EP1364906B1 - Tower crane with foldable counter-jib - Google Patents

Tower crane with foldable counter-jib Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1364906B1
EP1364906B1 EP03356062A EP03356062A EP1364906B1 EP 1364906 B1 EP1364906 B1 EP 1364906B1 EP 03356062 A EP03356062 A EP 03356062A EP 03356062 A EP03356062 A EP 03356062A EP 1364906 B1 EP1364906 B1 EP 1364906B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
jib
counter
crane
hinge
boom
Prior art date
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Expired - Lifetime
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EP03356062A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1364906A1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Claude Saint-Gerand
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Manitowoc Crane Group France SAS
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Manitowoc Crane Group France SAS
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Publication of EP1364906A1 publication Critical patent/EP1364906A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C23/00—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes
    • B66C23/18—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes
    • B66C23/26—Cranes comprising essentially a beam, boom, or triangular structure acting as a cantilever and mounted for translatory of swinging movements in vertical or horizontal planes or a combination of such movements, e.g. jib-cranes, derricks, tower cranes specially adapted for use in particular purposes for use on building sites; constructed, e.g. with separable parts, to facilitate rapid assembly or dismantling, for operation at successively higher levels, for transport by road or rail
    • B66C23/34—Self-erecting cranes, i.e. with hoisting gear adapted for crane erection purposes
    • B66C23/348—Self-erecting cranes, i.e. with hoisting gear adapted for crane erection purposes the erection being operated by jacks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of tower cranes, and more particularly to the self-erecting tower cranes, with arrow without pulling and with collapsible counter-boom. Even more particularly, this invention is concerned with a device which, in such a crane, during assembly and disassembly operations, ensures automatic unfolding and folding of the counter-boom, in the vertical plane of the boom.
  • the boom mounted at the top of the mast is extended in the working position, towards the rear of its point of connection with the top of the mast, by a counter-arrow of substantially shorter length than that of the arrow.
  • the counter-boom is secured to the boom, and the end of this against-arrow is connected, by a rear tie rod, to a frame member (in particular to the rotating frame) of the crane .
  • the adjustment of the length of the rear tie rod makes it possible to adjust the angle of inclination of the arrow.
  • the present invention aims to remedy all these disadvantages, by providing a collapsible counter-boom system of different design, which reduces the size of the crane folded for transport, which also reduces the space required for the unfolding or folding of the against-arrow, and which also makes it possible to unfold or unfold automatically, and simultaneously unfolding or folding the entire crane.
  • the subject of the invention is essentially a tower crane with folding counter-boom, of the type indicated in the introduction, in which, for the transport of the crane, the counter-boom is folded in a vertical plane on the part rear of the boom, the unfolding and folding of the against-arrow being performed automatically, simultaneously with the automatic assembly or disassembly of the crane.
  • the against-arrow is arranged so as to be folded on the rear part of the boom, by a movement in the vertical plane of the arrow.
  • an against-arrow which comprises a lower part, articulated about a horizontal axis on the rear end of the boom, and a telescopic upper part, articulated around a horizontal axis, located above the preceding axis, on the rear end of the boom, the respective rear ends of the lower part and the telescopic upper part being hinged to each other on a horizontal axis, to which is attached the upper end of the rear tie rod.
  • the counter-arrow thus has, seen from the side, the shape of a triangle made deformable by varying the length of one of its sides, which allows the folding of this against-arrow on the rear part of the arrow.
  • the counter-boom has a generally trihedral-shaped structure, its lower part being in the form of an elongated isosceles triangle articulated by its base to the rear end of the boom, and its upper part being consisting of a telescopic tie, composed of an anterior element articulated on the rear end of the boom, and a rear element hinged on the top of the triangle-shaped lower part, so as to form the tip of the trihedron, to which is attached the upper end of the rear tie rod.
  • the counter-arrow is perfectly “nested" on the foot of the arrow.
  • the telescopic upper part of the counter-boom comprises means for adjusting its telescoping stroke, for a preselection of the horizontal position or more or less inclined positions of the boom, in the working configuration of the crane.
  • the means for adjusting the telescoping stroke comprise, on one of the elements of the telescopic tie rod, a longitudinal slot and, on the other element of the telescopic tie rod, a plurality of adjustment holes provided to receive a stop axis cooperating with one end of the light.
  • the work configurations with a substantially horizontal boom, or with a more or less raised boom are chosen before mounting the crane, by adjusting the length of the travel of the crane. telescopic pulling.
  • the maximum stroke corresponds to the "substantially horizontal arrow” configuration.
  • Intermediate strokes correspond to the "up arrow” configurations.
  • the crane comprises a motorized device for folding and unfolding control of the counter-boom, said motorized device being mounted between the rear part of the boom and a part of the against-boom.
  • This motorized device completes the action of the rear tie rod and the action of the own weight of the counter-boom, to achieve the unfolding and the automatic folding of the counter-boom, simultaneously with the automatic assembly or disassembly of the crane and, in particular simultaneously with unfolding or folding the mast of the crane (in the case of a crane mast foldable, in particular made of two articulated elements).
  • the linkage consists of a short rod and a long rod, hinged together in traction along a horizontal axis, the short rod being hinged about a horizontal axis at said other end of the three-point rod, while the long rod is hinged, about a horizontal axis, at an intermediate point of the length of the lower part of the against-arrow.
  • the proposed system allows a complete folding of the counter-boom, in transport position of the crane, the folded against-arrow integrating into the jig of the arrow, practically without increasing neither its length nor its height.
  • folding and unfolding operations are performed automatically, during the disassembling sequence or reassembly of the crane, so that they do not require manual effort or manpower intervention, and do not ask for no extra time.
  • the proposed system allows the complete folding of the crane with a "negligible" slack in the rear tie rod, making it unnecessary to attach the rear tie rod to a metal structure.
  • This system also eliminates the dynamic effects during the operations of folding and unfolding the against-arrow.
  • this system makes it possible in a very simple way to obtain configurations with an inclined arrow, in the working position of the crane.
  • FIG. 1 shows a collapsible tower crane, which here comprises a fixed frame 1 on which is mounted a rotating frame 2, orientable about a vertical axis 3.
  • the crane comprises a folding mast 4, composed of two elements 5 and 6 , a lower mast element 5 and an upper mast element 6.
  • the lower mast element 5 is articulated by its base, about a horizontal axis 7, to the front of the rotating frame 2.
  • the element of upper mast 6 is articulated by its base, about a horizontal axis 8, at the top of the lower mast element 5.
  • the arrow 10 is composed here of an arrow foot 11, and at least one other arrow element 12 articulated at the front end of the jib foot 11 around a horizontal axis 13.
  • the jib foot 11 has a triangular section.
  • the boom 10 is extended, behind its articulation axis 9 at the top of the mast 4, by a counter-boom 14 which is here a collapsible against-boom, described in detail below.
  • the crane comprises struts for training the mast 4, mounted between the rotating frame 2 and the lower part of the upper mast element 6.
  • the struts 15 are associated with a motorized unfolding-folding control device of the mast 4, composed of a linkage 16 located in the region of the intermediate articulation (axis 8) of the mast 4, and a jack 17 connecting the linkage 16 to a point 18 of the lower mast element 5.
  • the crane comprises a rear tie 19, which connects the rear end of the counter-boom 14 to the rear portion of the rotating frame 2.
  • the rear tie 19 holds the boom 10 in its working position, which can be a position substantially horizontal (as shown in Figure 1), or an inclined position, more or less raised.
  • This rear tie 19 also controls the unfolding of the boom 10, simultaneously with the unfolding of the mast 4 controlled by the device consisting of the linkage 16 and the jack 17.
  • the counter-boom 14 has a generally trihedral structure, having a lower portion 20 and an upper portion 21 converging towards a rear tip.
  • the lower part 20 in the form of an elongated isosceles triangle, is articulated by its base, around a horizontal axis 22, on the rear ends 23 of the two lower chords 24 of the boom 10, more particularly the foot of the boom 11.
  • the upper part 21 of the counter-jib 14 is constituted by a telescopic tie rod, composed of an anterior element 25 and a posterior element 26.
  • the front element 25 is articulated by its front end, around a horizontal axis 27, on the rear end of the jib foot 11, at its upper chord 28.
  • the rear element 26 is articulated by its rear end, about a horizontal axis 29, on the rear end of the lower part 20 of the counter-boom 14, so as to form the rear tip of the trihedron.
  • the front element 25 of the upper part 21 of the counter-boom 14 is provided with a longitudinal slot 30.
  • the rear element 26 of said upper part 21 is provided with adjustment holes 31, 32 and 33, and it is shaped so as to ensure the sliding guide of the front element 25.
  • a stop axis 34 positioned in one of the holes 31, 32 or 33 of the rear member 26, and cooperating with the end of light 30.
  • the rear tip of the counter-boom 14, and thus the axis 29, is hingedly connected to the upper end of the rear tie rod 19.
  • the motorized device 35 is generally composed of , a gas spring 36 and a linkage.
  • the gas spring 36 is articulated at one end, about a horizontal axis 37, on a support 38 secured to the jib foot 11.
  • the other end of the gas spring 36 is articulated around a horizontal axis 39, on one end of a connecting rod 40 belonging to the linkage.
  • the linkage comprises the rod 40, which is a three-point rod articulated at one end about the axis 39 of the gas spring 36, articulated at an intermediate point about a horizontal axis 41 on the support 38 secured to the foot of arrow 11, and articulated by its other end about an axis 42 on a linkage, which also belongs to the linkage.
  • the linkage consists of two rods, a short rod 43 and a long rod 44, hinged together in traction along a horizontal axis 45.
  • the short rod 43 is articulated by its front end, around the horizontal axis 42, to the end of the three-point connecting rod 40.
  • the long rod 44 is articulated by its rear end, about a horizontal axis 46, on the lower part 20 of the counter-boom 14, between the base and the top of this lower part 20.
  • the two connecting rods 43 and 44 of the linkage are aligned by the pulling effect itself resulting from the compression of the spring to gas 36.
  • Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate various configurations of the counter-boom 14 and the associated linkage, corresponding to different positions of the arrow 10. These positions are selected, before mounting the crane, by setting the the stroke length of the telescopic tie rod, that is to say the upper portion 21 of the counter-boom 14.
  • the telescopic tie has a maximum stroke length, determined by the positioning of the axis stop 34 in the hole 31 located closest to the front end of the rear member 26 of the telescopic tie rod.
  • the telescopic tie has an intermediate stroke length, determined by the positioning of the stop axis 34 in the hole 32 intermediate of the posterior element 26 of the telescopic tie rod.
  • the telescopic tie has a minimum stroke length, determined by the positioning of the stop axis 34 in the hole 33 located closest to the rear end of the rear member 26 of the telescopic tie rod.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 do not respect the actual inclination of the arrow 10, these figures being mainly intended to illustrate the variable configurations of the counter-jib 14.
  • the counter-jib 14 is folded over the rear part of the jib foot 11, as illustrated by the solid line drawing of FIG. 5.
  • the triangular lower part 20 of the counter-jib 14 hinged about the horizontal axis 22, is then folded obliquely on the foot of arrow 11, its apex (axis 29) being located just above the upper chord 28 of the foot of arrow 11.
  • the upper part 21 of the counter-boom 14, hinged about the horizontal axis 27, is folded horizontally above the upper chord 28 of the jib foot 11, this upper portion 21 formed by telescoping pulling then having a reduced length.
  • the two rods 43 and 44 of the linkage are no longer aligned, but they form an angle with each other.
  • FIG. 6 the unfolding sequence of the counter-boom 14 will now be described from its previously defined folded transport position, this FIG. 6 showing successive positions of the mast 4, the arrow 10 and counter-boom 14 during assembly of the crane.
  • the mast 4 is folded horizontally, its two elements 5 and 6 being superimposed, and the arrow 10 is folded horizontally on the mast 4, the counter-boom 14 itself being folded on the back of the boom foot 11, as previously described.
  • the rear tie 19 is initially without “soft”, or at least without “soft” noticeable. (see the indicated position I).
  • the device for controlling the folding-folding of the mast 4 is actuated, in a known manner, by feeding its jack 17 in the direction corresponding to the unfolding of the mast 4. From a certain unfolding state of the mast 4, the rear tie rod 19, which passes over a pulley 47 carried by the top of the mast 4, departs from the mast 4 and stretches. Until then, the counter-jib 14 remains fully folded over the jib foot 11. (See the indicated position II)
  • the rear tie 19 pulls on the tip of the counter-boom 14, and begins to rotate the lower portion 20 thereof about the horizontal axis 22.
  • the counter-boom 14 is then tilted backwards, by rotation of its lower part 20, and by simultaneous rotation and telescoping of its upper part 21.
  • the tilting movement of the counter-boom 14 towards the rear passes by various intermediate positions (such as the indicated position III), and it continues to the stop of the telescopic upper part 21 in the position corresponding to the chosen working configuration of the crane, determined initially by the positioning of the axis 34. (See the indicated position IV)
  • the motorized device 35 is inactive. As soon as the counter-boom 14 exceeds the position "slightly inclined forward", the motorized device 35 is activated by the alignment of the two connecting rods 43 and 44 of its linkage, and it controls the unfolding movement of the counter- arrow 14, braking this movement, thus maintaining the rear tie 19 extended.
  • the motorized device 35 for folding the counter-boom 14 is inactive. From the position IV, this motorized device 35 comes into action and it then tilts the against-arrow 14 forwards, by rotation of its lower part 20 about the axis 22, and by simultaneous rotation and telescoping of its upper part 21.
  • the motorized device 35 becomes inactive, following the misalignment of the two rods 43 and 44 of its linkage. Under the effect of its own weight, the counter-boom 14 then continues its folding movement, the rear tie 19 being held taut to position III.
  • the invention can be applied to any type of self-erecting tower crane: cranes with foldable mast, telescopic mast, foldable and telescopic mast; telescopic boom cranes with foldable "accordion" boom and foldable “snail” boom; the mast and the boom may be composed of more or less numerous elements, of any section.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Jib Cranes (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne, de façon générale, le domaine des grues à tour, et plus particulièrement les grues à tour à montage automatisé, avec flèche sans tirant et avec contre-flèche repliable. Encore plus particulièrement, cette invention s'intéresse à un dispositif qui, dans une telle grue, lors des opérations de montage et de démontage, assure un dépliage et un repliage automatiques de la contre-flèche, dans le plan vertical de la flèche.The present invention relates generally to the field of tower cranes, and more particularly to the self-erecting tower cranes, with arrow without pulling and with collapsible counter-boom. Even more particularly, this invention is concerned with a device which, in such a crane, during assembly and disassembly operations, ensures automatic unfolding and folding of the counter-boom, in the vertical plane of the boom.

