Patent Application
20240208784
No federal funds were used to create or develop the invention herein.
Not Applicable
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
As disclosed, the transportable Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory is configured to engage with the bucket of a crane, loader or high-line for the purpose of securing a heavy, irregular load engaged with the arms of the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory to improve the convenience and safety of moving heavy irregular shaped or balanced loads, such as a barge lid or skid steer loader tractor to, from and between a dock and a barge located proximate the dock. Designed to be compact and fit into the back of a pick-up for easy in transport and mobility. As disclosed herein, lids can be hooked and unhooked from deck level.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain and illustrate the principles of the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory as disclosed herein.
Before the present Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 is not limited to specific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word “comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intended to exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps. “Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used in a restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.
Disclosed are components that can be used with at least one embodiment of the disclosed Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all potential embodiments of the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, components of a Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100. Thus, if there are a variety of additional components that can be added it is understood that each of these additional components can be added with any specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100. The present Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous and following description.
Further, the loading arm 3 has a first section 3 and second section 4 wherein each section has a first end (a) and a second end (b). The first end 3a of the first section of the loading arm is attached to the lifter body 5. The second end 3b of the first section of the loading arm is connected to the first end 4a of the second section of the loading arm 4. The second end 4b of the md second section of the loading arm is designed for attachment of the chain 8 with hooks, subject to engaging and lifting purposes, without limitation and restriction. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that other types of chain 8 and fasteners including hooks, shoulder bolts 12, pins 7 and or pegs could be used for well-securing attachment of load or heavy object during transportation and for easy detachment or removal of load or heavy object when needed. Additionally, a pivot joint 6 is positioned between and connects the second end 3b of the first section to the first end 4a of the second section of the loading arm. One of ordinary skill will also appreciate that the pivot joint 6 allows the loading arm 4 to flex during loading of the second end 4b of the second section of the loading arm and allows for secure attachment to a load, without any limitation and restriction.
Another aspect of the embodiment, a support arm 2 is configured with a first end 2a and a second end 2b wherein the first end 2a of the support arm connects to the upper end 5b of the lifter body. The second end 2b of the support arm 2 attaches to the first section 3 of the loading arm at a position between the first end 3a and the second end 3b of the first section of the loading arm 3. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that multi-armed lifting accessory 100 is configured of multiple loading arms—first section (3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4), loading arms—second section (4-1, 4-2, 4-3, 4-4), and support arms (2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4) which provides balance, flexibility, and support for the device during lifting and transportation. Another benefit of having multiple loading arms is that multiple loading arms allows the multi-armed lifting accessory 100 to lift various size and irregular shape objects.
As shown in
One of ordinary skill will appreciate that support arm 2 could be connected to the upper portion of lifter body 5 through any number of securement devices allowing pivotable attachment, without limitation or restriction herein. As shown, the second end 2b of the support arm is also configured with an aperture for pinned attachment and engagement to and connection with a pair of tabs positioned on the first section 3 of the loading arm. As shown in
One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the spring tubes 1 and support arms 2 work together to provide a flexing action in support of loading arms 3 and 4 thereby allowing the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory to give as needed in response to the large, irregular shaped barge lids 30 which are prone to flexing thereby allowing firm but flexible engagement. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 could be used with other odd or irregular shaped loads 31 which may flex including building materials and or large sheets of fabric. (not shown) One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 could also be used with other odd or irregular balanced loads 31 which may require the spring-loaded or tensioned flexing provided by the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 during a lifting operation from a first location to a second location, wherein the load must transverse a particular elevation change between a first location and a second location. Using the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 with an excavator positioned on a dock to move a skid steer loader (not shown) from the dock to the hold of a barge located below the dock is but one example of a lifting operation which the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 could be used for.
Accordingly, the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 disclosed at
It is contemplated that in the illustrative embodiment shown in the enclosed figures the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 may be constructed of, but not limited to, any metal or combination of metals including bronze, steel and aluminum; plastics or carbon fiber including Kevlar®, foam-blown polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, other polymers, other thermoplastics, carbon rubber, blown rubber polymers, composite materials, natural materials (e.g., rubber, leather, etc.), elastomers, combinations thereof, and/or any other material with suitable characteristics (e.g., compressive strength, stability, elasticity, density). This particular embodiment of a Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 was fabricated from steel using various laser cutting, welding, securement and machining technologies which are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 could be constructed by any method known to those in the art including via casting, forging, and machining or stamping and punching, without restriction or limitation. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 disclosed herein is designed, fabricated and configured to work with any type of bucket which can engage the head of the lifter body 5 and or any type of cable or chain which be engaged with or wrapped around the lifter body 5 as shown but is in no way limited to working only with particular buckets, cables or chains shown herein.
Having described the preferred embodiments, other features of the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as will numerous modifications and alterations in the embodiments as illustrated herein, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 disclosed herein. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are for illustrative purposes only, and the scope of the present disclosure extends to all method and/or structures for providing increased functionality, comfort, longevity, enjoyment and aesthetics in the use and access of Multi-Armed Lifting Accessories 100. Furthermore, the methods and embodiments pictured and described herein are no way limiting to the scope of the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 and method of use unless so stated in the following claims.
It should be noted that the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar apparatuses and methods for providing the various benefits and/or features of a Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100. Modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100. It is understood that the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 as disclosed herein extends to all alternative combinations of one or more of the individual features mentioned, evident from the text and/or drawings, and/or inherently disclosed. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 and/or components thereof. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 and/or components thereof and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the same. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
While the Multi-Armed Lifting Accessory 100 has been described in connection with preferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that the scope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as the embodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive.
Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including but not limited to: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as illustrative only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
The present application claims priority in-part from pending utility non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/203,697 filed on Apr. 16, 2021 which claimed priority from utility non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/595,174 filed on Oct. 7, 2019 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,947,096) which claimed priority from utility non-provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/590,007 filed on May 8, 2018 (issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,435,281) which claimed priority from utility provisional U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/333,147 filed on May 6, 2016, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. The present application also claims priority U.S. Pat. App. No. 63/449,917 filed on Mar. 3, 2023, which is also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63449917 | Mar 2023 | US | |
| 62333147 | May 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16595174 | Oct 2019 | US |
| Child | 17203697 | US | |
| Parent | 15590007 | May 2017 | US |
| Child | 16595174 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17203697 | Mar 2021 | US |
| Child | 18595394 | US |
