Including Pivotal, Rotational, Or Swivel Connection Between Drum And Base Patents (Class 254/332)
  • Patent number: 10625826
    Abstract: A motorized water sports equipment rack and method for motorized swiveling of a water sports equipment rack attached to a boat are disclosed. The motorized water sports equipment rack includes a mounting bracket for securing the mounting bracket to the boat and a water sports rack mounting bolt connected to the mounting bracket. A swivel bracket is connected to the water sports rack mounting bracket. A water sports equipment rack mount is connected to the swivel bracket. The water sports equipment rack mount supports a water sports equipment rack adapted for holding various types of water sporting equipment. A sealed actuator housing is connected to the swivel bracket and houses an actuator, such as an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuator. The actuator is configured to drive the swivel bracket to rotate the water sports equipment rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: LeClaire Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Michael Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9949680
    Abstract: A drawworks for a drilling device for lowering and hoisting a load such as a drill string or parts thereof includes a frame comprising a first bearing point, a second bearing point, and a third bearing point, a winding drum, and a first bearing device connected to the frame for the winding drum. The first bearing device is arranged so that a center of respective bearing forces is located at each of the first bearing point, at the second bearing point, and at the third bearing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MHWIRTH GMBH
    Inventor: Albrecht Heinrichs
  • Patent number: 9016667
    Abstract: A cable winch device, in particular a cable winch device of a crane with at least one cable winch, with at least one cable, wherein the cable is at least partly wound up on the cable winch and/or can be wound up and/or unwound, and with at least one tilting means by means of which the cable which can at least partly be tilted and/or pivoted about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cable winch. A crane is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Nenzing Ges.m.b.H.
    Inventors: Reinhard Krappinger, Eugen Schobesberger, Alexander Köhler
  • Publication number: 20150008381
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hoisting winch, in particular to a hoisting gear winch, having a hoisting drum whose winding region is bounded by two lateral flanged wheels, wherein at least one further flanged wheel is provided between the lateral flanged wheels for dividing the winding region into at least two part winding regions, wherein the cable can be guided beyond the named further flanged wheel into the at least two part winding regions. It is suggested in accordance with the invention to move the hoisting drum and/or a transverse cable guide arranged in front of the hoisting drum transversely to the longitudinal direction of the running in/running off cable approximately in the longitudinal direction of the drum and/or to adjust the angular position of the hoisting drum transversely to the longitudinal direction of the drum with respect to at least one transverse axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: LIEBHERR COMPONENTS BIBERACH GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Hausladen, Gerd Hepp
  • Patent number: 8910922
    Abstract: A portable crane for installing and removing windows. The portable crane for installing and removing windows includes a wheeled base with a platform having front and rear ends; a boom support assembly removably fastened to the wheeled base; and a boom assembly supported by the boom support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Roger D. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20140263775
    Abstract: A pivotable winch assembly for a wood chipper includes an attachment bracket permanently connected to the wood chipper, a boom pivotably coupled to the attachment bracket by a pivot pin such that pivoting of the boom helps to manipulate and draw material into the wood chipper, a pivot pin to enable the boom to pivot into a plurality of preferred positions with respect to the wood chipper, and a retention pin for securing the boom into the plurality of preferred positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Altec Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Daniel Satterwhite
  • Patent number: 8820718
    Abstract: A mount for attaching a winch to an all-terrain vehicle. The mount allows the winch to pivot to face the cable anchor during use, thereby preventing improper spooling of the cable. Alternatively, the mount allows the winch to face a predetermined direction during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Jamey Weidner
  • Patent number: 8789813
    Abstract: A lifting apparatus, especially a cable traction mechanism, comprising a base frame that has at least two base plates, further comprising at least two longitudinal beams that interconnect the base plates and are spaced apart from each other, and at least one attachable cross-member for cable reeving parts that is fastened to the base plates and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal beams. Multiple mounting points, to which the attachable cross-member for cable reeving parts can be alternatively and detachably fastened, may be arranged on each of the base plates to promote modularity of the lifting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Gereon Imbusch, Thomas Kohlenberg, Franz Schulte, Dingyuan Zhao, Wenke Sui, Jinping Zhang
