Flexible Cable Patents (Class 212/262)
  • Patent number: 11932311
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a cargo bed having a first and a second sidewall. A rail assembly is disposed on the first sidewall. The rail assembly is movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the first sidewall. An actuator system raises and lowers the rail assembly to move the rail assembly between the extended position and the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Annette Lynn Huebner, Pietro Buttolo, Robert Walsh, Jacob Michael Haspiel, Joseph Ian Halaszynski
  • Patent number: 11661319
    Abstract: A lift device includes a base, a turntable coupled to the base, a boom pivotably coupled to the turntable, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a first actuator, a first coupler positioned at a first end of the first actuator, a second actuator, a second coupler positioned at a third end of the second actuator, and a third coupler. The first coupler and the second coupler pivotably couple the first actuator and the second actuator, respectively, to one of the boom or the turntable. The third coupler includes a body and a plurality of arms extending from the body. The body defines (i) a first interface that engages with an opposing second end of the first actuator and (ii) a second interface that engages with an opposing fourth end of the second actuator. The plurality of arms are pivotably coupled to the other one of the boom or the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Lex A. Mellott, Eric T. Welsh
  • Patent number: 11577943
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane, in particular a deck crane, which comprises a boom which is erectable in its height about an axis of rotation, and an erecting trestle for deflecting a rope of a retracting mechanism in order to erect the boom. The invention is characterized in that the erecting trestle is erectable in its height, and the erecting trestle comprises a pull bar which includes a rotary joint in order to rotate a first portion of the pull bar with respect to a second portion of the pull bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Liebherr-MCCtec Rostock GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Koertge, Fischer Helmut, Christian Matt
  • Patent number: 11420851
    Abstract: A tower crane configured to fold and unfold between a working configuration and a transport configuration includes a boom hinged in rotation relative to a mast about a main axis of rotation. The tower crane includes a rear retainer fastened to a frame supporting the mast and to a stanchion. The stanchion extends the boom rearwardly of the main axis of rotation and is displaceable relative to the boom between a working position and a transport position. The tower crane further includes a lifting cable connected to a winding device exerting, on the lifting cable, a tension force applied on stanchion by a return system configured to cooperate with the lifting cable, so as to cause displacement of said stanchion from the working position to the transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France
    Inventors: Olivier Gevaudant, Yves Alloin, Vincent Veillerot, Simon Grimaud, Sylvain Cuillerier
  • Patent number: 10723598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a crane, in particular to a mobile crane, comprising a lattice boom, a derrick boom, and a boom guying led from the derrick boom to the boom tip, wherein at least one guying frame is provided that is fastened to the boom between the derrick boom and the boom tip and is connected to the boom guying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-WERK EHINGEN GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Stangl
  • Patent number: 10688905
    Abstract: A recovery system for recovering wrecked vehicles in difficult-to-access locations. The recovery system generally includes a frame, a front plate, a rear plate with a mounting system for mounting the recovery system to an operating vehicle, a guide shaft and guide wheel, a boom assembly, a horse head assembly mounted in a cable sleeve in a pivot end of the boom assembly, a winch, and a cable running from the winch over and along the boom and through the horse head assembly. The horse head assembly generally comprises a clevis, a clevis pin, a sheave wheel, and a cable guide. The clevis preferably rotates within the cable sleeve with respect to the boom assembly, the cable guide preferably pivots on top of the boom assembly, and the sheave wheel and cable guide preferably freely rotate on the clevis pin and preferably translate along the clevis pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: CGB Holdings, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James D. Bennett, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10407284
    Abstract: It is aimed to enable an easier attachment of a lower spreader to a machine main body. The mast 30 is tiltably attached to the machine main body 13, and operable to lie over the machine main body 13. The lower spreader retainer 40 is fixedly attached to the machine main body 13, and adapted for retaining the lower spreader 50. The connector 60 connects the mast 30 and the lower spreader 50 with each other so that the mast 30 holds the lower spreader 50. The lower spreader 50 and the lower spreader retainer 40 are arranged at a position that allows the lower spreader retainer 40 to retain the lower spreader 50 in a state where the mast 30 holding the lower spreader 50 is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dairo Matsui
  • Patent number: 9789414
    Abstract: A simple, glue-free movable track model with a dual-pin structure comprises an intermediate connecting component (1), a track shoe (2), elastic pin bushes (58) and an auxiliary clamp, an elastic opening (50) is formed on a rotating shaft hole of the intermediate connecting component (1), and the intermediate connecting component (1) is spliced, in a snap-fit manner, with an intermediate rotating shaft (51) of the track shoe (2) through the elastic opening (50); back-off dowels (21) are arranged at the both ends of the track shoe (2) and are spliced with the elastic pin bushes (58) so that the elastic pin bushes (58) can be fit into the back-off dowels (21) and then securely engaged. The movable track model can realize one-time assembly, reduce manufacturing difficulty and improve manufacturing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Rui Ye Century (Shenzhen) Hobby Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yi Meng
  • Patent number: 9643689
    Abstract: The chair lift for boats is a hoist designed to easily move a person with disabilities from a boat into and out of the water. The chair lift for boats comprises a mast, a boom, a hydraulic gantry, a chair, and an optional winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Michael McKenzie
  • Publication number: 20130062301
    Abstract: A luffing-jib tower crane, comprising a tower and a jib which is connected to the tower via a joint and is held by a luffing cable, wherein the length of the luffing cable can be changed by a drawing-in unit, by the luffing cable being wound onto or unwound from a cable drum of the drawing-in unit, wherein the angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane is measured by a first sensor winch is attached to the jib (first angular value), wherein a measuring device measures the length of the unwound part of the luffing cable, from which length the minimum angle of the jib with respect to the horizontal plane (second angular value) can be calculated, and the first angular value can be compared with the second angular value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: WOLFFKRAN HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Andreas Wagner
  • Patent number: 8141725
    Abstract: A jib crane which can prevent an unexpected movement of a burden and can sufficiently ensure the safety of a burden handling work is disclosed. The jib crane has hoisting wire ropes for lifting and landing a hook, derricking wire ropes for derricking operation of a jib, and a conversion device for fixing tips of the wire ropes to a revolving frame of a revolving table. The conversion device has a V-shaped link pivotally supported on a bearing bracket via a pivot pin. The tips of the wire ropes are connected to paired link arms of the V-shaped link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ishikawajima Transport Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Omori, Isao Miyazawa, Toshinori Fukumoto, Seikichi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120037584
    Abstract: The invention relates to a traction rod (1) for bracing a crane jib, comprising a metallic tubular body (2) and coupling elements (3) which are connected to both ends thereof for an articulated connection of the traction rods among each other by means of bolts (5). According to the invention, the tubular body and the coupling elements consist of a one-piece tube portion, wherein the coupling elements are designed in each case as a thicker zone of the wall of the ends of the tubular body and are dimensioned in such a manner that a weakening of the cross section of the nominal wall thickness of the coupling elements, which has to be considered for calculating the load capacity of the tubular body, is prevented in the region of the bolt connection and the transition regions (7) from the respective thicker zones of the wall in the direction of the tubular body have a transition free of starting points for increasing fatigue strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: V & M Deutschland GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Müller
  • Publication number: 20110132860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a derrick crane having a main boom and a derrick boom whose tips are connected to one another via a main guying, with the main guying having a luffing rope arrangement of changeable length arranged between the main boom and the derrick boom to change the length of the main guying on the luffing up of the main boom and with at least two additional guying systems being provided which connect the main guying to the main boom, with the at least two additional g having a fixed length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Bohnacker, Gerold Kranke
  • Publication number: 20110089130
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for vertically lifting a load, preferably a crane, comprising a base, at least one jib extending out from the base, at least one cable which is guided from the base around the tip of the jib, at least one device for gripping or securing a load which is attached or can be attached to the end of the cable guided around the tip of the jib, wherein the cable is a synthetic cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Volker Stephan
  • Publication number: 20110084043
    Abstract: The within invention relates to a crane with a boom slewable in a vertical pivoting plane and a bracing boom arrangement, particularly a derrick boom arrangement in which a luffing cable is arranged between the boom and the bracing boom arrangement, in which the luffing cable has at least two guying cables that run from two guying points arranged on the opposite side of the pivoting plane, which cables belong to the bracing cable arrangement, to the boom, in which the two guying cables are each movable by means of a winch and in which a mechanical coupling is provided between the two winches by means of which the movement of the two winches can be force coupled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 7878348
    Abstract: A payload lifter/manipulator module includes a rotatable joint supporting spreader arms angularly spaced with respect to one another. A rigid arm is fixedly coupled to the joint and extends out therefrom to a tip. A tension arm has a first end and a second end with the first end being fixedly coupled to the tip of the rigid arm. The tension arm incorporates pivots along the length thereof. Each pivot can be engaged by or disengaged from the outboard end of a spreader arm based on a position of the spreader arm. A hoist, positioned remotely with respect to the module and coupled to the second end of the tension arm, controls the position of the spreader arms to thereby control the position of the rigid arm's tip. Payload lifter/manipulator assemblies can be constructed with one or more of the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William R. Doggett, Bruce D. King, Timothy J. Collins, John T. Dorsey
  • Patent number: 7565982
    Abstract: A boom hoisting device comprising a mast having a pivotable front end portion connected to a front end portion of a boom through a guy line, a mast-side spreader provided at the front end portion of the mast, a frame-side spreader removably mounted to an upper rotating body and with a hoisting rope being stretched between and spread on both mast-side spreader and frame-side spreader, and a hoisting winch adapted to unwind and wind the hoisting rope to raise and lower the mast and the boom, the hoisting winch being mounted to the mast so that the mast and the hoisting winch are together removed from the upper rotating body by separation of a base end portion of the mast from the upper rotating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kurotsu, Osamu Todo, Kazuyuki Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7537126
    Abstract: A crane includes a boom and boom pivoting mast connected to a swivel body so as to be pivotable, a boom pivoting winch for pivoting the boom, and a main hoisting winch and auxiliary hoisting winch for hoisting up and hoisting down a hanging load. The main and auxiliary hoisting winches are mounted on the boom, while the boom pivoting winch is mounted on the boom pivoting mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kurotsu, Kazumi Higashitani
  • Patent number: 7516858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane boom, in particular a telescopic boom of a mobile crane, comprising a boom guying which has at least one guy rope which is guided from an inner articulation point in the region of a boom articulation point to an outer articulation point in the region of a projecting boom part. In accordance with the invention, the guy rope is articulated at its outer end such that the guy rope force induces a bending moment in the crane boom which counters the sagging of the crane boom. This can be achieved in that the guy rope is articulated eccentrically from the boom part. In accordance with the invention, the outer articulation point of the guy rope is arranged spaced apart from the boom part at an articulation jib which is secured to the boom part such that a tensile force of the guy rope induces a bending moment into the crane boom via the articulation jib, said bending moment reducing the bending moment generated in the boom by a hook load and the boom's own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 7455187
    Abstract: A traveling crane according to the present invention includes a hook hoisting guide sheave for guiding a hook hoisting rope from the top of a boom toward the end of a jib, and the hook hoisting guide sheave is arranged on the top of the boom in a state that the guide sheave can guide the hook hoisting rope along the upper surface of the boom by folding the rope toward an upper spreader placed at a position adjacent to a boom anchor during assembling/disassembling of the crane. Thereby, the upper spreader can be moved between the boom anchor and a far end of the boom without providing a guide sheave dedicated for moving the upper spreader. Pairs of support legs are downward provided on both sides and in front and in rear of the upper spreader and a roller is provided for each support leg, so that interference between the upper spreader during movement and obstacles on the boom upper surface can be prevented even in a horizontal movement system excellent in operating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Toudou, Koichi Shimomura, Keisuke Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 7441670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a derrick crane having a main boom and having a derrick boom which are connected to one another by a stay cable to guy the main boom, having an auxiliary tip adjoining the main boom and a stay cable for its guying. In accordance with the invention, the stay cable of the auxiliary tip engages at the auxiliary tip at the one end and at the stay cable of the main boom at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 7380677
