US2647650A - Combination clamp and rotating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 4, 1953 F. SHERRIFF 2,647,650

C OMBINATION CLAMP AND ROTATING MECHANISM Filed March 1, 1950 a Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

- FRED SHERRIFF ATTYZ;

Aug. 4, 1953 F. SHERRIFF COMBINATION CLAMP AND ROTATING MECHANISM Filed March 1, 1950 0s 3 q g l 7 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FRED SHERRIFF BY L ATTYS F.- SHERRIFF COMBINATION CLAMP AND ROTATING MECHANISM Aug. 4, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 1, 1950 ATTYS Aug. 4, 1953 F. SHERRIFF COMBINATION CLAMP AND ROTATING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 1, 1950 INVENTOR. FRED SHERRIFF BY fi/i vw I ATTYJ FIG. 6

FIG. 5

FIG. 7

Aug. 4, 1953 F. SHERRIFF COMBINATION CLAMP AND ROTATING MECHANISM Filed March 1, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 [46 m I I I ll Q -lllIlIlIlll ll lllllllllllllllllllllH INVENTOR. FRED SHERRIFF:

Aug. 4, 1953 F. SHERRI-FF 2,547,650

COMBINATION CLAMP AND ROTATING MECHANISM Filed March 1, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

FRED SHERRIFF /ZM W ATTYJ Patented Aug, 4, i953 COMBINATION CLAMP AND ROTATING" MECHANISM Fred SherrifLBattle Creek, Mich, assignor to Clark Equipment Company, Buchanan, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application March 1 1950, Serial No..147,004

- i l r 1' My invention relates to a combination clamp and rotating mechanism for industrial trucks of a character. capable of clamping ,a load and then rotating-the load. l

The mechanism of my present invention may be adapted for handling a wide variety of commodities, but for purposes of describing a specific embodiment of my invention, I have chosen to illustrate and describe my invention as it is embodied in a mechanism for handling large diameter piper. l U i At the present time, when picking up sections of large diameter pipe and more. particularly vitrified clay sewer pipe having a -bell portion iormedadjacentitsone end, which arestacked in I either a horizontal or a vertical position,one-section must first be broken out manually in order that access may be had to it and the remaining sections, in that present forms of clamping means are excessively bulky and cannot b disposed within the spaces between adjacently stacked sections. v i

It is an object of my invention to provide a clamping means having clamping arms of narrow extent so as to enable the disposal thereof cent each other in a row, the clamp arms of the mechanismof my invention may be disposedin the spaces .at opposite sides of one pipe section and the pipe sections adjacent each side thereof so that the one pipe section may be removed without first having to dispose. it manually in a position out of the-row. g

It is a further object of my invention to provide the, aforementioned clamp arms with swivel mounted clamp jaws together with means for rotating the swivelclamp jaws so that a load may be pickedup in either a vertical or horizontal position and deposited or stacked in either a horizontal or vertical position.

. Now in order: to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and using devices embodying thev principles of my invention, I shall describe in connection with the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention.

In the drawings: v

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional type of. industrial truck with which my present invention has been embodied;

16 cla s; (01. 214=-652) 2 Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the front portion of the truck of Figure l with the front cover plate of the clamping and rotating mechanism removed to show in front elevation hydraulic means provided for actuating the clamping means of my present invention;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the front portion of the truck of Figure 1 having a section of a pipe in clamped position between the clamping jaws with the side cover plate of one of the clamping arms removed to show in elevation the rotating mechanism for rotating a clamping-jaw; H w

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the clamping androtating mechanism of my invention supporting a section of pipe; j

Figure 5 is a sectional view of a swivel clamp jaw taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; i

, Figure 6 is a plan view of the swivel clamp'jaw, taken substantially along theline 6--6 in Figure 5 looking in the direction indicated by g the arrows I Figure 7 is a partial plan view of, a modified form of rotating mechanism of my present invention; and v Figure 8' is a partial side elevational view of the modified form of rotating mechanism shown in Figure '1. 1 lf 7 Referringnow to Figure 1, thereis shown a conventional industrial truck, indicated generally by the reference numeral lo having front driving wheels H and rear steering'wheels i2. A vertical mast of known construction,- indicated generally by the reference numeral l3, comprises two pairs of channel-shaped vertically extending members, such as members i l-i4 and l5-l5, which are telescopically arranged and actuated in a known manner by conventional hydraulic piston and cylinder means IS. The masthas connection as at I! to a suitable hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly for eiiecting tilting of the mast.

The industrial truck I!) is provided with a steering column 18 having at its upper end a conventional hand steering wheel I9 which is adapted to be manipulated by an operator of the truck. Control levers 20a, 20b and 200, are provided for the operator for controlling respectively, vertical movement of the mast, actuation of the rotating means, and actuation of the clamping means of my present invention. The truck is additionally supplied in a conventional manner, with a motor, clutch and' brake pedals andsuitable gear ment within a sleeve member "3|.

shift controls so that the vehicle may be driven either forwardly or backwardly.

Adjacent the front end of the truck is a load supporting carriage of known construction, comprising a pair of frame members 2| and 22 extending transversely of the truck, which are adapted tobe moved vertically upward or down ward on the mast I3.

