US 12,459,786 B2
Lifting system with actuated lift pins and lift collar
Michael S. Sekulich, Raleigh, NC (US); Jeffrey M. Pillis, Apex, NC (US); Diana K. Jarosiewicz, Cary, NC (US); Trevor C. Nienke, Willow Spring, NC (US); Henry L. Furr, Willow Spring, NC (US); and Mark A. Rominger, Raleigh, NC (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/552,966.
Prior Publication US 2023/0192448 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. B66C 1/10 (2006.01); B66C 1/22 (2006.01); B66C 1/66 (2006.01); B66C 13/14 (2006.01)
CPC B66C 1/10 (2013.01) [B66C 1/22 (2013.01); B66C 1/66 (2013.01); B66C 13/14 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lift coupling system for enabling an object to be lifted, comprising:
a lifting base, configured to be attached to the object, comprising:
a housing,
a plurality of lift pins configured to move between a retracted state, within the housing, and an extended state, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of lift pins are extended outwardly from the housing,
a rod rotatably disposed in the housing,
a plurality of pin links pivotally attached to the rod, wherein each pin link, of the plurality of pin links, is pivotally attached to a respective one of the plurality of lift pins, and
an actuator configured to rotate the rod to move the plurality of lift pins between the retracted state and the extended state; and
a lift collar, comprising:
a lift collar body, shaped and sized to fit about the housing, configured to;
contact the plurality of lift pins when the lift collar is positioned about the housing and when the plurality of lift pins are extended outwardly to the extended state to couple the lift collar to the lifting base, and
decouple from the lifting base when the plurality of lift pins are retracted into the housing to the retracted state.