AU2014240184B2 - Crane with a sun and/or weather protection unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A crane to lift loads with a crane jib and with a sun and/or weather protection device that is so constructed that with the aid of the crane jib the weather protection device can be held in a position in which the sun and/or weather protection device provides shade for a specified area, wherein the sun and/or weather protection device comprises at least one flat element that is so constructed that it offers sun and/or weather protection for the specified area, and a fastening device that is constructed to be attached on the crane jib in such a manner that the or each flat element is held on the crane jib in a specified position to provide shade for the specified area, wherein the fastening device comprises a suspension that can be fastened on a lifting hook of the crane, wherein the suspension comprises a plurality of elongate load mounting elements which are joined at one end with the flat element and at the other end suspended on the lifting hook, and wherein a central suspension comprising a lower and upper central suspension part is provided, the lower and upper central suspension parts of which are joined with one another rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the central suspension. 5 -- 35 b 25 40#

Description

EDITORIAL NOTE 2014240184 - There are 18 pages of Description - The 1 st page is not numbered Crane with sun and/or weather protection unit Divisional status is claimed from related Australian case AU 2008324541, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 5 Technical field The present disclosure concerns in general a crane, in particular a power propelled or mobile crane for lifting loads, that is fitted with a device to provide 10 shade and/or weather protection. In addition the present disclosure concerns a method to provide shade and/or to provide weather protection by means of a crane. Technical background 15 An adequate number of cranes with diverse embodiments are known. Thus one basically differentiates between power-propelled, tower and crawler cranes as well as stationary rotary tower cranes. In this case under the term basically any crane with jib is understood, that is intended for lifting loads. Telescopic cranes, 20 which have a motorised lower carriage to move the crane, on which usually a rotatable upper carriage is provided, fall, for example, into this category. On the upper carriage a crane jib is mounted, that can preferably luff. Under luffing the adjustment of the inclination of the telescopic jib relative a horizontal plane is understood. Instead of a motorised lower carriage with wheels and usually with a 25 number of axles a lower carriage can be provided with a crawler drive. Instead of a telescopic crane jib a rigid lattice mast jib, that is used in particular in case of very heavy loads may be provided. Both a telescopic jib and a rigid lattice mast jib can be extended with rigid and luffing movement of auxiliary jibs. Rotary tower cranes have a vertical tower, on the top end of which a crane jib is fastened. The 30 crane jib is either mounted on the top end of the tower, in which case the crane is described as a top rotating one, or the tower is rotatably mounted on a stand, in which case it is described as a bottom rotating one. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 2 Although within the scope of the present disclosure basically all cranes mentioned may potentially be used, based on their mobility power-propelled cranes and in particular power-propelled telescopic cranes are preferably used. As an example, in DE 100 22 658 B4 a telescopic crane is shown, that is 5 provided with a so called lateral superlift to reinforce the telescopic crane jib in particular in steep positions, so that large load increases can be achieved without alterations to the actual telescopic crane jibs, A crawler crane is shown, for example, in WO 2004/08757 Al. 10 All known cranes are uniquely designated for lifting and moving loads and correspondingly equipped. Thus for such a crane the lifting height and radius of action of the crane jib as well as the maximum lifting weight are the characteristic data. 15 Many countries of the world face the problem that for a relative short duration large areas or ranges need to be covered or shaded or generally need to be protected from the influence of the weather, like rain, snow or the like. For this purpose, until now, when no permanent devices were thought of at all for larger areas, tents or stationary sunshades or the like have been used. The expense for 20 their erection and dismantling is relatively high. Description of the present disclosure The present disclosure provides a crane to lift loads with a crane jib and with a 25 sun and/or weather protection device that is so constructed that with the aid of the crane jib the weather protection device can be held in a position in which the sun and/or weather protection device provides shade for a specified area, wherein the sun and/or weather protection device comprises at least one flat element that is so constructed that it offers sun and/or weather protection for the 30 specified area, and a fastening device that is constructed to be attached on the crane jib in such a manner that the or each flat element is held on the crane jib in a specified position to provide shade for the specified area, and wherein the fastening device comprises at least one cross-truss that extends laterally protruding from the crane jib. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 3 The present disclosure further provides a crane to lift loads with a crane jib and with a sun and/or weather protection device that is so constructed that with the aid of the crane jib the weather protection device can be held in a position in 5 which the sun and/or weather protection device provides shade for a specified area, wherein the sun and/or weather protection device comprises at least one flat element that is so constructed that it offers sun and/or weather protection for the specified area, and a fastening device that is constructed to be attached on the crane jib in such a manner that the or each flat element is held on the crane 10 jib in a specified position to provide shade for the specified area, wherein the fastening device comprises a suspension that can be fastened on a lifting hook of the crane, wherein the suspension comprises a plurality of elongate load mounting elements which are joined at one end with the flat element and at the other end suspended on the lifting hook, and wherein a central suspension 15 comprising a lower and upper central suspension part is provided, the lower and upper central suspension parts of which are joined with one another rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the central suspension, wherein the upper central suspension part is constructed for fastening on the head of the crane jib and the lower central suspension part is constructed for a rotation-prevented fastening 20 with the crane jib and the lower central suspension part is constructed with a force and/or form-locked connection with the lifting hook of the crane. The present disclosure further provides a sun and/or weather protection device that for the purpose of attaching it to a crane is constructed with a jib, with a flat 25 element that is so constructed that for a specified surface it offers sun and/or weather protection, and with a fastening device that is so constructed that it can be so attached to a crane jib that the flat element will be held on the crane jib in a predetermined position to provide shade for the specified area, wherein the fastening device comprises at least one cross-truss that extends laterally 30 protruding from the crane jib. The present disclosure still further provides a sun and/or weather protection device that for the purpose of attaching it to a crane is constructed with a jib, a flat element constructed to provide offers sun and/or weather protection, and a 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 4 fastening device constructed for attachment on the crane jib so as to hold the flat element on the crane jib in a specified position to provide shade for a specified area, wherein the fastening device comprises a suspension that can be fastened on a lifting hook of the crane, wherein the suspension comprises a plurality of 5 elongate load mounting elements which are joined at one end with the flat element and at the other end suspended on the lifting hook, and wherein a central suspension comprising a lower and upper central suspension part is provided, the lower and upper central suspension parts of which are joined with one another rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the central suspension, wherein 10 the upper central suspension part is constructed to be fastened on the head of the crane jib and the lower central suspension part is constructed for a rotation preventing fastening on the crane jib and the lower central suspension part is constructed with a force and/or form-locked connection with the lifting hook of the crane. 15 The present disclosure still further provides a method to provide shade and/or weather protection for a specified area with at least the following steps of the method: " Setting up of a crane with the crane jib, 20 * Erection of the crane jib, and " Attachment of a sun and/or weather protection device as described above on the crane jib, and " Alignment of the flat element in such a manner that the specified area or region will be shaded and/or protected from the influence of the weather, 25 wherein during the operation for the purpose of providing shade for the area the crane is so moved that a change in the position of the sun results in substantially no change to a position of the shaded area or region. Some embodiments of the present disclosure may produce a system and method 30 with which shade can be provided for a specified area or range relatively quickly and flexibly or generally protected from the influence of the weather. Some embodiments of the present disclosure may also produce an additional equipment for cranes that allows to protect a specified range or area from sunrays or other influences of the weather. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 5 The basic idea on which the present disclosure is based is that for the first time a known crane of any known design is used as a "stand" for a flat element, that by virtue of its structure, design and the material used provides shade for or covers 5 the specified area in the desired manner and depending on the design of the flat element can protect it from certain influences of the weather. The use of the crane for lifting loads as a holding device for the flat element allows an extremely flexible shading and weather-protection device that can be rapidly erected for an area, that under certain circumstances can be large, since with the known cranes 10 very great heights and projections can be achieved, so that large flat elements can be positioned at suitable heights. The installation and dismantling of such a device for the protection from the sun and/or from the weather usually takes place first with the positioning of the crane. 