The rotating and clamping means of my in vention, indicated generally at 23, is adapted to be supported on the frame members 2| :and 22 of the load supporting carriage. The arrangement is such that the rotating and clamping means 23 is detachably supported on "the load supporting carriage, so that if desired-it may be removed and other attachments substituted therefor so that the truck ;may .be used for a wide variety of purposes. The .rotating and clamping means 23, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a fixed plate member 24 which is disposed centrally of the ends and in juxtaposition o'fthe frame members 2| and '22 of the load supporting carriage. The plate '24, as shown in Figure 4, is attached to the load supporting carriageby-means of one or more hook-like brackets 25 welded to the rear surface of theplate 24 and hooked over the upper frame member 2|. The plate 24 is additionally secured to the upper frame member 2| by means of one or more brackets 26 bo1tedto-the rear surface-of-the plate '24 and having upwardly extending flanges which are adapted 'toengage the lower edge of the upper frame member 2|. The lower frame member 22 forms a brace against which the lower portion of plate 24 may bear. This construction permits the rotating and 'clamping'means of my invention to be easily and-speedily detached to permit substitution of otherdevices on thefront end of truck |0. n

The aforementioned plate member '24, in a "sense defines a main frame member providing for the support of the clamping mechanism .of my present invention. The clamping mechanism as best shown in Figure 2 preferably comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel'and relatively movable clamp arms '2"! and '28 one 'being disposed at opposite sides of the plate member 24 at right'angl'es thereto. The clamp arms 21 and 28 each comprise a horizontally extending rearward portion and a forward portion extending *angularly downwardly 'forwardly' there from.

Suitable guide means are provided "for 'guiding the movement of the clamp arms 2 and 28 'toward and away from thesides of the plate member 24 "and such "means preferably corn- "prise-a pair "of telescopic assemblies, indicated at 29, disposed forwardly'ofthe'plate 24,.each having a' rodmember '39 'journalled for axial. move- One of the assemblies 29 is disposedhorizontally adjacent the upper edge of the plate 24-;with the outer end-of the-rod 39 beingsuitably"securedtothe inner vertical side of the clamp arm 2! adjacent the upper rear corner portion thereof and the outer end ofthe sleeve 3| beingsuitably secured 'to the-inner vertical side of the clamp-arm28 adjacent f the upper rear corner :portion thereof. The-other of the-assemblies 29 is'disposed "horizontally adjacent the-lower edgefof platef24'with theouter end'of its rod'-'30 being suitably-secured to the inwardlyfacing-vertical side of the clamp arm 28 adjacent the 'lowerrear corner portion thereof and the outer end of the 'sleeveimember 3| being suitably secured to -the inwardly facing verticahside -'of "the clamp "arm 21 'adjacent from each other, and such means preferably comprises a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies 3-3 and'34 located forwardly and cen- "trally of the plate member 24 in opposed relation, as shown in Figure 2. The closed ends of the cylinders 35 and 36 of the hydraulic piston :and cylinder assemblies 33 and 34 are pivotally secured to the front of the plate 24 as indicated at 31 and '38, respectively. The outer end of the piston rod 39 of the hydraulic piston and cylinder "33 is detachably connected in a conventional manner to the inwardly facing vertical side-of the movable clamp arm 2-8adjacent-the central rear portion thereof. 'The free 'endof piston rod '40 of :the hydraulic pistonandmyl-i-nder assembly 34 is connected in a conventional manner 'to the inwardly facing :vertical .side of the movable clamp arm 21 adjacent the lower rear portion thereof. A plurality of .fluid lines 60,-6|, '64, 65, fiii andfilare providedto conduct fluid under pressure, developed, for example. by means 1 of a pump driven by the engine of :the truck to the hydraulic actuating assemblies :33 and '34'to'eifect movement of itheclamp : arms 21 and 28 toward and away :from each lotherxi'n :a manner to bedescribed in greater detail ihereinafter. The sequence of operations :involved in actuating the clamp arms I21 :and '28 :will also hereinafter 'be described.

Locate-d adjacent :the outerends 'of eachiof :the forwardly and downwardly projecting endslof "the clamp arms 27 and 28 :area pair of clamp jaws t'l and 42 which :are disposed laterally of the inner sides of the arms 21 and 28 in facingmelation.

The jaws :4| and 42 are of :thesame constructionand they are mounted in an identical-manner to the arms 1'21 and 'I 28, respectively, :in view of which the following description is :lirriited i-to jaw 4|.

Clamp jaw il is of a curved configuration forming substantially the segment of a cylinder so as to'be adapted :to ngagea cylindricalload, and has secured, as by :welding, :to its .convex side, a pair of parallel spacedgapart outwardly extending arm members .15 and i6 which "have aligned-openings 11 and :78 formed respectively therein. It will 'be understood that :the :jaws [4| and 42 imay be of. other configuration in thatfthe shape of the jaws is dictated by the 's'hapeof the load to "be handled. "Secured, asfby welding, to the inwardly facing K side of i the clamp :armill is a spacer bar 8| to which-a'b racket' 82 is welded alongoneedge. Securedto the'bracket382, as by welding, is a hub'member 33 in which.a:bushing fll is 'disposed and in which,.,in turnfa'shaft 44 is journalled. A sprocketpinionfl45 is-suitably keyed to the outer end of shaft 24 and, as shown,'lies:in an opening formed in clamp arm 21. '-Welded to 'the inwardly projecting end "of shaft is a cup-shaped member 84 which has aligned openings "85 and "8B rformed therein. :An annular ring or washer 88 is provided between the hub member 83 and the cup shaped-member -84 to maintain them in spaced apart :relation.

The arm members 15 and of 'the clampsja'w M are positioned on :opposite sides of the acupshaped member 84 with the openings 11 and 18 of the arm members 15 and 16 aligned with the openings 85 and 86 of the cup-shaped member 84, respectively. Pins 19 and 88 are disposed in each of the pair of openings so as to form a pivotal support for the clamp jaw 4|. It will be noted a frictional facing material 85, such as rubber, may be applied to the concave sid of the clamp jaw 4|. As previously noted, the clamp jaw 42 may be rotatably mounted to the clamp arm 28 in the same manner as above described in connection with clamp jaw 4| and therefore, it is believed, a detail description of the mounting of clamp jaw 42 is unnecessary. V

The aforementioned rotating means for imparting rotary movement to the clamp jaws 4| and 42 is located partially within the confines of the clamp arms 21 and 28 and partially extends laterally outwardly of the sides of the arms 21 and 28. Since the rotating mechanisms provided for each of the clamp jaws 4| and 42 are identical in construction, except that they are disposed in reverse relation to each other, I shall describe in detail only the rotating mechanism associated with the clamp arm 28.

Within and adjacent the other end of the opening in clamp arm 28, in which sprocket pinion 45 of clamp jaw 42 is disposed in a second sprocket gear 45 mounted on a shaft (not shown) which is supported adjacent its ends by an inner cover plate member 41 shown in Figure 2, and a U-shaped bracket 48 mounted, as by bolts 49, to the outer side of the arm 28. A chain 58 is trained about the sprocket gear 46 and the sprocket pinion 45 for providing a driving rela- I tion therebetween.

Suitable actuating means is provided for rotating the gear 46, and such means preferably comprises a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly located adjacent the outwardly facing side of the clamp arm 28 adjacent the rear portion thereof. Th closed end of the cylinder 52 of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 5| is pivotally secured, at 53 adjacent the rear end of the clamp arm 28. The free end of piston rod 54 of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 5| is pivotally connected by means of a yoke member 55 to the outer end of a crank arm 56 which is rigidly secured, as by welding, to an outwardly facing hub secured to the aforementioned gear 146.

It will be seen that when the piston rod 54 of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 5| is extended from the position shown in Figure 3, rectilinear movement of the piston rod 54, by means of the crank arm 56, is translated into counterclockwise rotary movement of the sprocket gear 46. The counterclockwise rotary movement of the sprocket gear 46 is translated into counterclockwise rotary movement of the pinion 45, by means of the chain 50, which causes the shaft 44 to rotate counterclockwise, thus imparting counterclockwise rotary movement to the clamp jaw 42. When the piston rod 54 of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 5| is retracted from the position shown in Figure 3, rectilinear movement of the piston rod 54 is translated into clockwise rotation of the gear 46 which, by means of chain 50, pinion 45 and shaft 44, cause the clamp jaw 42 to rotate in a clockwise direction. A plurality of fluid lines 69, 10, 1| and 12 are provided to conduct metered fluid under pressure from a flow divider, indicated at 69-0, to the hydraulic actuating assemblies, one of which is shown at 5| in Figure 3, mounted on the outwardly facing sides of the arms 21 and 28 to effect synchronized rotation of the clamp jaws 4| and 42 in a manner to be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The degrees of rotation and the speed of rotation of the clamp jaw 4| may be varied by altering the stroke of the piston rod 54 of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 5| and by changing the gear ratio between the gear 46 and the pinion 45.

A typical illustration of the manner in which the aforedescribed mechanism may be utilized will now be described.

The operator may, for example, position the truck H] in front of a section of pipe lying on the ground with the clamp arms 21 and 28 and jaws 4| and 42 in the position shown in Figure 1. The truck is manipulated so that the clamp arms21 and 28 are positioned parallel to the lengthwise axis of the section of pipe. The operator then spreads the clamp arms 21 and 28 by selectively operating one of the remote control levers of the group at 26 which controls the selective connection of fluid lines 60 and 6| with a source of fluid under pressure developed by suitable pump means carried by the truck Hi. When either line 66 or 6| is connected with the source of fluid under pressure, the other is bled. The lines 68 and 6|, as shown, extend to suitable terminal blocks 62 and 63, respectively. A pair of fluid lines 64 and 65 extend from the terminal block 62 to the forward ends of the cylinders 35 and 36 of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies 33 and 34. Another pair of fluid lines 66 and, 61 extend from the terminal block 63 to the closed ends of the cylinders 35 and 36 of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies 33 and 34. In the position of the parts shown in Figure 2, the line 6| is under pressure and the line 66 is under bleed so as to provide for the admission of fluid under pressure through the terminal block 63 to lines 66 and 61 so that the piston rods 39 and 48 are disposed in extended position.

