US3799358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Helicopter tail rotor device
Assignee: Zachry Co H B
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Filing: 1972-06-12
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A helicopter tail rotor disposed on a crane for stabilizing a load suspended from the crane boom during a hoisting operation. The tail rotor is secured to a hoisting platform suspended from the upper end of the boom, the rotor blades being manually or automatically adjusted for turning the load horizontally in either direction such that the load is both stabilized during hoisting and easily directed to its assigned location. Alternately, the tail rotor is directly secured to the upper end of the boom such that the boom and crane body can be easily rotated about a fixed base, thereby avoiding the need for ring and pinion gears at the base of the crane, or reducing the load on such gears if they are used.
Inventors
- 👤 A Putnam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:53
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C13/00; B66C13/04; B66C13/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for adjusting the position of a load comprising a crane having an elongated boom, a hoisting cable suspended from the boom, a rigid propeller support structure connected to the hoisting cable and releasably secured to the load and extending to a point remote from the load and displaced laterally from the axis of the hoisting cable, a propeller mounted on the displaced portion of the support structure to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis spaced laterally from the axis of the cable, and means for rotating the propeller to exert a torque on the cable through the structure and the load to provide directional control for the load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
Apparatus for adjusting the position of a load comprising a crane having an elongated boom, a hoisting cable suspended from the boom, a rigid propeller support structure connected to the hoisting cable and releasably secured to the load and extending to a point remote from the load and displaced laterally from the axis of the hoisting cable, a propeller mounted on the displaced portion of the support structure to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis spaced laterally from the axis of the cable, and means for rotating the propeller to exert a torque on the cable through the structure and the load to provide directional control for the load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the support structure includes a platform releasably secured to the exterior surface of the load, and a rigid propeller support arm extending from the platform to said point remote from the load and displaced from the axis of the cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the propeller is rotatable in a substantially vertical plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the support structure is releasably secured to the exterior surface of the load and extends to a point remote from the load for positioning the propeller.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for varying the pitch of the propeller relative to said vertical plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 including means for adjusting the direction of rotation of the propeller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including manually operative steering means coupled to the propeller and positioned on the load to permit manual operation of the propeller by a workman on the load.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including remote-controlled steering means for automatically adjusting the rotation of the propeller to control directional movement of the load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the load comprises a modular dwelling unit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of adjusting the position of a load, the method comprising suspending the load from a hoisting cable connected to the boom of a crane, releasably securing a support structure to the load so at least a portion of the structure is remote from the load and displaced laterally from the axis of the cable, mounting a propeller on the support structure to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis spaced laterally from the axis of the cable, rotating the propeller to exert a torque on the cable through the structure and the load to provide directional control for positioning the load, and removing the propeller support structure from the load after the load is in position.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of adjusting the position of a load, the method comprising suspending the load from a hoisting cable connected to the boom of a crane, releasably securing a support structure to the load so at least a portion of the structure is remote from the load and displaced laterally from the axis of the cable, mounting a propeller on the support structure to be rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis spaced laterally from the axis of the cable, rotating the propeller to exert a torque on the cable through the structure and the load to provide directional control for positioning the load, and removing the propeller support structure from the load after the load is in position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 10 including securing the propeller to an arm on a platform, and releasably securing the platform to the load such that the arm supports the propeller at a point displaced from the axis of the cable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 10 including adjusting the pitch of the propeller to adjust the position of the load.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method according to claim 10 including connecting manually operative steering means to the propeller to permit the pitch of the propeller to be adjusted, and manually operating the steering means from a position on the load to control the directional movement of the load.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 10 in which the load is a modular dwelling unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |