Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
A mobile crane for lifting or lowering bulky oBjects, comprising: a. a generally horizontally extending, generally planar base frame means having a lifting and steering control end and a second end, generally opposite said control end, said base frame being mounted on wheels and including a generally horizontal cross member intermediate said control end and said second end; b. a generally vertically extending, mast-like guide member supported by said cross member; c. a tracking means associated with said guide member for generally up and down movement therealong; d. a generally horizontally extending, raisable and lowerable lift arm having a free end and a supported end, said supported end being operably associated with said tracking means and guided in its up and down movement by said tracking means and said guide member; e. a lifting platform attached to said free end of said lift arm; f. a support means, integral with said control end and extending upwardly from the plane of said base frame means and including a generally horizontal portion for supporting a lifting control means above the plane of said base frame means; g. a lifting control means mounted on said horizontal portion of said support means; h. a housing means for the vertical portion of a tiller-like steering element, said housing means extending generally vertically downwardly from said horizontal portion of said support means; i. a moveable tiller-like steering element having a generally vertically extending portion enclosed within said housing means and including at least one steerable wheel operably associated with the lower end of said vertically extending portion; and j. an elongated lifting element extending from said lifting control means to said lift arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
A mobile crane for lifting or lowering bulky oBjects, comprising: a. a generally horizontally extending, generally planar base frame means having a lifting and steering control end and a second end, generally opposite said control end, said base frame being mounted on wheels and including a generally horizontal cross member intermediate said control end and said second end; b. a generally vertically extending, mast-like guide member supported by said cross member; c. a tracking means associated with said guide member for generally up and down movement therealong; d. a generally horizontally extending, raisable and lowerable lift arm having a free end and a supported end, said supported end being operably associated with said tracking means and guided in its up and down movement by said tracking means and said guide member; e. a lifting platform attached to said free end of said lift arm; f. a support means, integral with said control end and extending upwardly from the plane of said base frame means and including a generally horizontal portion for supporting a lifting control means above the plane of said base frame means; g. a lifting control means mounted on said horizontal portion of said support means; h. a housing means for the vertical portion of a tiller-like steering element, said housing means extending generally vertically downwardly from said horizontal portion of said support means; i. a moveable tiller-like steering element having a generally vertically extending portion enclosed within said housing means and including at least one steerable wheel operably associated with the lower end of said vertically extending portion; and j. an elongated lifting element extending from said lifting control means to said lift arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mobile crane according to claim 1 wherein the lower end of said steering element includes an axle and a pair of wheels mounted at opposite ends of said axle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A mobile crane according to claim 1 wherein said lifting control means comprises a winch to which said elongated lifting element is attached; wherein said guide member includes a sheave journalled adjacent the upper end of said guide member; and wherein said elongated lifting element is a cable attached to said winch and passing at least once over said sheave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
163 words
A mobile crane according to claim 1 wherein said guide means is a single vertical member including a first guide surface facing toward said control end of said base frame means and a second guide surface facing toward said second end, wherein said single vertical member passes through a space defined by said tracking means, and wherein said tracking means comprises: a. a parallel, spaced apart pair of strap members, normal to said first and second guide surfaces for defining said space in said tracking means, for maintaining first and second cylindrical rollers in a fixed relative position, and for enabling the rollers to rotate and move up and down the guide member while maintaining the fixed relative position; b. a first cylindrical roller resting on said first guide surface and extending between and journalled in said pair of strap members, c. a second cylindrical roller resting on said second guide surface and extending between and journalled in said pair of strap members.