Abstract: A universal aircraft mule having a rollable and steerable frame and an interchangeable, load-carrying cradle configured for removably supporting and carrying an auxiliary. The frame tiltably and liftably supports the cradle with a lift assembly. The lift assembly raises and lowers the cradle in relation to the frame and tilts the cradle in relation to the frame. The cradle also allows an auxiliary to be skewed within the cradle to facilitate loading and unloading of the auxiliary.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a frame, a boom pivotally connected to the frame so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, a gripper affixed to the end of the arm opposite the boom, a first line having a first end affixed to the boom, a second line interconnected to an opposite end of the first line and connected to the frame, and an actuator interconnected to the first and second lines. The actuator changes an angular relationship of the first and second lines so as to selectively tension the lines. The second line includes a first cable offset from linear alignment with the first line and a second cable extending in angular relationship with the first cable.

Abstract: A crane for mounting on a truck includes a base. The base includes a cargo bed welded or fastened to a frame and the frame for fastening to a chassis of a truck. The crane further includes a boom rotatable relative to the base between a vertical position and a horizontal position; a boom hoist operable to raise and lower the boom between the positions; and a load hoist operable to hoist cargo located proximate to a rear end of the truck when the boom is in the vertical position and operable to carry the cargo toward a cab of the truck as the boom is lowered to the horizontal position, thereby loading the cargo onto the cargo bed.

Abstract: Various lifting systems are described that use one or more of the following features. A method for setting an adjustable height upper pulley on a tall structure; load transfer from a suspended load to a tall structure; fan-based stabilizer; stabilizer or horizontal load position control mechanism using a closed loop of cable and traction winch for a crane application; crane-based lifting system that uses a closed loop of lifting cable looped around a traction winch; and a stabilizer or horizontal load position control mechanism that does not need a closed loop of cable. Other embodiments are also described and claims. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A pre-loading system for a pipe handling apparatus in which a boom is pivotally mounted at one end to a skid and in which an arm is connected to an opposite end of the boom. The pre-loading system has a tensioning assembly with one end affixed to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted so as to apply tension to the arm when the arm has a load applied to an end of the arm opposite the boom. The tensioning assembly includes a first cable assembly having one end connected to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted, and a second cable assembly connected to the arm and having an opposite end fixedly mounted. The first and second cable assemblies extend from opposite sides of the arm.

Abstract: A method for mounting a wind turbine blade to a wind turbine hub by use of a crane boom is provided. The orientation of the blade is kept substantially horizontal when the blade is lifted off the ground and mounted to the rotor hub. Control wires which connect the blade via the crane boom to a winch arrangement are used for keeping the blade orientation substantially horizontal in addition to at least one bearing wire for bearing the blade weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction machine having a carrier unit, a boom mounted pivotably on the carrier unit, an erection support for erecting and/or holding the boom by means of a guy cable tensioned between the boom and the erection support, and a safety cable which can be tensioned along the boom for securing a user. A cable support with a first attachment point for the safety cable is arranged at a head end of the boom. A second attachment point for the safety cable is provided on the erection support. The safety cable can be tensioned between the first attachment point on the cable support and the second attachment point on the erection support along the boom.

Abstract: An unloading and loading crane arrangement (35) with a boom (37), in particular a projecting boom, for loading and unloading a ship using a gripper (7) attached to the boom, which boom is hingedly connected to an arm (43) via a hinge point, wherein the arm is placed on at least one landside guide (59) and one waterside guide (61), wherein the waterside guide is placed at a higher level than the landside guide. An assembly of two or more such unloading and loading crane arrangements is also described.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus for moving a pipe from a stowed position to a position deployed above a wellhead has a main rotating structural member pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, an arm interconnected to the main rotating structural member, a gripper affixed to an end of the arm opposite the main rotating structural member, and a tensioner connected to the gripper for applying a tension to the gripper when the arm is in the extended position. The gripper grips a surface of a pipe. The arm is pivotable between a home position and an extended position. The tensioning means has a guy wire connected at one end to the gripper. The guy wire has an opposite end connected to the arm. Alternatively, the opposite end is connected to the main rotating structural member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hoist mechanism comprising a lifting arm wherein: when the lifting arm is in a fully raised position, a projecting upper end section of a major part of the lifting arm extends substantially horizontally; an effective length of the projecting upper end section is made variable by the provision of an extension element adjustably fixed to it; and the lifting arm is variable in upstanding height by a provision of a lower end section slidably connected to the major part of the lifting arm, wherein both length and height variations are made by stepless adjustments.

