US3791530A

US3791530A - Adjustable width crane supporting structure

Info

Publication number: US3791530A
Application number: US00274904A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Gorl; H Blase
Original assignee: Rheinstahl AG
Current assignee: Rheinstahl AG
Priority date: 1971-07-31
Filing date: 1972-07-25
Publication date: 1974-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-12
Also published as: DE2138468A1; GB1359405A; DE2138468C2; FR2148126A1; FR2148126B1; DD98268A5; JPS5237646B1

Abstract

A device for supporting a crane comprises a crane mounting base which is supported on longitudinal support beams arranged on each side of the base. Each longitudinal support means carries at least one, and preferably two, longitudinally spaced transverse members which are in telescopic engagement with tubular portions of the mounting base and each longitudinal support beam includes an opening to permit the outer end of the transverse member which is secured to the opposite longitudinal support beam to pass therethrough in order to permit the two longitudinal support beams to be moved to a minimum width position in close proximity to the supporting base. The longitudinal support beams are movable inwardly and outwardly in respect to the support base by fluid pressure operated drive motors in the form of a fluid pressure cylinder and piston combination arranged on each side of the mounting base.

Description

United States Patent (191 Gorl et al.

[111 3,791,530 Feb. 12, 1974 ADJUSTABLE WIDTH CRANE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE Perkins et al. 212/145 X Primary ExaminerEvon Blunk Assistant Examiner-James L. Rowland Attorney, Agent, or Firm-:McGlew and Tuttle [57] ABSTRACT A device for supporting a crane comprises a crane mounting base which is supported on longitudinal support beams arranged on each side of the base. Each longitudinal support means carries at least one, and preferably two, longitudinally spaced transverse members which are in telescopic engagement with tubular portions of the mounting base and each longitudinal support beam includes an opening to permit the outer end of the transverse member which is secured to the opposite longitudinal support beam to pass therethrough in order to permit the two longitudinal support beams to be moved to a minimum width position in close proximity to the supporting base. The longitudinal support beams are movable inwardly and outwardly in respect to the support base by fluid pressure operated drive motors in the form of a fluid pressurecylinder and piston combination arranged on each side of the mounting base.

13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures /IZM PAIENIED FEB I 21974 SHEET 3 UP 3 ADJUSTABLE WIDTH CRANE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to the construction of cranes and supporting bases therefor and, in particular, to a new and useful supporting base for a crane which includes a supporting base member which is supported between a longitudinal support beam on each side thereof on transversely extending members which are telescopically engaged with the mounting base and which may be shifted to facilitate the inward movement of the longitudinal supporting beams to a minimum width position directly alongside the mounting base.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The present invention is particularly applicable for the construction of a crawler crane having an under- .frame connected to the frames of a hoisting part by means of supporting members that are transversely displaceable in order to effect an adjustment of the track gauge or width of the support structure. There is a general endeaver in the construction of both tracked and wheeled cranes irrespective of whether or not they are mounted to run on rails and of stationary cranes as well to keep the width thereof as small as possible when they are transported. For rail transportation as well as for road transportation, it is necessary that such cranes be designed so that they may be transported when their parts are retracted inwardly to a minimum width which must not be exceeded. On the other hand, it is necessary that such cranes be designed with supporting bases which maybe extendable transversely or laterally to provide a maximum ground supporting area.

It is known to. provide a construction in which the width of cranes are adjusted, for example, by constructing the frames of the hoisting part so that they can be moved laterally on telescopic supports so that the distance between the ground supports may be adjusted by means of intermediate pieces of different lengths. The known constructions have disadvantages inasmuch as the width of a crane can only by adjusted by laborious and time-consuming operations of inserting and removing intermediate pieces and, because of the design limitations, the differences between the minimum and maximum width of the crane is relatively small. This means that the maximum width is generally insufficient for the stability of the crane under peak loading conditions and security must be obtained by additional base elements adapted to be laterally drawn out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION maybe moved inwardly adjacent themount'ing'base to provide for a'minimum width for transportation purposes, or moved outwardly away from the mounting base, to provide a maximum'ground supporting .position. The construction is such' that the supporting beams can be adjusted so that the maximum adjustable width ensures, even under maximum possible loading conditions, the stability of the crane and without rcquiring additional supporting elements and, at the same time, the minimum adjustable width ensures that the device is suitable for an unimcumbered transport on the streets or on railroadslFor stationary cranes, the structure makes it possible to enlarge the sustaining base of the crane in axial directions of the supporting structure.

