Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for lifting and maneuvering a roll of material or the like having an externally accessible axial opening, comprising: (a) an elongated frame having upper and lower ends and adapted to be raised and lowered by an overhead crane or the like; (b) probe assembly means having first and second ends, the first end constructed for insertion into the roll opening and including mechanical means for increasing its external size within the roll opening for retainably engaging the roll; (c) said probe assembly means being pivotally connected intermediate its first and second ends to the lower end of the elongated frame and swingably between a generally vertical position and a transverse lift positon; (d) and control means operatively connected between said frame and the probe assembly means proximate its second end, the control means being operable to maintain the probe assembly means in the transverse lift position to permit lifting of the roll with its axis horizontally disposed, and to permit controlled movement of the probe assembly means from the transverse lift position to the generally vertical position under the influence of said roll of material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
Apparatus for lifting and maneuvering a roll of material or the like having an externally accessible axial opening, comprising: (a) an elongated frame having upper and lower ends and adapted to be raised and lowered by an overhead crane or the like; (b) probe assembly means having first and second ends, the first end constructed for insertion into the roll opening and including mechanical means for increasing its external size within the roll opening for retainably engaging the roll; (c) said probe assembly means being pivotally connected intermediate its first and second ends to the lower end of the elongated frame and swingably between a generally vertical position and a transverse lift positon; (d) and control means operatively connected between said frame and the probe assembly means proximate its second end, the control means being operable to maintain the probe assembly means in the transverse lift position to permit lifting of the roll with its axis horizontally disposed, and to permit controlled movement of the probe assembly means from the transverse lift position to the generally vertical position under the influence of said roll of material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein the control means is constructed to move the probe assembly means from the generally vertical position to the transverse lift position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
The apparatus defined by claim 2, wherein the control means comprises hydraulic circuit means including: (a) hydraulic actuator means having extended and retracted positions and connected so that the probe assembly means is in the transverse lift position with the actuator means in its extended position; (b) pressure accumulator means for accumulating hydraulic fluid under pressure as the hydraulic actuator means moves from the extended to the retracted position; (c) and control valve means for selectively releasing and transmitting the accumulated hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic actuator means to move the probe assembly means from the generally vertical position to the transverse lift position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus defined by claim 3, wherein the control valve means comprises a control valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus defined by claim 3, wherein the hydraulic circuit means further comprises restriction means disposed between the hydraulic actuator means and the pressure accumulator means for restrictively regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween as the hydraulic actuator means moves from its extended position to its retracted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus defined by claim 3, wherein the hydraulic circuit means comprises a closed hydraulic circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus defined by claim 3, wherein the hydraulic actuator means is pivotally connected between the elongated frame and the probe assembly means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for lifting and maneuvering a roll of material or the like having an externally accessible axial opening, comprising: (a) an elongated frame having upper and lower ends and adapted to be raised and lowered by an overhead crane or the like; (b) probe assembly means having first and second ends, the first end constructed for insertion into the roll opening and including mechanical means for increasing its external size within the roll opening for retainably engaging the roll; (c) said probe assembly means being pivotally connected intermediate its first and second ends to the lower end of the elongated frame and swingable between a generally vertical position and a transverse lift position; (d) and actuator means operatively connected between said elongated frame and the probe assembly means proximate its second end for moving the probe assembly means from the generally vertical position to the transverse lift position, and for maintaining the probe assembly means in either position, whereby the roll may be lifted from a horizontal or vertical position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for lifting and maneuvering a roll of material or the like having an externally accessible axial opening, comprising: (a) an elongated frame having upper and lower ends and adapted to be raised and lowered by an overhead crane or the like; (b) probe assembly means having first and second ends, the first end constructed for insertion into the roll opening and including mechanical means for increasing its external size within the roll opening for retainably engaging the roll; (c) said probe assembly means being pivotally connected intermediate its first and second ends to the lower end of the elongated frame and swingable between a generally vertical position and a transverse lift position; (d) and actuator means operatively connected between said elongated frame and the probe assembly means proximate its second end for moving the probe assembly means from the generally vertical position to the transverse lift position, and for maintaining the probe assembly means in either position, whereby the roll may be lifted from a horizontal or vertical position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus defined by claim 8, wherein the actuator means is constructed to permit controlled movement of the probe assembly means from the transverse lift position to the generally vertical position under the influence of said roll of material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus defined by claim 8, wherein the actuator means is constructed to move the probe assembly means from said transverse lift position to the generally vertical position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus defined by claim 8, wherein the actuator means comprises reversible motor means which is selectively controlable to move the probe assembly means between said transverse lift position and said generally vertical position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus defined by claim 8, wherein the actuator means comprises hydraulic circuit means including hydraulic actuator means extendable upon the application of hydraulic fluid to move the probe assembly means from the generally vertical position to the transverse lift position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus defined by claim 12, wherein the hydraulic circuit means further comprises a reversible hydraulic pump operatively connected to the hydraulic actuator means, the hydraulic pump being selectively operable to extend or retract the hydraulic actuator means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus defined by claim 13, wherein the hydraulic circuit means further comprises restrictor means disposed between the hydraulic pump and hydraulic actuator means for restrictively regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween when the probe assembly means is moved from the transverse lift position to the generally vertical position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus defined by claim 8, wherein the actuator means comprises an extensible and retractable jack screw actuator, a reversible electrical motor operatively connected to the jack screw actuator, and switch means for controlling the direction of operation of the electric motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus defined by claim 15, which further comprises a control box for housing the switch means, the control box being removably mounted on the elongated frame and electically connected with the electric motor to permit remote control thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus defined by claim 1, wherein the mechanical means are lockable to maintain the diameter of the probe assembly means at the externally increased size.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus defined by claim 8, wherein the mechanical means are lockable to maintain the diameter of the probe assembly means at the externally increased size.