Provided is a safety lighting system for an overhead crane comprising a laser generator capable of generating a laser signal; and a crane control system having a programmable logic circuit; wherein the laser generator is integrated with the crane control system; and wherein the laser generator is operable to project a laser signal onto a surface corresponding to the position of the crane or crane components and a method of using the safety lighting system to determine when an object has crossed into a designated safety zone.

Provided is a safety lighting system for an overhead crane comprising a laser generator capable of generating a laser signal; and a crane control system having a programmable logic circuit; wherein the laser generator is integrated with the crane control system; and wherein the laser generator is operable to project a laser signal onto a surface corresponding to the position of the crane or crane components and a method of using the safety lighting system to determine when an object has crossed into a designated safety zone.

An improved remote sling release for a crane has a main plate member including an access hole for attaching a main crane hoisting line therethrough, a hook portion located at an opposite end from the access hole and adapted to selectively hold securely or release sling members thereon. Two sling ejector plate members connected to one another such that the ejector plate members are pivotally attached to the main plate member, wherein each of the sling ejector plate member has a sling notch therein adapted to receive the sling members of a hoist pallet therein. A sling access handle member attached to at least one of the sling ejector plate members and used to manually rotate the ejector plate members from an open position for receiving the sling members therein and into a closed position, wherein the sling member are locked upon the hook portion of the main plate member. A remotely controlled solenoid mechanism attached to the main plate member and adapted to unlock the locking mechanism, and a first traction spring member adapted to bias the ejector plate members into the open position and force the sling members off of the hook portion. A remote control mechanism adapted to remotely activate the solenoid mechanism, to force the sling members off of the hook portion.

An improved remote sling release for a crane has a main plate member including an access hole for attaching a main crane hoisting line therethrough, a hook portion located at an opposite end from the access hole and adapted to selectively hold securely or release sling members thereon. Two sling ejector plate members connected to one another such that the ejector plate members are pivotally attached to the main plate member, wherein each of the sling ejector plate member has a sling notch therein adapted to receive the sling members of a hoist pallet therein. A sling access handle member attached to at least one of the sling ejector plate members and used to manually rotate the ejector plate members from an open position for receiving the sling members therein and into a closed position, wherein the sling member are locked upon the hook portion of the main plate member. A remotely controlled solenoid mechanism attached to the main plate member and adapted to unlock the locking mechanism, and a first traction spring member adapted to bias the ejector plate members into the open position and force the sling members off of the hook portion. A remote control mechanism adapted to remotely activate the solenoid mechanism, to force the sling members off of the hook portion.

A height adjustment assistance device includes an initial state determination part for determining whether a suspended cargo has been lifted from a ground at a start of lifting work, a height detection part for detecting a height of a counterweight from the ground, a storage part for storing an initial height, a calculation part for calculating a target value for correcting the height of the counterweight from the ground based on the initial height and a post-work height, a notification part for notifying an operator of information regarding the target value, and a length adjustment device for adjusting a length of a hanging member by operating in a manner to change the length of the hanging member extending from a tip of a mast to the counterweight.

A height adjustment assistance device includes an initial state determination part for determining whether a suspended cargo has been lifted from a ground at a start of lifting work, a height detection part for detecting a height of a counterweight from the ground, a storage part for storing an initial height, a calculation part for calculating a target value for correcting the height of the counterweight from the ground based on the initial height and a post-work height, a notification part for notifying an operator of information regarding the target value, and a length adjustment device for adjusting a length of a hanging member by operating in a manner to change the length of the hanging member extending from a tip of a mast to the counterweight.

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

Aspects of the disclosure include apparatus for and methods of facilitating transfer of objects using a crane. Disclosed apparatuses include a target tracking device mounted on or near a crane at a first location, and a target located near a landing location for the object. The target tracking device and the target facilitate real time determination of relative motion between the two locations. Methods of using the same are also disclosed.

A system for determining the horizontal location and skew of a grappling member of a crane includes at least two types of reflectors arranged on the grappling member, the relative locations and shapes of which are known; at least one scanning distance sensor mounted on the crane to measure the distance and direction from the crane to the reflectors; and a data processing device arranged to store in its memory the relative locations and shapes of the reflectors; and to determine the horizontal location and skew of the grappling member on the basis of at least the relative locations and shapes of the reflectors and measured distances and directions from the crane to the reflectors.

A system for determining the horizontal location and skew of a grappling member of a crane includes at least two types of reflectors arranged on the grappling member, the relative locations and shapes of which are known; at least one scanning distance sensor mounted on the crane to measure the distance and direction from the crane to the reflectors; and a data processing device arranged to store in its memory the relative locations and shapes of the reflectors; and to determine the horizontal location and skew of the grappling member on the basis of at least the relative locations and shapes of the reflectors and measured distances and directions from the crane to the reflectors.