Abstract: A service crane for a wind turbine is provided. The wind turbine includes a tower and a nacelle mounted to the top of the tower. The service crane is mounted to the nacelle and includes a boom, a hoist rope guided along the boom and a winch capable of reeling in and out the hoist rope for lifting or lowering a load. Furthermore, a nacelle is provided which includes a service crane mounted thereto.

Abstract: A pre-loading system for a pipe handling apparatus in which a boom is pivotally mounted at one end to a skid and in which an arm is connected to an opposite end of the boom. The pre-loading system has a tensioning assembly with one end affixed to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted so as to apply tension to the arm when the arm has a load applied to an end of the arm opposite the boom. The tensioning assembly includes a first cable assembly having one end connected to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted, and a second cable assembly connected to the arm and having an opposite end fixedly mounted. The first and second cable assemblies extend from opposite sides of the arm.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a frame, a boom pivotally connected to the frame so as to be movable between a first position and a second position, an arm extending outwardly of the boom when the boom is in the second position, a gripper affixed to the end of the arm opposite the boom, a first line having a first end affixed to the boom, a second line interconnected to an opposite end of the first line and connected to the frame, and an actuator interconnected to the first and second lines. The actuator changes an angular relationship of the first and second lines so as to selectively tension the lines. The second line includes a first cable offset from linear alignment with the first line and a second cable extending in angular relationship with the first cable.

Abstract: A portable load lifting assist system (100) includes a movable support structure including an exoskeleton torso (160) including an exoskeleton trunk (109) that is configured to be coupled to a person's upper body, and a load lifting mechanism (221) secured to the movable support structure including a winch (229) having a motor driven reel mechanism for reeling first and second lifting straps or cables (222) that are secured to first and second end effectors (223). First and second handles (224) are attached to an outside surface of the first and second end effectors, wherein the lifting straps or cables when driven by the winch lift a load contacted by the first and second end effectors. A lower extremity exoskeleton (120) is configured to be coupled to a person's lower limbs. The exoskeleton trunk couples to the person's upper body through an upper body interface device (150) that is coupled to the lower extremity exoskeleton.

Abstract: An offshore, deep-water crane including a support structure, a lifting arm secured to the support structure and extending therefrom, and at least one lifting rope extending from the support structure towards an end of the lifting arm remote from the support structure is disclosed. The lifting rope has a specific gravity less than 3 and a traction winch for moving the at least one lifting rope from the support structure along the arm and vice versa.

Abstract: In a swing control device installed in an electric rotary excavator (a construction machine), when a leading edge or a trailing edge of a lever signal is sharp due to a quick operation of a swing lever, a gradient as a rise time Ta1 or a fall time Tb1 is provided to the leading edge or the trailing edge of the torque output and the acceleration that are output based on the lever signal so as to somewhat ease the edge. With the arrangement, an impact in acceleration or deceleration of a rotary body can be suppressed. Specifically, a gradient in the acceleration operation is provided such that the rise time Ta1 becomes 0.15 seconds or more, while a gradient in the stop deceleration operation is provided such that the fall time Tb1 becomes 0.1 seconds or more.

Abstract: A large manipulator with an articulated mast (22) is pivotally connected to a mast base (21) that is rotatable about a vertical axis. The mast (22) comprises at least three mast arms (23 to 27) which are pivotable to a limited extent about horizontal articulated axis (28 to 32) that are located parallel to each other, the pivoting movement being relative to the mast base (21) or an adjacent mast arm (23 to 27) and being performed by means of a respective drive unit (34 to 38). A control unit is provided with coordinate transformer (74, 76) which responds to a given guiding parameter (r) and measured angular values (??) that are determined by means of angle sensors (44 to 48) located on the mast arms (23 to 27). The coordinate transformer (74, 76) does a conversion into movement signals (??v) for the drive units (34 to 38) in accordance with predefined path/slew characteristics, the movement signals being related to the articulation axis.

Abstract: A pre-loading system for a pipe handling apparatus in which a boom is pivotally mounted at one end to a skid and in which an arm is interconnected to an opposite end of the boom. The pre-loading system has a tensioning system with one end affixed to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted so as to apply tension to the arm when the arm has a load applied to an end of the arm opposite the boom. The tensioning system includes a first cable assembly having one end interconnected to the arm and an opposite end fixedly mounted, and a second cable assembly interconnected to the arm and having an opposite end fixedly mounted. The first and second cable assemblies extend from opposite sides of the arm.

Abstract: A combination crane A is formed by connecting two crawler cranes 1L and 1R. Each crawler crane is provided with at least a lower propelling body 3 which can propel by crawlers 2, an upper revolving body 5 rotatably mounted on the lower propelling body 3 by a swing unit 4 provided between them, a boom 6 of which base section is tiltably supported on the upper revolving body, a tilting mechanism 10 that raises and lowers the boom and a hoist mechanism that hoists and lowers the lifting members 12 hung by a hoist rope 11 from the top of the boom. Both upper swing bodies of two cranes are connected together with a connecting beam 20. Swing motion is performed by driving the one crawler crane to propel around the other crawler crane which is free to rotate and is locked to propel. The combination crane can change the direction of the body, and can increase the lifting capacity twice as much without troubles, and can be embodied easily.

Abstract: A friction management system for a traveling crane applies a liquid or solid friction modifier (FM) in precisely controlled quantities to the crane wheels or rail to improve performance and safety during movement of the crane. The friction modifier is applied by a nozzle mounted on a crane truck, which nozzle is opened and closed by a valve. The duration of the valve opening per second, which controls the friction modifier application rate, is approximately proportional to the average current draw, which is detected by current sensors connected to the truck motors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pick-up vehicle, a swivel device for use in a pick-up vehicle for loading and unloading. The pick-up vehicle includes a swivel device including at least one swivel arm having a curved and/or bent section along its length. A swivel axis of the swivel device is located between the rear wall and wheel wells and includes swivel arms located on both sides of the cargo bed. The at least one connecting bridge is positioned to couple swivel arms to form a swivel yoke. Swivel device includes two swivel axes located one behind the other at a same height relative to the cargo bed, such that a swivel arm is swivelably coupled around one of the two swivel axes, and the swivel arms are coupled together through the at least one movable connection piece, thereby forming a parallelogram-like swivel arm structure.

Abstract: A multi-purpose log-handling tool for attachment to the three-point hitch of a tractor or other vehicle includes a boom and an inverted U-shaped frame containing a number of apertures to which accessory tools may be attached. The boom and the frame are connected to the tractor and at one of the apertures to permit the outer end of the boom to be lowered and raised by an operator controlling one or more hydraulic pistons. The apertures are preferably longitudinally arranged along a flange affixed to the bottom of the boom. Multiple apertures permit the simultaneous use of more than one tool, which might include logging tongs, chains, or winches. A flexible assembly for coupling the boom to the hydraulic piston accommodates for skewing action as a log is dragged and thereby reduces potential for damage to the log-handling tool.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pick-up vehicle, a swivel device for use in a pick-up vehicle for loading and unloading. The pick-up vehicle includes a swivel device including at least one swivel arm having a curved and/or bent section along its length. A swivel axis of the swivel device is located between the rear wall and wheel wells and includes swivel arms located on both sides of the cargo bed. The at least one connecting bridge is positioned to couple swivel arms to form a swivel yoke. Swivel device includes two swivel axes located one behind the other at a same height relative to the cargo bed, such that a swivel arm is swivelably coupled around one of the two swivel axes, and the swivel arms are coupled together through the at least one movable connection piece, thereby forming a parallelogram-like swivel arm structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pick-up vehicle, a swivel device for use in a pick-up vehicle for loading and unloading. The pick-up vehicle includes a swivel device including at least one swivel arm having a curved and/or bent section along its length. A swivel axis of the swivel device is located between the rear wall and wheel wells and includes swivel arms located on both sides of the cargo bed. The at least one connecting bridge is positioned to couple swivel arms to form a swivel yoke. Swivel device includes two swivel axes located one behind the other at a same height relative to the cargo bed, such that a swivel arm is swivelably coupled around one of the two swivel axes, and the swivel arms are coupled together through the at least one movable connection piece, thereby forming a parallelogram-like swivel arm structure.

