Collapsible crane for mounting on vehicles

Abstract

 The crane comprises a longitudinally extending base frame (20) to be fixed to the vehicle in typically a horizontal position and a longitudinally extending mobile frame (21) slidable telescopically within frame (20); the crane support column (11) is supported by the frame (21) and is hinged thereto so as to be able to assume both a vertical position and a horizontal position parallel to and in the same horizontal plane as the mobile frame (21); when the crane is not in use it is collapsed and inserted in a horizontal position typically below the vehicle load-carrying floor (3); when the crane is to be used, the mobile frame (21) is withdrawn to the outside and the column (11) is raised into the vertical position.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a collapsible crane for mounting on vehicles, in particular light trucks.

[0002] For some time, various cranes particularly of the jib type (comprising a vertical column to which a telescopic swing jib is generally applied) have been known for mounting in the most diverse ways on trucks to facilitate the loading and unloading of objects such as packages onto and from the load compartment of the truck.

[0003] These cranes are generally positioned close to the front end of the load compartment, ie the end closer to the driver's cab, or within the compartment itself or between the front end of the compartment and the driver's cab. This results in the drawback that the useful load volume of the vehicle is inevitably reduced because of the presence of the crane and its support frame. In this respect, even when the crane is positioned between the cab and load compartment, the length of this latter is inevitably reduced precisely because of the crane presence.

[0004] Moreover, although those arrangements in which the crane column is kept permanently in a vertical position reduce the useful space consumed by the crane, they suffer from the drawback that the crane generally disturbs the field of view of the driver during vehicle travel and also creates air resistance.

[0005] In addition, to reduce the useful load space occupied by the crane to a minimum and reduce the hindrance of the crane to the loading and unloading of objects, it is preferred to position the crane at the front end of the vehicle, this position not being the optimum. In this respect, it would be more rational to position the crane at the front end where loading and unloading is generally carried out, to best utilize the range of action of the crane.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to obviate the aforesaid drawbacks.

[0007] The present invention as characterised in the claims provides a crane able to be mounted stably on the vehicle but in such a manner as to enable it to be collapsed when not in use, to then occupy such a small volume as to enable it to be fitted into spaces which do not disturb the load compartment. Moreover, when the crane is opened into its working position, it does not disturb the loading and unloading operations.

[0008] Furthermore, the crane can be mounted in the rear part of the vehicle or in any event in the most rational position for utilizing the range of action of the crane without its presence being a hindrance to the loading and unloading of objects.

[0009] A typical application of the invention, made possible by the particularly reduced overall size which the crane can assume, is to place the crane in the space defined below the load compartment, between the vehicle frame members and the load-­carrying floor. When the crane is not in use it is folded up and inserted into said space between the vehicle structure and the load-carrying floor. When it is to be used, it is partly withdrawn from said space and opened into its working position.

[0010] The crane can also be advantageously mounted at the rear end where it can best utilize its range of action.

[0011] The invention is described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof for mounting in the space between the load-carrying floor and the vehicle frame members.

Figure 1 is a section on the line I-I of Figure 2 through the crane in its opened working position;

Figure 2 is a section on the line II-II of Figure 3 through the crane in its folded horizontal position;

Figure 3 is a side view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of Figure 1 showing the crane in different positions.

[0012] In the said figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates the crane according to the invention, 2 indicates the load compartment bounded lowerly by the floor 3 and laterally by the side walls 4, and 5 indicates two members of the vehicle structural frame.

[0013] The invention 1 comprises a support column 11 and at least one jib 12 hinged to the upper end of the column 11 and able to be reclined against the column 11 into a vertical position. The crane 1 is specifically of the jib type, and the column assumes a vertical working position. The jib 12 is of the telescopic type and is operated by a hydraulic cylinder-piston unit 13.

[0014] The crane 1 comprises a substantially longitudinally extending base frame 20 to be fixed to the vehicle in typically a horizontal position, and a likewise longitudinally extending mobile frame 21 slidable within the base frame 20.

[0015] The column 11 is supported by the mobile frame 21 and is hinged to this latter in such a manner as to be able to assume both a vertical position, and a horizontal position parallel to and in the same horizontal plane as the mobile frame 21. Means are also provided to stabilize said vertical and horizontal positions of the column 11.

[0016] The base frame 20 comprises two parallel longitudinal tubular elements 22 positioned in the same horizontal plane and spaced apart by a distance which enables both the column 11 and the jib 12 when folded against the column 11 to be housed in the space between the two elements 22.