  • Patent number: 8657260
    Abstract: Apparatus for an integrated winchhead winch are described herein. An integrated winchhead comprising a frame, a winch and a wedge. The frame may include a mounting base at a first end and a bow stop mounting area at a second end of the frame. The winch may be housed within the frame. The wedge may be attached to the mounting base and may also be mountable on a base stand, wherein the wedge may be adjustably mounted to the base stand and the mounting base. The winchhead may be mountable at two different angles and be vertically adjustable along the base stand. A bow stop may be secured to the bow stop mounting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cequent Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Anderson, Kawa-She-Quoen Okerlund, Todd Walstrom, Victor Burmeister, Kyle Osimitz
  • Patent number: 8613427
    Abstract: A hoist assembly for overhead lifting including an upwardly extending attachment member, a downwardly depending shank coupled to the attachment member and having a polygonal cross sectional shape, a hoist body coupled to the downwardly depending shank, and a plate positioned between the upwardly extending attachment member and the hoist body, that defines a first circular aperture that matingly receives the polygonal shank and a second polygonal aperture laterally spaced from the first circular aperture. The plate is moveable between a first position, in which the polygonal shank extends into the first circular aperture, and a second position, in which the polygonal shank extends into the second polygonal aperture. Rotation of the attachment member with respect to the plate is permitted when the plate is in the first position, and rotation of the attachment member with respect to the plate is inhibited when the plate is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Ingersoll Rand Company
    Inventors: Scott L. Lawson, Richard L. Caviness, David V. Sykes, David A. Eichenberger
  • Patent number: 8596614
    Abstract: There is provided a method for hoisting and lowering a device in a rotor head of a wind turbine generator, that can easily perform a device hoisting and lowering operation in the rotor head without an external crane. The method for hoisting and lowering a device in a rotor head includes a step of mounting a temporary winch rail to a rail support portion previously provided in the rotor head, a step of installing a temporary winch on the temporary winch rail, a step of opening a maintenance hatch provided in the rotor head, and a step of hoisting and lowering a replacement device to be attached or removed in the rotor head through a hoisting and lowering opening in the maintenance hatch by the temporary winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Numajiri, Yoshihiro Fujioka, Atsushi Imanaga
  • Publication number: 20130248789
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable winch device, in particular a cable winch device of a crane with at least one cable winch, with at least one cable, wherein the cable is at least partly wound up on the cable winch and/or can be wound up and/or unwound, and with at least one tilting means by means of which the cable winch can at least partly be tilted and/or pivoted about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cable winch. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a crane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Liebherr-Werk Nenzing Ges.m.b.H.
    Inventors: Reinhard Krappinger, Eugen Schobesberger, Alexander Köhler
  • Patent number: 8201810
    Abstract: A cable-wound drum style hoist with a rotating shaft supported by bearings that has both: (i) some freedom of motion in (at least) one of the bearings; and (ii) a pillow block in the shaft to impart some freedom of motion (beyond freedom to rotate about the central axis) in the shaft itself. By allowing some freedom of motion both the bearing(s) and the shaft, the hoist can better accommodate for bent shafts and/or slight misalignment of coaxial bearings. Also, a set of preferred connection hardware for mechanically connecting a hoist reducer box to a hoist backbone with preferred degrees of freedom/constraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: J.R. Clancy, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter V. Svitavsky
  • Publication number: 20110291061
    Abstract: In one preferred form of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a high tonnage winch system (10) for use in offshore construction, transport and docking operations. The winch system (10) includes a winch (14) and a first arrangement (12) supporting the winch (14). A second arrangement (18) is provided for being mounted to a foundation structure in the form of a deck (20). The first arrangement (12) advantageously comprises a first low profile arrangement (16). The second arrangement (18) advantageously comprises a second low profile arrangement (24). The winch system (10) advantageously includes a low profile roller element bearing (26) connecting the first and second arrangements (12), (18) and allowing rotation of the winch (14) about the second arrangement (12), when the winch (14) is connected to the first arrangement (12) and the second arrangement (18) is mounted to the deck (20). The second arrangement is mounted to the deck (20) using high tonnage winch grillage (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Agustin Costas, Saul Wende, Daniel Forster, David Cree
  • Patent number: 7857288