Abstract: Pick-up vehicle having an open cargo bed coupled to a passenger cab, side walls, a rear wall, and wheel wells located one of inside and outside of the cargo bed. The pick-up vehicle includes a swivel device adapted for loading and unloading the open cargo bed. The swivel device includes at least one swivel arm, at least one connecting bridge, and at least one movable connection piece. A swivel axis of the swivel device is located between the rear wall and the wheel wells. The at least one swivel arm includes swivel arms located on both sides of the cargo bed, and the at least one connecting bridge is positioned to couple the swivel arms to form a swivel yoke. The swivel device also includes two swivel axes located one behind the other in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A swivel arm is swivelably coupled around one of the two swivel axes, and the swivel arms are coupled together through the at least one movable connection piece, thereby forming a parallelogram-like swivel arm structure.

Abstract: While a crawler body 110 is traveling, infrared sensors 144 and an elevational difference calculator 132 incorporated in a controller 130 detects the magnitude of a step present ahead of the crawler body 110. A safety speed calculator 134 calculates a safety speed based on the magnitude of the step detected and on the position of the platform 116 relative to the crawler body 110, which position is detected by various detectors 141˜143 and by a position calculator 133. A comparator 135 compares this safety speed with the traveling speed of the crawler body 110, and if the current speed of the crawler body 110 is greater than the safety speed, then the comparator 135 outputs a warning signal. Upon receiving this signal, a restrictor 136 controls a valve controller 131 to reduce the speed of the crawler body 110 such that the crawler body 110 can travel over the step safely.

Abstract: A mobile aerial apparatus includes a lower boom and an upper boom and pivotally mounted to a pedestal. A lift cylinder pivots the lower boom. An articulated assembly includes a common pivot support secured to the articulated ends of the booms on a common axis. A link unit has a common pivot member on said common pivot axis. An upper boom cylinder unit has a cylinder pivotally connected on the common pivot axis and a piston rod connected to an upper boom connector of the link unit. A lower boom cylinder unit has a cylinder pivotally connected on the common pivot axis and a piston rod connected to a lower boom connector of said link unit. The connections to the link unit form a triangular assembly with the pivot axis being parallel to each other.

Abstract: A lifting device for attachment to a vehicle trailer hitch or the like. The device includes a hitch bar for attachment to the trailer hitch. A lateral extension arm is mounted on the hitch bar and a riser arm is rotatably mounted to the lateral extension arm. A boom arm is mounted on the riser arm, the boom arm having load attachment elements for attaching a load thereto. Also provided is a rotating element attached to the lateral extension arm and the boom arm for rotating the riser arm about the lateral extension arm to raise and lower the riser arm relative to the hitch bar. Raising and lowering of the riser arm moves the boom arm to transcribe a predetermined arc lying in a vertical plane. It is preferred to have the hitch bar centered on a platform centerline wherein the vertical plane intersects the centerline. The predetermined arc may be from about 130 degrees to about 150 degrees, and preferably 140 degrees, with respect to the bed of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for handling objects, such as a hospital bed, whereby the object is moved by the arrangement from a use or starting position to an uplifted working position which facilitates cleaning, servicing and the like of the object under improved ergonomical conditions. The arrangement includes a mobile frame including two frame parts. The arrangement further includes means to adjust and vary the spacing between the frame parts. Each of the frame parts carries a pivotally mounted lifting arm and maneuvering means for swinging the lifting arm between a generally horizontal starting position and an uplifted position. The lifting arm includes a hook device and a lever arm which are configured for engagement with the object to be handled.

