Crane controls

Claim 2

A control device for a material handling apparatus including an extensible boom pivotally mounted for movement about horizontal and vertical axes, the device for controlling the boom movement within a predetermined complex path, the control device including: first control means for controlling boom movement about the horizontal axis, second control means for controlling boom extension, a boom movement follower moveable according to movement of the boom about said vertical and horizontal axes, a stop fixedly positioned relative to said complex path, a first element engageable with said stop and responsive to movement of said boom movement follower, a switch for actuating one of said first and second control means, said first element being adapted to actuate said switch upon movement of said boom and said boom movement follower which tends to move said first element relative to said stop, and further including a bar moveably mounted on said first element and engageable with said boom movement follower, wherein said bar has a first surface shaped to proportionately conform to the shape of said complex path, and adapted to engage said boom movement follower.

Claim 3

A control device for material handling apparatus including an extensible boom pivotally mounted for movement about horizontal and vertical axes, a device for controlling boom movement within a predetermined complex path, the control device including: first control means for controlling boom movement about the horizontal axis, second control means for controlling boom extension, a boom movement follower moveable according to movement of the boom about said vertical and horizontal axes, a stop fixedly positioned relative to said complex path, a first element engageable with said stop and responsive to movement of said boom movement follower, a switch for actuating one of said first and second control means, said first element being adapted to actuate said switch upon movement of said boom and said boom movement follower which tends to move said first element relative to said stop, and further comprising a second element, said stop mounted on said second element, said second element moveable relative to said first element, means for referencing said second element and said stop to a point remote from the boom, and means for locking said second element against movement away from said reference position. 3. A control device for a material handling apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the movement of said first element is substantially parallel to the movement of said second moveable element.

Claim 4

A control device for a material handling apparatus according to claim 8 and further including a bar, said bar moveably supported on said first element, said bar engageable with said boom movement follower.

Claim 5

In a control device for a material handling apparatus including an extendible boom pivotally mounted for movement about horizontal and vertical axes, the control device including a boom movement follower moveable in accordance with the vertical and longitudinal movement of the boom, the improvement comprising a first element moveable independent of the movement of the boom movement follower, a stop mounted on said first element, means for referencing said first element and said stop to a point remote from the boom, means forlocking said first element against further movement, said boom movement follower cooperating with said stop to provide a signal responsive to boom movement relative to said remote point.

Claim 6

In a control device for a material handling apparatus including an extendible boom pivotally mounted for movement about horizontal and vertical axes, the control device including a boom movement follower moveable in accordance with the vertical and longitudinal movement of the boom, the improvement comprising a first element moveable independent of the movement of the boom movement follower, a stop mounted on said first element, means for referencing said first element and said stop to a point remote from the boom, means forlocking said first element against further movement, said boom movement follower cooperating with said stop to provide a signal responsive to boom movement relative to said remote point.

Claim 7

In a control device for a material handling apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said device includes a seCond element, said second element moveable responsive to said boom movement follower and adapted to engage said stop.

Claim 8

In a control device for a material handling apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said device further includes a switch, said switch being actuated upon movement of said boom movement follower which tends to move said second element relative to said stop.

Claim 9

In a control device for a material handling apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said said boom is mounted on a vehicle and said device further includes boom orientation means cooperating with said first element to compensate for misorientation of the vehicle.

Claim 10

In a control device for a material handling apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said boom orientation means is adapted to maintain said first element in a substantially horizontal orientation during misorientation of said vehicle.

Claim 11

In a control device for a material handling apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said boom orientation means is adapted to maintain said first element in a substantially vertical orientation during misorientation of said vehicle.