Apparatus and method improving safety in the operation of a crane

• US 6,838,996 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2002
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Walter Deimel
• Original Assignee: Walter Deimel
• Inventors: Deimel, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEHMOOD, JENNIFER
• Application Number:
  US10/329,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20040119598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 340/435, 340/685, 340/473, 340/471, 340/468, 340/944, 340/286.11, 340/328, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 212/276, 212/280, 212/281, 212/284, 212/285, 212/118, 212/127, 212/128, 212/124, 342/69, 342/70, 342/72, 342/118, 414/222.01, 414/222.02, 414/222.12, 367/226.05
• US Class Current: 340/685
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 15/06 Arrangements or use of warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission

Abstract

The invention is an apparatus and method for improved safety in operation of a crane relative to the transit of a load overhead of workmen. A initiating operator transmits a RF signal to sound a first horn alarm when a lift commences. The initiating operator transmits a second RF signal, when the transit of the load commences, to sound a second horn alarm which operates asynchronously relative to the first horn alarm. A terminating operator disengages the horn alarms when the load is placed. Workmen will hear a Doppler effect as indicative of the direction of travel and position of the load.

Claims

1. An apparatus for improved safety in the operation of a crane comprising:

A. an Remote Keyless Entry transmitter (80) capable of transmitting at least one RF signal(90) or code;

an electronic circuit (70) affixed with affixing means proximal a crane load (32);

the Remote Keyless Entry transmitter (80) remote from the crane load (32);

the electronic circuit (70) comprised of RF or code receiving or detection means (74), (75), controller means (71) to receive the output of the RF or code receiving or detection means (74), (75);

the controller (71) output operates an asynchronous alarm driver (72) which provides an output to operate at least a horn alarm (77).

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

A. the transmitter (80) is capable of transmitting at least two RF signals or codes (90), (92);

the electronic circuit controller (71) operates an asynchronous alarm driver (72) which provides outputs to operate at least a horn alarm alarm (77) and, upon transmission and detection of at least a second RF signal or code (92), outputs to operate asynchronously at least a plurality of horn alarms (79).

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

A. the at least horn alarm (77) is a frequency which differs from that of the at least plurality of horn alarms (79).

4. A method for improved safety in the operation of a crane composed of the steps of:

A. affixing by affixing means an electronic circuit (70) proximal a crane load (32);

B. transmitting, from a position remote from the crane, at least a first RF or code (90) to be received by at least one receiver or antenna (74), (75) at the electronic circuit (70) upon commencement of crane operation;

C. detecting the at least first RF signal (90) or code by a controller (71) and activating at least one horn alarm (77).

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

A. transmitting the at least the first RF signal (90) or code upon commencement of lifting of a crane load (32);

B. transmitting, from a position remote from the crane, at least a second RF signal (92) or code upon commencement of transit of the crane load;

detecting the at least second RF signal (92) or code by the controller (71) and activating at least a plurality of horn alarms (79);

C. transmitting, from a position remote from the crane, at least a first RF signal (90) and at least a second RF signal (92) or code upon termination of the crane lift thereby deactivating the at least the horn alarm (77) and the at least plurality of horn alarms (79).

6. The method of claim 5 further composing the steps of:

A. activating, by transmission from a remote from the crane, via an asynchronous alarm driver (72), the at least a first horn alarm (77) asynchronously relative to the at least plurality of horn alarms (79);