EP3700853A1

EP3700853A1 - Outrigger assembly and vehicle, such as a mobile crane, comprising the outrigger assembly

Info

Publication number: EP3700853A1
Application number: EP18814706.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Leonardus Franciscus Johannes SPIERINGS; Bas FREDERIKS
Original assignee: Spierings Group BV
Current assignee: Spierings Group BV
Priority date: 2017-10-23
Filing date: 2018-10-22
Publication date: 2020-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-22
Also published as: JP2021500285A; WO2019083357A1; CN111542486B; CN111542486A; NL2019784B1; KR20200071121A; EP3700853B1; EP3700853C0; JP7234245B2

Abstract

An outrigger assembly (10) for supporting a vehicle comprises an outrigger frame (100); an outrigger beam, the outrigger beam (200) being movable along a horizontal extension direction with respect to the outrigger frame; and an outrigger support (300) coupled to the distal end of the outrigger beam for supporting the outrigger assembly on a supporting surface. In the extended position of the outrigger beam and the supporting position of the outrigger support, a first and second balancing torque act on the outrigger beam. The first torque is determined by a first vertical force acting upwards on the distal end (202) of the outrigger beam and a second vertical force acts downwards on the proximal end (201), with a first horizontal distance in between. The second torque is determined by a first horizontal force acting outwards on an upper part of the proximal end of the outrigger beam, and a second horizontal force acting inwards on a lower part of the proximal end, with a vertical distance in between.

Description

Outrigger Assembly and Vehicle, such as a Mobile Crane, comprising the Outrigger

Assembly

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[ 01 ] The invention relates to an outrigger assembly comprising an outrigger frame and an outrigger beam movable in a horizontal extension direction with respect to the outrigger frame in between a retracted position and an extended position. The outrigger beam is located inside the outrigger frame in the retracted position and is extended from the outrigger frame in the extended position. The outrigger beam has a proximal end and a distal end with respect to the outrigger frame in the extended position of the outrigger beam. The outrigger assembly further comprises an outrigger support coupled to the distal end of the outrigger beam to allow supporting the outrigger assembly in a supporting position of the outrigger support on a supporting surface in the extended position of the outrigger beam . The invention further relates to any vehicle, such as a mobile crane, provided with such an outrigger assembly with horizontally extendable outrigger beams.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[ 02 ] Mobile cranes and other vehicles having an outrigger assembly are generally known. The outrigger beams are extended from the outrigger frame and the vehicle, and the outrigger supports are lowered onto the ground at a location where a heavy load is to be handled. The extended outrigger beams provide a much higher stability to the mobile crane and higher loads can be handled with increasing width of the extended outrigger assembly. The width of the extended outrigger assembly is determined by the length of the outrigger beams, while the length of the outrigger beams is limited by the width of the vehicle in which the outrigger beams are housed in their retracted position. Present vehicles with outrigger assemblies, especially mobile cranes, have reached the limit of the maximum width of the extended outrigger assembly that can be achieved. A further increased width, however, would increase stability or the maximum load or load moment (load at a certain radius) that can be handled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[ 03 ] It is an objective of the invention to provide an outrigger support having an increased width for a given width of the outrigger frame, and thus of the vehicle incorporating the outrigger assembly.

[ 04 ] It is another or alternative objective of the invention to provide an outrigger support of which an outrigger beam can be extended to multiple positions for supporting a vehicle.

[ 05 ] It is yet another or alternative objective of the invention to provide an outrigger assembly providing efficient and secure extension of an outrigger beam.

[ 06 ] At least one of the above objectives is achieved by an outrigger assembly for supporting a vehicle on a supporting surface, the outrigger assembly comprising

- an outrigger frame;

- an outrigger beam,

the outrigger beam being movable along a horizontal extension direction with respect to the outrigger frame in between a retracted position, in which the outrigger beam is located within the outrigger frame, and an extended position, in which the outrigger beam is extended from the outrigger frame, and

the outrigger beam having a proximal end and a distal end with respect to the outrigger frame in the extended position of the outrigger beam; and

- an outrigger support coupled to the distal end of the outrigger beam to allow supporting the outrigger assembly on the supporting surface in a supporting position of the outrigger support,

the outrigger assembly being configured such that, in the extended position of the outrigger beam and the supporting position of the outrigger support,

- a first torque acts on the outrigger beam, the first torque being determined by a first vertical force acting upwards at a first location on the distal end of the outrigger beam and a second vertical force acting downwards at a second location on the outrigger beam, the second location being separated from the first location by a first horizontal distance towards the proximal end of the outrigger beam, the first and second vertical forces acting as a result of the outrigger beam being supported by the outrigger support and the frame being supported by the outrigger beam, respectively, and

- a second torque acts on the outrigger beam to balance the first torque, the second torque being determined by interaction between the outrigger frame and the outrigger beam, wherein the second torque is at least substantially determined by a first horizontal force acting outwards at a third location on the outrigger beam with respect to the outrigger frame and a second horizontal force acting inwards at a fourth location on the outrigger beam with respect to the outrigger frame, the fourth location being separated from the third location by a first vertical distance in a downward direction.

Having the second torque being determined by horizontal forces provides that the outrigger beam can be extended further from the outrigger frame to allow an increased width of the outrigger assembly in the extended position. The (first and second) horizontal forces are to be understood as at least substantially horizontal forces. Additionally a vertical force component may be present, which could be due to practical implementation reasons. According to the invention the second torque is determined, or at least substantially determined, by substantially horizontal forces. To balance is to be understood as that the second torque, at least substantially, counteracts or neutralizes the first torque. Further, the distal en proximal ends are to be understood as distal and proximal end regions, and are not limited to the extreme ends only.

[ 07 ] In an embodiment the second and third locations are at the proximal end of the outrigger beam, optionally at the extreme end of the proximal end. [ 08 ] In an embodiment the second and third locations are coinciding locations.

[ 09 ] In an embodiment the outrigger beam is movable along the extension direction to a first semi-extended position in between the retracted position and the extended position , the outrigger assembly being configured such that, in the first semi-extended position of the outrigger beam and the supporting position of the outrigger support,

- a third torque acts on the outrigger beam, the third torque being determined by a third vertical force acting upwards at the first location on the distal end of the outrigger beam and a fourth vertical force acting downwards at a fifth location on the outrigger beam, the fifth location being separated from the first location by a second horizontal distance smaller then the first horizontal distance towards the proximal end of the outrigger beam, the third and fourth vertical forces acting as a result of the outrigger beam being supported by the outrigger support and the frame being supported by the outrigger beam, respectively, and

- a fourth torque acts on the outrigger beam to balance the third torque, the fourth torque being determined by interaction between the outrigger frame and the outrigger beam, wherein the fourth torque is at least substantially determined by a third horizontal force acting outwards at a sixth location on the outrigger beam with respect to the outrigger frame and a fourth horizontal force acting inwards at a seventh location on the outrigger beam with respect to the outrigger frame, the seventh location being separated from the sixth location by a second vertical distance in a downward direction.

This efficiently provides for an additional position of the outrigger beam. Again, the (third and fourth) horizontal forces are to be understood as at least substantially horizontal forces, and the fourth torque is again to be understood as being determined, or at least substantially determined, by substantially horizontal forces. Additionally a vertical force component may be present, which could be due to practical implementation reasons. According to the invention the fourth torque is predominantly determined by substantially horizontal forces. To balance is to be understood as that the fourth torque, at least substantially, counteracts or neutralizes the third torque.

[ 10 ] In an embodiment the fifth and sixth locations are coinciding locations.

[ 11 ] In an embodiment the fourth and seventh locations are coinciding locations.

[ 12 ] In an embodiment the outrigger beam is movable along the extension direction to a second semi-extended position in between the retracted position and the extended position,

the outrigger assembly being configured such that, in the second semi-extended position of the outrigger beam and the supporting position of the outrigger support,

- a fifth torque acts on the outrigger beam, the fifth torque being determined by a fifth vertical force acting upwards at the first location on the distal end of the outrigger beam and a sixth vertical force acting downwards at an eighth location on the outrigger beam, the eighth location being separated from the first location by a third horizontal distance smaller then the first horizontal distance towards the proximal end of the outrigger beam, the fifth and sixth vertical forces acting as a result of the outrigger beam being supported by the outrigger support and the frame being supported by the outrigger beam, respectively, and

- a sixth torque acts on the outrigger beam to balance the fifth torque, the sixth torque being determined by interaction between the outrigger frame and the outrigger beam,

wherein the sixth torque is determined by a seventh vertical force acting downwards at a ninth location on the outrigger beam and an eighth vertical force acting upwards at a tenth location on the outrigger beam, the tenth location being separated from the ninth location by a fourth horizontal distance towards the proximal end of the outrigger beam.

This efficiently provides for yet another additional position of the outrigger beam.

[ 13 ] In an embodiment the second semi-extended position is in between the retracted position and the first semi-extended position, and the third horizontal distance is smaller then the second horizontal distance.

[ 14 ] In an embodiment the outrigger frame comprises a movable cam that is movable into a first or a second recess, respectively, corresponding with the second and the third location or the fifth and sixth location, respectively, such as to allow the second vertical force and first horizontal force or to allow the fourth vertical force and the third horizontal force, respectively, to act on the outrigger beam in the extended position or the first semi-extended position, respectively, of the outrigger beam, optionally the movable cam being a rotatable cam, optionally the movable cam being operable by a cam actuator, optionally an actuation cylinder, optionally a pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical or manual controlled actuation cylinder, optionally the first or second recess being provided in an upper surface of the outrigger beam, which provides a very fast and secure locking of the outrigger beam and transfer of outward horizontal and downward vertical forces onto the outrigger beam.

[ 15 ] In an embodiment the outrigger frame comprises a movable cam that is movable into a first recesses corresponding with the second and the third location such as to allow the second vertical force and first horizontal force to act on the outrigger beam in the extended position of the outrigger beam, and movable into a second recesses corresponding with the fifth and the sixth location such as to allow the fourth vertical force and the third horizontal force to act on the outrigger beam in the first semi-extended position of the outrigger beam, optionally the movable cam being a rotatable cam, optionally the movable cam being operable by a cam actuator, optionally an actuation cylinder, optionally a pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical or manual controlled actuation cylinder, optionally the first and second recesses being provided in an upper surface of the outrigger beam, which also provides a very fast and secure locking of the outrigger beam and transfer of outward horizontal and downward vertical forces onto the outrigger beam.