Dans une grue du genre ici concerné, et d'une façon généralement connue, la flèche montée au sommet du mât est prolongée en position de travail, vers l'arrière de son point de liaison avec le sommet du mât, par une contre-flèche de longueur sensiblement plus courte que celle de la flèche. En position de travail de la grue, la contre-flèche est solidaire de la flèche, et l'extrémité de cette contre-flèche est reliée, par un tirant arrière, à un élément de châssis (en particulier au châssis tournant) de la grue. Le réglage de la longueur du tirant arrière permet d'ajuster l'angle d'inclinaison de la flèche.In a crane of the kind concerned, and in a generally known manner, the boom mounted at the top of the mast is extended in the working position, towards the rear of its point of connection with the top of the mast, by a counter-arrow of substantially shorter length than that of the arrow. In the working position of the crane, the counter-boom is secured to the boom, and the end of this against-arrow is connected, by a rear tie rod, to a frame member (in particular to the rotating frame) of the crane . The adjustment of the length of the rear tie rod makes it possible to adjust the angle of inclination of the arrow.

Dans ce genre de grue, pour diminuer l'encombrement en position repliée de transport de la grue, il est déjà connu de réaliser la contre-flèche de façon à ce qu'elle se replie. Les réalisations connues à ce jour comportent une contre-flèche repliable dans un plan horizontal, autour d'une charnière verticale, de manière à venir se placer sur le côté de la partie arrière de la flèche de la grue. Ce repliage latéral de la contre-flèche, et son dépliage à partir de la position repliée de transport, sont des opérations à réaliser manuellement.In this type of crane, to reduce the bulk in the folded transport position of the crane, it is already known to realize the against-arrow so that it folds. Achievements known to date comprise a counter-jib foldable in a horizontal plane, around a vertical hinge, so as to be placed on the side of the rear part of the boom of the crane. This lateral folding of the against-arrow, and its unfolding from the folded transport position, are operations to be performed manually.

Pour illustrer cet état de la technique, il peut être fait référence à la notice de montage-démontage de la grue du type "GMR 321C", publiée en 1989 par la Société POTAIN, en particulier les pages 21, 25, 48 et 51 de cette notice.To illustrate this state of the art, reference may be made to the assembly and dismantling instructions for the crane type "GMR 321C", published in 1989 by the company POTAIN, in particular pages 21, 25, 48 and 51 of this notice.

Les réalisations actuelles conservent divers inconvénients :

  • En raison du repliage latéral de la contre-flèche, l'encombrement en largeur de la grue repliée est important.
  • Le repliage ou dépliage de la contre-flèche dans un plan horizontal, par pivotement autour d'une charnière verticale, nécessite un espace au sol important.
  • Ce repliage ou dépliage nécessite une intervention manuelle, qui demande du temps et de la main-d'oeuvre, lors des opérations de montage et de démontage de la grue.
  • Le repliage de la contre-flèche pour la position de transport de la grue donne un "mou" au tirant arrière, qui doit de ce fait être attaché manuellement à la structure métallique de la grue.
Current achievements retain various disadvantages:
  • Due to the lateral folding of the counter-boom, the overall width of the folded crane is important.
  • The folding or unfolding of the counter-arrow in a horizontal plane, by pivoting around a vertical hinge, requires a large floor space.
  • This folding or unfolding requires manual intervention, which requires time and manpower, during assembly and disassembly of the crane.
  • The folding of the counter-boom for the transport position of the crane gives a "soft" to the rear tie rod, which must therefore be manually attached to the metal structure of the crane.

La présente invention vise à remédier à tous ces inconvénients, en fournissant un système de contre-flèche repliable de conception différente, qui permet de diminuer le gabarit de la grue repliée pour son transport, qui diminue aussi l'espace nécessaire au sol pour le dépliage ou repliage de la contre-flèche, et qui par ailleurs permet de rendre ce dépliage ou repliage automatique, et simultané au dépliage ou repliage de l'ensemble de la grue.The present invention aims to remedy all these disadvantages, by providing a collapsible counter-boom system of different design, which reduces the size of the crane folded for transport, which also reduces the space required for the unfolding or folding of the against-arrow, and which also makes it possible to unfold or unfold automatically, and simultaneously unfolding or folding the entire crane.

A cet effet, l'invention a essentiellement pour objet une grue à tour avec contre-flèche repliable, du genre indiqué en introduction, dans laquelle, pour le transport de la grue, la contre-flèche est repliée dans un plan vertical sur la partie arrière de la flèche, le dépliage et le repliage de la contre-flèche étant réalisés de façon automatique, simultanément au montage ou démontage automatique de la grue.For this purpose, the subject of the invention is essentially a tower crane with folding counter-boom, of the type indicated in the introduction, in which, for the transport of the crane, the counter-boom is folded in a vertical plane on the part rear of the boom, the unfolding and folding of the against-arrow being performed automatically, simultaneously with the automatic assembly or disassembly of the crane.

Ainsi, selon un premier aspect de l'invention, la contre-flèche est agencée de manière à pouvoir être rabattue sur la partie arrière de la flèche, par un mouvement s'effectuant dans le plan vertical de cette flèche.Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention, the against-arrow is arranged so as to be folded on the rear part of the boom, by a movement in the vertical plane of the arrow.

Ceci peut être obtenu, selon une forme de réalisation préférée de l'invention, avec une contre-flèche qui comprend une partie inférieure, articulée autour d'un axe horizontal sur l'extrémité arrière de la flèche, et une partie supérieure télescopique, articulée autour d'un axe horizontal, situé au-dessus de l'axe précédent, sur l'extrémité arrière de la flèche, les extrémités arrière respectives de la partie inférieure et de la partie supérieure télescopique étant articulées l'une à l'autre sur un axe horizontal, auquel est attachée l'extrémité supérieure du tirant arrière.This can be achieved, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with an against-arrow which comprises a lower part, articulated about a horizontal axis on the rear end of the boom, and a telescopic upper part, articulated around a horizontal axis, located above the preceding axis, on the rear end of the boom, the respective rear ends of the lower part and the telescopic upper part being hinged to each other on a horizontal axis, to which is attached the upper end of the rear tie rod.

La contre-flèche présente ainsi, vue de côté, la forme d'un triangle rendu déformable par variation de la longueur de l'un de ses côtés, ce qui permet le rabattement de cette contre-flèche sur la partie arrière de la flèche.The counter-arrow thus has, seen from the side, the shape of a triangle made deformable by varying the length of one of its sides, which allows the folding of this against-arrow on the rear part of the arrow.

Selon un mode d'éxécution particulier, la contre-flèche possède une structure en forme générale de trièdre, sa partie inférieure étant en forme de triangle isocèle allongé, articulé par sa base à l'extrémité arrière de la flèche, et sa partie supérieure étant constituée par un tirant télescopique, composé d'un élément antérieur articulé sur l'extrémité arrière de la flèche, et d'un élément postérieur articulé sur le sommet de la partie inférieure en forme de triangle, de manière à former la pointe du trièdre, à laquelle est attachée l'extrémité supérieure du tirant arrière.According to a particular embodiment, the counter-boom has a generally trihedral-shaped structure, its lower part being in the form of an elongated isosceles triangle articulated by its base to the rear end of the boom, and its upper part being consisting of a telescopic tie, composed of an anterior element articulated on the rear end of the boom, and a rear element hinged on the top of the triangle-shaped lower part, so as to form the tip of the trihedron, to which is attached the upper end of the rear tie rod.

Une telle configuration de la contre-flèche est particulièrement adaptée au cas d'une grue avec flèche dont au moins le pied est de section triangulaire, avec deux membrures inférieures et une membrure supérieure ; dans ce cas :

  • la partie inférieure de la contre-flèche en forme de triangle est articulée par sa base sur les extrémités arrière des deux membrures inférieures du pied de flèche,
  • l'élément antérieur du tirant télescopique, constituant la partie supérieure de la contre-flèche, est articulé sur le pied de flèche au niveau de l'extrémité arrière de sa membrure supérieure, et
  • en position repliée de transport, la partie inférieure en forme de triangle est rabattue obliquement sur le pied de flèche, son sommet se situant sur la membrure supérieure du pied de flèche, tandis que la partie supérieure constituée par le tirant télescopique est rabattue horizontalement sur cette membrure supérieure.
Such a configuration of the counter-boom is particularly suitable for the case of a crane with boom, at least the foot is triangular section, with two lower chords and an upper chord; in that case :
  • the lower part of the triangle-shaped counter-boom is articulated by its base on the rear ends of the two lower chords of the foot of the boom,
  • the front element of the telescopic tie rod, constituting the upper part of the counter-jib, is articulated on the jib foot at the rear end of its upper chord, and
  • in the folded transport position, the lower part in the shape of a triangle is folded obliquely on the foot of boom, its top being located on the upper chord of the foot of boom, while the upper part constituted by the telescopic tie is folded horizontally on this upper chord.

