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.

Abstract: A crane has an elevation structure foldable at its intermediate portion, a rope extended along the structure and a rope support for supporting the rope. When the structure is folded and elevated, the rope support is moved to and held at a position near the point of folding of the structure. After the completion of straightening of the structure, the rope support is held at a position adjacent to the extreme end of the structure. A rope supporting apparatus for realizing this method includes an arrangement for mounting the rope support for movement along the structure, and a shifting driving mechanism mounted on the rope support and adapted to drive the rope support along the length of the structure.

Abstract: A ship's derrick can be swiveled and tripped up by means of a goose-neck pin-bearing and one or more topping lift tackles. Its tackle is fastened to a crab which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the derrick by means of a tackle line. In the case of a heavy cargo derrick, the tackle line between the derrick brace and the crab comprises a multi-part tackle which may be cut and dimensioned similar to the load tackle and which is provided with two hauling parts, the arrangement being such that the topping lift tackles act on the crab.

Abstract: A coupling and latching mechanism for a multisection extensible boom that includes a manual section and is operable from a remote location such as the cab of a crane. The mechanism includes pairs of spaced jaw type couplings secured to adjacent boom sections and adapted to be selectively coupled to the piston rod or the like of an extensible power means for operating the boom either with the manual section extended or retracted. Remotely controlled latch means are provided to latch the manual section in a plurality of extended positions, or in a retracted position.

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.

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.

Abstract: A telescopic boom is disclosed which is pivotally supported by its base section for movement about a horizontal axis. The boom is supported by a live mast through multi-part pendant lines, which pendant lines are each reeved over sheaves attached to the boom at the forward end of the base section and at the forward end of another boom section to support the boom at a plurality of points forwardly of the live mast. The forward end of each pendant is preferably received within the boom over sheaves journaled on the cylinder case of a boom extending ram and on selected sections of the boom. The multi-part pendant supported boom reduces boom droop caused by extension of the boom approximately 50% of that of a boom supported at a single point by each pendant line.

Abstract: Cross-pit conveyor for strip-mining operations and cooperating with one or more excavating machines includes a pair of struts and a base strut, all arranged and interconnected in a configuration constituting a horizontally oriented isosceles triangle, the struts of the pair constituting the legs and defining the principal corner of the triangle as well as a line of symmetry of the triangle; undercarriages are disposed in the corners of the triangle for movably but separately supporting the struts; a first pair of upwardly converging towers is pivotably linked to the base and the corners and a second pair of upwardly converging towers extends from the base corners in an inclined fashion: a vertical support tower extends generally upwardly from the principal corner and has its upper end connected to the ends of the second pair of converging towers; tensioning cables interconnect the towers at their respective upper ends; a boom is tensioned by cable and pivotably linked to the base strut and extends in a direct

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: Described herein are cranes and particularly those which are stability balanced, normally mounted on a truck or similar vehicle and provided with a boom of telescoping sections. The crane according to the invention has a boom provided with an upper lattice extension and a fly jib, attached (preferably pivotally), to the boom adjacent the top thereof or to the lattice extension at a point on the lower half of the extension. As this arrangement provides a reasonable length of boom, or lattice extension thereof, above the connection point of the fly jib, a substantial moment arm is provided enabling a relatively long and heavy fly jib to be employed giving greater stability to the top portions of the crane. Also the arrangement enables increased lift capability, at comparable radii, as compared with a standard crane, or similar lift capabilities at an increased working radius.

Abstract: A removable live mast and hoist unit is disclosed for use with a crane of the type having a pivotal live mast releasably connected to the boom of a crane for raising and lowering the boom. The unit includes the live mast and a boom hoist frame that are rigidly secured together with the boom hoist, reeving, mast bridle and bail all partially enclosed within portions of the mast and a cavity in the frame to protect the reeving and to permit easy removal of the unit without unwinding the reeving.

Abstract: A vertically pivotable boom bending device for a crane including a main boom, a vertically pivotable boom including an inner boom section connected to the main boom for vertical pivotal movement and an outer boom section connected to the inner boom section for vertical pivotal movement, an articulating rope extending from a main body of the crane to the inner boom section, a rope winding device for paying out and gathering in the articulating rope and first tension means connecting the main body to the outer boom section. The device includes second tension means connected at one end to the main body and at the other end to the outer boom section for pivotal movement in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A split topping lift gear with a boom swingable through a plane between a pair of posts includes the boom and a jib hingedly connected to the upper end of the boom. The jib is elongated, with its hinged connection to the boom located between its ends. A relieving cargo tackle is connected to each end of the jib. One cargo tackle can be connected to the boom socket while the other is free to carry a load. The jib is adjustably positionable about its hinged connection in a vertical plane.

Abstract: A crane of the telescopic jib type wherein the telescopic jib sections are driven for outward and inward telescopic movement by a chain cable or the like which is connected to the jib sections and movement of which in one direction drives the sections outwardly and movement of which in the other direction drives the sections inwardly. This enables a simple and relatively cheap drive means to be employed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved type of tension supported boom crane which uses a load distributor to provide a plurality of attachment points for the tension support, thereby allowing a load or loads to be connected to a corresponding plurality of support points, giving rise to a particular improvement in control for bulky loads.This disclosure further relates to an improved method for controlling a bulky load with a tension supported boom crane by incorporating a load distributor in the supporting tension line allowing attachment of load cables to a bulky load at a plurality of points, and further allowing each of those load lines to be independently controlled.

Abstract: Marine derrick having a horizontal turn table supporting a derrick boom, a derrick post and all winches each handling separately a cargo fall, a topping lift wire and guy pendants thereon. A guy winch is located in center portion of the turn table at a level spaced from the turn table with its vertical drive shaft extended downward through an opening provided in the turn table and connected to drive motor located below the deck. The turn table is operatively connected to the drive shaft by a train of gears.

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.