US3202299A

US3202299A - Mobile guy derrick and counter balancing crane

Info

Publication number: US3202299A
Application number: US296665A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mitchell A Decuir
Original assignee: T S DECUIR
Current assignee: T S DECUIR
Priority date: 1963-07-22
Filing date: 1963-07-22
Publication date: 1965-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-24
Also published as: GB1018695A

Description

Aug. 24, 1965 M. A. DECUIR 3,202,29

MOBILE GUY DERRICK AND COUNTER BALANCING CRANE Filed July 22, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet l M/ftfiV/ A. flefa/r INVENTOR.

Aug. 24, 1965 M. A. DECUIR 3,202,299

MOBILE GUY DERRICK AND COUNTER BALANCING CRANE Filed July 22., 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR.

Aug. 24, 1965 M. A. DECUIR 3,202,299

MOBILE GUY DERRICK AND COUNTER BALANCING CRANE Filed July 22, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,292,299 MOBILE GUY DERRKCK AND COUNTER BALANQNG CRANE Mitchell A. Decuir, Beaumont, Tex., assignor to T. S. Decuir, Geisrnar, La. Filed July 22, 1963, Ser. No. 296,665 Claims. ((31. 212 59) This invention relates to a combination mobile crane which is suitable for use in a plurality of ways to perform certain lifting operations. More particularly, the invention relates to a combination mobile crane which may be used as a counter balancing crane, or as a guy crane, or as a regular lifting crane.

There has long been a need for a mobile crane which could be used to lift exceptionally heavy weights, as for example 200 tons and more, or which could lift lighter weights to considerable heights, as for example 400 feet, and at the same time be quickly and easily placed in operation and taken out of operation.

The prior art shows many teachings of non-mobile guy derricks which are fixedly mounted over a pivot point and then operated by a bull wheel connected to a separate power source. Some of the great disadvantages of this type of guy derrick are that it is not mobile, it must be laboriously assembled and disassembled with each use, separate engines are required as a power source, a special crane or means must be used to set it up, large numbers of heavy guy lines are required, and the like.

The prior art also teaches the use of lifting cranes utilizing single booms, but their use is quite limited when the lifting of exceptionally heavy weights or great heights are contemplated since they. usually depend solely on a fixed counter weight.

Other prior art shows the use of two booms, but their arrangement is not in accordance with the teachings of the invention herein, with the result that the prior art does not teach the invention herein.

United States patents which are generally illustrative of the prior art include:

Berger, 1,798,397, issued March 31, 1931;.Euga, 1,822,- 695, Sept. 8, 1931; Lunt et al., 1,949,750, March 6, 1934; Decuir, 2,443,306, June 15, 1948; Davidson et al., 2,609, 939, Sept. 9, 1952.

One of the objectives of this invention is to provide a mobile combination crane which can be used as a guy crane, as a counter balancing crane, or as a regular lifting crane.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a mobile crane which can be used to lift exceptionally heavy loads and/ or which can be used to lift weights to exceptionally great heights.

A further object is to provide a mobile guy crane which can quickly and easily be placed in operation and which has a self-contained power source for the operation of the crane and which requires a minimum number of guy lines.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a crane which acts as a counter balance to permit the lifting of exceptionally heavy weights.

These and other objectives will be evident by reference to the description herein and the accompanying drawings.

Briefly stated, the invention is a mobile crane having a platform or cab mounted for horizontal rotation on mobile support means such as a crawler tractor or a truck. An upright mast is pivotally mounted on the platform or cab and is adapted to rotate with the platform or cab and to pivotally move through a vertical arc. Means are provided on the cab for moving the mast through the vertical arc.

A boom is pivotally mounted adjacent to the lower end of the mast for raising and lowering through a second vertical arc and for rotation with the platform and the mast.

3,21, 2,29? Patented Aug". 24, 1965 The term pivotally mounted adjacent to the lower end of the mast is used to mean that the boom may be pivotally attached to the lower end of the mast or the boom may be separately and pivotally mounted on the platform, but in either event, the boom still rotates with the platform and the mast when the platform is rotated horizontally.

Means are secured to upper portion of the mast'for elevating and lowering of the boom, which movement may be independent of the movement of the mast.

Means are also secured to the upper portion of the boom for attaching to and lifting a load which is to be supported or lifted.

The cab or platform has a self-contained power means which supplies the power for raising and lowering the mast and boom, for lifting the load, and for rotating the platform of cab on the mobile support means. In some instances, the power means may also be adapted to provide locomotion to the mobile support means.

The invention is illustrated by the drawings wherein the same numerals refer to corresponding parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation View of the crane of this invention showing its use as a counter balancing crane.

FIG. 2 is aside elevation view of the crane of this in vention being used as'a guy crane.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view partially broken away showing the lower portions of the crane with the mast being used as a counter balancing crane as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of the upper portion of the mast when the crane is being used as a guy crane as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation View of the upper portion of the boom shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.v

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the crane of this inti on wherein the boom has been removed and the mast is used as an ordinary lifting crane.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the crane of this invention wherein the mast has been removed and the boom is used as an ordinary lifting crane.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is generally shown the mobile crane of this invention used as a counter balancing crane with a platform or cab 11 mounted for horizontal rotation on mobile support means conveniently shown in the form of crawler 12. Pivotally mounted on cab 11 for rotation therewith are mast 13 and boom 14.

Mast 13 is raised, lowered, and otherwise moved through a vertical are by operation of topping lift 17, the lower portion of which is connected to a gantry indicated generally by numeral 16. The upper portion of, topping lift 17 is secured to mast pennant cable 18 secure at its upper end to the top of mast 13.

Boom 14 is raised, and lowered through a vertical are by operation of topping lift 19.

Means for supporting and lifting the load is attached to the upper portion of boom 14 in the form of fall 21? which supports traveling block 21 and hook 22. 1

When exceptionally heavy loads are to belifted additional weight may be suspended from mast 13, such as supplemental weight 23 supported by cable 24. In this case weight 23 would be raised a small distance above the ground surface so that Weight 23 would swing freely during rotation of cab 11.

Reference to FIG. 3 will show certain elements of the crane in greater detail. Mast 13 is pivotally mounted on cab 11 by mast pin 26. The lower portion of mast 13 is provided with a projection or lug27 to which boom 14 is hinged by means of hinge pin 28. The load is supported or lifted by the operation of load line 29 being passed over load drum 31 connected to a power source (not shown) mounted in cab 11.

As explained above, mast 13 is raised and lowered through a vertical are by operation of topping lift 17.

arms 32 so that they may pivot thereon'during operation of the crane. Straps 35 are connected at their upper ends by horizontal rod 41 on which sheaves 36 are mounted for rotation,- Which sheaves form a part of topping lift 17. The upper .portion of topping lift 17 is formed by sheave 38 mounted in a pair of straps 37, the, upper portions of which are connected to the top of mast '13 by mast pennant cable 18, as shown in FIGS. 3 and l.

Mast 13 is caused to be raised, lowered and otherwise moved through-a vertical are by operation of mast line 39 passing over sheaves 36 and 38 and being wound on and off of mast drum 4t), connected to a power means (not shown) mounted in cab 11.

It' is to be understood that many other gantry means are known to the art and may be used in this invention. For example, topping lift 17 could be mounted below gantry arm 32 and attached to the back .of cab 11 and still operate successfully.

' Means for raising and'lowering boom 14 through another vertical arc is attached to the top mast 13 and takes the form of topping lift 19 as shown in FIG. 1,

which is operated by means of boom line 51 being wound on and oft of boom drum 52, connected to a power means (not shown) mounted in cab 11.

It will be observed that cab 11, during rotationina I horizontal plane, will have a center of rotation indicated by perpendicular dotted line 53-53 passing therethrough. i

The top portion of boom 14, as best seen in FIG. 5, is formed with hammer head boom tip 54 having

sheaves

55 and 56, mounted therein. by a lower block having a pair of link arms 57 secured at one end to hammer head boom tip 54 and the other end to sheave 58. The load-is movably attached by hook 22 secured to traveling block 21, and raised and lowered.

by fall 20, which is operated by load line 29 passing over sheaves'SS and 56 and over load drum 31.

The details of the upper portion of topping lift 19 are best shown in FIG. 4, wherein an'upper block is formed by a pair of link arms 66, secured at one end to mast 13 and the other end to sheave. 67.

The upper portion of mast 13 is also provided with

sheaves

68 and 69 over which boom line 51 passes to operate topping lift 19, and thereby raise and lower boom 14 independent of the movement of mast 13 as shown in FIG. 4. Thus by operation of boom drum 52, boom line 51 is caused to wind on and off,'thus pivotally raising and lowering boom 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, the crane of this invention is shown being operated as a guy crane. In this operation, the top of mast 13 is placed vertically over the center of rotation of cab 11. This is best shown in FIG. 4, where the line 5353 is the same line as line 5353 in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The top portion of mast 13 is provided with head block 71 which has a disc or spider 72 pivotally attached thereto by pivot pin 73.

When the crane is operated as :a guy crane, a plurality Topping lift 19 is formedbe modified for use as a regular lifting crane by removing the mast, then supporting boom 14 by mast pennant cable 18, and securing fall 20 to hammer head boom tip 54 of boom 14.

In operating the crane as a counter balancing crane as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, mast 13 is rotated backward through a vertical are by operation topping lift 17 and mast drum 40.. Hence, mast line 39 is wound onto drum 49, thereby. exerting additional tension on mast pennant cable '18, which causes mast 13to be pivoted to its rearward position.

At the same time as mast 13 is moved rearward, fall 19 will be extended so that boom 14 will continue to balance mast 13. Then by securing a load to hook 22 and drawing upward on fall 20 by operation of load line 29. over. load drum 31, the load can be moved. Mast 13 acts as a counter balancing means by displacing the center of gravity of crawler 12 rearward of what it would otherwise Thus, greater loads may be lifted without danger of be. tipping thecrane over. As explained above, in some instances additional counter balancing weight may be added in the form of weight 23 which may be secured to mast 13 by support cable 24. With weight 23 raised a short distance off the ground surface, it will swing with the This then allowsv the crane during horizontal rotation. operator to move even larger loads.

With mast 13 then in the rearward position, boom 14 can be manipulated by the operation of boom drum 52, drawing boom1line 51 thereover, thus operating topping lift 19 to pivotally raise and lower boom 14 through a vertical arc. Since,.both mast 13 and boom 14 are mounted on cab. 11 for rotation therewitlnthe crane has great versatility to move great weights to great heights without danger of upsetting the crane. In fact, such large Weights may be lifted, that it may be desirable to place temporary supports under cab 11 to prevent damage to crawler 12.

When the crane of this invention is being used as a counter balancing crane, a problem arises when mast 13 is placed in the rearward position and boom 14 is then raised above a certain height. Inthe operation of regular lifting cranes, as for example, operating the crane of the that mast 13 over balanced boom 14, in which eventthe mast 13 and boom 14 might tip over.

To obviate this problem, there is provided anautomatic safety mast stop, best shown in FIG. 3. This mast,

stop is comprised of a pair of hinged members mounted on the sides of mast 13 and boom 14 and operatively connected together.

pivotally connected. to the ,lower end of boom 14 by pivot pin 43 and the upper rearward" end is hingedly con-.-

nected to the upperend of upper arm 44 by hinge pin 45. Upper arm 44 is pivotally connected toward its upper end to mast'13 by pivot pin 46. Thelower end of upper arm 44 is provided with a stop member, such as a roller or wheel 47, whichis arranged to contact inclined member 48, secured to the top of cab 11. Mem ber 48 is in an inclined plane, the angle of which is selected with respect to upper arm 44 and forearm 42 and their respective connections, such that when the boom '(without a load supported thereon) and mast'are moved rearward to the critical point Where themast 13.

is likely to over balance boom 14, and tip over to:the rear is likely to occur, further such movement is stopped by wheel 47 contacting inclined member48, This contacting (and stopping of rearward movement) will only occur when boom 14 and mast 13 are approachingthe critical tip over position, thus preventing tip over, but

Each hinged member. is provided. with a forearm 42, the lower forward end of which is.

leaving the operation of the crane at all othertime unimpaired. It is to be understood that this automatic safety mast stop is easily removable so that the crane either mast 13 and/ or boom 14 would be stopped because wheel 47 is contacting inclined member 48. However, if mast 13 were raised toward the vertical position by letting out mast line 39, then boom 13 could be raised toward the vertical position by taking up on boom line 51 until wheel 47 again contacted inclined member 48. Thus, there is provided an automatic" safety element which may be used optionally in connection with the crane of this invention.

. FIGS. 2 and -4 show the crane of this invention being used as a guy crane. In this operation, mast 13 is pivoted into a vertical position so that the centerof spider 72 is at a point which is perpendicular to aline running through the center of rotation of cab 11, which line is indicated by line 5353 in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. 'A plurality of guy lines 74 are attached toispider 72 by clevises 75, with the guy lines being secured at their lower end,

thus preventing tipping of mast 13. One advantage in this operation is that crawler 12 can beeasily manipulated to place the center of rotation of cab '11 under the center of spider 72. Furthermore, the crane itself can raise mast 13 into position withouttheneed for a separate crane or raising means.

Thus, the guy-crane canbe placed in operation much more quickly and easily than a regular guy derrick such as shown in US. Patent No. 2,443,306. The present invention provides a guy crane which is highly mobile'in comparison with regular guy derricks and fewer guy lines are required because of the weight of the cab 11 (with its existing counter weight) and crawler 12 will balance a considerable portion of the weight being lifted.

