EP1357078B1 - Pivotable cab unit for tower crane - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to the technical field of tower cranes, such as those used on construction sites of buildings. More particularly, this invention is concerned with tower cranes with so-called "suspended" driving cabins and, more specifically, it relates to a folding cabin-pivot unit for a tower crane of this type.

In a tower crane, the "suspended" driver's cab can be associated with the pivot located at the top of the mast, and used for the orientation of the boom of the crane, to constitute an assembly designated as "cabin-pivot unit". An example of a cab-pivot unit can be found in FR 2565950 A; the cabin here occupies a fixed position relative to the boom of the crane, the cabin-pivot unit not being provided folding.

Given the dimensions of such a cabin-pivot unit, and because of the constraints related to the transport of the crane for example from one site to another, it is however advantageous to realize the cabin-pivot unit in such a way it is at least partially collapsible.

• L'utilisation d'un engin auxiliaire de manutention est nécessaire pour les opérations de dépliage et de repliage de l'unité cabine-pivot.
• La position "couchée" de la cabine, en position repliée de transport, oblige à en immobiliser les composants internes.
• Le système de repliage ne convient pas dans le cas d'une cabine de conduite spacieuse, car l'encombrement de l'unité cabine-pivot, même en position repliée de transport, est alors supérieur aux dimensions d'un conteneur.
• Des dispositions doivent être prises pour assurer la protection des surfaces exposées de la cabine, dans sa position repliée de transport.
• Lors du dépliage de l'unité cabine-pivot, pour l'amenée de la cabine en position de service, il convient encore d'assembler les éléments d'accès à la cabine, ce qui complique et allonge les opérations de mise en position de service.
• De plus, l'accès à la cabine d'une part, et l'accès pour les opérations de maintenance et de réglage d'autre part, sont distincts, ce qui constitue une solution peu économique.
• Enfin, en position de service, la cabine de conduite se situe à hauteur de la flèche de la grue, ce qui ne procure pas au grutier une visibilité optimale pour la conduite de la grue.

In a known embodiment, already used by the company POTAIN TECHNIK and described in particular in the notice of his crane MDT 132, page 3.17, the folding of the cabin-pivot unit is provided by a tilting of the cabin around an axis horizontal. This principle of folding, and the overall design of the cabin-pivot unit that results, still have various disadvantages:

• The use of an auxiliary handling equipment is necessary for the unfolding and folding operations of the cab-pivot unit.
• The "recumbent" position of the cab, in the folded transport position, forces to immobilize the internal components.
• The folding system is not suitable in the case of a spacious driver's cab, because the size of the cabin-pivot unit, even in the folded transport position, is then greater than the dimensions of a container.
• Arrangements shall be made to protect the exposed surfaces of the cab in its folded transport position.
• When unfolding the cab-pivot unit, to bring the cab into the service position, it is still necessary to assemble the access elements to the cabin, which complicates and lengthens the operations of placing in service position.
• In addition, access to the cabin on the one hand, and access for maintenance and adjustment operations on the other hand, are distinct, which is an uneconomical solution.
• Finally, in the service position, the driver's cab is located at the height of the crane boom, which does not give the crane operator optimal visibility for driving the crane.

The present invention aims to avoid all of these disadvantages, by providing an improved cabin-pivot unit which, while maintaining a simple and economical structure, makes it possible in particular to carry out in a quick and easy way the supply of the cabin in a position of service, while allowing the cabin to be folded in minimum space and without the addition of protection elements.

