Abstract: The invention relates to a handling boom comprising a main boom and an additional boom which is pivotally mounted relative to the main boom about a first axis, the additional boom comprising a support frame pivotally mounted on the main boom about a first axis and a manipulation jib pivotally mounted on the support frame about a horizontal second axis. According to the invention, the second pivot axis is disposed close to the top face of the additional boom in such a manner as to enable the manipulation jib to be pivoted upwards from a first deployed configuration of the additional boom. The invention is applicable to making a handling boom including a telescopic main boom and which is relatively lightweight and reliable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a concrete placing boom assembly for use with two trucks. The assembly includes a base frame and a rotatable turret rotatably mounted on the base frame. A foldable boom is pivotally connected to the turret and includes a plurality of boom arms articulately connected one with the other so as to be unfoldable to define an extended boom and foldable to define a stack. The foldable boom is separable at a separation location into two sections transportable on respective ones of the trucks. The assembly of the invention makes it unnecessary to provide auxiliary assembly apparatus for coupling the two sections together.

Abstract: A boom support assembly for an earth working machine, which includes a winch, a pair of tension members and a pendant pin link interposed between tension members. The first tension member is a boom support pendant secured to a boom point of a boom and the first end of the pendant pin link. The second tension member is a boom raising rope which is received over a plurality of gantry sheaves mounted on the top portion of a gantry structure and attached to the winch at one end and attached to the second end of the pendant pin link. The gantry sheaves are mounted on an alignment apparatus that has a sheave shaft mounted in an eccentric bore of a pair of cartridges rotatable in the top portion of the gantry structure. This alignment apparatus insures the proper positioning of a through bore of the pendant pin link between support openings in the top portion of the gantry.

Abstract: A quick disconnect tooling mount having integral fluid conduits for use with lower tooling nests having changeable tooling assemblies. The coupling uses a rotary locking member, having an eccentric cam disposed thereon which rigidly clamps the lower tooling mount to the upper tooling mount by engaging a guide rod configured in a male/female arrangement and inserted from a first coupling block attached to the upper tooling mount into the second lower tooling mount attached to the tool nest.

Abstract: A quick disconnect boom mount having integral fluid conduits for use with master part transfer booms having changeable part handling spider booms. The coupling utilizes a rotary locking member, having an eccentric cam disposed thereon, which rigidly clamps the part handling spider to the master boom by engaging guide rods configured in a male/female arrangement and inserted from a first coupling block attached to the spider boom into the second coupling block attached to the master boom.

Abstract: A quick disconnect boom mount having integral fluid conduits for use with master part transfer booms having changeable part handling spider booms. The coupling utilizes a rotary locking member, having an eccentric cam disposed thereon, which rigidly clamps the part handling spider to the master boom by engaging guide rods configured in a male/female arrangement and inserted from a first coupling block attached to the spider boom into the second coupling block attached to the master boom.

Abstract: A method for converting the angulate form boom of a digging machine such as a backhoe or the like into a substantially straight lifting boom. The original angulate form boom is separated into two parts in the vicinity of the angular transition and is realigned so that the top sides are substantially co-planar. A union then is formed to rejoin the separated portion. By initially separating the boom with an elongate parting locus passing near the lifting point of the original boom, and the employment of elongate top and bottom plates, improved structural integrity is achieved and an advantageous shifting of the lifting point to the bottom of the resultant lifting boom is realized.

Abstract: A method of installing a boom on the top of a high vertical tower comprising vertically positioning a first tower section and securing the tower section to a base; installing a plurality of additional tower sections in consecutive order on top of the first tower section and securing the adjoining sections together until a tower is erected having a desired height; a boom having a base section, at least one extendable section and a load lifting end; releasably attaching the boom in vertical position to and along side the tower as it is erected with the boom load lifting end at the bottom; jumping the boom vertically upwardly by alternately extending and retracting various boom sections as the tower sections are installed; positioning the boom base end adjacent the boom turret, tilting the boom turret into close contact with the boom base end and joining the turret to the boom base end by a horizontal boom footpin; releasing the boom lifting end from the tower; tilting the turret into contact with the adapter up

Abstract: A mobile crane having a boom and a boom extension connected thereto with a toggle linkage for connecting the boom extension to the boom to allow the boom extension to be offset from the boom by one of a plurality of predetermined angles. A pair of double links is pivotably attached to the boom extension while a pair of single links is pivotably attached to the upper sheave pin in the boom head. Both the single and double links have a hole in the opposite end. Either the single or double links also have a hole in at least one intermediate position. The link having one hole is then pinned to the other link having two holes, the hole selected in the second link determining the angles of offset when tension is applied to the linkage by pivoting the boom extension about the lower sheave pin after removal of the upper boom foot pins. Biasing devices are provided to cause the linkage, which pivots freely at both ends and in the middle, to toggle upward when tension thereon is released.

Abstract: A mobile crane comprises a multi-section telescopic main boom and a boom extension pivotally connected to the point end of the main boom. The boom extension can be manually swung horizontally between an in-use position extending axially from the point end of the main boom and a stored position parallel to and alongside the main boom. Front and rear boom extension storage mechanisms releasably secure the boom extension in stored position. The front mechanism comprises two vertically spaced-apart storage pins which are slidable in tubular pin guides mounted on one lateral side of the main boom. The storage pins are slidably movable fore and aft by a swingable lever to which they are pivotally connected. The storage pins move into and out of engagement with a pair of vertically spaced-apart aligned pin-engaging holes in a member attached to a confronting side of the boom extension when the latter is in stored position.

Abstract: A truss boom having an extension member equipped with a pulley and a hook, comprising a pyramidal support frame is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the safe, cost-efficient disassembling of a sectionalized tower crane boom is provided that enables disassembling of the boom while the boom is at terminal heights. The disassembling apparatus includes a working platform that may be detachably coupled to an inboard boom section, a pair of independently controlled jibs for lifting and supporting the outermost boom section, and a supporting structure and puller hoist for shifting the position of a detached boom section to a position wherein the center of gravity of the detached section may be generally vertically aligned with the center of support for the disassembling apparatus. Vertical alignment of the disassembling apparatus' and the detached boom section's centers of gravity is provided to assure safe and stable lowering of the apparatus and detached boom section.

Abstract: A crane boom extension or jib is held on the nose of the boom by a single fixed length self-adjusting cable loop which extends around an arcuate guide attachable at several different locations to an inclined plane mounting bracket on the jib near its outer end. The mere repositioning of the guide on the inclined plane mounting bracket allows the jib to assume several different angularly offset positions relative to the axis of the boom without other adjustments. The inclined plane mounting bracket establishes the plane in which the cable loop lies in all adjusted positions of the jib. The arrangement is convenient, safe and simplified.

Abstract: A multi-section crane boom is provided with a fly section and a jib section which may be erected and supported by a mast and pendants on the end of the boom to extend the effective length of the boom. When the fly section and jib section are not used they are stored on the boom, the fly section being supported alongside of and generally parallel to the boom and the jib section being supported in position below the fly section. The fly section can be mounted on the end of the boom alone while the jib section remains in stored position, or, alternatively, the fly section can be mounted on the boom and the jib section can be mounted on the outer end of the fly section. A pair of compact hook shaped resilient connectors serve as backstops which prevent the fly from pivoting in excess of 5.degree. upwardly past longitudinal of alignment with the boom axis when the boom is in a near vertical position.

Abstract: A side stowable swing-around boom extension is pinned on the nose of a telescoping crane boom in a first use position nearly coaxial with the center line of the boom but tilted or offset therefrom at a small angle. Two larger angularly offset use positions of the boom extension are obtained with convenience and with complete safety while the crane boom and boom extension are at a near ground level position. Two slotted tension links are connected between the upper side of the boom extension and the boom nose and are allowed to support the boom extension in either of two major offset use positions automatically as the crane boom is elevated from the near ground level position. In such operation, the boom extension is allowed to rotate around the axis of its lower side pivotal connection with the boom nose while its upper side connection with the nose is released. The lower side connection is biased toward a position corresponding to the nearly coaxial use position of the boom extension.

Abstract: A swing-around side stowable jib for crane booms is safely supported at all times during movement from its use position to its stowed position, and vice versa. In the short transitional movement of the jib following its release from its nose assembly pivot and immediately prior to re-engaging this pivot, the jib is always securely held by a strongly biased safety latch in supportive engagement with a side mounting assembly located between the nose assembly pivot and a second mounting assembly on the boom rearwardly of the first mounting assembly. The safety latch at proper times is easily released by operation of a hand lever near ground level. Locks for the safety latch and its release lever are also provided. The safety latch is swiveled and biased to meet the swing-around jib squarely as it approaches the stowed position.

