Patents Examined by Nathaniel Adams
  • Patent number: 8839968
    Abstract: A crane for mounting on a truck includes a base. The base includes a cargo bed welded or fastened to a frame and the frame for fastening to a chassis of a truck. The crane further includes a boom rotatable relative to the base between a vertical position and a horizontal position; a boom hoist operable to raise and lower the boom between the positions; and a load hoist operable to hoist cargo located proximate to a rear end of the truck when the boom is in the vertical position and operable to carry the cargo toward a cab of the truck as the boom is lowered to the horizontal position, thereby loading the cargo onto the cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Impac Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Seales
  • Patent number: 8839966
    Abstract: A method of assembling a mobile lift crane that includes, during operation, i) a rotating bed having attached thereto a luffing jib hoist drum and line, and a rigging winch drum and line, ii) a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed, iii) a luffing jib pivotally mounted to the end of the boom, iv) a first strut also pivotally connected to the end of the boom, and v) a second strut connected to the boom below the connection point of the first strut, the method including: a) pivotally connecting the first strut to the end of the boom; b) pivotally connecting a first section of the second strut near the top of the boom; c) connecting the rigging winch line to the top of the first section; d) pivotally attaching a second section of the second strut to the first section such that the second section lies folded onto the first section, forming a folded second strut; and e) lifting the second section while retracting the rigging winch line to thereby bring the first and second sections into alignment with each ot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Walker, Michael J. Wanek
  • Patent number: 8783189
    Abstract: A hoist combination includes a hoist, a trolley that is arranged to move along a beam provided with side flanges, whereby the trolley includes two trolley flanges arranged on opposite sides of the beam and provided with wheels, by which the trolley moves along the side flanges of the beam; and a securing and adjusting device for securing the hoist to the trolley flanges beneath the beam and for adjusting the mutual distance between the trolley flanges, the securing and adjusting device including supporting slide coupling between the hoist and the trolley flanges and an adjustment bar connected between the trolley flanges, the sliding direction of the adjustment bar and the slide coupling being transverse to the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Konecranes Plc
    Inventors: Jérôme Gouault, Partick Gaudin
  • Patent number: 8746313
    Abstract: A correction tape dispenser includes a body having a plurality of body teeth disposed on an inner surface thereof, an applicator tip mounted in the body, and a supply and take-up assembly mounted in the body, the supply and take-up assembly being biased away from the body teeth with a biasing element. The supply and take-up assembly includes a supply reel and a take-up reel. The supply reel and the take-up reel have a common axis of rotation. One of the supply reel and the take-up reel include a plurality of teeth that engage the plurality of body teeth during correction tape re-tensioning when the biasing force from the biasing element is overcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Sanford, L.P.
    Inventor: Andrew Kropp
  • Patent number: 8739987
    Abstract: A method and a device for attaching and removing an additional device having individual elements to and from a main boom of a mobile crane using no auxiliary crane is provided. In the method, a partial piece of the additional device having partial pieces is raised into an inclined position while being rotated about an upper pivot point, and a head of the main boom is bolted to a lower end of the inclined end of the partial piece of the additional device facing the mobile crane so as to be able to rotate. Using a hoist cable, all partial pieces are raised in alignment with respect to each other and the main boom, and are bolted to each other in this position and to the main boom. A displacement device for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Terex Demag GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Martin, Roland Kuhn, Udo Biwer
  • Patent number: 8740129
    Abstract: Control apparatus for controlling operation of a paper towel dispenser includes control switches and a handle having two relatively movable handle portions rotating when a paper toweling support drum rotates. One of the handle portions has projections which engage the switches when the handle rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Dispensing Dynamics International
    Inventors: Joel P. Keily, Charles Parkin Davis, Lockland Corley, Richard Lalau
  • Patent number: 8720811
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose, including: a first rotatable drum with a helical groove; a second rotatable drum; and at least one actuator for rotating the first and second drums. For rotation of the first and second drums in first and second opposite directions, respectively, a hose and a cable are coilable into the helical groove such that the hose is in compressive engagement with the cable and the first drum. For rotation of the first and second drums in the second and first directions, respectively, the hose is uncoilable from the first drum and displaceable beyond the apparatus and the cable is coilable about the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Stoneage, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald P. Zink
  • Patent number: 8708315
    Abstract: Disclosed is an impact-reduction box through which the hoisting ropes of a mining shovel or other machine pass. The impact-reduction box includes a roller frame subassembly and spring box subassemblies attached thereto on either side. The impact-reduction box is configured so that when the hoisting cables impact the box during undesirable whipping, the roller frame subassembly will move in reaction while the spring box subassemblies will remain essentially motionless. The mining shovel will feel less of the impact of the jolting hoisting rope, and the rope will not suffer the wear and tear of frequent slapping against the machine such that the rope will be less likely to completely break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Premier Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 8701904
    Abstract: A crane vessel including a revolving hoist crane and a method of using such a vessel are provided. The hoist crane includes a jib, main hoisting means and auxiliary hoisting means for raising and lowering a load. The main hoisting means include a main hoisting tackle with a main hoist upper block connected to the jib and a main hoist lower block. The main hoist lower block is assembled from a sheave block including the sheaves of the main hoist lower block and a load attachment assembly having the lowering weight and the main load attachment device. The crane vessel is provided with a load attachment assembly storage device for storage of the disassembled load attachment assembly and displacement means capable of engaging with and displacing the load attachment assembly while it is assembled to the sheave block and when the jib is supported by a jib rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Itrec B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Theodorus Cornelis Joanes Maria Stijnman, Hendrikus Jacobus Weterings
