US3870161A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Joy stick controller for tower crane
Assignee: HEEDE INTERNATIONAL Inc
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Filing: 1973-02-28
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-02-28
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for controlling independent actions of a tower crane, including horizontal trolley travel along the boom track, rotation of the boom itself, and vertical travel of the lifting hook, with a lever, or joy stick, in such manner that the resulting movements are smooth, rapid, and reliably controlled. The lever returns to an origin, or dead center position when not under the influence of an external force.
Inventors
- 👤 Eldon F Cording
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:47
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C13/00; B66C13/52; B66C13/54; B66C13/56; G; G05; G05G; G05G9/00; G05G9/02; G05G9/04; G05G9/047; G05G2009/04703; G05G2009/04714; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20012; Y10T74/20201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In a tower crane having a. a mast portion extending vertically; b. a boom portion extending horizontally from and rotating about the mast portion; c. a track on the boom having riding thereon a trolley; d. a lift cable on the trolley and adapted to lift and lower crane loads; and e. separate driving means for rotating the boom, moving the trolley, and lifting and lower a load; a lever pivoted on a pair of axes disposed normal to one another, means on each of The axes for determining a signal proportional to lever movement, and means for transmitting the determined signals to the separate driving means; wherein the lever is pivoted within a first trunnion, and said lever extends within a groove in a U-shaped portion of a second trunnion pivoted normally to said first trunnion, whereby said lever can selectively rotate both said first and second trunnions separately or simultaneously; said device having a gear segment fixed on each of the first and second trunnions; a pinion engaged with each of said segments, potentiometers adapted to be operated by rotation of said pinions, whereby electrical signals proportional to lever movement are determined, and means for returning said lever to an origin, or dead center position, including a. cams on the first and second trunnions; b. cam followers in engagement with the cams, and c. springs biasing the cam followers against the cams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a tower crane having a. a mast portion extending vertically; b. a boom portion extending horizontally from and rotating about the mast portion; c. a track on the boom having riding thereon a trolley; d. a lift cable on the trolley and adapted to lift and lower crane loads; and e. separate driving means for rotating the boom, moving the trolley, and lifting and lower a load; a lever pivoted on a pair of axes disposed normal to one another, means on each of The axes for determining a signal proportional to lever movement, and means for transmitting the determined signals to the separate driving means; wherein the lever is pivoted within a first trunnion, and said lever extends within a groove in a U-shaped portion of a second trunnion pivoted normally to said first trunnion, whereby said lever can selectively rotate both said first and second trunnions separately or simultaneously; said device having a gear segment fixed on each of the first and second trunnions; a pinion engaged with each of said segments, potentiometers adapted to be operated by rotation of said pinions, whereby electrical signals proportional to lever movement are determined, and means for returning said lever to an origin, or dead center position, including a. cams on the first and second trunnions; b. cam followers in engagement with the cams, and c. springs biasing the cam followers against the cams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a tower crane having a. a mast portion extending vertically; b. a boom portion extending horizontally from and rotating about the mast portion; c. a track on the boom having riding thereon a trolley; d. a lift cable on the trolley and adapted to lift and lower crane loads; and e. separate driving means for rotating the boom, moving the trolley, and lifting and lower a load; a lever pivoted on a pair of axes disposed normal to one another, means on each of The axes for determining a signal proportional to lever movement, and means for transmitting the determined signals to the separate driving means; wherein the lever is pivoted within a first trunnion, and said lever extends within a groove in a U-shaped portion of a second trunnion pivoted normally to said first trunnion, whereby said lever can selectively rotate both said first and second trunnions separately or simultaneously; said device having a gear segment fixed on each of the first and second trunnions; a pinion engaged with each of said segments, potentiometers adapted to be operated by rotation of said pinions, whereby electrical signals proportional to lever movement are determined, and means for returning said lever to an origin, or dead center position, including a. cams on the first and second trunnions; b. cam followers in engagement with the cams, and c. springs biasing the cam followers against the cams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a tower crane having a. a mast portion extending vertically; b. a boom portion extending horizontally from and rotating about the mast portion; c. a track on the boom having riding thereon a trolley; d. a lift cable on the trolley and adapted to lift and lower crane loads; and e. separate driving means for rotating the boom, moving the trolley, and lifting and lower a load; a lever pivoted on a pair of axes disposed normal to one another, means on each of The axes for determining a signal proportional to lever movement, and means for transmitting the determined signals to the separate driving means; wherein the lever is pivoted within a first trunnion, and said lever extends within a groove in a U-shaped portion of a second trunnion pivoted normally to said first trunnion, whereby said lever can selectively rotate both said first and second trunnions separately or simultaneously; said device having a gear segment fixed on each of the first and second trunnions; a pinion engaged with each of said segments, potentiometers adapted to be operated by rotation of said pinions, whereby electrical signals proportional to lever movement are determined, and means for returning said lever to an origin, or dead center position, including a. cams on the first and second trunnions; b. cam followers in engagement with the cams, and c. springs biasing the cam followers against the cams.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |