EP0733583B1 - Self-erecting crane with laterally foldable jib - Google Patents

Abstract

The crane comprises a foldable mast (6) at the top of which a foldable jib (10) is pivoted in a centred position. The jib is made from three elements (11-13) which are pivoted to each other. The pivoting axis (26) of the jib foot (11), at the top of the mast, is perpendicularly inclined to the vertical median plane of the crane in its deployed working position. The pivoting axis (37) of the intermediate jib (12) on the jib foot is inclined at an angle equal to half that of the jib foot. The jib point (13) is pivoted to the intermediate element, at the level of the upper members, about an axis (50) perpendicular to the jib median plane. The jib is thus foldable on the side of the mast for crane transportation.

Description

The present invention relates to a self-erecting crane automated, in particular a foldable mast crane, provided an arrow articulated at the top of the mast and made in three successive elements articulated to each other, to know, an arrowhead, an intermediate element of arrow and an arrowhead.

The invention relates to a crane whose the boom is folded laterally along the mast and more precisely to a device which allows the folding the arrowhead simultaneously with the folding up the crane for transport.

We know from document EP-A-0473518 a mode of realization of such a crane equipped with a boom, composed only of two articulated elements one to the other at their lower members. The boom of this crane is articulated in centered position, at top of the mast, around an axis of articulation inclined by acute angle (A) to a perpendicular direction in the vertical median plane defined by the mast and the arrow in extended working position, while the axis of articulation of the two boom elements is inclined by an angle (B), substantially equal to half (A / 2) of the acute angle of inclination (A) of the articulation axis of the arrow at the top of the mast, relative to a direction perpendicular to the vertical median plane of the arrow. This boom, two-element, boundary the length of the boom which, when folded, must meet the requirements of the different templates transport, especially with regard to the length of the parcel.

The present invention provides an improvement sensitive to the previous embodiment by providing a device for extending the folding of the arrow laterally along the mast to an arrow made in three elements articulated to each other, so to allow the transport of the folded crane under a smaller footprint, even with a length boom more important.

To this end, a crane according to the invention comprises a mast, in particular foldable, at the top of which is articulated, in the centered position, an arrow whose hinge axis is inclined at an acute angle (A) relative to a direction perpendicular to the defined vertical median plane by the mast and the boom in the deployed working position, realized in three successive elements articulated one to the others, designated respectively as arrowheads, intermediate arrow and arrowhead element, the boom foot and the intermediate boom member being hinged at their lower members around an articulation axis inclined at an angle (B), substantially equal to half (A / 2) of the acute angle of inclination (A) of the articulation axis of the boom at top of mast, relative to a perpendicular direction in the vertical median plane of the arrow, so that folded position, the intermediate boom element and the arrowhead are positioned laterally by relative to the mast, the crane further comprising a device motorized unfolding / folding of the mast and boom assembly and means for unfolding / folding the boom elements, and this crane is characterized in that the element arrowhead and the arrowhead are articulated at the level of their upper frame around an articulation axis whose direction is perpendicular to the vertical median plane of the arrow and what an additional unfolding / folding device the arrowhead in relation to the intermediate element of arrow is arranged between the foot of arrow and the point arrow.

According to a preferred embodiment, the additional device for unfolding / folding the arrowhead, relative to the intermediate element of arrow, consists of a connecting rod articulated to the part front of the arrow foot and a punch articulated to the rear part of the intermediate boom element, the connecting rod and the punch being articulated together at the top of the punch, of a lever articulated at the rear of the arrowhead and likely to rest on the structure of said arrowhead, and of a drawing connecting the top of the connecting rod / punch assembly to the free end of the lever, to form a quadrilateral deformable.

According to a particular embodiment, the pulling comprises several successive elements, a first simple element articulated at the top of the whole connecting rod / punch and on which is formed longitudinally a light, a second element comprising a part simple connected to the first element by an axis crossing the light and a double part providing space for the passage of a tie rod supporting the intermediate element, and a third element consisting of two binoculars connecting by joints the ends of the double part of the second tie rod and the free ends of two identical connecting rods forming the lever articulated at the posterior part of the arrowhead.

According to another particularity, the part lower side of the foldable mast is fitted laterally, side where the boom, unfolding or unfolding is done several rollers likely to take contact with the underside of the arrowhead to finish the complete folding of the crane.

This produces a self-erecting crane which, when folded, therefore in the transport position, occupies optimal space with the boom foot is slanting and applied to the mast, while the intermediate arrow element and the arrowhead are positioned one above the other laterally relative to the mast.

