desired position with the
greatest ease.
The extent to which the base plate can be raised by the fluid pressure
is limited by bolts attached to the base plate, and having heads that
come in contact with the under side of the cylinder when the plate is
slightly raised.
The annular cylinder is provided externally with trunnions or axles,
on which are fitted two wheels for supporting the crane on the ground.
Within the said cylinder is placed the before-mentioned hydraulic
cylinder for actuating the crane post, such cylinder being mounted with
lateral trunnions in bearings formed on the base plate, while its piston
rod or ram is connected by a hinge joint to the lower end of the crane
post, somewhat to one side of the point of attachment of the post to
the base plate, so that by admitting fluid pressure into the hydraulic
cylinder the forcing outward of the ram will cause the crane post
together with the jib and its load to be turned upon such point of
attachment, and consequently to be raised into any desired position,
while for lowering the post and jib with its load the fluid pressure is
allowed to escape from the hydraulic cylinder by opening suitable escape
valves or cocks.
Although it is preferred to actuate the crane in the above-described
manner by fluid pressure, yet in place of the hydraulic cylinder may be
used other known mechanical devices, such as a toothed rack and pinion
or a screw, for raising and lowering the crane post.
The before-described annular cylinder constituting the carriage of the
cranc is capable of being maintained in a horizontal position, indepen-.
dently of any inclination of the ground on which the crane stands, by
means of an adjusting screw supported by a pair of small wheels con-
nected by a framing to the trunnions of the carriage, the said screw
being provided with nuts that support the end of an arm projecting
horizontally from the said cylinder, so that by screwing the nuts up or
down upon the screw the position of the arm, and consequently of the
cylinder is regulated.
.

page_text: For transporting the crane from place to place the crane post is
lowered to a horizontal position, the jib being at the same time;
straightened out so as to be in line with the post, and to rest with a
roller provided at its end on the ground, such roller thus affording a
__support to the jib and post at the front end, while the back or lower end 5
of the post is supported by the before-described carriage, the wheels of
which arc by preference made with a central groove to run on rails,
and with a broad tread on cach side to enable them to run on the
ground.
The before-described improved construction of cranes will be readily 1
understood on reference to the accompanying Drawing, in which Fig. 1
shews a side view of the cranc, showing the post lowered and the jib
extended; Fig. 2 is a side view partly in section, showing the jib in its
raised position; Fig. 3 is a detached sectional view of the oscillating
cylinder for raising and lowering the post; and Fig. 4 is a section of the 1
revolving frame and annular cylinder and piston, shewing one of the
bearings for the journals of the oscillating cylinder.
In the Drawing A represents the post of a crane, and B the jib, the
two being hinged as at a so as to allow of the jib being extended in line
with the post, or set at any desired angle thereto. The jib may be 2
extended and held in position by blocks or wedges inserted between the
inner end thereof and the post, or by means of a worm or screw a¹ and
worm wheel a² secured to the post and jib.
The post A is hinged or. journalled as at c to a frame or stand C,
which rest upon an annular cylinder, to which are attached the journals 2
of the wheels D. This hinging of the post A to its frame permits the
jib and post to travel together in a vertical plane around a common axis,
and-in-cases-wherc_the_jib_is_not_extensible the hypothenuse of the
triangle formed by the post-and-jib will be the greatest reach of the
crane. The power is applied to the crane post at a point outside of 3
the point of hinging c, preferably at the point b. The frame or stand C
to which the crane post is hinged rests upon an annular cylinder E, and
is provided with a dependant flange e, which acts as a piston for the
cylinder E, this being provided with a pipe e', which leads to an accumu-
lator or any other source of fluid or liquid under pressure.
The frame C, which is preferably of annular form, is held to the
annular cylinder E by a series of bent rods or bolts C', which are secured
3

