Safety view blind finder for a crane

• US 6,985,085 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2003
• Issued: 01/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric Brown
• Original Assignee: Eric Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): La, Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US10/421,023
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 340/685, 340/680, 340/686.1, 340/692, 340/668, 340/670, 212/276, 212/277, 212/279, 701/50
• US Class Current: 340/685
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 15/065 electrical

Abstract

A crane safety system providing a view of the operation of the crane to the crane operator is disclosed. The crane safety system comprises: (1) a camera sub-system having a monitor providing images to the operator, (2) a sensor sub-system for determining the presence of an object in the path of the cranes operating trajectory, and (3) a camera control device that directs and controls the camera to capture images and display the images on the monitor, the images selected by the control device based upon actions taken by the crane operator, or caused by events occurring proximal to the camera boom that are detected by the sensor sub-system. The control device further controls the sensor sub-system to select signals for processing to identify the proximity and direction of movement of the object relative to the crane. If the object is within a pre-defined distance, the control device sends an alarm signal to the monitor.

Claims

1. A device for warning a crane operator, the warning related to an object undetected by the crane operator, the object in the path of the motion of the crane boom, the device comprising:

a sensor mechanism, the sensor mechanism sending a signal to an area near to the crane boom, the sensor mechanism detecting the signal interacting with an object near to the crane boom, the signal identifying the proximity and direction of movement of the object relative to the crane boom;

a steerable camera for acquiring images in an area near to the crane boom;

a monitor for displaying images sent by the camera;

a control mechanism for controlling the sensor mechanism, said sensor control mechanism comprising causing the sensor mechanism to send signals, the control mechanisms for processing a detected signal interacting with the object and the control mechanism further controlling the sensor mechanism and the camera according to processing of the detected signal;

whereby the control mechanism detects objects in an area near the crane boom steers and causes the camera to send images of said object to the monitor, and the operator observes the object in said monitor.