Lifting assembly
AssigneeKonecranes PLC
InventorJoseph A. Yustus
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lifting assembly includes a link member defining a pivot axis and a latch axis. The lifting assembly also includes a latch pin and a jaw member. The jaw member is pivotally coupled to the link member about the pivot axis and selectively fixedly coupled to the link member about the latch axis by the latch pin. The jaw member defines a cam surface. Engaging the cam surface with a load rotates a portion of the jaw member into alignment with the latch axis, such that the latch pin may be received by the jaw member and the link member.
Claims20
A lifting apparatus comprising:
- a link member suspended from a base along a vertical axis;
- and
- a jaw member pivotally coupled to the link member about a pivot axis, the jaw member defining a cam portion having a cam surface such that engaging the cam surface with a load by lowering the lifting apparatus rotates a portion of the jaw member into alignment with a latch axis, whereby a latch pin may be received by the jaw member and the link member, the jaw member further including a hooking portion and a suspension portion disposed between the hooking portion and the cam portion;
- wherein the hooking portion includes a receiving surface that guides the jaw member into engagement with the load when hooking the load, and wherein when the jaw member is in an open, unlatched position, the receiving surface has a downward slope extending from the hooking portion toward the suspension portion relative to an axis that is perpendicular to the vertical axis.
The lifting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the jaw member is pivotally coupled to the link member about the pivot pin.
A method of selectively engaging a load to a lifting apparatus having a link member suspended along a vertical axis and a jaw member pivotally coupled to the link member, the method comprising:
- rotating the jaw member about a pivot axis, thereby exposing a hooking portion of the jaw member;
- hooking the load with the hooking portion;
- lowering the lifting apparatus while engaging a cam surface of the jaw member upon the load, thereby rotating the jaw member into alignment with a latch axis of the link member;
- and
- latching the jaw member to the link member;
- wherein the jaw member includes a cam portion and a suspension portion disposed between the hooking portion and the cam portion, the cam portion defining the cam surface, and wherein the step of hooking includes guiding the jaw member into engagement with the load with a receiving surface on the hooking portion, and wherein when the jaw member is in an open, unlatched position, the receiving surface has a downward slope extending from the hooking portion toward the suspension portion relative to an axis that is perpendicular to the vertical axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.