# US 2014/0150232 A1 · Dual Crane Apparatus and Method of Use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150232 A1 - Document ID: US20140150232A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/097,814 - Filed: 2013-12-05 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-05 - Inventors: Brady Paul Arthur; David Lloyd Arthur - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150232A1 ## CPC - B66C 23/18: specially adapted for use in particular purposes - B66C 23/00: Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes (base supporting structures with legs B65C5/00) - Y10T 29/4973: Replacing of defective part - B66C: CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES ({specially adapted for lifting invalids A61G7/10;} rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms, braking or detent devices therefor B66D; specially adapted for nuclear reactors G21) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A dual crane apparatus and a method of use are disclosed herein. The disclosed dual crane apparatus generally comprises a support frame and two rotating crane members mounted to the support frame, wherein the crane members can each independently move up and down in a vertical direction, extend and retract in a horizontal direction, and rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. The disclosed dual crane apparatus can be utilized for servicing mobile irrigation systems. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dual crane apparatus, comprising: a support frame including a first mounting structure and a second mounting structure; a first rotating crane member mounted to said first mounting structure, wherein said first crane member comprises: a first vertical arm having a first end and a second end, a first telescoping horizontal arm having a first end and a second end, said first end being articulately coupled to said second end of said first vertical arm, and a first actuating arm having a first end and a second end, said second end being attached to said first telescoping horizontal arm, wherein said first actuating arm is arranged and configured to move said second end of said first telescoping horizontal arm up and down; and a second rotating crane member mounted to said second mounting structure, wherein said second crane member comprises: a second vertical arm having a first end and a second end, a second telescoping horizontal arm having a first end and a second end, said first end being articulately coupled to said second end of said second vertical arm, and a second actuating arm having a first end and a second end, said second end being attached to said second telescoping horizontal arm, wherein said second actuating arm is arranged and configured to move said second end of said second telescoping horizontal arm up and down. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first mounting structure and said second mounting structure are covered by side panels. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said side panels is attached to said support frame using hinged attachment members. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said support frame further includes at least one toolbox mounted thereto. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a base forming the bottom surface of said support frame; and one or more legs attached to said base, wherein said legs support said base above a ground surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said legs further comprise feet members, said feet members being attached to said legs in a manner which allows said feet members to swivel at least ninety degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said legs are defined as telescoping legs for allowing the base of the support frame to be positioned at different heights above the ground surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a carrying area between said first mounting structure and said second mounting structure, wherein said carrying area includes three solid side surfaces, a solid bottom surface, one open side surface, and an open top surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said carrying area further includes a restraining member to restrain items from falling out said open side surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes attachment members for releasably attaching said apparatus to a mobile carrying unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said mobile carrying unit is defined as a tractor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first rotating plate connected to said first mounting structure, wherein said first end of said first vertical arm is mounted to said first rotating plate and said first end of said first actuating arm is mounted to said first rotating plate; and a second rotating plate connected to said second mounting structure, wherein said first end of said second vertical arm is mounted to said second rotating plate and said first end of said second actuating arm is mounted to said second rotating plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a first fixed plate mounted to said first mounting structure, wherein said first rotating plate is connected to a top surface of said first fixed plate; and a second fixed plate mounted to said second mounting structure, wherein said second rotating plate is connected to a top surface of said second fixed plate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first rotating plate and said first fixed plate define first turret plates and wherein said second rotating plate and said second fixed plate define second turret plates. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first rotating plate and said first fixed plate define a first thrust bearing and wherein said second rotating plate and said second fixed plate define a second thrust bearing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a first shaft having a first end and a second end, said second end being attached to said first rotating plate; a first drive motor connected to said first shaft, wherein said first drive motor produces a rotational force causing said first shaft to rotate said first rotating plate and said first crane member attached to said first rotating plate; a second shaft having a first end and a second end, said second end being attached to said second rotating plate; and a second drive motor connected to said second shaft, wherein said second drive motor produces a rotational force causing said second shaft to rotate said second rotating plate and said second crane member attached to said second rotating plate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising: a first bearing member, wherein said first bearing member is attached to said first end of said first vertical arm; a second bearing member, wherein said second bearing member is attached to said first end of said first shaft; a third bearing member, wherein said third bearing member is attached to said first end of said second vertical arm; and a fourth bearing member, wherein said fourth bearing member is attached to said first end of said second shaft. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first telescoping horizontal arm further comprises: a first fixed member, a first telescoping member telescopically connected to said first fixed member, wherein said first telescoping member is extendable and retractable in relation to said first fixed member, and a first actuating member connected to said first telescoping member, wherein said first actuating member forces extension and retraction of said first telescoping member; and said second telescoping horizontal arm further comprises: a second fixed member, a second telescoping member telescopically connected to said second fixed member, wherein said second telescoping member is extendable and retractable in relation to said second fixed member, and a second actuating member connected to said second telescoping member, wherein said second actuating member forces extension and retraction of said second telescoping member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus according to claim 18, further including a hydraulic system for operating said first crane member and said second crane member, said hydraulic system comprising: a main valve body; a first hydraulic motor in fluid communication with said main valve body, said first hydraulic motor being arranged and configured for causing rotation of said first crane member; a second hydraulic motor in fluid communication with said main valve body, said second hydraulic motor being arranged and configured for causing rotation of said second crane member; a first hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with said main valve body, said first hydraulic cylinder defining said first actuating arm being arranged and configured for causing vertical movement of said second end of said first telescoping horizontal arm; a second hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with said main valve body, said second hydraulic cylinder defining said first actuating member being arranged and configured for causing extension and retraction of said first telescoping member; a third hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with said main valve body, said third hydraulic cylinder defining said second actuating arm being arranged and configured for causing vertical movement of said second end of said second telescoping horizontal arm; and a fourth hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with said main valve body, said fourth hydraulic cylinder defining said second actuating member being arranged and configured for causing extension and retraction of said second telescoping member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a handheld control for actuating said main valve body. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said handheld control further comprises: a first switch for communicating with said main valve body by sending signals from said first switch to said main valve body, wherein actuation of said first switch causes vertical movement of said second end of said telescoping horizontal arm; a second switch for communicating with said main valve body by sending signals from said second switch to said main valve body, wherein actuation of said second switch causes horizontal movement of said telescoping member of said telescoping horizontal arm; and a third switch for communicating with said main valve body by sending signals from said third switch to said main valve body, wherein actuation of said third switch causes rotation of said crane member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus according to claim 21, further including two outlets, wherein said handheld control is plugged into a first outlet for controlling said first crane member and said handheld control is plugged into a second outlet for controlling said second crane member. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second end of said first telescoping horizontal arm further includes a first fastener attached thereto, said first fastener being configured for attachment of a first lifting member for lifting items by said first crane member; and said second end of said second telescoping horizontal arm further includes a second fastener attached thereto, said second fastener being configured for attachment of a second lifting member for lifting items by said second crane member. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first locking arm having a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to a first attachment point affixed to said first mounting structure, and said second end being releasably attachable to a second attachment point affixed to said first crane member, wherein said first locking arm is configured to prevent rotation of said first crane member when said first locking arm is attached to said second attachment point; and a second locking arm having a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to a third attachment point affixed to said second mounting structure, and said second end being releasably attachable to a fourth attachment point affixed to said second crane member, wherein said second locking arm is configured to prevent rotation of said second crane member when said second locking arm is attached to said fourth attachment point. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an air compressor system attached to said support frame, wherein said air compressor system includes: an air compressor unit connected to a driving motor, an air tank connected to said air compressor unit, and an air hose connected to said air tank, wherein said air hose is configured for attachment of air powered devices. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first limit switch for limiting the degree of clockwise rotation of said first crane member; a second limit switch for limiting the degree of counterclockwise rotation of said first crane member; a third limit switch for limiting the degree of clockwise rotation of said second crane member; and a fourth limit switch for limiting the degree of counterclockwise rotation of said second crane member. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first vertical arm comprises a first rotating shaft and said second vertical arm comprises a second rotating shaft. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising: a first bearing member, wherein said first bearing member is attached to said second end of said first rotating vertical arm; a second bearing member, wherein said first rotating vertical arm extends through said second bearing member; a third bearing member, wherein said first rotating vertical arm extends through said third bearing member; a first drive motor connected to said first end of said first rotating vertical arm, wherein said first drive motor produces a rotational force causing rotation of said first vertical arm; and a fourth bearing member, wherein said fourth bearing member is attached to said second end of said second rotating vertical arm; a fifth bearing member, wherein said second rotating vertical arm extends through said fifth bearing member; a sixth bearing member, wherein said second rotating vertical arm extends through said sixth bearing member; and a second drive motor connected to said first end of said second rotating vertical arm, wherein said second drive motor produces a rotational force causing rotation of said second vertical arm. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising: first bracing arms, wherein said first bracing arms are attached to said support frame and are connected to said first rotating vertical arm for supporting said first crane member; and second bracing arms, wherein said second bracing arms are attached to said support frame and are connected to said second rotating vertical arm for supporting said second crane member. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said first end of said first actuating arm is attached to a first attachment member affixed to said first rotating vertical arm; said second end of said first actuating arm is attached to a second attachment member affixed to said first telescoping horizontal arm; said first end of said second actuating arm is attached to a third attachment member affixed to said second rotating vertical arm; and said second end of said second actuating arm is attached to a fourth attachment member affixed to said second telescoping horizontal arm. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus is used for a method of changing a flat tire on a mobile irrigation system, said method comprising the following steps: attaching said apparatus to a mobile carrying unit for transporting said apparatus to said mobile irrigation system; positioning said apparatus near said flat tire; attaching a first lifting member to the second end of the first telescoping horizontal arm; securing said first lifting member around a frame of the mobile irrigation system near the flat tire; moving said first telescoping horizontal arm in an upwards direction to raise the tire off a ground surface; attaching a second lifting member to the second end of said second telescoping horizontal arm; rotating the second crane member so that the attached second lifting member is positioned near the flat tire; attaching the second lifting member to the flat tire; unbolting and removing the flat tire from the mobile irrigation system; using the second crane member to maneuver the attached flat tire onto a carrying area of the apparatus; detaching the flat tire from the second lifting member; attaching a replacement tire to the second lifting member; using the second crane member to maneuver the attached replacement tire towards the mobile irrigation device; positioning the replacement tire for attachment to the mobile irrigation system; bolting the replacement tire to the mobile irrigation system; detaching the second lifting member from the replacement tire; moving said first crane member in a downwards direction to lower the attached mobile irrigation system to the ground surface; and detaching the first lifting member from the frame of the mobile irrigation system.