Patents Assigned to Crane Company
  • Patent number: 11938942
    Abstract: A system and method of this disclosure control an on/off state of a power take-off by monitoring the power demand of a fluid power circuit that includes the power take-off and a piece of equipment connected to the power take-off. The power demand may be indicated by a pressure or temperature of a fluid power circuit, by a motion of the equipment or its hand-held controller, or by an engine torque of an engine driving the power take-off. When the equipment transitions between an off state and an on state, the controller automatically engages the power take-off. When the equipment is in the on-state for a predetermined amount of time and the power demand is at or below a predetermined threshold during the predetermined amount of time—thereby indicating idle time or an inactive state of the equipment—the controller automatically disengages the power take-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Auto Crane Company
    Inventors: Bryan Wutzke, Sam Dallas, Phillip Chavez
  • Patent number: 11879577
    Abstract: A hose guide having a base with a back side, a front side and a hose receiving orifice. A receiver extends from the front side of the base. The receiver has a terminal end that communicates an interior surface and an exterior surface. The terminal end may define a plurality of fillets. A roller assembly is affixed to the back side the base. The roller assembly supports a plurality of rollers for engaging an external surface of a hose. When installed, the hose guide of the invention is flush with a sealing surface, such as a panel, for providing a sealing surface therewith. Rollers are provided for reducing damage to a hose passing therethrough. Use of a complementary shaped stopper helps to prevent an ingress of water and dust through the hose guide, e.g., into a hose reel containing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Auto Crane Company
    Inventor: Ulisses Munguia
  • Patent number: 11713222
    Abstract: A crane includes a carrier unit having a chassis, tires connected to the chassis, a carrier deck and outriggers. A superstructure is mounted on the carrier unit, the superstructure includes a telescoping boom. A slope sensor is operably connected to the carrier unit and configured to detect a pitch and/or a roll of the carrier unit during a lift operation. The crane further includes a system for monitoring a load lifted by the telescoping boom. The system is configured to determine the current load lifted by the telescoping boom, receive pitch and/or roll information of the carrier unit from the slope sensor, adjust coordinates of the crane in a coordinate system based on the pitch and/or roll information, determine a transformed operating radius using the adjusted coordinates; and compare the load lifted to a rated capacity at the transformed operating radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen J. Schoonmaker, John F. Benton, Michael Stake
  • Patent number: 11649145
    Abstract: Components and systems for a flexible tensioning member for construction equipment. A tensioning member is comprised of a fiber having a specific tensile strength greater than 1,000 kilonewton meters per kilogram. The tensioning member connects two components and has an attachment allowing the tensioning member to flex relative to a component. The attachment may provide a system for connecting multiple tensioning members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: Arumugam Munuswamy, Marius Fangnang Keunda
  • Patent number: 11584623
    Abstract: A pin actuator assembly for a telescoping boom includes a locking head having a base, an operating plate operably coupled to the base, one or more cylinder pins and/or one or more section lock arms movable in response to movement of the operating plate relative to the base. The pin actuator assembly also includes an actuator operably coupled to the operating plate and configured to move the operating plate relative to the base. The actuator includes an electric motor and a drive arm. The electric motor is configured to drive the drive arm between an extended drive arm position and a retracted drive arm position. The pin actuator assembly further includes a motion mitigator having a housing, a rod movable relative to the housing and operably coupled to the actuator, a first biasing member coupled between the rod and the housing and a second biasing member coupled between the rod and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. Schoonmaker
  • Patent number: 11518235
    Abstract: A crane includes a carrier having a carrier deck with a recessed section, at least a first axle and a second axle, a superstructure mounted to the carrier, an engine, and an engine exhaust aftertreatment system fluidically connected to the engine and configured to receive exhaust gas from the engine. The engine exhaust aftertreatment system is mounted in the recessed section to be positioned at least partially below an upper surface of the carrier deck between the first axle and the second axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Wingate, Brandon L. Kline, Larry S. Engle, Cory Henry, Douglas Burkart
  • Patent number: 11401135
    Abstract: A drive system (46) for a telescoping boom (22) includes an elongated member (48), a locking head (50) configured to be driven on the elongated member, an actuator (52) configured to drive the locking head on the elongated member, and a cabling assembly (54) interconnected between the actuator and the locking head such that the locking head is driven on the elongated member in response to operation of the actuator, the cabling assembly including a cable (64) and a plurality of sheaves (66, 68). The telescoping boom includes a base section (34) and one or more telescoping sections (36, 38, 40) configured for telescoping movement relative to the base section, and the locking head is configured to selectively engage and disengage a telescoping section of the one or more telescoping sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. Schoonmaker
