U.S. patent number 3,885,677 [Application Number 05/430,723] was granted by the patent office on 1975-05-27 for traveling crane construction.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rheinstahl Aktiengesellschaft. Invention is credited to Helmut Blase, Richard Gorl.
United States Patent |
3,885,677 |
Gorl , et al. |
May 27, 1975 |
Traveling crane construction
Abstract
A traveling crane includes a rotatable carrier chassis which is
rotatable on a wheeled truck. A twin jib is pivoted on the carrier
chassis and it includes transversely spaced single jibs each having
telescopic sections with the outer ends connected to a head piece
on which is articulated a head jib. The head jib is foldable either
back upon or under the twin jibs and fits in recesses defined in a
plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely extending head
traverses which have receiving recesses for the head jib. Securing
means extend between the single jibs and are provided for securing
the head jib in a transport position.
Inventors: |
Gorl; Richard (Dortmund,
DT), Blase; Helmut (Dortmund, DT) |
Assignee: |
Rheinstahl Aktiengesellschaft
(DT)
|
Family
ID: |
5868457 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/430,723 |
Filed: |
January 4, 1974 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
212/299 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66C
23/78 (20130101); B66C 2700/0378 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B66C
23/00 (20060101); B66C 23/78 (20060101); B66c
023/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;212/59R,59A,55,46R,46A,46B,144 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Spar; Robert J.
Assistant Examiner: Oresky; Lawrence J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McGlew and Tuttle
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A traveling crane, comprising a support base, an upper chassis
rotatable on said support base, a twin jib pivoted adjacent its one
end on said upper chassis and having two laterally spaced single
jib portions each with a plurality of telescopic sections having
outer ends opposite to the inner end of said twin jibs, said twin
jibs being telescopically extensible in unison, head traverse means
interconnecting said telescopic sections having a receiving head
recess defined between said single jib portions, a head connected
to the outer ends of said telescopic sections, and a head jib
articulated to said head and being positionable in a collapsed
transport position between said single jibs in said head receiving
recess in substantially horizontal and parallel relationship, said
head including a ball and socket mounting for said head jib, said
head jib being connected to said ball and socket mounting in a
collapsed transportable position in which it is received in the
recess.
2. A traveling crane, according to claim 1, wherein the head
receiving recess of said head traverse means opens upwardly, said
head jib being arranged in a transport position over said twin
jib.
3. A traveling crane, according to claim 1, wherein the recess of
said head traverse means opens downwardly, said head jib being
supported in the recess below said twin jib.
4. A traveling crane, according to claim 1, including upright
shields arranged at spaced lateral locations on said upper
rotatable chassis, said twin jib being pivoted on said shields and
being arranged therebetween, said shields defining an open recess
therebetween for accommodating said head jib.
5. A traveling crane, according to claim 1, wherein said head
traverse means includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced
transversely extending traverse members each having an upwardly
open receiving recess, said head jib being supported in the recess
so that a substantial portion of its cross-section lies between
said single jib portions.
6. A traveling crane, according to claim 1, including rolling guide
means for defining a rolling surface for receiving said head jib
located between said single jib portion.
7. A traveling crane, according to claim 1, including a trestle
pivotally mounted above said upper chassis and being foldable to a
position extending substantially horizontally between said single
jib portions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates in general to the construction of cranes
and, in particular, to a new and useful traveling crane which
includes a twin jib with a head jib articulated to the outer end
thereof and being foldable in a transport position in juxtaposition
over or under a plurality of longitudinally spaced traverse heads
which extend between the twin jib sections.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
So-called twin jib cranes can be used for much higher loads than
cranes with a one-stem jib or signle jib, but they have the
disadvantage that their constructions are such that they are not
readily suitable for attachment of a head jib because the head
traverse connecting the upper telescopic sections must receive the
cable guide pulleys for the load cables. In those constructions in
which a head jib is provided with a forked base in order to attach
the traverse, the traverse must be removed for transporting the
crane and it must be separately transported or carried along on the
underside of the twin jib, similar to the constructions employed in
traveling cranes with a single jib. With such a construction,
however, it is only suitable for relatively light loads.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a traveling crane is
provided with twin jibs and a head jib of relatively great carrying
capacity which is attached to the outer ends thereof and which is
arranged so that it may be juxtaposed with the twin jib
construction and need not be transported separately despite its
large dimensions. The invention comprises a twin jib crane in which
the single jib sections are interconnected by transversely
extending traverses which are provided with indentations or
recesses between the single jib sections formed specifically to
receive the head jib of the assembly which is folded into
juxtaposition therewith during traveling. The construction may be
made so that the head jib may be folded to overlie the traverses in
their recesses and be accommodated so as to only project slightly
above the separate jib sections of the twin jib crane or it may be
made so that the head jib may be folded under the twin jib and
received in the recesses of the traverses from below.
An advantage of the invention is that the head can be dimensioned
much wider and constructed so that it can absorb a greater lateral
force compared to the head jibs of traveling cranes with single
jibs. In addition, a separate vehicle is not necessary for
transporting the head jib alone since it may be accommodated in a
folded position in juxtaposition with the twin jib sections nestled
in a recess of the traverses. The construction is such that the two
single jibs may be arranged very far apart if necessary, and even
with their outer edges aligned at the lateral boundaries of the
lower chassis of the traveling jib vehicle. Thus, a particularly
great and statically favorable base width of the head jib on the
head traverse is obtained. The fact that the head jib is arranged
in the transport position, at least partly between the single jib
sections of the twin jib, has the advantage that the head jib can
be raised in a very short time without any auxiliary hoisting gear.
It is irrelevant for the invention whether the head jib is merely
turned about the ball and socket footing in the transport position
at its connection to the head traverse of the twin jib, or it is
detached from its connecting joint after it has been swung in and
is displaced in a longitudinal direction in juxtaposition with the
twin jib for transport.
It has been found particularly advantageous to make the distance
between the known shields for the rope winches greater than was
possible heretofore, and to arrange the head jib in a transport
position so that at least a part of its length extends between the
winch shields. For this construction, the cable winches and the
respective gear parts are arranged so that they are made
correspondingly low or high so that the head jib can be extremely
long and the overall length of the traveling crane can be kept
particularly low.
The openings for the head jib in the head traverse and the
intermediate traverses which extend between the twin jib sections
can be arranged, for example, in the center so that it is adapted
to the cross-sectional form of the head jib and the vertical line
through the longitudinal axis of the head jib coincides in the
transport position with the vertical line through the longitudinal
axis of the twin jib. Particularly in those cases where the lateral
height of the head jib is greater than the lateral height of the
twin jib, it is advisable to design the openings in the traverses
as recesses which are open at the bottom and to support the head
jib in a transport position substantially below the twin jib in the
recesses or openings. With this latter construction, at least a
part of the head jib cross-sectional height is accommodated in the
recess between the single jibs. This has the advantage that the
traveling crane, with the twin jib lowered and the head jib
arranged between it, has a minimum overall height and that it
preferably is not even higher than a traveling crane without a head
jib.
In another embodiment of the invention, the intermediate traverses
between the single jib sections of the twin jib form recesses which
open at the top in order to accommodate the head jib therein which
is folded back over the twin jib in the transport position. Such a
design is of advantage when there is insufficient space under the
twin jib boom when it is down to accommodate the head jib.
In order to provide means for securing the head jib in a simple
manner against longitudinal displacement in the transport position,
and in order to permit a rapid erection of the head jib in an
operating position, it is advisable not to loosen the articulation
or connection of the head jib through a ball and socket connection
to the head secured to the twin jib but to maintain it for
transportation also. When this is done, it is a simple matter to
raise the head jib after arriving at the destination of use and to
pivot the head jib on the head connection by suitable tackle in a
known manner through the trestle articulated to the head of the
twin jib at the connection of the ball and socket footing. In
traveling cranes according to the invention which are used only is
exceptional cases with head jibs, the permanent articulation of the
head jib in the transport position will be foregone so that the
head jib does not have to be detached from the twin jib when the
latter is raised into the operating position. In these cases, it is
advisable to arrange the head jib between the two single jibs of
the twin jib for displacement in longitudinal direction so that it
does not hinder the raising of the twin jib. In order to facilitate
this displacement, it is of advantage to provide the head jib with
known lateral sliding and/or rolling guides which correspond with
suitably arranged means on the inner sides of the single jibs
and/or of the intermediate traverses.
In order to avoid increasing of the height of the traveling crane
in an undesirable manner by known trestles which are articulated to
the jib head for raising and/or adjusting the main or head jib on
the upper chassis, these trestles can be turned at least partly
between the single jibs so that they are preferably articulated to
this end between the single jibs on the upper chassis and the jib
head respectively.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
traveling crane which includes a twin jib portion with twin jibs
which are separated by one or more traverses which extend laterally
therebetween and which is articulated through a head to a head jib
at its outer ends and wherein the head jib may be folded into
juxtaposition with the twin jib and received in recesses defined in
the traverses.
A further object of the invention is to provide a traveling crane
which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to
manufacture.
