Patents Examined by Nathaniel Adams
  • Patent number: 9284172
    Abstract: Disclosed is a manual chain block that achieves a more compact overall device and also does not lose the strength of the device itself by means of the position of a reduction gear of a speed reduction mechanism section being able to be positioned closer to the center regardless of the bearing of a load sheave. In the manual chain block, a load sheave (12) is supported rotatably by a first and second primary frame (11a, 11b) by means of bearings (13a, 13b) with axle sections (12a, 12b) therebetween. A supplemental plate (30)—which forms, in the direction of thrust: a bearing hole (33) of an axle section (16br) of a first reduction gear (16b); and a drawn section (31)—is, in a manner so as to supplement the aforementioned first primary frame (11a), disposed at the periphery of the bearing (13a) that supports the axle section (12a) of the load sheave (12) at the first primary frame (11a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Kito Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumitsu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9284155
    Abstract: A collapsible cord holder is an apparatus that is specifically designed to prevent entanglements when unwinding an existing cord bundle. The collapsible cord holder accomplishes this through the use of an extendable arm assembly that is pivotally coupled to a handle assembly and secured in both an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration through a locking mechanism. The arm assembly is able to arcuately expand beyond the diameter of the cord bundle in order to apply tension facilitating the unwinding of the cord bundle. The handle assembly permits an axial rotation of the cord bundle mounted on the collapsible cord holder in order to facilitate unwinding and prevent entanglements. The locking mechanism provides a secure engagement in the expanded configuration allowing the apparatus to transition into the collapsed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Martin Patrick Stanton
  • Patent number: 9284165
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of moving a large mobile crane having a luffable boom system. In accordance with the invention, the boom system is luffed down into a largely horizontal position for moving and is supported on a support block of a construction machine or of a small mobile crane so that the large mobile crane can be moved together with the construction machine or the small mobile crane. The invention further relates to a system for carrying out the aforesaid method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Dipl.-Ing. Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 9278834
    Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed comprising a counterweight support frame; a boom; a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support frame in a moveable relationship with respect to the counterweight support frame; and a counterweight unit movement device connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. The crane is configured such that during crane operation, the moment generated by the counterweight unit acts on the rotating bed predominantly through the counterweight support frame. Alternatively, the crane can include a mast. In some embodiments the same basic crane is configured to be set-up with two different counterweight options, i) a counterweight unit directly supported on the counterweight support frame and ii) a counterweight support beam moveably connected to the remainder of the rotating bed and a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
  • Patent number: 9211043
    Abstract: An end plug to be inserted axially into the center of an end of a paper roll, and provided with a holding element for hold/guiding the end of the paper roll in correct position in a dispenser, the holding element being movable between a transport position, where the whole of the holding element is accommodated within the interior of an outer sleeve of the end plug, and an active position where a part of the holding element protrudes outwardly from an outer end of the outer sleeve, the outer sleeve includes a conical wall, whose base end defines the outer axial end of the outer sleeve, the holding element includes two opposite slide elements guided in diametrically opposite spoke elements projecting inwards in a radial direction in relation to the inner wall of the conical wall of the outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SCA HYGIENE PRODUCTS AB
    Inventor: Robert Kling
  • Patent number: 9192268
    Abstract: A dispenser for paper, in particular absorbent paper, having a case in which at least two rolls of a paper web are housed. The case includes a base unit having at least a first housing and a second housing for holding respectively at least first and second rolls, and at least a first door and a second door installed on the base unit. The doors are designed, in the closed position, to respectively protect the first and second rolls and, in the open position, to provide access respectively to the first and second housings in order to reload them individually with rolls. The first and second doors have respectively a first and a second nozzle for dispensing the webs from the first and second rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SCA TISSUE FRANCE
    Inventors: Yoann Denis, Nicolas Pommier, Julien Marietta-Tondin, Jean-Louis Jehl
  • Patent number: 9145281
    Abstract: A skyline transfer apparatus is disclosed herein having in one embodiment a carriage. The carriage in one form comprising: at least one carriage side-plate; a plurality of skyline riding sheaves rotatably attached at near and outbound end of the carriage side-plate(s). The skyline riding sheaves ride upon a tensioned skyline during operation of the carriage. A mainline attachment point is provided at the outbound end of the carriage side-plate(s). A haul-back line attachment point is provided at the near end of the carriage side-plate(s); and a drop line extends below the carriage to support a load. A jack is also disclosed, pivotably attached to an intermediate spar. The intermediate spar supports the jack above a ground surface between a main yarder and a strongpoint. The jack comprises at least one side-plate(s) with at least one skyline supporting sheave rotatably attached to the side-plate(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventor: Shubert J. Hunter, Sr.
