Abstract: A dragline comprising a main housing, and a moving mechanism for moving the main housing over the ground, the moving mechanism including a drive mechanism mounted on the main housing, an output shaft which extends along an axis and which is driven by the drive mechanism, the output shaft having inner and outer ends, the inner end of the output shaft being spline fit to the drive mechanism such that the drive mechanism causes rotation of the transmission output shaft, a pedestal fixed to the main housing, the pedestal including a leg which has therein a bore centered on the axis, an output pinion mounted on the output shaft intermediate the inner and outer ends thereof for common rotation therewith, and a bearing capsule housed in the bore, the bearing capsule rotatably supporting the outer end of the output shaft, the leg of the pedestal including base and cap portions respectively defining lower and upper halves of the bore, the cap portion being removably fixed to the base portion, such that removal of the

Abstract: An indicating device is provided which includes a pivotal member mounted on a base plate attached to the frame of the trolley on which the hoist is supported, and a pair of spaced apart projections extending from the pivotal member and between which a rope for lifting a load is disposed at a desired orientation relative to the vertical. Movement of the rope from the desired orientation will cause it to engage one of the rods and move the rod along with the pivotal member in one of two opposite directions depending on the direction of movement of the rope from its desired orientation. A pair of fixed members are also mounted on the base plate and are each positioned in a different one of the two opposite directions of movement of the pivotal member.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising an inner member having an axis and an axially extending outer surface, an outer member having an axially extending inner surface, the inner and outer members being rotatable relative to each other about the axis, a bearing between the inner and outer surfaces, the bearing having a radially extending bearing surface, and a bearing retainer assembly including a first retainer which engages the bearing surface and which has a first tapered surface, a second retainer having a second tapered surface engaging the first tapered surface, an axially extending retainer surface engaging one of the inner and outer members, and a radially extending retainer surface, each of the first and second tapered surfaces tapering radially away from the one of the inner and outer members and axially away from the bearing, a spring engaging the retainer surface, and a cap which is fixed to the one of the inner and outer members and which engages the spring so that the spring is compressed between the cap and the

Abstract: An apparatus such as a digging bucket has a clevis device pivotably connected thereto by a pin held in place by a pin-retaining structure. The clevis includes a plurality of arcuate, lip-like, outwardly-radially-projecting first retention members and the structure includes a cap portion having a plurality of arcuate, lip-like, inwardly-radially-projecting second retention members. Each second retention member engages and "locks" to a separate first retention member. The cap portion, which interferes with free axial travel of the pin, is well secured so that the pin is retained in engagement with the clevis without welding the pin. Avoiding pin welding permits using a substantially-harder pin, resulting in significantly better wear characteristics. A new method for retaining a pin is also disclosed.

Abstract: The new drive arrangement involves a machine having upper and lower decks with respective upper and lower openings through them. The drive arrangement includes a flanged bearing housing attached to the lower deck. The upper opening and the bearing housing are configured to permit the bearing housing to pass through the upper opening. The flange is attached to the upper surface of the lower deck member and so configured and arranged, the drive arrangement may be installed through the upper opening. The new drive arrangement may be fully assembled with bearing, bearing housing, grease trap and pinion gear for mounting "top down" onto the deck members, thereby eliminating the need for bottom access and greatly simplifying initial installation and later repair.

Abstract: A "pancake-like" thrust bearing arrangement with gravity-fed lubrication is angular to a horizontal plane and has a top edge above such plane. A load-support structure oscillates on the bearing. Such bearing has a lubricant feed aperture at the top edge and plural lubrication grooves formed in the flat bearing face and connected to such aperture by feed passages. The grooves are oriented so that they "run downhill," i.e., so that they intersect a circle concentric with the bearing center. Grease moves by gravity along the grooves which are "closed-ended" to help prevent premature expulsion of grease from the bearing face.

Abstract: The disclosure involves a structural combination and a method for attaching a machine component such as a number of arc-shaped gear segments to a supporting segment mounting pad. As new, each gear segment is furnished with a number of openings, all of the same diameter. Initially, the mounting pad is free of openings and each gear segment is placed on the pad and used as a drilling template. After openings are drilled in the mounting pad, a number of such openings (but not all) are "opened up" by reaming and a bearing-fit bolt is inserted into the reamed openings. In repair, a new gear segment is placed at a position which spans two places formerly occupied by gear segments. Certain openings in the new segment are aligned with existing openings in the mounting pad (to receive clearance-fit bolts therethrough) and other segments openings are used to form new openings in the mounting pad.

