A workstation having a cantilevered crane system that includes one or more cantilevered header assemblies, with each cantilevered header assembly including an upright column and a horizontally oriented header, with the header extending from the column with a free end distal from the column. The headers support a pair of runway rails, with at least one bridge rail movably mounted to the runway rails and supporting a moveable hoist. The cantilevered crane system defines a workstation area bounded by the columns and headers, with the workstation area including an open side adjacent the free ends of the headers.

The invention provides a crane assembly for lifting a load comprising: a pair of guides (2) positioned parallel to one another; a carriage (4,40) associated with each guide (2) and movable along each guide (2); a bridge (1) having an attachment point (8) for attaching the load, the bridge (1) being attached between the carriages (4,40) through connector arms (3), each connector arm (3) being attached through a lower end (31) to the bridge (1) and pivotable (5) at least about an axis perpendicular to the bridge, each connector arm (3) being attached at an upper end (32) to the corresponding carriage (4,40) through a multi-axis joint (33,35); wherein each multiaxis joint (33,35) is connected to the corresponding carriage (4,40) through a low friction thrust bearing (6)configured to rotate with initial movement of the corresponding carriage (4,40).

An overhead crane has first and second runway rails that extend parallel to a generally horizontal runway axis and a bridge that extends along a bridge axis that is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the runway axis and that is movable on the runway rails along the runway axis. The bridge includes a first bridge reinforcement member pre-loaded under tension to provide an upward deflection of the bridge rail. The first bridge reinforcement member may have at least two upwardly extending struts and a common upper end where the at least two struts meet, the at least two struts having lower ends mechanically connected to the bridge rail at positions longitudinally spaced apart with respect to the bridge axis. The lower ends of the at least two struts are longitudinally translatable along the bridge rail to adjust the tension on the first bridge reinforcement member to thereby adjust the extent of upward deflection of the bridge rail. The bridge further includes a pair of second bridge reinforcement members extending between the upper end of the first bridge reinforcement member and mechanically connected to the bridge rail proximate the first and second outer ends, the second bridge reinforcement members loaded in compression. The runway rails may be constructed in a similar manner as the bridge rail.

An overhead crane has first and second runway rails that extend parallel to a generally horizontal runway axis and a bridge that extends along a bridge axis that is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the runway axis and that is movable on the runway rails along the runway axis. The bridge includes a first bridge reinforcement member pre-loaded under tension to provide an upward deflection of the bridge rail. The first bridge reinforcement member may have at least two upwardly extending struts and a common upper end where the at least two struts meet, the at least two struts having lower ends mechanically connected to the bridge rail at positions longitudinally spaced apart with respect to the bridge axis. The lower ends of the at least two struts are longitudinally translatable along the bridge rail to adjust the tension on the first bridge reinforcement member to thereby adjust the extent of upward deflection of the bridge rail. The bridge further includes a pair of second bridge reinforcement members extending between the upper end of the first bridge reinforcement member and mechanically connected to the bridge rail proximate the first and second outer ends, the second bridge reinforcement members loaded in compression. The runway rails may be constructed in a similar manner as the bridge rail.

An overhead rail system includes a hollow tube having a channel running longitudinally along a bottom surface of the overhead rail. A stopper for use in the overhead rail, includes a base having a thickness less than a width of the channel of the overhead rail, a base length, a base width, and first and second countersunk threaded holes. The base further includes a pair of wings having a length greater than a width. The wings are rotatably attached to ends of the base and are rotatable approximately 90 degrees between a first position and a second position. Bolts may attach a stopper portion including a stopper base, and bumper base, and a bumper. The bolts further prevent rotation of the wings, thus securing the stopper in the overhead rail.

An overhead rail system includes a hollow tube having a channel running longitudinally along a bottom surface of the overhead rail. A stopper for use in the overhead rail, includes a base having a thickness less than a width of the channel of the overhead rail, a base length, a base width, and first and second countersunk threaded holes. The base further includes a pair of wings having a length greater than a width. The wings are rotatably attached to ends of the base and are rotatable approximately 90 degrees between a first position and a second position. Bolts may attach a stopper portion including a stopper base, and bumper base, and a bumper. The bolts further prevent rotation of the wings, thus securing the stopper in the overhead rail.

A self-contained hoist device, rail device and hoist system for hoisting building materials, comprising a housing; and lifting beam extending from the housing; wherein a hoist motor for driving a winch provided with a hoisting wire and a battery pack for powering the hoist motor are arranged inside the housing, and a distal end of the hoisting wire is adapted to be attached to a fixing point above the self-contained hoist device, whereby operation of the hoist motor may cause the housing and lifting beam to be raised and lowered, respectively.

A self-contained hoist device, rail device and hoist system for hoisting building materials, comprising a housing; and lifting beam extending from the housing; wherein a hoist motor for driving a winch provided with a hoisting wire and a battery pack for powering the hoist motor are arranged inside the housing, and a distal end of the hoisting wire is adapted to be attached to a fixing point above the self-contained hoist device, whereby operation of the hoist motor may cause the housing and lifting beam to be raised and lowered, respectively.

The present disclosure provides a device for fixing a gantry crane rail in a factory building and a gantry crane system using the same. The device comprises a main body, which comprises a top portion, a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The top portion is fixed to a bottom surface of a beam of the factory building, and the first surface and the second surface are substantially parallel to the crane rail. The device further comprises a first protruded support positioned on the first surface and a second protruded support positioned on the second surface.

A rail fixture that may include a plurality of track sections suspending a plurality of rail sections. The rail fixture may further include a traveler that traverses across one of the track sections, and a trolley that traverses across the plurality of rail sections. The rail fixture may further include a motorized winch assembly that may be used to lift a load to be moved toward the rail sections. The rail fixture may be used to move a load from a first location to a second location, for example, through an enclosed space having little clearance.