Patents Examined by Angela Caligiuri
  • Patent number: 8985353
    Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed; a boom; a moveable counterweight unit; at least one linear actuation device; and at least one arm pivotally connected at a first end to the rotating bed and at a second end to the linear actuation device. The arm and linear actuation device are connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit such that extension and retraction of the linear actuation device changes the position of the counterweight unit compared to the rotating bed. In one method of operation, the counterweight unit is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
  • Patent number: 8985555
    Abstract: An assembly includes a motor; a second motor; a planetary transmission coupled to the motor and the second motor, and a spool coupled to the transmission. The spool has an interior volume for receiving the motor, the second motor and the transmission, and the motor and the second motor are disposed or disposable entirely within the spool. The motor and the second motor are capable of being operated such that one of the motors is speed controlled, and the other motor is torque controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Cryer, Allen Randolph, Donald Brian Cooper, George J. Wnukoski, Mark L. Cooksey, Ernesto Camilo Rivera
  • Patent number: 8973902
    Abstract: A power winch horizontal-pull clutch device provides dynamic forces from a power source and uses a deceleration device to retard the force transmission to a cable pulley for releasing and rewinding a steel cable on the cable pulley. A connecting slot is formed on a casing of the deceleration device. The deceleration device includes an outer ring body and at least one insert slot formed on an external surface. The power winch includes a clutch device for selectively fixing the connecting slot to the insert slot to transmit the dynamic force from the deceleration device to the cable pulley. The clutch device is a sealed assembly and a control handle is provided for making a horizontal movement to achieve the clutching effect and prevent water, dust or other foreign matters from entering into the clutch device, damaging components, causing failure or malfunction, or clamping an operator's hand or foreign matters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Comeup Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Shih Jyi Huang
  • Patent number: 8967523
    Abstract: A sheet roller dispenser has a case with an interior for an accommodating space to receive a sheet roll. The case has an elongated hole longitudinally defined on a side face. An extension plate with a tongue extending upward is formed below the elongated hole at a central section of the elongated hole, and a corresponding pressing block is formed above the elongated hole to align with the extension plate. The sheet roll has a dotted line formed between two adjacent sheet units, and a slit is defined at a center section of the dotted line. When a free end of the sheet roll is pulled out from the case via the elongated hole, the tongue inserts into the slit of the dotted line to act as a stop, so that the pulled out sheet unit is separated apart from sheet roll easily and conventionally in operation by tearing along the dotted line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Tse-Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 8967519
    Abstract: A self-locking safety belt retractor has a blocking apparatus for a belt shaft mounted rotatably in a housing. The blocking apparatus includes a pawl inserted into a recess of the shaft front of the belt shaft which can be pivoted radially outward into engagement with the blocking apparatus. A blocking gearing (12) is oriented with respect to stop surfaces of the pawl (16) and to force transmission surfaces (25, 32) of the recess (15) such that, when the gear teeth of the pawl (16) are engaged in the blocking gearing (12) under normal load, a force acts between the blocking gearing (12) and the belt shaft (13) in a radial direction. If the load increases in a crash case, a force is transmitted in the circumferential direction due to plastic deformation of at least one housing gear tooth (28, 26) of the blocking gearing (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Michael Tonn, Volker Carstens, Doris Kröger, Klaus-Werner Butenop
  • Patent number: 8955782
    Abstract: There is provided a tape guiding member including: a hub around which a recording tape is wound or is trained; a flange main body that is provided at the hub, and that restricts a position in a transverse direction of the recording tape; a tape contacting layer that is formed in a shape of a sheet of a material that is different from a material that structures the flange main body, and that is superposed on a surface, at the recording tape side, of the flange main body; and a holding portion that is provided at the flange main body, and covers an outer peripheral edge portion of the tape contacting layer from the recording tape side, and holds the tape contacting layer at the flange main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Hiraguchi
  • Patent number: 8955701
    Abstract: A method of swing stopping control of a suspended load of a crane including a hoist and a trolley solves an equation of motion, given as an equation with respect to the deviation angle of a suspended load from the vertical direction when the trolley travels, for the trolley acceleration to thereby obtain the value of the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley, obtains speed patterns corresponding to the values of the acceleration or deceleration, drives the trolley according to the obtained speed patterns, and carries out control so that the deviation angle of the suspended load from the vertical direction becomes zero at the time when the acceleration or deceleration of the trolley is ended. Thus, even if the length of a rope holding the suspended load up is changed, a required speed pattern is produced to permit highly accurate positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideto Ueda, Takayuki Kaneko, Hisashi Yoshizaki
  • Patent number: 8944262
    Abstract: A crane, in particular a lattice mast crane, having a bottom hook block with a load suspension means, in particular a load hook, wherein the bottom hook block has at least one winch whose outgoing control rope is connected or connectable to the crane boom for securing and/or aligning the load position or bottom hook block position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Willim, Yggve Richter
  • Patent number: 8944360
    Abstract: A coreless paper roll rewinding machine using air flow to assist starting winding is mainly characterized in that: an air pipe (11) blowing air downwards is arranged above a rewinding lower roller (2); the roller gap (M) between a rewinding upper roller (1) and the rewinding lower roller (2) is no more than 10 mm; a plurality of air flow channels (4) are distributed in the roller body of the rewinding upper roller (1); a plurality of sets of air suction holes (5) are formed on the surface of the roller body; each set of the air suction holes (5) are interconnected with each air flow channel (4) formed in the roller body; an air suction cover (6) is arranged in the position close to the end part of the rewinding upper roller (1); and each air flow channel (4) formed in the roller body is interconnected with or disconnected with the air suction holes of the air suction cover (6) in turn along with rotating of the rewinding upper roller (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Foshan Baosuo Paper Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qibiao Li, Zhaobo Luo
  • Patent number: 8925852
    Abstract: A medium supplying apparatus for applying a back tension opposite to a transferring direction of a rolled medium being transferred by a transfer unit, to the rolled medium, includes a driving unit including a drive gear to be rotated in a forward direction and a reverse direction; a rotation transmitting mechanism that includes a one-way clutch and a torque limiter and transmits a rotational force between the driving unit and a medium rotation shaft that rotatably holds the rolled medium via the one-way clutch and the torque limiter; and a control unit that controls the driving unit to be one of states including being rotated in the forward direction, being rotated in the reverse direction and not being power supplied while the rolled medium is being transferred by the transfer unit to change the strength of the back tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kikuya Nakada
  • Patent number: 8919684
    Abstract: An auxiliary drag system for a spinning reel comprising a generally cylindrical reel body having a standard rotor assembly for spooling fishing line onto a spool member. A standard handle assembly is operatively attached to the rotor assembly via drive gears. A standard spool assembly comprises the spool member and a spool shaft. A standard primary drag system has a clutch assembly located in the spool assembly. A spool shaft sleeve is generally located over the spool shaft and through the reel body and the rotor assembly. Upon rotation of the auxiliary drag lever in a first direction, the spool shaft sleeve is moved in an inline direction with respect to the spool shaft via the threaded auxiliary drag nut toward and frictionally engaging a spool member bushing located on the spool member thereby imposing a degree of frictional drag to the rotation of the spool member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jason L. Alzamora, Gerardo Alzamora
  • Patent number: 8919737
    Abstract: A traction device for paying out and retrieving a flexible line including a line mover, wherein the line mover includes at least one movable friction surface, the friction surface in total defines at least two arc sections configured to move the line along with the arc sections, in use the line is wound around the friction surface such that the line has a first contact area being in contact with the first arc section and a second contact area being in contact with the second arc section, and the traction device includes a line controller coupled to the line between the first contact area and the second contact area and configured to control the velocity with which the line in use is fed to the second arc section, and also a method and use of the traction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Balder, Cornelis Van Zandwijk, Cornelis Benard
  • Patent number: 8905380
    Abstract: A control system is provided for one or more chain drives. The control system includes a automation control system or control device in communication with a control board installed on one or more chain drives. The control board can include a microprocessor and a memory device. The memory device stores one or more computer programs or algorithms executable by the microprocessor to generate a plurality of commands to control the operation of a component, e.g., a motor, of the chain drive in response to receiving an operational command from the automation control system or control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Tait Towers Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventor: Adam Davis
  • Patent number: 8899511
    Abstract: A roll medium support device includes a shaft member including an insertion part having a rectangular shape in cross section and configured to be inserted through a center hole of a roll medium, a support member having a rectangular first insertion hole through which the insertion part is inserted so that the support member supports the roll medium from a width direction, a rotating member rotatably provided to the support member and having a rectangular second insertion hole through which the insertion part is inserted, a pair of interlocking members extending along long sides of the second insertion hole in the rotating member, and an urging member urging the interlocking members towards each other. A distance between the interlocking members is shorter than a distance between short-side surfaces of the insertion part and longer than a distance between long-side surfaces of the insertion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8893905
    Abstract: A crane jib system having a main jib, an auxiliary jib, and a telescoping cylinder. The main jib is comprised of main telescoping portions and the auxiliary jib is attached to the main jib and comprises auxiliary telescoping portions. The telescoping cylinder has a first telescopic part locking unit disposed on a base portion of the telescoping cylinder. The first telescopic locking unit is adapted to selectively engage the main telescoping portions. A second telescopic part locking unit is disposed on the telescoping cylinder above the first telescopic part locking unit. The second telescopic part locking unit is adapted to selectively engage the auxiliary telescoping portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France SAS
    Inventor: Dieter Stührwoldt
  • Patent number: 8887933
    Abstract: A counterweight suspension device includes a pair of suspension cylinders that suspends a counterweight and that are hung from first and second hanging points provided separately in a left and right direction at a top end of a rear mast. A coupling member couples cylinder rod ends of the pair with each other. A lifting member lifts the counterweight. First and second connection points of the counterweight are connected with each of the cylinder rod ends, with the first and the second connection points provided separately in the left and right direction on the counterweight for attaching the lifting member to the counterweight. A first communication circuit is provided through which rod chambers of the suspension cylinders communicate with each other. A second communication circuit is provided through which bottom chambers of the suspension cylinders communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Crane Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Hanahara
  • Patent number: 8888072
    Abstract: An underwater fairlead assembly has a housing, a wheel, and a plurality of pocket segments. The wheel is connected to the housing by a shaft. The wheel may be a single webbed or a double webbed wheel. A plurality of pocket segments is removably affixed to the outer edges of the wheel. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of pocket segments includes eight removable pocket segments. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of pocket segments includes sixteen removable pocket segment halves. In the closed housing embodiment, the wheel and associated pocket segments are not entirely removable from the housing. In the open housing embodiment, a shaft securing arm secures the shafts, wheel and plurality of pocket segments to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: T&T Engineering Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith J. Orgeron
  • Patent number: 8863965
    Abstract: Provided is a two-block sensing system (or device) that may be attached to an end of a lifting device, for example, a crane. The sensing device may include an A2B mount, a touch bar pivotally connected to the A2B mount, a link pivotally connected to the A2B mount, and a switch operatively connected to the touch bar so that if the touch bar is rotated with respect to the A2B mount, the switch becomes one of activated and deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Stellar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Davison, Jeramy R. Voortmann, Matthew W. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8844858
    Abstract: A wire winding device which uses a large-sized supply bobbin, which has a large capacity and a large diameter, to highly precisely suppress a variation in tension which variation occurs when a coil is formed by winding a wire material at high speed with the wire material aligned with a winding frame. Rotation (the number of rotation, and timing) of the supply bobbin relative to rotation of the coil is controlled based on the difference between the amount of take-up of the wire material taken up on the winding frame side and the amount of pay-out of the wire material paid out from the supply bobbin, and the control is performed such that the amount of the take-up and the amount of the pay-out agree with each other every moment. This can highly precisely suppress a variation in tension even if there are large differences between inertia of and the diameters of the coil and the supply bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Kimura, Takuro Kugimiya, Masahito Kakema, Mamoru Sasaki, Junko Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8839969
    Abstract: A lattice piece for a crane includes four corner posts and of null bars and diagonal bars connecting the same, wherein at least a part of the null and diagonal bars are foldably articulated to at least one corner post, and at least one adjusting unit is provided for performing the folding movement, wherein at least one drive is connected or connectable with at least one adjusting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim