FR2527193A2 - Rail frame for handling loads - has open frame with dimensions varied as required to suit - Google Patents

Abstract

The support beam has an open frame with movable sections (3-6) which can be folded or slid away, or taken off to reduce external dimensions. The wheels (11-14), steering, drawbar and drive can operate once the beam is adjusted to a given size. At least three of the wheels are steerable, and one of these is positioned for size adjustment. The removable parts may be replaced by others, of different lengths, to adapt the dimensions of the assembly to exact requirements, possibly telescopically (28,29).

Description

Compared to conventional cranes, gantries offer serious advantages in the field of handling.
- They straddle the load thus ensuring great stability therefore great safety.

 - They do not work in overhang, hence a light and economical construction.

 - Some can move on unprepared ground (without rails or ballast).

 On the other hand, often self-propelled cranes; can go from one site to another on their own.

 Large gantry cranes move on rails or are stationary.

The importance and the complexity of their dismantling obligatorily integrate them into the site.

 Smaller gantry cranes can be used in addition to larger ones, or on smaller construction sites. In the operation of these sites, the "handling" position does not always require the use of a full-time gantry crane, and this should be able to share its services between several other sites. Unfortunately, the size of these gantries practically prevents them from moving off-site, and their dismantling would require the intervention of specialists and would employ significant handling means.

 The present invention provides a solution to this state of affairs, by bringing the external dimensions of the gantry in accordance with those of the transport jigs, which can be road, rail, maritime or others. The following description relates to a gantry described and covered by patent No. 8106056.

 FIG. 1 shows the gantry crane in the "handling" configuration in an elevation view. The lifting cylinders 3, 4, 5, 6 are housed inside the uprights of the arches 1 and 2. Each upright is articulated on a spar 9 or 10 by means of axes 15 and 16 for the front, 17 and 18 for the rear.

 This rotation is counteracted by the action of the removable pins 19 and 20 for the front and 21 and 22 for the rear. Note on this figure the front wheels: 11 and 13 ensuring the direction of the machine, and the rear wheels: 12 and 14 of which only the wheel 12 located on the left is steerable independently of two other wheels il and 13.

 FIG. 2 is a piano view drawn up in accordance with FIG. 1.

The beams 24 and 25 serve as spacers and their end flanges 26 are bolted to corresponding flanges 27 integral with the uprights of the arches.

 It is noted that each side member 9 and 10 is in two parts, sliding one inside the other, the extreme positions being locked by the pins 28 and 29.

 Figure 3 is an end view corresponding to Figures 1 and 2. The pedals 7 (front) and 8 (rear) appear. They are supported on the cylinders and lift the load. Their central part is removable in the same way as the beams 24 and 25.

 Figure 4 shows the first phase of the layout: the pins 19, 20, 21, 22 have been removed, and the arches 1 and 2 have been tilted on the side members 9 and 10 to the horizontal. The length of the gantry was also shortened. FIG. 5 represents the apparatus in the state of FIG. 4 in predisposition for the next jigging operation in order to reduce its width. To do this, two sliding crosspieces 23 are fitted between the side members. These crosspieces will ensure the stability of the right and left parts of the gantry when 24, 25 and 7, 8 have been removed, and the retraction movement has not been fully ensured. This movement is controlled by the wheels 11 and 12 which have taken U / 4 transverse orientation (in the direction of the movement). The beams 24 and 25 have fallen as well as the central part of the lifting beams 7, 8. Now, the setting in width can be enforced.

 Sur.la Figure 6, the flanges 27 have been rebutted together, which provides the gantry very good rigidity in this road configuration.

 It should be noted that in this coTlfiPrlrntinn. If the gantry crane must: travel by road, it can either be loaded on a road platform, or be towed, or autonomous if it is self-propelled.

 The resetting to "gantry handling" configuration is done in the same way as its layout, but in reverse order.

 This description relates to an exemplary embodiment. Others, using the same principle, may present variants, as in assemblies (these are not part of the protection) without departing from the field of protection.

Claims (5)

1 - Gantry according to claim 1 of the patent, in which the open frame comprises movable elements which can be folded or dismantled or slide, in order to reduce the external dimensions of the gantry to a road, rail, maritime or other gauge. 2 - Gantry crane according to claim 1 of the addition, in which the translation members (wheels, steering, drawbar, possible motorization) keep all their functions once the gantry crane is reduced to any size. 3 - Gantry according to claim 2 of the addition in which at least 3 wheels are steered, including one specially oriented for the maneuvers of the template. 4 - Gantry according to claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the removable parts allowing the setting to the transverse template, can be replaced by others, of different lengths, in order to adapt the interior width of the gantry to specific needs. 5 - Gantry according to claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the length of the gantry can be changed by telescoping horizontal beams to adapt the length of the gantry to specific needs.