GB875857A - Outriggers for power shovels, cranes or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

875,857. Earth moving. THEW SHOVEL CO. Aug. 13, 1959 [April2, 1959], No. 27744/59. Class 68(1) [Also in Group XXX] An outrigger for power shovels, cranes &c. comprises a beam that is projectible outwardly and downwardly from a retracted position, the beam being supported by friction means bearing on its top and bottom sides at longitudinally spaced points so that the beam is held in its extended position without the aid of the means which project the beam. Beams 19 are accommodated side by side in a housing 16 for projection on opposite sides of the vehicle framework 2, the beams being curved so that projection brings the pivoted float 21 towards the ground. Shoes 26, 27 of friction material guide, and support the beams, and prevent upward thrust on the floats from forcing the beams back into the housing 16. The projection and retraction of each of the beams is effected by a telescopic fluid pressure cylinder comprising an outer cylinder 34 pivoted fixedly at 31 and having an annular piston which is secured to an inner cylinder 38 in which slides a second piston secured to a piston rod 40 connected at 32 to the inner end of the beam. Admission of pressure fluid, e.g. from the power steering system, first projects the annular piston, inner cylinder and inner piston as a unit, until the annular piston reaches the end of its stroke when the inner piston moves in the inner cylinder. The return of the beam is effected by admitting pressure fluid to the port 42 at the rear end of the inner cylinder 38 and a port 36 at the rear end of the outer cylinder 34. The pressure fluid is supplied to and exhausted from the cylinders by flexible hoses, the hose 43 connected to the port 42 being wound on a hose reel 58 connected by a flexible steel tape to a tension unit which tends to rotate the reel and take up slack in the hose. The hose 43 is connected to an S-bend connector tube fastened to and passing through the peripheral wall of the reel to connect with a hose coiled internally of the reel, so that as the reel rotates the coils of the hose expand or contract within the reel without binding either on the reel shaft or the reel internal wall. Swivel joints and the like are thus unnecessary: The outriggers are controllable by valves inside the vehicle driving cab and/or in the crane cab. The floats 21 are connectible to the beams in either of two positions 23, and the outriggers may lift a wheel or wheels entirely from the ground.