For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof
as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the Drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a traveling crane constructed
in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line II--II of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 of another
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line V--V of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line VI--VI of FIG. 1, but
without indicating the connection of the rocking cylinders;
FIG. 7 is a section taken along the line VII--VII of FIG. 1;
and
FIG. 8 is a section taken along the line VIII--VIII of FIG. 1.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied
therein as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6-8, comprises a traveling crane
which includes a wheel base or vehicle, generally designated 50
upon which is pivotally mounted a rotary upper chassis or rotary
table 1. Supported on rotary table 1 are a plurality of
transversely spaced winch shields 3 which form a part of a pivotal
jib support 52 for supporting a jib assembly, generally designated
54. The jib assembly 54 comprises a twin jib section 2 made up of
two spaced single jibs 2a and 2b which are together pivoted about a
foot axle 4 arranged in winch shields 3 of base 52. The pivotal
movement is carried out under the control of so-called rocking
cylinders or motors 5, which are pivoted on bracket 5a of rotary
chassis 1 and connected by a pivot 5b to twin jib section 2. The
upper or outer ends of the telescopic sections 6 of single jibs 2a
and 2b are connected with each other by means of a head traverse 16
while the identical lower or inner telescopic sections 7 and 8 are
connected with each other by means of the intermediate traverses 17
and 18. The single jibs 2a and 2b are arranged at a lateral spacing
or distance A from each other, which is slightly greater than the
width a of a head jib 10 which is articulated to head 9 of twin jib
2 by means of a ball and socket joint or footing 11, as shown in
FIGS. 6 to 8. In the center of head traverse 16 and intermediate
traverses 17 and 18, there are provided recesses or openings 12 and
13 which open downwardly toward the bottom and provide a receiving
recess for head jib 10 in the transport position. The construction
is such that a verticle line through an imagined longitudinal axis
of the head jib 10 coincides with an imagined vertical line through
the longitudinal axis of twin jib 2.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show embodiments which are quite similar to FIG. 1
and similar parts have been similarly designated, but with the
addition of primes in order to show that they are separate
embodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the traveling crane is
also supported by a separate wheeled bogie 52' in addition to
vehicle 50'.
In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the wheeled vehicle 50" is similar to
that of the embodiment of FIG. 1, but the head jib is carried above
the twin jib 2 in suitable recesses in the traverse members, rather
than underneath twin jib 2 as shown in FIG. 1. The embodiments of
FIGS. 1 and 3 are similar in respect to the carrying of head jib 10
below twin jib 2 in the transport position. In each embodiment,
there is a ball and socket footing 11, 11', 11" which is
articulated to head 9, 9' and 9" of twin jibs 2, 2' and 2". In the
embodiments of both FIGS. 1 and 3, the head jib 10, 10' is
supported substantially below the jib 2, 2' in recesses 12 and 13
which are formed in the traverses. As shown in FIG. 2, the
cross-section of head jib 10 is accommodated between shields 3, 3
and 3,3 on the respective sides and it rests on a support or
securing element 14. In the embodiment shown, the support 14
comprises roller bearings and similar roller bearings 15 are
supplied at a forward traverse or upstanding bearing block 19 which
is supported on vehicle 50. Roller bearings 14 are advantageously
supported by the winch shields 3.
In order to avoid a construction in which the head jib 10 hinders
the raising of the twin jib, head portion 20 of head jib 10 is so
designed that it can be folded about a lockable pivot joint 21.
Trestles 22 articulated to head 9 of the twin jib, as well as
trestles 23 which are articulated to winch shields 3, as shown in
FIG. 3, permit the raising and adjustment of head jib 10 in the
operating position, and they can be swung between single jibs 2a
and 2b so that the height of the traveling crane is limited to a
minimum. The cable drums 26 and 27 and the respective driving
elements are not represented in detail for reasons of drawing
clarity and because they do not form an essential part of the
invention. The same is also true in respect to the known tackles.
Rope pulleys 28 and 29 are arranged on trestles 22 on head jib 10
and conventional cable pulleys 30 and 31 are arranged on head 9 of
twin jib 2. A hydraulic cylinder 32 is employed for telescoping as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and it is arranged between the single jibs
2a and 2b.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, head jib 10" is not articulated
to head 9" of twin jib 2, but is arranged with a substantial part
of its cross-section between the two single jibs 2a and 2b of the
twin jib on its top side. Holders 33 and 34 are carried on an
intermediate traverse 18 and on lower intermediate traverse 25
secured on head jib 10" in its position. The ball and socket
footing on head jib 10 carries a bore 11a in which the supporting
pivot for the head jib is carried in the operating position of head
9 of twin jib 2.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles
of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be
embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
* * * * *