Abstract: A crane boom top is disclosed in which a sheave assembly having a number of sheave sets is supported on the crane boom top by boom sheave supports. Each sheave set is mounted on an individual shaft and connectors connect the individual shafts to the boom sheave supports.

Abstract: A truck mounted crane assembly includes a turntable lock, a boom rest which interacts with the piston and cylinder device, and a swing away hoist mount. The turntable lock includes a pin which is manually retractable upon rotation of a handle from a position preventing relative rotation between a turntable and a pedestal to a position allowing such relative rotation and which can be secured in the first and second positions. The boom rest is mounted on the boom and rests on the cylinder of the piston and cylinder device when the boom is lowered to a predetermined position, thus taking much of the pressure off the piston. The boom rest is movable from a position in which it is capable of supporting the boom to a position in which it is incapable of supporting the boom and in which the boom is thus lowerable below the predetermined position. The provision of the turntable lock and boom rest obviates the need for a cradle rest for the boom.

Abstract: A rescue frame to pivot about footings supported adjacent to an upper edge of a vertical incline. The rescue frame comprises a primary tubular member passing through the footings and having attached thereto a number of secondary tubular members so as to form a triangular pyramid having a pulley attached to it's apex such that upon pivoting the frame about the primary member, the pulley will extend out over the edge so that rope and stretcher may clear the incline during a lifting or lowering operation. Upon reaching the top of the incline, frame is pivoted back to laterally transfer the stretcher to another side of the primary member to safety located stretcher above the ground where it may be released from rope.

Abstract: A crane or lifting device includes a base assembly with a telescopic and rotatable column mounting a boom assembly including a telescopic boom arm. A strap is connected at one end thereof to the base assembly, extends through the boom arm, and is connected at another end thereof to a hook for engaging a load. An extensible/retractable jack assembly innerconnects the column and the boom arm for raising and lowering the boom arm. The crane can be mounted in an automobile trunk for raising and lowering the boom assembly.

Abstract: The upper block assembly of a crane is connected to the crane boom via a special universal joint having a pivot axis and a hollow shaft. The cable by which the lower block assembly is suspended is fed through the hollow shaft and extends to the crane winch via a pulley mounted on the boom. Guide pulleys are arranged on the upper block assembly and universal joint respectively so that the cable extending therebetween is coincident with the pivot axis of the hollow shaft. With this arrangement, the lower pulley block has unlimited freedom to swing laterally (side lead angle).

Abstract: The invention enables owners of backhoes and similar equipment to use their machines either as a backhoe or as a crane with only minor modifications. The invention provides an attachment for a backhoe that takes advantage of existing hydraulic pistons on the backhoe as the lift implement for the crane.

Abstract: A crane, and a boom assembly for a crane, include an outermost boom portion having the area between its front chord members being substantially open. Inner lacing members extend in intersecting pairs between diagonally opposing pairs of chord members for strengthening the boom. The various lacing members in the latticework construction for a crane are connected to the chord members using reusable clevis pin assemblies of a predetermined tolerance. This enables it to be easily assembled and to be readily disassembled for ease of transport and storage in a compact state. It also produces a rigid structure having substantially no internal residual stress.

Abstract: A portable, backpackable crane lift involving a retractable boom, boom cable, winch and winch cable mounted to a wheeled frame with extendable axles all which fold into a compact unit. A shoulder harness apparatus which attaches to the folded unit for carrying converts to a ballast carrying extension of the frame during operation. Such a lift is readily carried up a ladder for use on flat roofs to raise and place air conditioning heat exchangers and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for supportably elevating and lowering material handling apparatus having an elongate member includes two arms radiating upwardly from a base. A lower undercarriage arm is pivotably attached to the elongate member, and the lift arm is attached to a roller support which moves along a rail on the elongate member. The roller support and attached lift arm arm moved by a winch-drawn cable. At least one pair of spaced support sheaves is mounted on the elongate member, and the cable passes under the sheaves. At least one riser post extends upwardly from the base and is attached to the lower undercarriage arm so that it intersects the cable between the spaced support sheaves. A sheave mounted on the riser arm intersects and supports the cable when the elongate member is lowered. As the elongate member is lowered, the riser post supports an increasing portion of the downward load.