Abstract: An anode positioning hoist supported on an overhead crane used in a smelting apparatus including a cathode with an upwardly facing surface and an anode with a downwardly facing surface. The anode positioning hoist includes a pair of channel members defining opposed vertical channels and a cylinder/piston assembly including a cylinder located between the channel members and a piston rod extending downwardly from the cylinder. A carrier is fixed to the piston rod for movement therewith and includes rollers guided in the channels. A connector assembly is mounted on the carrier to releasably secure the anode to the carrier. A control system including a counterbalance valve mounted on the cylinder and a pressure switch operates to cause extension of the piston rod until the downwardly facing surface of the anode engages the upwardly facing surface of the cathode. The control system thereafter causes retraction of the piston rod a predetermined distance to provide a desired anode-cathode gap.

Abstract: The disclosure involves a drive system having a control section, an adjustable frequency drive unit coupled to the control section, and first and second drive motors. The drive system is used with a material handling machine such as a light-duty crane on which any two of the hoist, bridge and trolley drives are rarely used simultaneously and in any event need not be used simultaneously. The drive unit is a scalar or flux vector (feedback-type) inverter and is the sole drive unit providing electrical power to the drive motors. Preferred control is by a pendant station or radio transmitter. Operating a pushbutton on the pendant station (or a paddle-like stick control on the transmitter) for a particular drive motor "locks out" operation of the other motors. Motors are operated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a circular weld using the submerged-arc welding process, the apparatus comprising a generally horizontal, extendible and contractible boom having inner and outer ends, the boom being supported adjacent the inner end for rotation about a vertical axis, a mounting member mounted on the outer end of the boom for vertical movement relative thereto, a swing arm mounted on the mounting member for pivotal movement relative thereto about generally vertical axis, a support member mounted on the swing arm for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis, a welding torch fixed to the support member for movement therewith, a spool supported by the boom for rotation relative thereto about a generally horizontal spool axis, and an electrode wire wound around the spool and extending between the spool and the torch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to mount a machine component, e.g., an electric motor, in alignment with another component such as a gear shaft of a gear transmission. The apparatus includes a bolt-attached U-shaped clamp device straddling a "foot-like" transmission mounting base. The legs are spaced greater than the horizontal thickness of the base to permit slight base movement during mounting. The clamp device has an interior height somewhat less than the vertical height of the base. The base is shimmed so that the motor shaft is vertically aligned with the gear shaft, horizontal and angular alignment is performed and then the clamp legs are shimmed. Leg shimming is to a height such that when the clamp bolts are tightened, the base shims are under substantial compressive force and the leg shims are under only somewhat less compressive force. One or more chock blocks are welded to the machine deck to help maintain base position.

Abstract: A stacker crane comprising a trolley movable above the ground, a generally vertical rigid mast depending form the trolley, an assembly including a frame moveable along the mast, and a load engaging mechanism mounted on the frame, an adaptor plate mounted on the frame for vertical movement relative thereto, and a brake mechanism including a housing fixed against vertical movement relative to the plate, a brake member which is supported by the housing and which engages the mast to prevent downward movement of the housing relative to the mast consequent to undesirable downward movement of the assembly relative to the mast, and a shock absorber which is fixed relative to one of the adaptor plate and the frame, which engages the other of the adaptor plate and the frame and which stops downward movement of the frame relative to the adaptor plate over a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Lifting apparatus comprising first and second generally vertical masts, an assembly including a frame moveable along the masts, and a load engaging mechanism mounted on the frame, a first brake mechanism which, upon actuation, engages the first mast to prevent downward movement of the frame relative to the first mast, a second brake mechanism which, upon actuation, engages the second mast to prevent downward movement of the frame relative to the second mast, an overspeed mechanism for sensing the downward velocity of the assembly and for actuating the first brake mechanism when the overspeed mechanism senses that the downward velocity of the assembly exceeds a predetermined value, a first electrical device for providing an electrical signal when the first brake mechanism is actuated, and a second electrical device for actuating the second brake mechanism in response to the electrical signal.

Abstract: An overhead traveling crane adapted to be supported on a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel first and second rails, the crane comprising a frame having opposite first and second ends, a first drive wheel which is rotatably mounted on the first end of the frame and which is adapted to roll along the first rail, a first idler wheel which is rotatably mounted on the first end of the frame and which is adapted to roll along the first rail, a second drive wheel which is rotatably mounted on the second end of the frame and which is adapted to roll along the second rail, a second idler wheel which is rotatably mounted on the second end of the frame and which is adapted to roll along the second rail, a first motor mounted on the frame and drivingly connected to the first drive wheel, a second motor mounted on the frame and drivingly connected to the second drive wheel, an idler shaft connecting the idler wheels such that the idler wheels rotate at the same speed, a hoist moveable along the frame in a direction

Abstract: A power shovel comprising a frame, a dipper handle mounted on the frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal dipper handle axis such that the dipper handle has a variable pivotal position relative to the frame, a dipper connected to the handle for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal dipper axis such that the dipper has a variable pivotal position relative to the handle, and a variable pitch brace connected between the handle and the dipper at a point spaced from the dipper axis, the variable pitch brace including a spring biasing the dipper in one rotational direction relative to the handle and about the dipper axis, such that the pivotal position of the dipper automatically varies depending on the pivotal position of the handle and on external forces on the dipper.

Abstract: The disclosure involves a machine, e.g., a portal crane, having two components such as bridge support legs or rail-riding trucks. Each component is driven by a separate motor and each is moving at a speed, perhaps a different speed. A method for maintaining the speeds of the two components substantially equal to one another includes the steps of providing a differential signal representing a difference between the speeds of the two components and generating an equalizing signal reducing the speed of the higher-speed component. Preferably, a second equalizing signal is also generated to increase the speed of the lower-speed component. A new drive system is also disclosed. The method and system are particularly useful for maintaining the "squareness" of a double-leg portal crane.

Abstract: A stacker crane comprising a trolley moveable above the ground, the trolley including a frame, a turntable supported by the frame for rotation relative to the frame about a generally vertical rotation axis, and a rotate drive which rotates the turntable relative to the frame, a mast assembly depending from and fixedly mounted to the turntable so that the mast assembly rotates with the turntable relative to the trolley frame, a carriage supported by the mast assembly for vertical movement relative thereto and for common rotation therewith relative to the trolley frame, a load engaging mechanism mounted on the carriage, and a hoist assembly including a hoist drum which has an axis of rotation fixed relative to the trolley frame and which is rotatable in one direction and in an opposite direction, and a hoist rope wound around the drum and connected to the carriage such that rotation of the drum in the one direction raises the carriage and rotation of the drum in the opposite direction lowers the carriage.

Abstract: A fairlead mechanism for guiding a dragline drag rope includes a support on the chassis of the dragline and a guide mechanism mounted on the support. The guide mechanism includes at least one pair of guide sheaves each having an annular groove. The guide sheaves are rotatably mounted on the support to present the grooves in facing relation to define between the sheaves a guide path through which the drag rope passes in primary frictional contact with at least one of the guide sheaves to cause the contacted guide sheave to start-stop cycle between rotating and nonrotating modes as the drag rope reciprocates during operation of the machine. The fairlead mechanism further comprises a synchronizing mechanism utilizing gears or belts for causing the pair of guide sheaves to simultaneously stop or counterrotate in unison in response to rope contact with either one of the guide sheaves to minimize wear that would be induced by scrubbing between the rope and the guide sheaves.

Abstract: A joint container for forming a weld joint utilizing multiple adjacent metal plates which are spaced apart and positioned angularly to each other. One of the plates forming the joint may extend continuously through the joints along a straight line. At least first and second plates of the multiple plates may be at an acute angle to each other. A dam member is placed in each of the spaces between each two adjacent plates. The dam member between adjacent plates has a concave contour surface viewed in a direction toward the weld joint container. Thereby stress inducing sharp corners in the finished weld joint are minimized due to the reduction of the angles of the corners provided by the contour of each dam surface when it engages one of the plates. Also, the plates having ends at the joint have such ends cut parallel to and spaced from the plate extending continuously straight through the joint.

Abstract: A power shovel comprising a frame, a winch mounted on the frame, a boom having a lower end mounted on the frame and having an upper end, a sheave pivotally mounted on the boom adjacent the upper end of the boom, a dipper handle mounted on the boom for pivotal movement relative thereto and relative to a dumping position, a dipper mounted on the forward end of the dipper handle and having closed and open conditions for respectively containing and dumping a load and further including a latch mechanism for releasably securing the dipper in the closed condition, and a hoist rope extending over the sheave and having one end connected to the winch and an opposite end connected to the dipper such that when the dipper handle is in the dumping position the hoist rope exerts on the dipper a force biasing the dipper to the open condition when the latch mechanism is released.