In one arrangement of the invention, the supporting base includes a tubular receiving portion into which each transverse member of tubular form is telescopically received. The longitudinal support members advantageously include solid beam members which have openings which align with the transverse members so that the ends thereof may pass through the opening to extend beyond the opposite longitudinal support beam when its associated longitudinal support beam is in a minimum width position alongside the mounting base. This construction makes it possible to shift the longitudinal support member on each side relative to its associated mounting base either outwardly to a maximum position for operation, or inwardly to a minimum position for road or rail transportation. The tubular guide members, which are formed on the mounting base, comprise hollow transverse supporting members, and they are advantageously secured to the associated mounting base in the zone of the longitudinal axis of the base so that the length of the supporting members and therefore the maximum adjustable width of the device can be as great as possible. The fastening means may comprise brackets, bolts and similar known connecting elements. In order to avoid jamming in the guides when operating on sloping ground, it is useful to mount the tubular guides or supports so that they are articulated to permit pivotal movement thereof.

Devices for locking the transversely extending supporting members in various extensible positions corresponding to the different widths of the crane supporting structure are not necessary provided that the means for moving the longitudinal beams comprise a fluid pressure operated motor in the form of hydraulic cylinders which are mounted on-each side of the mounting base which carry piston rod members which engage the associated longitudinal support beam on each side. The pressure in the cylinders may be maintained in order to prevent unintentional changes of width.

In principle, it is of no'ir nportance whether the transverse guide members, guiding the transverse supports, pass through the longitudinal supporting members, or whether they are located peripherally at the transverse end surfaces. In addition, the invention can be applied equally well to all sorts of vehicles whose track gauge should be adjustable. The .crane supporting structure can take various forms and, for example,'-may comprise an automobile undercarriage as the supporting structure, and the trackgauge of the running parts is made variable for adjusting'the width of the crane. The crane supporting structure may assume the form of ,an undercarriage having frames that are laterally displaceable on transverse supporting beams by means of the hydraulic .cylinders. When the apparatus is applied to a stationary .crane, the longitudinal supportingbeams are formed by two mutually parallel longitudinal .girders which are supported on'the ground byvertically adjustable supporting shoes which are carried at each end thereof. In the preferred form, the length of the longitudinal girders or support beams can be telescopically adjusted.

An especially important advantage of the invention is the fact that the longitudinal supporting members of the crane supporting structure can be replaced by other members. Consequently, it is possible, in a relatively short time, to change a crawler crane into a stationary or railbound crane. In respect to stationary cranes, there is the further advantage that the base thereof can be enlarged in the direction of the longitudinal axis by replacing the longitudinal girders by longer ones. The positioning of the supporting shoes in this direction is no longer limited as it is, for example, with mobile or automobile undercarriages for reasons of construction.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a supporting device for a crane which comprises a crane mounting base with a longitudinal support beam on each side thereof which carries a transverse member which extends into telescopic engagement with the mounting base and which may be shifted inwardly and outwardly by a drive member, and wherein, the transverse support members and the longitudinal support beams are constructed to permit the transverse members to pass beyond the opposite support member when the longitudinal support members are retracted inwardly toward the mounting base to a minimum width position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for supporting a crane which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects attained by its application, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a transportable stationary crane constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the longitudinal supporting beams arranged in a minimum width position withdrawn toward the central mounting base;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the supporting structure shown in FIG. 1; I

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line IVIV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line V--V of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial horizontal section taken along the line VI-'-VI of FIG. 3 with only one of the longitudinal supporting beams being extended.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein, comprises a device for supporting an apparatus such as a crane which includes a central frame or crane mounting base I, having an upstanding base column 20, with a gear portion 22 for a crane rotatable drive (not shown). A longitudinal supporting

beam

16, 16 are arranged at respective sides of the mounting base 10, and each carries two longitudinally spaced and transversely extending

transverse members

2, 2 and 2a, 2a, respectively. The supporting beams 16 and 16' are of rectangular hollow tube construction, and they are supported at each end on

upstanding feet

17, 17, which for stationary cranes include groundengaging bases 18 butwhich may, of course, comprise carriages for wheeled movement over the ground.

