USO )07874439B2 2) United States Patent (10 Patent No: US 7,874,439 B2 Waisanen 4s) Date of Patent: Jan, 25, 2011 (54) OVERHEAD CRANE L768.S42.A #71950. Causing zim 23175 A * 41943 Melemvald ross (75) Inventor: Steven K. Waisanen, Big Bend, WI Pal6382 4 * 21947 Seward 104107 ws) 2amady A * 1980. Wright 41458 2am A 121986 Ciamer etal (73) Assignoe: MHE Technotogles, Ine, Wilmington, 2BAGOS1 A + 81958 Moore eta 2nair DE (US) 350,603 A LU/19TO Newncce BITOAST A * LVI9TS Shtsky tal aiaais (4) Notice: Sujet to any ditelaimer, the term of this 3814211 A #11974 Pamer S218 patel is exteadod or sdjonted onder 38 aioe A ¢ $1984 Buedchelli cal. 2121196, BIS. 15400) by O days S640 A * LU1991 Bowerman ainaas SU8630 A + 21993 Bozzi (21) Appl.Nos —111995,946 60s%809 8 * $2000 Out ea 768675 B2* 32010 Waisanen (22) PCT Filed: Jul 21, 2008 ares ceed PCT Pub, Date: Feb. 15,2007 peers ) Prior Publication Data Primary Examiner—Thomos J Braban Us 20090159548 A1 Jun. 25, 2000 (74) Attorney, Agent, oF Firm—Portr, Wright, Mortis & Arthur, LLP (1) Inch 7 S Boe 197m (200601) “7 ABSTRACT (2) US.Cl 217; 2121318; 212/224 212/225 An overhead erane adapted to be supported by atleast one (58) Field of Classification Search 212/318, main support beam includes a bridge adapted to travel in & 213/316 317, 223-235 substantially horizontal diretion along the at least one main See application fle for complete search history supper beam, tlle adapted wo travel in substantially horizontal dreetion along te bridge, a jib octably coupled 665) References Cited toa otiom surfaceaf the tole. and host adapted o travel USS. PATENT DOCUMENTS inasubstanally horizontal dircetion along the jib 734187 A * 711903, Mathews 2122204 1.008218 4 * 111911 Taylor 41429 20 Claims, 3 Drawing SheetsUS 7,874,439 B2 Sheet 1 of 3 Jan. 25, 2011 U.S, PatentUS. Patent Jan, 25, 2011 Sheet 2 of 3 US 7,874,439 B2 FIG. 2 x J} 8 ae & 2 ; 3 g = 4 BTUS 7,874,439 B2 Sheet 3 of 3 Jan. 25, 2011 U.S, Patent € ‘OldUS 7,874,439 B2 1 OVERHEAD CRANE BACKGROUND ‘he present invention relates to overhead emanes. More particularly: the present invention relatestoanoverheaderane ‘including a tolley and positionable host that eliminates side Joadlng of the eran Conventional overhead cranes include a frame witha pai ‘of bridge eross members that move along a pair of main support beams. A pair of tracks are supported by the cross members and a hoist moves along the pair of tracks in @ direction transverse to the main support beams. Such a con- figuration does not pemnit the hoist to lift loads positioned cutside the perimeter defined by the main support beams. Father, tif loads positioned outside the runway defined by the eross members or diretly under one of the ross mem- bers, side loading f the hoist results, which is unsafe and @ Violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Adaxiis tion regulations. An overhead erane that permits positioning ‘ofthe hoist directly aver the lad, reganiles ofthe location of Joad within a crane bay, would be welcomed by users of ‘overhead cranes. SUMMARY, In one embodiment, the invention provides an overhead ‘rane adapted to be supported by at least one sain support beam. The overhead crane includes abridge adapted to travel Jina substantially horizontal direction along the atleast one ‘ain support beam, «trolley adapted to travel ina substan- tially horizontal direction along the bridge, a jib rotatably ‘coupled oa rtom sure ofthe wolley, anda hoist adapted to travel ina substantially horizontal direction along the i. In another embodiment, the invention provides an over: head erane adapted tobe supported by first and second main support beams that are spaced apart und generally parallel The overhead crane includes abridge adapted to evel along an underside of the main support beams, and the bridge includes first and second girders aligned transversely to the ‘main support beams wherein the fist and second girders are spaced apart and generally parallel. A trolley is adapted to travel along the frst and second girders ofthe bridge, and the trolley includes a rotate bearing at a bottom surlace of the twoley. A ail is coupled to the rotate bearing and the rail rotates with the rotate bearing relative tote trolley. A boistis ‘adapted to travel along an underside of the rail with the hoist being positionable outside a perimeter defined by the support bea. Inyet anotherembodient, the