Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 1st July, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 2nd Aug., 1887.
We, HENRY MCLAUGHLIN, Gentleman, and JOHN BYRON MALING Contractor
both of Bangor in the County of Perobscot, State of Maine, in the United States of
America do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
This invention relates to "Hoisting Machines," more particularly that class to be
employed in loading or unloading vessels, or cars, for hoisting material from mines,
sewers, or other excavations and in general for raising and handling heavy articles or
materials, and consists in the combination with a fixed vertical standard and a swinging
pivoted must provided with a gibbet-head, so called, of a boom pivotally attached at
one end to said gibbet-head, while the opposite extremity is free to shift in vertical
paths of movement on the standard.
The gist of our invention consists, primarily, in the construction of a hoisting
apparatus, by means of which the material or article to be handled, or transferred from
one elevation to another can be shifted both vertically and laterally by a single
movement of the hoisting rope alone; a result to my knowledge not heretofore
accomplished. Secondly, in the combination with the vertical standard of adjustable
stops by which the fulcrum point of the boom can be varied and the position or reach
of the gibbet-head towards, or from the base of the swinging mast can readily be
adjusted. Thirdly, in the combination with the hoisting rope, of a stop adjustably
disposed thereupon and adapted to engage with stops upon the gibbet-head, whereby
automatic and positive vertical lift is assured prior to the lateral transfer. Fourthly,
in the general arrangement and operation of the various parts, as an entirety, all of
which will be more fully hereinafter explained.
The drawings accompanying this specification represent in Fig. 1. a side elevation
of a machine embodying my invention, in its lowest position, in readiness to raise, or
just after delivering a load. Fig. 2 is a similar view, wherein the machine is shown

page_text: elevated and drawn back to its greatest extent. Fig. 3 is an elevation with the machine
in an intermediate position at the time; when the boom has reached a fixed fulcrum
point. Fig. 4 is a plan.
In the drawings 2 represents a suitable base which may be of any suitable size,
shape or construction. This base is preferably formed of timbers suitably secured
together, though, when the machine is permanently affixed upon a car, vessel, pier or
other permanent structure it may be formed without an independent base; the floor,
or deck serving as a base for the machine.
Secured to the base 2. by a suitable pivot 3. is a swinging mast 4. which
adapted
to be actuated upon said pivot and to have considerable movement, forward and back,
at its upper end. The upper end of the pivoted mast 4. is provided preferably with a
sheave or pulley 5. over which the hoisting rope passes, as hereinafter described.
The mast 4. is moreover provided with a plate 7. rigidly secured to it, substantially
at right angles thereto. The mast is preferably formed of two beams bolted together,
and is secured pivotally near one end of the base 2. This end of the base we
designate the forward end and the opposite extremity we term the rear end.
At the rear end of the base 2. we provide a vertical standard 15. that is firmly
secured to the base and is preferably provided with a brace 17. having one end
secured near the upper part of the standard, while its opposite end is secured to the
base and thus form a truss of the standard, which is thereby made capable of resisting
any strain that may be brought to bear upon it.
A gibbet-head 9. has one end adapted to bear against the end of the projection or
plate 7. and is secured to it by links 8. 8. one at each side thereof. A link 10. is also
pivoted to the gibbet-head 9. at about mid way of its length and to the swinging mast 4.
at a point below the plate 7. In lieu of said plate, which acts as an intermediate
connection between the swinging mast and gibbet-head and which serves to give
greater extent of reach to said head and also support the latter in certain given
positions of the machine, the gibbet-head can be secured directly to the mast by the
links 8. S. and 10. as before premised. The forward end of the gibbet-head is
provided with a sheave, or pulley 12. and another sheave or pulley is mounted above
the gibbet-head near its opposite end in bearings which are suitably secured to
said head.
The standard 15. is provided with a vertical slot or opening 18. extending nearly to
its upper end and with a short arm 19. upon its rear side near the top, in which is
mounted a suitable sheave or pulley 20.
