Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for transferring a load between relatively vertically moving supports on one of which is a crane having a load lifting cable, said apparatus comprising a frame suspended from said load lifting cable; a vertically extensible and retractable second cable carried by said frame and supporting a hook for fitting to said load; operating means supported wholly by said frame and including rotary winch means coupled to said second cable and drive means for rotating said winch means for vertically extending and retracting the latter to lower and raise said hook an amount at least equal to the amplitude of relative vertical movement of said supports; and means for disabling said operating means and maintaining said hook in a selected position of vertical adjustment relative to said frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for transferring a load between relatively vertically moving supports on one of which is a crane having a load lifting cable, said apparatus comprising a frame suspended from said load lifting cable; a vertically extensible and retractable second cable carried by said frame and supporting a hook for fitting to said load; operating means supported wholly by said frame and including rotary winch means coupled to said second cable and drive means for rotating said winch means for vertically extending and retracting the latter to lower and raise said hook an amount at least equal to the amplitude of relative vertical movement of said supports; and means for disabling said operating means and maintaining said hook in a selected position of vertical adjustment relative to said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said disabling means comprises a brake operable to prevent rotation of said winch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for sensing the presence of tension in said second cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for sensing the absence of tension in said second cable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drive means includes motor means for rotating said winch means in a selected one of two different directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said disabling means comprises brake means operable selectively to permit and prevent rotation of said winch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said operating means includes a second rotary winch means said second cable having its opposite ends wound around the respective winch means, and said hook being supported by said second cable between the ends of the latter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said drive means includes motor means for rotating at least one of said winch means in either of two different directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said disabling means comprises brake means operable selectively to permit and prevent rotation of said one of said winch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said winch means is reversible; said drive means includes reversible motor means for driving said winch means in a selected one of two different directions; and weight responsive means in circuit with said motor means for controlling the operation of the latter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said weight responsive means includes two stress detectors operable respectively to detect the presence and absence of tension in said second cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for disabling said operating means comprise first stress detector means operable to detect the presence of tension in said second cable and to command maintaining said hook in said position when a load is suspended from said hook; and second stress detector means operable to detect the presence of an excess of tension in said second cable and inhibit the disabling of said operating means if such excess is detected.