Ainsi, en position repliée de transport, la contre-flèche se trouve parfaitement "emboîtée" sur le pied de flèche.Thus, in the folded transport position, the counter-arrow is perfectly "nested" on the foot of the arrow.

Avantageusement, la partie supérieure télescopique de la contre-flèche comporte des moyens d'ajustement de sa course de télescopage, pour une présélection de la position horizontale ou de positions plus ou moins inclinées de la flèche, dans la configuration de travail de la grue.Advantageously, the telescopic upper part of the counter-boom comprises means for adjusting its telescoping stroke, for a preselection of the horizontal position or more or less inclined positions of the boom, in the working configuration of the crane.

En particulier, dans le cas où la partie supérieure de la contre-flèche est constituée par un tirant télescopique, les moyens d'ajustement de la course de télescopage comprennent, sur l'un des éléments du tirant télescopique, une lumière longitudinale et, sur l'autre élément du tirant télescopique, une pluralité de trous de réglage prévus pour recevoir un axe de butée coopérant avec une extrémité de la lumière.In particular, in the case where the upper part of the counter-boom is constituted by a telescopic tie rod, the means for adjusting the telescoping stroke comprise, on one of the elements of the telescopic tie rod, a longitudinal slot and, on the other element of the telescopic tie rod, a plurality of adjustment holes provided to receive a stop axis cooperating with one end of the light.

Grâce à de telles dispositions, les configurations de travail avec flèche sensiblement horizontale, ou avec flèche plus ou moins relevée, sont choisies avant montage de la grue, par réglage de la longueur de la course du tirant télescopique. La course maximale correspond à la configuration "flèche sensiblement horizontale". Les courses intermédiaires correspondent aux configurations "flèche relevée".Thanks to such arrangements, the work configurations with a substantially horizontal boom, or with a more or less raised boom, are chosen before mounting the crane, by adjusting the length of the travel of the crane. telescopic pulling. The maximum stroke corresponds to the "substantially horizontal arrow" configuration. Intermediate strokes correspond to the "up arrow" configurations.

Selon un autre aspect avantageux de la présente invention, la grue comprend un dispositif motorisé de repliage et de contrôle de dépliage de la contre-flèche, ledit dispositif motorisé étant monté entre la partie arrière de la flèche et une partie de la contre-flèche. Ce dispositif motorisé complète l'action du tirant arrière et l'action du propre poids de la contre-flèche, pour réaliser le dépliage et le repliage automatique de la contre-flèche, simultanément au montage ou démontage automatique de la grue et, en particulier, simultanément au dépliage ou repliage du mât de la grue (dans le cas d'une grue à mât pliable, notamment réalisé en deux éléments articulés).According to another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the crane comprises a motorized device for folding and unfolding control of the counter-boom, said motorized device being mounted between the rear part of the boom and a part of the against-boom. This motorized device completes the action of the rear tie rod and the action of the own weight of the counter-boom, to achieve the unfolding and the automatic folding of the counter-boom, simultaneously with the automatic assembly or disassembly of the crane and, in particular simultaneously with unfolding or folding the mast of the crane (in the case of a crane mast foldable, in particular made of two articulated elements).

Selon un mode de réalisation, le dispositif motorisé de repliage et de contrôle de dépliage de la contre-flèche se compose d'un ressort à gaz et d'un embiellage. Dans une forme d'exécution encore plus particulière :

  • le ressort à gaz est articulé par une extrémité, autour d'un axe horizontal, sur un élément de la partie arrière de la flèche,
  • ce ressort à gaz est articulé par son autre extrémité, autour d'un axe horizontal, sur une extrémité d'une bielle à trois points,
  • la bielle est articulée en un point intermédiaire, autour d'un axe horizontal, sur un élément de la partie arrière de la flèche, et
  • une tringlerie relie l'autre extrémité de la bielle à la partie inférieure de la contre-flèche.
According to one embodiment, the motorized device for folding and unfolding control against the boom consists of a gas spring and a linkage. In an even more specific form of execution:
  • the gas spring is articulated at one end, about a horizontal axis, on an element of the rear part of the boom,
  • this gas spring is articulated by its other end, about a horizontal axis, on one end of a three-point link,
  • the connecting rod is articulated at an intermediate point, about a horizontal axis, on an element of the rear part of the arrow, and
  • a linkage connects the other end of the connecting rod to the lower part of the against-arrow.

Avantageusement, la tringlerie est constituée d'une bielle courte et d'une bielle longue, articulées entre elles en traction suivant un axe horizontal, la bielle courte étant articulée autour d'un axe horizontal à ladite autre extrémité de la bielle à trois points, tandis que la bielle longue est articulée, autour d'un axe horizontal, en un point intermédiaire de la longueur de la partie inférieure de la contre-flèche.Advantageously, the linkage consists of a short rod and a long rod, hinged together in traction along a horizontal axis, the short rod being hinged about a horizontal axis at said other end of the three-point rod, while the long rod is hinged, about a horizontal axis, at an intermediate point of the length of the lower part of the against-arrow.

Le dispositif de motorisation, avec ressort à gaz et embiellage, assure en particulier les fonctions suivantes :

  • En cours de montage de la grue, entre une position de la contre-flèche "légèrement inclinée vers l'avant" et la position de travail choisie, ce dispositif de motorisation exerce un contrôle en freinant le mouvement de dépliage de la contre-flèche, tout en maintenant le tirant arrière tendu (le dispositif de motorisation n'agissant qu'entre ces deux positions).
  • En cours de démontage de la grue, lorsque la flèche arrive en appui sur le mât, le même dispositif entre en action pour faire basculer la contre-flèche vers l'avant, jusqu'à la position "légèrement inclinée vers l'avant" (position au-delà de laquelle le poids propre de la contre-flèche suffit pour la replier entièrement sur l'arrière de la flèche), tout en maintenant le tirant arrière tendu.
The motorization device, with gas spring and linkage, ensures in particular the following functions:
  • In the course of mounting the crane, between a position of the counter-arrow "slightly inclined forwards" and the chosen working position, this motorization device exerts a control by braking the unfolding movement of the against-arrow, while maintaining the rear tie rod taut (the actuator acting only between these two positions).
  • During disassembly of the crane, when the arrow comes to bear on the mast, the same device comes into action to tilt the against-arrow forward, to the position "slightly tilted forward" ( position beyond which the self-weight of the counter-arrow is sufficient to fold it completely on the back of the arrow), while keeping the rear tie rod taut.

Dans l'ensemble, le système de contre-flèche repliable, objet de la présente invention, possède les avantages suivants :Overall, the collapsible counter-boom system, object of the present invention, has the following advantages:

Le système proposé permet un repliage complet de la contre-flèche, en position de transport de la grue, la contre-flèche repliée s'intégrant dans le gabarit de la flèche, pratiquement sans augmenter ni sa longueur, ni sa hauteur.The proposed system allows a complete folding of the counter-boom, in transport position of the crane, the folded against-arrow integrating into the jig of the arrow, practically without increasing neither its length nor its height.

Le repliage de la contre-flèche, et son dépliage, s'effectuent par basculement dans le plan vertical de la flèche, de sorte qu'ils n'exigent pas d'espace supplémentaire au sol.The folding of the against-arrow, and unfolding, are made by tilting in the vertical plane of the arrow, so they do not require additional space on the ground.

De plus, ces opérations de repliage et de dépliage sont réalisées automatiquement, au cours de la séquence de démontage ou de remontage de la grue, de sorte qu'elles ne nécessitent ni effort manuel, ni intervention de main-d'oeuvre, et ne demandent aucun temps supplémentaire.In addition, these folding and unfolding operations are performed automatically, during the disassembling sequence or reassembly of the crane, so that they do not require manual effort or manpower intervention, and do not ask for no extra time.