• un élément supérieur de mât, associé à un pivot,
• une plateforme d'accès à la cabine, s'étendant sur un côté de l'élément de mât, et
• une cabine de conduite de la grue, montée pivotante autour d'un axe vertical situé sur le côté de l'élément de mât et lié à cet élément de mât,

la cabine étant ainsi orientable, autour dudit axe vertical et sur environ 90°, notamment par action manuelle, entre :

• une position de service dans laquelle cette cabine se situe dans le prolongement de la plateforme d'accès, en avant de l'élément de mât, et
• une position de transport dans laquelle cette cabine est repliée au-dessus de la plateforme d'accès, contre l'élément de mât.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a foldable cab-pivot unit for a tower crane, which essentially comprises, in combination:

• an upper mast element, associated with a pivot,
• a cab access platform extending to one side of the mast member, and
• a crane driving cab, pivotally mounted about a vertical axis located on the side of the mast element and connected to this mast element,

the cabin being thus steerable, about said vertical axis and about 90 °, in particular by manual action, between:

• a service position in which this cabin is located in the extension of the access platform, in front of the mast element, and
• a transport position in which this cabin is folded over the access platform, against the mast element.

According to one embodiment of this folding cabin-pivot unit, the driving cabin is articulated to the mast element by a double vertical hinge comprising, on the side of the mast element, an upper support and a lower support respectively fixed at the top and at the base of the mast element, and at the cabin side, an upper support and a lower support respectively fixed on the top and on the base of the supporting structure of the mast element. cabin, the upper supports and the lower supports being connected by vertical axes, respectively upper and lower.

• pour le verrouillage de la cabine de conduite en position de service : ces moyens sont constitués par des plaques, solidaires respectivement de la base de la cabine et de la plateforme d'accès à cette cabine, et prévues pour être boulonnées entre elles, de manière à rigidifier la plateforme d'accès initialement en porte-à-faux ;
• pour le verrouillage de la cabine de conduite en position repliée de transport : ces moyens sont constitués par un tendeur à lanterne monté entre le sommet de l'élément de mât et le sommet de la structure porteuse de la cabine, en combinaison avec une butée élastique fixée sur la plateforme d'accès, ce qui permet d'amortir les chocs en cours de transport.

Advantageously, the cabin-pivot unit also comprises locking means of the driver's cab in its service position and in its folded transport position. These locking means can be constituted as follows:

• for locking the driver's cab in the operating position: these means consist of plates secured respectively to the cab base and the access platform to this cabin, and adapted to be bolted together, so as to to stiffen the access platform initially cantilevered;
• for locking the driver's cab in the folded transport position: these means are constituted by a lantern tensioner mounted between the top of the mast element and the top of the carrier structure of the cabin, in combination with an elastic stop fixed on the access platform, which helps to cushion shocks during transport.

• en position de service de la cabine de conduite, est fixée en position verticale et se situe dans le prolongement d'une face latérale de cette cabine, et
• en position repliée de transport de la cabine de conduite, est fixée en position verticale, ou en position oblique dépassant vers l'extérieur de la plateforme d'accès, de manière à protéger la face avant de la cabine, en particulier la partie vitrée inférieure de cette face avant.

According to another advantageous arrangement, the access platform comprises a removable and / or tilting side rail, which:

• in the operating position of the driver's cab, is fixed in a vertical position and is located in the extension of a side face of this cabin, and
• in the folded transport position of the driver's cab, is fixed in a vertical position, or in an oblique position protruding outwardly of the access platform, so as to protect the front face of the cab, in particular the lower glass part of this front face.

The attachment means of the lateral railing on the access platform to the cabin may comprise, on an outer edge of said platform, double corner boxes receiving the feet of the rails of the railing, fixing, according to the corner box used, the vertical or oblique orientation of these amounts, so the guardrail.

The cabin access platform still advantageously supports, perpendicular to its lateral railing, an electrical cabinet thus accessible from this platform, the driving cabin coming, in folded transport position, also be placed against said electrical cabinet, so that the side glazed portion of the cabin is also protected.

• Grâce à son principe de repliage de la cabine par orientation autour d'un axe vertical, la cabine peut être déployée ou repliée manuellement, de façon rapide et sans nécessité d'un engin auxiliaire de manutention, ce qui permet une mise en oeuvre rapide et aisée sur les chantiers.
• La cabine, même repliée, reste toujours en position "debout", de sorte qu'il n'existe plus de risque de chute des composants internes de la cabine, ni d'obligation d'immobiliser ces composants avant de replier la cabine.
• Même dans le cas d'une cabine spacieuse, le mode de repliage de celle-ci permet d'amener l'unité cabine-pivot dans un encombrement réduit permettant son transport en conteneur.
• La plateforme d'accès à la cabine reste liée à l'élément de mât, et après déploiement de la cabine elle occupe immédiatement une position donnant accès à cette cabine, ce qui supprime toutes opérations d'amenée et d'assemblage d'éléments d'accès.
• De plus, cette plateforme donne un accès spacieux, commun à la cabine de conduite et à l'armoire électrique, ce qui constitue une disposition compacte et économique, facilitant les opérations de maintenance et de réglage de la grue.
• La rambarde latérale de la plateforme d'accès, et l'armoire électrique supportée par cette plateforme, constituent des éléments de protection de la cabine, en position repliée de transport, rendant ainsi inutiles tous éléments de protection additionnels pour les surfaces peintes et les vitres de la cabine. En particulier, la rambarde latérale assure la protection de la vitre avant de la cabine, la position inclinée de la rambarde permettant une adaptation à la forme habituellement arrondie ou saillante de la face avant de la cabine. Quant à l'armoire électrique, celle-ci assure la protection de la vitre latérale de la cabine. Ainsi, la cabine se trouve convenablement protégée des chocs, qui peuvent intervenir lors du transport et de la manutention de l'unité cabine-pivot. De plus, le placement de la cabine contre l'armoire électrique, en position repliée de transport, assure une interdiction d'accès à la fois à la cabine et à l'armoire, évitant ainsi les vols ou les actes de malveillance.
• Enfin, en position de service, la cabine de conduite prend place en dessous de la flèche de la grue, ce qui assure au grutier une visibilité optimale pour la conduite de la grue.

Overall, the foldable cab-pivot unit, object of the invention, has the following advantages:

• Thanks to its principle of folding the cabin by orientation about a vertical axis, the cabin can be deployed or folded manually, quickly and without the need for an auxiliary handling equipment, which allows a quick implementation and easy on the building sites.
• The cabin, even folded, always remains in "standing" position, so that there is more risk of falling of the internal components of the cabin, nor obligation to immobilize these components before folding the cabin.
• Even in the case of a spacious cabin, the folding mode thereof allows to bring the cab-pivot unit in a small space for transporting it in containers.
• The access platform to the cabin remains linked to the mast element, and after deployment of the cabin it immediately occupies a position giving access to this cabin, which eliminates all operations of supply and assembly of components. 'access.
• In addition, this platform provides spacious access, common to the cab and the electrical cabinet, which is a compact and economical, facilitating the maintenance and adjustment of the crane.
• The lateral guardrail of the access platform, and the electrical cabinet supported by this platform, constitute protection elements of the cab, in the folded transport position, thus making any additional protection elements for the painted surfaces and the windows unnecessary. from the cabin. In particular, the lateral guardrail provides protection of the front window of the cabin, the inclined position of the rail allowing adaptation to the usually rounded or protruding form of the front face of the cabin. As for the electrical cabinet, it ensures the protection of the side window of the cabin. Thus, the cabin is adequately protected from shocks, which may occur during transport and handling of the cab-pivot unit. In addition, the placement of the cabin against the electrical cabinet, in the folded transport position, provides a ban on access to both the cabin and the cabinet, thus avoiding theft or malicious acts.
• Finally, in the service position, the driver's cab is positioned below the crane boom, which gives the crane operator optimum visibility for driving the crane.

The invention also relates, as such, to a tower crane comprising a foldable cab-pivot unit, as defined above.

• Figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble, en perspective, d'une unité cabine-pivot conforme à l'invention, la cabine étant en position de service ;
• Figure 2 est une autre vue en perspective, plus "plongeante", de l'unité cabine-pivot, toujours en position de service ;
• Figure 3 est une autre vue en perspective de cette unité cabine-pivot, la cabine étant en position repliée de transport ;
• Figure 4 est une première vue de détail, en perspective, montrant les moyens de fixation de la rambarde latérale de la plateforme d'accès ;
• Figure 5 est une autre vue de détail, en perspective, montrant les moyens de verrouillage de la cabine en position de service ;
• Figure 6 est une autre vue de détail, en plan par dessus, montrant les moyens de verrouillage de la cabine en position repliée de transport.

The invention will be better understood from the description which follows, with reference to the attached schematic drawing showing, by way of example, an embodiment of this folding cab-pivot unit for tower crane:

• Figure 1 is an overall view, in perspective, of a cab-pivot unit according to the invention, the cab being in the service position;
• Figure 2 is another perspective view, more "plunging" of the cabin-pivot unit, always in the service position;
• Figure 3 is another perspective view of this cabin-pivot unit, the cabin being in the folded transport position;
• Figure 4 is a first detail view, in perspective, showing the attachment means of the side rail of the access platform;
• Figure 5 is another detail view, in perspective, showing the locking means of the cabin in the service position;
• Figure 6 is another detail view, in plan above, showing the locking means of the cabin in the folded transport position.

• un pivot 1, surmonté d'un élément supérieur de mât 2 orientable autour d'un axe vertical 3 ;
• une plateforme horizontale 4, qui s'étend horizontalement sur le côté de l'élément de mât 2, et qui est solidaire de cet élément de mât 2 ;
• une cabine 5 de conduite de la grue, montée pivotante autour d'un autre axe vertical 6, situé sur le côté de l'élément de mât 2 et lié en rotation à cet élément de mât 2, donc aussi à la plateforme 4.

Figures 1 to 3 show, as a whole, a cabin-pivot unit for tower crane, which comprises, as main components:

• a pivot 1, surmounted by an upper mast element 2 orientable about a vertical axis 3;
• a horizontal platform 4, which extends horizontally on the side of the mast element 2, and which is integral with this mast element 2;
• a cabin 5 for driving the crane, pivotally mounted about another vertical axis 6, situated on the side of the mast element 2 and linked in rotation to this mast element 2, thus also to the platform 4.

The pivot 1 is intended to be fixed to the top of the mast (not shown) of a tower crane. The upper mast element 2, orientable on the pivot 1, is provided to support the boom (not shown) of the crane.

The pivoting mounting of the cabin 5 around the vertical axis 6 relative to the upper mast element 2 is achieved by a double hinge. This hinge comprises, on the side of the mast element 2, a triangulated upper support 7, welded to an upper frame 8 of the mast element 2, and a triangulated lower support 9, welded on the base of the element of mast 2. The hinge also comprises, on the side of the cabin 5, an upper support 10 welded to a vertical beam 11 of the supporting structure 12 of the cabin 5, towards the top of this supporting structure 12, and a lower support 13, welded to the vertical beam 11 of the supporting structure 12 of the cabin 5, towards the base of this supporting structure 12. Finally, the hinge comprises two vertical axes, an upper axis 14 hingably connecting the two upper supports 8 and 10 , and a lower axis 15 hingably connecting the two lower supports 9 and 13.

The platform 4, which allows access to the driving cabin 5, comprises a side rail 16, which extends along one of its outer edges 17. This platform 4 also supports an electrical cabinet 18, which extends along its outer edge 19, perpendicular to the edge 17.

In detail, as also shown in Figure 4, the platform 4 comprises, on its outer edge 17, two double corner boxes 20, 21, provided to receive, removably, the two legs of the uprights 22 of the railing 16 which has two fixing positions. The corner boxes 20 make it possible to fix the guardrail 16 in a vertical orientation. The other corner boxes 21 make it possible to fix the same guardrail 16 in an oblique orientation, projecting outwards with respect to the edge 17 of the platform 4. Pins ensure the securing of the fixing of the guardrail 16, to avoid any accidental release from corner boxes 20 or 21.

Thanks to its mounting pivoting about the vertical axis 6, the driving cabin 5 can be brought into a service position (FIGS. 1 and 2) or in a folded transport position (FIG. 3), the passage of a position to the other being done manually, by a rotation of 90 ° around the vertical axis 6, in one direction or the other - see the arrows F1 and F2 of Figure 1.

In the service position (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5), the driving cabin 5 is situated in the extension of the access platform 4, in front of the upper mast element 2. The lateral guardrail 16, then fixed vertically on the outer edge 17 of the platform 4, is located in the extension of a side face 23 of the cabin 5. The platform 4 and access to the cabin 5, the rear face 24 of the cabin 5 being provided with a door 25 which opens towards the platform 4.

• sur la base de la cabine 5, à l'arrière de celle-ci (du côté de la face latérale 23) : une plaque pliée 26 fixée par boulonnage à la cabine 5, avec une partie débordante percée d'une lumière 27 ;
• sur la plateforme 4 : une plaque 28 avec chanfrein 29 fixée par soudage ;
• entre les deux plaques 26 et 28 : une liaison par boulon 30, mise en place lorsque la cabine 5 est amenée en position de service.

As shown in particular in Figure 5, the driver's cab 5 is locked in its operating position by means of a device which comprises:

• on the base of the cabin 5, at the rear thereof (on the side of the side face 23): a folded plate 26 fixed by bolting to the cabin 5, with an overhanging portion pierced with a slot 27;
• on the platform 4: a plate 28 with chamfer 29 fixed by welding;
• between the two plates 26 and 28: a bolt connection 30, put in place when the cabin 5 is brought into the service position.

• d'une part, contre l'élément supérieur de mât 2, la face arrière 24 de la cabine 5 étant tournée vers cet élément de mât 2 ;
• d'autre part, contre l'armoire électrique 18, la face latérale 23 de la cabine 5 prenant place devant cette armoire 18.

In the transport position (FIG. 3), the driving cabin 5 has a 90 ° orientation with respect to its service position, and is thus folded:

• on the one hand, against the upper mast element 2, the rear face 24 of the cabin 5 being turned towards this mast element 2;
• on the other hand, against the electrical cabinet 18, the side face 23 of the cab 5 taking place in front of this cabinet 18.

The cabin 5 is thus brought above the platform 4 (and no longer in front of this platform 4), which considerably reduces the size of the cabin-pivot unit.

Referring also to Figure 6, the driver's cab 5 is locked, in its folded transport position, by a lantern tensioner 31 mounted between the top of the mast member 2, on the one hand, and the top of the support structure 12 of the cabin 5, on the other hand. The action of the tensioner 31 presses the base of the cabin 5 against a rubber stop 35 (Figure 6), fixed on the structure of the platform 4. When the cabin 5 is in the service position, the lantern tensioner 31 is placed in a storage position, indicated (by a simple axis) in phantom.

Still considering the folded transport position of the cabin 5 (see FIG. 3), the lateral guardrail 16 is then fixed in its oblique orientation on the outer edge 17 of the platform 4, so as to be placed in front of the front face 32 of the cabin 5, taking into account the rounded shape of this front face 32. The guardrail 16 thus ensures the protection of the front face 32 of the cabin 5, in particular of its lower glass portion 33, while the electrical cabinet 18 protects the lateral face 23 of the cabin 5, in particular its lateral glazed portion 34.

To move from the folded transport position (Figures 3 and 6) to the service position (Figures 1, 2 and 5), it is advisable to loosen the turnbuckle 31 and place it in the storage position, after which the cab 5 is manually oriented, 90 ° (arrow F1 of Figure 1). Thus reached in the service position, the cabin 5 is locked by bolting the plates 26 and 28 one on the other. Finally, the lateral guardrail 16 is fixed in its vertical position.

The entire cabin-pivot unit is pre-wired electrically, so that no electrical connection operation is to be performed at the time of its setting in service position, which contributes to the simplicity and speed of the setting implemented.

