US2576193A - Barrel grapple - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 27, 1951 K. L. REYNOLDS 2,576,193

BARREL GRAPPLE Filed June 20, 1949 Kennel/1 L. Reynolds 1N VEN TOR.

v M 5 AIM-n2 Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in barrel grapples in which the leverage from a hinge point on each of three grapple bars operates in conjunction with a steel plate attached to said bar. The objects of this improvement are first, to facilitate the lifting and handling of barrels; second, to afford protection from physical damage to the barrel itself and to those engaged in the handling of the same.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the present invention disposed above a barrel (shown in dotted lines), and with the lifting members for the L -shaped members removed;

Figure 2 is a side View of the present invention with the lifting members applied to the L-shaped members; and,

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken substantially on the plane of section line 3-3 of Figure 1 but showing one of the lifting members applied to one of the L-shaped members.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral represents the grapple yoke including three identical, stationary, radially projecting arms l2. The inner ends of the arms l2 are joined at a central point I4 and the outer ends of the arms are equally spaced from each other.

Each of the arms I2 supports an L-shaped bar I6 having a longer leg l8 and a shorter leg 20. The legs [8 and 2B are joined at their junction by strengthening plates 22. Pivot pins 24 extend through openings in the plates 22 and the pins 24 also extend through transverse apertures 26 in the outer ends of the arms I2.

Barrel contacting plates 28 are fixed to the outer ends of the shorter legs 20. These plates, 28, are provided with curved front barrel engaging faces 30 and rear faces 32 that are disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axes of said shorter legs 20, as shown best in Figure 3.

Means is provided for lifting or raising the inner ends of the longer legs l 8 to swing the shorter legs and the plates 28 against the outer periphery of a barrel B' This means comprises flexible lifting members or chains 34 having inner ends that are fastened to the inner ends upwardly, as a unit, in order to force the plates 28 into gripping engagement with the barrel B, whereupon the barrel B may be conveniently lifted and handled.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A barrel grapple comprising a yoke including three arms extending radially from a common center and spaced equally at their outer ends of the legs l8 by brackets 36, suitably secured to from each other, said arms being joined together at their inner ends at said center, three L -shaped bars, one bar being secured to the outer end of each arm, each bar having a longer leg disposed above its arm and a shorter leg joined together and having a strengthening plate at the junction of said legs, a pivot pin passed through an opening in said plate and attached to the outer end of one of said arms, barrel contacting plates fixed to the outer end of the shorter legs, flexible lifting members for said bars, and means to fasten said lifting members to the inner ends of said longer legs.

2. A barrel grapple comprising a yoke includ ing three arms extending radially from a common center and spaced equally at their outer ends from each other, said arms being joined together at their inner ends at said center, three L-shaped bars, one bar being secured to the outer end of each arm, each bar having a longer leg disposed above its arm and a shorter leg joined together and having a strengthening plate at the junction of said legs, a pivot pin passed through an open ing in said plate and attached to the outer end of one of said arms, barrel contacting plates fixed to the outer end of the shorter legs, flexible lifting members for said bars, and means to fasten said lifting members to the inner ends of said longer legs, said barrel contacting plates: having curved front barrel engaging faces and rear faces, and said faces being disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axes of said shorter legs.

KENNETH LEE REYNOLDS.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,014,079 McKay Jan. 9, 1912' 2,437,485 Sonnenschein Mar. 9, 1948

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