    Abstract: The within invention concerns a crane with a rotating platform that can rotate on a vertical axle, a boom that is connected to the rotating platform and which can luff on a luffing axle, guying connected on the one hand with the boom and on the other hand with a guy support, which can slew on an axle parallel to the luffing axle of the boom and is connected with the rotating platform and/or the boom foot, as well as an adjustment mechanism, in particular adjustment cabling, that serves for the luffing of the boom and which is connected with the guy support. According to the invention, the crane is also characterized by the presence of an angle adjustment mechanism by means of which the angle of the guy support can be adjusted relative to the boom when the boom is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen- GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Publication number: 20080116161
    Abstract: A crane includes a boom and boom pivoting mast connected to a swivel body so as to be pivotable, a boom pivoting winch for pivoting the boom, and a main hoisting winch and auxiliary hoisting winch for hoisting up and hoisting down a hanging load. The main and auxiliary hoisting winches are mounted on the boom, while the boom pivoting winch is mounted on the boom pivoting mast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hitoshi KUROTSU, Kazumi HIGASHITANI
  • Patent number: 7341158
    Abstract: A traveling crane according to the present invention includes a hook hoisting guide sheave for guiding a hook hoisting rope from the top of a boom toward the end of a jib, and the hook hoisting guide sheave is arranged on the top of the boom in a state that the guide sheave can guide the hook hoisting rope along the upper surface of the boom by folding the rope toward an upper spreader placed at a position adjacent to a boom anchor during assembling/disassembling of the crane. Thereby, the upper spreader can be moved between the boom anchor and a far end of the boom without providing a guide sheave dedicated for moving the upper spreader. Pairs of support legs are downward provided on both sides and in front and in rear of the upper spreader and a roller is provided for each support leg, so that interference between the upper spreader during movement and obstacles on the boom upper surface can be prevented even in a horizontal movement system excellent in operating efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Toudou, Koichi Shimomura, Keisuke Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 7311213
    Abstract: A crane including a cabin provided on the left or right side, a boom raised and lowered around a pair of boom feet provided on the left and right sides of the base of the boom, and a gantry provided behind the boom. The boom foot on the side of the cabin is located in a position determined by the width of the crane and the width of the cabin. The center line of the boom is located on the opposite side of the center line of the gantry from the cabin so that the distance between the boom foot on the opposite side from the cabin and the center line of the gantry is greater than the distance between the boom foot on the side of the cabin and the center line of the gantry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokihiko Mizuta, Osamu Toudou
  • Patent number: 7219810
    Abstract: The invention concerns a mobile crane with a long main boom. According to the invention, the main boom is in two parts linked at a swivel point in such manner that the boom can bend when raised and can be positioned in extended or quasi-extended final erection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Dieter Willim
  • Patent number: 6702131
    Abstract: The present invention provides a construction machine in which a plurality of winches are arranged to be overlapped vertically at a rear part of an upper rotating body. Therefore, a space that the winches occupy is reduced, so that the space of the upper rotating body can be utilized effectively, and a radius of rotating rear end can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Hanamoto
  • Patent number: 6508371
    Abstract: A jib is supported for its luffing movement by a luffing rope mounted to a longitudinally intermediate portion of the jib. The jib has a truss structure with upper and lower beam members respectively overhanging upward and downward of load action line which connects a lifting point with a support pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Ishi Kawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 5730304