    Abstract: The air conditioner compressor removal and installation apparatus includes an upper plate having multiple sets of leg sockets depending therefrom. The distal ends of legs installed within any given set of sockets subtend a circle corresponding to the diameter of the inner rim of an air conditioner, heat pump, or HVAC coil housing. The distal end of each leg includes an inverted, L-shaped shoe that rests upon the inner rim of the coil housing when the apparatus is placed thereon. The upper plate includes a winch having a winch cable extending through a hole in the plate. The compressor within the coil housing is disconnected from its attachment and electrical and refrigerant lines. The apparatus is placed atop the coil housing. The winch cable is connected to the compressor, and the winch is operated to lift the compressor from within the coil housing. The process is reversed for reinstallation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Jason E. Dunlap
  • Publication number: 20100294568
    Abstract: A drawworks device on a drill floor which includes an upper pulley assembly) connected to a heave-compensated or fixed mounting, and a main block connected to a pipe mount which is laterally movable in at least one direction relative to the drilling centre of the drill floor, the pulley assembly pivotal about a horizontal first axis which is perpendicular to the direction of lateral movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Paal Taraldrud
  • Publication number: 20100283020
    Abstract: A portable hoist assembly having a housing. The housing has a recoil spring secured thereto wherein the recoil spring is secured to a cable spool such that constant tension is provided on the cable spool. The cable spool contains a cable that is secured thereto and has a hook member secured at a first end. An actuating member having a self contained power source and connected to the cable is thus operable to feed and retract the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Randy A. LaFreniere
  • Patent number: 7753344
    Abstract: A well head attachment is provided having an elongated casing or housing structure in which the tool string, including the entire cable or wire line supply, is pressurized, the housing structure being arranged to place the interior thereof in communication with the well bore in a manner whereby well pressure is equalized throughout the assembly during all operations, utilizing a unique pressure-tight adjustably articulated riser assembly with off-set pivotal radial connections for connection between the wellhead attachment and the pressurized cable-supply reel, thus the need for lengthy sinker weights, lubricators and stuffing boxes is reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventors: Benny W. Moretz, Robert N. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 7753345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a winch comprising a drum, a rotary drum bearing, on which the drum is supported in a rotating manner, a supporting device, on which the rotary drum bearing is supported in a pivotable manner by means of at least one pivot joint, and an actuating drive for the active pivoting of the drum. The pivot axis extends inside the drum and the actuating drive is arranged at least partially inside the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Maximilian Arzberger, Christian Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20090309080
    Abstract: A “turtle” winch that rotates relative to a non-rotatable base. The rotatable part is held in place relative to the fixed base by v shaped grooves held in cam followers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Production Resource Group L.L.C
    Inventor: James Kempf
  • Patent number: 7543800
    Abstract: A manual marine winch includes a winch line including a wire rope, a pair of spaced side plates, a rotating spool assembly supported between the side plates and including a drum, wherein the drum defines a wire rope stacking space on the drum for storing a single stack of wire rope, and a manually actuated control for spooling and un-spooling the wire rope in the wire rope stacking space on the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: W.W. Patterson Company
    Inventors: David B Grapes, Russell J Mayhew, Eric Konvolinka, Erik R. Arlet
  • Publication number: 20090127526
    Abstract: The automatic coiling machine is a device for automatically coiling an elongated flexible element, such as a fishing line. The automatic coiling machine includes a housing adapted for mounting to a support surface, such as a wall of a boat. The housing includes at least one sidewall. A drive roller is rotatably mounted to the sidewall by a drive shaft. A drive system, such as a motor, is mounted to the sidewall for selectively and controllably driving rotation of the drive shaft and, thus, the drive roller. An idler roller is rotatably mounted to the sidewall adjacent the drive roller and contacting the drive roller so that rotation of the drive roller drives rotation of the idler roller. The sidewall is angled so that an axis of rotation of the drive roller is angled with respect to the axis of rotation of the idler roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Tuck Zaruba
  • Patent number: 7530547
    Abstract: A cable winch arrangement for a vehicle (1), particularly for a piste preparation vehicle (1), includes a cable winch (2) and a cable (3), and includes a coupling device (4), disposed on the cable (3), for coupling to and decoupling from an external anchorage point (5), with the arrangement having a means for remote-controlled coupling and/or decoupling of the coupling device (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Prinoth A.G.
