Rpc, Inc.

William S Appleman

James D Sturgill

A twistlock operator for a twistlock mechanism has a drive mechanism with a fixed axis and an angularly displaceable twistlock having a pivot axis normally positioned along the fixed axis. A first actuator is drivingly connected to the drive mechanism for thereby permitting rotation of the first actuator and a second actuator is connected to the twistlock. Each of the actuators is generally rectangularly shaped and each has arcuate side bearing surfaces and the bearing surfaces have substantially equal radii of curvature. A tube is pivotally connected to each of the actuators for drivingly connecting the actuators and thereby causing cooperative rotation of the actuators. The tube maintains driving connection between the actuators even when the twistlock pivots and thereby displaces the pivot axis away from the fixed axis.

Twistlock operator

A gantry crane comprising a pair of spaced, parallel rectangular side frames each having top and bottom members and front and rear vertical members connected to the top and bottom members, a front cross beam rigidly connected to each of the side frames at the upper front corners thereof, and a rear cross beam pivotally connected to each of the side frames at the upper rear corners thereof, each of the side frames further including diagonal braces, ground engaging drive wheels mounted on the side frames at the lower corners thereof so that as the gantry crane traverses uneven ground, the wheels maintain ground contact as the rear cross beam pivots with respect to the side frames and the front cross beam absorbs the torsional stress.

Gantry crane

A load handling apparatus 10 having an anti-sway characteristic produced by suspending one end of a load bearing member 44 from a first trolley 38 which resists sway laterally along cross member 24 and the other end from a second trolley 54 which rides on a vertically movable stabilizing beam 30 to resist sway both laterally along stabilizing beam 30 and along the major axis of the load bearing member 44.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

William S Appleman