In accordance with the invention, each transverse member is telescopically engageable with the central frame or mounting base 1 and, in the embodiment shown, the mounting base 1 is provided with either a fixed or an articulated tubular part 5 which is hollow to receive a tubular transverse member 2, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The transverse tubular member 2 may also extend through an opening 4 which is aligned therewith and which is provided on the longitudinal supporting beam 16' when the longitudinal supporting beam 16 is drawn in to a narrow width position alongside a mounting base 1, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Motor means in the form of a fluid pressure operated piston and

cylinder combination

7 and 7 are provided on respective opposite sides of the mounting base 1 and they are articulated to the respective longitudinal supporting beams 16 and 16' and may move them either inwardly or outwardly in respect to the mounting base In order to effect an adjustment in width of the crane supporting structure, two hydraulically operated piston and cylinder combinations 7 are provided to shift the supporting beams 16 and 16' either inwardly or outwardly. As shown in FIG. 6, each supporting beam member 16 and 16' may be independently moved, for example, the supporting member 16 is shown in the innermost or narrow width position, whereas the other supporting beam 16 is shown extended.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

I. A device for supporting a crane comprising a crane mounting base, a longitudinal supporting beam on' each side of said base, two longitudinally spaced laterally extending transverse members connected to each longitudinal supporting beam and telescopically engaged with said mounting base, said transverse members of one longitudinal supporting beam-being longitudinally offset from the transverse members of the other longitudinal supporting beam, said longitudinal supporting beams each having an opening aligned with a respective transverse member of the other longitudinal supporting beam so that the aligned transverse member may enter through the opening and pass beyond the side of said opposite longitudinal supporting member when said longitudinal supporting beams are moved together, and means carried on said base for shifting said longitudinal support beams inwardly and outwardly in respect to said base.

2. A device for supporting a crane comprising a crane mounting base, a longitudinal'support beam on each side of said base, a transverse member secured to each longitudinal support beam and telescopically engaged with said mounting base, each longitudinal member being formed with an opening to permit passage of the transverse member secured to the respective opposite longitudinal member up to and laterally beyond the longitudinal member to permit said longitudinal members to be shifted inwardly to a minimum width position adjacent said base, and means carried on said base for shifting said longitudinal members inwardly and outwardly in respect to said base.

3. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein said mounting base includes a tubular guide portion for telescopically engaging each respective transverse member, said, transverse member being slidable in said tubular guide member.

4. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein said transverse supporting beams are hollow for receiving said base member.

5. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein there are at least two longitudinally spaced laterally extending transverse members on each longitudinal supporting beam, all of said transverse members being longitudinally offset, said longitudinal supporting members each having an opening aligned with a respective transverse member of the opposite supporting beam to permit said transverse member to enter through the opening and pass beyond the side of said opposite longitudinal supporting member.

6. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, including means mounting said transverse members to an associated longitudinal member on a side thereof.

7. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein said base member includes a tubular member for receiving each transverse member which is articulated -to said base member.

8. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein said means for displacing said longitudinal members toward and away from said base member comprises a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder combination connected between said base member in each of said longitudinal support members.

9. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein said longitudinal supporting members comprise a wheeled undercarriage.

10. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein said longitudinal supporting members comprise a running gear frame, said means for shifting said longitudinal support members comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to said mounting base, a piston rod member shiftable in said cylinder and connected to each longitudinal supporting beam.

11. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein said longitudinal supporting members comprise two laterally spaced substantially parallel longitudinal beams, and a supporting stand connected to each end of each of said longitudinal supporting members.

12. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 11, wherein said beams are telescopically extensible. I

13. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 11, wherein said supporting bases are vertically adjustable in height.

Claims

1. A device for supporting a crane comprising a crane mounting base, a longitudinal supporting beam on each side of said base, two longitudinally spaced laterally extending transverse members connected to each longitudinal supporting beam and telescopically engaged with said mounting base, said transverse members of one longitudinal supporting beam being longitudinally offset from the transverse members of the other longitudinal supporting beam, said longitudinal supporting beams each having an opening aligned with a respective transverse member of the other longitudinal supporting beam so that the aligned transverse member may enter through the opening and pass beyond the side of said opposite longitudinal supporting member when said longitudinal supporting beams are moved together, and means carried on said base for shifting said longitudinal support beams inwardly and outwardly in respect to said base.

2. A device for supporting a crane comprising a crane mounting base, a longitudinal support beam on each side of said base, a transverse member secured to each longitudinal support beam and telescopically engaged with said mounting base, each longitudinal member being formed with an opening to permit passage of the transverse member secured to the respective opposite longitudinal member up to and laterally beyond the longitudinal member to permit said longitudinal members to be shifted inwardly to a minimum width position adjacent said base, and means carried on said base for shifting said longitudinal members inwardly and outwardly in respect to said base.

3. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein said mounting base includes a tubular guide portion for telescopically engaging each respective transverse member, said transverse member being slidable in said tubular guide member.

7. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 2, wherein said base member includes a tubular member for receiving each transverse member which is articulated to said base member.

12. A device for supporting a crane, according to claim 11, wherein said beams are telescopically extensible.