  • Patent number: 8646755
    Abstract: A wildcat for a windlass for dropping down or hoisting an anchor for a marine vehicle, the anchor being coupled to an end of a chain (3) having inter-engaged horizontal links (5) and vertical links (6), a hole (4) formed at the center of the wildcat for engaging a shaft for rotating the wildcat (1), a bearing surface (12) being radially remote from the center of the wildcat (1) for transferring chain links (5,6) there over, horizontal link housings (7) and vertical link housings (8) each provided one after another along the bearing surface (12) for housing each respective chain link, the housings (7,8) having forms matching contours of each respective chain link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Mehmet Nevres Ulgen
  • Patent number: 8640895
    Abstract: A drum tensioning method is provided for operating a crane having a continuously reeved load hoist line, with a first end of the load hoist line connected to a first drum and a second end of the load hoist line connected to a second drum, with the load hoist line reeved through boom sheaves and a hook block. The method includes the steps of applying a hold-back force to the second drum; applying a winding force to the first drum greater than the hold back force on the second drum; and applying the winding and hold back forces while limiting movement of the hook block, thereby spooling the load hoist line from the second drum through the boom sheaves and hook block to the first drum while maintaining tension in the load hoist line such that the load hoist line is wound under more tension on the first drum than it had previously been wound on the second drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan E. Pleuss, Terry S. Casavant, Paul M. Pukita
  • Patent number: 8640896
    Abstract: Method for adjusting the angle of a jib system of a crane, comprising the steps of providing two jib units of the jib system, which can be variably arranged with respect to their longitudinal axes in an angle position in relation to one another, arranging connecting links attached to the jib units in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the jib units are parallel in a starting angle position, starting openings and target openings of the connecting links are aligned with one another pairwise to insert a connecting element connecting the jib units, the aligned starting openings being connected with the connecting element, relieving the connecting element connecting the aligned starting openings, removing the first connecting element, connecting a pair of the aligned target openings with the connecting element, and arranging the jib units in a target angle position which is different from the starting angle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Terex Cranes Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Martin
  • Patent number: 8616490
    Abstract: A film dispenser for dispensing stretch wrap or other flexible materials. The film dispenser is comprised of a separate inner and outer mold. The inner mold is comprised of slots and extensions, and a collar which fits into the outer mold, and inner ridges of said inner mold fit into a groove on an extended core. The outer mold is comprised of ribs which fit into the slots of the inner mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Broadway Kleer-Guard Corp.
    Inventor: Johannes Blok
  • Patent number: 8573419
    Abstract: A crane includes i) a lower structure comprising ground engaging members ii) an upper structure rotatably connected to the lower structure such that the upper structure can swing with respect to the lower structure, wherein one of the lower structure and upper structure comprises a first structure having a ring gear having teeth on a surface thereof, and the other of the lower structure and upper structure comprises a second structure; and iii) a boom pivotally mounted on the upper structure. The crane further includes a drive system comprising at least two pinion gears mounted on a common frame and in driving contact with the ring gear teeth; and a link connecting the frame to the second structure with two pivot axes between the frame and the second structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph R. Kaiser, Alan E. Pleuss, Andrew L. Langer
  • Patent number: 8550266
    Abstract: A ring derrick includes a carriage which moves on a fixed circular track around a stationary counterweight. A tension and compression column assembled from transportable tubular segments is affixed to the counterweight by a universal swivel joint. The back mast of the derrick is secured at its upper end to the tension column, while the main boom of the derrick extends radially away from the tension column. The main boom and back mast are hinged directly together at the carriage by massive hinge pins which pass through spherical bearings mounted on the carriage. The carriage's suspension distributes the load from the boom and mast to an array of trucks and has an automatic stabilizing system that compensates for uneven track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bigge Crane & Rigging Co.
    Inventors: Weston J. Settlemier, Vaughn L. Hersey
  • Patent number: 8511647
    Abstract: Climbing or rigging block having two portions held together by magnetic attraction. The climbing or rigging blocks may be installed or retrieved from the ground using only a throw line, a throw bag, and a retrieval ball. When in position, magnetic attraction between the two component blocks forms a single unit. The block sets may be provided in several sizes having different supporting capacities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Buckingham Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Winningham, Scott Prophett, James Pennefeather, James J. Rullo, DeForest C. Canfield
  • Patent number: 8352128
    Abstract: A system and method for using a gantry crane to efficiently and safely transport loads such as containers and ship hatch covers from one location to another along a known path while avoiding collisions between the loads and obstructing objects which may be situated in the known path. A transceiver emitting laser beams may be used to establish both the position of the spreader and its load and the profile of the known path. Continuous comparisons are made by computer between the location of a dynamic digital protective envelope constructed around the crane spreader and its load, if any, and a digital representation of the profile of the known path to be traveled by the spreader and its load, if any. In the event, the comparison indicates intersection of the protective envelope and the path profile, a speed limit is imposed on the motor controlling the movement in the X axis of the trolley or in the Z axis of the spreader, as required to prevent a collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: TMEIC Corp.
    Inventors: David G. Stocker, Michael G. Bartel