Patents by Inventor David J. Pech
David J. Pech 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).
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Publication number: 20240124276Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody, moveable ground engaging members, a rotating bed, a boom, a mast, and a backhitch. A linear actuation device is pivotally connected to the rotating bed and a moveable counterweight unit is coupled to the linear actuation device. A tension member is coupled to the mast and to one of the linear actuation device and the moveable counterweight unit. The linear actuation device is operable to move the moveable counterweight unit toward and away from the rotating bed during a pick, move, and set operation by extending the linear actuation device. The mobile lift crane is configured such that the moveable counterweight unit is never supported by the ground other than indirectly by the moveable ground engaging members on the carbody throughout all pick, move, and set operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
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Patent number: 11884522Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody, movable ground engaging members, a rotating bed, and a boom. A first structure is pivotally coupled to the rotating bed. A second structure is pivotally coupled to the first structure at a first end of the second structure. A moveable counterweight unit is coupled to a second end of the second structure. A linear actuation device moves the moveable counterweight unit toward and away from the rotating bed during a pick, move, and set operation by retracting and extending the linear actuation device, respectively. The moveable counterweight unit is never supported by the ground other than indirectly by the moveable ground engaging members. The linear actuation device moves the movable counterweight unit a greater horizontal distance from the rotating bed than a distance of a stroke of the linear actuation device that causes the moveable counterweight unit to move.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: GROVE U.S. L.L.C.Inventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
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Publication number: 20220119232Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed comprising a counterweight support frame; a boom; a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support frame in a moveable relationship with respect to the counterweight support frame; and a counterweight unit movement device connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. The crane is configured such that during crane operation, the moment generated by the counterweight unit acts on the rotating bed predominantly through the counterweight support frame. Alternatively, the crane can include a mast. In some embodiments the same basic crane is configured to be set-up with two different counterweight options, i) a counterweight unit directly supported on the counterweight support frame and ii) a counterweight support beam moveably connected to the remainder of the rotating bed and a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: Manitowoc Cranes, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
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Publication number: 20220106170Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Applicant: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
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Patent number: 11261064Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed comprising a counterweight support frame; a boom; a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support frame in a moveable relationship with respect to the counterweight support frame; and a counterweight unit movement device connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. The crane is configured such that during crane operation, the moment generated by the counterweight unit acts on the rotating bed predominantly through the counterweight support frame. Alternatively, the crane can include a mast. In some embodiments the same basic crane is configured to be set-up with two different counterweight options, i) a counterweight unit directly supported on the counterweight support frame and ii) a counterweight support beam moveably connected to the remainder of the rotating bed and a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Manitowoc Cranes, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
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Publication number: 20220024732Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody, movable ground engaging members, a rotating bed, and a boom. A first structure is pivotally coupled to the rotating bed. A second structure is pivotally coupled to the first structure at a first end of the second structure. A moveable counterweight unit is coupled to a second end of the second structure. A linear actuation device moves the moveable counterweight unit toward and away from the rotating bed during a pick, move, and set operation by retracting and extending the linear actuation device, respectively. The moveable counterweight unit is never supported by the ground other than indirectly by the moveable ground engaging members. The linear actuation device moves the movable counterweight unit a greater horizontal distance from the rotating bed than a distance of a stroke of the linear actuation device that causes the moveable counterweight unit to move.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: MANITOWOC CRANES, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
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Patent number: 11208303Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
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Publication number: 20210053802Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: MANITOWOC CRANES, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
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Publication number: 20210009386Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
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Patent number: 10865079Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Manitowoc Cranes, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
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Patent number: 10647555Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: MANITOWOC CRANE COMPANIES, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
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Publication number: 20200062558Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed comprising a counterweight support frame; a boom; a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support frame in a moveable relationship with respect to the counterweight support frame; and a counterweight unit movement device connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. The crane is configured such that during crane operation, the moment generated by the counterweight unit acts on the rotating bed predominantly through the counterweight support frame. Alternatively, the crane can include a mast. In some embodiments the same basic crane is configured to be set-up with two different counterweight options, i) a counterweight unit directly supported on the counterweight support frame and ii) a counterweight support beam moveably connected to the remainder of the rotating bed and a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: Manitowoc Cranes, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
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Patent number: 10457530Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; moveable ground engaging members; a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody; and a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed. The crane is configured for assembly in at least two configurations. In the first configuration, the crane further includes a live mast; a first counterweight support frame; and a first movable counterweight unit moveably connected to and supported by the first counterweight support frame. In the second configuration, the crane further includes a lattice mast; a second counterweight support frame; a moveable counterweight support beam coupled to the second counterweight support frame and operable to move relative to the second counterweight support frame; and a second moveable counterweight unit moveably connected to the moveable counterweight support beam.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Manitowoc Cranes, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
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Publication number: 20190270623Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Applicant: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
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Patent number: 10336589Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
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Publication number: 20190177134Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: MANITOWOC CRANE COMPANIES, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
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Patent number: 10179722Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski, Joel D. Zick, Bronson E. Foust, Charles E. Wernecke
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Patent number: 9278834Abstract: A lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed comprising a counterweight support frame; a boom; a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support frame in a moveable relationship with respect to the counterweight support frame; and a counterweight unit movement device connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit to move the counterweight unit toward and away from the boom. The crane is configured such that during crane operation, the moment generated by the counterweight unit acts on the rotating bed predominantly through the counterweight support frame. Alternatively, the crane can include a mast. In some embodiments the same basic crane is configured to be set-up with two different counterweight options, i) a counterweight unit directly supported on the counterweight support frame and ii) a counterweight support beam moveably connected to the remainder of the rotating bed and a counterweight unit supported on the counterweight support beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joseph R. Rucinski
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Patent number: 9132999Abstract: A method of connecting sections of a crane suspension assembly together includes attaching a frame to a member of a first section; connecting a tension member between the frame and a connector used in the assembly; moving the tension member so that the connector pivots about a pin to a position where a second hole in the connector is in alignment with a hole in a second section member; putting a second pin through the hole in the connector and the hole through the second section member; and disconnecting the tension member from the connector. The method may also include attaching a frame with a winch to a section of the crane suspension assembly; connecting a line from the winch to the connector; activating the winch to move the connector so that it pivots about a pivot axis; and securing the connector in its second position.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Robert J. Walker, William J. O'Neil
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Publication number: 20150251882Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: David J. Pech, Kenneth J. Porubcansky