This provision does not entail any oversizing because, in working position, the boom unfolded and the mast are arranged in the same vertical plane as in a conventional crane. Application of the invention to a jib crane made of three articulated elements to each other increases the performance of the crane, especially in terms of reach.

Figure 1 montre, en vue de côté, une grue selon l'invention en position repliée, permettant son transport ;

Figure 2 est une vue en bout de la grue repliée, suivant la direction II de figure 1 ;

Figure 3 est une vue en plan par dessus, partielle, de cette grue repliée ;

Figure 4 est une vue en plan par dessus de la flèche alignée, montrant l'orientation des axes d'articulation de ses éléments ;

Figure 5 montre, en vue de côté, la grue avec son mât dressé et la flèche déployée en position horizontale ;

Figures 6 à 10 illustrent plusieurs phases de dépliage/repliage de cette grue ;

Figure 11 est une vue schématique en perspective du mouflage du câble de dépliage/repliage de la flèche ;

Figure 12 est une vue en perspective montrant le détail du dispositif permettant le dépliage/repliage de la pointe de flèche.

In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawing representing, by way of example, an embodiment of this crane with automatic assembly, with three-jib boom articulated elements, foldable laterally:

Figure 1 shows, in side view, a crane according to the invention in the folded position, allowing its transport;

Figure 2 is an end view of the folded crane, in the direction II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial plan view from above of this folded crane;

Figure 4 is a plan view from above of the aligned arrow, showing the orientation of the hinge axes of its elements;

Figure 5 shows, in side view, the crane with its mast raised and the boom deployed in a horizontal position;

Figures 6 to 10 illustrate several stages of unfolding / folding this crane;

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of the hauling of the boom unfolding / folding cable;

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the detail of the device for unfolding / folding the arrowhead.

The crane shown schematically in the drawing comprises a fixed or rolling basic chassis 1, retractable, supporting by means of a orientation device 2 a rotating frame 3 which carries at the rear a counterweight 4 and at the front of which is articulated around a horizontal axis 5, a foldable mast 6 composed of a lower mast or base mast 7 and a mast upper 8 connected to each other by articulation on their rear face about a horizontal axis 9; the mast of base 7 and upper mast 8 have, in the example considered, an octagonal section. This crane is provided a foldable / collapsible distributor boom 10, carried out in three successive designated elements respectively as jib foot 11, element arrow intermediate 12 and arrowhead 13.

The foldable mast 6 is motorized for its unfolding / folding by means of a jack 14, 15 whose body 14 is connected to the base mast 7 by articulation around a horizontal axis 16 disposed on the rear face of this mast base 7 and whose rod 15 is connected by articulation around a horizontal axis 17 at the top of a set of two double connecting rods 18, 19 articulated respectively around a horizontal axis 20 arranged at the part top of base mast 7 and a horizontal axis 21 arranged at the lower part of the upper mast 8.

The upper mast 8 is connected to the rotating chassis 3, by means of two dressage shrouds 22, symmetrically arranged on either side of the mast 6 and articulated respectively around a horizontal axis 23 to the base of the upper mast 8 and around a horizontal axis 24 on a support 25 fixed to the rear of the rotating chassis 3.

The jib foot 11 is articulated at the top of the mast 6 around a horizontal axis 26 in the working position of the crane (Figure 5), the axis 26 being placed on an easel 27 protruding under the arrow foot 11. Thus, the foot of boom 11 can be folded forward against the mast upper 8, in the folded transport position shown Figures 1 to 3. The easel 27 bears to its part rear upper a rear arrow punch 28 articulated around a horizontal axis 29 and foldable towards the front on the boom 11.

A tie rod 30, in two rigid parts 31, 32 successive articulated together at 33, connects the summit 34 from the rear arrow punch 28 to a hinge 35 arranged on the upper chord 36 of the front part of the jib foot 11.

The intermediate jib element 12 is articulated at the foot of the arrow 11 around an axis 37, horizontal in working position of the crane, located at the junction of respective lower members 38, 39 of the elements of arrow 12, 11.

The intermediate arrow element 12 carries to its rear part a punch 40 whose base is articulated around the aforementioned axis 37, which is foldable towards the front on said intermediate jib element 12. A flexible tie rod of constant length 41, produced in the form of cable for example, connects the apex 42 of the punch 40 to a joint 43 disposed on the upper frame 44 of the front part of the intermediate boom element 12.

