Abstract: A tumbler drive mechanism having a rotatable tumbler body mounted on a shaft and a plurality of tumbler lugs removably mounted on the tumbler body. The shaft has a longitudinal axis about which it and the tumbler rotate. The tumbler body includes a center drum and a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart radially projecting drive flanges. Each one of the plurality of tumbler lugs is mounted between and in engagement with two adjacent ones of the plurality of drive flanges. Each of the tumbler lugs engages the shoe lugs of a crawler track as the tumbler body rotates to drive the crawler track. The tumbler lug is mounted on the tumbler body at a selectively variable radial distance from the axis of the tumbler body. The radial distance at which the tumbler lugs are mounted on the tumbler body is accomplished by providing one or more shims positioned between the lug and the tumbler body.

Abstract: A floor-running stacker crane comprising a non-linear floor rail, a non-linear overhead rail, a base supported for movement along the floor rail, a turntable, a rotate bearing supporting the turntable on the base for rotation of the turntable relative to the base about a generally vertical axis, a rotate drive for rotating the turntable relative to the base, a mast having a lower end fixed to the turntable such that the mast rotates with the turntable relative to the base, the mast also having an upper end supported for movement along the overhead rail, a carriage moveable vertically relative to the mast, a hoist assembly for moving the carriage vertically relative to the mast, a load engaging mechanism, a rotate bearing supporting the load engaging mechanism on the carriage for rotation relative to the carriage about a generally horizontal axis, and a tilt drive for rotating the load engaging mechanism relative to the carriage.

Abstract: The disclosure involves a material handling machine, e.g., a crane, having a control circuit switch and a power limit switch. Disclosed is a new weight assembly having first and second weights. The control switch is maintained at a position by the first weight and the power switch is maintained at a position by the second weight which is positioned above the first weight. The weights are telescoped to one another so that vertical weight alignment is assured as the crane hoist bottom block contacts and lifts the first weight. If the bottom block continues its upward travel past a maximum desired elevation, the first weight (urged by the bottom block) lifts the second weight, permitting the power limit switch to trip and preventing the bottom block from continuing upward. And the new assembly is ideal where the space available for limit switch weights is restricted.

Abstract: A digging bucket has a lip, a lip aperture with a forward surface, a digging component mounted on the lip, and a component retaining device. The device comprises a keeper wedge with protrusions bearing against the component and a wedge member interposed between the forward surface and the component. In the improvement, the keeper wedge has at least one angled face and the wedge member has a pair of angled faces, at least one of which bears against the angled face of the keeper wedge. The wedge member is retained in position by a tension bolt extending through the aperture. Several embodiments are disclosed with wedge members having one or two wedges to urge the keeper wedge (and thus the digging component) rearward tightly against the lip.

Abstract: A dragline comprises a main chassis, a mechanism for moving the main chassis over the ground, a boom mounted on the main chassis, a sheave rotatably mounted on the boom, a dragline bucket, a hoist rope reeved over the sheave and having an end connected to the bucket to raise and lower the bucket, a drag rope connected to the bucket to pull the bucket toward the main chassis and to allow the bucket to move away from the main chassis, and an operator station on the main chassis, the operator station including a control lever apparatus for permitting an operator to control one of the mechanism, the hoist rope and the drag rope.

Abstract: A digging tooth assembly has a base nose, a replaceable tooth tip mounted on the base nose and a pin securing the tip to the nose. The pin includes a locking head eccentric to the pin and a pad-like resilient member is placed between the head and the tooth tip. The locking head is rotated so that the resilient member is compressed to urge the tooth tip in a direction such that the tip is maintained in a nose-contacting position.

Abstract: A method of testing a filler material to be used in an arc welding process, the method comprising the steps of providing first and second test plates, the first test plate having a generally planar surface, and the second test plate having opposed, parallel, generally planar surfaces and a beveled edge forming a generally planar beveled surface extending at an angle from one of the opposed surfaces and forming a generally planar land which extends between the beveled surface and the other of the opposed surfaces and which extends generally perpendicular to the opposed surfaces, placing the land in abutment with the first plate surface, providing a restraining fillet weld at the junction of the other surface of the second plate and the first plate surface, and using the filler material to provide a test fillet weld at the junction of the beveled surface and the first plate surface.

Abstract: A gantry crane travelable along a pair of rails and having an overhead girder transverse to the direction of travel, first and second legs connected to the girder, a load carrying trolley movable along the girder to a first position adjacent the first leg and to a second position adjacent the second leg, first and second spaced apart motor drives mounted on one of the legs in engagement with one of the rails for moving the crane, and third and fourth spaced apart motor drives mounted on the other leg in engagement with the other rail for moving the crane. When the trolley is at the first position, the first and second drives are highly loaded and the third and fourth drives are lightly loaded. Thereby, the lightly loaded drives attempt to drive the second leg such that it leads the first leg and skews the crane. When the trolley is at the second position, the third and fourth drives are highly loaded and the first and second motor drives are lightly loaded.

Abstract: The disclosure involves a crane having a main hoist drum and an auxiliary hoist drum for handling a load under normal and emergency (the latter actual or simulated) conditions, respectively. The latter condition involves a main hoist which is inoperative because of a failure or by intent. The auxiliary hoist drum is wrapped with about twice the length of cable as the main drum and can move the load up or down, irrespective of, load position if and when the main hoist becomes inoperative. Also disclosed is a novel method for moving a load. Steps include maintaining one drum in a non-rotating mode and rotating the other drum. An improved crane load block is also disclosed to have "floating sheaves" which help prevent excessive fleet angles.

Abstract: A digging tooth assembly has first and second wedged members retaining a digging tooth tip on a tooth base. The improvement comprises a tension member, e.g., a bolt, coupled to the first member and engaging the second member. The bolt has an adjustable effective length so that the first member can be drawn into wedged engagement with the second member. Other aspects of the invention involve a method for assembling a digging tooth assembly having an apertured tooth tip on an apertured, supporting tooth base. The method includes the steps of inserting a first wedge-like member into the aperture, inserting a second wedge-like member into the aperture and drawing the first member upward into wedged engagement with the second member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crane hoist system having a hoist drum, a drum drive motor and control and power circuit limit switches. The improvement involves a first trip bar coupled to the power circuit limit switch and a second trip bar coupled to the control circuit limit switch. The bars are-vertically aligned and both are pivot mounted at their corresponding ends. The second trip bar is mounted for movement independently of the first trip bar. If the control circuit limit switch fails to function as the second bar is moved a suitable distance upward, such bar contacts and lifts the first bar which, in turn, trips the power limit switch. In one embodiment, both bars are straight and elongate and in another, the second bar is "U" shaped.

Abstract: A crane comprising a horizontally extending frame having a longitudinal axis, the frame being supported above the ground for horizontal movement generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a trolley supported on the frame for movement generally along the longitudinal axis; a mechanism for engaging and disengaging a load; a hoist mounted on the trolley for causing vertical movement of the mechanism; and a carrier connected to the frame for movement with the frame, the carrier being positioned such that the trolley, hoist and mechanism are operable to deposit a load in the carrier.

Abstract: An overhead crane apparatus including a hoist supported on a trolley. The hoist includes a bottom block with a pair of horizontally extending first and second trunnions. The overhead crane apparatus also includes an automatic mechanism for releasably securing the bottom block to the trolley. The mechanism includes first and second bottom block support plates having therein respective first and second downwardly opening notches. The mechanism also includes first and second hooks and fluid actuated cylinder/piston assemblies for biasing the hooks toward latched positions wherein the hooks overlap the first and second notches, respectively. When the bottom block is raised the first and second trunnions enter the associated first and second notches and cam the hooks to unlatched positions responsive to movement of the bottom block to a secured position. The hooks then return to their latched positions to prevent the trunnions from moving downwardly out of the notches to thereby secure the bottom block.