    Abstract: A roll bar and crane device for use with vehicles such as a truck is adapted to be mounted to the truck bed. The device includes left and right leg members and a central beam extending therebetween and being selectively detachable thereto. A U-shaped boom extends over the left and right leg members when used as a roll bar. The boom, at one end, is pivotally connected to a pivot member about a horizontal axis of rotation and the pivot member is pivotally connected to one of the leg members and is pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation. A rope and pulley system is provided between the pivot member and the boom. A rope extends from the boom lift end to the pulley and rope system and to a winch that is located on and is rotatable with the pivot member. By pulling the rope via the winch, objects attached to the end of the rope are drawn up and to the boom lift end and the boom is also caused to pivot about the horizontal axis of rotation for lifting the boom lift end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventor: Malcolm Duncan
  • Patent number: 5425427
    Abstract: An improved folding marker for an agricultural implement that is partially self-supporting in the use position and during a portion of the folding operation. An inner arm is pivotally attached to the agricultural implement for simultaneous movement in both the horizonal and vertical directions. A caster wheel is attached to the inner arm to support the inner arm above the ground. An outer arm is pivotally attached to the inner arm for movement in a generally vertical direction. A marker device is attached to the outer arm for scoring the ground. An actuator is attached to the implement and the back portion of the inner arm for moving the inner arm between the use position and backwards toward the rear of the implement to a transport position. A series of pulley systems are attached to the marker so that the inner and outer arms raise vertically upward when the inner arm is moved from the use position to the transport position, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Poma Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Oliver Haugen
  • Patent number: 5292016
    Abstract: A luffing jib backstop assembly for limiting rotation between a luffing jib and a boom to which the luffing jib is attached is disclosed. The assembly comprises at least one backstop pendant attached at a first end to the luffing jib and at a second end to the boom, the pendant having a length sufficient to allow the luffing jib to be extended to an angle of 180.degree. with respect to the boom. The assembly further comprises a deployable member which engages the backstop pendant and which, upon full deployment, holds a portion of the backstop pendant away from the boom and luffing jib such that the pendant and deployable member prevent the luffing jib from rotating with respect to the boom beyond a permissible operating angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: The Manitowoc Company
    Inventors: Terry Casavant, Michael Wanek
  • Patent number: 5253771
    Abstract: The invention is a counter-balanced, multiple cable construction crane. The apparatus for hoisting payloads comprises a crane having a lifting segment and a counter-balanced segment. The lifting segment comprises an end effector and three cables. One end of each cable attaches to a different winding device located on the lifting segment, and the other end of each cable attaches to a different point on the end effector, such that the three cables have a theoretical point of convergence, this point corresponding with a center of mass of the payload. Three controls command rotation of the winding device to a predetermined position. Accordingly, the crane provides precise and autonomous positioning of the payload without human guidance. Two controls position the counter-balancing segment to offset the overturning moment which arises during the lifting of heavy payloads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Martin M. Mikulas, Jr., Li-Farn Yang
  • Patent number: 5020962
    Abstract: A building is rapidly and inexpensively dismantled by dropping a heavy inverted U-shaped tool on a building or other structure from an elevation thereabove as from the upper outer end of a boom on a crane, the tool is initially suspended from a cable leading back to a winch capable of dropping the tool in a free fall. A secondary cable is attached to one of the arms of the inverted U-shaped tool inwardly from its lower end, the secondary cable leading to a secondary winch of a type capable of exerting great pulling power on the tool once it is engaged in the building or structure being dismantled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Allied Gator, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Ramun
  • Patent number: 5016768
    Abstract: A portable derrick assembly adapted for mounting on a pickup truck or a trailer, includes a base frame, a derrick tower, a tower erection subassembly, and an elongated boom pivotally mounted on the tower. A traveling sheave and cable subassembly interconnects a tail end of the boom with the tower for pivoting the boom about a pitch axis. A hoist cable is raised and lowered by a hoist traveling sheave subassembly mounted on the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignees: David C. Kennard, Jr., James C. Kennard
    Inventors: Dwight C. Kennard, Jr., James C. Kennard, Carl J. Wick
  • Patent number: 4967917
