Abstract: A method of assembling a mobile lift crane that includes, during operation, i) a rotating bed having attached thereto a luffing jib hoist drum and line, and a rigging winch drum and line, ii) a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed, iii) a luffing jib pivotally mounted to the end of the boom, iv) a first strut also pivotally connected to the end of the boom, and v) a second strut connected to the boom below the connection point of the first strut, the method including: a) pivotally connecting the first strut to the end of the boom; b) pivotally connecting a first section of the second strut near the top of the boom; c) connecting the rigging winch line to the top of the first section; d) pivotally attaching a second section of the second strut to the first section such that the second section lies folded onto the first section, forming a folded second strut; and e) lifting the second section while retracting the rigging winch line to thereby bring the first and second sections into alignment with each ot

Abstract: A mobile lift crane includes a carbody having moveable ground engaging members; a rotating bed rotatably connected to the carbody such that the rotating bed can swing with respect to the ground engaging members; a boom pivotally mounted on the rotating bed; a load hoist line trained over a pulley on the boom and wound on a load hoist drum connected to the rotating bed; and a boom hoist drum mounted in a frame. The boom hoist drum frame is connected to the rotating bed and a boom hoist line is wound on the boom hoist drum and connected to an upper equalizer and a lower equalizer, with the upper equalizer connected to the top of the boom by fixed length pendants, such that rotation of the boom hoist drum changes the amount of boom hoist line between the lower equalizer and the upper equalizer, thereby changing the angle between the rotating bed and the boom.

Abstract: Material usage tracking systems for monitoring and optimizing usage of stretch film on a stretch wrapping machine is provided. A system includes a rotary encoder collar securable to a pre-stretch roller of a stretch wrapping machine and a proximity sensor securable proximate to the rotary encoder collar. Upon installation, the proximity sensor measures the revolutions of the pre-stretch roller when the stretch wrapping machine is wrapping a product or pallet. The system also includes a controller in communication with the proximity sensor. The controller converts the revolutions of the pre-stretch roller to measurements of the amount of stretch film pulled off a film roll in the stretch wrapping machine based on data received from the proximity sensor. Different uses for the data collected by the material usage tracking system and different ways of presentation of the data are also provided.

Abstract: A crane has a boom with a boom segment connection system. The boom includes at least a first and second boom segment each with a longitudinal axis and a first and second end, the second end of the first segment being coupled to the first end of the second segment, and at least one first connector on the second end of the first segment respectively mating with at least one second connector on the first end of the second segment. The first and second connectors each include at least one extension having an aperture there through. The aperture has an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and positioned in the extensions such that all apertures of mating first and second connectors are aligned when the boom segments are aligned.

Abstract: A crane has a boom with a rotatable boom section connection system. The crane has an upper works rotatably mounted on a lower works, the upper works including a load hoist winch. The boom comprises at least a first and second boom section each with a longitudinal axis and a first and second end, the second end of the first section being coupled to the first end of the second section. At least one male connector on the second end of the first section is coupled to a female connector on the first end of the second section. The male connector comprises a base and a protrusion, the base and protrusion each have an extension in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first boom section. The extensions and protrusion define a socket. The female connector comprises two protrusions spaced apart at a distance such that the protrusion of the male connector fits between the two protrusions.

Abstract: An optical-transmission system includes a split-gain amplifier, a first connector device, a second connector device, and a signal-modifying device. The split-gain amplifier has a first gain stage optically connected to a first set of at least two waveguide paths and a second gain stage optically connected to a second set of at least two waveguide paths. The first connector device optically connects the at least two waveguide paths of the first set to a first combined-waveguide path. The second connector device optically connects the at least two waveguide paths of the second set to a second combined-waveguide path. The signal-modifying device is optically connected to the first and second combined-waveguide paths.

Abstract: A crane having an upper works rotatably mounted on a lower works, a boom comprising a boom butt and a boom top, a load hoist line, and a wire rope guide connected to the boom butt. The wire rope guide is pivotable between a first position on the end of the boom butt and a second position on the upper side of the boom butt. While in the first position, the wire rope guide permits the load hoist line to be used to lift objects when the boom top has been removed from the crane. The crane also comprises a method of repositioning the wire rope guide during assembly of the crane.

Abstract: A crane boom and luffing jib assembly have an offsetting link to allow the luffing jib to fold back and under the main boom for assembly of the boom and luffing jib assembly on a construction site where the entire length of the boom and luffing jib cannot be laid out during assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging a fiber optic device along with electronic and opto-electronic components upon a printed circuit board. Bend members having arcuate shaped guide surfaces for directing fibers between various components are strategically mounted upon the top surface of the board. Passive fiber optic components are also mounted upon support means between bend members so that the fibers entering and exiting the passive component run tangent to the bend radius of the bend members. The radius of curvature of the bend members is within the bend tolerance of the fibers used in the device. The bend members and support members are formed of a material having a thermal coefficient of expansion that is about equal to that of the board material whereby thermally induced stresses on the board mounted components are minimized.

Abstract: A longitudinally divisible crane boom segment includes at least a first and a second section that are easily nested together for transport. The sections each include at least one chord member, at least one bracket attached to the section, and a plurality of partial lacing elements. Each partial lacing element has a first end permanently attached to the at least one chord member and a second end. The second end of at least one of the plurality of partial lacing elements of the first section is connectable to a bracket attached to the second section to hold the sections in a nested fashion.

Abstract: A longitudinally divisible crane boom segment includes a plurality of sections that are easily transportable. The sections each include at least one chord member, and a plurality of partial lacing elements. Each partial lacing element has a first end permanently attached to the at least one chord member and a second end connectable to one or more corresponding ends of plurality of partial lacing elements attached to a chord member of another section. Preferably the partial lacing elements are connected by dovetail connectors.

Abstract: A fastener or closure is formed of flexible material having a portion which is deformable from a first fixed configuration to a second configuration. Two projections are spaced apart one from the other when the deformable portion is in one of its configurations, and are sufficiently close when the deformable portion is in its other configuration to prevent removal of a fastened article from the fastener. In this manner, both easy opening and secure closing are obtained with the closure.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging a fiber optic device along with electronic and opto-electronic components upon a printed circuit board. Bend members having arcuate shaped guide surfaces for directing fibers between various components are strategically mounted upon the top surface of the board. Passive fiber optic components are also mounted upon support means between bend members so that the fibers entering and exiting the passive component run tangent to the bend radius of the bend members. The radius of curvature of the bend members is within the bend tolerance of the fibers used in the device. The bend members and support members are formed of a material having a thermal coefficient of expansion that is about equal to that of the board material whereby thermally induced stresses on the board mounted components are minimized.