    Inventors: Karl Leitner, Martin Runggaldier
  • Patent number: 7350770
    Abstract: The present invention provides a portable hoist for use by air conditioner mechanics, or others, to lift compressors in and out of HVAC units (or other heavy objects). The hoist has a lifting arm rotatable relative to a base and preferably provides a compact storage configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: John N. Boyer
  • Patent number: 7309060
    Abstract: The present invention is a portable wire pulling device that receives and utilizes the rotational power and control features and functions of a cordless, battery-operated electric hand drill to selectively drive a rotatable reel of the portable wire pulling device with sufficient torque and speed to efficiently and quickly pull a wire thereby. The wire pulling device has a frame configured to rotatably carry and selectively position a take-up reel, and a drive interface coupled to the reel and having an input drive shaft configured to receive the hand drill for applying rotational power to the drive mechanism to rotate the reel. No on-site power is needed. The frame extends from a folded position into an upright position and into an angled position in order to pull wire for different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Speedypull, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Baughman, Daniel S. O'Toole
  • Patent number: 7159852
    Abstract: A manual swivel winch of the present invention includes internal drum gearing. The winch has a pair of spaced side plates, a rotating drum supported between the side plates, an internal drum gear coaxially mounted with the rotating drum, and a pinion drive gear engaging and rotating the drum gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: W W Patterson Company
    Inventors: Justin E. Dow, Erik R. Arlet, David B. Grapes, Richard A. Topping, Jr., Eric M. Konvolinka
  • Patent number: 7090200
    Abstract: An actuator and control algorithm which provide an operator with the ability to intuitively and responsively maneuver heavy work-pieces with ease and precision. The structure of the apparatus may provide a hoist with a compliant sensing system to measure the weight of the payload. The compliant sensing system may result in smaller dead-bands than are realizable with traditional force sensing methods. At the command of the user, the control algorithm may switch between two distinct operational modes: float mode and manual mode. In float mode, the hoist actively counterbalances the weight of the load, allowing it to feel substantially weightless in the operator's hands. The operator can apply forces directly to the payload to accelerate it in the desired vertical direction. Because of the small dead-band realized with compliant sensing, the payload may be highly responsive to the operators force inputs. As a result, the payload may be intuitively maneuvered at very high speeds, as well as very low speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Christopher J. Morse, Benjamin T. Krupp, Jerry E. Pratt, Aaron G. Flores
  • Patent number: 7080826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a winch for a construction machine having a cable drum for receiving a cable and a winch support on which the cable drum is mounted in rotary manner about a rotation axis. The cable drum is swivellably mounted about a swivel axis with respect to the winch support and said axis is directed transversely to the cable drum rotation axis. The invention also relates to a construction machine with a winch and a method for operating a winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Pöckl, Martin Lanzl
  • Patent number: 7048258
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus (1) for lifting and moving objects (2), the apparatus including a mobile base means, a telescoping post means (6, 7), an object handling cradle and a cradle (50) adjusting means (20, 21), wherein the telescoping post means is attached to the mobile base means and is substantially vertically disposed and being adapted with means to adjust the height of the post means between a retracted position and an extended position, the cradle adjusting means being adapted to be pivotably attached adjacent the top end of the post means in a horinzontal axis to enable the cradle to be adjustable in a vertical plane, the cradle having a substantially planar top surface and being adapted to be rotatably connected to the cradle adjusting means to enable the cradle to be rotatable in a horizontal plane and being adapted to support and transport an object to a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventors: Patrick Charles Dromgool, Tony Short, Jeffrey Charles Cudby, Nigel David Shaw
  • Patent number: 7021606
    Abstract: The present invention is a lightweight apparatus related generally to lifting heavy objects of construction materials by a single individual, such as panels of sheetrock to inside or outside walls, easily accommodating walls up to 12 feet in height, including angled walls. It is more particularly directed to raising panels of sheetrock to upper portions of a wall and holding the panel in place while an individual nails or screws the sheetrock to the wall studs. A triangular sling-like attachment secures a panel of drywall being lifted by turning the winch. Another attachment on the top section allows the apparatus to lean against the studded wall. The vertical panel lift allows the worker to handle with ease drywall panels that are ¼?, ??, ½? and ?? thick, in addition to holding in place drywall panels as large as 54? wide and 16 feet long.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Marc E. Raycraft