  • Publication number: 20220106170
    Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody and movable ground engaging members mounted on the carbody. A rotating bed is rotatably connected to the carbody and includes a counterweight support frame including a rack coupled directly to a lower surface of the rotating bed. A boom is pivotally mounted to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit includes a trolley, the counterweight unit being in a movable relationship with respect to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit movement device is configured to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. Other embodiments include a counterweight support beam movably connected to the rotating bed, the counterweight support beam including another rack coupled to a lower surface of the counterweight support beam. A counterweight support beam movement device is connected between the counterweight support beam and the counterweight support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
  • Patent number: 11208303
    Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody and movable ground engaging members mounted on the carbody. A rotating bed is rotatably connected to the carbody and includes a counterweight support frame including a rack coupled directly to a lower surface of the rotating bed. A boom is pivotally mounted to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit includes a trolley, the counterweight unit being in a movable relationship with respect to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit movement device is configured to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. Other embodiments include a counterweight support beam movably connected to the rotating bed, the counterweight support beam including another rack coupled to a lower surface of the counterweight support beam. A counterweight support beam movement device is connected between the counterweight support beam and the counterweight support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
  • Patent number: 11142438
    Abstract: A working range diagram for a crane includes a boom model representing a current boom length and current lift angle. The working range diagram also includes a plurality of zones based on limit radii corresponding to different predetermined load utilizations. Each zone of the one or more zones represents a radial distance. The working range diagram further includes a load model representing a current load radius positioned relative to the one or more zones. A crane control system may generate the working range diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Benton, John R. Rudy
  • Patent number: 11130658
    Abstract: An optical detection system for a crane having a counterweight assembly includes an image capture assembly having one or more image capture devices configured to capture an image of the counterweight assembly and an optical control system. The optical control system is configured to detect one or more objects in the captured image, the one or more objects selected from the counterweight assembly, a weight unit of the counterweight assembly, a stack of weight units of the counterweight assembly, and a marker on the counterweight assembly. The optical control system is also configured to analyze the one or more detected objects and determine a status of counterweight assembly based on the analysis of the one or more detected objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Rudy, Matthew Thoresen
  • Patent number: 11124392
    Abstract: A crane includes a carrier, a superstructure coupled to the carrier, the superstructure including a boom, and an optical detection system having an image capture assembly including one or more image capture devices configured to capture an image of one or more of the carrier and the superstructure, and an optical control system. The optical control system is configured to detect one or more objects in the captured image, the one or more objects selected from: the carrier, the superstructure, and a marker, analyze the one or more detected objects, and determine a status of the boom based on the analysis of the one or more detected objects. The optical detection system and a method for determining the status of the boom are provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: John R. Rudy, Matthew Thoresen
  • Patent number: 11117789
    Abstract: A telescoping boom includes a boom actuator having a fixed part and a movable part, the movable part configured to move along a length the fixed part, a rotary actuator operably connected to the movable part and configured to rotate relative to the movable part, a coupling pin connected to and configured to rotate with the rotary actuator, and a telescoping boom having a plurality of boom sections including a base section and one or more telescoping sections configured for telescoping movement along a longitudinal boom axis relative to the base section. A rotary extension and locking system is mounted on at least one telescoping section and is configured for selective coupling to the boom actuator and selective locking with a nearest outwardly adjacent boom section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. Schoonmaker
  • Patent number: 11111115