15 After that the lifting and erection of a flat element with the aid of the crane jib can be carried out. The flat element and generally the sun and/or weather protection device is held on the crane jib and, if necessary, fastened on it, so that it cannot move. A possible advantage of some embodiments of the presently disclosed system could be that the sun and/or weather protection device can be offered and 20 used as an auxiliary equipment for a mobile crane. The retrofitting of known cranes is also possible with a few steps. In an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system the sun and/or weather protection device comprises a flat element that, depending on the 25 material used, functions as a sun and/or weather protection for a specified area. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment the sun and/or weather protection device may comprise a fastening device that is so constructed that it can be so attached to a crane jib that the flat element will be held on the crane jib in a 30 predetermined position to provide shade for the specified area. An advantage of this exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system is that the flat element for providing shade or protecting from the weather can be fixed on the crane jib in a simple manner, thus ensuring that its position will be retained. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 6 In addition, the fastening device can be so constructed, that the predetermined position relative to the crane jib will be held either by means of the positioning and inclination of the crane jib and/or by the kind of the fastening device. This can be carried out, for example, by that the fastening device is joined with a part of 5 the crane jib, so that the distance or the inclination of the flat elements relative the crane jib will be determined. It is, however, also possible to so provide the fastening device that it enables the inclination and positioning of the flat element relative the crane jib, for example by the fastening device allowing on the one hand the suspension of the flat element on load hooks of the crane and on the 10 other making the inclination and/or positioning of the flat element relative the load hooks and consequently the crane alterable. In a further exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system the fastening device comprises at least one cross-truss that extends laterally 15 protruding towards the crane jib. Thus in a simple and cost-effective manner a relatively large area can be shaded by means of a flat element. Due to the lateral protrusion towards the crane jib a certain stability of the flat element is achieved that, when it is made, for example, from a film or a cloth, is inherently flexible. Thus the flat element can be fastened on the cross-truss and, if it has a triangular 20 shape for example, fastened with the tip of the flat element that is at a distance from the cross-truss, for example, on the head of the crane jib. It is, for example, also possible to tighten the flat element by tensioning a cable or the like. For this purpose a winch or a hydraulic or pneumatic unit may be available to tighten the flat element in the desired manner. If the flat element is a rigid construction, such 25 a tensioning element is, of course, unnecessary. A further exemplary embodiment comprises at least two cross-trusses at a distance from one another, between which the flat element extends. Thus an even greater area can be shaded or protected from certain weather conditions. 30 Thus one cross-truss is provided in the lower region of the jib of the crane, the other at the head of the crane jib. At the lower end of the crane jib preferably two laterally protruding cross-trusses are provided on opposing sides of the crane jib. The same configuration can also be used in the region of the head of the crane 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 7 jib. By virtue of this a very large and simple tensioning of the flat element can be achieved. For a simple transport and easy handling of the cross-trusses according to an 5 exemplary embodiment it would be advantageous for the cross-trusses to be folded on the crane jib by means of a hinge or the like. Consequently, if the flat element is flexible, it would be possible without any problem to roll it up for transport and then in the rolled up state fold it on the crane jib together with the associated cross-truss, to which the flat element is attached. By virtue of this 10 construction it is also possible in a simple manner to provide the sun and/or weather protection device as an element in toto on the crane jib so that it can be detached from it. This could be a particular advantage when the sun and/or weather protection device is provided as an auxiliary equipment for existing cranes of the kind mentioned before. For example, in an embodiment a flat 15 element can be stretched on each side of the crane jib between two cross-trusses at a distance from one another. Instead of a foldable construction of the cross-trusses it is also possible to provide the cross-trusses as insertable ones into a corresponding opening or 20 mounting on the crane jib. Then, for example, to fix the cross-trusses a bolting or the like, as it is usual in crane construction, can be used. Basically it is to be noted, that under the term "cross-truss" any longish element is understood that extends in any manner from the crane jib over a certain length and then the flat element is attached to it. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the crane jib 25 and the cross-truss can, but does not have to be, 900. The same applies for the angle between the so called luffing plane and the longitudinal axis of a cross truss. In a further exemplary embodiment the fastening device comprises a suspension 30 that can be fastened on a lifting hook of the crane. By virtue of this a simple and cost-effective solution of the fastening of the flat element can be accomplished. In a further exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system the suspension can comprise a plurality of longish load mounting elements, like for 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 8 example cables, ropes, steel cables or chains, etc. These longish load mounting elements are then preferably joined at one end with the flat element and at the other end suspended on the lifting hook. In this manner a large flat element can be hung on the crane jib via the lifting hook approximately horizontally aligned on 5 the crane jib. A further exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system provides, that a central suspension, comprising a lower and upper part, is provided. The lower and upper central suspension parts are joined with one another rotatably about a 10 longitudinal axis of the central suspension. This will prevent that a moment, acting on the flat element, would affect the crane jib and in particular the head of the crane jib leading that, under certain circumstances, may lead to damages. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system 15 the upper central suspension part can be constructed for fastening on the head of the crane jib and the lower central suspension part can be constructed for a rotation-prevented fastening with the crane jib. By virtue of this the central suspension part can be fastened protected in a simple manner from a moment acting on the flat element. Due to the rotation-prevented fastening of the lower 20 central suspension part with the crane jib a moment acting on the flat element will be directly transmitted to the crane jib. Due to this the position or positioning of the flat element can be retained even when wind loads, for example, act on the flat element, however only, of course, within permissible limits. For example, the wind load must not be greater than a calculated one, so that to prevent damaging 25 the flat element or the crane. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system the lower central suspension part is constructed with a force and/or form-locked connection with the lifting hook of the crane. By virtue of this configuration the 30 moment from the flat element caused, for example, by wind load, can be directly transmitted to the crane jib via the lower central suspension part. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 9 As it has already been explained, the flat element can be made, for example, from a flexible fabric, cloth, film or other flexible material. As an alternative, the flat element can be provided as one or a plurality of mostly rigid modules. 5 When the flat element comprises a plurality of individual flat modules, detachably joined with one another, they are preferably joined with one another on the ground by bolts, plugs or screws and then lifted by means of the lifting hook of the crane. By virtue of this the entire flat element is lifted to the desired position. By means of a support, preferably provided in this embodiment, the rigid flat element 10 can be brought in the desired horizontal or inclined, relative the crane jib, position. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system one or a plurality of weights can be fastened to the flat element for the purpose of 15 increasing its stability against the influence of wind and the weather. These weights can be preferably simply suspended into correspondingly provided mountings in the flat element. On the weights hooks or the like and in the flat elements eyelets or the like are correspondingly provided. This could, of course, be reversed and hooks be provided in the flat elements and eyelets on the 20 weights. According to a further aspect of the presently disclosed system an auxiliary crane equipment is provided, that is in the form of a sun and/or weather protection device and is constructed to be attached to a crane with jib. Such a sun and/or 25 weather protection device preferably comprises a flat element that has such a construction that it offers protection against the sun and/or weather for a specified area, and a fastening device that is constructed for the purpose of being attached to a crane jib in such a manner that the flat element is held in a specified position on the crane jib to provide shade for the specified area. 30 Incidentally, this separate attachment can have all the previously mentioned various exemplary embodiments. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 10 According to a further aspect of the presently disclosurea method to provide shade for and/or protect from the weather a specified area or a surface is disclosed, that has at least the following steps of the method. Thus first the crane is set up. For this purpose the crane is usually erected for the operation on 5 extendable supports or the like. This is followed by the erection of the crane jib and the attachment of the flat element on the crane jib. Preferably afterwards the alignment of the flat element can be carried out, for example by altering the length and the inclination of the crane jib or altering the inclination of the flat element relative the crane jib by means of a separate device like, for example, 10 struts. Short description of the drawings For further explanation and better understanding an embodiment of the presently 15 disclosed system is explained in the following in detail by referring to the attached drawings. They show in: Fig.1 - a perspective view of a power-propelled crane with telescopic jib and a sun and/or weather protection element mounted on it according to a first 20 exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system, Fig.2 - a perspective view of the power-propelled crane shown in Fig.1 with retracted telescopic jib and cross-trusses folded on it, 25 Fig.3 - a perspective view of a further power-propelled crane with telescopic jib and a sun and/or weather protection device mounted on it according to a second exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system, Fig.4 - a detailed view of the head area of the telescopic jib of the power 30 propelled crane shown in Fig.3 and the central suspension mounted on it for the sun and/or weather protection device, 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 11 Fig.5 - a schematic lateral view of the central suspension as it is shown in Fig.4 and further details of the configuration in the interior of the central suspension, 5 Fig.6 - a corner region of an exemplary embodiment of a sun and/or weather protection device like the one that is deployed, for example, in Fig.3, Fig.7 - a further exemplary feature of the sun and/or weather protection device of Figs.4 and 6, 10 Fig.8 - a top view on a module of a sun and/or weather protection device as it is shown, for example, in Figs.3 and 10, Fig.9 - a perspective view of the module of the sun and/or weather protection 15 device shown in Fig.8, Fig. 10 - a perspective view of a power-propelled crane similar to that of Fig.4, with a sun and/or weather protection device suspended on it according to a further exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed system, 20 Fig. 11 - a detailed view of a further exemplary configuration of a central suspension on the head of the telescopic jib shown in Fig.10, and Fig. 12 - a schematic lateral view of the central suspension on the head of the 25 telescopic jib shown in Fig.11. Detailed description of exemplary embodiments A first exemplary embodiment of a crane 5 with a sun and/or weather protection 30 device 10 is illustrated in Fig.1 in a perspective view. The power-propelled crane 5 shown here with telescopic jib 15 has a lower carriage 20 with an upper carriage 25 rotatably mounted on it. The telescopic jib 15 is luffably mounted on the upper carriage 25 by means of a luffing cylinder 30. For this purpose the 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 12 telescopic jib 15 is fastened on the upper carriage 25 by means of a swivel joint 35. In the illustration of Fig.1 the lower carriage 20 is equipped with four extendable 5 supports 40, on which, as illustrated, during the operation of the crane or in this case during the extended position of the sun and/or weather protection unit 10 is "jacked up". In this case the telescopic jib 15 has a plurality of telescope tubes 45 which, as it is sufficiently known, are provided in an extendable and retractable manner in a base box 50. 10 In the case of the embodiment shown here the sun and/or weather protection device 10 is shown in its operating position. The sun and/or weather protection device 10 comprises here two lower cross-trusses 55, that are provided on the base box 50 of the telescopic jib 15 laterally protruding to the right and left when 15 viewed in the longitudinal direction. In the case of the exemplary embodiment shown here both cross-trusses 55 can be folded on the base box 50 via a hinge 60. As an alternative, insertable solutions are also conceivable, whereby the cross-trusses 55 can be inserted and locked into corresponding insertion and bolting mountings on the base box 50. It is, of course, also possible to mount the 20 cross-trusses 55 on another telescopic tube 45. The cross-trusses 55 are preferably mounted on the base box 50, since in that case the mountings for the cross-trusses 55 need not be removed for travel with the telescopic jib 15 retracted. This could be necessary when the mountings are provided on one of the retractable telescopic tubes 45, as otherwise they could not telescope into the 25 base box 50 during travel. Alternatively, a passing through cross-truss 55 could also be mounted on the base box 50. This would be possible, for example, by simply bolting the cross trusses laterally protruding on both sides of the base box 50. A further alternative 30 would be conceivable by that the cross-trusses 55 could pivot about a fulcrum laterally protruding from the telescopic jib. In that case for the travel the cross trusses 55 would lie longitudinally aligned on the telescopic jib parallel with it on the top or possibly at the bottom of the telescopic jib 15. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 13 On the head 60 of the telescopic jib 15 one or several upper cross-trusses 65 are fastened also laterally protruding from the telescopic jib 15. The construction to mount the cross-trusses 65 can be the same as the mounting of the lower cross trusses 55. As an alternative, it is also possible to provide a passing through 5 cross-truss 65 that extends on both sides of the telescopic jib 15. in particular it would also be possible to provide a fastening device that is suspended on the lifting hook of the telescopic crane 5. Then for the tightening of the flat element 75 only the load or lifting cable 300 has to be pulled. 10 In the case of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 a fabric, cloth or film sheet 75 extends between the lower cross-trusses 55 and the upper cross-trusses 65. By virtue of this, depending on the angular position of the telescopic jib 15 and the pivoted position of the upper carriage 25, a desired area can be shaded, for example, depending on the position of the sun. For this purpose the sheets 75 15 are made from a material that is impermeable or only partly permeable by light. Basically all materials, mentioned above as examples, are suitable for this purpose. The advantage of the embodiment shown in Fig.1, is that, for example, with the 20 changing position of the sun a large area can be shaded even over a prolonged period by luff ing the telescopic jib and rotating or swinging the upper carriage 25. Under circumstances it would also be possible in the case of the embodiment shown here in the form of an example to provide shade for a new position by 25 retracting the supports 40 and moving the power-propelled crane back or forward with the telescopic jib erect. The perspective view shown in Fig.2 shows the power-propelled crane 5 illustrated in Fig.1 with retracted telescopic jib 15 and folded cross-trusses 55 and 30 65. The power-propelled crane 5, shown in the operating position in Fig. 1, can travel in this manner to the desired place to be erected and then erected in the usual manner. This is followed by the unfolding of the cross-trusses 55 and, for example, the fastening of the upper cross-trusses 65 on the head of the innermost telescopic tube 45. During the extension of the telescopic jib 15 the 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 14 sheets 75 are automatically stretched. As an alternative, it is also possible to extend the telescopic jib and then by shortening the lifting cable tighten the sheets 75 via the attached upper cross-trusses 65. According to Fig.2 for transport the upper cross-trusses 65 can be pushed, for example, into the interior 5 of the cross-trusses 55. A separate transport of the cross-trusses 55 and/or of the cross-trusses 65 is, of course, also possible. Fig.3 shows a further exemplary embodiment. The power-propelled crane 100 shown here is basically similar to the one shown in Fig. 1. Thus there is a lower 10 carriage 105, on which the upper carriage 110 can pivot. The telescopic jib 115 once again has a plurality of telescopic tubes 120. On the head 125 of the innermost telescopic tube a central suspension 130 is fastened. The central suspension 130 comprises two parts, a lower central suspension part 135 and an upper central suspension part 140. The lower central suspension part 135 is 15 rotatably joined with the upper central suspension part 140 via a swivel joint 145. The lower central suspension part 135 is joined with the telescopic jib 120 in a rotation-prevented manner via a support 145. 20 The further embodiment of a sun and/or weather protection device 150 shown here comprises individual surface modules 155, which, as it will be explained later, are joined with one another along their longitudinal edges and thus form a total surface and flat element. This flat element from individual modules 155 is suspended on its four corners 160 by wire cables 170. The wire cables 170 come 25 together at a point 180, that is suspended in the central suspension 130. More about this later with reference to Fig.4. To reduce the diameter of the suspension formed by the wire cables 170, a ring 185 is joined with the wire cables in the upper region below the central suspension 130, so that the joining with the wire cables will be narrower. 30 The central suspension 130, as it is shown in Fig.3, is explained in detail by referring to Fig.4. The central suspension 130 is bolted to the head 125 of the telescopic jib 115 by means of the upper central suspension part 140. As it is shown in Fig.4, this bolting can be so configured that the upper central 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 15 suspension part 140 can swivel about the schematically indicated axle 190. The central suspension 140 is laterally fixed by the flanges 195, spaced from one another, on the head 125 of the telescopic jib 115. 5 The lower central suspension part 135 has a fastening bracket 200, that is welded, for example, onto the external wall of the lower central suspension part 135. The fastening bracket 200 is bolted via, in this case for example by three rods 145, to the telescopic jib 115, in particular to the outermost telescopic tube 205 at three predetermined fastening points 210. The purpose of the bolting is to 10 transmit the moment acting on the lower central suspension part 135 via the fastening bracket 200 and the rods 145 directly to the telescopic jib 115. By virtue of this the fastening in the region of the flange 195 of the central suspension 130 is protected from getting damaged. As Fig.4 schematically shows, both central suspension parts 135, 140 are rotatably (see arrows 225 and 230) joined with 15 one another via an intermediate part 220. By virtue of this mutually displaceable construction of the lower and upper central suspension parts 135, 140 the suspension on the head 125 of the telescopic jib 115 is protected from forces or moments acting on it. 20 In the lower central suspension part 135 an insert 320 is provided, that has an opening 325 for a lifting hook 310. The lifting hook 310 is connected with a hoist (not illustrated) via the lifting cable 300. The chains or cables 170 of the sun and/or weather protection device 150 hang on the lifting hooks 310 via an attachment. 25 The opening 325 is so constructed that the lifting hook 310 can be accurately introduced into it and due to this during a rotation of the lifting hook 310 the lower central suspension part 135 would rotate with it. These forces and/or moments are, however, directly transmitted into the telescopic jib 115 via the fastening 30 bracket 200 and the rods 140. As explained earlier, due to the rotating joint 220 between the lower central suspension part 135 and the upper central suspension part 140 a transmitting of these forces into the head 125 and of moments will be prevented. It is to be noted, that the insert 320 is provided in the lower central suspension part 135 in a force and/or form-locked manner. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 16 With reference to Figs.6 to 9 various details of the sun and/or weather protection device 150, shown in operation in Fig.3, are described in detail. 5 As it has already been explained with reference to Fig.3, the sun and/or weather protection device 150 comprises a plurality of surface modules 155, joined with one another at the edges, which in the configuration shown in Figs.6 to 9 are longitudinal, and lateral bars 400, 405 screwed or bolted, but also possible welded together. As Fig.7 shows, the longitudinal bars 405 are constructed as 10 hollow sections, into which strips 410 are inserted by means of a form-locked insertion butt strap 420 on a web 430 of the section of the longitudinal bar 405. The strips 410 may be so provided, for example, that their angular position can be adjusted relative the plane determined by the bars 400, 405. Under some circumstances the spacing between the strips 410 may be also varied. This 15 enables the configuration of the flat element 115, for example, fully closed or let a certain amount of light fall in. It is, of course, also possible to provide each flat element 155 with a plate, so that this flat element 155 will be always closed. It is also possible to save weight according to an alternative embodiment by stretching flexible sheets or one sheet, yet provide an excellent protection against 20 the sun or eye protection. As Fig.7 shows, on one or several faces of the longitudinal or lateral bars 400, 405 one or several spigots 440 may be provided, that can be inserted into the corresponding openings 450 in the adjacent surface module 155, thus providing a 25 stable joint of a plurality of surface modules 155. Bolted joints, of course, are also possible. As Figs.8 and 9 show, large-area surface elements 155 can be produced. To stabilise and reinforce the surface elements additional bracings 460 may be 30 provided, that rigidly connect, for example, two longitudinal bars 405 situated at a distance opposite one another. As Figs.7 to 9 show, such a reinforcement may be constructed as a bracket 460, screwed, welded on or otherwise fastened. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 17 A further exemplary embodiment of a crane 100 is shown in Figs. 10 to 12. The crane, that is used as shown in Fig. 10, is identical with the crane 100 of Fig.3. Consequently, to avoid unnecessary repetitions, reference is made to the description of Fig.3. The same applies to the basic construction of the sun and/or 5 weather protection device 150. Therefore in the following merely the weights 500, suspended in the corner regions of the surface elements and the modified central suspension 510 will be explained in detail. In the case of the exemplary embodiment of a sun and/or weather protection 10 device 150 shown in Fig. 10 weights 500 are suspended in the corner regions of the sun protective device formed by a plurality of flat elements 155 for the purpose of increasing its stability even when high-speed winds are prevalent. The weights may be made, for example, from concrete, stone or cast iron and are suspended via a suspension element 520 in corresponding mountings in the flat 15 elements 155 forming the corner regions. As it can be seen from Fig. 10, the central suspension 510 is different from that shown in Fig.3. In this case the central suspension 510 is formed from a lattice shaped, longish component, that is also mounted on the head 125 of the 20 telescopic jib 115 via flanges 195. The individual longitudinal rods 550 are, for example, welded together and reinforced by cross-trusses 560 in the form of a lattice frame. As in the case of the embodiment shown in Fig.3, this central suspension 510 is attached to the telescope jib 115 via braces 145 to position the central suspension 510 relative the telescopic jib 115. 25 Similarly to the embodiment shown in Fig.3, the take-up 170 of the load is formed again by chains, that are suspended in the lifting hook of the crane. In this case a swivel joint 570 is interposed between the lifting hook and the lifting cable 300, making it possible that a torque, acting on the lifting hook, is not further 30 transmitted. Further details are shown in Fig.12. In the case of the embodiments shown in Figs.3 to 12 the individual surface modules 155 of the preferred sizes are preferably rigidly joined with one another and then these pre-fabricated flat elements are brought to the desired height and 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 18 position via the load cables or suspensions 170 and the suspended lifting hook by pivoting the upper carriage 110 of the crane 100. It would be, however, also possible for example to make the braces 145 longitudinally modifiable to hold the suspension 130 etc. possibly vertically depending on the luffing position of the jib 5 115. By lowering the load hook 310 it is possible to place the sun and/or weather protection device 150 without any problem on the ground and use the crane in the conventional manner. The lifting of the sun and/or weather protection device 10 150 in a reversed order is also possible without any problem and great additional effort. Thus an excellent flexibility and cost-effective provision of shade or protection from rain etc. of larger areas is possible, for example for meetings especially in countries with hot climate. 15 In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the presently disclosed system, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of 20 further features in various embodiments of the apparatus herein disclosed. It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. 25 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE

Claims (12)

1. A crane to lift loads with a crane jib and with a sun and/or weather protection device that is so constructed that with the aid of the crane jib the 5 weather protection device can be held in a position in which the sun and/or weather protection device provides shade for a specified area, wherein the sun and/or weather protection device comprises at least one flat element that is so constructed that it offers sun and/or weather protection for the specified area, and a fastening device that is constructed to be attached on the crane jib in such a 10 manner that the or each flat element is held on the crane jib in a specified position to provide shade for the specified area, wherein the fastening device comprises a suspension that can be fastened on a lifting hook of the crane, wherein the suspension comprises a plurality of elongate load mounting elements which are joined at one end with the flat element and at the other end suspended 15 on the lifting hook, and wherein a central suspension comprising a lower and upper central suspension part is provided, the lower and upper central suspension parts of which are joined with one another rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the central suspension, wherein the upper central suspension part is constructed for fastening on the head of the crane jib and the lower central 20 suspension part is constructed for a rotation-prevented fastening with the crane jib and the lower central suspension part is constructed with a force and/or form locked connection with the lifting hook of the crane.

2. A crane according to claim 1, wherein the lower and upper central suspension 25 parts of which are joined with one another rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the central suspension.

3. A crane according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each flat element comprise a plurality of individual flat modules detachably joined with one another. 30

4. A crane according to claim 3, wherein the or each flat element is made from one or a plurality of fabric, cloth or film material. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 20

5. A crane according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one or several weights are provided that can be fastened on the or each flat element.

6. A crane according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crane is a 5 lattice, crawler or power-propelled crane, in particular a telescopic crane.

7. A sun and/or weather protection device that for the purpose of attaching it to a crane is constructed with a jib, a flat element constructed to provide offers sun and/or weather protection, and a fastening device constructed for attachment on 10 the crane jib so as to hold the flat element on the crane jib in a specified position to provide shade for a specified area, wherein the fastening device comprises a suspension that can be fastened on a lifting hook of the crane, wherein the suspension comprises a plurality of elongate load mounting elements which are joined at one end with the flat element and at the other end suspended on the 15 lifting hook, and wherein a central suspension comprising a lower and upper central suspension part is provided, the lower and upper central suspension parts of which are joined with one another rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the central suspension, wherein the upper central suspension part is constructed to be fastened on the head of the crane jib and the lower central suspension part is 20 constructed for a rotation-preventing fastening on the crane jib and the lower central suspension part is constructed with a force and/or form-locked connection with the lifting hook of the crane.

8. A sun and/or weather protection device according to claim 7, wherein the lower 25 and upper central suspension parts of which are joined with one another rotatably about a longitudinal axis of the central suspension.

9. A sun and/or weather protection device claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the flat element comprises a plurality of individual flat modules, detachably joined with 30 one another.

10. A sun and/or weather protection device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the flat element is made from fabric, cloth or film material. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE 21

11. A sun and/or weather protection device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein one or several weights are provided that can be fastened on the flat element. 5

12. A method to provide shade and/or weather protection for a specified area with at least the following steps of the method: " Setting up of a crane with the crane jib, " Erection of the crane jib, " Attachment of a sun and/or weather protection device according to any one 10 of claims 7 to 11 on the crane jib, and " Alignment of the flat element in such a manner that the specified area or region will be shaded and/or protected from the influence of the weather, wherein during the operation for the purpose of providing shade for the area the crane is so moved that a change in the position of the sun results in substantially 15 no change to a position of the shaded area or region. 7165431_1 (GHMatters) P83926.AU.1 LEANNE