US3912230A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dragrope fairlead assembly
Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
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Filing: 1974-05-20
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A support member pivotally connects to the front edge of a dragline excavator main frame and a pair of inboard sheaves are mounted thereto for rotation about a first horizontal axis. A pair of sheave blocks, each having a rotatably mounted outer sheave, connect to the support member for rotation about forwardly inclined block pivot axes. A pair of dragropes which connect with a drum on the main frame run beneath the inboard sheaves, up and over the outboard sheaves, and connect with a bucket which is manipulated by the excavator.
Inventors
- 👤 Tom Learmont
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 12:10
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/46; E02F3/58; B; B66; B66D; B66D1/00; B66D1/28; B66D1/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
In an excavating machine having a boom which supports a bucket on the end of a hoist rope and which is connected to extend forward from a main frame, and having a dragrope which runs from the bucket to a power driven drum mounted on the main frame, a fairlead assembly for guiding the dragrope in its run between the bucket and the power driven drum, the combination comprising: a support member pivotally attached at its lower end to the forward edge of said main frame to swing about a horizontal pivot axis; an adjusting link connecTed to said support member and to said main frame to lock said support member in a fixed position; an inboard sheave rotatably mounted to said support member for rotation about a first horizontal axis of rotation; a sheave block mounted to said support member for swinging motion about a forwardly inclined block pivot axis which is forward of and in the plane of said inboard sheave, said sheave block including a pair of spaced upright cheeks; and an outboard sheave rotatably mounted to said sheave block between said cheeks for rotation about a second horizontal axis of rotation; wherein said dragrope runs from said power driven drum beneath said inboard sheave to wrap around a lower rope engaging surface on said inboard sheave, and extends upward through a swallow defined by said sheave block cheeks and over said outboard sheave to wrap around an upper rope engaging surface on said outboard sheave.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
In an excavating machine having a boom which supports a bucket on the end of a hoist rope and which is connected to extend forward from a main frame, and having a dragrope which runs from the bucket to a power driven drum mounted on the main frame, a fairlead assembly for guiding the dragrope in its run between the bucket and the power driven drum, the combination comprising: a support member pivotally attached at its lower end to the forward edge of said main frame to swing about a horizontal pivot axis; an adjusting link connecTed to said support member and to said main frame to lock said support member in a fixed position; an inboard sheave rotatably mounted to said support member for rotation about a first horizontal axis of rotation; a sheave block mounted to said support member for swinging motion about a forwardly inclined block pivot axis which is forward of and in the plane of said inboard sheave, said sheave block including a pair of spaced upright cheeks; and an outboard sheave rotatably mounted to said sheave block between said cheeks for rotation about a second horizontal axis of rotation; wherein said dragrope runs from said power driven drum beneath said inboard sheave to wrap around a lower rope engaging surface on said inboard sheave, and extends upward through a swallow defined by said sheave block cheeks and over said outboard sheave to wrap around an upper rope engaging surface on said outboard sheave.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The fairlead assembly as recited in claim 1 in which the upper rope engaging surface of said outboard sheave is substantially above the lower rope engaging surface of said inboard sheave and said dragrope wraps around at least 20* of circumference of each of said inboard and outboard sheaves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fairlead assembly as recited in claim 2 in which said sheave block includes upper and lower trunnions which are coaxial with said block pivot axis and which are received in openings in said support member to trunnion mount said sheave block.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fairlead assembly as recited in claim 2 in which the points of tangency which define each end of the dragrope run between sheaves are on opposite sides of said block pivot axis and are equally spaced therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The fairlead assembly as recited in claim 4 in which said sheave block is mounted to said supporting member by an upper trunnion which is coaxial with said block pivot axis and disposed above said points of tangency, and a lower trunnion which is coaxial with said block pivot axis and disposed below said points of tangency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
The fairlead assembly as recited in claim 1 in which a second inboard sheave is attached to said support member for rotation about said first horizontal axis of rotation, a second sheave block is mounted to support member for swinging motion about a second block pivot axis which is in the plane of said second inboard sheave and parallel to said first block pivot axis, a second outboard sheave is rotatably mounted to said second sheave block, and a second dragrope runs beneath said second inboard sheave and over said second outboard sheave.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
193 words
In an excavating machine having a boom which supports a bucket on the end of a hoist rope and which is connected to extend forward from a main frame, and having a dragrope which runs from the bucket to a power driven drum mounted on the main frame, a fairlead assembly for guiding the dragrope in its run between the bucket and the power driven drum, the combination comprising: a support member attached to the forward edge of said main frame; an inboard sheave rotatably mounted to said support member for rotation about a first horizontal axis of rotation; a sheave block mounted to said support member for swinging motion about a forwardly inclined block pivot axis which is forward of and in the plane of said inboard sheave; and an outboard sheave rotatably mounted to said sheave block for rotation about a second horizontal axis of rotation; wherein said dragrope runs from said power driven drum beneath said inboard sheave to wrap around a lower rope engaging surface on said inboard sheave, and extends upward and over said outboard sheave to wrap around an upper rope engaging surface on said outboard sheave.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
193 words
In an excavating machine having a boom which supports a bucket on the end of a hoist rope and which is connected to extend forward from a main frame, and having a dragrope which runs from the bucket to a power driven drum mounted on the main frame, a fairlead assembly for guiding the dragrope in its run between the bucket and the power driven drum, the combination comprising: a support member attached to the forward edge of said main frame; an inboard sheave rotatably mounted to said support member for rotation about a first horizontal axis of rotation; a sheave block mounted to said support member for swinging motion about a forwardly inclined block pivot axis which is forward of and in the plane of said inboard sheave; and an outboard sheave rotatably mounted to said sheave block for rotation about a second horizontal axis of rotation; wherein said dragrope runs from said power driven drum beneath said inboard sheave to wrap around a lower rope engaging surface on said inboard sheave, and extends upward and over said outboard sheave to wrap around an upper rope engaging surface on said outboard sheave.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The fairlead assembly as recited in claim 7 in which said sheave block includes upper and lower trunnions which are coaxial with said block pivot axis and which are spaced apart along said block pivot axis to allow said dragrope to pass therebetween in its run between the inboard and outboard sheaVes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fairlead assembly as recited in claim 7 in which the points of tangency which define each end of the dragrope run between the inboard and outboard sheaves are on opposite sides of said block pivot axis and are equally spaced therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The fairlead assembly as recited in claim 7 in which the upper rope engaging surface of said outboard sheave is substantially above the lower rope engaging surface of said inboard sheave and said dragrope wraps around at least 20* of circumference of each of said inboard and outboard sheaves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
181 words
In an excavating machine having a boom which supports a bucket on the end of a hoist rope and which is connected to extend forward from a main frame, and having a dragrope which runs from the bucket to a power driven drum mounted on the main frame, a fairlead assembly for guiding the dragrope in its run between the bucket and the power driven drum, the combination comprising: an inboard sheave rotatably mounted to said main frame for rotation about a first horizontal axis of rotation; a sheave block mounted to said main frame for swinging motion about a forwardly inclined block pivot axis which is forward of and in the plane of said inboard sheave; and an outboard sheave rotatably mounted to said sheave block for rotation about a second horizontal axis of rotation; wherein said dragrope runs from said power driven drum beneath said inboard sheave to wrap around a lower rope engaging surface on said inboard sheave, and extends upward and over said outboard sheave to wrap around an upper rope engaging surface on said outboard sheave.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
181 words
In an excavating machine having a boom which supports a bucket on the end of a hoist rope and which is connected to extend forward from a main frame, and having a dragrope which runs from the bucket to a power driven drum mounted on the main frame, a fairlead assembly for guiding the dragrope in its run between the bucket and the power driven drum, the combination comprising: an inboard sheave rotatably mounted to said main frame for rotation about a first horizontal axis of rotation; a sheave block mounted to said main frame for swinging motion about a forwardly inclined block pivot axis which is forward of and in the plane of said inboard sheave; and an outboard sheave rotatably mounted to said sheave block for rotation about a second horizontal axis of rotation; wherein said dragrope runs from said power driven drum beneath said inboard sheave to wrap around a lower rope engaging surface on said inboard sheave, and extends upward and over said outboard sheave to wrap around an upper rope engaging surface on said outboard sheave.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
The fairlead assembly as recited in claim 11 in which said sheave block includes upper and lower trunnions which are coaxial with said block pivot axis and which are spaced apart along said block pivot axis to allow said dragrope to pass therebetween in its run between the inboard and outboard sheaves, and in which the points of tangency which define each end of the dragrope run between the inboard and outboard sheaves are on opposite sides of said block pivot axis and are equally spaced therefrom.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2272917A
Cited
US3708152A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |