US2831566A - Engine mounting mechanism - Google Patents

Description

A ril 22, 1958 R. L. BELDIN Em. 2,831,566

ENGINE MOUNTING MECHANISM Filed May 29, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS R.L.BELDIN 8| MABERK April 22, 1958 Filed May 29, 1956 R. L. BELDIN ET AL ENGINE MOUNTING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS R.L. BELDIN 8: MA. BERK ATTORN S April 22, 1958 R. BELDIN ET AL 2,831,565

ENGINE MOUNTING-MECHANISM Filed'May 29, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS R.L. BELDIN 8| ATTORNE S United States Patent ENGINE MOUNTING MECHANISM Royal L. Beldin, Davenport, Iowa, and Martin A. Berk, Rock Island, Ill., assignors to Deere & Company, Moline, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 29, 1956, Serial No. 588,186

14 Claims. (Cl. 198-121) This invention relates to a material-handling device of the type in which material is moved from one end of a material conveyor to the opposite end. More particularly this invention relates to the type of materialhandling device commonly known and referred to as a small grain elevator.

In many of the small grain elevators, the power source is incorporated as a part of the elevator unit. That is, the engine or power source for operating the elevator is mounted directly on the elevator structure. The usual type of elevator is characterized by having supporting framework for the conveying unit which operates to adjust the conveying unit at varying degrees of inclination relative to the ground level. This of course, creates the problem of providing an additional adjustment means for maintaining the engine, which is usually of the internal combustion type, at a substantially level position so as to maintain its operation at optimum efficiency. Also, in many instances a V-belt or other type of flexible element will extend from the engine or power source to the vdriven members of the elevator for the purpose of transmitting power from the engine to the drive members. Varying the inclination of the conveyor will also operate to vary the center-to-center distance of the pulleys of the V-belt thereby increasing or decreasing the tension of the V-belt.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a mounting mechanism for the engine or power source of the elevator which will automatically adjust itself to maintain the engine substantially level when the angle of inclination of the conveyor is changed.

It is also an object of this invention to provide with the above described mounting mechanism means for maintaining the center-to-center relationship between the pulleys of the belt drive substantially constant irrespective of the automatic adjustment of the engine mounting means.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide with the above mounting means an additional adjustment which will permit take-up to be made should the belt or flexible element stretch, which will not effect the selfleveling characteristics of the mounting means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device on the engine mounting means which will permit the engine to be moved toward the drive means so as to permit the V-belt to be removed or replaced and which incorporates the use of an automatic lock, when the engine has been positioned, to maintain the optimum tension in the V-belt.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the principle of the invention is better understood from the following detailed description as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side perspective showing one form of the invention and a portion of the elevator tube and sup,- porting structure.

an elevator incorporating Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the engine mounting means.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation, similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a side perspective similar to Fig. 2 showing the modified form of the invention.

' Fig. 8 is a side view, similar to Fig. 3, of the modified form of the invention. 7

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

The general elevator construction illustrated is merely representative of many forms that the elevator could assume, and it is not intended that the specific illustration in any way limit the invention. Likewise, directional limitations such as front and rear and left and right are given merely for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as limitations either in the specification or in the claims. The material-handling device or elevator comprises supporting structure designated generally by the numeral 10, and is here in the form of a wheeled truck including a transverse axle 11 on which is carried a pair of laterally spaced wheels 12 (only one of which is shown). The supporting structure on the truck includes frame members or sections one of which is a generally forwardly extending reach 13 carried at one end by the axle 11 and pivoted at 14 to material-handling means in the form of an elongated elevator tube 15. The reach 13 is composed of a pair of laterally spaced members 16, 17 which have their forward ends connected together by a supporting band 18 surrounding the tube 15 and serving as their common connection to the tube. The members 16, 17 diverge rearwardly where they are connected to the opposite ends of the axle 11. The other section of the supporting structure comprises an elevating means in the form of a boom 19 composed of upper and lower sections 20, 21, respectively, the upper section 20 being adapted to move verticaly relative to the lower section 21 by means of an adjusting arrangement, not shown in detail but indicated by an adjusting crank 22. The upper section 20 is connected to the elevator tube 15 and operates to raise or lower the elevator tube 15 in response to rotation of the crank 22, thereby providing a means in the supporting'structure for varying the angle of inclination of the elevator tube 15 relative to the horizonta which is normally the ground level.