vention provides an over- head erane. The overhead erane including. atleast one min support beam that extends between two walls ofa Facility, 9 bridge adapted to tvel along the at least one main support beam and including frst and second girders being spaced spart and generally parallel, a trolley adapted to travel along the bridge, and ajib roatably eoupled wo a bottom surface of the trolley and incding a first end and a second end. fst hoist is adapted to tavel along an underside ofthe ji, the hoist being, movable from the frst end of the jib along & portion a the ib, anda socond hoist i coupled 6 the second ‘end ofthe jib and fixed reatve to the jib. 0 o 2 Other aspects ofthe invention will become apparent by ‘consideration of the detailed description nx accompanying drawings BRIBE DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. FIG. 1 illustrates atop view of a erane including a trolley and undernaing With a traveling hoist according to the present invention FIG. 2 illustrates side view ofthe erane shown in FIG. FIG. 3illustmtesan end view ofthe crane shown in FIG. L Before any embodiments of the invention ae explained ia otal itso be understood tat the invention isn limited in its application to the details of constuction ad the arrange- ‘ment of components set forth inthe following description or illustrated the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways, Aso, its tobe understood that the phmscology and terminology used herein is for the par pose of deseription and should not be regarded as Fit, The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and vari ‘ions thereof herein is meant encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereoTas well as additonal items. Unless specified or limited otherwise the terms “mounted,” “eounected.” “supported” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass bath direct and in ect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Fur- ther, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical ‘or mechanical connections or couplings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION PIGS, 1.3 illusirte wn overhead crane 10 that positions 3 hoist 14 in a crane boy for Tifling and unloading a load. unler, the enane 10 allows the hoist 14 to it a load posi- soned outside a perimeter 16 defined by main suppoet beams 22, 26 of the crane 10 "The overhead crane 10 includes bridge 18 that translates ‘along a first main support beam 22 anda second main support ‘beam 26, The main support beams 22, 26 generally extend between two walls (not shown) ofa facility and are spaced ‘part and generally parallel to each other. As willbe readily known to those of skill in the ar, the msin support 22, 26 ‘beams may alternatively be curved fo match the inside Wall contours of a round building, or include a single, curved support beam, For example, «polar crane similar io theenane 10 may be sed in a nuclear containment building that is built in a round conliguration, in which case the main support ‘beam(s) willbe shaped in a circle instead ofa straight fine ‘Undersides ofthe ist and second main support beams 22, 26deline ails 30, 34 tha the bridge 18, or frst nderrunaing, travels along. The bridge 18 travels in a substantially hori ‘zontal direction. The carriage includes a fist girder 38, « second gle 42, andl a pair of end trucks 46, 80 that extend between the ist and second giners 38, 42. Theend trucks 46, 50, or U-shaped channel members are aligned generally par. alle tothe main support beams 22,26. Fach end truck 46, 50 defines a passage 54 for receiving one of the main support beam rails 30, 34, A pair of wheels 58 is disposed in each passige 4 10 facilitate travel ofthe bridge 18 along the rails 430, 34. A motor 62s interconnected with each pair of wheels [38 to drive the whocls $8 and hereby cause movement ofthe bridge 18 along the main suppor beams 22, 26, As will be really known to those skilled inthe a any numberof driven ‘wheels may be disposed in the end trucks 46,80. Further, idle ‘wheels may be disposed in the end tricks 46, 50 0 facilitate travel of the bride 18 along the main support beans 22,26.US 7,874,439 B2 3 The first and second girders 38, 42 are spaced apart fom ‘each other and generally parallel. The ginders 38, 42 are aligned transversely to the main support beams 22, 26. trolley 66, or sccond underrunning, travels along girder rails 70, 74 that are positioned on the undersides ofthe first and second girders 38, 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the twolley 66 raves ina substantially horizontal direction, en- ‘erally parallel to the frst and second girders 38,42. The trolley 66 includes a pair of end trucks 78, 82 that ‘extend Irom first end 86 ofthe trolley 660 a second end 90 ‘of the tolley 66 and ar aligned generally parallel othe fist ‘and second girders 38, 42. Pach end tnick 78, 82 defines a passage 94 for receiving one ofthe ginier rails 70,74. pair ‘of wheels 98 i disposed ineach passage 94 to foctae travel, ‘of the troley 66 along the rails 70,74, A motor 102 is inter- ‘connected with each pair of wheels 98 to drive the wheels 98 and thereby cause movement ofthe trolley 66 along the fist and second ginlers 38, 42. As willbe readily known to those skilled in the art, any number of driven wheels may be dis- posed in the end tricks 78, 82. Furker, idle wheels may be ‘isposed inthe end tricks 78, 82 to facilitate travel of the trolley 66 along the fist and second girders 38, 42. Referring toF1G. 2, frstand second stop members 103 and 104 are mounted to the frst girder 38. The slop members 103 and 104 prevent thetolley 66 from traveling beyond the sop member and off the girders 38, 42. In another embodiment, stop-members are mounted othe second girder 42 2s well ‘The tlley 66 includes rotate bearing 106 mounted to the trolley 66. jib 114 coupled tothe rotate bearing 106 sich thatthe fb 114 rotates with respect othe trolley 66. A motor 118s interconnected withthe rotate bearing 106 to drive the rotate bearing 106 and eause rotation ofthe rotate bearing 106 relative tothe trolley 66. The rotate hearing includes an outer race 108 connected (othe trolley 66 and an inner race 110 ‘connected tothe jib 114 “The jib 114, or third underrunning, includes frst end 122 anda second end 126, The first hoist 14 is mounted othe frst ‘end 122 ofthe jib 114 and is adapted for travel along the fist ‘ened 1220 the jb 114. hottom surface the jindefines ara 128 thatthe first hoist 122 travels along, ln the illustrated ‘embodiment, the fist hoist 1 tavels in a substantially hoe ‘zontal direction. The fist hoist 14 inchudes a vertically mov= able load hook 130,a body 134, andanend tuck 138. Theend truck 138 defines a passage 142 for receiving the jb ail 128. A pairof wheels 146 is disposed in the passe 142 to faci tate tavel ofthe fist hoist 14 along the jib rail 128, A motor 150 s interconnected withthe pair of wheels 146 t drive the ‘wheels 146 and thereby cause movement of the first hoist 14 along the jb 114 The end trick 138s coupled to an upper surface 1S4 ofthe body 134 and the load hook 130is supported by the body 134 Inthe ilustrated embodiment, the rst hoist Misa wirehoist. Inanother embodiment, the fist hois 14 includes other con- figurations for lifting, as will also be readily apparent to those of sill in the ar ‘A second hoist 188i attached to the second end 126 the ib 114. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the second hoist 188 is a chain hoist js fixed relative to the jib 14 to provide up- ‘ending and down-ending materials. The second hoist 188. includes a venieally movable load hook 162 and isarticulted to rotate within a plane defined by the jib 114, Ina furhee ‘embodiment ofthe cranc 10, a second hoist tan oppositoend, ‘of the jib from the fist hoist 14 i not necessary ‘The present invention overhead eran 10 permits the hoist, 14 10 be positionable outside the perimeter 16 (FIG. 1) fined by the main support beams 22, 26 the erane 10 and, ‘eliminates side loading ofthe rane 10. Translation ofthe fist 0 o 4 and second girders 38,42 along the main support beams 22, 26, translation ofthe wolley 66 slog the fst and second andes 38,42, taionof the jib 114 relative othe telley 66, fnd translation ofthe frst host 14 slong. portion ofthe ib 14 allows the eran 10 0 position the fst host 14 det cover a load (04 shown) regards of the featon of he lad Within @ rane bay. Use of the rotatable jib M4 and the tewveling fist ist 1 enables lod positioned outside the perimeter 16 defined bythe main sport beams 22,26 to be Tied by the first hoist 1 without sieloadig. For example auvlasshavwain FIG. 1 when the wolley 6's positioned tis Tanke exeats long Heist and second girders 38,42 aft reach area 17nd second wach area 74a the fisthoist 14 define