page_text: to the frame by nuts c², which pass to the inside of the annular cylinder so
as to permit the free rotation of the frame upon the cylinder, so that the
crane post may be swung around, but prevent the frame being lifted so
as to raise the flange or piston e out of the cylinder. Attached to the
frame C within the annular opening thereof are the bearings c³ for the
journals of an oscillating cylinder F through the piston f, of which the
power to raise, lower, and operate the crane post A is applied. The
piston is attached to the post A at a point 6 outside the point c of.
hinging, so that the hinge or journal c acts as the fulcrum when power is
applied to the post for raising a load. The oscillating cylinder is provided
with a supply pipof, which may enter, at the journals or other suitable
point, and if hydraulic power is used may be connected with an accu-
mulator or with a pump located on the frame or attached to the cylinder.
The annular cylinder E is provided with journals e³, which form the axles
for the main wheels D, the whole forming the carriage of a moveable crane.
H, H, represent the wheels of a guide or brace carriage composed of the-
axle or shaft h with two or more cross or brace bars ¹, which are secured.
to the axle h, but journalled loosely on the same journals e² with the
main wheels D. The wheels H, H, and D, D, are grooved as at d, so as
to hold the carriage upon the rails, the wheels otherwise having a broad
tread, which also adapts them for use on common roads. Secured to the
annular cylinder, and extending therefrom is an arm or arms.i, through
the outer end of which passes a screw-threaded rod I which rises verti-
cally from the axle 7, the said rod being provided with two or more nuts
and washers by which the arm i is adjusted and secured, so as to
support and maintain the annular cylinder in a horizontal position
irrespective of the incline of the ground upon which the crane carriage
rests, thus ensuring the most favourable position for the operation of.
this cylinder and' piston, which forms the cushion and vertical pivot
upon which the crane post rests, and swings'in a horizontal plane.
The crane may be provided with a second brace carriage and adjusting
mechanism extending in the opposite direction from the one described,
and such a construction will be necessary when the crane is to describe
a complete circle in a horizontal plane.
It will be evident that in place of the guide or brace carriage may be
employed a tongue or arm, one end of which is connected solidly to the
annular oulinder while the other ond netanding hook some distance is

page_text: temporarily secured either to a fixed point on the ground or by a weight,
or it is held down by men.
The piston has a rod f" formed or fixed on its lower end, extending
through the bottom of the cylinder F, and provided with a collar f³ to
limit the stroke.
The mode of operating the crane is as follows:-Supposing the
piston and crane post to be in the position shewn in Figs. 2 and 3, the
inlet pipes being connected to an accumulator or a hydraulic pump,
either located on the carriage or at a distance, I open the waste valves,
thus permitting the fluid in the cylinders E and F to be forced out by
the weight resting on their respective pistons until the crane frame rests
upon the upper surface of the annular cylinder, and the post and jib
have sunk sufficiently low to permit the load to be attached to the hook
on the end of the jib or post. As soon as this position of the several
parts is attained (shewn in Fig. 1) I shut off the waste valves, in order
to retain as much fluid in the cylinders as possible, thereby avoiding
unnecessary waste and lifting; I then open communication with the
supply pipe of the oscillating cylinder, admitting the fluid to act on
the piston and through the piston on the post, causing the post to
turn on its hinge or axle, and to rise together with its load through a
vertical plane until the desired height is attained, in which position it
is held by simply closing the supply pipe, the waste valve being also
shut. The fluid being thus prevented from escaping from the cylinder
the whole pressure will rest thereon, and as the axis of the oscillating
cylinder is considerably off the axis, around which the crane post
swings,-the-arcs-which-both-describe are from different centres, and
consequently the load cannot force the piston to turn on the journals of
When I desire to swing the load to another spot on one side I open
the supply pipe of the annular cylinder E, permitting the inflow of fluid 3
which forces up the annular piston, and with it the frame, crane, and
oscillating cylinder which is journalled in the frame until the frame is
arrested by the bolts C', which prevent it from rising further, and create
a resistance whereby the fluid is caused to force open the safety valve,
commonly used with hydraulic apparatus, when the supply pipe of the 3
annular cylinder may be closed or left open, as preferred. The crane
will now rest upon the fluid in the annular cylinder, and it will require