After the clamp arms 21 and 28 have been spread'apart, the truck I6 is then driven forward until the clamping jaws 4| and 42 are disposed closely adjacent to the horizontal diametrical axis of a pipe section intermediate of the ends thereof.

In order to effect clamping of the section of pipe, the valve controlling the connection of fluid lines 60 and 6| is manipulated so that the line that was under pressure is now under bleed and the line that was under bleed is now under pressure. This reversal of the pressure conditions of the lines effects flow through the terminal block 62 to lines 64 and 65 and establishes bleed of lines 86 and 61. Under these conditions the piston rods 39 and 40 of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies 33 and 34 are forced to a retracted position until the clamp jaws 4| and 42 engage. the sides of the section of pipe.

By selectively operating a different lever of the group at 28, fluid is induced into the hydraulic cylinder assembly I6 forcing the telescopic members |5-|5 of the mast l3 upward. The members |5--|5 carry'the load supporting carriage and clamping and rotating mechanism upwardly with it, thus raising the section of pipe off of the ground enabling it to be transported to a new location.

Now, when depositing a load, the procedure as outlined above is reversed. That is, the truck is positioned in front of and adjacent to the area wherev the sectioniofpipe is tops-deposited. The hydraulic piston. and:v cylinderw assembly I6: is suitably actuated' towlower the telescopicumast member |l5 and the-:iload:support,ingcarriagev until the 'loweuportion' ofrthe. section of pipe engages the-surface of the ground. Thereafter, the clamp. arms 21 and: 28' may be'retracted fromengagement with the-section of pipe. The truck may then be backed away.

If the sections of pipe are picked up in.a;hori-,- zontal position. with; the: bell portions facing the truck, and arerequired tobe stacked orunloaded in a vertical position or a horizontal position with .the bell portions facing away from the truck, as shown in. Figure 4, theoperator only" has to actuate the previously described rotating mechanism to revolve the clamp jaws andsection of pipe therewith. It will also be understood that a section of pipe may be picked up in a vertical position, as shown in Figure 3, and. stacked or unloaded. in a horizontal position with either-the bell portion facing'the truck, or .withthe bell portion facingaway from thectruck, as shown in Figure 4. t will be further understood that a section of pipe may be picked up in a horizontal position with thebell portion facing away from the truck, as shown in Figure 4, and deposited orstacked in a vertical position, as shown in Figure 3, or in a horizontal position with. the bell portion facing the truck.

If the operator desires to effect rotation of the clamp jaws ll and '52,- he selectively operates lever 26b, adjacentthe drivers seat, which controls the selective connection. of fluid lines 69A and 693,- with a source of fluid under pressure developed as previously mentioned, by suitable pump means carried by the truck, which fluid under pressure is directed to the flow divider 690 which accurately divides the flow into two equal volumes irrespective of the fluid: resistancein the hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies M. The fluid is then directed into either pair of fluid lines 69 and H, or 70 andl2- When either pair of lines as and ll, 0111c and i2, are connected with the source of fluid under pres-.- sure, the other pair isloled. The lines It and- II extend from the aforementioned flow divider 69C to the closed ends of a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies, one of which is indicated at SE of Figure 3, which are mounted to the outwardly facing sides of the clamp arms 2'? and 28 while lines 59 and 12 extend from the flowdivid'er 89C to the forward ends of the cylinders comprising the last mentioned hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies.

' In order to effect rotation of the clamp jaws 4i and 42 through 90 counterclockwise from the position shown in Figure 3, lines 59 and. 12 are placed under bleed and lines Hi and "under pressure. The piston rod 54'" of the hydraulic assembly 5! is pushed outward'causingi gear 48 to rotate counterclockwise which, in turn, rotates gear 35, shait i l and clamp jaw 12 counterclockwise. It will be understood that the corresponding parts (not shown) mounted to the outer face of arm 2? will be actuated in a similar manner. If it is desired to rotate the clamp jaws H and 42 90 clockwise from the position shown in Figure 3, the opposite lines areactuated. That lines 89 and "#2 are placed under pressure while lines it and H are placed underbleed conditions.

4 Thus, by suitable control of-the admission of fluid under pressure to. the hydraulic actuating means associated withxthe: clamp jaws,-thezdrive1:.

, mounted to. the .outer side of arm 2'1.

8. mayselectively 'disposetheclamp jaws in either a horizontalorvertical position, and by appropriate control; of wthe hydraulic. actuating means; for the clamping meansyas described, effect actuation of -the:clamp ing and rotating mechanism asumay bedesired in handling various kinds of commodities.

w A-modified form of rotating mechanism is shown: in-F'ig-ures'l and 8. Since the mechanism is; symmetricalrabout a. vertical median plane, it is believed. that a partial plan view and a side elevationalyiew:-willbe sufficient for purposes ofjthe,present-disclosurez- Primed reference numerals have been employed in these figures to designate those partszwhich 'arewthe' same or similar to .partsaforming the preferred embodiment of. my invention.

