Abstract:
A load lifting device is provided. The load lifting device has a housing, a load lifting hook assembly mounted with the housing, a freely rotatable swivel mounted with the housing opposite the load lifting hook assembly, wherein the freely rotatable swivel can rotate around a vertical axis, and a rotational driving device located within the housing, wherein the rotational driving device interacts with the load lifting hook assembly and controls movement of the load lifting hook assembly along a vertical axis. The rotational driving device controls movement of the load lifting device remotely through a power source, remote processing unit, motor, and remote control. The load lifting device is built to be attached to a hoist line of a crane and be used by riggers or other workers to move material and equipment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/156,424, filed Jun. 2, 2008, entitled Rotorhook; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to load lifting devices used to lift construction material or other types of heavy material. More particularly, the embodiments of the present disclosure encompass a loading lifting device comprising a freely rotatable swivel, housing, hook assembly, and rotational driving device. A method of using the load lifting device is also contemplated. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    There are a number of devices having hooks on which loads are carried; however, with these known devices, the operator of the device is unable to easily rotate the load being lifted without the cables to the device twisting or without the use of one or more tether ropes. Requiring the operator to manually handle tether ropes close to the load is both physically demanding and dangerous. A load lifting device that solves the problem of twisting cables and the need for tether ropes while providing for remote control of the load is therefore needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed toward a load lifting device. The load lifting device includes a housing, a load lifting hook assembly mounted with the housing, a freely rotatable swivel mounted with the housing opposite the load lifting hook assembly, wherein the freely rotatable swivel can rotate around a vertical axis, and a rotational driving device located within the housing, wherein the rotational driving device interacts with the load lifting hook assembly and controls movement of the load lifting hook assembly along a vertical axis. The housing and freely rotatable swivel may be many different shapes. For example in exemplary embodiments, the housing is spherical or cylindrical and the freely rotatable swivel is a hook or a ring. Both the load lifting hook assembly and the freely rotatable swivel may be mounted to apertures in the housing using a bearing assembly and a shaft. 
         [0005]    In an exemplary embodiment, the housing contains a recess for the rotational driving device. In some embodiments, the rotational driving device is supported by a platform. The rotational driving device controls the movement of the load lifting device and generally comprises a motor, a remote processing unit, a power source, and a remote control. The motor may be any type of DC motor such as a servo electric drive motor or stepper motor. The power source is similarly non-limiting, but in many cases will be a rechargeable battery. 
         [0006]    Consistent with a further aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided for using the load lifting device. Initially, the load lifting device will be attached via the freely rotatable swivel to an applicable device used to handle the load, i.e. a crane. The method includes placing the load lifting device over a load that is to be lifted and moved. The load lifting device is attached to the load through the load lifting hook assembly. The load is then lifted and moved to a desired destination, where the load lifting device and the load are placed into position so that the load can be removed from the load lifting device. Finally, the load is removed from the load lifting device. 
         [0007]    Control of the rotation of the hook assembly of the load lifting device, including the steps of placing the load lifting device over the load and moving the load to the desired location and positioning can be controlled automatically and remotely. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a spherical embodiment of the load lifting device.  FIG. 1  depicts the load lifting device without the cover such that the interior of the load lifting device and the rotational driving device can be seen. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the pieces of load lifting device in a spherical embodiment. The dotted lines in  FIG. 2  demonstrate the position of various pieces of the load lifting device when the load lifting device is operational. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a view of an alternative embodiment where the housing is cylindrical in shape; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  demonstrate an example connection of the freely rotatable swivel to the load lifting device housing; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary disclosed method of using the load lifting device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Before describing the exemplary embodiments in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to particular machines or methods, as the machines and methods can, of course, vary. 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. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which an embodiment pertains. Many methods and materials similar, modified, or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the current embodiments without undue experimentation. 
         [0014]    As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” can include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” can include a combination of two or more components. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the load lifting device will now be explained with reference to the figures. This description is provided in order to assist in the understanding of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the embodiments shown in the figures or described below. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , in its broadest aspect, load lifting device  110  comprises a housing  112 , a load lifting hook assembly  114 , a rotational driving device  116  and a freely rotatable swivel  118 . 
         [0016]    Referring first to housing  112 , the shape of housing  112  is not meant to be limiting. As long as housing  112  is capable of housing rotational driving device  116 , housing  112  may be any shape. For example, in addition to the spherical shape demonstrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , housing  112  may be square, rectangular, or any other shape known in the art. In one embodiment housing  112  is a sphere that is sixteen inches in diameter.  FIG. 3  demonstrates an embodiment where housing  112  is cylindrical in shape. In one aspect of this embodiment, housing  112  is a cylinder that is about 10 inches in diameter and about 14 inches housing length. In one of the cylindrical embodiments, the total length of the load lifting device is about 35 inches. 
         [0017]    Housing  112  may be made from any appropriate material known to the skilled artisan. As used herein, an appropriate material is one having enough strength to allow the load lifting device to lift construction material and other heavy material, i.e. enough strength to lift the applicable load. For example, steel is an appropriate material as are aluminum, brass, stainless steel and cast iron. Steel materials include mild to tempered steel. Aluminum materials include cast to extruded. Brass materials include cast and extruded as does stainless steel. In many embodiments, the size and material of housing  112  will be rated for at least 15 tons. 
         [0018]    As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the internal portion of housing  112  contains recess  120  and two apertures opposite each other,  122  and  124 . Recess  120  has a cover  126  and is accessible through opening  128  from the exterior of housing  112 . Recess  120  is generally cubed in shape and centered in housing  112 . However, recess  120  may be any shape and size capable of housing rotational driving device  116 . In one embodiment, recess  120  is a 7 inch by 7 inch cube. In other embodiments, recess  120  will be spherical. Cover  126  fits into opening  128  and protects recess  120  during operation of load lifting device  110 . Generally cover  126  is permanently affixed into opening  128  during operation of load lifting device  110 , such as, for example by bolts. In one embodiment, cover  126  is bolted to housing  112  with four quarter inch bolts. However, other ways of securing cover  126  are contemplated. For example, in other embodiments, cover  126  is pressure fitted into opening  128 . Additionally, in one embodiment cover  126  is attached to housing  112  with hinges. Cover  126  may be attached to housing  112  either on the exterior or interior. 
         [0019]    The shape of cover  126  is not meant to be limiting and may be any shape know in the art. However, generally, if housing  112  is spherical in shape, cover  126  follows the same contour such that when cover  126  is attached, a full sphere is formed. 
         [0020]    Recess  120  also has apertures  122  and  124 . Apertures  122  and  124  may be countersunk in the bottom and top of recess  120 . In one embodiment, apertures  122  and  124  are two inches in diameter. However, the size and shape of apertures  122  and  124  are not meant to be limiting and can be any size or shape that allows for attachment of hook assembly  114  and fully rotatable swivel  118  to housing  112 . The position of apertures  122  and  124  in recess  120  may also vary depending on the embodiment. In one embodiment, wherein housing  112  is a sphere with a sixteen inch diameter and recess  120  is a 7 inch by 7 inch cube, apertures  122  and  124  are centered across from each other. 
