Patents Assigned to Marine Travelift, Inc.
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Patent number: 9302891Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, John E. Braun
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Publication number: 20130001183Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, John E. Braun
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Patent number: 8215441Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, Timothy J. Minkin
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Publication number: 20110108347Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: MARINE TRAVELIFT, INC.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, Timothy J. Minkin
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Patent number: 7926671Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, John E. Braun
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Patent number: 7913864Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, John E. Braun
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Patent number: 7798274Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2009Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, Timothy J. Minkin
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Publication number: 20090230072Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: MARINE TRAVELIFT, INC.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, John E. Braun
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Publication number: 20090188740Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: July 30, 2009Applicant: MARINE TRAVELIFT, INC.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, Timothy J. Minkin
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Patent number: 7546929Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, John E. Braun
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Patent number: 7520362Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, Timothy J. Minkin
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Publication number: 20090045156Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, John E. Braun
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Patent number: 7451883Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, John E. Braun
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Patent number: 7252299Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, Timothy J. Minkin
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Publication number: 20070168095Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: July 19, 2007Applicant: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry Wierzba, Timothy Minkin
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Patent number: 7168724Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle, such as a gantry crane (12). The gantry crane (12) generally includes a support structure (14) having a first front wheel (32) and a second opposing front wheel (36) connected proximate a front portion of the crane (12), and a first rear wheel (30) and a second opposing rear wheel (34) connected proximate a rear portion of the crane (12). A control system connected to the crane includes a user interface (111) electronically coupled to a command potentiometer (114) and a programmable controller responsive to the command potentiometer for controlling the angular position of each of the first front wheel (32), the second front wheel (36), the first rear wheel (30) and the second rear wheel (34) to effect a steering mode selected through the user interface (111).Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Jerry J. Wierzba, Timothy J. Minkin
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Patent number: 6675719Abstract: A railroad car wheel changer assembly (10), adapted to be mounted on a gantry crane (12), is provided. The railroad car wheel changer assembly (10) includes a base assembly (60), a beam member (62) and a grappler assembly (64). The base assembly (60) is adapted to be attached to the gantry crane(12). The beam member (62) is attached to the base assembly (60). The grappler assembly (64) is adapted to engage a railroad car wheel assembly (100) and is attached to a first end of the beam member (62). The beam member (62) is articulatable to move the wheel assembly (100).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Feider, John E. Braun
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Patent number: 6193086Abstract: A crane is disclosed, with one or more moveable components. Manually-articulable controls (such as joysticks) are provided for controlling movement of the components. First, second, and third control circuits responsive to varied positions of the control are optionally connected to the control to provide first, second, and third sets of control signals each with differing responses to the control in a given position so as to move the components in a manner which mitigates instability or inaccuracy due to the physical acuity of the operator.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1998Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Robbie M Gunnlaugsson, Thomas H. Feider
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Patent number: 5810183Abstract: A gantry crane has first and second side support frames spaced by a pair of trolley beams. A lifting mechanism is connected to the trolley beams and includes a lift frame for engaging a load to be lifted. An operator cab is mounted on the first side support frame and is vertically moveable between a lowermost position and an uppermost position in an operational plane defined by the first side support frame. A cab lift cable has a length and a first end fixed to the operator cab and a second end fixed to the side support frame. A hydraulic cylinder urges the cable between its fixed first and second ends in a direction transverse to a portion of its length.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 1995Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Feider, Norbert Lenius
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Patent number: 5715958Abstract: A gantry crane 10 is provided having a gantry structure 12 with a pair of front support legs 18 and 20 and a pair of rear support legs 26 and 28. A lift frame 14, having opposed first and second ends 14a and 14b, is suspended from the gantry structure 12. A stabilizing beam 68 operatively connects the lift frame 14 to the gantry structure 12 to prevent sway of the lift frame 14. The stabilizing beam 68 is positioned between the pair of front support legs 18 and 20 and the pair of rear support legs 26 and 28. Preferably, the stabilizing beam 68 is connected proximate a longitudinal center of the lift frame 14. The stabilizing beam 68 is connected to vertical guides 70 and 72 that are connected to the gantry structure 12 so as to be vertically moveable along the guides 70 and 72. A four corner cross-reeving/clutch system 79 is provided to dampen rotational sway of the ends 14a and 14b of the lift frame 14.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1995Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Marine Travelift, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Feider, Norbert Lenius