areas in which the fist oist 14 may be position to Iitaload- The present inventioncraneexpandsthe lit one of the frst hoist I an allows the fist his 14 tobe positioned circumferential. Side loading esuls when using an overead erate witbout the rolatable ib 114 und the tvling first hoist 14 to i Joads psioed outside the man support beams 2,26, or Grell under the fist and second girders 38, 42. For loods tat nood to be up oF daven ended, bath host i, the est hoist 1 and the second counterbalance boat 18) are sc however, the wo hoists te typically upto 1 eet apt. This creates condition where one ofboth of the hoists ar side Joaded tht sone hoists more severely add than the other bois Further, ling loads positioned outside the main supe por beams 22, 26andlor directly wider the fist and second ‘les 38,42 esuls in the hoist side pling Le the hoist cing horizoatlly rather than vertically) 0 pick and it the oad because the hoist cannot be positioned drelly over the Joad, The present invention overhead crane eliminates side Joading of the crane 10 and side pulling to Tift loads by positioning the ist host 14 directly ove the load regardless {fhe locaton ofthe load within te eane bay. Further the Second hoist 188 js used for up and down ending of loads Without the occurence of side loading "Ahh the inventions desribed with respect to aerane having an ude running bridge and an ose ning ole, itshould be apparent to those skilled inthe at that the ave tion may be used in cranes havig diferent configurations Forexanpl, te invention muy be used wih eran having atop mining bridge and an unger anning tole, ors crane ving a ep running bridge and atop running wiley The frezcing dseiptionof the preset invention as been presented for purposes of istration and deseription. Fur “hemor, the dserption sot intended Finite invention ‘© the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and ‘modietions commensurate with the above tucking, and theskillorknowledge of therelewantan are within he soe ofthe present invention. The embodiments deseribd herein fr ther intended io explain best modes known fr practic= te invention and to enable others skilled in the at to utlize the invention in such or others embodiment and with ‘arious modification required bythe particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the fppendd claims be constued ta inlide alternative embod ‘ents to theestent permite by the priorar. Various fea tl adantages ofthe invention are set fet inthe folowing claims ‘What is claimed is 1. An overvead crane adapted tobe supported by fist and second min support beams that are spoced apart and gener- ally parallel, the overhead crane comprising: 4 bridge adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction along the main support beamUS 7,874,439 B2 5 a wolley adapted to travel i direction along the bridge, rotate bearing mounted (0 the wolley: ‘ahorizontaly extending ib secured tothe rotate bearing so that the jib is secured against movement relative (0 the ‘ate bearing and is rotatably coupled to the trolley so that the jib ean rotate relative tothe trolley: ‘wherein the jb has a length shorter than the spacing ‘between the main support beams: ‘first hoist adapted to lnve ina substantially horizontal direction along te jib past the rotate bearing and having «load hook vertically movable relative to the jib asecondhoisteoupled tothe bata fixed postionalong the iibsand having load hook verially movable eatve the jib; and ‘wherein an end of the jib is movable by the tolley beyond the bridge and the main support beams so that the fist hoist can be positioned on the end ofthe jib outside perimeter delined by the fist and second main support ‘heat il aJoad located outside the perimeter without side loading the eran. 2, The overhead crane of claim 1 wherein the bridge inchudes fst and second girders being spaced apart and gen- ‘erally parallel '3. The overtead crane of claim 2, wherein the first and second girders include rails andl wherein the tlley tavels slong the rls 4. The everhead crane of eluim 2 wherein the fest and second girders realigned transversely tothe first and second rain support beams, ‘5 Theverkead crane of cls I wherein the rate bearing ‘includes an outer race secured to the bottom ofthe trolley and fan inner race secured toa top of the ib. 6, The overhead erane of claim 1 wherein hoist travels slong s ength ofthe