Patents by Inventor Charles E. Wernecke

Charles E. Wernecke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • 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
  • 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: 10647555
    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: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
  • Publication number: 20190177134
    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 28, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: MANITOWOC CRANE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
  • Patent number: 10179722
    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: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
  • Publication number: 20150210515
    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: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke