Length-adjustable chain mount and storage apparatus

Abstract

A length-adjustable chain mount and storage box apparatus is mounted to a vertically-movable support structure of a vehicle and arranged so that only a selected outer end length portion of a lift chain need to be pulled from the confines of a storage box whereupon the lift chain is supportingly secured at the selected extended length for connection of its free end to a load to be lifted by operation of the vertically movable structure of the vehicle. When the lifting operation is completed and the lift chain disconnected from the load, the extended portion of the lift chain is simply trained back into the storage box where it is stored without any interference to the normal operation of the vehicle and ready for immediate use when another lifting operation is required.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a length-adjustable chain mount and storage apparatus embodying features of the present invention in use mounted on the rear wall of the bucket on the vertically movable arm structure of a front end loader.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, foreshortened perspective view showing the apparatus of FIG. 1 in closer detail.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the chain engaging base member and the underlying chain storage box of the apparatus in separated condition to show its assembly.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary rear perspective view of the chain storage box member and showing a preferred, simplified arrangement for securing the inner terminal end of a chain against unintentional removal from the confines of the storage box.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the chain mount and storage apparatus of this invention in a condition of use mounted on the boom arm structure of a backhoe to illustrate another, alternative mounting arrangement on a vertically-movable structure of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A chain mount and chain storage apparatus for vehicles, the chain mount: and storage apparatus comprising: a) a chain support base member arranged for secure mounting on a support structure of a vehicle,b) at least one load-engaging chain, each said at least one chain having a selected overall length between a first, inner terminal end and a second, outer, working terminal end arranged for connection to a load to be engaged,c) a chain storage box member supported on said chain support base member, said storage box member having substantially hollow interior confines arranged for holding said at least one chain for storage between uses,d) a chain passage opening communicating with said interior confines of the storage box member and arranged to permit a selected length of an outer end portion of said at least one chain to be withdrawn freely out of the interior confines of the chain storage box member for engagement of the extended outer, working end to a load, ande) chain engaging lock means on said chain support base member for releasably engaging an intermediate portion of said at least one chain to secure the chain at a fixed length of extension therefrom and support the extended chain and a load engaged thereby.

2. The chain mount and chain storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chain engaging lock means comprises at least one chain link-engaging lock slot on the chain support base member arranged to capturingly engage and releasably secure an intermediate portion of a selected link of said at best one chain inserted thereinto between adjacently-connected links of the chain to releasably secure and support the chain at a selected length of extension therefrom.

3. The chain mount and chain storage apparatus of claim 2 wherein a plurality of laterally spaced apart, chain link-engaging lock slots are provided for engagement of a selected link of said at least one chain with a selected laterally spaced lock slot.

4. The chain mount and chain storage apparatus of claim 3 wherein said chain storage box member holds a pair of individual chains for storage, and a selected link of each chain may be capturingly engaged with a different, selected laterally spaced apart lock slot whereby to position the pair of secured chains for extension therefrom in selected, laterally spaced apart condition.

5. The chain mount and storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chain storage box member is arranged with an open top end, and said chain engaging lock means on the chain support base member comprises a plate member arranged to substantially overlie at least a portion of the open top end of the storage box member, the plate member arranged with at least one chain link-engaging lock slot, whereby a selected length of an outer, working end portion of a said at least one chain may be pulled freely from the interior of the storage box member through said open top end and a selected link of the chain capturingly engaged with said link-engaging lock slot to secure the chain at a selected length of extension therefrom and support the chain during load-engaging operation.

6. The chain mount and chain storage apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first, inner end of said at least one load engaging chain is secured to the storage box member to retain an inner end portion of the chain in the interior confines of the box and prevent inadvertent withdrawal and separation of the entire chain from the storage box member.

7. A lift chain mount and chain storage apparatus, comprising: a) a chain support base member arranged for secure mounting on a vertically movable support structure,b) at least one load lift chain, each said at least one load lift chain having a selected overall length between a first, inner terminal end and a second, outer, working terminal end arranged for connection to a load to be lifted,c) a chain storage box member supported on said chain support base member, said storage box member having substantially hollow interior confines arranged for holding said at least one lift chain for storage between load lifting uses,d) a chain passage opening communicating with said interior confines of the storage box member and arranged to permit a selected length of an outer end portion of said at least one lift chain to be withdrawn freely out of the interior confines of the chain storage box member for connection of the extended outer, working end to a load to be lifted, ande) chain engaging lock means on said chain support base member for releasably engaging an intermediate portion of said at least one lift chain to secure the chain at a fixed length of extension therefrom and support the extended lift chain and a load connected thereto during a load lifting operation.

8. The lift chain mount and chain storage apparatus of claim 7 wherein said chain engaging lock means comprises at least one chain link-engaging lock slot on the chain support base member arranged to capturingly engage and releasably secure an intermediate portion of a selected link of a lift chain inserted thereinto between adjacently-connected links of the lift chain to releasably secure and support the lift chain at a selected length of extension therefrom for a lifting operation.

9. The lift chain mount and chain storage apparatus of claim 8 wherein a plurality of laterally spaced apart, chain link-engaging lock slots are provided for engagement of a selected link of a chain with a selected laterally spaced lock slot.