James Allen Donaldson

US Patent:

6371243, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Feb 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/782922

Inventors:

James Donaldson - Puyallup WA
Nelson Wong - Kirkland WA

Assignee:

Genie Industries, Inc. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

E06C 100

US Classification:

182 694, 182 631, 182141, 180411

Abstract:

A mobile lift having extendable axes that is capable of switching between front-wheel steer, rear-wheel steer, all-wheel steer, and crab steer without resulting in undesirable tire scrubbing or unfavorable steering geometry. One embodiment provides a mobile personnel lift having a chassis supported by steerable front and rear wheel sets. The steerable wheel sets are mounted on axles that are extendable and retractable. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is pivotally coupled between each steerable wheel and its corresponding axle for turning the wheel. A microprocessor controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders. Sensors positioned adjacent to each wheel measure the angular position of each wheel relative to the chassis, and transmit this information to the microprocessor to synchronize the wheels as required to provide the optimum steering geometry for the selected mode.

US Patent:

7198278, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

Mar 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/808742

Inventors:

James A. Donaldson - Puyallup WA, US

Assignee:

Genie Industries, Inc. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

B60P 1/00

US Classification:

280 6156, 180209, 414685

Abstract:

The disclosure is generally directed toward vehicle support systems. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second support assemblies can be pivotally coupled to a base. A control mechanism can couple the first and second support assemblies together and be configured to control pivotal movement of the support assemblies between spread and stowed positions. In another embodiment, first and second support assemblies can be pivotally coupled to a base and to first and second wheel assemblies. First and second steering mechanisms can be coupled to the first and second wheel assemblies and the first and second support assemblies. A control system can be operatively coupled to the first and second steering mechanisms and can be configured to command selected angular positions of the first and second wheel assemblies relative to the base by compensating for the support assemblies being in various positions.

US Patent:

7425004, Sep 16, 2008

Filed:

Mar 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/694028

Inventors:

James A. Donaldson - Puyallup WA, US

Assignee:

Genie Industries, Inc. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

B60P 1/00

US Classification:

280 6156, 180209, 414685

Abstract:

The disclosure is generally directed toward vehicle support systems. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second support assemblies can be pivotally coupled to a base. A control mechanism can couple the first and second support assemblies together and be configured to control pivotal movement of the support assemblies between spread and stowed positions. In another embodiment, first and second support assemblies can be pivotally coupled to a base and to first and second wheel assemblies. First and second steering mechanisms can be coupled to the first and second wheel assemblies and the first and second support assemblies. A control system can be operatively coupled to the first and second steering mechanisms and can be configured to command selected angular positions of the first and second wheel assemblies relative to the base by compensating for the support assemblies being in various positions.

US Patent:

7543671, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Jul 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/772765

Inventors:

James A. Donaldson - Puyallup WA, US

Assignee:

Genie Industries, Inc. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

B62D 61/12
E06C 5/00

US Classification:

180209, 212301, 182 694

Abstract:

A vehicle with a variable-length wheelbase is disclosed. The vehicle of one embodiment has a first body portion coupled to a first set of wheels and a second body portion coupled to a second set of wheels to define a vehicle wheelbase. The first and second body portions are moveable relative to each other in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, so as to move the base between extended and retracted positions. When the base is in the retracted position the vehicle's wheelbase has a first length, and when the base is in the extended position the wheelbase has a second length greater than the first length. A boom is pivotally coupled to the base. The boom moves toward a lowered position when the base is moved toward the extended position, and the boom moves toward a raised position when the base is moved toward the retracted position.

US Patent:

7832741, Nov 16, 2010

Filed:

Sep 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/210446

Inventors:

James A. Donaldson - Puyallup WA, US

Assignee:

Genie Industries, Inc. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

B60P 1/00

US Classification:

280 6156, 180209, 414685

Abstract:

The disclosure is generally directed toward vehicle support systems. In one embodiment of the invention, first and second support assemblies can be pivotally coupled to a base. A control mechanism can couple the first and second support assemblies together and be configured to control pivotal movement of the support assemblies between spread and stowed positions. In another embodiment, first and second support assemblies can be pivotally coupled to a base and to first and second wheel assemblies. First and second steering mechanisms can be coupled to the first and second wheel assemblies and the first and second support assemblies. A control system can be operatively coupled to the first and second steering mechanisms and can be configured to command selected angular positions of the first and second wheel assemblies relative to the base by compensating for the support assemblies being in various positions.

US Patent:

20020148683, Oct 17, 2002

Filed:

Mar 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/106897

Inventors:

James Donaldson - Puyallup WA, US
Nelson Wong - Kirkland WA, US

International Classification:

E04C001/00

US Classification:

182/069400, 182/063100

Abstract:

A mobile lift having extendable axes that is capable of switching between front-wheel steer, rear-wheel steer, all-wheel steer, and crab steer without resulting in undesirable tire scrubbing or unfavorable steering geometry. One embodiment provides a mobile personnel lift having a chassis supported by steerable front and rear wheel sets. The steerable wheel sets are mounted on axles that are extendable and retractable. A double-acting hydraulic cylinder is pivotally coupled between each steerable wheel and its corresponding axle for turning the wheel. A microprocessor controls the flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic cylinders. Sensors positioned adjacent to each wheel measure the angular position of each wheel relative to the chassis, and transmit this information to the microprocessor to synchronize the wheels as required to provide the optimum steering geometry for the selected mode.

US Patent:

20110168490, Jul 14, 2011

Filed:

Jan 11, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/685354

Inventors:

James Allen Donaldson - Puyallup WA, US

Assignee:

GENIE INDUSTRIES, INC. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

E04G 1/22
E04G 5/00
E04G 1/24

US Classification:

182 631, 182141, 212347

Abstract:

A bell crank and a mechanical link are included in an aerial lift system to mechanically constrain motion of a two-boom aerial lift mechanism to prevent the aerial lift system from accessing unstable positions. Typically an aerial lift is coupled to a vehicle via a turntable. The turntable includes a counterweight on a rearward side of the turntable to balance the booms and associated hardware as they are extended in a forward direction. If the booms are in certain rearward, or even vertical positions, the counterweight can cause the vehicle to tip and such unstable positions are to be avoided. By providing the bell crank proximate the pivot joint between upper and lower booms, with the bell crank coupling at pivot joints with: the lower boom, the mechanical link, and an upper hydraulic cylinder, the booms of the aerial lift system are mechanically constrained to avoid vehicle tipping.

US Patent:

56695179, Sep 23, 1997

Filed:

Jun 11, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/661925

Inventors:

James A. Donaldson - Puyallup WA
Matthew S. Fearon - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Genie Industries, Inc. - Redmond WA

International Classification:

B66C 2376

US Classification:

212196

Abstract:

A linkage mounted counterweight for offsetting a load at the free end of an articulated boom crane (20). The articulated boom crane (20) includes an articulated boom (23) that includes an elevate linkage (25) and a telescoping section (24) is disclosed. The elevate linkage (25) includes a lower section (42) and a mid section (44). The counterweight (60) is located on the lower section (42) near where the lower section (42) is hingedly attached to the base of the crane (20). As the articulated boom (23) is raised from a stowed position, the counterweight moves away from the tilting fulcrum (F) of the articulated boom crane (20) to assist in maintaining the stability of the crane.