         [0021]    In certain embodiments, recess  120  includes a platform  130 . As demonstrated in  FIG. 1 , platform  130  is designed to support rotational driving device  116 . Platform  130  may be made of any material capable of supporting the applicable rotational driving device  116 . The shape of platform  130  is generally adapted to fit the shape of recess  120  and is not meant to be limiting. Nor is the material of platform  130  meant to be limited. For example, in one embodiment, platform  130  is made of steel. The position of platform  130  within recess  120  depends on applicable rotational driving device  116  and the dimensions of recess  120 . For example, when recess  120  is a 7 inch by 7 inch cube and the tallest portion of rotational driving device is about 4 inches, platform  130  may be about 2.75 inches above the floor of recess  120 . In embodiments where recess  120  is a different shape, platform  130  may be an equal ratio distance away from the floor of recess  120 . For example, if recess  120  is 10 inches in height, platform  130  may be about 3.9 inches from the floor of recess  120 . Platform  130  may be attached to housing  112  by any means known in the art. In one embodiment, platform  130  is welded to housing  112 . In many embodiments, recess  120  will have only a single platform  130 . However, in some individual embodiments, more than a single platform may be present in recess  120 . 
         [0022]    Rotational driving device  116  is largely housed within recess  120  and controls the movement of hook assembly  114 . Rotational driving device  116  generally encompasses a motor  132 , a remote processing unit  134 , a power source  136 , and a remote control  138 , such as is shown in  FIG. 2 . For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , motor  132  is positioned on platform  130 . Generally any type of DC motor is contemplated. In one embodiment, motor  132  is a geared motor with a shaft  140 . Motor  132  may be a servo electric drive motor. A servo electric drive motor may be a one quarter horsepower motor. The drive components of the geared motor are stainless steel in many embodiments. In certain embodiments, especially in those embodiments where computer controls are used, the motor is a stepper motor. In most embodiments, motor  132  is supported by platform  130 ; however, in some embodiments, platform  130  is missing or more than a single platform is housed within recess  120  to support rotational driving device  116 . 
         [0023]    Power source  136  is any power source known in the art. In many embodiments, power source  136  is at least one battery. In some embodiments, more than a single battery is used. When power source  136  is a battery, the battery is permanently affixed to platform  130  in exemplary embodiments. In one embodiment, the battery is rechargeable. If the embodiment has more than a single battery, one battery or more than one battery is rechargeable. The batteries may be rechargeable using a dual charger. In other embodiments, power source  136  is solar. In yet other embodiments, power source  136  is a conventional source such as an electrical outlet. A rechargeable battery is recharged with a recessed hookup on the exterior of housing  112 . Recessed hookups are well known in the art and the shape and specifications of the recessed hookup are not meant to be limiting. The exterior of housing  112  may also contain a toggle switch to turn off load lifting device  110  when the battery is charging and a push activation button with light symbols to alert the operator to the amount of charge. Any elements on the exterior of housing  112  may be protected using a shield. 
         [0024]    Remote processing unit  134  controls motor  132 . Generally, in order for remote processing unit  134  to control motor  132 , remote processing unit  134  and motor  132  run on the same computer platform. Examples of the computer platform that may be used, include, but are not limited to computer aided control capable of prepositioning on a XYZ direction grid pattern, for example CNC computer software. When using computer aided controls, in certain embodiments, sensors will be attached to keep track of the number of turns so that the position of the load can be tracked. An exemplary embodiment has the sensors attached to a shaft of the load lifting hook assembly  114  and/or freely rotatable swivel  118 . In some embodiments, the load lifting device includes sensors capable of detecting radioactive materials and x-ray sensors. These sensors are known in the art and not meant to be limiting. 
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment, remote processing unit  134  is placed near motor  132  in recess  120  such that it can control motor  132  subsequent to receiving input from remote control  138 . In many embodiments, remote processing unit  134  will be permanently affixed to platform  130  in a position next to motor  132  although other types of affixation and position, such as non-permanent affixation in a position next to power source  136  and not motor  132 , are contemplated. In one embodiment, remote processing unit  134  is permanently affixed by bolts. In exemplary embodiments, remote processing unit  134  is controlled by remote control  138 . Input from remote control  138  may be in the form of radio waves, electromagnetic frequencies, or infrared frequencies. All of these remote systems are well known in the art and not meant to be limiting. 
         [0026]    Rotational driving device  116  allows an operator to control load lifting hook assembly  114  in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. An operator can also control the speed of the movement of loading lifting hook assembly  114 . Load lifting hook assembly  114  comprises hook  147  and is connected with rotational driving device  116 . In many embodiments load lifting hook assembly  114  also includes bearing assemblies  148  and  150 , which may be tapered bearing assemblies. With tapered bearing assemblies, generally the smaller diameters of the bearings face each other in load lifting device  110 . Load lifting hook assembly  114  also includes shaft  152  in many instances. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, hook  147  has a 1.5 inch girth by 1 inch thickness with a 3 inch interior radius of 270 degrees with a 90 degree opening. However, the specifications of hook  147  are not meant to be limiting and hooks that have different degrees of interior radius and different degree openings are contemplated. Hooks with different girths and thicknesses are also contemplated. The material used to make hook  147  is not limited but may be any applicable material known in the art. 
         [0028]    In exemplary embodiments, hook  147  is made as a single piece with shaft  152 . In the embodiments of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , shaft  152  is two inches in diameter and includes a three inch diameter collar  154 . Collar  154  provides a backstop for bearing assembly  148 . Collar  154  also provides a place to seal for the retention of grease in certain embodiments. Collar  154  varies in size based on the size of load lifting device  110 . Shaft  152  may be any appropriate length, such as about 5 inches, about 7 inches, about 10 inches, and more than 10 inches. The length of shaft  152  is dependent upon the distance from the exterior of housing  112  to recess  120 . For example, if housing  112  is a 16 inch diameter sphere with shaft  152  being about seven inches long beyond collar  154 . In some embodiments, shaft  152  is threaded. In one embodiment, shaft  152  is threaded its last inch of length. 
         [0029]    During construction of load lifting device  110 , bearing assemblies  148  and  150  are placed onto shaft  152 . Generally, shaft  152  protrudes into recess  120 . In one embodiment, shaft  152  protrudes into recess  120  about 2.5 inches. Gear  156 , which is part of rotational driving device  116 , interacts with the protrusion of shaft  152  as well as motor  132 . Gears can be various sizes, even within a single load lifting device  110 . In one embodiment, gear  156  is a 4.5 inch diameter by 0.75 inch thick main gear fitted with a 0.25 inch gear key. In an embodiment with a cylindrical housing, gear  156  is a 6 inch diameter by ⅜ inch thick main gear with a matching drive gear. In many embodiments, the torque of gear  156  will be about 10 pounds. 
         [0030]    As demonstrated by  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , girth sleeve  158  placed on shaft  152  between bearing assembly  148  and gear  156 . Girth sleeve  158  serves as a spacer between bearing assembly  148  and gear  156 . In one embodiment, girth sleeve  158  specifications are 0.75 inch by 2 inch inside diameter by 0.25 inch. Nevertheless, the size and shape of appropriate girth sleeves is well known in the art and not meant to be limiting. 
         [0031]    In exemplary embodiments, as most easily seen in  FIG. 1 , a locking ring  160  and hex nut  162  are fitted on the end of shaft  152 , after gear  156  has engaged shaft  152 . Hex nut  162  allows gear  156 , bearing assemblies  148  and  150 , and shaft  152  to be tightened together such that bearings assemblies  148  and  150  press toward each other and lock into place on shaft  152 . 
         [0032]    As demonstrated best by  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , load lifting device  110 , also includes a freely rotatable swivel  118  mounted to housing  112  opposite load lifting hook assembly  114 . An advantage of the use of freely rotatable swivel  118  in lifting loads is that freely rotatable swivel  118  allows load lifting device to turn without twisting attached cables. Freely rotatable swivel  118  is especially adapted to be connected to the hoist line  165  of a crane  167  although attachment to other devices is contemplated. Freely rotatable swivel  118  is capable of rotating 360 degrees. In many embodiments, freely rotatable swivel  118  is a ring. However, other shapes are contemplated. For example, in one embodiment freely rotatable swivel  118  may be a hook shape. 
         [0033]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4   a , freely rotatable swivel  118  comprises an element that is a semi-hourglass shape. In  FIG. 4   a , semi-hourglass  169  has hole  171  in proximal end  173  such that a shaft  175  can be placed through hole  171 . Hole  171  allows shaft  175  to rotate freely within semi-hourglass  169 . In some embodiments, shaft  175  is mounted to housing similarly to load lifting hook assembly  114 , i.e. with bearing assemblies. In this embodiment, freely rotatable swivel swivels both where shaft  175  connects to housing  112  and where shaft  175  connects to semi-hourglass  169 . In other embodiments, freely rotatable swivel  118  swivels only where shaft  175  connects to semi-hourglass  169 . This second embodiment is best illustrated by  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0034]    In  FIG. 4   b , semi-hourglass  169  also comprises holes  177  and  179  in distal end  181 . These holes allow a shaft  183  to be placed in distal end  181  such that a crane hook can be attached to freely rotatable swivel  118 . In certain embodiments, shaft  183  is secured in holes  177  and  179  through pin  185 . 
         [0035]    As also demonstrated in  FIG. 4   b , shaft  175  may connect to housing  112  through connectors  187  and  189 . Connectors  187  and  189  are permanently attached to housing  112 , such as through welding, in most embodiments. Connectors  187  and  189  comprise holes which allow for shaft  190  to be placed through holes in connectors  187  and  189  as well as through a hole in shaft  175 . In one embodiment, shaft  190  is secured in the holes in connectors  187  and  189  and the hole in shaft  175  through a pin  192 . 
         [0036]    Shaft  175  has a connected ring  193  in certain embodiments. Ring  193  helps to secure shaft  175  in semi-hourglass  169 . Ring  193  is permanently attached with shaft  175 , e.g. through welding in many circumstances. In some embodiments, shaft  175  is also permanently attached to housing  112 . This permanent attachment may also be through welding. 
         [0037]    The sizes of semi-hourglass  169 , shafts  175 ,  183 , and  190  as well as the size of connectors  187  and  189  are not meant to be limiting. The skilled artisan can easily determine the appropriate size for each of the elements of freely rotatable swivel  118 . Nor are the sizes of the holes in freely rotatable swivel  118  limiting. In certain embodiments, hole  171  in semi-hourglass  169  is about 1.5 inches in diameter. In other embodiments, hole  171  is about 2 inches, about 2.5 inches, or about 3 inches in diameter. 
         [0038]    An embodiment demonstrating operation of the load lifting device  110  is shown in the flow diagram of  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, load lifting device  110  has previously been attached with a crane or other applicable device. For example, a hoist line of a crane may be connected with freely rotatable swivel  118 . In step  156 , an operator positions load lifting device  110  over the load to be lifted into position by moving the crane or other applicable device to which load lifting device  110  is attached and using remote control  138  to control remote processing unit  134 . In step  158 , a rigger or other type of worker then attaches the load to load lifting hook assembly  114  of load lifting device  110 . The operator then lifts the load toward its destination  160  by controlling both the crane or other applicable device upon which load lifting device  110  is connected and load lifting device  110 . As shown in the flow chart of  FIG. 5 ,  162 , once the load is near its desired destination, a rigger or worker at the destination site controls load lifting device  110  through remote control  138  so that load lifting device  110  is moved into an appropriate position to unload the load. A rigger or other type of worker then removes the load from load lifting device  110 ,  164  and load lifting device  110  is used to lift another load. 
         [0039]    Load lifting device  110  and methods of using load lifting device  110  are not limited to a specific application. However, load lifting device  110  has particular applicability in the movement of equipment and/or material in manufacturing plants, shipyards, or construction sites. 
         [0040]    Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Exemplary embodiments may be implemented as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. 
         [0041]    From the above discussion, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of the invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the embodiments to adapt to various uses and conditions. Thus, various modifications of the embodiments, in addition to those shown and described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.