Abstract: A device for handling material is shown according to the teachings of the present invention in its preferred form as a mobile tree felling and handling device. In its preferred form, the device includes a mid-frame pivotally mounted to the device frame about a pivot axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device. The mid-frame is pivoted about the mid-frame axis in the preferred embodiment by first and second hydraulic rams which extend from the back of the mid-frame to the device frame. Further, the device in the preferred embodiment also includes a turntable pivotally mounted to the mid-frame about an axis which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device and which is generally midway between the sides of the mid-frame. The turntable is pivoted about the axis between the turntable and the mid-frame by trunion mounted cylinders mounted on opposite sides of the pivot axis which allow a very compact design while allowing a high degree of tilt.

Abstract: In cargo handling apparatus with a cargo boom which can be swung between two kingposts, in which the cargo boom is provided at its upper end with an extension 1 which projects beyond the fittings of the main hoist, with a block fitting 2 for an auxiliary hoist being attached to the extension and with the auxiliary hoist being so rotatably arranged around the cargo boom axis that the lower edge of the auxiliary hoist cargo hook is free of the fittings of the main hoist with an approximately vertical position of the cargo boom, a block fitting 12 connected, fixedly or for only limited rotational movement, by means of a second extension 11 of the cargo boom with the block fitting of the first auxiliary hoist and is so arranged that, with the lower cargo block 15 in the raised position and with an approximately vertical position of the cargo boom, the lower side of the cargo hook of the second auxiliary hoist is also free of the block fitting of the first auxiliary hoist.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for counterbalancing a load carried by a crane by a counterweight suspended from the mast of the crane. A counterweight height control system is provided for maintaining the counterweight a few inches above the ground during operation, which system may be manually overridden by operator actuated controls. A pair of spaced counterweight positioning winches on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the crane's upper works move the counterweight toward or away from the vertical axis of rotation of the upper works in response to operator actuated controls and also provides side forces on the counterweight for minimizing swinging of the counterweight.

Abstract: A toy crane attachment for use with a child's tricycle. The crane includes a main mounting frame which can be easily attached to or removed from the tricycle. The main frame pivotally supports a swivelable frame and boom, with the boom thereby being movable not only horizontally relative to the tricycle, but through all of a crane's vertical motions. The child will operate the crane by turning around and facing the rear of the tricycle with crane operation thereafter simulating actual crane operation.

Abstract: The inner end of a tower crane boom is connected to the top of its tower by two lugs fixed on the tower, each having an upwardly opening slot, and two trunnions fixed on the inner end portion of the boom, one for each lug, each rotatably seatable in the rounded bottom of the slot in its lug. The slot bottom in one lug defines a first fixed axis, midway between the front and rear sides of the tower, about which the boom swings in its range of working positions; that in the other lug defines a second fixed axis, near the front side of the tower, about which the boom swings to and from an inoperative position wherein it extends along the front side of the tower. The distance between the trunnion axes equals the distance between the fixed axes. Links confine the boom against moving to a position in which neither trunnion is seated in the slot in its lug.

Abstract: A rescue vehicle has a crane boom, hoist winch and rescue winch mounted on a crane turret that is rotatable about a vertical axis. A cable from the respective winches are extended along the crane boom to an associated block that is mounted near the outer end of the boom. Another block is mounted on the bumper of the vehicle to receive the cable from the rescue winch. The rescue winch is ten to twenty times more powerful than the hoist winch. During a vehicle retrieval operation the rescue winch is used to provide the horizontal pulling power while the hoist winch is used to provide the vertical pulling power. A Y-shaped stay bar is mounted on the block on the bumper and is used to support the crane boom at its outer end.

Abstract: A Compact Heavy Duty Lifting Crane (CHDLC) for removing and installing heavy objects such as engines and transmission from vehicles. The CHDLC incorporates a feature that allows the vertical lifting angle of the telescoping boom (40) to remain constant as the telescoping pylon cylinder (18) is raised. This feature is particularly useful for removing engines located in limited-space engine compartments such as those encountered in vans and buses. The CHDLC consists of two major assemblies: a base assembly and a portable lifting crane. When the CHDLC is used as a standard utility crane in a repair shop the crane is mounted to the base assembly. When the CHDLC is required to be mounted on a truck bed the crane is removed from the base assembly and installed on a truck pylon plate (14a) that is permanently mounted to the bed of the truck. Additionally, the CHDLC may be placed in its storage configuration. In this configuration the CHDLC occupies a horizontal area of only four square feet.