The respective vertices 34, 42 of the punches 28, 40, are connected to each other by a flexible tie rod 45, produced in the form of a cable for example, while the vertex 34 of the rear arrow punch 28 is connected to the revolving chassis 3, by a rear tie rod flexible 46 also achievable in cable, one point intermediate 47 is fixed to one end of a connecting rod 48 having its other end hinged at 49 on the face rear of base mast 7.

The arrowhead 13 is articulated to the element arrow intermediate 12 around an axis 50, the direction is perpendicular to the vertical median plane of arrow 10, arranged at the junction of the members respective upper 51, 44 of the arrow elements 13, 12. In the deployed working position (Figure 5), the posterior ends of the lower members 52 of the arrowhead 13 come into contact at 53 with the front ends of lower members 38 of the intermediate arrow element 12 to form a assembly aligned with the jib foot 11 and constituting the horizontal distributing jib 10 of the crane.

As shown in Figures 5 to 11, a cable 54 of unfolding / folding the arrow 10 connects a point 55 of the lower rear part of the intermediate element of arrow 12 to a tensioning device 56 fixed to the rear lower part of base mast 7; cable 54, of constant length, passes successively over a first pulley 57 arranged inside the part front of the jib foot 11, on a second pulley 58 arranged inside the rear part of the foot arrow 11, then it forms, as shown in particular by the FIG. 11, a haul 59 on a plurality of pulleys 60, 61, arranged respectively along two horizontal axes parallel 62, 63, the first axis 62 being carried by the rear part of the bridge 27 and the second axis 63 being carried by the top of the upper mast 8.

In addition, a device is provided additional unfolding / folding of the arrowhead 13 relative to the intermediate boom element 12, shown in detail in Figure 12. This device is consisting of: a connecting rod 64 articulated to the part front of jib foot 11 around a horizontal axis 65 disposed on a support 66 fixed to the end of the upper chord 36 and a punch 67 articulated at the rear part of the intermediate jib element 12 around a horizontal axis 68 disposed on a support 69 fixed to the bracing of the lower members 38, the connecting rod 64 and the punch 67 being articulated together at the apex of said punch 67 about a horizontal axis 70; a lever 71, formed of two identical connecting rods 72 and mounted in parallel, articulated at the rear of the arrowhead 13 around horizontal axes 73 arranged on supports 74 fixed to the bracing of lower members 52, capable of bearing on a symmetrical double support 75 fixed to the end of the upper chord 51 in the vicinity of the axis hinge 50 of the arrowhead 13 on the element boom intermediate 12; and a tie 76 connecting the top 70 of the connecting rod 64 / punch 67 assembly the double end 77 of the lever 71 formed by the respective free ends 78 of the two connecting rods identical 72, these ends defining a last axis of articulation. A deformable quadrilateral is thus formed, of which the four vertices are made up, respectively, by the axes of articulation 68,70,73 and 78.

The tie rod 76 has several rigid elements successive, a first simple element 79 of relatively short length, the first end of which is articulated around the horizontal axis 70 constituting the apex of the connecting rod 64 / punch 67 assembly and the other of which end forms a longitudinal light 80, a second element 81 comprising a simple part 82 connected to the first element 79 by a horizontal axis 83 traversing perpendicularly the light 80 and a double part 84 leaving a space 85 for the passage of the tie rod 41 supporting the intermediate jib element 12 and a third element 86 consisting of two binoculars 87 identical and mounted in parallel, connecting around axes horizontal articulation 88 the free ends of the second tie member 81 with free ends 78 of two identical connecting rods 72 forming the lever 71.

As described in the aforementioned European patent N ° 0473518, the hinge pin 26 of the jib foot 11 at the top of the mast 6 is inclined at an angle A relative to the usual hinge axis direction 89, perpendicular to the median vertical plane P of the crane in deployed working position, angle A being defined in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mast 6. As for the hinge pin 37, between the boom foot 11 and the intermediate boom element 12, this is inclined at an acute angle B relative to the axis direction usual 90 articulation, perpendicular to the plane vertical center P of the crane in the deployed position job. The angle B has a value substantially equal to A / 2, and it is the same direction as the angle A in the plane horizontal of arrow 10 when it is aligned. In any case, the angles of inclination A and B are relatively low value; advantageously, the value of the angle A (expressed in radians and comparable to its tangent) is substantially equal to the ratio between the width of the upper mast 8 and the length of this mast higher 8.