  • Patent number: 6830235
    Abstract: A hydraulic capstan to pull electric or communication wire through conduit or open trenches over long distances from a stationary position. The capstan is powered by a hydraulic motor. An operator can activate the motor from inside the cab of a vehicle to turn the capstan. The rope attached to the wire is wrapped around the capstan. When the rope is pulled tight on the turning capstan, the rope comes on one side and off the other side, pulling the wire load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Clark P. Stafford
  • Publication number: 20030127635
    Abstract: An actuator and control algorithm which provide an operator with the ability to intuitively and responsively maneuver heavy work-pieces with ease and precision. The structure of the apparatus may provide a hoist with a compliant sensing system to measure the weight of the payload. The compliant sensing system may result in smaller dead-bands than are realizable with traditional force sensing methods. At the command of the user, the control algorithm may switch between two distinct operational modes: float mode and manual mode. In float mode, the hoist actively counterbalances the weight of the load, allowing it to feel substantially weightless in the operator's hands. The operator can apply forces directly to the payload to accelerate it in the desired vertical direction. Because of the small dead-band realized with compliant sensing, the payload may be highly responsive to the operators force inputs. As a result, the payload may be intuitively maneuvered at very high speeds, as well as very low speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher J. Morse, Benjamin T. Krupp, Jerry E. Pratt, Aaron G. Flores
  • Patent number: 6550746
    Abstract: The invention is a system for removing dead animals from a building having a ceiling structure, a plurality of parallel elongated pens, and a dead animal depository station. The system includes a track that extends horizontally over the pens and is suspended from the ceiling structure. A carriage assembly is mounted on the track for travel along the track. Rotatably secured to the carriage assembly about a vertical axis is a winch apparatus that extends downwardly from the carriage. Secured to the winch is a flexible means that moves vertically with respect to the winch which is attached to dead animals for raising the animal above the pen and lowering the animal to the dead animal depository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Duane A. Drost
  • Patent number: 6523806
    Abstract: In order to increase winch safety, power and utility method for using a winch and a method for mounting a winch based on ensuring that the force exerted by the winch cable on the drum rotation axis and the drum rotation axis remains perpendicular throughout winch operation are disclosed. An improved winch mount which allows the user of the winch to ensure that the force exerted by the winch cable on the drum rotation axis and the drum rotation axis remains perpendicular throughout winch operation is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Yair Bartal
  • Publication number: 20020117654
    Abstract: In order to increase winch safety, power and utility method for using a winch and a method for mounting a winch based on ensuring that the force exerted by the winch cable on the drum rotation axis and the drum rotation axis remains perpendicular throughout winch operation are disclosed. An improved winch mount which allows the user of the winch to ensure that the force exerted by the winch cable on the drum rotation axis and the drum rotation axis remains perpendicular throughout winch operation is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Yair Bartal
  • Patent number: 6189866
    Abstract: A load handling assembly that is attachable to the receiver of a receiver hitch assembly of the pickup truck. The load handling assembly includes a winch assembly in connection with a rotatable support structure to allow heavy loads to be lifted to the level of the pickup truck bed and then rotated into position over the pickup truck bed prior to lowering. To accommodate users stationed on the ground or on the bed of the pickup truck, the rotatable support structure is provided with two separate winch mounting brackets so that the winch could be safely mounted to accommodate operation from the desired location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventors: Raymond Harkins, M. Danny Harrison
  • Patent number: 6053478
    Abstract: A hoist system including a roller assembly which is allowed to pivot as a suspending member is rolled up around a drum compensates for lateral forces and allows a load on the suspending member to remain centered under the roller assembly. The drum has a shaft mounted through the center with a resilient coupling between the shaft and the drum which allows transfer of rotational torque while allowing the drum to pivot. Such a coupling can be furnished by a pair of concentric rings around the shaft having pivot holes orthogonal to the shaft axis. The innermost ring is connected by a pair of pivot pins to the shaft. The outermost ring is connected to the innermost ring by another pair of pivot pins perpendicular to the pivot pins through the shaft. The outermost ring is attached to the inside of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: PRI Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald M. Friedman