[ 16 ] In an embodiment the outrigger assembly comprises a slider element having first and second ends, the first end cooperating with the outrigger beam and the second end cooperating with the outrigger frame to allow extending the outrigger beam from the outrigger frame and to allow the second horizontal force to act on the outrigger beam in the extended position of the outrigger beam, optionally the first end of the slider element being slidably coupled to the outrigger beam to allow moving of the slider element with respect to the outrigger beam, which provides for a secure transfer of horizontal inward forces onto the outrigger beam.

[ 17 ] In an embodiment the outrigger frame comprises a first stop, the second end of the slider element is slidable with respect to the outrigger frame upon extension of the outrigger beam from the outrigger frame, and the second end cooperates with the first stop to allow the second horizontal force to act on the outrigger beam in the extended position of the outrigger beam.

[ 18 ] In an embodiment the first end of the slider element cooperates with the outrigger beam and the second end cooperates with the outrigger frame to allow extending the outrigger beam from the outrigger frame and to allow the fourth horizontal force to act on the outrigger beam in the first semi-extended position of the outrigger beam, the outrigger frame comprises a second stop, and the second end of the slider element cooperates with the second stop to allow the fourth horizontal force to act on the outrigger beam in the first semi-extended position of the outrigger beam.

[ 19 ] In an embodiment the first end of the slider element is slidably coupled to the outrigger beam to allow moving of the slider element with respect to the outrigger beam in between a first slider element position, in which the second end of the slider element is held by the outrigger beam, and a second slider element position, in which the second end is allowed to slide with respect to the outrigger frame, which allows that the slider element is housed within the outrigger beam to not take additional with in the retracted position and to allow cooperation with multiple stops on the outrigger frame.

[ 20 ] In an embodiment the outrigger assembly comprises first and second outrigger beam actuators operable for moving the outrigger beam and the outrigger frame with respect to one another, and for moving the slider element and the outrigger beam with respect to one another.

[ 21 ] In an embodiment the outrigger assembly is configured such that the first outrigger beam actuator is operable to allow moving the outrigger beam together with the second outrigger beam actuator and the slider element with respect to the outrigger frame, and the second actuator is operable to allow moving the outrigger beam with respect to the slider element and the outrigger frame.

[ 22 ] In an embodiment the first outrigger beam actuator comprises a first outrigger actuation cylinder having a first cylinder part and a first piston part movable with respect to the first cylinder part and coupled to the outrigger frame, the second outrigger beam actuator comprises a second outrigger actuation cylinder having a second cylinder part and a second piston part movable with respect to the second cylinder part and couple to the outrigger beam, and the first and second cylinder parts and the first end of the slider element fixedly coupled to one another.

[ 23 ] In another aspect the invention provides for a vehicle comprising an outrigger assembly as referred to above.

[ 24 ] In an embodiment the vehicle is a mobile crane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[ 25 ] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the invention by way of non-limiting and non-exclusive embodiments. These embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection. The person skilled in the art will realize that other alternatives and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice without departing from the scope of the invention. Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like or same reference symbols denote like, same or corresponding parts, and in which

Figure 1 shows a side view of an outrigger assembly of the prior art;

Figure 2 shows a mobile crane having an outrigger assembly according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an outrigger assembly according to the invention;

Figures 4A to 4D show side views of the outrigger assembly of figure 3 with a single outrigger beam shown in cross-section from the retracted position in figure 4A through intermediate positions in figures 4B and 4C to the extended position with the outrigger support in the supporting position on a supporting surface in figure 4D;

Figures 5A to 5C show side views of the outrigger assembly of figure 3 with a single outrigger beam shown in cross-section from the retracted position in figure 5A through an intermediate positions in figures 5B to the first semi-extended position with the outrigger support in the supporting position on a supporting surface in figure 5C; and

Figure 6A and 6B show side views of the outrigger assembly of figure 3 with a single outrigger beam shown in cross-section from the retracted position in figure 6A to the second semi-extended position with the outrigger support in the supporting position on a supporting surface in figure 6B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[ 26 ] Figure 2 shows a mobile crane in a position for operating the crane part. The outrigger beams 200 of the outrigger assemblies 10 are extended from the outrigger frame 100 that is part of the mobile crane, and the outrigger supports 300 are put in a supporting position on the supporting surface S, which may be road surface but can be any other generally horizontal surface. The outrigger support in the extended position provides stability to the crane so as to allow manipulating heavy loads. Figure 3 shows an outrigger assembly 10 according to the invention in more detail, with both outrigger beams 200 in the extended position and the outrigger supports 300 in the supporting position to support the outrigger beams on the supporting surface S.

[ 27 ] Figures 4A to 4D show four stages to provide the outrigger beam 200 from the retracted position P4 of figure 4A, in which the outrigger beam is located within the outrigger frame 100, to the extended position P1 of figure 4D, in which the outrigger beam is fully extended from the outrigger frame. Figures 4B and 4C show intermediate positions of the outrigger beam 200 when moving along the horizontal extension direction E with respect to the outrigger frame 100 to the extended position of figure 4D. The outrigger beam is movable by operating the outrigger beam actuators 150, 160.

[ 28 ] The outrigger frame 100 comprises a movable cam 400 that is moved into the recess 21 1 provided in the top side surface of the outrigger beam in the fully extended position P1 shown in figure 4D. The cam is rotatable around a rotation axis 410 and can be rotated into and out of the recess 21 1 by a cam actuator 450 in the embodiment shown, but can also be moved in any other suitable manner into and out of the recess. The cam actuator 450 is a pneumatic controlled actuation cylinder in the embodiment shown, but can be any other suitable actuator such as, for instance, a hydraulic, manual or electrical controlled actuation cylinder. At its bottom side the outrigger beam is coupled to the outrigger frame through a slider element 500. The slider element, in the form of a slider rod in the embodiment shown, has first and second ends 501 , 502. The first end 501 of the slider element is held in an elongated slot 250 in the bottom region of the outrigger beam 200 by a projection of the slider element extending into the slot. The projection at the first end 501 of the slider element can slide along the slot between first and second slot ends 251 , 252. Figure 4D of the extended position of the outrigger beam shows that the projection at the first end 501 of the slider element cooperates with the first slot end 251 . A projection at the second end 502 of the slider element 500 cooperates with a first stop 1 1 1 in the bottom region of the outrigger frame 100.

[ 29 ] The outrigger support 300 is in its support position SP in the extended position P1 of the outrigger beam of figure 4D. In the support position the footplate 310 of the outrigger support has been lowered onto the supporting surface S by operating the actuation cylinder 320 of the outrigger support. Figures 4A to 4C show the footplate 310 of the outrigger support 300 in a raised position, which enables moving the outrigger beam in and out in between the retracted position P4 of figure 4A and the extended position P1 of figure 4D. The outrigger support 300 is coupled to the distal end 202 of the outrigger beam 200, while the outrigger beam at its proximal end 201 is coupled to the outrigger frame 100. The proximal and distal ends 201 , 202 of the outrigger beam are defined with respect to the outrigger frame. In the extended position the distal end 202 of the outrigger beam 200 is positioned away from the outrigger frame, while the proximal end 201 is positioned close to the outrigger frame. The proximal and distal ends are each intended to indicate a zone at the ends and not to indicate the extreme end.

[ 30 ] In the extended position of the outrigger beam 100 of figure 4D the outrigger support 300 supports, together with the other outrigger support(s) coupled to the other outrigger beam(s), the weight of the vehicle, such as a mobile crane, of which it is a part, and its load and load moment. The outrigger support 300 causes a first vertical force Fv1 acting upwards at a first location L1 on the distal end 202 of the outrigger beam. The outrigger frame is supported on the outrigger beam through the cam 400 that is inserted into the first recess 21 1 , which causes a second vertical force Fv2 acting downwards at a second location L2 on the outrigger beam. The second location L2 is separated from the first location L1 by a first horizontal distance Dh1 towards the proximal end of the outrigger beam. In the embodiment shown, the second location L2 is near the extreme end of the proximal end of the outrigger beam. Actually, the forces may be distributed over a zone, but can be regarded to act on a single location on the frame and are shown as such in the figures. The first and second vertical forces Fv1 , Fv2 separated by the first horizontal distance Dh1 cause a first torque to act on the outrigger beam.

[ 31 ] The first torque is balanced by a second torque determined by interaction between the outrigger frame and the outrigger beam through the cam 400 and slider element 500. The cam 400 coupled to the outrigger frame 100 and inserted into the first recess 21 1 causes a first horizontal force Fh1 acting outwards at a third location L3 on the outrigger beam. Actually, the second and third locations are the same, or virtually the same, as the second vertical force Fv2 and the first horizontal force Fh1 are both caused by the cam 400 acting on the outrigger beam. Generally, the second and third locations L2, L3 need not be the same. The slider element 500 by the projection at its first end 501 inserted into the slot 250 and cooperating with the first slot end 251 causes a second horizontal force Fh2 acting inwards at a fourth location L4 on the outrigger beam next to the first slot end 251 . The horizontal forces are defined as outward or inward with respect to the outrigger frame, an outward direction being directed away from the outrigger frame and an inward direction being directed to the inside of the outrigger frame. The second horizontal force Fh2 can be exerted by the slider element since its second end 502 cooperates with the first stop 1 1 1 on the outrigger frame 100. The fourth location L4 is separated from the third location L3 by a first vertical distance Dv1 in a downward direction. The first and second horizontal forces Fh1 , Fh2 separated by the first vertical distance Dv1 cause the second torque to act on the outrigger beam. The slider element 500 also causes a minor downward vertical force component acting on the outrigger beam, which is due to the practical implementation of the embodiment shown. The same may be the case for providing the first horizontal force. However, these forces are substantially horizontal. Substantially the horizontal force components act to cause the second torque.

[ 32 ] Figure 1 shows an outrigger assembly of the prior art with the outrigger beam 200 in its extended position from the outrigger frame 100 and the outrigger support 300 in the support position on the supporting surface. In the prior art outrigger assembly a torque caused by vertical forces FvA and FvB acting on locations LA and LB, respectively, is balanced by another torque caused by vertical forces FvC and FvD acting on locations LB and LC, respectively. The locations La and LB are separated by a horizontal distance DhA, and the locations LB and LC are separated by a horizontal distance DhB. The torque by vertical forces FvA, FvB and horizontal distance DhA compares to the first torque by the first and second vertical forces Fv1 , Fv2 and first horizontal distance Dh1 , while the torque by vertical forces FvC, FcD and horizontal distance DhB is replaced by the second torque by the first and second horizontal forces Fh1 , Fh2 and first vertical distance Dv1 in the outrigger assembly according to the invention. The prior art outrigger assembly requires a considerable length of outrigger beam to remain inserted inside the outrigger frame to allow for the torque by vertical forces FvC and FvD and horizontal distance DhB, which is not required by the outrigger assembly according to the invention.

[ 33 ] Figures 5A to 5C show three stages to provide the outrigger beam 200 from the retracted position P4 of figure 5A, in which the outrigger beam is located within the outrigger frame 100, to a first semi-extended position P2 of figure 5C, in which the outrigger beam is partly extended from the outrigger frame. The first semi-extended position P2 is in between the retracted position P4 and the extended position P1 of figure 4D. Figure 5B shows an intermediate position of the outrigger beam 200 when moving along the horizontal extension direction E with respect to the outrigger frame 100 to the first semi-extended position of figure 5C.

[ 34 ] The outrigger support 300 is in the supporting position SP in the first semi-extended position P2 shown in figure 5C to support the outrigger assembly on the supporting surface S. The rotatable cam is further rotated to be inserted into the second recess 212 provided in the top side surface of the outrigger beam 200 in the first semi-extended position. At its bottom side the outrigger beam is again coupled to the outrigger frame through the slider element 500. The first end 501 of the slider element is held in the elongated slot 250 in the bottom region of the outrigger beam 200 by the projection of the slider element extending into the slot. Figure 5C of the first semi-extended position of the outrigger beam shows that the projection at the first end 501 of the slider element cooperates with the first slot end 251 . The projection at the second end 502 of the slider element 500 cooperates with a second stop 1 12 in the bottom region of the outrigger frame 100.

[ 35 ] In the first semi-extended position of the outrigger beam of figure 5C the outrigger support 300 supports the outrigger beam and outrigger frame. The outrigger support 300 causes a third vertical force Fv3 acting upwards at the first location L1 on the distal end 202 of the outrigger beam. The outrigger frame is again supported on the outrigger beam through the cam 400 that is now inserted into the second recess 212, which causes a fourth vertical force Fv4 acting downwards at a fifth location L5 on the outrigger beam. The fifth location L5 is separated from the first location L1 by a second horizontal distance Dh2 towards the proximal end 201 of the outrigger beam. The second horizontal distance Dh2 is smaller than the first horizontal distance Dh1 , and the second location L5 is at a horizontal position in between the first and second locations L1 , L2. The third and fourth vertical forces Fv3, Fv4 separated by the second horizontal distance Dh2 cause a third torque to act on the outrigger beam.

[ 36 ] The third torque is balanced by a fourth torque determined by interaction between the outrigger frame and the outrigger beam through again the cam 400 and slider element 500. The cam 400 coupled to the outrigger frame 100 and inserted into the second recess 212 causes a third horizontal force Fh3 acting outwards at a sixth location L6 on the outrigger beam. The fifth and sixth locations L5, L6 are the same, or virtually the same, as the fourth vertical force Fv4 and the third horizontal force Fh3 are both caused by the cam 400 acting on the outrigger beam. Generally, the fifth and sixth locations L5, L6 need not be the same. The slider element 500 by the projection at its first end 501 inserted into the slot 250 and cooperating with the first slot end 251 causes a fourth horizontal force Fh4 acting inwards at a seventh location L7 on the outrigger beam next to the first slot end 251 . Actually, the fourth and seventh locations L4, L7 are the same locations in the embodiment shown. The fourth horizontal force Fh4 can be caused by the slider element since its second end 502 cooperates with the second stop 1 12 on the outrigger frame 100. The seventh location L7 is separated from the sixth location L6 by a second vertical distance Dv2 in a downward direction. The first and second vertical distances Dv1 , Dv2 are the same in the embodiment shown. The third and fourth horizontal forces Fh3, Fh4 separated by the second vertical distance Dv2 cause the fourth torque to act on the outrigger beam. Again, as has been described for the extended position P1 , vertical force components might be present in addition to the horizontal forces. It is substantially the horizontal force components acting to cause the fourth torque.

[ 37 ] Figures 6A and 6B show two stages to provide the outrigger beam 200 from the retracted position P4 of figure 6A, in which the outrigger beam is located within the outrigger frame 100, to a second semi-extended position P3 of figure 6B, in which the outrigger beam is partly extended from the outrigger frame. No intermediate positions are shown. In the second semi-extended position of figure 6B the outrigger beam 200 extends less far from the outrigger frame 100 than in the first semi-extended position of figure 5C.

[ 38 ] The outrigger support 300 is in the supporting position SP in the second semi-extended position P3 shown in figure 6B to support the outrigger assembly on the supporting surface S. The outrigger support 300 causes a fifth vertical force Fv5 acting upwards at the first location L1 on the distal end 202 of the outrigger beam. The outrigger frame is in the second semi-extended position P3 directly supported on the outrigger beam at an eighth location L8 to cause a sixth vertical force Fv6 acting downwards at the eighth location L8 on the outrigger beam. The eighth location L8 is separated from the first location L1 by a third horizontal distance Dh3 towards the proximal end 201 of the outrigger beam. The third horizontal distance Dh3 is smaller than the first horizontal distance Dh1 , and the eighth location L8 is at a horizontal position in between the first and second locations L1 , L2. In the embodiment shown, the third horizontal distance Dh3 is also smaller thank the second horizontal distance Dh2, and the eighth location L8 is at a horizontal position in between the first and fifth locations L1 , L5. The fifth and sixth vertical forces Fv5, Fv6 separated by the third horizontal distance Dh3 cause a fifth torque to act on the outrigger beam.