In transport position, the crane is presented as shown in Figures 1 to 3. The mast 6 is folded over itself and lowered substantially to the horizontal. Foot of boom 11 is folded over mast 6 and, seen from above (Figure 3), it is oblique, that is to say with its longitudinal axis making an angle A with the axis longitudinal of the upper mast 8. The intermediate element of boom 12 is folded up under boom foot 11 and it is applied laterally against the upper mast 8, while the arrowhead 13 is folded under the intermediate jib element 12 along its axis longitudinal, the respective upper members 51, 44 said jib elements 13, 12 appearing facing face.

In the working position, shown in Figure 5, the mast 6 is straightened and deployed in a vertical position, while arrow 10 is aligned in position substantially horizontal to ensure its function of distributor boom with a cart. The set formed by the mast 6 and the boom 10 is arranged symmetrically by relation to the vertical median plane P (see also figure 4), as in a conventional crane. In this position, the additional device for unfolding / folding the arrowhead 13 relative to the intermediate element arrow 12 is folded over said element 12 thanks to the shortening of the length of the tie 76 by displacement of the horizontal axis 83 of the tie rod 81 in the longitudinal opening 80 of the tie rod 79.

As illustrated in Figures 6 to 10, the folding of the crane is carried out as follows:

From the working position, the shortening of the jack 14, 15 by retracting its rod 15 in its body 14, to rotate the base mast 7 forward around its axis of articulation 5 on the rotating frame 3, while the upper mast 8 pivots backwards, around its hinge axis 9 on the base mast 7, under the action of the seat stays 22 who are holding him back.

While this movement is taking place, pulling it back rest 46 relaxes and, under the action of the weight dead arrow 10, rear arrow punch 28 pivots forward around its hinge pin 29 on the easel 27 of the arrow foot 11. In the same time, the punch 40 pivots forward around its axis 37 under the action of the dead weight of the element intermediate arrow 12 and arrowhead 13, while all of said arrow elements 12, 13 are gradually flap, the punch 40 driving in its pivoting the mast elements 12 and 13, still aligned, around the hinge pin 37 - see figure 6. The movement continuing, the assembly formed by the punch 67, the connecting rods 72 and the tie rod 76 straightens until that the lever 71 abuts on the support 75 fixed to the end of the upper chord 51 of the point of arrow 13 in the vicinity of the hinge axis 50 of said arrowhead 13 on the intermediate element of arrow 12. The lever 71 gradually drives the folding of the arrowhead 13 against the element boom intermediate 12, upper members respectively 51, 44 finally presenting themselves face to face - see figure 7.

When the intermediate arrow element 12 and the arrowhead 13 arrive in the position shown at FIG. 8, the dead weight of said elements 12, 13 ceases to be motor, the boom folding cable 54, the initial tension was adjusted by device 56, is maintained in tension thanks to the characteristics predetermined routes from point 55 to device 56 passing through the intermediate pulleys 57, 58, 60, 61 and thanks to its elasticity. Cable 54 of boom folding then ensures continuity of movement until complete folding of the jib foot 11 and the intermediate arrow element 12. During all this time, and gradually, the arrowhead 11, the element arrow intermediate 12 and the arrowhead 13 is offset from mast 6 due to the inclination of articulation axes 26, 37, so that the element arrow midpoint 12 and arrowhead 13 can cross mast 6 without meeting it, like the show Figures 8, 9 and 10 where said elements of arrow 12, 13 appear as passing "in front" of the mast 6.

To finish the complete folding of the arrow 10, the arrowhead 13 is supported under the members lower 52 on a set of rollers 91 fixed on one side of the lower part 7 of the foldable mast 6 and while the arrowhead 13 folds under the intermediate jib element 12, the tie 76, connecting the punch 67 to the lever 71, disappears while shortening thanks to the displacement of axis 83 in the light 80 formed on the tie member 79.

At the end of the folding operation, the crane is in the transport position described above, with its arrow 10 folded laterally relative to the mast 6.

It goes without saying that we unfold the crane under the same conditions, the movements being opposite of those previously indicated, when ordering the extension of the jack 14, 15.

We see that the inclined arrangement of the axes respective articulation 26, 37 of arrow 10 on the mast 6 and the intermediate jib element 12 on the boom foot 11, as well as the complementary device 64 to 88 folding the arrowhead 13 under the intermediate arrow element 12, allow a continuous folding / unfolding, without manual intervention and not requiring any oversizing. We thus obtain a self-erecting crane with a jib boom three elements articulated to each other which, in the state folded, so in transport position, offers optimal dimensions, both in height and in width and in length.

• par des modifications de détail, concernant notamment les dispositifs de dépliage/repliage ;
• par une application du même principe à des grues à mât télescopique, et non à mât pliable ;
• par une application du même principe à des grues avec flèche inclinée ou relevable, l'angle d'inclinaison désiré de la flèche étant obtenu en raccourcissant simplement le tirant ou câble arrière de retenue 46.

We would not stray from the spirit of the invention:

• by modifications of detail, in particular concerning the unfolding / folding devices;
• by applying the same principle to cranes with telescopic mast, and not with foldable mast;
• by applying the same principle to cranes with inclined or lifting jib, the desired angle of inclination of the jib being obtained by simply shortening the tie rod or rear retaining cable 46.

Claims (5)

1. Automated-erection crane with laterally foldable jib, comprising a mast (6), notably foldable, at the top of which there is articulated, in a centred position, a jib (10) whose articulation shaft (26) is inclined at an acute angle (A) with respect to a direction (89) perpendicular to the vertical mid-plane (P) defined by the mast (6) and the jib (10) in the deployed working position, produced in three successive elements articulated on each other, designated respectively as the jib foot (11), the intermediate jib element (12) and the jib point (13), the jib foot (11) and the intermediate jib element (12) being articulated at their bottom booms (39, 38) about an articulation shaft (37) inclined at an angle (B), substantially equal to half (A/2) the acute inclination angle (A) of the shaft (26) by which the jib (10) is articulated on the top of the mast (6), with respect to a direction (90) perpendicular to the vertical mid-plane of the jib (10), so that, in the folded position, the intermediate jib element (12) and the jib point (13) are positioned laterally with respect to the mast (6), the crane also comprising a motorised device (14 to 25, 28, 30, 40, 41, 45, 46) for unfolding/folding the assembly consisting of mast (6) and jib (10), and means (54 to 63) for unfolding/folding the jib elements (11, 12, 13), characterised in that the intermediate jib element (12) and the jib point (13) are articulated, at their top boom (44, 51), about an articulation shaft (50) whose direction is perpendicular to the vertical mid-plane of the jib (10), and in that a complementary device (64 to 88) for unfolding/folding the jib point (13) with respect to the intermediate jib element (12) is disposed between the jib foot (11) and the jib point (13).
2. Automated-erection crane with laterally foldable jib, according to Claim 1, characterised in that the complementary device for unfolding/folding the jib point (13), with respect to the intermediate jib element (12), consists of a link (64) articulated (65) on the rear part of the jib foot (11) and a stanchion (67) articulated (68) on the rear part of the intermediate jib element (12), the link (64) and the stanchion (67) being articulated together (at 70) on the top of the stanchion (67), of a lever (71) articulated (at 73) on the rear part of the jib point (13) and able to bear (at 75) on the structure of the said jib point (13), and of a tie (76) connecting the top (70) of the assembly consisting of link (64) / stanchion (67) to the free end (77) of the lever (71), to form a deformable quadrilateral.
3. Automated-erection crane with laterally foldable jib according to Claim 2, characterised in that the tie (76) has several successive elements, a first single element (79) articulated (at 70) on tile top of the assembly consisting of link (64) / stanchion (67) and on which an aperture (80) is formed longitudinally, a second element (81) comprising a single part (82) connected to the first element by a shaft (83) passing through the aperture (80) and a double part (84) forming a space (85) for the passage of a tie (41) supporting the intermediate jib element (12), and a third element (86) consisting of two shackles (87) connecting, by articulations (88), the ends of the double part (84) of the second tie element (81) and the free ends (78) of two identical links (72) forming the lever (71) articulated (73) on the rear part of the jib point (13).
4. Automated-erection crane with laterally foldable jib according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, with a foldable mast (6) composed of a bottom mast (7) and a top mast (8), characterised in that the bottom mast (7) is equipped laterally, on the side where the folding/unfolding of the jib (10) takes place, with one or more travelling wheels (91) able to make contact with the underside of the jib point (13) in order to finish the complete folding of the crane.
5. Automated-erection crane with laterally foldable jib according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, with a foldable mast (6) composed of a bottom mast (7) and a top mast (8), characterised in that the value of the angle of inclination (A) of the shaft (26) by which jib foot (11) is articulated on the top of the mast (6), expressed in radians, is substantially equal to the ratio between the width of the top mast (8) and the length of this top mast (8).

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