Abstract: A bucket dump block, used on dragline buckets, has side frames and a rotatable rope-guiding sheave. In the improvement, each side frame has a separate ring-like support section extending toward the other side frame and abutting the support section of such other side frame. The sheave is supported by and rotates about such support sections. The sheave rides on an annular anti-friction member retained on a sleeve into which the support sections are press-fitted. The dump block (which is devoid of provisions for lubrication) has a minimum number of parts and is easy to manufacture and repair.

Abstract: A tubular warning sleeve for surrounding a pendant cord above a control station of an apparatus having a pendant control, the warning sleeve comprising a sheet of flexible material having opposite ends, the sheet including an outer surface having thereon warning information, the sheet being rolled up so that the ends overlap, and the ends being secured together by fasteners to form the sleeve, each of the ends of the sheet being provided with apertures for the fasteners, one of the ends of the sheet being provided with at least two sets of apertures for the fasteners such that the diameter of the sleeve is adjustable.

Abstract: The new method relates to a machinery assembly having (a) a housing, (b) an eccentric confined in the housing, (c) a shaft extending into the eccentric and (d) a shaft axis of rotation. A method for moving the shaft with respect to the housing includes the steps of applying a support force at a point on the housing so that such force places the housing substantially in equilibrium with respect to the axis. A withdrawing force is then applied to the shaft in a direction generally parallel to the axis. A jacking mechanism contacts the housing at a point to apply a support force to such housing. The force magnitude and direction place the housing substantially in equilibrium with respect to the axis to reduce or eliminate frictional forces.

Abstract: The disclosure involves a material handling machine such as a lattice-type portal crane having an elongate lattice girder suspended from a girder beam by a first and second support links. In turn, the girder beam is supported at an elevation by a pair of legs. The improvement comprises a force transfer link coupling the support links so that forces transferred between the girder beam and either leg are isolated from the girder. The girder, which is triangular-shaped, has a top apex-like chord member and a pair of lower chord members. The support links and the force transfer link support the girder at the lower chord members and the top chord member is spaced (and therefore, isolated) from the girder beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for machining a component using a CNC or an NC machine. The method includes the steps of mounting the component at a location on the machine and providing a pair of datum points, e.g., "locating holes" or dowels, on the component. A first base line is defined to extend through the datum points and a second base line is defined to intersect the first base line at an intersection. While retaining the component at its mounting location, such component is machined using dimensions measured from the base line intersection. The new method avoids the inaccuracies, e.g., tolerances and tolerance "buildup," that often results from the use of jigs, fixtures and the like. In other words, the component itself becomes the reference for machining. The method is particularly useful in making parts such as detachable, unevenly-wearing gear segments which can be turned end-for-end for greatly improved service life.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a machine having a housing and a pin received in the housing and coupled to a link-like movable part, either directly or with a bushing interposed between the part and the pin the improvement comprises a retainer, preferably of cruciform-shape, which is attached to one end of the and has a plurality of radially-extending retaining arms. The improvement also includes a plurality of arc-shaped abutment members, each of which extends between and is in torque-absorbing contact with a pair of arms. The pin, a wearing component like the movable part or the busing, is intended for eventual replacement when sufficiently worn. The pin is prevented from rotating with respect to the housing which is a non-wearing part expensive to replace or repair. The invention also includes a method for assembling machine components including a housing and a pin so that there is substantially zero clearance between each abutment member and a retainer arm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crane for moving an object such as a water dam gate having an attachment device, e.g., a hook, to be engaged by a hookup link. The link is mounted on the crane lifting block for link movement between a first position for engaging the gate hook and a second position for releasing the hook. Aspects of the invention involve a first apparatus for detecting when the link is within a predetermined location near the hook and a second apparatus for determining whether the link is in the first position or the second position. Other aspects of the invention involve a unique cable reel and link line arrangement whereby the hookup link is engaged or disengaged from the hook. A method for moving an object, e.g., a gate of a dam, is also disclosed.