The elevator is of the screw type having an auger 25 extending the entire length of the elevator. The elevator has a receiving end 26 comprised basically of an exposed portion of the auger 25 which is normally inserted into the grain or other type of material to be conveyed and which operates to inaugurate movement of the material upwardly and through the tube 15. The upper end of the elevator tube 15 is provided with a discharge opening 27. Driveable means for operating the auger is provided at the upper end of theelevator tube 15 and is composed of a spur gear arrangement mounted under a gear housing 30. The spur gear arrangement is driven from an elongated drive shaft 31 which is mounted above the elevator tube 15 by axially spaced apart sup: ports 32. The shaft 31 has mounted at its forward terminal end a drive shaft pulley 33 which is mounted on pulley support bracket 29. The drive shaft 31 and pulley 33 is driven by a flexible element 34 or V-belt threaded over the pulley 33, around a pair of idler pulleys 35, 36, and forwardly'to an engine pulley 37.; The engine, here indicated by the reference numeral 38.

PatentedApr. 22, 1958 g is of an internal combustion type dependent for opera tion upon a 'fuel flow from a fuel tank 39.

Up to the present the features of the elevator and its supporting structure have been more or less conventional and description of a detailed nature have been omitted inasmuch as it is felt that such is not needed for a full understanding of the invention which will presently be described. The invention concerns primarily the method and the mecahnism for maintaining the engine level irrespective of the angle of the elevator relative to the ground and also for maintaining operating tension in the V-belt or flexible element 34.

Included in the engine 38 is an engine block 40 having integral outwardly extending flanges 41. The drive unit or engine 38 is affixed to an engine carrier composed of a pair of fore-and-aft spaced apart angle irons 42, 43 by means of bolts 44 which extend through the flanges 41 and aligned transverse slots 45 in the adjacent leg portions 46, 47 of the angled members 42, 43, respectively. Depending portions 51 of the angle iron members 42, 43 are provided with fore-and-aft aligned openings receiving fore-and-aft extending guide elements 52, 53. The engine carrier, composed of the angle iron members 42, 43, is therefore provided with guide engaging portions which permit the engine or power unit to be moved, unless otherwise restricted, fore-and-aft along the guides 52, 53.

The guides 52, 53 are portions of a bail member connected at their forward end by a cross piece 55 which serves as a stop for limiting forward movement of the engine relative to the elevator. The rearward ends of the guides 52, 53 are welded or are fixed in any other suitable manner to a pair of upwardly extending brackets 56, 57. The brackets 56, 57 and the bail member including the guides 52, 53 and cross piece 55 serve as a carrier or engine support.

The engine support is mounted on the elevator tube 15 by means of a supporting structure including a pair of axially spaced apart supporting bands 60, 61 fixedly attached to the elevator tube and which support forwardly extending leftand right- hand track members 62, 63 which run legnthwise of the elevator. The tracks 62, 63 are provided with slots 64, 65, respectively. The carrier support is connected to the supporting structure by means of a bolt threaded at opposite ends which extends through the slots 64, 65 and apertures aligned with the slots 64, 65 which are provided at the lower end of the bracket members 56, 67. A spacer 69 is mounted on the bolt 66 between the tracks 62, 63 to add lateral support between the tracks. Nuts 78, 71 are mounted on opposite ends of the bolts 66 and operate to secure the carrier support to the supporting structure. This affords a pivotal connection between the carrier support and the supporting structure and it is therefore apparent that the supporting structure affords both a rockable suspension of the carrier support as well as permitting lengthwise movement of the carrier support relative to the elevator and in the slots 64, 65.

First fore-and- aft extending links 75, 76 are mounted at their forward ends on the bolt 66 at its opposite ends, and have their rear ends connected to the reach member 16, 17. The connections of the links 75, 76 to the reach members 16, 17 and the bolt 66 are also all pivotal connections.

Second link means in the form of a pair of fore-and- aft extending links 80, 81 are pivotally connected as at 82, 83 to the upper end of the carrier support brackets 56, 57. The rear end of the links 80, 81 are pivotally connected to a U-shaped bracket 86 which extends forwardly from the bracket support 29. Viewing Figs. 1 and 2 it becomes apparent that the carrier support is suspended in the slots 64, 65 for both rockable movement and lengthwise movement relative to the .elevator and the positioning of the engine 38 is controlled primarily by the links 75, 76 and the links 80, 81.

A take-up device for mounting and dismounting the V-belt 34 on its pulleys is provided and is shown specifically in Figs. 3 and 4. The take-up device comprises a lever 90 which is supported on the cross piece 55 of the bail member and is held against axial movement on the cross piece 55 by a cotter pin 91. The lever 90 is turned outwardly as at 92 to permit the main lever portion to be positioned outwardly of the right guide member 52. A locking link 93 extends through a suitable opening in the depending portion 50 of the angle iron 42 and is held against movement relative to the depending portion 50 by means of adjusting nuts 94, 95 which serve also to position the link 93 lengthwise relative to the angle iron 42. The forward end of the link 93 is turned inwardly as at 96 to extend through the lever 90 where it is held in position by means of a cotter pin 97. The locking link 93 is also characterized by being bent as at 93 so as to permit the link 93 to pass under the angle iron 43. In operation the take-up device will cause the engine carrier to be moved rearwardly to permit the belt 34 to be taken off of or replaced on the pulley 37 by merely swinging the lever 90 downwardly. To provide take-up in the belt 34 after it has been replaced on the pulley 37 the lever is raised to draw the carrier forwardly on the guides 52. Upon the lever 90 reaching its upper position, as shown in Fig. 3, the pivot at the inwardly extending part 96 of the link 93 will be positioned above the cross piece 55 on which the lever 96 is pivoted. Also, the link 93 will have at that point engaged the lower edge of the depending part 51 of the angle iron 43 which will prevent further counterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. l) or upward movement of the lever 90. The relative positions of the pivot at 96 and the cross piece 55 will create an over-center locking condition which will prevent clockwise movement of the lever 90. Thus, is provided an automatic locking means in the take-up device.

The self-leveling mechanism operates in the following manner. Upon the elevator tube 56 being raised or increased in'its angle of inclination relative to the ground the reaches 16, 17 will drive the carrier support forwardly in the slots 64, 65 by means of the first set of links 75, 76. This will in eifect cause the power unit assembly including the carrier, carrier support, and power unit to be swung counterclockwise relative to the elevator tube 15, this latter effect being created by the links 80, 81 preventing forward movement of the upper ends of the brackets 56, 57. Therefore, the effect on the power unit created by the elevator tube 15 being increased in its angle of inclination will be counteracted by the counterclockwise motion or swinging of the power unit relative to the tube 15 and consequently the power unit and its support will remain at a substantially level position. In lowering or decreasing the angle of inclination of the elevator tube:50 the opposite reaction will occur in that the carrier support will be moved rearwardly in the slot 64, 65 and the carrier support will be swung clockwise about its lower pivot 66 so as to counteract the decrease in angle of the elevator tube.

Up to this point the description has been limited to that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-5. In the modification shown in Figs. 6-10, the basic construction of the elevator tube and the supporting structure is the same as that in the previous form of the invention and, therefore, like numerals will indicate similar structure. In this form of the invention the auger 25 is driven at its upper end through a V-belt transmission 99 directly from the V-belt drive rather than through elongated drive shaft as in the previous form. The V-belt drive comprises an upper V-belt 100 which is threaded over a two-groove sheave 101 at its lower end, over idler pulleys 1G2, 103 at the upper end of the elevator tube 15, and onto an auger drive pulley, not shown, which is a part of the transmission 99. A second V-belt drive drives the first V-belt and includes a V-belt 104 which extends between the other groove in the sheave 101 and the engine pulley 105 on the engine or power unit 106. In a V-belt drive assembly such as this, an additional problem arises in that the overall elongation or stretching of the V- belts 100, 104 due to their length will be a factor which must be taken into consideration and provision must be made in the engine mounting mechanism to provide for maintaining tension in the V-belts.

Axially spaced apart supporting band structures 110, 111 serve as primary means mounting the engine on the tube 15. In the upper or rear band structure 110 there is provided a pair of upwardly extending ear lugs 112 and 113 which have transversely aligned holes supporting a horizontal bolt or pivot 114. A spacer 119 is mounted on the bolt 114 and extends between the ear lugs 112, 113. While any suitable method may be used for mounting the band structure 110 on the tube 15, it is preferred to use bolt and nut combinations as at 115, 116 which are easily adaptable to be loosened to adjust the structure 110 lengthwise of the elevator tube.

In the present form of the invention the reach members extending from the axle 11 forwardly to the elevator tube 15 is composed of reach arms 117, 118 connected at their forward or upper end for pivotal movement on the bolt 114. The lower or forward band structure 111 is composed of upper and lower sections 125, 126 respectively, the lower section having depending ear lugs 128, 129 supporting a transverse pivot pin 130. A spacer 131 is mounted on the pin 130 and adds lateral support between the ears 128, 129.

The engine carrier, the carrier support, and the take-up mechanism operating between the carrier support and the carrier is identical to that of the previous form of the invention and therefore details will not be repeated. Identical parts will however be referred to by their previously identified reference number. Rockable members or rock arms 135, 136 are positioned on opposite sides of the elevator tube 15 and are fulcrumed at their lower end on the horizontal pivot 130 and are held on the pin 130 by means of cotter pins 137, 133. The upper end of the rock arms 135, 136 are pivotally connected by a horizontal pivot pin 139 which is also pivotally connected to the lower portion of the carrier bracket 56, 57 (see Fig. 9).

Extending between the upper end of the carrier support brackets 56, 57 is a pair of fore-and- aft extending links 142, 143 which are connected to the brackets 56, 57 by a horizontal bolt 144 provided with a suitable spacer 145 and nuts 146, 147 for locking the links 142, 143 against lateral movement. The rearward portion of each of the links 142, 143 are provided with a plurality of transversely aligned holes 148, 149 respectively which are adapted to fit over opposite ends of the bolt 11%. Viewing Fig. 10, it therefore becomes apparent that both the reach members 117, 118 and the links 142, 143 are pivotally connected to the elevator and to one another by means of the bolt 114. Nuts 150, 151 are provided on opposite ends of the bolt 114 and serve to secure both the links 142, 143 and the reach arms 117, 118 on the bolt 114.

A lower pair of links 155, 156 are positioned on opposite sides of the elevator tube 15. The forward end of the links 155, 156 are apertured so as to fit over the opposite ends of the horizontal pivot 139 and are held on the pivot pin 139 by means of cotter pins 157, 158. The rear end portions of the links 155, 156 are provided with a plurality of transversely aligned holes 159, 160 which'are adapted to receive bolts 161, 162 for connecting the links 155, 156 to the reach members 117, 118.

The self-leveling mechanism as shown in Figs. 6 through operates in the following manner. If a small amount of take-up is required to properly tension the V- belts 100, 104 such may be provided by adjusting the screws 94, 95 on the link 93. However, due to the extreme length of the belts 100, 104, additional adjustment must be available to shorten or lengthen the center distance between the pulleys 102 and 103, 101, and 105 when the belts either stretch or are replaced by a new or shorter length of belt. Such adjustment is provided by the plurality of holes 148, 149 in the upper links 142, 143 and the plurality of holes 160, 161 in the lower links 155, 156. Thus, adjustment may be made to vary the center-to-center distance between the pulleys of the V-belt drive either in small or large quantities depending upon the requirements. Also since provision is made to vary the effective length of both the upper links 142, 143 and the lower links 155, 156, adjustment may be made without materially affecting the angular position of the power unit relative to the ground. Should further adjustment be necessary such may be had by loosening the bands 110, 111 and sliding them along theelevator tube 15.

The pivotal connections at the opposite ends of the rock arms 135, 136 permit the power unit or the carrier support to be moved lengthwise of the elevator as well as rockably supporting the power unit on the elevator. Any variations in angle between the elevator tube 15 and the reach arms 117,118 will cause the first or lower links 155, 156 to swing the power unit assembly fore or aft, depending on whether the angle is increased or decreased on the arms 135, 136. The upper or second links 142, 143, being fixed against fore-and-aft movement relative to the elevator will cause the power unit assembly to rock on the horizontal pivot pin 139 and about the upper ends of the rock arms 135, 136. Therefore, varying the inclination of the elevator tube relative to the ground will cause the power unit 106 to move fore-and-aft on'the arms 135, 136 and relative to the elevator, which in turn will cause the power unit assembly to rock relative to the elevator on' the upper ends of the arms 135, 136, and in a direction of rotation and of an amount necessary to compensate for the variation of inclination of the elevator tube, thereby maintaining the power unit or engine 106 at a substantially level position. In the latter operation the second form of the invention is similar to the previous form.

While only two forms of the invention have been shown, it should be recognized that other variations and forms could exist without departing from the basic invention. Therefore, while the present forms were shown to more clearly and concisely illustrate the principles of the invention, it should be recognized that others could exist without departing from the basic invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexible element extending between the power source and the driveable means for transmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvement'comprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; a rigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator and affording rockable suspension for the support and lengthwise movement of the support relative to the elevator; a first link extending between the supporting framework and the carrier support for moving the carrier support lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of the elevator; a second link connected to the elevator and the carrier support for causing the carrier to rock in response to angular adjustment of the elevator to maintain said power source at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground; and means mounting the carrier to the carrier support including therein a take-up device for maintaining operating tension on the flexible element.

2. In a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator and a power unit for operating the driveable means, the improvement comprising: a support for the power unit including a structure fixedly attached to the elevator and affording rockable suspension for the power unit and lengthwise movement of the power unit relative to the elevator; a first link extending between the supporting framework and the support for moving the power unit lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of the elevator; and a second link connected to the elevator and the support for causing the power unit to be rocked in response to angular adjustment of the elevator to maintain said power unit at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, in which the structure fixedly attached to the elevator includes an elongated slot lengthwise of the elevator adapted to receive for lengthwise movement a connecting element rockably mounting the power unit on the structure,

4. The invention defined in claim 2, in which the structure fixedly attached to the elevator includes a rockable arm fulcrumed at its lower end to the elevator and pivotally connected to the power unit.

5. In a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexible element extending between the power source and the driveable means for transmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvement comprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; a rigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator and affording rockable suspension for the support and lengthwise movement of the support relative to the elevator; a first link extending between the supporting frame work and the carrier support for moving the carrier support lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of the elevator; a second link extending between the driveable means and the carrier support for causing the support to rock in response to angular adjustment of elevator and relative to the elevator to retain said power source at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground and for maintaining the driveable means at a substantially equal distance from the power source;

and means mounting the carrier to the carrier support including therein a takep device for maintaining operating tension on the flexible element.

6. In a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator, 21 power source, and an endless flexible element extending between the power source and the driveable means for transmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvement comprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; a rigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator and affording rockable suspension for the support and lengthwise movement of the support relative to the elevator; 21 first link extending between the supporting framework and the carrier support for moving the carrier support lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of the elevator; 21 second link extending between the driveable means and the carrier support for causing the support to rock in response to angular adjustment of elevator and relative to the elevator to retain said power source at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground and for maintaining the driveable means at a substantially equal distance from the power source.

7 In a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexible element extending between the power source and the driveable means for transmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvement comprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; a rigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator having an elongated slot lengthwise of the elevator and affording rockable suspension for the support in the slot; a first link extending between the supporting framework and the carrier support for moving the carrier support engthwise of the slot upon angular adjustment of the elevator; a second link connected to the elevator and the carrier support for causing the carrier support to rock in response to angular adjustment of the elevator to maintain said power source at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground; and means mounting the carrier to the carrier support including therein a take-up device for maintaining operating tension on the flexible element.

8. In a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexible element extending between the power source and the driveable means for transmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvement comprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; a rigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator having an elongated slot lengthwise of the elevator and affording rockable suspension for the support in the slot; 21 first link extending between the supporting framework and the carrier support for moving the carrier support lengthwise of the slot upon angular adjustment of the elevator; 21 second link extending between the driveable means and the carrier support for causing the carrier support to rock in response to angular adjustment of the elevator to maintain said power source at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground and to maintain a substantially equal distance between the driveable means and the drive means; and means mounting the carrier to the carrier support including therein a take-up device for maintaining operating tension on the flexible element.

9. In a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator and a power source for operating the driveable means, the improvement comprising: a drive means support including means connecting it to the power source; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator having an elongated slot lengthwise of the elevator and affording rockable suspension for the support in the slot; at first link extending between the supporting framework and the support for moving the support lengthwise of the slot upon angular adjustment of the elevator; and a second link extending between the elevator and the support for causing the support to rock in response to angular adjustment of the elevator to maintain said power source at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground.

10. in a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator and a power source for operating the driveable means, the improvement comprising: a drive means support including means connecting it to the power source; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator and afifording rockable suspension for the support and lengthwise movement of the support relative to the elevator; a link extending between the supporting framework and the support for moving the support lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of the ele- 'vator; and means extending between the elevator and the support for causing the support to rock in response to angular adjustment of the elevator.

11. In a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator, a power source, and an endless flexible element extending between the power source and the driveable means for transmitting power from the former to the latter, the improvement comprising: a carrier having means connecting it to the power source; a rigid carrier support; a structure fixedly attached to the elevator including a rockable member pivotally connected to the support to afiford rockable suspension for the support and lengthwise movement of the support relative to the elevator; a first link extending between the supporting framework and the rockable member for moving the carrier support lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of the elevator; a second link connected to the elevator and the carrier support for causing the carrier support to rock relative to the rockable member in response to angular adjustment of the elevator to thereby maintain said power source at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground; and means mounting the carrier to the carrier support including therein a take-up device for adjusting the tension of the flexible element.

12. The invention defined in claim 11, in which adjustment is provided in said first and second links to compensate for variable lengths of the flexible element.

13. In a material-handling device of the type including supporting framework, an elongated elevator carried by the supporting framework for angular adjustment thereof with respect to the horizontal, driveable means mounted on the elevator, and a power source for operating the driveable means, the improvement comprising: a rigid support for the power source; astructure fixedly attached to the elevator including a rockable member pivotally connected to the support to afford rockable suspension for the support and lengthwise movement of the support relative to the elevator; a first link extending between the supporting framework and the rockable member for moving the support lengthwise of the elevator upon angular adjustment of the elevator; and a second link connected to the elevator and the support for causing the carrier support to rock relative to the rockable member in response to angular adjustment of the elevator to thereby maintain said power source at a substantially uniform angular relation relative to the ground.

14. The invention defined in claim 13, in which the rockable member is in the form of a rock arm fulcrumed at its lower end for lengthwise swinging relative to the elevator and pivotally connected at its upper end to the power source support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,878,983 Harris Sept. 20, 1932 2,494,360 Russell Jan. 10, 1950 2,528,917 Slocum Nov. 7, 1950 2,572,290 Vutz Oct. 23, 1951 2,583,082 Bobrowski Jan. 22, 1952 2,598,880 Beldin June 3, 1952 2,759,591 Erickson Aug. 21, 1956

Images