# US 9,751,731 B1 · Reel hoist interlock system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,731 B1 - Document ID: US9751731B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/528,021 - Filed: 2014-10-30 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-19 - Assignees: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP - Applicants: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP - Inventors: Michael F. Masar; Joe S. Pierucki - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751731B1 ## CPC - B66C 13/18: Control systems or devices (exclusively for rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms B66D1/40) - B66C 1/40: formed or fitted with load measuring or indicating devices - B66C 13/16: Applications of indicating, registering, or weighing devices (in crane hooks B66C1/40; in safety gear B66C15/00; weighing-apparatus G01G; remote indicating in general G08) - B66C 15/06: Arrangements or use of warning devices - B66C 15/065: {electrical} - B66C 17/00: Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports - B66C 17/06: specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forges; combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes (B66C17/04 takes precedence) - 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 Embodiments of the disclosure include a reel hoist interlock system for an overhead crane having one or more sensors disposed on a hook of the overhead crane. The sensors provide a signal indicative of whether the hook is secured to an object to be lifted by the overhead crane. The reel hoist interlock system also includes transmitters in communication with the sensors. The transmitters receive and transmit the signal provided by the sensors. The reel hoist interlock system further includes a controller configured to operate the overhead crane based on an input signal received from a remote and based on the signals received from the transmitters and indicators operated by the controller based on the signals received from at least one of the transmitters and the remote. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An overhead crane having a reel hoist safety interlock system, the system comprising: at least two sensors, each of the sensors being disposed in separate hooks of the overhead crane, wherein the at least two sensors provide a signal indicative of whether the hooks are secured to an object to be lifted by the overhead crane; at least one transmitter in communication with the at least two sensors, wherein the at least one transmitter receive and transmit the signal provided by the at least two sensors; a controller configured to operate the overhead crane based on an input signal received from a remote and based on the signals received from the at least one transmitter; and at least two indicator lights operated by the controller based the signals received from at least one of the at least one transmitter and the remote, wherein each of the at least two sensors are disposed in an opening located on a bottom portion of the hook and wherein the opening extends through the bottom portion the hook. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The reel hoist safety interlock system of claim 1, wherein the at least two sensors are proximity sensors. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The reel hoist safety interlock system of claim 1, wherein the at least two sensors are disposed on a bottom surface of an inner portion of the hook. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The reel hoist safety interlock system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two indicator lights are configured to provide an indication that the hook is secured to the object. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The reel hoist safety interlock system of claim 1, wherein the input signal received from the remote is an override signal which causes the controller to disregard the signals received from the at least one transmitter during operation of the overhead crane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The reel hoist safety interlock system of claim 5, wherein one of the at least two indicator lights is configured to provide an indication that the overhead crane is being operated in an override mode. ### Claim 7 An overhead crane comprising: one or more supporting rails; a gantry moveably disposed on the one or more supporting rails; at least two reel hoists disposed on the gantry, wherein each of the one or more reel hoists are configured to raise and lower a cable to lift an object; at least two hooks disposed on the cable, wherein the one or more hooks are configured to secure the cable to the object; a sensor disposed in each of the at least two hooks, wherein the sensor provides a signal indicative of whether the hook is secured to the object, wherein the sensor is disposed in an opening located on a bottom portion of the hook and wherein the opening extends through the bottom portion the hook; a transmitter in communication with the sensor, wherein the transmitter receives and transmits the signal provided by sensor; a controller configured to operate the overhead crane based on an input signal received from a remote and based on the signal received from the transmitter; and at least two indicator lights operated by the controller based on at least one of the signals received by the at least one transmitters and the input signal. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The overhead crane of claim 7, wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The overhead crane of claim 7, wherein at least one of the at least two indicator lights are configured to provide an indication that the hook is secured to the object. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The overhead crane of claim 7, wherein the input signal received from the remote is an override signal which causes the controller to disregard the signals received from the at least one transmitter during operation of the overhead crane. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The overhead crane of claim 10, wherein one of the at least two indicator lights is configured to provide an indication that the overhead crane is being operated in an override mode.