When operating as a guy crane, the power means (not shown) located in cabvll is also used to rotate cab 11, and hence thereby rotate mast 13 and boom 14 therewith. No separate engine and bull wheel is required to rotate mast 13, as is required in regular guy derricks. Thus, the power source in the crane of this invention is self-contained and is used to operate the lifting of the load and to provide movement of boom 14through a vertical arc during raising and lowering. Also, the power source provides-for movement of mast 13 through another vertical arc during operation, which vertical arc extends on both sides of a point perpendicular to the center of rotation of cab 11, since mast 13 is initially raised upwardly from a position in front of crawler 12. The same power means is also used to rotate cab 11 as explained above and may also be used to power the mobile means, such as crawler 12;

There is thus provided a. guy crane which is highly mobile and which can be set up more quickly and easily than regular guy derricks.

The crane of this invention will also. permit the lifting of greater weights to greater heights than has heretofore been possible with cranes of a given size. 7 I 7 Many modifications of the crane of this invention' may be made and still fall Within the scope of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, for example, boom 14 need not be mounted on the lower end of mast 13 as shown in FIG. 3, but may be mounted separately on cab 11, so long as it will pivot through a vertical arc and will rotate with cab 11 and mast 13.

Also, the lower end of mast 13 may be positioned a rotation ofcab 11 as explained above. 'Since the-angle between the long axisof mast .13'and the horizontal axis of cab 11 willremain constant, the guy crane will operate successfully with spider -72 pivoting on top of mast 13.

,In the preferred form of the invention, mast 13 'is of a greater length than boom 14,'so that during, operation as,

a guy crane, boom 14 may berotated with cab 11 a full circle and over the full radius of movement without striking guy lines 74. 'I

Oneof the advantagesof having a relatively long mast and particularly when the mast is of a greater length than the boom, is that the angle between thattoppin'g lift which is connected to the'top of the boom and the boom itself is generally much greater than prior art cranes. The result is that the compression-forces on theboomare thereby decreased,- hence increasing the capacity of existing booms and also permitting much longer booms with less compression force thereon. For example, if reference were .made to FIG. 2, and if it were assumed that mast 13 and boom.14 were of equal length and that boom 14 were loweredtothehoriiontal position, the smallest angle between topping lift '19 and boom 14 would be 45 degrees. Since this would generally represent'the extreme condition, it may generally be said that thisinvention permits the operation of aboom by a'topping lift such that the angle therebetv'lee'n isgenerally: greater than about'45 degrees during such operation. 7 j i 5 Thisinven'tion provides the art with a highly versatile, combination mobile crane. It permits thelifting and bandling of greater loads to greater heights than has heretofore been possible with cranes of a given size.

Further modifications maybe made in theinvention as particularly described without departing from thescope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed illustratively only and is not'to be construed as a limitation upon theinvention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Acrane comprising: Y Y

platform mounted for generally horizontal rotation on mobile support means, a mast pivotally mounted on said platform for rotation with said platform and for pivotal movement through a first vertical arc, i I power meansmounted .on said platform'for pivotally moving said mast through said first arc,

a' boom pivotally mountedadjacenti'the lower end of said mast for rotation with said platformland said mast and for pivotalmovement through-a second ,vertical arc,- r means connected to said mast for moving said boom through said second are independent of the movement of said mast through said first arc, and attaching means rotatably mounted on said mast for securing guy means thereto duringoperation as a guyed crane. 1 f 2.,The apparatus as claimedin claim 1 wherein; said attaching means is mounted near the upper end of saidmast. V i Q. 3. The apparatus as claimed in cljaimjldwherein:

said attaching means is.in the form of a'spider mem- V ber mounted on top of said mast. 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said boom is mounted on saidmast i 5. Theapparatus as claim" 'd in claim 1 wherein:

said' boom is mounted on said platform and spaced apart from the lower end of said mast.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including:

a pulley means attached to the upper portion of said boom and having the load line thereof connected to said power means for raising and lowering a load independent of the movement of said boom. 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including: pulley means attached to the upper portion of said boom for raising and lowering a load and having the .11.. A crane comprising: i p

"a platform mounted for .1 generally horizontal rotation attachingmeans rotatably mast for securing guy meansthereto during opera-,

loadline thereof vconnected to said power means. and

' running, generally parallel'with thelong axis of said boom? 7, M 8." The apparatus. as claimed in'claim 1 wherein:

: v said second vertical arc extends 'through the same general vertical plane as said first vertical arc;

I 9. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said mast is'of az'greater length than the length of said boom 10, Theapparatus as claimed in claim l wherein:

said meansconnected to said mast for moving said boom is a topping lift'attached near the upper endof said mast and forms'an angle greater than 45 degrees withrespect to said boom. H v

' on mobile support means,

a mast pivotally mounted on said latf orm for rotation;

meansconnected to the upper portion of said mast for moving said boom through said second'vertical arc independent of the movement of said mast through saidfirst arc,

mounted near the top of said tion asa guyedderrick','and pulley means attached to the upper portion of said for pivotally;

boom for raising and loweringa load and having the load line thereof connected to said power means and running generally parallel with thelong axis of said ,Jboomy 12 Aerane comprising; 1 a platform mounted for horizontal support means,

" a' mast pivotally mounted on said platform for rotation withsaid platform and for pivotal movement through a firstvertical are extending. on bothsides ofa point:

rotation ;on mobile located perpendicular to'the centerof rotation of said 7 platform, 7 P power means mounted onsaid platform for pivotally i moving said mast through said first are,

' means. for supporting a load on'said mast as a counter operation as a counter balancing balance during crane," a v i, a boom piv'otallymounte'd adjacent the lower eudof said mast for rotation with said platform and said 1,

mast and for pivotal. vertical arc, a n V 7 means, connected to said mast for moving'saidf boom through, said second arcxindependent of the movement' of said mast through said first arc, and means connected, to

thereon. i I 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12 including: mast andxboom stop means attached to the lower ends movement through a second;

said boom for supporting a load ,tacting a portion of said platform, to thereby limit the rearward movement of ,said boom and mast beyond a rearward tip over point during operation as a counter balancing crane.

14. Theapparatusas claimed in claim 12 wherein: said means connected to=saidboom for supportinga load thereon includes pulley means attached to the upper portion of said boom for. raising and lowering a load and wherein the load line thereof is connected 1 to said power means and runs generally parallel with;

the longfaxis of said boom. 15. A crane fing crane and as a guyed derrick comprising:

a platform mounted forzgenerally horizontal rotation on mobilesupport means,

a mast pivotally mountedon said platform for rotation perpendicular to the center of rotation of said platform, a

power means mounted ,on said platform for pivotally.

V moving said mast through said first arc,

means for supporting a counter balancing load on said mast during operation as a counter balancing crane, a boom" pivotally mounted adjacent'the lower end of 'said mastrfor rotation with said platform and said mast and for pivotal movement through a second. vertical are which second arc extends. through the. 7

same generalvertical plane as said first arc,

1 means connected to the-upper portion of said mast for moving said boom through said second vertical arc independent of the movement of said mast through said firstarc,

attaching means rotatably mounted; near the top of said. mast for securingguy means thereto during operation as a guyed derrick, and

pulley means connected to said boom. for raising and V l lowering a load, and having the load line thereof connected' to said power means and running generally parallel with the long axis of said boom.

References Cited the Examiner Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/34 Lunt' et a1. 2l2--58 2/36 Ruff 2l258 4/40 6/48 ,Decuir 2l2'47 1' Burton-u; 2l2'-59 2,734,641 2/56 Burton 2lZ.-7

, 2,937,726, j 7 5/ Walther et a1. 212,58 I References Cited by the Applicant.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,798,397 3/31 Berger.

' 1,822,695 9/31 Euga.

1,949,750 3/34 Lunt et all 2,443,306 6/148" Decuir. 2,609,939: 9/52 .Davidson etJal.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Primary Examiner. ANDRES NIELSEN, "Examiner.

of said mast and boom and having means for conadaptable to operation as a counter balance therewith and'for 'pivotal'movement through a .firs'tvertical arc extending on both sides of a point located Waite 2l2-l44

Claims

1. A CRANE COMPRISING: A PLATFORM MOUNTED FOR GENERALLY HORIZONTAL ROTATION ON MOBILE SUPPORT MEANS, A MAST PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM FOR ROTATION WITH SAID PLATFORM AND FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THROUGH A FIRST VERTICAL ARC, POWER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID PLATFORM FOR PIVOTALLY MOVING SAID MAST THROUGH SAID FIRST ARC, A BOOM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ADJACENT THE LOWER END OF SAID MAST FOR ROTATION WITH SAID PLATFORM AND SAID MAST AND FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT THROUGH A SECOND VERTICAL ARC, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID MAST FOR MOVING SAID BOOM THROUGH SAID SECOND ARC INDEPENDENT OF THE MOVEMENT OF SAID MAST THROUGH SAID FIRST ARC, AND ATTACHING MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID MAST FOR SECURING GUY MEANS THERETO DURING OPERATION AS A GUYED CRANE.