The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 28, 2011
Filed:
Jan. 31, 2008
David J. Pech, Manitowoc, WI (US);
Kenneth J. Porubcansky, Whitelaw, WI (US);
Alan E. Pleuss, Manitowoc, WI (US);
John M. Lanning, Reedsville, WI (US);
David J. Pech, Manitowoc, WI (US);
Kenneth J. Porubcansky, Whitelaw, WI (US);
Alan E. Pleuss, Manitowoc, WI (US);
John M. Lanning, Reedsville, WI (US);
Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLC, Manitowoc, WI (US);
Abstract
A mobile lift crane includes a carbody, a rotating bed, a boom, a moveable counterweight unit, at least one linear actuation device and at least one arm pivotally connected at a first end to the rotating bed and at a second end to the linear actuation device. The arm and linear actuation device are connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit such that extension and retraction of the linear actuation device changes the position of the counterweight unit. In one method of operation, the counterweight is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody. One embodiment includes a counterweight movement structure having a rectangular rack with at least first and third pinion gears engaged with teeth on one side and second and fourth pinion gears engaged with teeth on the opposing side.