    Abstract: A wear pad for a telescoping boom assembly includes a wear pad body having a first surface and a second surface oppositely positioned from the first surface and spaced from the first surface by a height of the wear pad body, a groove formed in one of the first surface and the second surface, the groove extending along a length of the wear pad body, and an insert positioned in the groove such that a portion of the insert projects outwardly from the groove. The telescoping boom assembly includes an inner boom section and an immediately adjacent outer boom section. The wear pad is configured to be installed between the inner and outer boom sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Maniitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Charles Calaman, John Fremont Benton
  • Patent number: 11104559
    Abstract: Embodiments of a personnel basket for attachment to a crane boom include folding sidewall sections; a rear wall connected to the sidewall sections; a front wall in pivotal connection to one of the folding sidewall sections; a floor in pivotal relation to the rear wall; a stalk integral to the rear wall and including a boom connection; and a cam or stop that transmits floor loads to the stalk. Because of the pivotal relationships, the personnel basket is moveable or foldable in a connected or assembled condition between a deployed (unfolded) state and a folded (fully collapsed) state. When in the deployed and folded states, the walls and floor remain connected to the personnel basket, the walls sharing a same orientation, the floor pivoting toward and away from the rear wall between a horizontal and vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Auto Crane Company
    Inventors: Ian R. Phillips, Rowan Leehue
  • Patent number: 10906786
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for use on a construction machine includes a first valve, a second valve, and at least a third valve. The second and third valve each includes at least one inlet port connected to a first outlet port of the first valve. The first outlet port of each of the second and third valves are configured to reduce a first pressure to a second pressure and/or a third pressure downstream of the second valve and the third valve, respectively. The second valve and the third valve also include at least a second outlet port connected to a reservoir tank. A hydraulic motor is connected to the first outlet port of the second valve, which operates the hydraulic motor in a first direction. The hydraulic motor also is connected to the first outlet port of the third valve, which operates the hydraulic motor in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Benton, Mark A. Harbold, Todd Snider, David R. Peiffer
  • Publication number: 20210009386
    Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody and movable ground engaging members mounted on the carbody. A rotating bed is rotatably connected to the carbody and includes a counterweight support frame including a rack coupled directly to a lower surface of the rotating bed. A boom is pivotally mounted to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit includes a trolley, the counterweight unit being in a movable relationship with respect to the rotating bed. A counterweight unit movement device is configured to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. Other embodiments include a counterweight support beam movably connected to the rotating bed, the counterweight support beam including another rack coupled to a lower surface of the counterweight support beam. A counterweight support beam movement device is connected between the counterweight support beam and the counterweight support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
  • Patent number: 10882723
    Abstract: A system and method for retaining a linear actuator on a crane component such as a mast is disclosed. In the system a retaining mechanism is mounted on either a body of the linear actuator or the crane component and a catch is mounted to the other of the body or the crane component. Retraction of a rod of the linear actuator causes a cap on the rod to contact the retaining mechanism, which causes the retaining mechanism to move into a latched configuration securing the linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventor: Nathan P. Holly
  • Publication number: 20200407199
    Abstract: A drive system (46) for a telescoping boom (22) includes an elongated member (48), a locking head (50) configured to be driven on the elongated member, an actuator (52) configured to drive the locking head on the elongated member, and a cabling assembly (54) interconnected between the actuator and the locking head such that the locking head is driven on the elongated member in response to operation of the actuator, the cabling assembly including a cable (64) and a plurality of sheaves (66, 68). The telescoping boom includes a base section (34) and one or more telescoping sections (36, 38, 40) configured for telescoping movement relative to the base section, and the locking head is configured to selectively engage and disengage a telescoping section of the one or more telescoping sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicants: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC, Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. Schoonmaker
  • Patent number: 10846495
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a plurality of RFID tags, each RFID tag configured to output tag information, each RFID tag having a width and spaced from an adjacent RFID tag by a pitch, a single RFID reader configured to read the tag information from at least one RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags and a plate having a window disposed between the RFID reader and the plurality of RFID tags, wherein the window is dimensioned to control a transmission range between the RFID tags and the RFID reader. The system further includes a carrier to which the plurality of RFID tags are mounted and a control system configured to determine a position of the at least one RFID tag based on the tag information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventor: John R. Rudy