Abstract: An apparatus for hoisting materials and placing concrete, having a non-rotating mast and a boom which is swingable horizontally and vertically, and consists of boom segments pin-jointed together in line so as to be foldable only downwardly. A line of concrete transport piping extends from the base end of the boom to the free end thereof, and a line of hoisting sling extends from the base end of the boom to the free end, hangs down to hold a load handling block, rises up and extends back to the base end, each such line being supported alongside of the boom. In service for hoisting materials, the boom is stretched and fixed at each pin-jointed connection for reinforcement by releasable pin-fastening members, whereas in service for concrete placing, the hoisting sling is raised up and seized in place to avoid interference. The apparatus is remotely controllable.

Abstract: A lift crane having a separated transporter-supported front ring segment and a transporter-supported rear works including a counterweight. The front ring segment is connected by a frame element to the rear works and supports a carrier which pivotally mounts a forwardly-inclined boom and a rearwardly-inclined mast. Movement of the carrier across the front ring segment is permitted by two equal-length links pivotally connected to opposite sides of the carrier and the respective opposite sides of a horizontal bracket mounted on the frame element. The center of rotation of the carrier as it traverses the front ring segment is substantially coincident with the imaginary vertex of a truncated isosceles triangle formed by the carrier and lines running axially along the links. When the carrier is centered on the front ring segment, the center of rotation is also substantially coincident with a vertical axis running through the rearward-most point of the mast.

Abstract: A rotary crane having a telescopic mast with a liftable upper portion and a boom pivotally mounted at the end of that portion. The boom includes an end hinged element, a hinged tip and an intermediate member between the end element and the tip. Each portion of the boom is of a triangular shape and has two lower chords and one upper chord interconnected by rods. The boom is foldable and expandable by a rope system which includes boom supporting ropes and a boom folding rope. The end hinged element is connected to the intermediate member by a shackle having an oblong opening into which a pin is inserted to pivotally connect the end element to the intermediate member.

Abstract: A double articulated material handling machine that is particularly adapted for use with a rotatable working tool having a cantilevered boom arm. The machine includes a front module, a central module, and a rear module with the front and rear modules being connected to the central module for pivotal motion about vertical axes. Steering of the machine is effected by double acting hydraulic rams which are mounted in symmetrical relation to the longitudinal axis of the machine. A pair of retractable and extensible stabilizers extend laterally from the central module. If the fluid steering rams on one side of the machine are retracted and the rams on the other side of the machine are extended, the front and rear modules are caused to turn through an angle relative to each other for steering or for placing the machine in a working position.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system which is of an open center parallel circuit arrangement for aerial boom devices with two return lines, said system having control valves for upper and lower boom arms, wherein the lower boom control valve overrides the upper boom control valve. The system includes a valve connected to a pump actuating engine and responsive to hydraulic pressure to increase the speed of the fluid pump when the flow or pressure in one return line is reduced due to diversion of fluid within the system into the second return line. The system also includes a normally open relief valve carried by the boom supporting turntable adjacent its pivotal connection to the lower boom and operable to control a winch actuator and to deactivate said winch actuator when the boom is in an unstable position.

Abstract: A portable boom support adapted to be mounted on a vehicle which can be adjusted to the contour of the ground and provides the total support for an aerial boom or similar device during its operation. The boom support includes a frame which is attached to the transport vehicle frame and a turntable support pivotally attached to the frame. The turntable support is shiftable about its pivot point by a brace which is adjustable in length and connected at one end to the turntable support and at its other end to the frame. Lateral stability is provided by adjustable outriggers connected to the frame at its ends.

Abstract: A pedestal crane of compact construction having a small turning radius is provided for use on board ships and/or off-shore drilling platforms. The crane has a dynamic load compensator so that it may absorb shock loads due to waves on the surrounding body of water. The crane mast includes upright walls supporting a fuel tank and hydraulic tank with the prime mover being between said walls.

Abstract: A boom lifting system for a crane of the type having an upright mast and a boom hinged to the mast. The system has a brace extending between the mast and the boom. The brace is pivotally connected to both the mast and the boom and has a hinge dividing it into a short section, connected to the boom, and a long section, connected to the mast. A hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected to both the boom and the short brace section. Actuation of the cylinder straightens or bends the brace to respectively lift or lower the boom relative to the mast.