A boom 21. has its upper end pivoted to the gibbet-head 9. the boom and the
links 8, 8. being preferably secured to the gibbet-head by a common pivot-bolt. The
lower or rear end of the boom 21. is secured to the standard by a bolt 22. which may
be furnished with an anti-friction roller 26; by this means this end of the boom is free
to slide up and down on the standard. An evident mechanical equivalent would be
to have a single cylindrical standard and furnish this movable end of the boom with a
similarly shaped sleeve or annular collar, which shall clasp the same and slide up and
down thereupon. This movement to the end of the boom constitutes an important
feature in this machine, since by means thereof a change can be effected in the
fulcrum point of said boom. To more readily control and limit the extent of travel to
the free end of the boom and thereby fulcrum it upon the standard at any desired
point, I have disposed adjustable stops 27. 28. upon the fixed standard. The upper
one of which prevents upward vertical motion of the rear end of the boom, while the
lower prevents downward travel of the same. By this means adjustment in the reach
of the boom can readily be effected.
The boom is preferably formed of two timbers, which pass upon opposite sides of the
mast and standard and are secured together by the bolts, which fasten the boom to the
gibbet-head and standard.
A suitable hoisting-rope 23 is provided at its end with a hook 25, or other means
for attaching to it any weight, or material that is desired to be raised; or a suitable
bucket for lifting dirt or other material in excavating or dredging, or for raising any
other material may be attached.

page_text: This rope passes over the sheaves 12, 14, 15, and 20, and its other end is to be
connected with any suitable device or means through which power may be applied for
raising or lowering a load. The lower end of the gibbet-head is further provided
with a stop 16. against which a movable stop, the leading block or the load may strike,
when the rope is drawn up, and which receives the jar which would otherwise be borne
by the end of the gibbet-head.
A further feature, and one before premised, is the employment of an adjustable
stop 29, which automatically determines the vertical lift, prior to the lateral shift of
the load, in process of transfer. This stop, as is shown, is secured to the hoisting-rope
at any desired point below the gibbet-head and is intended to engage the stop 16.
thereon. Thus in the employment of a machine of this description in unloading from
one point to another, say from a boat to a dock; the required difference in the level
of the two points can be readily ascertained, when the stop 29. is adjusted to suit it.
Hence it will be seen that the vertical lift of the body is predetermined by the stop 29.
engaging the stop 16; further continuous travel of the rope then causes the mast to
swing upon its pivot and the free end of the boom is caused to descend, when the
lateral movement of the load is effected to the place desired. Said stop 29. thus saves
loss of time and power in lifting, since the load is carried vertically no higher than is
actually necessary, while loading and unloading can be performed more expeditiously.
The operation of the machine is as follows presuming the parts are in the position
shown in Fig. 1. the rope is run over the sheaves until the hook, or receptacle on its
end is in position to secure or receive the weight or material which is to be raised.
Power is then applied to the other end of the rope and the object is raised until the
stop 29. on the rope engages the stop 16. on the gibbet-head.
A continuation of the movement of the rope causes the mast 4. to turn upon its
pivot, throwing it back to the position shown in Fig. 2. and causes the rear or lower
end of the boom 21. to slide down the standard until it also reaches the position shown
in Fig. 2. When the free end of the boom has reached a fixed point, the latter acts as
a fulcrum, while further movement of the rope causes the gibbet-head to be raised
from the plate 7. the links 8. and 10. turning upon their pivots, as likewise the boom,
which now sustains the load.
The parts will thereby be thrown into substantially the position shown in Fig. 2,
the weight or material, that has been raised, being held at a point substantially over
the foot of the swinging mast, from which position it may be lowered directly
upon the platform, pier, floor, deck or other support upon which the hoisting machine
rests.
Thus from the operation of the machine, it is evident that change in the vertical
position of the fulcrum of the boom will produce differences in the resultant action,
or reach of the machine, and more fully adapt it to different classes of work. Thus
for loading from a dock to a vessel, or from a higher to a lower level and supposing
the machine is then normally in the position in Fig. 2.; to adjust the movement of
the machine laterally, prior to lowering the body, the stop 27. is employed, which
latter prevents the free end of the boom from rising and brings the body vertically
above the point desired and to which it is to be transferred.
On the other hand, when sudden reverse action is required, presuming the machine
is operating from a lower to a higher level, as for instance excavating for sewers,
the lower stop 28. will then be employed. This will lessen the travel of the rear
end of the boom, fulcrum the latter more quickly and will prevent the machine from
being thrown rearwardly so far, as shown in Fig. 2. where the boom has free play
the entire length of the fixed standard. Hence when the stop 28. is employed, the
load is raised, swung inwardly to the desired point, and emptied, while the stop 28. so
positions the machine that the instant the hoisting rope is relaxed, the mast, arm, and
gibbet-head drop forward and quickly assume a position in readiness for another lift.
A peculiar and novel feature in the construction of this machine will be observed
more particularly in the transfer of a load from a higher to a lower level. In this
event the relative position of the parts, prior to the transfer of a load, will be as
shown in Fig. 2. with the swinging mast thrown to its extreme backward limit,

page_text: when so situated, it is inactive, so far as gravity is concerned since it lies within and
to one side of a vertical line through its pivot. But as the load, when the mast
is in the above position, is then sustained mainly upon the sliding boom, the latter
is properly situated and in readiness to be actuated by gravity. Thus in active use
the load is lifted vertically from the higher level by the boisting rope, the latter is
then reversed or slacked and the load allowed to descend, the sliding boom
swinging outwardly until the upward travel of its rear end is stopped. The swinging
mast has meantime been advanced forward at the top until the latter has passed
vertical line through its pivot, when the weight of the load has been assumed by it
and movement laterally of said load ceases. The vertical drop is then accomplished
to any desired level below by means of the hoisting rope or chain.
transfer of the load from the swinging mast to the sliding boom, or vice-versa, enables
the machine to be actuated by gravity induced through the load, or the several parts
of the machine, in whatever position it may be placed, either for transferring
from a higher to a lower level or vice-versa.
a
Hence the
a load
It will be noticed that the machine has a long reach forward from its base, and also
that by a single continuous movement of the rope, a load or weight may be raised
and then shifted laterally until it is in a position for dumping or lowering upon a
suitable place of delivery. The machine is thus adapted for loading and unloading
vessels, or cars, for raising dirt and other material from sewers, mines or other
excavations, for dredging, handling coal or material upon docks, and in general for
quickly raising or handling any heavy material.
The machine may be formed as a permanent part of a car, vessel, dock or pier, or
it may be provided with a suitable base and be capable of being set up in any desired
position. Several instances occur, where two of these machines may be employed in
conjunction with great advantages, as in ships-davits, or in the lowering of water-
pipes, where it is essential that the body should be poised horizontally and so
maintained, both when being raised or lowered. In such an application of the
machine the hoisting ropes would be received upon a common drum, in order that
each rope should travel at the same rate of speed in raising a load; while in the act
of lowering the drum would be controlled by a brake and a similar effect be
accomplished.
The details of construction may be varied without departing from the spirit of my
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we claim is ;—
1st. The combination, in a machine of the class described, of the swinging mast 4,
the standard 15, and the sliding boom 21, all substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.
2nd. In a hoisting machine, the combination with a swinging mast and the standard
having the adjustable fulcrum-stops, of the boom interconnecting said mast and
standard, the free end of said boom being adapted to reciprocate upon said standard
and cooperate with the fulcrum stops, substantially for purposes specified.
3rd. The combination, in a machine of the class described, of the swinging mast 4,
the fixed standard 15, the gibbet-head 9, secured to said mast by links 8. and 10. and
the boom 21. baving its rear end arranged to slide upon the standard 15. and its forward
end pivoted to said gibbet-head, substantially as described.
4th. The combination with the swinging mast, the fixed standard and the sliding
boom, of the hoisting rope provided with the adjustable stop 29, adapted to engage
with and actuate the mast and boom, whereby lateral transfer of the load is effected,
substantially as stated.
5th. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a swinging mast 4,
the sliding boom 21, and the fixed standard 1, of the adjustable fulcrum stop 27,
which coöperates with and limits the travel of the rear end of the boom upwards,
whereby lateral transfer of the load outwardly is adjusted, as herein described."
6th. In a hoisting machine the combination with a swinging mast 4, sliding

page_text: boom 21 and the standard 15, of the adjustable fulcrum-stop 28 beneath the rear end
of the boom, to control its downward movement and thereby adjust the lateral transfer
of the load inwardly, substantially as herein stated.
7th. The combination of the swinging mast 4, the fixed standard 15, the gibbet-
head 9, the sliding boom 21 and the hoisting rope, all substantially as set forth.
8th. The swinging mast 4, having the plate 7, the gibbet-head 9, secured to said
mast by the links 8. and 10., and having its end adapted to rest against the end of
said plate, in combination with the standard 15 and the sliding boom 21, substantially
as described.
9th. The combination of the swinging mast having the plate 7, and the sheave 5,
in its upper end, the gibbet-head 9, provided with the sheaves 12. and 14. and
secured to said mast by links 8. and 10, the standard 15, the boom 21 and the hoisting
rope passing over said sheaves substantially as specified.
.
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