Crane safety devices and methods

• US 20030214415A1
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jack B. Shaw
• Original Assignee: Jack B. Shaw
• Inventors: Shaw, Jack B.
• Granted Patent: US 6,894,621 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/685
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/44 Electrical transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/46 Position indicators for suspended loads or for crane elements
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/54 Operator's stands or cabins
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 15/04 for preventing collisions, e.g. between cranes or trolleys operating on the same track
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 15/06 Arrangements or use of warning devices

Abstract

An improved crane warning system that includes acceleration sensors, motion sensors, hydraulic sensors, remote communications and/or a camera. The crane warning system may include a crane warning device integrated into the device suspended from the crane.

Claims

1. A crane safety device, comprising:

a motion detector for detecting motion of a device suspended from a crane;

an alarm that generates a visible or audible warning signal in response to the motion detector detecting motion of the suspended device; and

a control for controlling the warning signal.

2. The crane safety device recited in claim 1, wherein the control is located for operation by a crane operator working in a cab of the crane.

3. The crane safety device recited in claim 1, wherein the control is remote from the crane.

4. The crane safety device recited in claim 1, wherein activation of the control discontinues the warning signal.

5. The crane safety device recited in claim 1, wherein

the warning signal is an audible warning signal, and

the control changes a volume of the audible warning signal.

6. The crane safety device recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a communication device for communication between a crane operator in a cab of the crane and workmen remote from the cab of the crane, and

wherein the control activates in response to a transmission by the communication device.

7. The crane safety device recited in claim 1, wherein activation of the control is automatically discontinued after a predetermined period of time.

8. The crane safety device recited in claim 1, wherein the control activates in response to the warning signal continuing beyond a predetermined period of time.

9. The crane safety device recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a detector for detecting a distance between the suspended device and a target level, and

wherein the warning signal changes in response to the detector detecting that the suspended device has moved to within a predetermined distance from the target level.

10. A crane safety device, comprising:

a crane control for immediately halting all movement of a crane.

11. The crane safety device recited in claim 10, wherein the crane control is positioned in a cab of the crane.

12. The crane safety device recited in claim 10, wherein the crane control is remote from a cab of the crane

13. The crane safety device recited in claim 10, wherein the crane control is positioned in a personnel basket suspended by the crane.

14. A crane safety device, comprising:

a control console having controls for controlling the operation of a crane; and

a chair for seating a crane operator in front of the control console, such that, when the chair is tilted to move an operator away from the control console, the chair moves toward the control console.

15. The crane safety device recited in claim 14, wherein second controls for controlling the crane are mounted on the chair.

16. A crane safety device, comprising:

a device suspended from a crane having a first portion and a second portion that rotates freely with respect to the first portion; and

a braking mechanism for braking rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion.

17. The crane safety device recited in claim 16, wherein the braking mechanism includes a motor for controlling rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion.

18. The crane safety device recited in claim 16, further including a braking mechanism control for dynamically controlling activation of braking mechanism.

19. The crane safety device recited in claim 18, wherein the braking mechanism control is located in a cab of the crane.

20. The crane safety device recited in claim 19, wherein the braking mechanism control is located remotely from the cab of the crane.