GB501302A - Improved means for hoisting torpedoes, bombs and the like into a required position for stowage or launching - Google Patents

Abstract

501,302. Lifting - cradles; winding - apparatus. FAIREY AVIATION CO., Ltd., DUNSFORD, C. G. J., and HETHERINGTON, J. Oct. 14, 1937, No. 27993. [Classes 78 (iv) and 78 (v)] [Also in Group XXV] Means for hoisting torpedoes, bombs, or the like for stowage or launching comprises a cradle for supporting the torpedo, bomb or the like, which carries two winch drums, each of which may be driven through a clutch device, said winch drums having cables wound-thereon, the free ends of which are secured to a fixture adjacent the position to which the torpedo or the like is to be hoisted, means, such as pawl and ratchet gear, being provided to prevent rotation of the drums in one direction. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the cradle 11 for hoisting a bomb 12 is provided with winch drums 14, 15 drawn through clutches and wound with cables 16 connected at their free ends 17 to an aircraft. The bomb when raised to the required position may be rotated about its longitudinal axis by disengaging one of the clutches to interrupt the drive to one of the drums. The cradle consists of a pair of bomb-supporting members 20 integral with a housing 20a enclosing the winch drum shafts, and pairs of arms 21, 22 pivoted on the members 20 and carrying pulleys 24, 26 against which the cables 16 press to hold the arms 21, 22 against the bomb. Fig. 5 shows a modified cradle in which pairs of arms 27, 27 pivoted at each side of the cradle and provided with pivoted blocks 33, are connected intermediate their length by a cross-bar 28 on which is pivoted a crank leyer 29, 31 formed with a hook 30 and carrying a pulley 32. With a bomb 2 having a curvature equal to that of the members 20, the crank levers are moved so that the pulleys 32 are adjacent the blocks 33 which lie against the bomb. However, with a small bomb 12, this is held temporarily in the required position and the arms 27, 27 are then moved inwardly until the blocks rest against the bomb and a sling 34 passed under the bomb and supported on the hooks 30. The winch drums may be rotated by an electrio motor 13 bolted to one of the members 20, or by a detachable hand-operated gear, Fig. 9. One end of the motor shaft 36, Fig. 8, is connected through a clutch 40, 41 with a shaft 42 provided with a worm 44 meshing with a worm wheel 45 in a housing 20a. This wheel carries planet' wheels 46, 47 which mesh with fixed tooth rings 48 and rotatable sleeves 49 having teeth 50, Fig. 7. To rotate the drums, clutch members 52, 61 engaging with parts fast with the drums are slid axially by levers 56, 62 to bring dog teeth thereon into engagement with the teeth 50. The hand-operated gear, Fig. 9, comprises a rotatable handle 77 carrying a worm 76 meshing with a worm wheel 78 on a shaft 79 journalled in a casing 80. This shaft carries a worm 81 meshing with a worm wheel 82 in an extension 83 of the casing. The gear is positioned on the housing 20a, Fig. 8, by screwing the extension 83 on a part 84 and is secured by a wing nut 87 on a stud 86 which engages in the slotted end of a lug 85. The square end of a sleeve 88 integral with the worm wheel 82 engages over a square on the end of the shaft 42, and a pin 90 on the sleeve pushes a rod 89 to the left to disengage the clutch 40, 41 connected to the motor 13. Rotation of the drum is then effected on operation of the handle 77 when the teeth on the clutch members 52, 61 are engaged with dog teeth 51, 60 on sleeves integral with the wheel 45. Fig. 10 shows an alternative reduction gearing comprising a spider 95 which is rotated by the motor 13 through worm gearing 92, 93, and a rotatable planet wheel 96 which meshes with fixed and rotatable sun wheels 97, 98. Slidable in and constrained to rotate with a sleeve 99 integral with the sun wheel 98, is a spring-pressed rod 100 provided 'with a driving member 101 which co-operates with a face 102 on a shaft 103. A worm 108 on this shaft meshes with a worm wheel 109 which is provided on each side with dog teeth adapted to coact with the dog teeth on the clutch members 52, 61. The hand-operated gear is screwed on the member 110, and when in position, its pin 90 engages a push rod 111 to displace the driving member 101. The free end of each cable 16 may be attached to an eye 112, Fig. 12, in which is pivoted on pins 113, a bush 114, Fig. 13, which when it is turned out of the plane of the eye may be slipped over a stud secured to the aircraft.