Sincethe rotating mechanism is connected to the clamp jaws in a similar manner, I shall describe in detail-only the connection of the rotating mechanismwiththe clamp jaw ti.

1 Secured: to the. outer: vertical. surface of the clamp arm 2?, as; by welding adjacent the rear portionv thereof, is a vertical! bracket Hill which extends above, the upper-horizontal edge of the clamp'arm 21. 'The bracket use is spaced from the clamp arm 2'11. at'its upper end and provides a. supporticnone-end of a splined shaft lfil extending transversely of the truck, immediately forward of a plane passing through the vertical support plate member 24'. The splined shaft llll is additionallysupported intermediate of its endsby means of blockmembers Hi2 and I03 welded-to the plate member 2,4.

. Mounted on the splined shaft llll, between clamp arm 21' and bracket [95,: is a. sprocket wheel :sc having an internallyv splined central opening-adapted to mate with the splined shaft l.0l.- A thrust bearing l i5v is suitably mounted on the uppenedge of-clamp arm 2'! for movement therewith-and the splined shaft It! is jcurnalled therein. A- secondsprocket wheel I is disposed coaxially of the sprocket gear 26 betweenthe latter and the U shaped bracket 48 The sprockets 46 land Hi5v are adapted'to be rotated conjointly. A, chain N35 is trained about the sprockets: 1G4. and, I05 forproviding a driving relation therebetween.

Fixedly mounted tosthe splined shaft Hll intermediate of the ends thereof, between support block members vH12, is acrank arm I ill which has connection at. its outer end with a piston rod lot. of a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly I09 pi otally. anchored to a bracket (not shown) carried .by the supporting plate 24'. Looking. now at. Figure 8, itwill be observed, if the piston rod J08 is extended downwardl under the influence of fluid pressure controlled, by the operator of the truck, the crank arm. II]? will be rotated clockwise. Clockwise rotation of the crank am Hi! will cause conjoint clockwise rotation of the splinedshaft IBI, sprocket wheel [-04, chain [66, sprockets.- HM and 4E, chain 58, and sprocket. pinion 45-,which effects clockwise rotation of the clamp padv li'. It should be realized that while the clamp-pad 4|" is being rotated that the clamp padmounted torthe otherclamp arm on theopposite side of thetruck is also being rotated. It shouldfurther beobserved that since there is a mechanical: connectionbetween the rotatable clampi pads, theyare-rotated in synchronismn When it is desired to rotate the clamp pad counterclockwise,-theoperator of the truck mayadmitfluid to. the hydraulic piston and cyl- 9, inder assembly Hi9 causing the piston rod I08 to be retracted upwardly. The splined shaft Hll is held against lateral shifting by means of a collar member HI] secured to the support block member I03. Since the splined shaft lfll is journalled in brackets carried by the clamp arms, the clamp arms may be moved laterally without effgcting synchronized rotation of the clamp pa s. j M While I have shown and described whatfI consider 'to be ,a' preferred "embodiment of my invention, it will be "understood- .that' various modifications and rearrangements may befma'de therein without departingffrofm' thespir'it'fand scope'ofmyinvention. LIclaim: C

1. For use with an industrial truck having a load supporting carriage; a combination clamping and rotating mechanism comprising, a vertical plate member adapted to be suppo'rtedby said loadsupportingcarriage, of vertical sp'acedapart parallel relatively horizontallyv movable clamp armsat'opposite sides of said plate member, said clamp arms having a' horizontally extendingrearward portion and an angularly downwardly extending forward portion, means for effecting relative horizontalmovementof said clamp arms toward and away from each other, a pair of clamp jaws one pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis at "eachof the forward ends of said clamp arms, the axes of said clamp jaws lying in a horizontal plane which extends below said rearward portions of said clamp arms and, means on said clamp aimsfor rotating at least one of said clamp jaws about its axis. I

., 2. For use with an industrial truck having a load supporting carriage, a combination clamping'and rotating mechanism comprising'a vertical plate member adapted to be supported by said load supporting carriage, a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel relatively horizontally movable clamp arms at opposite sides of said plate member, ea h a d clamp armswm r e a plate having an elongated opening formed therein, means for effecting relative horizontal movement of saidclamp arms toward andaway from each other, a pair of clamp jaws one pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis at each of the forward ends of said clamp arms, a sprocket pinion connected to each of said clamp jaws and beingdisposed one, within each of said elongated openings in the, respective clamp arms adjacent oneend of, each thereof, a sprocket gear dls posed one within each of said elongated openingsinsaid clamp arms adjacent the other end thereof, chain means between the respective sprocket pinions and sprocket gears,.and means for rotating said sprocket gears for effecting rotary movement of said clamp jaws about their axes. r

13. For use with an industrial truck having a loadsupporting carriage, a combination; clamping and rotating. mechanism comprising, a vertica1 plate member adapted to be supported by said load supporting carriage, a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel relatively horizontallymovable clamp arms at opposite sides of said plate member, said clamp arms each having a horizontally extending rearward portion and an angularly downwardly extending forward portion, each of said clamp arms having an elongated opening formed in the forward portion thereof, means for effecting relative horizontal movement of said clamp arms toward and away from each other, a pair of clamp jaw one piv 10 otally mounted on a horizontal axis at each of the forward ends of said clamp arms, a sprocket pinion connected to each of said clamp jaws and being disposed one within each of said elongated openings in the respective clamp arms adjacent onev end of each thereof, a sprocket gear disposed one within each of said elongated openings in said clamp arms adjacent the other end of each thereof, chain means between the respective sprocket pinions and sprocket gears, and means forrot-atingsaid sprocket gears for effecting rotary, movement of. said clamp jawsabout their axes.

1 4, For use 'with an industrial truck having" a m supportingcarriage, a combination clamping and rotating mechanism. comprising, a verthereof, means for'effecting' relative horizontal movementof saidclamp arms toward and away from each other, a pair of clamp jaws onepivotally mounted. about a horizontal axis at each of the forward ends of, said clamp arms, a sprocket pinion connected to each of said clamp jaws andbeing disposed one within each of said elongated openings in the respective clamp arms adjacent one end of each thereof, a sprocket gear disposed one-within each of said elongated openings insaid'clamp arms adjacent the other end of each thereof, chain means between the respective sprocket pinions and sprocket gears, said sprocket gears, sprocket pinions, and chain means beingfdisposed withinthe confines of the vertical side surfaces of said clamp arms, (and means for rotating said sprocket gears for. efiecting rotary movement of said clamp jaws about their axes. H

H -5. For use withan industrial truck having a load supporting carriage, a combination clamping and rotating mechanismcomprising, a vertical plate member adapted to be supported by said load supporting carriaga'a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel relatively horizontally 'movableclamp; arms atopposite sides of-said plate member, said clamp arms each having a horizontally extending rearward portion andan angularly downwardly extending forward-portion," each of said clamp arms having an elongated opening formed in the forward portion thereof, meansfor-effecting relative horizontal movementof said clamp'arms toward and away from each other, a pair of clamp jaws one pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis at each ofthe forward ends of said clamp arms, a sprocket pinionfconnected to each of said'clamp jaws and being disposed one within each of said elongated openings in the respective clamp arms adjacent one end of each thereof, a sprocket gear disposed one within each of said elongated openings in said'clamp arms adjacent the other end of each thereof, chain means between the respective sprocket pinions and sprocket gears, a pair of crank arms one each rigidly secured to the hub portions of one each of said sprocket gears laterally outwardly of said clamp arms, and means connected with the outer ends of said crank arms for rotating the latter for effecting '11 rotary movement of said clamp jaws-about their axes,

6. For use wit-hen industrial truck having a load supporting carriage,a combination-clamping, and rotating mechanism comprising 'a vertical plate member adaptedto be supported by said loadsupporting carriage, a pair of vertical spacedapart parallel relatively movable clamp armsat opposite sides of said plate member, said clamparms each having, a horizontally. extend.- ing ,rearwarduportiori and an angularly downwardly extending forward portion, each or said clamp arms having anelongatedopening formed in .the forward portion thereohmeans for effecting relative movement of said clamparms toward and awayfrom eachother, a pair of clamp jaws one .pivotally mounted at each of thegforward ends. of said clamp arms, a sprocket pinion connected to each of said clamp jaws and, being disposedpne within each of said elongated open ings in the respective clamp arms"adjacent one endof eachthereo'f, a sprocket gear disposed one within each of said elongated openings in "said clamparms adjacent the'other end of each thereof, chain means. between the" respective sprocket pinions andsprooket gears, a pair of crank arms one eachirigidly. secured to one each of the hub portions, of said. sprocket gears "laterally outwardly of ,said. clamp arms. a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies one each mounted adjacent .one end to the. outwardly facing vertical sideof .oneieach of said clamp-arms, and the end of each of said hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies having. connection to one each of the outeriends of the respective crank arms.

'7. For usewith. an industrial truck having a load supportingcariiagea combination clamping and rotating mechanism, a vertical plate member adapted to be supported by said lead supporting carriage, a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel relatively movable .clamp arms-at 'oppositesides of said plate memberpsaidclamp arms having a horizontally extending'rearwardportion'and angularly downwardly extending foiward per-- tion, each of said clamparms having anelongated opening formed in the forward; portion thereof, means-for effecting relative movement of said clamp arms toward and' away from each other, a pair of brackets one'each secured to the inward vertical sides of'each saidmlamp, adjacent and extending across one end of each of said-elongated openings -in said clamp arms,- a first shaft 1 ournalledin one-"each of said brackets and extending transversely of said clamp arms, a pair of clamp'jawsone'mounted at one end of each. of said shafts laterally inwardly of. said clamp arms, a sprocket pinion mounted on- -the other end of each of said first shafts and disposed one within each of said elongated openings. in the respective clamp arms at the one end of each thereof, a plate member provided. for "the inner side of eachof said clamp arms for-substantially closing said elongated openings therein, a U- shaped bracket mounted to the. outer sidesurfaces of saidclamp arms adjacent to and extending across-the other end of each of said elongated openings in said clamparms, a second pair of shafts one each extendingtransversely of said clamp arms and being journalled at one of the endsthereof inisaid-plate members and at their other .ends in said U-shaped brackets, a sprocket gear vmounted on each .of said second shafts in termediate .of the ends thereof and within said elongated openings in saidclamp arms, chain i 12 andrsprcclzet gears, and means for rotating said sprocket gears for effecting rotary movement of said-clamp jaws.

