Multiple-cable lifting head with load weighing mechanism for aerial booms and cranes

• US 5,209,361 A
• Filed: 10/31/1991
• Issued: 05/11/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lloyd T. Grubb Jr
• Original Assignee: Lloyd T. Grubb Jr
• Inventors: Grubb, Lloyd T. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peters, Jr., Joseph F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brahan, Thomas J.
• Application Number:
  US07/785,555
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 212/148, 212/158, 212/250, 414/21, 340/685
• US Class Current: 212/283
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 1/125 Features allowing the receptacle to be lifted and emptied by its bottom
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 2003/022 the discharging means comprising a device for determining the weight of the content of refuse receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/16 Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08

Abstract

Load cells are provided at the fixed end of each cable of a multiple-cable lifting head adapted for use at the free end of a knuckle boom or other aerial crane for lifting and operating "IGLOO" recyclable waste containers and the like. The load cells provided with each selectively controllable cable of the multiple-cable lifting head provide a signal through a J Box to a remote scale indicator at the base of the knuckle boom or crane in order to facilitate weighing the container at the beginning and end of the waste removal process so as to accurately determine the waste weight simultaneously with the removal thereof from the container.

Claims

1. A load weighing lifting head for use in combination with knuckle boom and crane-type lifting arms, said lifting head comprising:

a support frame adapted for mounting to the free end of said lifting arm and defining a front end and a rear end;

at least one double acting hydraulic cylinder mounted on said support frame wherein said cylinder includes a reciprocating piston arm;

hydraulic control means for selectively actuating said hydraulic cylinder;

at least one sheave means wherein said sheave means is operatively connected to said piston arm of said hydraulic cylinder for being extended and retracted relative to said cylinder;

a plurality of force detection means mounted on said support frame wherein at least one is operatively associated with said hydraulic cylinder and said sheave means;

a plurality of load support cables wherein at least one of said cables is operably movable by said sheave means so as to be extended when said sheave means is extended and retracted when said sheave means is retracted, said load support cables each being secured at one end thereof to a respective one of said plurality of force detection means and the other end thereof being free to secure a load; and

circuit means electrically connected to said plurality of force detection means for measuring the weight of the load supported by said load support cables.

2. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 1 wherein said at least one double acting hydraulic cylinder comprises three hydraulic cylinders.

3. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 2 wherein said hydraulic cylinder is mounted on said support frame so that said reciprocating piston arm thereof and said sheave means operatively connected thereto extend outwardly towards the rear end of said support frame and retract inwardly towards the front end of said support frame.

4. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 1 wherein said hydraulic control means comprises a hydraulic valve control for said hydraulic cylinder.

5. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 1 wherein said force detection means comprise force transducers.

6. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 5 wherein said force transducers comprise strain gauge-type load cells.

7. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 1 wherein said load support cables comprise wire cables.

8. A load weighing lifting head according to claim wherein a hook is attached to the free end of each of said wire cables for securement to a load.

9. A load weighing lifting head according to claim wherein said circuit means comprises a junction box mounted to said support frame of said lifting head and electrically connected to said plurality of force detection means and a remote weight indicator electrically connected to said junction box.

10. A load weighing lifting head for use in combination with knuckle boom and crane-type lifting arms, said lifting head comprising:

a support frame adapted for mounting to the free end of said lifting arm and defining a front end and a rear end;

a plurality of double acting hydraulic cylinders mounted on said support frame wherein each of said cylinders includes a reciprocating piston arm;

hydraulic control means for selectively actuating said hydraulic cylinders;

a plurality of sheave means wherein each of said sheave means is operatively connected to a respective one of said piston arms of said plurality of hydraulic cylinders for being extended and retracted relative to said cylinders;

a plurality of force detection means mounted on said support frame and each being operatively associated with a respective one of said plurality of hydraulic cylinders;

a plurality of load support cables wherein each of said cables is operably movable by a respective one of said sheave means so as to be extended when said sheave means is extended and retracted when said sheave means is retracted, said load support cables each being secured at one end thereof to a respective one of said plurality of force detection means and the other end thereof being free to secure a load; and

circuit means electrically connected to said plurality of force detection means for measuring the weight of the load supported by said load support cables.

13. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 10 wherein said hydraulic control means comprises a hydraulic valve control for each of said hydraulic cylinders.

14. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 10 wherein said force detection means comprise force transducers.

15. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 14 wherein said force transducers comprise strain gauge-type load cells.

16. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 10 wherein said load support cables comprise wire cables.

17. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 16 wherein a hook is attached to the free end of each of said wire cables for securement to a load.

18. A load weighing lifting head according to claim 10 wherein said circuit means comprises a junction box mounted to said support frame of said lifting head and electrically connected to said plurality of force detection means and a remote weight indicator electrically connected to said junction box.

11. A load weighing lifting head according to claim wherein said plurality of double acting hydraulic cylinders comprises three hydraulic cylinders.

12. A load weighing lifting head according to claim wherein said hydraulic cylinders are mounted on said support frame so that said reciprocating piston arms thereof and said sheave means operatively connected thereto extend outwardly towards the rear end of said support frame and retract inwardly towards the front end of said support frame.

19. A load weighing lifting head for use in combination with knuckle boom and crane-type lifting arms, said lifting head comprising:

a support frame adapted for mounting to the free end of said lifting arm and defining a front end and a rear end;

a plurality of double acting hydraulic cylinders mounted on said support frame wherein each of said cylinders includes a reciprocating piston arm and wherein said hydraulic cylinders are mounted so that said reciprocating piston arms thereof extend outwardly towards the rear end of said support frame and retract inwardly towards the front end of said support frame;

hydraulic valve control means for selectively actuating said hydraulic cylinders;

a plurality of sheave means wherein each of said sheave means is operatively connected to a respective one of said piston arms of said plurality of hydraulic cylinders for being extended and retracted relative to said cylinders;

a plurality of load cells mounted on said support frame and each being operatively associated with a respective one of said plurality of hydraulic cylinders;

a plurality of load support cables wherein each of said cables is operably movable by a respective one of said sheave means so as to be extended when said sheave means is extended and retracted when said sheave means is retracted, said load support cables each being secured at one end thereof to a respective one of said plurality of load cells and the other end thereof being free to secure a load; and

circuit means electrically connected to said plurality of load cells for measuring the weight of the load supported by said load support cables.

20. A load weighing lifting head according to claim wherein said plurality of double acting hydraulic cylinders comprises three hydraulic cylinders.

21. A load weighing lifting head according to claim wherein said load support cables comprise wire cables.

22. A load weighing lifting head according to claim wherein a hook is attached to the free end of each of said wire cables for securement to a load.

23. A load weighing lifting head according to claim wherein said circuit means comprises a junction box mounted to said support frame of said lifting head and electrically connected to said plurality of load cells and a remote weight indicator electrically connected to said junction box.