Abstract: A multi-section crane boom is provided with a fly section and a jib section which may be erected and supported by a mast and pendants on the end of the boom to extend the effective length of the boom. When the fly section and jib section are not used they are stored on the boom, the fly section being supported alongside of and generally parallel to the boom and the jib section being supported in position below the fly section. The fly section can be mounted on the end of the boom alone while the jib section remains in stored position, or, alternatively, the fly section can be mounted on the boom and the jib section can be mounted on the outer end of the fly section. A pair of compact hook shaped resilient connectors serve as backstops which prevent the fly from pivoting in excess of 5.degree. upwardly past longitudinal of alignment with the boom axis when the boom is in a near vertical position.

Abstract: Method for extending a jib of a telescopic crane which jib may be stored alongside a base section when not in use. The crane boom comprises at least the base section, a second section with linearly extendable power means, an extension pivotably mounted on the outer end of the second section and stored alongside that section and the base section, and a jib releasably attached to both the base section while in storage and to the extension while in use. To set up the crane for operation, the power means extends the second section forward from the base section, which extends in a forward direction the extension pivotally attached to the second section. This extension places the outer end of the extension in vertical alignment with the inner end of the jib. The extension and jib are then connected along their lengths and the jib is released from its storage position on the base.

Abstract: An extension beam is provided to convert a hydraulic excavator to a crane-type hoisting vehicle or to extend the length of a boom.

Abstract: An apparatus for righting or picking up overturned vehicles is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus is a truck-mounted turntable able to rotate in either direction supporting a first pair of parallel frame members which are moved through a range of angularly elevated positions by hydraulic jacks. The first parallel frame members support a second pair of parallel frame members which are also deflected relative to the first pair by hydraulic jacks. A third pair of parallel frame members telescope inside the second pair, and they are extended by hydraulic jacks. The third pair terminates at a transverse frame member which is pin-connected to a pair of legs when the apparatus is extended to obtain support. The extended apparatus includes, at multiple locations, cable winches having spools with a cable wound thereabout. The cables are able to be extended and retracted and connect to slings adapted to be passed beneath an overturned vehicle such as a tractor-trailer rig.

Abstract: Apparatus for substantially increasing the load lifting capacity of mobile vehicles, such as truck mounted railroad cranes and the like, without a proportionate increase in the weight thereof, including stabilizing outrigger assemblies integrally supported by and weight distributed through the main bed frame, an improved main bed frame design, and an improved crane boom superstructure.

Abstract: A wrecker-hoist combination attachment for mounting on the bed of a truck includes an A-frame having one end supported by the truck bed and the upper apex supported by a support member connected between the apex of the A-frame and the truck bed. The A-frame includes a base bar with a pair of lower legs extending upwardly from and removably engaging the base bar. A midbrace removably engages the upper ends of the lower legs and receives the lower end of a pair of upper legs. A pulley assembly is removably engaged in a first position on the upper ends of the upper legs when the attachment is operated as a hoist. Alternatively, the pulley assembly is engageable in a second position on the upper end of the lower legs with the upper legs and midbrace removed for operation of the attachment as a wrecker. The support member is adjustable in length to support the upper end of the A-frame in both the first and second positions.

Abstract: An articulated boom crane, constructed to allow convenient conversion to straight boom crane operation, and having a secondary boom that has adjustably extensible members supporting a boom tip assembly and that can be selectively coupled to a main boom either in an articulated crane configuration or in a straight boom crane configuration. In the disclosed embodiments, this selective coupling is effected by means of sets of attachment plates fixed to the secondary boom which allow either end portion of the boom to be attached to a pair of side plates pivotally connected to the main boom. Centering posts on the secondary boom aid in aligning the side plates and attachment plates, and tapered pins are engaged through holes in the plates, to provide their secure coupling. When the crane is in the straight boom configuration, stop plates on the side plate prevent movement of the secondary boom with respect to the main boom as a result of load forces.

Abstract: A crane boom section for a crane boom superstructure on a truck mounted railroad crane or the like is disclosed as including an enclosed exterior with spaced inner cross brace supports preventing twisting or bending of the crane boom section when subjected to heavy loads and stresses.