Dans la mesure où la motorisation du repliage et du dépliage de la contre-flèche est réalisée, en combinaison, par le tirant arrière, par le propre poids de la contre-flèche, et par un dispositif de motorisation avec ressort à gaz, cette motorisation reste globalement simple, et ne nécessite ni entretien particulier, ni apport d'énergie extérieure pour son fonctionnement.Insofar as the motorization of the folding and unfolding of the counter-jib is carried out, in combination, by the rear tie rod, by the own weight of the counter-jib, and by a drive device with a gas spring, this motorization remains generally simple, and requires no special maintenance or external energy input for its operation.

Par ailleurs, le système proposé permet le repliage complet de la grue avec un "mou" totalement négligeable dans le tirant arrière, ne rendant pas nécessaire d'attacher ce tirant arrière à une structure métallique.Furthermore, the proposed system allows the complete folding of the crane with a "negligible" slack in the rear tie rod, making it unnecessary to attach the rear tie rod to a metal structure.

Ce système supprime aussi les effets dynamiques lors des opérations de repliage et de dépliage de la contre-flèche.This system also eliminates the dynamic effects during the operations of folding and unfolding the against-arrow.

Enfin, ce système permet de façon très simple l'obtention de configurations avec flèche inclinée, en position de travail de la grue.Finally, this system makes it possible in a very simple way to obtain configurations with an inclined arrow, in the working position of the crane.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide de la description qui suit, en référence au dessin schématique annexé représentant, à titre d'exemple, une forme d'exécution de cette grue à tour avec contre-flèche repliable :

  • Figure 1 est une vue de côté d'une grue à tour conforme à la présente invention, en configuration de travail, la flèche (représentée partiellement) étant en position sensiblement horizontale ;
  • Figure 2 est une vue de détail de la contre-flèche et de la partie arrière de la flèche de cette grue, dans la position de travail de la figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 est une vue similaire à la figure 2, mais correspondant à une position de travail inclinée de la flèche ;
  • Figure 4 est une vue similaire aux deux précédentes, correspondant à une position de travail plus fortement inclinée de la flèche ;
  • Figure 5 est une autre vue de côté de la contre-flèche et de la partie arrière de la flèche, montrant la contre-flèche en position repliée de transport, et indiquant aussi une position intermédiaire de cette contre-flèche en cours de repliage ;
  • Figure 6 est une vue de côté très schématique de la flèche et de la contre-flèche, illustrant les phases successives de dépliage de la contre-flèche, au cours d'une séquence de montage de la grue à partir de sa position repliée de transport.
The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing showing, by way of example, an embodiment of this tower crane with folding counter-boom:
  • Figure 1 is a side view of a tower crane according to the present invention, in working configuration, the arrow (shown partially) being in substantially horizontal position;
  • Figure 2 is a detailed view of the against-arrow and the rear part of the boom of this crane, in the working position of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but corresponding to an inclined working position of the arrow;
  • Figure 4 is a view similar to the previous two, corresponding to a working position more strongly inclined arrow;
  • Figure 5 is another side view of the against-arrow and the rear part of the arrow, showing the against-arrow in the folded transport position, and also indicating an intermediate position of the against-arrow during folding;
  • Figure 6 is a very schematic side view of the boom and the against-arrow, illustrating the successive phases of unfolding the against-arrow, during a mounting sequence of the crane from its folded transport position .

La figure 1 montre une grue à tour repliable, qui comprend ici un châssis fixe 1 sur lequel est monté un châssis tournant 2, orientable autour d'un axe vertical 3. La grue comprend un mât repliable 4, composé de deux éléments 5 et 6, soit un élément de mât inférieur 5 et un élément de mât supérieur 6. L'élément de mât inférieur 5 est articulé par sa base, autour d'un axe horizontal 7, à l'avant du châssis tournant 2. L'élément de mât supérieur 6 est articulé par sa base, autour d'un axe horizontal 8, au sommet de l'élément de mât inférieur 5.FIG. 1 shows a collapsible tower crane, which here comprises a fixed frame 1 on which is mounted a rotating frame 2, orientable about a vertical axis 3. The crane comprises a folding mast 4, composed of two elements 5 and 6 , a lower mast element 5 and an upper mast element 6. The lower mast element 5 is articulated by its base, about a horizontal axis 7, to the front of the rotating frame 2. The element of upper mast 6 is articulated by its base, about a horizontal axis 8, at the top of the lower mast element 5.

Au sommet de l'élément de mât supérieur 6 est articulée, autour d'un autre axe horizontal 9, une flèche 10 le long de laquelle se déplace un chariot (non représenté). La flèche 10 est composée ici d'un pied de flèche 11, et d'au moins un autre élément de flèche 12, articulé à l'extrémité avant du pied de flèche 11 autour d'un axe horizontal 13. Le pied de flèche 11 possède une section triangulaire.At the top of the upper mast member 6 is articulated, around another horizontal axis 9, an arrow 10 along which moves a carriage (not shown). The arrow 10 is composed here of an arrow foot 11, and at least one other arrow element 12 articulated at the front end of the jib foot 11 around a horizontal axis 13. The jib foot 11 has a triangular section.

La flèche 10 est prolongée, en arrière de son axe 9 d'articulation au sommet du mât 4, par une contre-flèche 14 qui est ici une contre-flèche repliable, décrite en détail plus bas.The boom 10 is extended, behind its articulation axis 9 at the top of the mast 4, by a counter-boom 14 which is here a collapsible against-boom, described in detail below.

La grue comprend des haubans 15 de dressage du mât 4, montés entre le châssis tournant 2 et la partie inférieure de l'élément de mât supérieur 6. Les haubans 15 sont associés à un dispositif motorisé de commande de dépliage-repliage du mât 4, composé d'un embiellage 16 situé dans la zone de l'articulation intermédiaire (axe 8) du mât 4, et d'un vérin 17 reliant l'embiellage 16 à un point 18 de l'élément de mât inférieur 5.The crane comprises struts for training the mast 4, mounted between the rotating frame 2 and the lower part of the upper mast element 6. The struts 15 are associated with a motorized unfolding-folding control device of the mast 4, composed of a linkage 16 located in the region of the intermediate articulation (axis 8) of the mast 4, and a jack 17 connecting the linkage 16 to a point 18 of the lower mast element 5.

Enfin, la grue comprend un tirant arrière 19, qui relie l'extrémité arrière de la contre-flèche 14 à la partie arrière du châssis tournant 2. Le tirant arrière 19 retient la flèche 10 dans sa position de travail, qui peut être une position sensiblement horizontale (comme montré sur la figure 1), ou une position inclinée, plus ou moins relevée. Ce tirant arrière 19 commande aussi le dépliage de la flèche 10, simultanément au dépliage du mât 4 commandé par le dispositif composé de l'embiellage 16 et du vérin 17.Finally, the crane comprises a rear tie 19, which connects the rear end of the counter-boom 14 to the rear portion of the rotating frame 2. The rear tie 19 holds the boom 10 in its working position, which can be a position substantially horizontal (as shown in Figure 1), or an inclined position, more or less raised. This rear tie 19 also controls the unfolding of the boom 10, simultaneously with the unfolding of the mast 4 controlled by the device consisting of the linkage 16 and the jack 17.

En se référant aux figures 2 et suivantes, on décrira maintenant en détail la structure de la contre-flèche 14.Referring to FIG. 2 and following, the structure of the counter-boom 14 will now be described in detail.

La contre-flèche 14 possède une structure en forme générale de trièdre, comportant une partie inférieure 20 et une partie supérieure 21 qui convergent vers une pointe arrière.The counter-boom 14 has a generally trihedral structure, having a lower portion 20 and an upper portion 21 converging towards a rear tip.

La partie inférieure 20, en forme de triangle isocèle allongé, est articulée par sa base, autour d'un axe horizontal 22, sur les extrémités arrière 23 des deux membrures inférieures 24 de la flèche 10, plus particulièrement du pied de flèche 11.The lower part 20, in the form of an elongated isosceles triangle, is articulated by its base, around a horizontal axis 22, on the rear ends 23 of the two lower chords 24 of the boom 10, more particularly the foot of the boom 11.

