An Italian court of first instance has ruled that Manitou Italia infringed a patent held by Magni Telescopic Handlers in relation to outrigger retraction system on Manitou’s MRT-X 2470 Privilege and Privilege plus, along with the MRT-X 3050 Privilege Plus and Privilege, both of which were launched in 2017- see: Two new 360° models from Manitou.
It seems that patent European Patent No 2981496 revolves around the fact that on these models the machines, use single stage scissor type box-beam outriggers, similar to those used on some cranes in the past – P&H and Tadano in particular.
The outrigger system on Manitou’s 24 and 30 metre models apparently contravenes a Magni patent
If we have understood the patent correctly, Magni developed an idea that allowed the individual outrigger boxes to take up the entire width of the chassis, thus allowing the beam to extend a little further without reducing beam and box overlap, providing a greater outrigger spread and thus more capacity. Magni patented a system that prevented the outrigger foot from fouling with the back of the box for the other outrigger by developing an electronically controlled sequence where the beams retract most of the way and stop until the other box is fully stowed and then continues once it is so that the feet can automatically tilt into the vertical position for transport.
The Magni equivalent
Manitou filed a counterclaim to have the patent declared invalid, but this was dismissed at this stage of the process. Having heard the arguments, the court ruled in favour of Magni and fixed the penalty at €70,000 for each breach or noncompliance. The ruling comes from Bologna's Court of First Instance, so it is not definitive and highly likely that Manitou will lodge an appeal to a higher court.
Two of the sketches from the Magni patent request, showing the areas covered
We have asked Manitou if it wished to comment.
If you wish to look at the ruling simply click here
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