[ 39 ] The fifth torque is balanced by a sixth torque determined by direct interaction between the outrigger frame and the outrigger beam. The outrigger frame causes a seventh vertical force Fv7 acting downwards at a ninth location L9 on the outrigger beam. The eighth and ninth locations L8, L9 are actually the same, or virtually the same, in the embodiment shown, as there is a limited contact area between the upper side of the outrigger beam and the outrigger frame. Generally, the eighth and ninth locations L8, L9 need not be the same. Further, the outrigger frame causes an eighth vertical force Fv8 acting upwards at a tenth location L10 on the outrigger beam. The tenth location L10 is separated from the eighth location L8 by a fourth horizontal distance Dh4 in a direction toward the proximal end 201 of the outrigger beam. The seventh and eighth vertical forces Fv7, Fv8 separated by the fourth horizontal distance Dh4 cause the sixth torque to act on the outrigger beam. Since, the sixth and seventh vertical forces Fv6, Fv7 act on (virtually) the same location L8, L9, they will add to a single vertical force Fv6+Fv7. However, still two torques act on the outrigger beam to balance one another.

[ 40 ] The outrigger assembly comprises first and second outrigger beam actuators 150, 160 operable for moving the outrigger beam 200 and the outrigger frame 100 with respect to one another, and for moving the slider element 500 and the outrigger beam 200 with respect to one another. The first outrigger beam actuator 150 operates to move the outrigger beam 200 together with the second outrigger beam actuator 160 and the slider element 500 with respect to the outrigger frame 100. The second actuator 160 operates to move the outrigger beam 200 with respect to the slider element 500 and the outrigger frame 100. In the embodiment shown the first outrigger beam actuator 150 comprises a first outrigger actuation cylinder having a first cylinder part 151 and a first piston part 152 movable with respect to the first cylinder part and coupled to the outrigger frame 100, and the second outrigger beam actuator 160 comprises a second outrigger actuation cylinder having a second cylinder part 161 and a second piston part 162 movable with respect to the second cylinder part and couple to the outrigger beam 200. The first and second cylinder parts 151 , 161 and the first end of the slider element are fixedly coupled to one another.

[ 41 ] In the retracted position P4 shown in figures 4A, 5A and 6A the slider element 500 is in a first slider element position SE1 , in which the second end 502 of the slider element is held by the outrigger beam 200. In the first slider element position SE1 the first end 501 of the slider element is at the second slot end 252 of the slot 250, while the second end 502 of the slider element 500 is kept in a slider element recess 260 at the extreme end of the proximal end of the outrigger beam 200. To arrive in the second semi- extended position P3, the first outrigger beam actuator 160 is operated to extend the first piston part 152 out of the first cylinder part 151 to move and extend the outrigger beam 200 out of the outrigger frame 100, while the slider element 500 is kept in the first slider element position SE1 , as is shown in figure 6B. The support foot 310 of the outrigger support 300 is then lowered onto the supporting surface S by operation of the support cylinder 320 to support the outrigger assembly on the supporting surface and to finally arrive in the position as shown in figure 6B. [ 42 ] To arrive in the first semi-extended position P2 of figure 5C, the second outrigger beam actuator 160 is operated to extend the second piston part 162 out of the second cylinder part 161 to move and extend the outrigger beam 200 out of the outrigger frame 100, as is shown for the intermediate position in figure 5B. In this action the slider element 500 does not move with respect to the outrigger frame 100 since the first end 501 of the slider element 500 is fixedly connected to the first and second cylinder parts 151 , 161 . Subsequently, the first outrigger beam actuator 150 is operated to extend the first piston part 152 out of the first cylinder part 151 to further move and extend the outrigger beam 200 out of the outrigger frame 100 to arrive in the outrigger beam position as is shown in figure 5C. Operation of the first and second outrigger beam actuators 150, 160 may also overlap to arrive in the first semi-extended position P2 of figure 5C. The second end 502 of the slider element 500 will slide over the outrigger frame 100 and end up abutting against the second stop 1 12 on the outrigger frame. When the first and second outrigger beam actuators 150, 160 have been operated to move the outrigger beam in a position corresponding to the first semi-extended position P2, the cam actuator 450 is operated to rotate the cam 400 around its rotation axis 410 to move the cam into the second recess 212 in the top side of the outrigger beam. The support foot 310 of the outrigger support 300 is then lowered onto the supporting surface S by operation of the support cylinder 320 to support the outrigger assembly on the supporting surface and to finally arrive in the position as shown in figure 5C.