La partie supérieure 21 de la contre-flèche 14 est constituée par un tirant télescopique, composé d'un élément antérieur 25 et d'un élément postérieur 26. L'élément antérieur 25 est articulé par son extrémité avant, autour d'un axe horizontal 27, sur l'extrémité arrière du pied de flèche 11, au niveau de sa membrure supérieure 28. L'élément postérieur 26 est articulé par son extrémité arrière, autour d'un axe horizontal 29, sur l'extrémité arrière de la partie inférieure 20 de la contre-flèche 14, de manière à former la pointe arrière du trièdre.The upper part 21 of the counter-jib 14 is constituted by a telescopic tie rod, composed of an anterior element 25 and a posterior element 26. The front element 25 is articulated by its front end, around a horizontal axis 27, on the rear end of the jib foot 11, at its upper chord 28. The rear element 26 is articulated by its rear end, about a horizontal axis 29, on the rear end of the lower part 20 of the counter-boom 14, so as to form the rear tip of the trihedron.

L'élément antérieur 25 de la partie supérieure 21 de la contre-flèche 14 est muni d'une lumière longitudinale 30. L'élément postérieur 26 de ladite partie supérieure 21 est pourvu de trous de réglage 31, 32 et 33, et il est conformé de manière à assurer le guidage en coulissement de l'élément antérieur 25. Il est enfin prévu un axe de butée 34, positionné dans l'un des trous 31, 32 ou 33 de l'élément postérieur 26, et coopérant avec l'extrémité de la lumière 30.The front element 25 of the upper part 21 of the counter-boom 14 is provided with a longitudinal slot 30. The rear element 26 of said upper part 21 is provided with adjustment holes 31, 32 and 33, and it is shaped so as to ensure the sliding guide of the front element 25. Finally, there is provided a stop axis 34, positioned in one of the holes 31, 32 or 33 of the rear member 26, and cooperating with the end of light 30.

La pointe arrière de la contre-flèche 14, donc l'axe 29, est relié de façon articulée à l'extrémité supérieure du tirant arrière 19.The rear tip of the counter-boom 14, and thus the axis 29, is hingedly connected to the upper end of the rear tie rod 19.

Entre la partie arrière du pied de flèche 11, et la contre-flèche 14, il est prévu un dispositif motorisé 35 de repliage et de contrôle de dépliage de cette contre-flèche 14. Le dispositif motorisé 35 se compose, d'une façon générale, d'un ressort à gaz 36 et d'un embiellage.Between the rear part of the jib foot 11, and the counter-jib 14, there is provided a motorized device 35 for folding and unfolding control of this counter-jib 14. The motorized device 35 is generally composed of , a gas spring 36 and a linkage.

Le ressort à gaz 36 est articulé par une extrémité, autour d'un axe horizontal 37, sur un support 38 solidaire du pied de flèche 11. L'autre extrémité du ressort à gaz 36 est articulée, autour d'un axe horizontal 39, sur une extrémité d'une bielle 40 appartenant à l'embiellage.The gas spring 36 is articulated at one end, about a horizontal axis 37, on a support 38 secured to the jib foot 11. The other end of the gas spring 36 is articulated around a horizontal axis 39, on one end of a connecting rod 40 belonging to the linkage.

L'embiellage comprend la bielle 40, qui est une bielle à trois points, articulée par une extrémité autour de l'axe 39 du ressort à gaz 36, articulée en un point intermédiaire autour d'un axe horizontal 41 sur le support 38 solidaire du pied de flèche 11, et articulée par son autre extrémité autour d'un axe 42 sur une tringlerie, qui appartient aussi à l'embiellage.The linkage comprises the rod 40, which is a three-point rod articulated at one end about the axis 39 of the gas spring 36, articulated at an intermediate point about a horizontal axis 41 on the support 38 secured to the foot of arrow 11, and articulated by its other end about an axis 42 on a linkage, which also belongs to the linkage.

La tringlerie est constituée de deux bielles, soit une bielle courte 43 et une bielle longue 44, articulées entre elles en traction suivant un axe horizontal 45. La bielle courte 43 est articulée par son extrémité avant, autour de l'axe horizontal 42, à l'extrémité de la bielle à trois points 40. La bielle longue 44 est articulée par son extrémité arrière, autour d'un axe horizontal 46, sur la partie inférieure 20 de la contre-flèche 14, entre la base et le sommet de cette partie inférieure 20. En position de travail de la grue, comme montré aux figures 2, 3 et 4, les deux bielles 43 et 44 de la tringlerie sont alignées, par l'effet de traction résultant lui-même de la compression du ressort à gaz 36.The linkage consists of two rods, a short rod 43 and a long rod 44, hinged together in traction along a horizontal axis 45. The short rod 43 is articulated by its front end, around the horizontal axis 42, to the end of the three-point connecting rod 40. The long rod 44 is articulated by its rear end, about a horizontal axis 46, on the lower part 20 of the counter-boom 14, between the base and the top of this lower part 20. In the working position of the crane, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the two connecting rods 43 and 44 of the linkage are aligned by the pulling effect itself resulting from the compression of the spring to gas 36.

Plus particulièrement, les figures 2, 3 et 4 illustrent diverses configurations de la contre-flèche 14 et de l'embiellage associé, correspondant à des positions différentes de la flèche 10. Ces positions sont sélectionnées, avant montage de la grue, par réglage de la longueur de course du tirant télescopique, c'est-à-dire de la partie supérieure 21 de la contre-flèche 14.More particularly, Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate various configurations of the counter-boom 14 and the associated linkage, corresponding to different positions of the arrow 10. These positions are selected, before mounting the crane, by setting the the stroke length of the telescopic tie rod, that is to say the upper portion 21 of the counter-boom 14.

Pour la position sensiblement horizontale (par exemple inclinée à 3°) de la flèche 10, comme le montre la figure 2, le tirant télescopique possède une longueur de course maximale, déterminée par le positionnement de l'axe de butée 34 dans le trou 31 situé le plus près de l'extrémité avant de l'élément postérieur 26 du tirant télescopique.For the substantially horizontal position (for example inclined at 3 °) of the arrow 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the telescopic tie has a maximum stroke length, determined by the positioning of the axis stop 34 in the hole 31 located closest to the front end of the rear member 26 of the telescopic tie rod.

Pour une position légèrement relevée de la flèche 10, par exemple une position inclinée à 8° (voir figure 3), le tirant télescopique possède une longueur de course intermédiaire, déterminée par le positionnement de l'axe de butée 34 dans le trou 32 intermédiaire de l'élément postérieur 26 du tirant télescopique.For a slightly raised position of the boom 10, for example a position inclined at 8 ° (see Figure 3), the telescopic tie has an intermediate stroke length, determined by the positioning of the stop axis 34 in the hole 32 intermediate of the posterior element 26 of the telescopic tie rod.

Pour une position plus fortement relevée de la flèche 10, par exemple une position inclinée à 20° (voir figure 4), le tirant télescopique possède une longueur de course minimale, déterminée par le positionnement de l'axe de butée 34 dans le trou 33 situé le plus près de l'extrémité arrière de l'élément postérieur 26 du tirant télescopique.For a more strongly raised position of the arrow 10, for example a position inclined at 20 ° (see Figure 4), the telescopic tie has a minimum stroke length, determined by the positioning of the stop axis 34 in the hole 33 located closest to the rear end of the rear member 26 of the telescopic tie rod.

On notera que les figures 3 et 4 ne respectent pas l'inclinaison réelle de la flèche 10, ces figures visant principalement à illustrer les configurations variables de la contre-flèche 14.It will be noted that FIGS. 3 and 4 do not respect the actual inclination of the arrow 10, these figures being mainly intended to illustrate the variable configurations of the counter-jib 14.

Dans la position de transport de la grue, la contre-flèche 14 est repliée sur la partie arrière du pied de flèche 11, comme illustré par le tracé en traits pleins de la figure 5. La partie inférieure triangulaire 20 de la contre-flèche 14, articulée autour de l'axe horizontal 22, est alors rabattue obliquement sur le pied de flèche 11, son sommet (axe 29) se situant juste au-dessus de la membrure supérieure 28 du pied de flèche 11. La partie supérieure 21 de la contre-flèche 14, articulée autour de l'axe horizontal 27, est rabattue horizontalement au-dessus de la membrure supérieure 28 du pied de flèche 11, cette partie supérieure 21 conformée en tirant télescopique possédant alors une longueur réduite. Dans l'embiellage, les deux bielles 43 et 44 de la tringlerie ne sont plus alignées, mais elles forment un angle l'une avec l'autre.In the transport position of the crane, the counter-jib 14 is folded over the rear part of the jib foot 11, as illustrated by the solid line drawing of FIG. 5. The triangular lower part 20 of the counter-jib 14 , hinged about the horizontal axis 22, is then folded obliquely on the foot of arrow 11, its apex (axis 29) being located just above the upper chord 28 of the foot of arrow 11. The upper part 21 of the counter-boom 14, hinged about the horizontal axis 27, is folded horizontally above the upper chord 28 of the jib foot 11, this upper portion 21 formed by telescoping pulling then having a reduced length. In the linkage, the two rods 43 and 44 of the linkage are no longer aligned, but they form an angle with each other.

En se référant enfin à la figure 6, on décrira maintenant la séquence de dépliage de la contre-flèche 14, à partir de sa position repliée de transport précédemment définie, cette figure 6 montrant des positions successives du mât 4, de la flèche 10 et de la contre-flèche 14 au cours du montage de la grue.Referring finally to FIG. 6, the unfolding sequence of the counter-boom 14 will now be described from its previously defined folded transport position, this FIG. 6 showing successive positions of the mast 4, the arrow 10 and counter-boom 14 during assembly of the crane.

Initialement, en position repliée de transport, le mât 4 est replié à l'horizontale, ses deux éléments 5 et 6 étant superposés, et la flèche 10 est repliée horizontalement sur le mât 4, la contre-flèche 14 étant elle-même repliée sur l'arrière du pied de flèche 11, comme décrit précédemment. Le tirant arrière 19 est initialement sans "mou", ou du moins sans "mou" notable. (voir la position indiquée I).Initially, in the folded transport position, the mast 4 is folded horizontally, its two elements 5 and 6 being superimposed, and the arrow 10 is folded horizontally on the mast 4, the counter-boom 14 itself being folded on the back of the boom foot 11, as previously described. The rear tie 19 is initially without "soft", or at least without "soft" noticeable. (see the indicated position I).

Le dispositif de commande du dépliage-repliage du mât 4 est actionné, de façon connue, par alimentation de son vérin 17 dans le sens correspondant au dépliage du mât 4. A partir d'un certain état de dépliage du mât 4, le tirant arrière 19, qui passe sur une poulie 47 portée par le sommet du mât 4, s'écarte de ce mât 4 et se tend. Jusque là, la contre-flèche 14 reste entièrement repliée sur le pied de flèche 11. (Voir la position indiquée II)The device for controlling the folding-folding of the mast 4 is actuated, in a known manner, by feeding its jack 17 in the direction corresponding to the unfolding of the mast 4. From a certain unfolding state of the mast 4, the rear tie rod 19, which passes over a pulley 47 carried by the top of the mast 4, departs from the mast 4 and stretches. Until then, the counter-jib 14 remains fully folded over the jib foot 11. (See the indicated position II)

A partir de cette position, le dépliage du mât 4 se poursuivant, le tirant arrière 19 exerce une traction sur la pointe de la contre-flèche 14, et commence à faire pivoter la partie inférieure 20 de celle-ci autour de l'axe horizontal 22. La contre-flèche 14 est alors basculée vers l'arrière, par rotation de sa partie inférieure 20, et par rotation et télescopage simultanés de sa partie supérieure 21. Le mouvement de basculement de la contre-flèche 14 vers l'arrière passe par diverses positions intermédiaires (telles que la position indiquée III), et il se poursuit jusqu'à la butée de la partie supérieure 21 télescopique dans la position correspondant à la configuration de travail choisie de la grue, déterminée au départ par le positionnement de l'axe 34. (Voir la position indiquée IV)From this position, the unfolding of the mast 4 continuing, the rear tie 19 pulls on the tip of the counter-boom 14, and begins to rotate the lower portion 20 thereof about the horizontal axis 22. The counter-boom 14 is then tilted backwards, by rotation of its lower part 20, and by simultaneous rotation and telescoping of its upper part 21. The tilting movement of the counter-boom 14 towards the rear passes by various intermediate positions (such as the indicated position III), and it continues to the stop of the telescopic upper part 21 in the position corresponding to the chosen working configuration of the crane, determined initially by the positioning of the axis 34. (See the indicated position IV)

Entre la position entièrement repliée de la contre-flèche 14 (de la position I à la position II) et une position "légèrement inclinée vers l'avant" de cette contre-flèche 14 (position III), le dispositif motorisé 35 est inactif. Dès que la contre-flèche 14 dépasse la position "légèrement inclinée vers l'avant", le dispositif motorisé 35 est activé par l'alignement des deux bielles 43 et 44 de sa tringlerie, et il contrôle le mouvement de dépliage de la contre-flèche 14, en freinant ce mouvement, maintenant ainsi le tirant arrière 19 tendu.Between the fully folded position of the counter-boom 14 (from position I to position II) and a position "slightly inclined towards the front" of this counter-boom 14 (position III), the motorized device 35 is inactive. As soon as the counter-boom 14 exceeds the position "slightly inclined forward", the motorized device 35 is activated by the alignment of the two connecting rods 43 and 44 of its linkage, and it controls the unfolding movement of the counter- arrow 14, braking this movement, thus maintaining the rear tie 19 extended.

A partir de la position IV, la contre-flèche 14 ayant atteint sa position dépliée, le dépliage du mât 4 se poursuit jusqu'à l'alignement de ses deux éléments 5 et 6, et la flèche 10 est elle aussi entièrement dépliée, de manière à amener l'ensemble de la grue dans sa configuration de travail (figure 1).From the position IV, against the boom 14 having reached its unfolded position, the unfolding of the mast 4 continues until the alignment of its two elements 5 and 6, and the boom 10 is also fully unfolded, of to bring the entire crane into its working configuration (Figure 1).

En cours de démontage de la grue, à partir de cette configuration de travail, et jusqu'à la position IV où la flèche 10 vient en appui sur le mât 4, le dispositif motorisé 35 de repliage de la contre-flèche 14 est inactif. A partir de la position IV, ce dispositif motorisé 35 entre en action et il fait alors basculer la contre-flèche 14 vers l'avant, par rotation de sa partie inférieure 20 autour de l'axe 22, et par rotation et télescopage simultanés de sa partie supérieure 21.During disassembly of the crane, from this working configuration, and to the position IV where the boom 10 bears on the mast 4, the motorized device 35 for folding the counter-boom 14 is inactive. From the position IV, this motorized device 35 comes into action and it then tilts the against-arrow 14 forwards, by rotation of its lower part 20 about the axis 22, and by simultaneous rotation and telescoping of its upper part 21.

Dès que la contre-flèche 14 dépasse la position "légèrement inclinée vers l'avant" (position III), le dispositif motorisé 35 redevient inactif, à la suite du désalignement des deux bielles 43 et 44 de sa tringlerie. Sous l'effet de son propre poids, la contre-flèche 14 poursuit alors son mouvement de repliage, le tirant arrière 19 étant maintenu tendu jusqu'à la position III.As soon as the counter-boom 14 exceeds the position "slightly inclined forward" (position III), the motorized device 35 becomes inactive, following the misalignment of the two rods 43 and 44 of its linkage. Under the effect of its own weight, the counter-boom 14 then continues its folding movement, the rear tie 19 being held taut to position III.