  • Patent number: 6027103
    Abstract: An electrically powered hoisting system is operated by seating a line attached to the load to be hoisted in a groove formed between two sheave components and activating the electrical drive motor to rotate the sheave assembly. Voltage for the electrical drive motor is provided by an on-board 12 volt battery and voltage to the drive motor is controlled by means of a switch device. The groove formed by the sheave components has a resilient gripping surface that provides a firm line gripping action and hands-free and self-tailing operation. A davit, davit mounting brackets, and a flexible mounting assembly for mounting the powerhead assembly to a support are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Byron Wayne Painter
  • Patent number: 5975499
    Abstract: Quadrapod (12) having a central vertical support column (20) and a horizontal plate (22) fixed to the upper portion is disclosed. A slide ring (30) surrounds the column (20) and is movable substantially throughout the length thereof from the bottom of the column to the undersurface of the plate (22). Four pairs of legs (52, 54) extend outwardly from the ring (30) and the plate (22) and terminate in four different feet (56). Each pair of legs includes an upper leg (52) pivotally connected between the plate (22) and the foot (56) and a lower leg (54) pivotally connected between the movable ring (30) and the foot (56). In its operative position, the ring (30) is moved downwardly so that the legs extend outwardly and the quadrapod rests on the four feet. In its collapsed position, the ring (30) is moved upwardly so that the legs and feet are moved inwardly so as to be substantially parallel to the center column. Each of the feet includes a vertical adjusting means (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Meyer Ostrobrod
  • Patent number: 5947450
    Abstract: A manual swivel winch is pivotally attached to a D-ring of a barge deck, boat deck or the like. The manual swivel winch includes a pair of spaced side plates defining a substantially open bottom, a drum rotatably supported between the side plates, and a rotatable handle attached to the drum and extending from one of the side plates. A swivel link is attached to the side plates for pivotally attaching the winch to the D-ring. Each side plate may include a pair of spaced feet extending down at a lower edge thereof with a recess extending between the pair of feet. The recess combined with the open bottom provides a self-cleaning action to the manual swivel winch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: David B. Grapes
  • Patent number: 5876019
    Abstract: The winch apparatus includes a pair of telescoping support arms mounted at their base ends to brackets secured to an all-terrain vehicle. The mounting brackets provide for pivotal movement of the support arms about mutually perpendicular axes. The opposite ends of the support arms are pivotally connected to a winch support plate. By adjusting the length of the support arms, the winch support plate and winch carried thereby can be directed to one side whereby the handle for operating the winch and the support arms do not interfere with one another during loading and unloading operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventors: Michael T. Morrissey, Jr., Roger Gunn
  • Patent number: 5839514
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for injecting and retrieving a length of coiled tubing and storing the tubing on a storage spool. An injector reel is pivotally mounted on a frame such that coiled tubing may be angularly injected to shallow, horizontal wells. A hold-down assembly is provided to individually adjust the pressure applied to the coiled tubing as it is injected into or retrieved from a well. The positioning of the injector reel and the storage spool in the injecting mode ensures a greater degree of wrapping of the coiled tubing around the injector reel to improve the control of the injection and retraction of the tubing. A vertically and horizontally adjustable storage spool cradle enables the operator to vary the width and diameter of the storage spools used in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Fleet Cementers, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Gipson
  • Patent number: 5820108
    Abstract: A monopod anchoring device for facilitating the entry or removal of a workman or equipment into a cavity. The device is adapted to engage an eyelet or the like that extends from a support structure located above the cavity and includes a head member and a leg member extending downwardly therefrom. Secured to one side of the head member is a pulley assembly. A safety device is secured to the leg member and includes a housing with a drum and a drum shaft mounted therein and a safety line that is adapted to be wrapped around the drum. The safety line is positioned over the pulley assembly and has one end secured to the drum and another end secured to the object to be raised or lowered. A hook extends upwardly from the head member in order to secure the monopod anchoring device to the eyelet. Secured to the end of the leg member distal the hook is a transverse cross member which has a pair of feet extending downwardly therefrom for frictionally engaging a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Meyer Ostrobrod
