A multiple-layout grapple (I, 100), for lifting and handling loads, including: a support frame (2); a suspension hook (3) of the grapple according to a suspension line (L); and at least three hinge seats (5) connected to said support frame (2), each seat (5) carrying a corresponding gripping arm (10), hinged so as to be adapted to rotate about a closing axis (0) orthogonal to the direction of the suspension line (L) between an open position and a closed position; wherein at least one of said hinge seats (5) is a hinge seat rotatably connected to said support frame (2) through a respective pin (7), so as to be adapted to rotate about a configuration axis (C) orthogonal to said closing axis (0) and to make said grapple to assume a predefined operating configuration.

A travel path of an article transport facility provided with a plurality of article transport vehicles that travel along the travel path and transport articles, and a control device that controls operation of the article transport vehicles includes a path set in an inspection area for causing a target transport vehicle designated as an inspection target from among the plurality of article transport vehicles to travel along. The target transport vehicle includes a sensor that detects behavior of the target transport vehicle during travel. The control device controls the plurality of article transport vehicles such that only the one target transport vehicle is present in the inspection area, and causes the target transport vehicle to travel in the inspection area in an inspection travel pattern prescribed in advance.

A travel path of an article transport facility provided with a plurality of article transport vehicles that travel along the travel path and transport articles, and a control device that controls operation of the article transport vehicles includes a path set in an inspection area for causing a target transport vehicle designated as an inspection target from among the plurality of article transport vehicles to travel along. The target transport vehicle includes a sensor that detects behavior of the target transport vehicle during travel. The control device controls the plurality of article transport vehicles such that only the one target transport vehicle is present in the inspection area, and causes the target transport vehicle to travel in the inspection area in an inspection travel pattern prescribed in advance.

A control stand is disclosed for controlling a crane, an excavator, a crawler, or a similar construction machine having a seat, control elements actuable from the seat for inputting control commands, a display apparatus for displaying information, and a control unit for generating adjustment signals in dependence on input control commands and/or for providing information to the display apparatus. A crane is disclosed having such a control stand that can be configured in the form of a crane operator's cabin. The control elements and/or the display apparatus of the control stand and various further auxiliary units can be individually configurable. Personal pre-settings can be saved and can be reinvoked when the control stand or the crane is to be controlled by a certain machine operator.

A control stand is disclosed for controlling a crane, an excavator, a crawler, or a similar construction machine having a seat, control elements actuable from the seat for inputting control commands, a display apparatus for displaying information, and a control unit for generating adjustment signals in dependence on input control commands and/or for providing information to the display apparatus. A crane is disclosed having such a control stand that can be configured in the form of a crane operator's cabin. The control elements and/or the display apparatus of the control stand and various further auxiliary units can be individually configurable. Personal pre-settings can be saved and can be reinvoked when the control stand or the crane is to be controlled by a certain machine operator.

Lift assemblies and methods of operating same. A lift assembly for a vehicle includes at least one support member having a longitudinal axis lying on a plane and which is configured for attachment to the vehicle. A mast having a proximal end, a distal end, and a mast axis is pivotably coupled with the at least one support member at the mast proximal end. At least one gear arrangement is coupled between the at least one support member and the mast proximal end. The mast is pivotable relative to the at least one support member about an axis parallel with the plane through an angular displacement greater than 90 degrees. A boom is pivotably coupled with the mast proximate the mast distal end, and a first lift line is coupled with the boom.

Provided is an article transportation facility including a plurality of article transportation vehicles and an operation terminal for controlling the article transportation vehicles, in which each of the article transportation vehicles includes a vehicle transmission/reception section for transmitting and receiving signals for communicating with the operation terminal. The operation terminal includes an operation section operated by a user, a terminal transmission/reception section that transmits and receives signals to and from the vehicle transmission/reception section, an extensible section that can extend and retract the distance between the operation section and the terminal transmission/reception section, and a setting changing section that changes a setting of at least one of a signal transmission strength and a reception sensitivity of the terminal transmission/reception section.

Provided is an article transportation facility including a plurality of article transportation vehicles and an operation terminal for controlling the article transportation vehicles, in which each of the article transportation vehicles includes a vehicle transmission/reception section for transmitting and receiving signals for communicating with the operation terminal. The operation terminal includes an operation section operated by a user, a terminal transmission/reception section that transmits and receives signals to and from the vehicle transmission/reception section, an extensible section that can extend and retract the distance between the operation section and the terminal transmission/reception section, and a setting changing section that changes a setting of at least one of a signal transmission strength and a reception sensitivity of the terminal transmission/reception section.

The invention relates to a system for central control of one or more cranes including at least one crane and at least one central control station, wherein the crane includes one or multiple image sensors observing a picked-up load, at least part of the crane surroundings and at least part of the crane structure, the crane is connected with the control station for the transmission of the image sensor data via at least one bidirectional communication link, and wherein the control station comprises at least one display element for the visual representation of the received sensor data as well as provides at least one input device for inputting control commands, and the control commands can be transmitted, via the communication link, to one or more crane actuators and/or the crane control for performing crane movements.

The invention relates to a system for central control of one or more cranes including at least one crane and at least one central control station, wherein the crane includes one or multiple image sensors observing a picked-up load, at least part of the crane surroundings and at least part of the crane structure, the crane is connected with the control station for the transmission of the image sensor data via at least one bidirectional communication link, and wherein the control station comprises at least one display element for the visual representation of the received sensor data as well as provides at least one input device for inputting control commands, and the control commands can be transmitted, via the communication link, to one or more crane actuators and/or the crane control for performing crane movements.