8. For use with an industrial, truck having a load. supporting carriage, a combination clamping and rotating mechanism, a vertical plate incur her adapted to be supported by said load supporting carriage, a pair of vertical spaced apart "pa-- allel relatively movable clamp arms at opposite sides of said plate member, said clamp arms having a horizontally extending rearward portion and an angularly downwardly extending forward portion, each of said clamp arms having an elongated opening formed in the forward portion thereof, means for effecting relative movement of said clamp aans toward and away from each other, a pair of brackets one each secured to the inward vertical sides of each said clamp arms adjacent and extending across one end of each of said elongated openings in said clamp arms, a first shaft journalled in one each of said brackets and extending transversely of said clamp arms, a pair of clamp jaws one mounted at one end of each of said shafts laterally inwardly of said clamp arms, a sprocket pinion mounted on the other end of each of said first shafts and disposed one within each of said elongated openings in the respective clamp arms at the one end of each thereof, a plate member provided for the inner side of each of said clamp arms for substantially closing said elongated opening therein, a U- shaped bracket mounted to the outer side surfaces of said clamp arms adjacent to and ex tending across the other end of each of said elongated openings in said clamp arms, a second pair of shafts one each extending transversely of said clamp arms and being jcurnalledat one of the ends thereof in said plate members and at their other ends in said U-shaped brackets, a sprocket gear mounted on each of said second shafts intermediate of the ends thereof and within said elongated openings in said clamp arms, chain means between the respective sprocket pinions and sprocket gears, a pair of crank arms one each rigidly secured to the hub portions of one each of said sprocket gears laterally outwardly of said clamp arms inwardly of said U-shaped brackets, a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies one each mounted adjacent one end to the outwardly facing vertical side of each of said clamp arms, and the outer end of each of said hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies having connection to one each of the outer ends of the respective crank arms.

9. For use with an industrial truck having, a load supporting carriage, a combination clamping and rotating mechanism comprising, a vertical plate member adapted to be supported by said load supporting carriage, a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel relatively horizontally movable clamp-arms. at opposite sides of said plate member, said clamp armseach comprising a plate having a, horizontally extending rearward portion and an angularly downwardly extending forward portion, each of said clamp arms having an elongated opening formed in the forward portion thereof, means for effecting relative horizontal movement of said clamp arms toward and away from each other, a pair of clamp jaws one pivotally mounted on. a horizontal axis at each of the forward ends of said clamp arms, the axes of said clamp jaws lying in a horizontal plane which extends below said rearward portions of said clamp arms, a sprocket pinion connected to each of said clamp jaws and being disposed one within each of said elongated openings in the respective clamp arms adjacent one end of each thereof;-a sprocket gear disposed one within each of said elongated openings in said clamp arms adjacent the other end of each thereof, chain means between the respective sprocket pinions and sprocket gears, means for rotating said sprocket gears for effectingrotary movement of said clampdaws, and means having connection'with' said last named means for synchronizing rotary movement of said clamp jaws about their axes.

i-For use with an industrial truck-having a load supporting carriage, a combination clamping and rotating mechanism comprising, a vertical plate member adapted to be supported by said load suppor'ting'carria'ge, apair of vertical spaced apartparallel"r'elativelymovable clamp arms at opposite sides of said "plate member, said clamp arms 'each "having 'a' horizontally extending rearward portion and an 'angularly downwardly extendingforwardportionyeach of said clamp arms having an'elongatedopening formed in thefor- ,wardporti'on thereof, means for effecting relative movement of said clamp arms toward and away from ea'ch other, a'pair'of clampjaws one pivotally mounted at eachofthe'forw'ard ends of said clamp arms, a sprocket 'pinion'connected toeach of said'clamp jaws and being disposed one'within each of said elongated openings in the respective clamp arms adjacent one end of each thereof, a sprocket gear disposed one within each of said elongated openings in said clamp arms adjacent the other end of each thereof, chain means between the respective sprocket pinions and sprocket gears, a pair of crank arms one each rigidly secured to one each of the hub portions of said sprocket gears laterally outwardly of said clamp arms, a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies one each mounted adjacent one end to the outwardly facing vertical side of one each of said clamp arms, the end of each of said hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies having connection to one each of the outer ends of the respective crank arms, fluid hoses for conducting fluid under pressure to said hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies, and flow divider means interposed in said fluid hoses for equally dividing the fluid under pressure between said pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies for effecting synchronized rotary movementof said clamp jaws.

