US2589315A - Sky line logging carriage - Google Patents

Description

March 18, 1952 J. L. YELTON 2,589,315

SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGE Filed March 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

( ukmes L. Ye/fon dZM WM ATTORNEY March 18, 1952 YELToN 2,589,315

SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGE Filed March 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 all? 2 We? 3 7 A59 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY March 18, 1952 J. L. YELTON SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGE 4 Sheets-Sheei 5 Filed March 15, 1948 I N VEN TOR. @fames L Ye/fon BY A zromvgy March 18, 1952 L, ELTON 2,589,315 I SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGE Filed March 15, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jay 5 U6 53 /46 ll 5 //52 mes 4 Yz/ibm me By (7- Ji '6' mmvE v Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SKY LINE LOGGING CARRIAGE James L. Yelton, Bellingham, Wash.

Application March 15,1948, Serial No. 14,971

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a sky line logging carriage adapted for use in picking up and transporting logs but the same can be used for other purposes wherein a carriage supported for movement on a track cable is used for picking up and transporting loads.

An object of this invention is to provide load pick up and transporting devices in which the load is picked up and transported clear of the ground rather than being dragged along the ground, as is frequently done in logging.

In logging operations it is common practice to employ an overhead track cable or sky line having a carriage movable thereon to bring the logs from the location where they are felled to a central loading point, this being done by lifting one end portion of the log and dragging the other end portion thereof along the ground. By the use of such apparatus many small trees, which it is desirable to save in the interest of re-forestation and forest conservation, are destroyed. It is an object of this invention to provide logging equipment which will make it possible to conserve and save these small trees.

Another object is to provide an efiicient carriage which will simplify the work of picking up logs and transporting them clear of the ground.

A further object is to provide a carriage having thereon means operated by movement of the carriage along its track cable for compressing fluid and further having thereon means for utilizing such compressed fluid for operating -cable clamp means and drum brake means.

Another object is to provide a carriage having novel control means responsive to movement of the carriage along a track cable and responsive to stopping of the carriage on the track cable and operable to control the application and release and holding of cable clamp means and drum brake or locking means.

Another object is to provide a carriage having control means which combines cable operation and automatic operation and to provide in said control means air coupling means of novel form which obviates interference between the cable operated control means and the automatic control means.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent 2 3 is a plan view of the carriage shown in Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of the hydraulic cable clamp and brake means and control means therefor.

Fig. 6 is a detached sectional view of a four way valve used in the hydraulic means.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a hydraulically operated governor device which can be used in the control means in place of a fiyball governor.

Referring more particularly to the drawings reference numeral 10 designates the carriage in its entirety. The frame of this carriage is composed of two longitudinal channels II and I2 on the top and near the center of which are secured two cross channels 13 and I4 preferablywelded to channels H and I2. Welded to and projecting downward from the ends of channels l3 and M are two side frame members [5 and I6. Near the right end of channels H and I2, Figs. 2 and 3, are journal bearings I! in which rotates shaft l8 to which is secured sheave [9. Near the end of channels I l and [2 shown at the left in Figs. 2' and 3 are mounted journal bearings 20 in which is rotatively mounted a shaft 2! to the center of which is secured a sheave 22. To one end of shaft 2| is keyed a bevel gear 23. Meshing with bevel gear 23 is a bevel gear 24 of a governor which will be described more in detail later. To the opposite end of shaft 2| is secured an eccentric 25 for operating an oil pump which will also be described more in detail later.

Near the center of side frames I5 and i6 is secured a shaft 23 on which is rotatively mounted a unit drum represented in its entirety by reference numeral 21. Unit drum 2'! is composed of three drum sections 28, 29 and 36. On drum section 28 is wound a main line cable and on drum section 29 is wound a pick-up cable and on drum section 38 is wound a haul-back cable. These cables are hereinafter described in connection with Fig. 1.

Drum section 28, see Fig. 4, is provided with an outer flange 3| and is separated from drum section 29 by the common flange 32. Drum section 30 is provided with an outer flange 33 and is separated from drum 29 by a common flange 34. All of the flanges 3l-3233-34 extend inwardly to where they unite with a common cylindrical section 35 the outer ends of which are provided with hubs 36 into which are pressed sleeves 31 which rotate freely on the shaft 26.

From the inner peripheral face of drum 30 projects a flange 35a. 38 is a brake drum which is provided with a brake surface 39, an inwardly projecting flange 40, and outwardly projecting lugs 4|. Lugs 4| are secured to flange 35a by bolts 42 and nuts 43. 44 and 45 are brake shoes which are circular in contour and to the outer faces of which are secured brake linings 46, by means of rivets 41. The upper ends of brake shoes 44 and 45, Fig. 5, are hung on two pins 48 which are threaded and screwed into side frame I6. To the lower end of brake shoe 45 is pivoted an oil cylinder 49 by means of pin 50 and to the lower end of brake shoe 44 is pivoted the outer end of piston rod I by means of pin 52. To the inner end of piston rod 5|, Fig. 5, is secured a piston 53 sliding freely in oil cylinder 49. To the open end of cylinder 49 is secured a cover 54 provided with proper packing and gland 55.

In the lower ends of side frames I5-I6 is supported a shaft 56 on which is rotatively mounted an idler drum 51. 58 is a spacer and 59 is a bell crank. 59 comprises a hub 60 and levers El and 62. The lever 62 is forked and carries a roller 63 rotatively mounted on a pin 64.

Welded to the lower flanges I Ia and IZa of the channel members I I and I2, Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, is a heavy steel plate 65. Threaded into this plate are two upwardly projecting rods 66 and 61. The top end portions of rods 68 and 61 are threaded, as at 68, to receive two sets of nuts 69 and 10. Between the nuts 69 and is securely clamped a yoke bar H to which is secured an oil cylinder 12, Fig. 5. In oil cylinder 12 slides a piston 13 provided with a piston rod 14 the lower end of which is threaded as shown at and tightly screwed into an upper brake shoe 15. To the open end of cylinder 12 is screwed a. cover 12a, provided with proper packing and gland 121). Brake shoe 16 is provided with holes 11 to enable it to slide freely on rods 66 and 61. Running lengthwise on the underside of brake shoe 16 is a semi-circular groove 18 which is machined or provided in casting with a helical contour to fit over the strands of a twisted wire track cable I1 I. Resting on plate 65 is a lower brake shoe 19 provided with holes to assemble freely on rods 66 and 81. The top surface of this brake shoe 19 is provided with a longitudinal groove 80 machined or cast to fit the contour of the twisted wire track cable I1I.

Near the end of channels II and I2 shown at the left in Figs. 2 and 3 is mounted a governor represented in its entirety by reference numeral 8I. Governor 8| consists of a bracket or frame 82 secured to the journal as by cap screws 83. In bracket 82, Fig. 5, is rotatively mounted a shaft 84 to the lower end of which is keyed the bevel.

gear 24 by means of key 24a. To the upper end of shaft 24 is secured the sleeve 85 by means of pin 85a. The upper end of sleeve 85 is provided with'two upwardly extending forked brackets 86. Between the fork ends of the brackets 86 two gear segments 81 are rotatively mounted on pins 88. Gear segments 81 are provided with rigidly connected arms 89 to the lower end of which are attached governor balls 90. Meshing with gear segments 81 are rack teeth 9| which are an integral part of shaft 92. Shaft 92 is free to slide in sleeve 85. Through the lower end of shaft 92 is pressed a pin 93 which is free to slide in elongated apertures 94 of sleeve 85. The outer ends of pin 93 support a sleeve 95 which is provided with an annular groove 96 into which is rotatively mounted a split ring 91. Pivoted at 99 on each half of the split ring 91 are the end portions of a forked lever I00 which is part of a bell crank IOI. I02 is the other lever of bell crank IOI.

Bell crank IN is supported from the channel 4 I2 by means of a bracket I03 bolted to the channel I2 by bolts I04, Fig. 3. To the lower end of lever I02 is pivoted a connecting link I85 by means of pin I06. The other end of the link I05 is connected to the outer end of a valve stem I91 by means of a pin I08.