[ 43 ] To arrive in the extended position P1 of figure 4D, the first outrigger beam actuator 160 is operated to extend the first piston part 152 out of the first cylinder part 151 to move and extend the outrigger beam 200 out of the outrigger frame 100, while the slider element 200 is kept in the first slider element position SE1 , as has been described earlier with respect to figure 6B. The second end 502 of the slider element should be at a horizontal position in between first and second stops 1 1 1 , 1 12 or, preferably, above the second stop 1 12, as shown in figure 4B, when the second outrigger beam actuator 160 is operated to extend the second piston part 162 out of the second cylinder part 161 to further move and extend the outrigger beam 200 out of the outrigger frame 100. In case only the second outrigger beam actuator 160 is operated from the intermediate position shown in figure 4B, one arrives at the intermediate position shown in figure 4C. In this action the slider element 500 does not move with respect to the outrigger frame 100 since the first end 501 of the slider element 500 is fixedly connected to the first and second cylinder parts 151 , 161 , as has been described earlier with respect to figure 5B. Subsequently, the first outrigger beam actuator 150 is operated to extend the first piston part 152 out of the first cylinder part 151 to further move and extend the outrigger beam 200 out of the outrigger frame 100 to arrive in the outrigger beam position as is shown in figure 4D. Operation of the first and second outrigger beam actuators 150, 160 may also overlap to arrive from the outrigger beam position of figure 4C into the outrigger beam position of figure 4D. This is equivalent to what has been described earlier with respect to figure 5C. The second end 502 of the slider element 500 will slide over the outrigger frame 100 and end up abutting against the first stop 1 1 1 on the outrigger frame. When the first and second outrigger beam actuators 150, 160 have been operated to move the outrigger beam in a position corresponding to the extended position P1 , the cam actuator 450 is operated to rotate the cam 400 around its rotation axis 410 to move the cam into the first recess 21 1 in the top side of the outrigger beam. The support foot 310 of the outrigger support 300 is then lowered onto the supporting surface S by operation of the support cylinder 320 to support the outrigger assembly on the supporting surface and to finally arrive in the position as shown in figure 4D.

[ 44 ] Retracting the outrigger beam 100 from the extended position P1 of figure 4D, or one of the first and second semi-extended positions P2, P3 of figures 5C and 6B, respectively, into the retracted position P4 of figures 4A, 5A and 6A requires an appropriate reversal of the above steps, which is apparent from the above description.

Claims

1. An outrigger assembly (10) for supporting a vehicle on a supporting surface (S), the outrigger assembly comprising

- an outrigger frame (100);

- an outrigger beam (200),

the outrigger beam being movable along a horizontal extension direction (E) with respect to the outrigger frame in between a retracted position (P4), in which the outrigger beam is located within the outrigger frame, and an extended position (P1), in which the outrigger beam is extended from the outrigger frame, and

the outrigger beam having a proximal end (201) and a distal end (202) with respect to the outrigger frame in the extended position of the outrigger beam ; and

- an outrigger support (300) coupled to the distal end of the outrigger beam to allow supporting the outrigger assembly on the supporting surface in a supporting position (SP) of the outrigger support,

- a first torque acts on the outrigger beam, the first torque being determined by a first vertical force (Fv1) acting upwards at a first location (L1) on the distal end of the outrigger beam and a second vertical force (Fv2) acting downwards at a second location (L2) on the outrigger beam, the second location being separated from the first location by a first horizontal distance (Dh1) towards the proximal end of the outrigger beam, the first and second vertical forces acting as a result of the outrigger beam being supported by the outrigger support and the outrigger frame being supported by the outrigger beam, respectively, and

- a second torque acts on the outrigger beam to balance the first torque, the second torque being determined by interaction between the outrigger frame and the outrigger beam, wherein the second torque is at least substantially determined by a first horizontal force (Fh1) acting outwards at a third location (L3) on the outrigger beam with respect to the outrigger frame and a second horizontal force (Fh2) acting inwards at a fourth location (L4) on the outrigger beam with respect to the outrigger frame, the fourth location being separated from the third location by a first vertical distance (Dv1) in a downward direction.

2. The outrigger assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the second and third locations are at the proximal end of the outrigger beam, optionally at the extreme end of the proximal end.

3. The outrigger assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second and third locations are coinciding locations.

4. The outrigger assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outrigger beam is movable along the extension direction (E) to a first semi- extended position (P2) in between the retracted position (P4) and the extended position (P1), the outrigger assembly being configured such that, in the first semi-extended position of the outrigger beam and the supporting position of the outrigger support,

- a third torque acts on the outrigger beam, the third torque being determined by a third vertical force (Fv3) acting upwards at the first location (L1) on the distal end of the outrigger beam and a fourth vertical force (Fv4) acting downwards at a fifth location (L5) on the outrigger beam, the fifth location being separated from the first location by a second horizontal distance (Dh2) smaller then the first horizontal distance (Dh1) towards the proximal end of the outrigger beam, the third and fourth vertical forces acting as a result of the outrigger beam being supported by the outrigger support and the outrigger frame being supported by the outrigger beam, respectively, and

- a fourth torque acts on the outrigger beam to balance the third torque, the fourth torque being determined by interaction between the outrigger frame and the outrigger beam, wherein the fourth torque is at least substantially determined by a third horizontal force (Fh3) acting outwards at a sixth location (L6) on the outrigger beam with respect to the outrigger frame and a fourth horizontal force (Fh4) acting inwards at a seventh location (L7) on the outrigger beam with respect to the outrigger frame, the seventh location being separated from the sixth location by a second vertical distance (Dv2) in a downward direction.

5. The outrigger assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the fifth and sixth locations (L5, L6) are coinciding locations.

6. The outrigger assembly according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the fourth and seventh locations (L4, L7) are coinciding locations.

7. The outrigger assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outrigger beam is movable along the extension direction (E) to a second semi- extended position (P3) in between the retracted position (P4) and the extended position (P1), the outrigger assembly being configured such that, in the second semi-extended position of the outrigger beam and the supporting position of the outrigger support,

- a fifth torque acts on the outrigger beam, the fifth torque being determined by a fifth vertical force (Fv5) acting upwards at the first location (L1) on the distal end of the outrigger beam and a sixth vertical force (Fv6) acting downwards at an eighth location (L8) on the outrigger beam, the eighth location being separated from the first location by a third horizontal distance (Dh3) smaller then the first horizontal distance (Dh1) towards the proximal end of the outrigger beam, the fifth and sixth vertical forces acting as a result of the outrigger beam being supported by the outrigger support and the outrigger frame being supported by the outrigger beam, respectively, and

wherein the sixth torque is determined by a seventh vertical force (Fv7) acting downwards at a ninth location (L9) on the outrigger beam and an eighth vertical force (Fv8) acting upwards at a tenth location (L10) on the outrigger beam, the tenth location being separated from the ninth location by a fourth horizontal distance (Dh4) towards the proximal end of the outrigger beam.

8. The outrigger assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the second semi-extended position (P3) is in between the retracted position (P4) and the first semi- extended position (P2), and the third horizontal distance (Dh3) is smaller then the second horizontal distance (Dh2).

9. The outrigger assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outrigger frame comprises a movable cam (400) that is movable into a first or a second recess (21 1 , 212), corresponding with the second and the third location (L2, L3) or the fifth and sixth location (L5, L6), respectively, such as to allow the second vertical force (Fv2) and the first horizontal force (Fh1) or to allow the fourth vertical force (Fv4) and the third horizontal force (Fh3), respectively, to act on the outrigger beam in the extended position (P1) or the first semi-extended position (P2), respectively, of the outrigger beam, optionally the movable cam being a rotatable cam, optionally the movable cam being operable by a cam actuator (450), optionally an actuation cylinder, optionally a pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical or manual controlled actuation cylinder, optionally the first or second recess being provided in an upper surface of the outrigger beam .

10. The outrigger assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outrigger frame comprises a movable cam (400) that is movable into a first recess (21 1) corresponding with the second and the third location (L2, L3) such as to allow the second vertical force (Fv2) and first horizontal force (Fh1 ) to act on the outrigger beam in the extended position (P1) of the outrigger beam, and movable into a second recesses (212) corresponding with the fifth and the sixth location (L5, L6) such as to allow the fourth vertical force (Fv4) and the third horizontal force (Fh3) to act on the outrigger beam in the first semi- extended position (P2) of the outrigger beam, optionally the movable cam being a rotatable cam, optionally the movable cam being operable by a cam actuator (450), optionally an actuation cylinder, optionally a pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical or manual controlled actuation cylinder, optionally the first and second recesses being provided in an upper surface of the outrigger beam.

11. The outrigger assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outrigger assembly comprises a slider element (500) having first and second ends (501 , 502), the first end (501 ) cooperating with the outrigger beam and the second end (502) cooperating with the outrigger frame to allow extending the outrigger beam from the outrigger frame and to allow the second horizontal force (Fh2) to act on the outrigger beam in the extended position (P1 ) of the outrigger beam, optionally the first end of the slider element being slidably coupled to the outrigger beam to allow moving of the slider element with respect to the outrigger beam.

12. The outrigger assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the outrigger frame comprises a first stop (1 1 1), the second end of the slider element is slidable with respect to the outrigger frame upon extension of the outrigger beam from the outrigger frame, and the second end cooperates with the first stop to allow the second horizontal force (Fh2) to act on the outrigger beam in the extended position (P1) of the outrigger beam.

13. The outrigger assembly according to the preceding claim as dependent on claim 4, wherein the first end (501) of the slider element cooperates with the outrigger beam and the second end (502) cooperates with the outrigger frame to allow extending the outrigger beam from the outrigger frame and to allow the fourth horizontal force (Fh4) to act on the outrigger beam in the first semi-extended position (P2) of the outrigger beam, the outrigger frame comprises a second stop (1 12), and the second end of the slider element cooperates with the second stop to allow the fourth horizontal force (Fh4) to act on the outrigger beam in the first semi-extended position (P2) of the outrigger beam.

14. The outrigger assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the first end of the slider element is slidably coupled to the outrigger beam to allow moving of the slider element with respect to the outrigger beam in between a first slider element position (SE1 ), in which the second end of the slider element is held by the outrigger beam, and a second slider element position (SE2), in which the second end is allowed to slide with respect to the outrigger frame.

15. The outrigger assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the outrigger assembly comprises first and second outrigger beam actuators (150, 160) operable for moving the outrigger beam and the outrigger frame with respect to one another, and for moving the slider element and the outrigger beam with respect to one another.

16. The outrigger assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the outrigger assembly is configured such that the first outrigger beam actuator (150) is operable to allow moving the outrigger beam together with the second outrigger beam actuator (160) and the slider element with respect to the outrigger frame, and the second actuator is operable to allow moving the outrigger beam with respect to the slider element and the outrigger frame.

17. The outrigger assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the first outrigger beam actuator (150) comprises a first outrigger actuation cylinder having a first cylinder part (151) and a first piston part (152) movable with respect to the first cylinder part and coupled to the outrigger frame, the second outrigger beam actuator (160) comprises a second outrigger actuation cylinder having a second cylinder part (161) and a second piston part (162) movable with respect to the second cylinder part and couple to the outrigger beam, and the first and second cylinder parts and the first end of the slider element fixedly coupled to one another.

18. A vehicle comprising an outrigger assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

19. The vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the vehicle is a mobile crane.