  • Patent number: 9044975
    Abstract: A supporting mechanism applied to a printer is disclosed in the present invention. The supporting mechanism includes a base, a holder slidably disposed on the base for holding a web, a door pivotably disposed on the casing, and a linkage set for moving the holder relative to the base. The linkage set includes a first rod connected between the holder and the door for moving the holder relative to the base when the door rotates, an arm rod pivoted to the casing, and a second rod pivoted to the door and the arm rod for driving the arm rod to press the holder, so as to move the holder relative to the base when the door rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HiTi Digital, Inc.
    Inventor: Kai-Chieh Yen
  • Patent number: 8985354
    Abstract: A movement system includes a bridge crane, a trolley, and a movement device. The movement device includes an attachment portion, a plurality of housings, first and second curved elements, a cable, and a cable angle sensor. The curved elements are pivotally attached to housings and perpendicularly overlap with one another such that a first slot defined in the first curved element is perpendicular to a second slot defined in the second curved element. The first curved element is pivotable about a first axis and the second curved element is configured to pivot about a second axis. The cable extends from the attachment portion and through each of the slots. The cable is pivotable to angularly displace at least one of the curved elements about a respective axis. The cable angle sensor is configured to measure the angular displacement of the at least one of the first and second curved elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Univerersite Laval
    Inventors: Alexandre Lecours, Simon Foucault, Thierry Laliberte, Clement Gosselin, Boris Mayer-St-Onge, Dalong Gao, Roland J. Menassa
  • Patent number: 8978568
    Abstract: An apparatuses and methods to release a chain. Apparatuses and methods include an electronic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical actuator system used to rotate a hooking arm. The actuator system includes an extendable piston. In some embodiments, the actuator system is hydraulic. In other embodiments, the actuator system is pneumatic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael Mercado, Gerritt Lang
  • Patent number: 8960460
    Abstract: A counterweight block apparatus includes a pair of interconnecting counterweight blocks having top and bottom surfaces, the counterweight blocks forming a plane of interconnection along adjacent sides thereof; and a shear bar releasably secured between the adjacent sides of the interconnecting counterweight blocks, generally perpendicular to the plane of interconnection, to provide resistance to relative vertical movement of the interconnecting counterweight blocks along the plane of interconnection. In another aspect, each counterweight block includes in at least one side thereof an indentation from a top of the counterweight block to a depth more shallow than the thickness of the counterweight block, the indentation defining a lip for hand grabbing. An aperture may be formed through the rest of the thickness of the counterweigh block at each indentation, wherein a securing strap can be run through each aperture of a stacked plurality of counterweight blocks to secure them to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Trevor D. Mentink, William J. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 8955702
    Abstract: A luffing-jib tower crane, comprising a tower and a jib which is connected to the tower via a joint and is held by a luffing cable, wherein the length of the luffing cable can be changed by a drawing-in unit, by the luffing cable being wound onto or unwound from a cable drum of the drawing-in unit, wherein the angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane is measured by a first sensor winch is attached to the jib (first angular value), wherein a measuring device measures the length of the unwound part of the luffing cable, from which length the minimum angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane (second angular value) can be calculated, and the first angular value can be compared with the second angular value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Wolffkran Holding AG
    Inventor: Andreas Wagner
  • Patent number: 8950605
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring and alarm device for construction machinery having long and heavy booms, such as cranes, in particular mobile cranes, is characterized in that a monitor system is provided, which monitors parameters that may change in case of an undesired lowering of the boom or of boom sections in a non-operating condition, and triggers an optical and/acoustic and/or wireless alarm system if the parameters change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Terex Demag GmbH
    Inventor: Thilo Jene
  • Patent number: 8944358
