Using standard square tubing in a telescoping arrangement reduces the cost of a bridge crane hoist. Because surface tolerances of square tubing need not be as accurate as the tubing used previously and because no spline is necessary, the square tubing is significantly less expensive than splined telescoping tubes

Bernstein, G.

Graae, J.

Schraidt, J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

August 1967	 Brief 67-10293 
ICY to
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Square Tubing Reduces Cost of Telescoping Bridge Crane Hoist 
Upper Spacer Buttons 
Upper 
Stops
Top Ends 
Upper	 L F Spacer Buttons Upper Stops	 Upper Spacer Buttons 
Bottom Ends 
Lower 
Stops 
Lower 
Spacer
ccerButtons 
Buttons 
Lower 
Stops"...	 Low 
Lower Spacer Buttons 
The problem: 
To reduce the cost of a bridge crane hoist by elim-
inating expensive splined telescoping tubes from the 
construction. 
The solution: 
Use standard square tubing in a telescoping ar-
rangement to keep the vertical member rigid. Because 
surface tolerances of square tubing need not be as 
accurate as the tubing used previously, and because 
no spline is necessary, the square tubing is signifi-
cantly less expensive than splined telescoping tubes.
Power & 
Drive Train 
Frame	 Carriage 
Complete Assembly 
How it's done: 
The sections of square tubing vary in width so that 
each section will fit inside the next largest. The length 
of each section and the number of sections used de-
pends on the maximum lifting height desired. 
A hardened steel spacer button with a curved sur-
face and proper shimming is press fitted to the top 
end of each external face of each square tube. Two 
similar spacer buttons are attached side by side near 
the bottom end of each internal face of each tube. 
Thus, when each tube is fitted inside the next largest, 
it will be centered, 'and there will be a three-point 
I	 (continued overleaf) '  
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any
liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
vately owned rights.
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contact between all corresponding faces. This three-
point contact eliminates the need for absolutely true 
surfaces. 
Below the upper spacer button on the external faces 
of each tube, but still well above the center of that 
section, steel stops are welded in place. Similar stops 
are welded just above the bottom spacers on the in-
side faces of each section and in line vertically with 
the upper stop. Therefore, when the tubes are ex-
tended in line, they remain partially inside one an-
other, and because of the spacer buttons, they stay 
in line with respect to each other. 
The manipulator hoisting cable is attached to the 
top end of the lower tube section, and the upper 
tubing section is welded to the hoisting carriage so 
that.the telescoping tubing is held rigidly vertical. 
Therefore, when an object is lifted free of the ground 
and the carriage or bridge is moved, no swinging will 
occur. 
Notes: 
I. In an application to an approximately 4-ft-high 
carriage, 10-in., 8-in., 6-in., .5-in., and 4-in, square 
sections of tubing were used. When extended there 
was an 8-inch overlap of cOnsecutivesections.
2. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Office of Industrial Cooperation 
Argonne National Laboratory 
9700 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439 
Reference: B67-10293 
Source: J. Graae, J. Schraidt, 
G. Bernstein—Chemical Engineering Div. 
and T. Denst, A. Kelecius,
R. Vree—Central Shops 
(ARG-l3) 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to: 
Mr. George H. Lee, Chief 
Chicago Patent Group 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Chicago Operations Office 
9800 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439 
Brief 67-10293	 Category 05


Square tubing reduces cost of telescoping bridge crane hoist

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