  • Patent number: 5664918
    Abstract: A cargo tie down device includes a winch having a mounting bracket, a winch shaft support and a winch shaft. The mounting bracket is secured to a vehicle, and the winch shaft support is rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket. The winch shaft is rotatable within the winch shaft support and is connected to a flexible member which is either attached to or extends over the cargo on the trailer. Tightening of the belt by the winch causes the winch to align relative to the belt in a position wherein the axis of the winch shaft is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the belt, regardless of the angle at which the belt is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventors: Merle J. Heider, Dale J. Heider, Leon J. Heider, Craig J. Heider
  • Patent number: 5636648
    Abstract: A mobile rotator jet sewer cleaner vehicle for cleaning a sewer line by fluid pressure, the vehicle having a fluid supply for delivering the fluid under pressure to a hose wound on a reel assembly which can be selectively wound or unwound in a vertical direction, wherein a bearing assembly movable in a horizontal direction is secured on a platform and a reel assembly is mounted on and movable with the bearing assembly. A control for selectively actuating winding and unwinding the hose on the reel assembly is provided, and this control, which may also include other instruments and controls for operating the sewer cleaner, is movable with the bearing and reel assembly. In another embodiment of the invention, the platform telescopes into and away from a recess in the vehicle chassis, so that the reel and bearing assemblies are extended from the vehicle when in use, but may be retracted into the recess when desired, and in such event the retracted jet sewer cleaner may be enclosed within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventors: J. T. O'Brien, Daniel J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 5579710
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for docking a motorboat including providing boat docking apparatus with a length of cable, having a weight affixed to one end, and cable retrieving apparatus, having a second end of the cable adhering thereto. The boat is moved to within the length of cable, and the weight, with one end of the cable, is propelled to the boat. The cable is attached to the boat and the motor of the boat is operated into reverse sufficient to tighten the cable while a steering mechanism is operated, against the force of the cable, to align the boat with a boat trailer. The cable retrieving apparatus is activated to retrieve the cable and pull the boat to the trailer and the boat is hoisted into the trailer in a normal fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Gregory H. Piesinger
  • Patent number: 5542812
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: JLG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Grove, Gerald E. Lute
  • Patent number: 5215272
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for pulling cables has a subassembly including a cooperatively driven line pulling take-up spool and level winding device. The subassembly is utilized in combination with a capstan with the take-up spool, level winding device and capstan driven jointly by the same drive. The drive is coupled to a drive shaft upon which the take-up spool is mounted. The take-up spool drive shaft in turn is coupled separately to both a level winding device drive shaft and a capstan drive shaft to provide the cooperative drive. The assembly is mounted on a tiltable table which permits pulling from various angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Inventor: Charles J. Sauber
  • Patent number: 5076544
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting a rotatable hub to a drive shaft is disclosed in which the rotatable hub has an axial opening and a radial through opening between an outer surface of the hub and the axial opening of the hub. A rotatable shaft having an axial slot is positioned in the axial opening of the hub with the slot facing the radial through opening of the hub. One or more pins are inserted through the through opening in the hub into the slot in the shaft to insure rotation of the shaft and the hub together. The radial through opening may be covered at the outer surface of the hub to hold the pin in the through opening and in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Mueller
  • Patent number: RE34585
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a hose storage reel and mounting it to a vehicular platform to allow a high degree of rotational and lateral positioning alignment of hose dispensal to and retrieval from a selected dispatch point. .Iadd.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Peabody Myers Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Schmidt, Jr., Timothy G. Mayer