    Abstract: A jib derricking gear for a jib crane having a boom and a jib for hoisting work extended from the boom head of the boom comprises a pair of jib derricking cylinder actuators. Load on the jib is distributed to the pair of jib derricking cylinder actuators, so that each jib derricking cylinder actuator may be such as having a cylinder having a comparatively small diameter. The jib derricking cylinder actuators are combined with the jib so that the jib derricking cylinder actuators function as compression members. The thrust of the jib derricking cylinder actuator is doubled by a tackle. The jib derricking cylinder actuators and the associated jib supporting members are disposed so that the jib derricking cylinder actuators and the associated jib supporting members will not interfere with a hoist rope for hoisting work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Yukio Koizumi, Shunsuke Yokoyama, Takahiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4892201
    Abstract: A telescopic outrigger is swivel mounted and disposed so that it can be moved in the longitudinal direction in an jib trough. When the telescopic jib is in its horizontal or slightly inclined operating position, it is situated in the jib trough. In order to achieve a steep operating position, it is moved lengthwise in the jib trough in the direction of the jib tip, and is raised up about a pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: VEB Schwermaschinenbaukombinat Takraf
    Inventors: Harry Hellwig, Klaus-Dietrich Sturm
  • Patent number: 4826023
    Abstract: A crane or derrick for use on an offshore platform comprising a base, a boom operatively connected to the base, and a sectioned kingpole secured to said base, the kingpole including a first kingpole section secured to the base and at least one additional kingpole section removably secured to the first kingpole section. The sectioned kingpole permits the installation of a crane having a tall kingpole and thereby greater lifting capacity such that equipment necessary to carry out operations such as the driving of conductor pipe and piling can be erected on the deck of the platform without the necessity for utilizing a derrick barge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Inventor: Leon D. Ortemond
  • Patent number: 4787524
    Abstract: An adaptive multi-stage overload protection system for a crane provides an optimal response dependent upon the magnitude of the crane overload. The control system permits the crane operator to take remedial action for overloads of relatively low magnitude, but automatically reponds to dangerous overload conditions. Under extreme conditions, the hoist line is permitted topay out, but only if less drastic responses have not adequately or timely corrected the overload condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: National-Oilwell
    Inventors: Jasper E. Cobb, III, William A. Bezner
  • Patent number: 4762240
    Abstract: An articulating shore-side gantry crane having inboard and outboard boom sections which in the stowed position have the inboard section projecting upwards at an angle approaching the vertical and the outboard boom section supported in a substantially horizontal position attached to the end of the inboard boom section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Paceco, Inc.
    Inventor: George J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4673093
    Abstract: A process for mooring a crane having a crane jib which is hingedly connected to a slewing frame, luffing wires for luffing the crane jib in and out, and a guy mast hingedly connected with the top of the frame, the luffing wires passing about hoisting blocks at the top of the frame. The process comprises positioning the crane jib in a fully luffed-in position, and connecting at least one guy wire between a fixed point at a distance from the crane and the free end of said guy mast. Some of the luffing hoisting blocks are then detached from the frame and are shifted toward the free end of the guy mast and are attached to that free end of the guy mast. The luffing wires are then tightened to swing the guy mast to a position to tension the guy wire by raising that end of the guy wire which is secured to the guy mast, after which the crane jib is luffed out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: Gusto Engineering C.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik Van Ketel
  • Patent number: 4664269
    Abstract: To permit an increase of the maximum permissible load of a crane for heavy loads, in particular an offshore crane, some of the luffing wires for luffing in and out the crane jib (4), are extended by guy wires (17); to avoid the disadvantage that the frame (3) of the crane with tie-back system can not slew, the part of the luffing wires connected with the guy wires, on the one hand, and the part of the luffing wires not connected with said guy wires, on the other, form part of separate hoists (6, 5) which can be operated by separated winches (14, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Gusto Engineering C.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik van Ketel
  • Patent number: 4635803
    Abstract: A compact pedestal crane having a boom pivoted at a front edge of a main frame with a winch frame aligned with the boom and a plurality of winches mounted on the winch frame. An A-frame gantry is mounted on and extends above the winch frame and an engine drawingly connected to a plurality of hydraulic pump is mounted on the frame underneath the winch frame to conserve space. A cab is supported from the main frame to one side of the boom and forward of the front edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Frank S. Foster, Gerald P. Berger
  • Patent number: 4610365
