System and method of identification, inspection and training for material lifting products

• US 7,825,770 B2
• Filed: 06/08/2006
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Crosby Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Crosby Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Osborn, Michael H., Wheeler, Michael W., Postelwait, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Girma; Fekadeselassie
• Application Number:
  US11/423,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20100117787A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,608 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 340/5.92
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/12 Slings comprising chains, wires, ropes, or bands; Nets article side grippers suspended by ropes or chains from crane hooks B66C1/42
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 15/00 Safety gear for rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms B66D1/54
• CPC Class Codes: D07B 1/145 comprising elements for indicating or detecting the rope or cable status

Abstract

A method and system of identifying, inspecting and training regarding a material lifting device. The method includes the steps of attaching RFID tag to a material lifting device. Identification and inspection data regarding the material lifting device is installed and stored on the RFID tag. The identification and inspection data on the RFID tag may be accessed with a portable computer device having an RFID reader. The material lifting device is periodically inspected to obtain inspection data. The identification and inspection data is updated on the portable computer device and is also updated on the RFID tag.

Claims

1. A method of identifying, inspecting and training regarding a material lifting device, which method comprises:

attaching an RFID tag to a material lifting device;

installing identification and inspection data regarding said material lifting device on said RFID tag, wherein said identification and inspection data includes a unique alphanumeric identification of said RFID tag, a material lifting device product type, a material lifting device manufacture date, a status indicator of said material lifting device, and references to information on application of said material lifting device including training information on use, product warning information, and applicable industry and government standards;

accessing said identification and inspection data on said RFID tag with a portable computer device having a central processing unit, a memory, a display and an RFID reader;

comparing said identification data on said RFID tag against a database, wherein said database includes information on application of said material lifting device including training information on use, product warning information, and applicable inspection methods, visual acceptance criteria, industry and government standards;

accessing forms of templates on said portable computer device, wherein said templates include an identification template, an inspection template with criteria on applicable inspection methods, visual acceptance criteria, industry and government standards, and a template on training information on use of said material lifting device;

periodically inspecting said material lifting device to obtain inspection data about said material lifting device;

updating said identification and inspection data on said portable computer device by entering on one of said templates; and

updating said identification and inspection data on said RFID tag.

2. A method of identifying, inspecting and training as set forth in claim 1 including the additional step of storing data regarding personnel training on said computer device.

3. A method of identifying, inspecting and training as set forth in claim 1 wherein said material lifting device is a block.

4. A method of identifying, inspecting and training as set forth in claim 1 wherein said material lifting device is a wire rope sling.

5. A method of identifying, inspecting and training as set forth in claim 1 wherein said material lifting device is a plate clamp.

6. A system for identifying, inspection and training regarding a material lifting device, which system comprises:

an RFID tag attached to a material lifting device wherein said RFID tag includes identification and inspection data stored thereon prior to putting said material lifting device into service, said data regarding said material lifting device including a unique alphanumeric identification of said RFID tag, a material lifting device product type, a material lifting device manufacture date, and a status indicator of said material lifting device;

a portable computer device having a central processing unit, a display, and an RFID reader wherein said device includes a templates with identification and inspection data including an identification template, an inspection template with criteria on applicable inspection methods, visual acceptance criteria, industry and government standards, and a template regarding training on use of said material lifting device;

means to compare said identification data and said inspection data on said RFID tag against a database, wherein said database includes information on application of said material lifting device including training information on use, product warning information, and applicable inspection methods, visual acceptance criteria, industry and government standards;

means to update said identification and inspection data on said portable computer device by entering on one of said templates; and

means to update said identification and inspection data on said RFID tag.