i, 7. The overhead erane of claim 1, wherein the second bois, js. counter-balance hoist coupled to one end of the jib 8, The overhead erane of claim I wherein the ibis socured to the trolley in a fixed horizontal orientation and rotates relative tothe trolley about a vertical axis, 9, An oversea crane adapted to he supported by frst and second main support beams that ate spaced apart and gener- ally parallel, the overhead crane compeising: ‘bridge adapted (o travel along an underside ofthe min support beams, the bridge including frst and second airders aligned transversely to the main support beams and wherein the frst and second ginkersare spaced apart and generally parallel; trolley adapted to travel along the frst and second ginkes ofthe bridge, the trolley including a rotate bearing 3t 8 bottom surlace ofthe trolley: ‘ borizonally extending rail coupled tothe rotate bearing ‘oth heb s secured agsinst movement relativeto the ‘tate bearing and having a length shorter than the spac= ‘ng hetween the main support beams; ‘wherein the mail roates with the rotate bearing relative to the trolley a frst hoist adapted to travel ina substantially horizontal direction along the rail pastthe rotate bearing and having «Toad hook verically movable relative tothe eal, asecondhoistoupled tothe bata fixed positionalong the jib and havinga load hook vertically movable relative to the rail; a substantially horizontal 0 o 6 ‘wherein an end of the ri is movable by the trolley beyond the bridge andthe main support beams so thatthe ist Ist ean be positioned on the end of the jib outside perimeter defined by the main support beams to if oad located outside the perimeter without side loading the crane 10. The overhead crane of claim 9, wherein the first and second girders include rails and wherein the trolley travels along the rails. 11, The overbeed crane of claim 9 wherein hoist travels along length ofthe ail, 12, The overhead erane of claim 9, wherein the second bist ea counter-halance hoist couple! tone end ofthe jib, 13. The overhead cmine of claim 9 wherein the mil is seotred to the trolley in @ fixed horizontal orientation and rotates relative othe tlley about a vertical axis 14, An overhead erane comprising: first and second spaced apart and parallel main support beams that extend between to Walls ofa facility: ‘bridge adapted to travel along the fist and second min support beams, the bridge including frst anc second sginders being spaced spart and generally paral: atnlley adapted to travel along the bridge: rotate bearing mounted tothe trolley: ‘thoriaontally extending jib secured tothe rotate bearing so ‘that the jib is sscured against movement relative to the rotate bearing and is rotatably couple tothe toy $0 that de jib can rotate relative to the trolley; wherein the jb has « length shorter than the spacing between the main support beams: ‘wherein te jib has first end and a second end; a first hoist adapted to travel along and underside of the jib ‘andhavinga load hook vertically movable relative to the fb, the first hoist being movable fom the frst end ofthe 4B along a portion ofthe ib and past the rotate bearing: ‘asccond ist coupled tothe second end of thejib and fie relative tothe jib: and ‘herein the fist end of the jib is movable by the trolley beyond the bridge and the first and second main support ‘beams so thatthe fist hoist ean be positioned on the ist ‘endof the ib oxtsidea perimeter defined by the fst and second main support beams to lif. load located outside the perimeter without side loading the ean. 15. The overhead erane of claim 1M wherein the first and sevond girders ae aligned transversely othe fist and second ‘main support beams, 16. The overhead crane of claim 14, wherein the fist and second girders include rails and Wherein the tolley trvels Along the rails 17. The overhead crane of claim 16 wherein the rls are located at an underside oF the fist and second girders. 18, The overhead erane of claim 14 wherein the bridge travels along an underside of the first and second main sup- port beans 19, The overhead crane of claim 14 wherein the the rolste bearing includes an outer race secured to the bottom of the twolle and an inner race secured wo atop ofthe ib. 20, The overhead crane of claim 14 wherein the jib is secured to the trolley in fixed horizontal orientation and lates relative to the trolley about a vertical axis.