Boom with mast assembly

• US 6,763,635 B1
• Filed: 11/30/1999
• Issued: 07/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shook Mobile Technology LP
• Original Assignee: Shook Mobile Technology LP
• Inventors: Lowman, Eric E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Canfield, Robert
• Application Number:
  US09/451,830
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 527/301, 527/311, 527/312, 527/321, 527/262, 522/238, 522/239, 521/11, 521/14, 521/17, 521/18, 526/501, 378/57, 378/193, 378/197, 378/198
• US Class Current: 52/114
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 1/5433 and having the first pivot on a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 17/06 specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forges; combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes B66C17/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/18 specially adapted for use in particular purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 11/046 of the telescoping type
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/22 Active interrogation, i.e. by irradiating objects or goods using external radiation sources, e.g. using gamma rays or cosmic rays

Abstract

A torsion- and bending resistant boom formed of beams running the length of the structure, a set of pierced, transverse flanges arrayed along, and substantially perpendicular to, the length of the structure, a continuous longitudinal member running the length of the structure, piercing the flanges, and several further longitudinal members, outward of the first member. The longitudinal members are welded to the flanges. An elevatable mast assembly raises and lowers the boom, and has a mast and guides formed of hollow tubes, and rollers between the guides and the mast, the rollers transferring torque loading to the guides.

Claims

1. A boom, having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, comprising:

a first longitudinal member having an external surface;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

said second longitudinal member comprising a plurality of segments, each segment comprising ends;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole;

wherein said first member is internal to said second member, and at least one end of each segment is joined to the face of said one or more flanges, and the external surface is joined to said one or more flanges; and

a plurality of third longitudinal members, wherein said third members are joined to the edges of the one or more flanges.

2. A boom having, longitudinal and transverse dimensions comprising:

a first longitudinal member;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole;

a plurality of third longitudinal members, wherein said third members are joined to the edges of each of the one or more flanges; and

said first and second longitudinal members each further comprising an external surface;

wherein said external surfaces are joined to said one or more flanges.

3. A boom having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, comprising:

a first longitudinal member comprising a tube, wherein said tube is continuous along substantially the length of the boom;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole; and

a plurality of third longitudinal members, wherein said third members are joined to the edges of each of the one or more flanges.

4. The boom of claim 3, wherein said tube is circular in cross-section.

5. A boom having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, comprising:

a first longitudinal member;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

said second member comprising a plurality of tubes surrounding said first member and substantially concentric with said first member;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole; and

a plurality of third longitudinal members, wherein said third members are joined to the edges of each of the one or more flanges.

6. The boom of claim 5, said first member comprising a tube, and wherein said tube is continuous along substantially the length of the boom.

7. The boom of claim 5, wherein each end of the plurality of tubes is joined to one of said one or more flanges and each of said one or more flanges has one or more sections joined thereto.

8. A boom having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, comprising:

a first longitudinal member;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole; and

a plurality of third longitudinal members, wherein said third members are joined to the edges of each of the one or more flanges;

said third members comprising a substantially planar beam having an inward surface, and one or more legs along the beam'"'"'s longitudinal length;

wherein said one or more legs extends from the inward surface normal to the plane of the beam, and said inward surface is joined to said edges.

9. The boom of claim 8, said flange edges defining a plurality of depressions corresponding congruently to said one or more legs, wherein said depressions facilitate engagement of said beams and said flange edges.

10. A boom having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, comprising:

a first longitudinal member;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole;

a plurality of third longitudinal members, wherein said third members are joined to the edges of each of the one or more flanges;

a proximal end, and;

an end support;

wherein the boom is supported at the proximal end by the end support.

11. The boom of claim 10, further comprising a distal end, wherein a large fraction of the load is applied substantially at said distal end, and the boom'"'"'s longitudinal dimension is in a substantially horizontal plane.

12. The boom of claim 10, further comprising a distal end and secondary structure, wherein said secondary structure is downwardly extending and is supported by the distal end of the boom.

13. A boom having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, comprising:

a first longitudinal member comprising a continuous tube;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

said second member comprising a plurality of tube segments;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole; and

a plurality of third longitudinal members, said third members comprising C-channel beams;

wherein said third members are joined to the edges of each of the one or more flanges, and wherein said tube segments are outward of and concentric to the continuous tube, and at least one of said tube segments is joined to each of the opposing faces of at least one of said one or more flanges.

14. A boom having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, comprising:

a first longitudinal member;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole;

a plurality of third longitudinal members, wherein said third members are joined to the edges of each of the one or more flanges;

a fourth longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member; and

said first, second and fourth longitudinal members each comprising a substantially cylindrical tube;

wherein each of said tubes are adjacent to two other of said tubes and each tube extends through the hole in each of the one or more flanges.

15. The boom of claim 14, wherein the hole in each of the one or more flanges is trilobed in shape, said tubes are joined to said one or more flanges at said hole, and said tubes are continuous along substantially the longitudinal dimension of the structure.

16. A boom having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, comprising:

a first longitudinal member;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole;

a plurality of third longitudinal members, wherein said third members are joined to the edges of each of the one or more flanges;

a distal end; and

at least one tensioning cable, wherein said cable applies an upward force upon said distal end.

17. The boom of claim 16, further comprising proximal end and a counterweight section, wherein said counterweight section extends substantially longitudinally from the proximal end, said cable is substantially longitudinal, and applies an upward force on said counterweight section.

18. The boom of claim 16, wherein said cable extends substantially longitudinally within the boom.

19. A boom having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, comprising:

a first longitudinal member;

a second longitudinal member oriented substantially parallel to said first longitudinal member;

said second longitudinal member comprising a plurality of segments, each segment comprising ends;

one or more substantially transverse flanges each having edges and opposing faces and defining at least one hole from one face to the other, wherein the first member extends through the hole;

said one or more flanges each having a groove defined in at least one of said faces thereof;

a plurality of third longitudinal members, wherein said third members are joined to the edges of each of the one or more flanges;

wherein said first member is internal to said second member, and at least one end of each segment is joined to a face of said one or more flanges, and the external surface is joined to said one or more flanges.

20. The boom of claim 19, wherein said grooves are circular and concentric to the hole in the one or more flanges, and the ends of the segments join the one or more flanges at the grooves.

21. A structure for supporting a load on a chassis comprising:

a boom, said boom comprising

a vertical support;

a first boom section having longitudinal and transverse dimensions, said first boom section comprising;

proximal and distal ends;

an inner cylinder having an outer surface, wherein said inner cylinder is circular in cross-section and continuous along substantially the longitudinal extent of the first boom section;

a plurality of outer tube segments, each comprising two ends, wherein said tube segments are substantially concentrically external of said inner cylinder;

a plurality of longitudinal beams each comprising a substantially planar inward surface, and one or more legs along the beam'"'"'s longitudinal extent, wherein said one or more legs extend from the inward surface substantially normal to the plane of the beam; and

one or more substantially transverse flanges having opposing faces and edges, each flange defining at least one hole from one face to the other face, and defining a plurality of depressions corresponding congruently to said one or more legs, wherein said depressions facilitate engagement of said beams and said flange edges;

wherein said inner cylinder extends through the hole in the one or more flanges, at least one end of each outer tube segment is joined to the face of said one or more flanges, the external surface is joined to said one or more flanges, and the inward surfaces of said longitudinal beams are joined to the edges of said one or more flanges; and

a second boom section, said second boom section comprising proximal and distal ends, wherein said second boom section is downwardly extending and is supported by the distal end of the first boom section;

wherein said vertical section is mounted to the chassis and supports the proximal end of the first boom section.

22. The structure of claim 21, said one or more flanges each defining a circular groove in one or more faces thereof, and the ends of the outer tube segments are inserted into the grooves.

23. The structure of claim 21, wherein both ends of each tube segment are joined to two flanges.

24. The structure of claim 21, said vertical support comprising a mast assembly;

wherein said first boom section is rotatable relative to said mast assembly and said first boom section'"'"'s longitudinal dimension lies in a substantially horizontal plane.

25. The structure of claim 21, wherein said first and second boom sections are comprised of type 6061 T6 aluminum.

26. In a mobile transport, having a longitudinal axis, a support structure for supporting a load at a distance from the transport, the support structure comprising:

a first support, having upper and lower ends;

a second support comprising;

proximal and distal ends;

a longitudinal support member comprising an external surface;

a plurality of longitudinal sections;

a plurality of substantially transverse flanges, each flange defining at least one passage therethrough; and

a plurality of longitudinal beams;

wherein said longitudinal support member is internal to said longitudinal sections, the flanges are arrayed in a spaced relationship along said longitudinal support member and are separated from each other by one of the longitudinal sections, the longitudinal support member extends through the passage of each flange, and the external surface, said longitudinal sections, and said longitudinal beams are each joined to said flanges;

wherein the upper end of said first support is joined to said second support.

27. The support structure of claim 26,

said longitudinal sections comprising two ends each; and

said flanges each comprising two outer edges and opposing surfaces through which said passage is defined;

wherein said each end of said longitudinal sections is adjacent to, and joined to, one of the surfaces of one of the flanges, and said beams are joined to said edges of said flanges.

28. The support structure of claim 26, said first support comprising a mast, wherein said mast is oriented along a substantially vertical axis, and translates along that axis, and the second support structure is translated therewith.

29. The support structure of claim 28, said first support further comprising a counterweight structure, wherein said counterweight structure is joined to said second support, and is opposed to said second support.

30. The support structure of claim 28, said first support further comprising a mast-head structure, wherein said mast supports the mast-head structure, and the mast-head structure is joined to the second support.

31. The support structure of claim 28, wherein said second support is rotatable relative to the mast.

32. The support structure of claim 26, further comprising a third support, wherein said second support extends a distance of at least about sixteen feet from the longitudinal axis of the transport, and the distal end of said second support supports the third support.

33. The support structure of claim 26, said second support further comprising at least one tensioning cable, wherein said cable applies an upward force upon said distal end.

34. The support structure of claim 33, said first support further comprising a counterweight section, wherein said cable is substantially longitudinal, and applies an upward force on said counterweight section.

35. The support structure of claim 33, wherein said cable extends substantially longitudinally within the second support.