# US 9,434,580 B2 · Cargo vessel lid lifting system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,580 B2 - Document ID: US9434580B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/547,995 - Filed: 2014-11-19 - Published: 2016-05-19 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-19 - Applicants: Shane Bakalyar - Inventors: Shane Bakalyar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434580B2 ## CPC - B66C 1/28: Duplicate, e.g. pivoted, members engaging the loads from two sides - B66C 1/12: Slings comprising chains, wires, ropes, or bands; Nets (article side grippers suspended by ropes or chains from crane hooks B66C1/42) - 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) ## Abstract An apparatus including a base, a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position. A tension linkage having a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the arm is in the raised position. A tension linkage guide disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between raised and lowered positions. A lid hook connected to the distal end of the tension linkage. When the lid hook is engaged with a cargo vessel lid, the tension linkage forms a first tension angle and a second tension angle when the guide arm is in the raised position and the lowered position respectively, the second tension angle being less than the first tension angle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for moving a cargo vessel lid, the apparatus comprising: a base; a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position; a tension linkage having a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the guide arm is in the raised position; a tension linkage guide disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between the raised position and the lowered position; and a lid hook connected to the distal end of the tension linkage; the tension linkage forming a first tension angle with respect to a horizontal reference axis passing through the lid hook when the lid hook is engaged with the cargo vessel lid and the guide arm is in the raised position; the tension linkage forming a second tension angle with respect to the horizontal reference axis when the lid hook is engaged with the cargo vessel lid and the guide arm is in the lowered position wherein the second tension angle is less than the first tension angle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the tension linkage guide engages the tension linkage at a first engagement position on the tension linkage when the guide arm is in the raised position; the tension linkage guide engages the tension linkage at a second engagement position on the tension linkage when the guide arm is in the lowered position; and the tension linkage guide is movable along the tension linkage between the first engagement position and the second engagement position when the guide arm moves from the raised position to the lowered position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tension linkage is not supported by the guide arm when the lid hook is engaged with the cargo vessel lid and the guide arm is in the lowered position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide arm is biased in the raised position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the base is configured to be received on a lifting device; and the guide arm is configured to move from the raised position to the lowered position when the lid hook is engaged with the cargo vessel lid and the base is lifted by the lifting device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plate movably disposed on the base, the plate configured to selectively move the guide arm between the raised position and the lowered position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the base further comprises an actuator operable to control the movement of the plate with respect to the base. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide arm is a telescoping arm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a guide camera mounted on the base. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a guide camera located proximate the lid hook. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises a support flange, the support flange having a flange vertical reference axis; the guide arm is pivotally disposed on the support flange and movable on the support flange between the raised position and the lowered position; and the flange is rotatable about the flange vertical reference axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the second guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position; a second tension linkage having a second distal end extending away from the base, the second guide arm supporting the second tension linkage when the second guide arm is in the raised position; and a second lid hook connected to the second distal end of the second tension linkage. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tension linkage guide further comprises a curved guide plate. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for removing a cargo vessel lid, the apparatus comprising: a base; a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position; a tension linkage having a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the guide arm is in the raised position; a tension linkage guide disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves between the raised position and the lowered position and a lid hook connected to the distal end of the tension linkage, wherein the guide arm does not support the tension linkage when the lid hook is engaged with the cargo vessel lid and the guide arm is in the lowered position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a tension linkage guide located on the guide arm, the tension linkage extending through the tension linkage guide. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the tension linkage guide is movable along the tension linkage as the guide arm moves from the raised position to the lowered position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the tension linkage forms a first tension angle with respect to a horizontal reference axis passing through the lid hook when the lid hook is engaged with the cargo vessel lid and the guide arm is in the raised position; the tension linkage forms a second tension angle with respect to the horizontal reference axis when the lid hook is engaged with the cargo vessel lid and the guide arm is in the lowered position; and the second tension angle is less than the first tension angle. ### Claim 18 A method of removing a cargo vessel lid from a cargo vessel, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a cargo vessel lid removal apparatus including a base, a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a tension linkage having a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the guide arm is in the raised position, a tension linkage guide disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide movable along the tension linkage when the guide arm moves from the raised to the lowered position, and a lid hook connected to the distal end of the tension linkage; (b) lowering the removal apparatus with the guide arm in the raised position; (c) engaging the lid hook with the cargo vessel lid, the tension linkage forming a first tension angle with respect to a horizontal reference axis passing through the lid hook; (d) moving the guide arm from the raised position to the lower position; and (e) raising the removal apparatus, the tension linkage forming a second tension angle with respect to the horizontal reference axis when the guide arm is in the lowered position, the second tension angle being less than the first tension angle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the tension linkage is not supported by the guide arm in step (d) when the guide arm is in the lowered position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein: the tension linkage guide engages the tension linkage at a first engagement position when the guide arm is in the raised position; the tension linkage guide engages the tension linkage at a second engagement position when the guide arm is in the lowered position; and the tension linkage guide during the moving step moves along the tension linkage from the first engagement position to the second engagement position as the guide arm moves from the raised position to the lowered position. ### Claim 21 A cargo vessel lid moving apparatus comprising: a base; a guide arm pivotable relative to the base, the guide arm movable between a raised position and a lowered position; a tension linkage having a distal end extending away from the base, the tension linkage supported by the guide arm when the guide arm is in the raised position; a tension linkage guide disposed on the guide arm, the tension linkage guide engaging the tension linkage at a first engagement position on the tension linkage when the guide arm is in the raised position, the tension linkage guide engages the tension linkage at a second engagement position on the tension linkage when the guide arm is in the lowered position; and an automated lid hook connected to the distal end of the tension linkage, the automated lid hook having a pivoting hook member, the pivoting hook member selectively movable between a retracted position and a hooked position.