Abstract: A gravity crane which is manually operated by an operator who is harnessed to one end of a cantilevered balance beam. Clockwise moments are furnished by a fixed counterweight and by a adjustable ballast for coarse balancing. Counterclockwise moment is provided by the weight of the operator. By displacing a control weight located close to the operator the net sum of clockwise and counterclockwise moments may be smoothly shifted so that the operator can raise or lower himself with a minimum of effort, thereby simulating weightlessness. The operating control cord is always within reach of the operator and the entire crane may be swiveled on a rotatable base.

Abstract: The inner end of a tower crane boom is connected to the top of its tower by two lugs fixed on the tower, each having an upwardly opening slot, and two trunnions fixed on the inner end portion of the boom, one for each lug, each rotatably seatable in the rounded bottom of the slot in its lug. The slot bottom in one lug defines a first fixed axis, midway between the front and rear sides of the tower, about which the boom swings in its range of working positions; that in the other lug defines a second fixed axis, near the front side of the tower, about which the boom swings to and from an inoperative position wherein it extends along the front side of the tower. The distance between the trunnion axes equals the distance between the fixed axes. Links confine the boom against moving to a position in which neither trunnion is seated in the slot in its lug.

Abstract: A pendant supported extensible boom is disclosed having the boom and a live mast pivoted to a base about an axis near the lowermost surface of the boom for providing a stowed mast-boom angle of about 10.degree., and a fixed length pendant is provided to maintain a predetermined mast-boom working angle. A live pendant is trained over a winch, a boom supporting hoist, and a pendant take-up hoist connected between the mast and an outer end portion of the boom. Driving the winch to haul in pendant controllably raised the mast to its mast-boom working angle and then raises the boom to its desired working angle. When extending or retracting the boom, the boom working angle is maintained constant by paying out pendant from the winch, respectively. The boom and mast are controllably returned to a stowed position by paying out line from the boom supporting hoise and pendant take-up hoist.

Abstract: An improved boom structure is provided which is attachable to a vehicle and includes a boom support member for pivotally supporting a telescopic boom. The telescopic boom includes a generally square outer boom and a generally circular inner boom housed within the outer boom but prevented from rotational movement therein. A first winch is connected to the boom support member with a first cable windingly connected to the first winch. Movement of the first cable from about the first winch controls the pivoting of the telescopic boom through an arc of 180 degrees from a generally horizontal position. A second winch is connected to the boom support member with a second cable windingly connected to the second winch. Movement of the second cable from about the second winch controls the extension and retraction of the inner boom relative to the outer boom. A third winch is also connected to the boom support member with a third cable windingly connected to the third winch.

Abstract: A new and improved anti-two block system adapted to be used with a crane for the prevention of damage to the boom tip of the boom of the crane by the travelling member wherein the two block system of the present invention includes an engaging mechanism movably mounted with the boom tip for engaging the travelling member when the travelling member moves into close proximity to the boom tip during lifting operations of the travelling member with the crane for the prevention of damage thereto.

Abstract: A log skidder including a vehicle having a frame with front and rear ends, ground engaging devices on the frame so that the vehicle may traverse the underlying terrain, an elongated boom on the frame and mounted thereto for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between an upright position at least adjacent the rear end and a lower position intermediate the ends, a log engaging device, a lever mounting at one end the log engaging device and horizontally pivoted at a location remote from the lever one end to the boom at a location spaced from the horizontal axis, the lever one end extending rearwardly with relation to the frame, a motor on the frame for moving the boom between the positions thereof, and a linkage for maintaining the lever one end directed generally rearwardly for all positions of the boom on the frame.

Abstract: A height-adjustable hoist having an upright post, a tip member extensible therefrom, and a sleeve swivelable about the axis of the post. A hoist arm is pivotally mounted at one of its ends on the sleeve for pivoting in a substantially upright plane between raised and lowered positions. A nonextensible chain extending from the other end of the hoist arm to the tip member is adjustably anchored to the tip member by a chain-engaging lock. To set the hoist arm at a desired raised position, the tip member is extended and the chain is selectively anchored to the tip member, with the chain stretched between the hoist arm and tip member.