Of course, for the transition from the operating position to the transport position, the operations described above are performed in the reverse order: separation of the bolted plates 26 and 28, then manual orientation of the cabin of 90 ° in the opposite direction (arrow F2 of Figure 1), finally setting up and tightening the tensioner 31, and fixing the guardrail 16 in its oblique position.

The cab-pivot unit, described above, is applicable to tower cranes with "suspended" cab, of any configuration.

• en modifiant des détails constructifs, tels que ceux de la liaison articulée entre la cabine et l'élément de mât ;
• en utilisant d'autres moyens pour le verrouillage de la cabine dans sa position de service et dans sa position repliée de transport ;
• en adaptant l'invention à des grues avec cabines de conduite de toute configuration et de toute dimension.

One would not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims:

• modifying constructive details, such as those of the articulated connection between the cabin and the mast element;
• using other means for locking the car in its service position and in its folded transport position;
• adapting the invention to cranes with driving cabins of any configuration and any size.

Claims (9)

1. A foldable cab/pivot unit for a tower crane, comprising, in combination:

   - an upper mast element (2) associated with a pivot (1),

   - a cab access platform (4) extending horizontally at one side of the mast element (2), and

   - a crane driver's cab (5) mounted pivotably about a vertical axis located at the side of the mast element (2) and linked to this mast element (2), the cab (5) thus being orientable about said vertical axis (6) and through approximately 90°, in particular by manual action, between:

   - an operating position, in which this cab (5) is located in the extension of the access platform (4), in front of the mast element (2), and

   - a transport position, in which this cab (5) is folded above the access platform (4), against the mast element (2).
2. The cab/pivot unit as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the driver's cab (5) is articulated on the mast element (2) by means of a vertical double hinge comprising, toward the mast element (2), an upper support (7) and a lower support (9) which are fastened respectively to the top (8) and to the base of the mast element (12), and, toward the cab (5), an upper support (10) and a lower support (13) which are fastened respectively to the top and to the base of the carrying structure (12) of the cab (5), the upper supports (7,10) and the lower supports (9,13) being connected by means of respectively upper (14) and lower (15) vertical axles.
3. The cab/pivot unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means (26 to 31) for locking the driver's cab (5) in its operating position and i its folded transport position.
4. The cab/pivot unit as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the means for locking the driver's cab (5) in the operating position consist of plates (26, 28) integral respectively with the base of the cab (5) and with the access platform (4) to this cab (5) and intended to be bolted to one another (30).
5. The cab/pivot unit as claimed in claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the means for locking the driver's cab (5) in the folded transport position consist of a turnbuckle tensioner (31) mounted between the top (8) of the mast element (2) and the top of the carrying structure (12) of the cab (5), in combination with an elastic stop (35) fastened to the access platform (4).
6. The cab/pivot unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the access platform (4) comprises a removable and/or inclinable lateral railing (16) which:

   - in the operating position of the driver's cab (5), is fastened in a vertical position and is located in the extension of a lateral face (23) of this cab(5), and

   - in the folded transport position of the driver's cab (5), is fastened in a vertical position or in an oblique position projecting toward the outside of the access platform (4), so as to protect the front face (32) of the cab (5), in particular the lower glazed part of this front face (32).
7. The cab/pivot unit as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the means for fastening the lateral railing (16) to the access platform (4) to the cab (5) comprise, on an outer edge (17) of said platform (4), double chocks (20, 21) receiving the feet of the uprights (22) of the railing (16) and, depending on the check used (20 or 21), fixing the vertical or oblique orientation of these uprights (22) and therefore of the railing (16).
8. The cab/pivot unit as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the access platform (4) to the cab supports, perpendicularly to its lateral railing (16), an electrical cabinet (18) which is thus accessible from this platform (4), the driver's cab (15), in the folded transport position, also taking its place against said electrical cabinet (18), in such a way that the lateral glazed part (34) of the cab (5) is also protected.
9. A tower crane, characterized in that it comprises a foldable cab/pivot unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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