page_text: but little power to swing it and its load around to the desired position,
after which the fluid may be permitted to escape gradually from the
annular cylinder until the stand or frame is lowered upon its seat
upon the cylinder, where it will be held stationary by frictional
contact. To lower the load the discharge pipe of the oscillating
cylinder F is opened, so as to permit the gradual escape of the fluid,
which will be forced out by the crane and its load, and as soon as the
load has reached the desired position the escape pipe is closed to prevent
the unnecessary waste.
The several supply and escape valves for the cylinders E and F.
are not shewn on the Drawing. They may be of any known con-
struction. In order that the annular cylinder may be always level
at the time the crane is to be raised and swung on its vertical pivot
all that is necessary is to change the position of the nuts upon the
vertical rod of the brace or guide buggy, when the annular cylinder
will be turned upon its journals (which are the axles of the main
wheels) until the cylinder assumes a horizontal position, after which
the nuts can be tightened, and the cylinder will retain its level
position irrespective of the incline or grade upon which the buggy
rests.
I have described the operation of these devices by hydraulic power,
but it is evident steam or compressed air will produce the same
results, though perhaps they may not be as conveniently applied.
Other well-known means of applying power to raise and lower the
crane post may be used in place of the hydraulic cylinder. Thus for
the piston f may be substituted a screw spindle, passing through the
oscillating cylinder or sleeve and raised or lowered by a nut operated
by a worm and worm wheel, or an arrangement similar to the one
shewn for extending and adjusting the jib may be used, or power may
also be applied to the post by innumerable well-known arrangements of
gearing now applied for similar purposes.
A stationary or an oscillating cylinder for applying the power may
be placed to one side of the fulcrum of the crane post, and the crane
stand may be supported upon a separating frame between two axles, all
of which are changes of construction within the knowledge of the
skilled mechanic, and may be made without departing from the nature
of this Invention:

page_text: upon the wheels, all of which can readily be applied without specific
-directions being herein given.
The advantages of these devices are, first, that by bringing the point-
of support on the ground the centre of the cylinder trunnions upon
which the load rests and the centre of fulcrum around which the post
revolves all in one and the same vertical plane, the pressure downwards
on the bearings of the trunnions of the oscillating cylinder is always
greater than that tending to lift the buggy H, and will therefore keep
the buggy stationary (without counterweights and without the excessive
long buggies hitherto necessary) while the crane is in operation, and I
can use light adjusting wheels and bring them close to the main or
supporting wheels, thereby decreasing the proportions between dead
weight and load to one-fifth where hitherto it was near one-fourth.
Although it is preferred to arrange the trunnions of the cylinder F in
the same vertical plane with the trunnions c of the crane post, yet it
will be evident that the trunnions may be arranged somewhat to the
right or to the left of that planes without departing from the nature of
the present Invention.
Secondly. The jib may be extended as shown in Fig. 1, and the post
swung down upon its hinge so that its highest point will not be above
that of its stand or supporting frame. The forward end of the jib will
travel upon the ground by means of the roller K supporting the jib and
post, so that cranes of twenty and thirty feet in height may be trans-
ported through tunnels and-narrow passages of five or six feet in height
and used in rooms of eight or ten feet in beight, and this by simply
changing-the:angle of the jib-and-post. _
Finally. It will be noticed that the whole machine is reduced to the
least number of parts, everything being direct acting, so that with the
improved portable crane any load may be lifted to the desired height,
and yet even when constructed for the heaviest loads and highest lifts
can still be transported and handled on ordinary roads.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, what I claim is,—

page_text: First. The combination of the crane post, jib, and frame, the crane
post being hinged to the frame so that the jib and post travel together
in a vertical plane around a common axis, substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Second. The combination of a crane post and jib, its supporting stand
or frame, and suitable mechanism for raising and lowering the post and
its load, the post being connected to the stand by a hinge, joint, or con-
nection, and the power for raising and lowering the post being applied
directly thereto, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Third. In combination with a crane post hinged to its stand or frame,
an oscillating cylinder and piston, the piston acting upon the post
to raise and lower the same, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
"
Fourth. In combination with a crane post, hinged to its frame or
stand, an annular cylinder and piston for raising and cushioning the post
upon its vertical pivot, substantially as specified.
Fifth. In combination with the cranc post and the piston and
cylinder for raising the post upon its vertical pivot, a vertical rod and
cross arm or mechanism, substantially the same for adjusting and pre-
serving the level of the cylinder, substantially as specified.
Sixth. The combination of the crane post, its frame or stand, the
oscillating cylinder for operating the post, and a single pair of supporting
wheels and an arm or tongue fixed to the frame or stand, the several
parts being relatively so arranged that the points of support, centre of
trunnions and fulcrum, are in one and the same vertical plane, whereby
the momentum of the load is transmitted directly to the ground, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whercof, I, the said Charles Denton Abel, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of February, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
six
.