    Abstract: Package and locking ring structure for removal of wound filamentary material from a container including a locking ring attached to a hole in a wall of the container for removal of the wound filamentary material; the locking ring forming a loop of the end portion of the wound filamentary material; the wound filamentary material is withdrawn from the container through the hole by pulling the loop; the locking ring including a pull-off cover plate covering access to the end portion of the wound filamentary material and including a hole for enabling passage of the end portion of the wound filamentary material, and further including means for receiving and retaining the end portion of the wound filamentary material in the form of a loop against the pull-off cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Reelex Packaging Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Copp, Brian Moore, G. Taylor Richey
  • Patent number: 8939298
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a crane with a travelling undercarriage, an uppercarriage rotatably mounted on the same with a luffing boom and derrick boom arranged on the same, and a ballast carriage connectable with the uppercarriage via a coupling element, wherein the ballast carriage is a standardized heavy-duty transport device with separate drive and separate drive controller, and wherein this drive controller can be influenced as a result of the movement of the crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 8919586
    Abstract: Hoisting crane (20), comprising a substantially hollow jib (24,-124; 324) having a longitudinal axis, and comprising one or more hoisting cable guides (47, 48, 49; 147; 347). The jib comprises at least one jib leg (29; 129; 329) extending between a jib connection member (26) and a jib hoisting end (27; 127; 327), wherein the at least one jib leg comprises one or more hybrid portions (160; 360) comprising two elongated hollow casings (170; 370) substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jib, and wherein between the two casings a truss (171 371) is provided to rigidly connect the two castings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Hendrikus Jacobus Weterings, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
  • Patent number: 8910807
    Abstract: A compressible stop member for use on a crane includes: a housing having a first sealed end, a second end, a first cylindrical surface and a second cylindrical surface; a free piston slidably contained within the housing in a sealing engagement with the first cylindrical surface; a compressed gas chamber in the housing between the free piston and the first sealed end; and a rod comprising a cylindrical portion with a diameter less than the diameter of the second cylindrical surface and a rod support portion that separates a first liquid chamber comprising the volume inside the housing between the free piston and the rod support portion from a second liquid chamber comprising the volume between the rod support portion and the second end of the housing. Also, the rod support portion includes at least one flow channel allowing liquid to flow between the first and second liquid chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. Wernecke, Timothy J. Albinger
  • Patent number: 8899905
    Abstract: A boom truck includes a telescopic lifting boom with a lifting unit and a support structure having a first support arranged on the chassis of the boom truck. A second support in the form of an elongated bearing and support beam body extends in the longitudinal direction of the boom truck. The beam body is pivotally mounted to the first support about a rear bearing axis, whereas the lifting boom is pivotally mounted to beam body about a front bearing axis. Actuators act on the beam body and the lifting boom as a unit and act to pivot the lifting boom about the front bearing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cargotec Patenter AB
    Inventor: Kenneth Helgesson
  • Patent number: 8887763
    Abstract: An arm made of composite material, and relative production method, consisting of a plurality of articulated segments with a longitudinal main axis (x), pivoted to each other, each of the articulated segments comprising a box-like structure and at least a joint element attached thereto by means of gluing, the box-like structure having an end cooperating with an end of the joint element on the inside of the surface of the joint element. The ends define a substantially conical reciprocally overlapping area and have profiles concordantly inclined by an angle (?) with respect to the longitudinal axis (x).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cifa SpA
    Inventors: Mauro Marco Cortellini, Paolo Dario Maini, Andrea Bernasconi, Stefano Beretta
  • Patent number: 8844738
    Abstract: The present invention is a self-locking folding crane apparatus that can be installed onto any pivot shaft and held in place by small positioning devices such as clamps, slip-rings, bolts, shaft collars, pins, and other mechanical means; a substantial base is not needed to support the hoist as long as the pivot shaft is able to do so. The resulting hoist can be recoverably installed and optionally left on a vehicle or cart while it is in either an operative or stowed state. Unlike all other portable cranes that were found in prior art either singly or in combination, the present invention requires no assembly or disassembly between uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Scott R Thompson