    Abstract: Hoisting arrangement having a boom or a crane with two separately driven hoist wires each with its individual cargo hook. The cargo hooks along with the hoist wires are used for various lifting operations. The hoist wires and a topping wire are operated by their respective winches. The hoist wires are connected via their winches to a common power supply system via a selection valve whereby a constant tension is exerted on the hoist wire. The winches are adapted to pay out hoist wire if the pull in the hoist wire exceeds this constant tension and to draw in hoist wire if the pull falls below the constant tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: A/S Hydraulik Brattvag
    Inventor: Harald Roed
  • Patent number: 4601633
    Abstract: A hoist that includes a winding drum for a load-lift cable mechanism. The um has two drum sections of slightly different diameter; end portions of the cable are wound in different directions on the drum sections, so that one cable section winds onto a drum section while the other cable section winds off the other drum section. The effect is to provide a very slow net cable motion related to the difference in drum section diameters. The hoist includes a latch mechanism adapted to suspend the load from the boom during certain periods of a load transfer operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Erwin F'Geppert
  • Patent number: 4596336
    Abstract: According to the invention a extendible and retractable luffing jib (13) is hingedly supported by a main boom (10,25) which can be positioned in a horizontal position, which luffing jib (13) protrudes at its rear side over some distance beyond the main boom (10,25), whereby a first block of sheaves (15) is fitted on the main boom (10,25) at a lower level than the luffing jib (13) while wire ropes (19,20) are reeved between these sheaves (15) and a second block of sheaves (14) mounted on the rear end of the luffing jib (13) for luffing the luffing jib (13) as well as for hoisting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Inventor: Jan Zwagerman
  • Patent number: 4574964
    Abstract: A breakaway bail for a pedestal mount crane pivotally attached to the gantry by a pin extending through bushings secured to a pair of parallel plates with a spacer between the plates aligned with the bushings. A beam having an upright flange is secured between the plates and a multiple sheave pulley is attached to beam by brackets. Each of the plates has a necked down section between the flange and the spacer to create a high stress area, which area will separate under overload conditions without affecting the connection of the crane to its pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald P. Berger
  • Patent number: 4573593
    Abstract: A flat box is interposed between the pulley carrying head and the top element of the main boom of a tower crane, with traverses being exchangeably hinged to the box, the traverses being tensioned against the head and respectively carry a load cable guiding sheave and a holding cable attachment for the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventor: Joachim Lietzau
  • Patent number: 4557391
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the angle of a pivoted, pendant supported extensible boom and the mast-boom angle between working positions and a transport position. The structure for controlling the angle includes a wire rope driven by a winch and trained over a boom supporting hoist and over a pendant take-up hoist which includes a floating sheave assembly connected to an extensible portion of the boom by a fixed length pendant. Another fixed length pendant determines the mast-boom angle when the boom is in working position, and a floating sheave stop is pivoted to the mast in position to cradle and/or abut a portion of the floating sheave assembly for enabling complete control of the mast when moved between its transport position and working positions relative to the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Darwin N. Poock, Robert A. Rathe
  • Patent number: 4544071
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for maintaining a predetermined mast-boom working angle of a pendant supported boom substantially constant during extension and retraction of the boom. One embodiment of the invention includes control means connected between the boom and the mast for detecting slight angular changes and actuating power means for paying out or drawing in sufficient pendant to return the mast-boom angle to a predetermined angle. Another embodiment utilizes electrical controls having a first potentiometer capable of detecting linear changes in the effective boom supporting length of the pendant and another potentiometer for detecting linear changes in the length of the boom, said potentiometer sending output signal ratios which vary from a predetermined output signal ratio for actuating power means that takes up or pays out sufficient pendant to return the boom to the predetermined mast-boom working angle and returns the output signal ratio to said predetermined ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Darwin N. Poock
  • Patent number: 4535900
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus and method utilizing a boom having complete spatial freedom. The boom is supported by a series of ropes and may be moved in any of three mutually parallel planes so as to transfer material in any desired manner, as by utilizing a conveyor system or a lifting rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventor: Alan F. Daniell