The four way valve of which valve stem I01 is a part is shown in longitudinal section in Fig. 6 and is represented in its entirety by reference numeral I09. Valve I09 consists of a body portion III] having a bore III to receive pistons H2 and H3, which can be an integral part of valve stem I 01. The body I I0 is provided with an inlet port H4 and with outlet port means II5 and H6 uniting in a common outlet H1. The body I I0 is also provided with two discharge ports II8 and H9. The arrangement of the ports II4, II5, H6,

H8 and [I9 and the spacing of the pistons H2 and H3 is such that when oil is admitted into port I I4, the pistons I I2 and I I3 being to the extreme left as shown by broken lines in Fig. 6, the oil will flow from port II4 into the discharge port H8 and the returning oil will discharge by way of ports H9 and II5 into and through final exhaust port II1. When the pistons are toward the right, as shown in full lines in Fig. 6, the oil will flow from port II 4 into discharge port H9 and the returning oil will discharge into port H8 and finally into exhaust port II'I., Into the ends of body III] are screwed heads I20 and I2I provided with packing I22 and glands I23 and Connected to port II9 of valve I09 is one end of a pipe I25 the other end of which connects to the lower end of oil cylinder 12, Fig. 5. From pipe I21 branches off another pipe I28 which connects to the right end of oil cylinder 49. To port IIS connects a pipe I21 which branches off into two pipes I28 and I29. Pipe I28 connects to upper end of oil cylinder 12 and pipe I29 connects to the left end of the oil cylinder 49.

From Fig. 6 it will be evident, the pistons being in position shown by full lines, the oil will pass through pipe I25 into the lower end of cylinder 12 releasing the cable clamping shoes 16 and 19 and oil will flow into pipe I26 and the right hand end of cylinder 49 setting the- brake shoes 44 and 45 in the brake drum.

The right hand end of valve stem I01, Fig. 5, is connected to a loose connecting link I39. One end of loose connecting link I30 is drilled and provided with threads for receiving a threaded end portion I3I of the valve stem I01. The link I30 is provided with an elongated transverse aperture I32. The right end of link I30, Fig. 5, is provided with hole I33 connecting with the aperture I32. Sliding freely in aperture I32 is a cross head I34 into which is threaded a stem I35. To the opposite end of stem I35 is secured a piston I36 which is slidably disposed in a cylinder I31. Also slidably disposed in cylinder I31 is another piston I38 to which is connected a stem I39. Piston I38 is provided with a small hole I38a. The right end of cylinder I31, Fig; 5,

is provided with a cover I40.

Parts I39 to I40 inclusiveconstitutedelayed action means between the valve I09 and the push-pull rod I4I. In this delayed action means the two pistons I36 and I38 in cylinder I31, the piston I38 having the bleeder hole I38a therein, form an air coupling which operates as follows: When tension is exerted on wire I4I the piston I38 will be moved to the right, Fig. 5. Because the hole I38a is small movement to the right,

Fig. 5, of piston I38 will operate by suction to move piston I36 along with it, that is the piston I36 will be moved to the right by atmospheric pressure acting against the side thereof opposite to the piston I38. This will move the valves H2 and H3 to the right, Fig. 6, into the position in which they are shown by full lines. Also this movement of piston I36 will act through stem I35, link I30, stem I01, link I05, bell crank I9I, sleeve 95 and shaft 92 to lift governor arms 89. A pull can be exerted on the push-pull cable MI by the winding in of a pick-up cable I82 on the drum 29. This pick-up cable I82 carries a trip member I83 which engages the roller 63 when a load is raised, thereby moving the lever 62, BI and exerting a pull on cable I4I.

As soon as the pistons I38 and I36 have been moved to the right, Fig. 5, as just explained, air which has been compressed between piston I38 and the cover I49 of cylinder I31 will begin to pass through small opening I38a and will tend to return the piston I36 to its original position. The elongated slot I32 in link I30 makes possible this return movement of piston I36. As soon as this delayed action of the air coupling devices has taken place it is possible for the arms of the flyball governor to drop and in so doing to move the valve members H2 and H3 back to the left to the position in which they are shown by broken lines in Fig. 6. Weight of the roller 63 and lever arm 62 will act through the cable I4I to move the piston I38 to the left, Fig. 5, to its initial position after the roller 63 is released by trip member I83.

The push-pull cable MI is part of a control means which is responsive to a winding in of the pick-up line I82 and this control means operates in conjunction with the control means which is responsive to movement and stoppage of the carriage relative to the track cable I1I without hampering the operation of the last mentioned control means.

Referring to Figures 3 and 5 reference numeral I46 indicates an oil pump in its entirety. This oil pump comprises a cylinder I41 near the closed end of which are provided a suction inlet port I48 and a discharge port I49. The suction inlet port I48 is provided with a spring loaded ball check valve I50 and the discharge port I49 is provide? with a spring loaded ball check valve I5I. The body I41 of the valve has a bore I52 to receive a closely fitted reciprocating piston I53. To the outer end of the reciprocating piston I53 is pivoted one end portion of a connecting link I54 as by a pivot I55. The other end portion of the connecting link I54 is bored out as shown at I56 to permit the eccentric 25 to rotate freely therein. The pump body I41 is provided with lugs I51 drilled to receive cap screws I53 by means of which the pump is secured to channel II, see

Fig. 3.

Between the upper cross channels I3 and I4 is provided an accumulator tank I59 secured in place by means of straps I60 attached to the channels by screws I62. Secured to channel II is a reservoir tank I63 held in place by straps I6 I.

The pump inlet check valve I50 is connected to the reservoir I63 by means of pipe I64. Pump discharge check valve I5I is connected with one side of a by-pass valve I65 by means of pipe I66. The other side of the by-pass valve IE5 is connected to the accumulator I59 by means of pipe I61. The by-pass valve I65 is connected with the reservoir I63 by means of a pipe I68.

The accumulator I59 is partly filled with air and the bypass valve is arranged in such amanner and set so that the oil will discharge from pump I46 through pipe I66 through valve I65 through pipe I61 into accumulator I59 until a predetermined pressure is reached after which time the oil will be by-passed by valve I65 into pipe I68 which leads to the reservoir I63.

The intake port II4 of the four way valve I09 is connected by means of pipe I69 with the accumulator tank I59 and the exhaust port H1 is connected by means of pipe I10 with reservoir Referring to Fig. 1, which is illustrative of one set-up in which this carriage can be used, the carriage I0 is supported on a track cable or skyline l1I which extends between spar-trees I12 and I13. A haul-in cable I14, herein referred to as a main line, is secured to the carriage I0 by winding it on one of the drums, such as drum 28, Fig. 3. This main line I14 extends in one direction from said carriage I0 and over a sheave I15 on the spar tree I13 and thence down to a drum I16 on a donkey engine I11. A haul-back line I18 is wound on another drum, such as the drum 36, of the carriage I0 and extends in the opposite direction from the main line I14 and over a sheave I19 on the spar tree I12 and thence back to a drum I on the donkey engine I11. Preferably the donkey engine I11 is positioned near the spar tree I13 toward which logs I8! are to be hauled. A pick-up line I82 is wound on the third drum 29 of the carriage I0 and extends downwardly therefrom over the guide roller 51, see also Fig. 2, for use in picking up a load such as a log I8I. A combined stop and trip member I83 is secured to the pick-up line I82 near the outer end thereof for the purpose of engaging with the roller 63 and operating the push-pull cable I4I in tube I44, Figs. 2 and 5, when the pick-up line is wound in.

The operation of this load pick-up and transporting device is as follows: As a starting point it will be assumed that the carriage I0 is at rest on the track cable or skyline I1I at a station near the spar tree I13 where logs or other loads are to be delivered and that the pick-up line I82 is in a lowered position. Under these conditions the valve members H3 and H2 will be in the positions in which they are shown by broken lines in Fig. 6, the cable clamp will be tightly clamped onto the track cable HI and the drum lockin means or brake will be released. By pulling on the main-line I14 the pick-up line will be wound on the drum 29 until the trip member I93 thereon engages the roller 63 and exerts a pull on the member I4I. This will move the valve members I I2 and I I3 to the right into the position in which they are shown by full lines in Fig. 6 thus reversing the hydraulic connections to the cylinders 12 and 49 so that the cable clamp will be' released and the drum locking brake will be applied. Also the pull of the member I4I will act through stem I39, pistons I38 and I36, stem I35, valve stem I01, bell crank I DI and shaft 92 to lift the arms 89 of the fly ball governor 8I. Next by winding in the haul-back line I18 and slacking the main line I14 the carriage I0 can be moved out along the track cable "I to a po- .the main line I14.

7 sltion whereraload is to ibe'picked up. Movement of the carriage iID along the track cable I1I willrotate the flyball. governor 8| andv keep the. arms thereof raised. This will maintain the fluid pressure connections by which the cable clamp is held released and the drum locking means or brake is held set or'applied. The trip member I83 will remain in'engagement with the roller 53 until the drum locking means .is'released but the piston I38 and'stem I35 of the air coupling means will move to the left, Fig. 5, so that the arms of the fiyball governor can drop and move valves 2 and H3 to the left when the carriage I8 is brought to a stop. Thus when the carriage I is stopped on the'track cable thearms of the flyball governor will drop and this will movethevalve members H3 and 2, Fig. 6, back to the position in which they are shown-by broken lines. This reverses .the hydraulic connection through the four way vave I89 so as to apply the cable clamp to the track cable HI and release the drum locking means. With the drum 28, 29, 38 thus released and the carriage It! held immovable on the track cable I'll the pick-up line I82 can be lowered by winding in the haul-back line I18 and slackin After a load such as a lo I 8| has been made fast to the pick-up 1ine-l82 this load can be lifted clear of the ground by winding in the main line I14 and slacking the haul-back line I18. When the lug I83 on the pick-up line I82 engages the roller 51 movement .will be transmitted through member I4 I, air coupling I36, I31, I38, stem I35 and valve stem I91 to move the valves I I2 and H3 to the right, Fig. 6, thereby releasing the cable clamp and applying-the drum locking means. This allows the load to be hauled in by windin in the main line I14'and' slacking the haul-back line I18. While the load is being hauled in the fly ball governor.

will'ma-intain the correct position of the valves H2 and H3 and the air coupling piston I36 and stem I35 will be moved back to the position in which they are shown in Fig. so that when the carriage is stopped at the unloading stationthe arms of the governor 8I can drop and reverse connections through the valve I89. This clamps .the carriage III to the track cable HI and releases the drumlocking means and permits the load to be lowered by slacking the main line.

The pump I46 is driven from the shaft 2| and, for this reason, is. responsive to movement of the carriage I0 on the track cable HI and is further responsive to stoppage of said carriage on said I track cable. As the fly ball governor BI is driven from the same shaft 2| the movements of the flyball governor 8I and pump I46 .are synchronized. For this reason it is possible to replace the flyball governor by fluid pressure operated control means Which is responsive to the operation and stopping of the pump.

Such a control means is illustrated in Fig. 7, and comprises a tubular body member I84 having-therein a cylindrical chamber I85 positioned between two other chambers l86 and I81. A piston I88 is reciprocably disposed within the cylindrical chamber I85 and has a small perforation I88a'provided therein. Two piston rods I89 and I98 are integral with or otherwise rigidly secured to the piston l88 and are supported and; guided in suitable bearing members I 9| and I92 which are connected with the respective end portions of the body member I84.

.Suitable. packing means I93 is provided inconnection witheachbearing-member I9I and I92.

The body member I84 is fixedly attached to any suitable part of the frame of carriage I0. The rod I is connected as by bracket means I94 with the link I85, or said rod I90 can be connected directly with the stem I81 of valve I09. Thechamber I86 is connected with the discharge outlet of the pump I46. This canbe done by detaching conduit I66 from pump I46 and bypass valve I65 and connecting one end portion of a conduit or pipe I95 with the chamber I86 and the other end portion of said conduit I95 with the check valve I5I at the pump outlet.

The chamber I61 is connected with the accumulator tank I59 as by connecting one end portion of a conduit I91 with said chamber I81 and the other end portion of the conduit I91 with the by-pass valve I65 in place of the detached conduit I66. This places the control member of Fig. '1 in a, fluid conduit line between pump I46 and the by-pass valve I65.

A spring I98 is provided to urge the piston I88 to the left as shown in Fig. 7.

The operation of the control device shown in Fig. '1 is as follows: When the carriage is at rest on the track cable I1I the pump will be stopped and the spring I98 will move the piston I88 the maximum distance to the left, Fig. '7. This will position the valves II2 and H3 as shown by broken lines inFig. 6 thereby setting the cableclamp and releasing the drum brake. When the trip member I83 on the pick-up line engages the roller 63 and exerts a pull on the pushpull cable I4I the valves H2 and H3, Fig. 6, and the piston I88, Fig. '1, will all be moved to the right thereby releasing the cable clamp and setting the drum brake. This makes it possible to move the carriage I9 along thetrack cable and operate the pump. Liquid from the pump entering the chamber I88 and flowing past the periphery of the piston to the chamber I81 on its way to the accumulator tank I59.will hold the piston to the right, Fig. 7, aslong as the pump continues to operate. When the pump is stopped by the stopping of .the carriage the spring I98 will move the piston I88 to the left as fast as the liquid escaping through perforation I88a will permit thus setting or applying the cable clamp and releasing the .drum brake.

In some instances it may be desired to use the haul-back line I18 to pullthe outerend of the pick-up line I82 out to where loads are tobe picked up. When this is to-be done the haulback line can be disconnected from the drum means 21 and connected directly with the. pickup line I82, preferably outwardly from the trip member I83. -Also..when this is to be done the haul-back line I18 is assed around anynumber of sheaves required to guide it to a position near where the load is to be picked up. Consequently for this mode of operation it is necessary either to detach and move the sheave I19 away from the spar tree I12 or to disconnect the haulback line from this sheave I19 and pass said haul-back line over one or more other sheaves located at a distance from the spar tree I12. These sheaves can be positioned to one side of the sky line Ill and near the ground and at a location which will make it possible to usethe haul-back line I18 to move the carriage outalong the sky-line HI and to unwind and pull out the pick-up line I82.

When the carriage is thus used with the haulbackline I18'connecteddirectly with the pickup line I82 onlytwo of the three drums. 28, 29, 38 are .used and for this mode of operation itwould be possible to dispense with one drum in the construction of this carriage.

From the above it will be seen that the essential requirements of the drum.means 21 are that this drum means be of a suitable construction so that a main line, such as the line I14 and a pick-up line, such as the line I82 can both be wound thereon, the drum means being constructed and arranged so that when one of these lines is drawn out the other line will be wound in the vice versa. Obviously the construction of the drum means can be varied as long as two drum members are interconnected in such a manner as to accomplish this purpose.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of this invention but it will be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that changes in the invention may be made within the scope and spirit of the following claims. I claim:

1. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carried by the carriage operable to grip the cable and support the carriage immovable on the track cable; and fluid pressure devices carried on the carriage and responsive to movement and stoppage of said carriage relative to said track cable and connected with said cable clamp means for operating the same.

2. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carried by the carriage operable to grip the cable and support the carriage immovable on the track cable; fluid pressure operated cable clamp applying and releasing devices connected with said cable clamp means for operating the same; fluid pressure storage means mounted on said carriage; and fluid compressing means carried by said carriage and operable by the carriage in response to movement of said carriage along said track cable for compressing fluid in the fluid pressure storage means to operate said fluid pressure devices.

3. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carried by the carriage operable to grip the cable and support the carriage immovable on the track cable; fluid pressure operated cable clamp applying and releasing devices connected with said cable clamp means for operating the same; a storage receptacle for fluid under pressure carried by said carriage and communicatively con-- nected with said fluid pressure operated cable clamp applying and releasing devices; pump means carried by said carriage adapted to supply fluid under pressure-to said storage receptacle; and devices operated by the carriage in response to movement of said carriage along said track cable for driving said pump means.

4. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carried by the carriage operable to grip the track cable and support the carriage immovable on the track cable; fluid pressure supply means carried by said carriage; fluid pressure operated devices communicating with said supply means and connected with said cable clamp means, whereby the cable clamp means can be applied to and released from the track cable; and control devices responsive to movement and stopping of said carriage relative to said track cable controlling said fluid pressure operated devices, whereby said fluid pressure operated devices are actuated to apply said cable clamp means and hold the same applied when the carriage is at rest on the track cable and to hold said cable clamp means released when the carriage is being moved along the track cable.

5. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable, a carriage having sheaves adapted to run on said track cable; cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip the cable and support the carriage immovable on said track cable; a fluid pressure accumulator tank carried by said carriage; a pump carried by said carriage and communicatively connected with said tank; pump driving means connecting said pump with a sheave of said carriage for driving the pump by movement of the carriage along said track cable; and fluid pressure actuated clamp operating means communicatively connected with accumulator tank and operatively connected with said cable clamp means.

6. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage having sheaves adapted to run on said track cable; cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to trip the track cable and support the carriage immovable thereon; a fluid pressure accumulator tank carried by said carriage; a pump carried by said carriage and communicatively connected with said tank; pump driving means connecting said pump with a sheave of said carriage for driving the pump by movement of the carriage along the track cable; fluid pressure operated devices communicating with said accumulator tank and connected with said cable clamp means for applying and releasing said cable clamp means; and control-devices responsive to movement of said carriage along said track cable adapted to supply fluid under pressure to said fluid pressure operated devices and apply said cable clamp means to said track cable when movement of said carriage on said track cable ceases.

7. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage movable on said track cable; a plurality of interconnected Winding drums carried by said carriage; drum locking means operable to lock and release said winding drums; a main line wound on one of said winding drums; a pick-up line wound on another of said winding drums; and a haul-back line wound on one of said drums operable to unwind the pick-up line when said drum locking means is released and to move the carriage outwardly along the track cable when said drum locking means is set to lock said winding drums.

8. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage movable on said track cable; a plurality of rigidly connected coaxial winding drums carried by said carriage and adapted respectively to have a main line, a haul-back line and a pick-up wound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drums against rotation; and fluid pressure operated control means responsive to movement of said carriage on said track cable adapted to apply said drum locking devices and lock said drums against rotation in response to movement of said carriage on said track cable.

9. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage mounted to travel on said track cable; cable clamp-means carried by said carriage operable to grip said track cable and support said carriage immovable on said track cable; three rigidly connected coaxial winding drums carried by said carriage and adapted respectively to have a main line, a haul-back line and a pick-up line wound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drums against rotation; and fluid pressure operated control means responsive to movement of said carriage on said track cable adapted to apply said cable clamp and release said drum locking devices in response to stoppage of movement of said carriage on said track cable. -10. Load pick-up transporting devices comprising 'an overheadtrack cable; a carriage "mountedto travel on said track cable; cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip said track cable and hold said carriage immovable on said track cable; a winding drum carried by said carriage and adapted to have a pick-up line wound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drum against rotation; means operable to rotate said winding drum; and fluid pressure operated control means responsive to movement of said carriage along said track cable operable to hold said cable clamp released and said drum locking devices in drum locking position in response to movement of said carriage along said track cable and operable to apply said cable clamp and release said drum locking devices in response to stoppage of movement of said carriage on said track cable.

' 11. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising anoverhead track cable; a carriage movableon said track cable; cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip said track cable-and hold said carriage immovable on said track 'cable; three rigidly connected coaxial winding drums carried by said carriage and adapted respectively to have a main line, a haulback line and a pick-up line wound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drums against rotation; and fluid pressure operated control means responsive to movement of said carriage along said track cable operable to hold said cable clamp released and said drum locking devices in' drum locking position in response to movement of said carriage along said track cable and operable to apply said cable clamp and release said drum locking devices in response to stoppage of movement of said carriage on said track cable.

12. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage adapted to run on said track cable; cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip the track cable and support the carriage immovable on the track cable; a fluid pressure accumulator tank carried by said carriage; fluid pressure supply means carried by said carriage and communicatively connected with said tank; three rigidly connected coaxial Winding drums carried by said carriage and adapted respectively to have a main line, a haul-back line and a pick-up line wound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drums against rotation; fluid pressure operated devices communicating with said accumulator tank and connected with said cable clamp means for applying and releasing said cable clamp means; other fluid pressure operated devices communicating with said accumulator tank and connected with said drum locking devices; and control means controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to both of said fluid pressure operated devices, said control means being responsive to movement of said carriage along said track cable whereby said cableclamp will be held released and said drum locking devices will be held locked when said carriage is moving along said track cable and said cable clamp will be applied and said drum locking devices released when movement of said carriage on said track cable is stopped.

13. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage having sheaves adapted to run on said track cable; cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip the track cable and support the carriage immovable thereon; a fluid pressure accumulator tank carried by said carriage; a pump carried by said carriage and communicatively connected with said tank; pump driving means connecting said pump with a sheave of said carriage for driving the pump by movement of the carriage along the track cable; three rigidly connected coaxial winding drums carried by said carriage and adapted respectively to have a main line, a haul-back line and a pick-up line wound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drums against rotation; fluid pressure operated devices communicating with said accumulator tank and connected with said cable clamp means for applying and releasing said cable clamp means; other fluid pressure operated devices communicating with said accumulator tank and connected with said drum locking devices; and control means controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to both of said fluid pressure operated devices, said control means being responsive to movement of said carriage along said track cable whereby said cable clamp will be held released and said drum locking devices will be held locked when said carriage is moving along said track cable and said cable clamp will be applied and said drum locking devices released when movement of said carriage on said track cable is stopped.

14. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage having sheaves adapted to run on said track cable; cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip the track cable and support the carriage immovable on said track cable; a winding drum carried by the carriage and adapted to have a pick-up line wound thereon; drum locking devices operable to lock said drum against rotation; means operable to rotate said winding drum; control means responsive to movement of said carriage along said track cable operable to hold said cable clamp released and said drum locking devices in drum locking position in response to movement of said carriage along said track cable and to apply said cable clamp and release said drum locking devices in response to stoppage of movement of said carriage on said track cable; and means operated by winding in said pick-up line for initially operating said control means to release said clamp means and apply said drum locking means when said pick-up line is wound up to a load carrying position on said drum.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 in which the means operated by winding in the pick-up line comprises a push-pull cable connected by air coupling devices with the control means, said air coupling devices comprising two separate pistons operable in a cylinder in close contact with the cylinder walls, whereby a suction connection between said two pistons is pro- 13 vided, at least one of said pistons having an air passageway of small size extending from one side to the other thereof for slow relief of suction between said pistons thereby providing delayed action release between the push-pull cable and the control means.

16. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carried by the carriage operable to grip the track cable and support the carriage immovable on the track cable; a hydraulic cylinder connected with the cable clamp means for applying and releasing the same; a fluid pressure accumulator tank carried by the carriage; fluid pressure supply means carried by the carriage and connected with said tank and operated by movement of the carriage along the track cable; a winding drum carried by the carriage adapted to have a pick-up line wound thereon; brake devices operable to lock said drum against rotation; a hydraulic cylinder connected with said brake devices operable to apply and release the same; conduit means connecting both of said hydraulic cylinders with said tank; a four way valve in said conduit means; and control devices connected with said four way valve and responsive to movement of said carriage along said track cable, said control devices operating to hold said cable clamp released and said drum brake set in response to movement of said carriage along said track cable and being operable to apply said cable clamp and release said drum brake in response to stoppage of movement of said carriage on said track cable.

17. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage mounted to travel thereon; cable clamp means carried by the carriage operable to grip the track cable and support the carriage immovable on the track cable; fluid pressure operated devices mounted on the carriage connected with the cable clamp means for applying and releasing the same; and fly ball governor means mounted on the carriage operated by the carriage in response to movement of the carriage along the track cable and controlling said fluid pressure operated devices.

18. Load pick-up and transporting devices comprising an overhead track cable; a carriage mounted to travel on said track cable; cable clamp means carried by said carriage operable to grip the track cable and support the carriage immovable on the track cable; hydraulic means mounted on the carriage operable to apply and release the cable clamp; a pump carried by the carriage and connected with said hydraulic means and operated by the carriage in response to movement of the carriage along the track cable; a valve mounted on said carriage controlling the intake and discharge of liquid as respects said hydraulic means; and control devices for said valve mounted on said carriage and operated by the pressure of fluid discharging from said pump.

JAMES L. YELTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 719,477 Lamb Feb. 3, 1903 947,447 Miller et al. Jan. 25, 1910 1,360,475 Venable Nov. 30, 1920

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