11. For use with an industrial truck having a load supporting carriage, a combination clamping and rotating mechanism comprising, a vertical plate member adapted to be supported by said load supporting carriage, a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel relatively movable clamp arms at opposite sides of said plate member, said clamp arms each having a horizontally extending rearward portion and an angularly downwardly extending forward portion, each of said clamp arms having an elongated opening formed in the forward portion thereof, means for effecting relative movement of said clamp arms toward and away from each other, a pair of clamp jaws one pivotally mounted at each of the forward ends of said clamp arms, a sprocket pinion connected to each of said clamp jaws and being disposed one within each of said elongated openings in the respective clamp arms adjacent one end of each thereof, a sprocket gear disposed one within each of said elongated openings in said clamp arms adjacent the other end of each thereof, chain means between the respective sprocket pinions and sprocket gears, a splined shaft extending horizontally and transversely of said vertical plate member forwardly thereof, a pair of first sprocket wheels one each carried by said clamp arms, said first sprocket Wheels being non-rotatably mounted on said splined shaft and unrestrained against lengthwise movement therealong, a pair of secondsprocket wheels one each mounted to each of said-sprocket gears coaxially thereof; chain meanssbetween the respective first and second sprocket wheels, a: crankv arm rigidly secured toisaid splined shaft, andrahydraulic piston and cylinder assembly having connection to the outer end ofesaidlcrank armfor effecting limited rotation ofthe latter; .1

12.1For use with .an'industrial truck; having a load supporting; carriage,-.. a combination c1amp and rotating amechanism comprising, a vertical platemember adapted to besupported by said load supporting carriage, a pair-of vertical spaced apart parallel-relatively movable clamp arms at opposite sides of said plate member, meansfor effectingrelative" movement of said clamp arms toward and away from each other, a pair of clamp :jaws'one pivotally-mounted at each of the forward ends of saidv clamparms, a pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies one each mounted to each of'said clamp arms, means between the outer ends of each of said hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies and the respective clamp jaws for effecting rotation of the latter in response to movement of the outer ends of said hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies, fluid hoses for conducting fluid under pressure to said hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies, and flow divider means interposed in said fluid hoses for equally dividing the fluid under pressure between said pair of hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies for effecting synchronized rotary movement of said clamp jaws.

13. For use with an industrial truck having a load supporting carriage, a combination clamp and rotating mechanism comprising, a vertical plate member adapted to be supported by said load supporting carriage, a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel relatively horizontally movable clamp arms at opposite sides of said plate member, means for effecting relative horizontal movement of said clamp arms toward and away from each other, a pair of clamp jaws one pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis at each of the forward ends of said clamp arms, a splined shaft extending horizontally and transversely of said vertical plate member forwardly thereof, means between the ends of said splined shaft and the respective clamp jaws for efiecting rotation of the latter in response to rotary movement of the former, and means having connection with said splined shaft for rotating the latter and said clamp jaws conjointly therewith. I

14. For use with an industrial truck having a load supporting carriage, a combination clamp and rotating mechanism comprising, a vertical plate member adapted to be supported by said load supporting carriage, a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel relatively horizontally movable clamp arms at opposite sides of said plate member, means for effecting relative horizontal movement of said clamp arms toward and away from each other, a pair of clamp jaws one pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis at each of the for- Ward ends of said clamp arms, hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly means mounted to one of said clamp arms, means between the outer end of said hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly means and respective clamp jaw for effecting rotation of the latter in response to movement of 15 theiouter end of said hydraulicpistonand 31 der assemblymeans, and said means being dis: posed within the confines of said-clamp arm.

15. The: combination'wlamping and rotating mechanismof claim 14 wherein said means comprisesya sprocket pinion connected to'said clamp jaw, a sprocket gear rotatably mounted --to said clamp'arm, chain means-betweenrsaid sprocket gear and said sprocket pinion, and a crank arm secured to said sprocket gear and having connection at its outer endwith the outer end of said hydraulic piston and cylinder'assembly means.

16. For use with an industrial truck having a load supporting carriage, a combination clamping and rotating meehanismcomprising; :a vertical plate member adapted to be supported'by said load supporting carriage, 'a pair of vertical spaced apart parallel relatively horizontally movable clamp arms at opposite sides of said plate memher, one of said clamp armscomprising a plate having an elongated opening formed fi fi means for effecting relative horizontal movement of said clamp arms toward andeaway'from each other, a pair of clamp jaws'one pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis at "each of the'forw'ard endsof said clamp arms, a sprocket pinionconnected to one of said clamp jaws and-being dis- '16 posed within said elongated opening in the spective clamp arm adjacent one end thereof, a sprocket gear disposed Within said elongated opening in said clamp arm adjacent the other end thereof, chain means between said sprocket pinion and sprocket gear, and means for rotating said sprocket gear for effecting rotar movement of said clamp jawabout its axis.

FRED SHERRIFF.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,490,664 Eidmann Apr. 15, 1924 1,884,851 Remde Oct. 25, 1932 2,004,349 Schwab June 11, 1935 2,099,998 Berg Nov. 23, 1937 2,368,122 Dunham Jan. 30, 1945 2,390,293 Colson Dec, 4, 1945 2,403,356 Francis July 2, 1946 2,413,661 Stokes Dec. 31, 1946 2,469,321 Wood May 3, 1949 2,475,367 Avery 1 July 5, 1949 2,497,118 Ferrario et al Feb. 14, 1950 2,509,023 Vogel et a1. May'23, 1950 2,536,151 Backofen et a1 Jan. 2, 1951

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