Au-delà de l'exemple particulier illustré au dessin, l'invention peut s'appliquer à tout type de grue à tour à montage automatisé : grues à mât pliable, à mât télescopique, à mât pliable et télescopique ; grues à flèche télescopique, à flèche pliable "en accordéon", à flèche pliable "en escargot" ; le mât et la flèche pouvant être composés d'éléments plus ou moins nombreux, de toute section.Beyond the particular example illustrated in the drawing, the invention can be applied to any type of self-erecting tower crane: cranes with foldable mast, telescopic mast, foldable and telescopic mast; telescopic boom cranes with foldable "accordion" boom and foldable "snail" boom; the mast and the boom may be composed of more or less numerous elements, of any section.

L'on ne s'éloignerait pas du cadre de l'invention, telle que définie dans les revendications annexées :

  • en modifiant la forme et la structure de la contre-flèche ;
  • en modifiant en particulier la structure de la partie supérieure télescopique de la contre-flèche, pour obtenir des positions relevées différentes, et plus ou moins nombreuses, de la flèche ;
  • en modifiant les détails du dispositif motorisé de repliage et de contrôle de dépliage de la contre-flèche, par exemple en modifiant la configuration de son embiellage, ou en remplaçant le ressort à gaz par tout organe équivalent, tel qu'un ressort mécanique, ou un vérin mû par l'énergie électrique, hydraulique ou pneumatique.
One would not depart from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims:
  • by modifying the shape and structure of the counter-arrow;
  • by modifying in particular the structure of the telescopic upper part of the counter-boom, to obtain different, and more or less numerous, raised positions of the boom;
  • by modifying the details of the motorized folding and unfolding control device of the counter-boom, for example by modifying the configuration of its linkage, or by replacing the gas spring by any equivalent member, such as a mechanical spring, or a cylinder powered by electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic energy.

Claims (11)

  1. An auto-erection tower crane, having a tie-free jib (10) mounted at the summit of a mast (4) and extended in the working position, toward the rear of its connection point (9) to the summit of the mast (4), by a counter-jib (14) of substantially shorter length than that of the jib (10), the end (29) of the counter-jib (14) being connected, by a rear tie (19), to a bogie truck element (2) of the crane, characterized in that, for the transport of the crane, the counter-jib (14) is folded up in a vertical plane on the rear part (11) of the jib (10), the unfolding and folding-up of the counter-jib (14) being realized automatically, simultaneously with the automatic erection or dismantling of the crane.
  2. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the counter-jib (14) comprises a lower part (20), hinge-mounted about a horizontal axis (22) on the rear (23) end of the jib (10), and a telescopic upper part (21), hinge-mounted about a horizontal axis (27), situated above the previous axis (22), on the rear end of the jib (10), the respective rear ends of the lower part (20) and of the telescopic upper part (21) being hinge-connected one to the other on a horizontal axis (29), to which is attached the upper end of the rear tie (19).
  3. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the counter-jib (14) possesses a structure in the general shape of a trihedron, its lower part (20) being in the shape of an elongated isosceles triangle, hinge-connected by its base to the rear end (23) of the jib (10), and its upper part (21) being constituted by a telescopic tie, composed of an anterior element (25) hing-mounted on the rear end of the jib (10) and a posterior element (26) hinge-mounted on the summit of the triangular lower part (20) such as to form that point of the trihedron to which is attached the upper end of the rear tie (19).
  4. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that, in the case of a jib (10), at least the foot (11) of which is triangular in section, having two lower chords (24) and one upper chord (28):
    - the lower part (20) of the triangular counter-jib (14) is hinge-mounted by its base on the rear ends (23) of the two lower chords (24) of the jib foot (11).
    - the anterior element (25) of the telescopic tie, constituting the upper part (21) of the counter-jib (14), is hinge-mounted on the jib foot (11) at the level of the rear end of its upper chord (28), and
    - in folded-up transport position, the triangular lower part (20) is tilted down obliquely on the jib foot (11), its summit being situated on the upper chord (28) of the jib foot (11), whilst the upper part (21) constituted by the telescopic tie is tilted down horizontally on this upper chord (28).
  5. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the telescopic upper part (21) of the counter-jib (14) comprises means (30 to 34) for adjusting its telescoping travel, for preselection of the horizontal position or of more or less inclined positions of the jib (10), in the working configuration of the crane.
  6. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in the sum of claims 3 and 5, characterized in that said means for adjusting the telescoping travel comprise, on one of the elements (25) of the telescopic tie, a longitudinal slot (30) and, on the other element (26) of the telescopic tie, a plurality of adjusting holes (31, 32, 33) provided to receive a stop pin (34) cooperating with an end of the slot (30).
  7. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a motorized device (35) for folding up and controlling the unfolding of the counter-jib (14), the motorized device (35) being mounted between the rear part (11) of the jib (10) and a part (20) of the counter-jib (14).
  8. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the motorized (35) device for folding up and controlling the unfolding of the counter-jib (14) is composed of a gas spring (36) and a connecting rod assembly (40 to 46).
  9. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in the sum of claims 2 and 8, characterized in that:
    - the gas spring (36) is hinge-mounted by one end, about a horizontal axis (37), on an element (38) of the rear part (11) of the jib (10),
    - this gas spring (36) is hinge-mounted by its other end, about a horizontal axis (39), on one end of a three-point connecting rod (40),
    - the connecting rod is hinge-mounted at an intermediate point, about a horizontal axis (41), on an element (38) of the rear part (11) of the jib (10), and
    - a linkage (43, 44) connects the other end of the connecting rod (40) to the lower part (20) of the counter-jib (14).
  10. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the linkage is constituted by a short connecting rod (43) and a long connecting rod (44), mutually hinge-connected in traction along a horizontal axis (45), the short connecting rod (43) being hinge-connected about a horizontal axis (42) to said other end of the three-point connecting rod (40), whilst the long connecting rod (44) is articulated, about a horizontal axis (46), at an intermediate point of the length of the lower part (20) of the counter-jib (14).
  11. The tower crane with collapsible counter-jib as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that this crane is a crane with a fold-up mast (4), especially made up of two articulated elements (5,6), and wherein the unfolding and folding-up of the counter-jib (14) are realized simultaneously with the unfolding or folding-up of the mast (4) of the crane.
EP03356062A 2002-05-21 2003-04-10 Tower crane with foldable counter-jib Expired - Lifetime EP1364906B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0206170 2002-05-21
FR0206170A FR2839962B1 (en) 2002-05-21 2002-05-21 TOWER CRANE WITH FOLDING COUNTER

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1364906A1 EP1364906A1 (en) 2003-11-26
EP1364906B1 true EP1364906B1 (en) 2007-05-30

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EP03356062A Expired - Lifetime EP1364906B1 (en) 2002-05-21 2003-04-10 Tower crane with foldable counter-jib

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US (1) US7093730B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1364906B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2003341981A (en)
DE (1) DE60314047T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2286396T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2839962B1 (en)
RU (1) RU2003114922A (en)

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DE102006029714B4 (en) * 2005-08-01 2016-10-20 Liebherr-Werk Biberach Gmbh System for adjusting a jib of a crane
US7878348B2 (en) * 2007-10-09 2011-02-01 The United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Robotic-movement payload lifter and manipulator
KR100891469B1 (en) * 2007-11-05 2009-04-02 한국고벨주식회사 Articulating type electric jib crane
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WO2013116632A1 (en) 2012-02-02 2013-08-08 United States Of America, As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration Tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator and a hinge for use therein
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US10569415B2 (en) 2016-08-31 2020-02-25 United States Of America As Represented By The Administrator Of Nasa Tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1364906A1 (en) 2003-11-26
FR2839962A1 (en) 2003-11-28
RU2003114922A (en) 2004-11-27
FR2839962B1 (en) 2004-10-29
DE60314047T2 (en) 2008-01-31
US20030217985A1 (en) 2003-11-27
ES2286396T3 (en) 2007-12-01
JP2003341981A (en) 2003-12-03
DE60314047D1 (en) 2007-07-12
US7093730B2 (en) 2006-08-22

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