[0017] The mobile frame 21 comprises two members 23, in particular of square cross-section, each slidable as an exact fit within a respective tubular element 22.

[0018] A plate 25 is rigidly fixed to the outer ends of the tubular elements 22 (ie the ends distant from those through which the members 23 are inserted), to connect the elements 22 together .

[0019] A short cross member 26 is rigidly fixed to the outer ends of the members 23, ie the ends which remain outside the elements 22, to connect the members 23 together.

[0020] The lower part 14 of the column 11 is hinged by a transverse horizontal pin 24, which is fixed to said members 23 at the outer ends thereof.

[0021] The pin 24 is positioned a short distance from the member 26 such as not to obstruct rotation of the part 14 when the column 11 is moved into the horizontal position.

[0022] To stabilize the vertical position of the column 11 there is provided an element 27 having a through hole of transverse horizontal axis and fixed rigidly to the part 14 in a position such that when the column 11 is in the vertical position, the hole lies on the horizontal axis through the middle of the frame 21. In a position corresponding therewith there is a hole formed through the members 23, a pin 28 being provided to be inserted through said holes to thus lock the column 11 in the vertical position.

[0023] The column 11 is of the type rotatable about its vertical axis, and for this purpose its upper part 15 is supported rotatably by the lower part 14, which remains fixed to the mobile frame 21. To the lower end of the part 15 there is fixed a helical gear 16 engaged with a worm 17 supported by a plate 18 fixed to the part 14. The lower end of the part 15 extends to define a vertical pin 19 rotatable within the part 14. The part 15 is rotated by rotating the worm 17 using a suitable removable handle.

[0024] When the column 11 is raised into the vertical position it comes to rest against a stop element 31 fixed to the member 26, to enable the column to be kept in a vertical position while inserting the pin 28 into the element 27.

[0025] To facilitate the raising of the column 11, there is provided a pair of tension springs fixed between the plate 18 and the member 26.

[0026] To support the column 11 (with its folded jib 12) in the horizontal position, there is provided a transverse bar 32 fixed between the two tubular elements 22, and on which the upper end of the column 11 rests.

[0027] If not resting on the bar 32, the column 11 is supported in the horizontal position by the stop 31 itself, which projects from the member 26 and abuts against the lower end of the part 14.

[0028] When collapsed into the horizontal position, the crane 1 is contained within the space substantially defined by the base frame 21, and is therefore contained within an elongated space which is relatively narrow and of even smaller height. It is therefore suitable for convenient location below the load-carrying floor 3.

[0029] In this respect, the load-carrying floor 3 is generally supported by a structure formed from transverse ribs 33 and longitudinal ribs 34 resting on the vehicle frame members 5, between these frame members 5 and the floor 3, particularly at the rear end of the vehicle between two transverse ribs, there being generally sufficient space to accommodate the crane 1 when in its collapsed state.

[0030] If this space is partly occupied by longitudinal ribs, these can be reduced in height as shown in Figure 3, to allow the crane to be accommodated.

[0031] The frame 20 is then inserted transversely into the space below the floor 3 until it is totally below it. For this purpose the length of the frame 20 is less than the width of the floor 3.

[0032] The tubular elements 22 are then fixed rigidly to the member 5 by long bolts 35 and plates 36.

[0033] The members 23 penetrate into the frame 20 to such an extent that the entire crane is below the floor 3.

[0034] Also, the lengths of the members 23 and tubular elements 22 are such that the members 23 remain partly inserted into the respective elements 22 even when they have been withdrawn to the point at which the upper end of the horizontally positioned column 11 is no longer below the load-carrying floor and the column 11 can be raised into the vertical position.

[0035] To allow greater mutual co-operation of the two frames 20 and 21, at the outer end of the elements 22 there is provided through the inner side of each of them a slot 37 within which the pin 24 can slide. In this manner the members 23 can penetrate practically completely into the elements 22, the entire length of the crane 1 being then contained in plan view within the outer perimeter of the mutually co-penetrated frames 20 and 21 (as shown in Figure 2).

[0036] When the vehicle is moving, the crane 1 is in a horizontal position totally below the load-carrying floor 3.

[0037] It therefore creates no obstacle to the vehicle nor any air resistance, and in particular does not subtract any useful space from the load compartment 2, which is in no way affected by the presence of the crane. A suitable latch 38 prevents withdrawal of the mobile frame 21.

[0038] This position is shown in Figure 2, in Figure 3 and by full lines in Figure 4.

[0039] To set the crane into its working position, the latch 38 is released, and the frame 21 is withdrawn outwards until the entire column 11 with its folded jib 12 is beyond the plan perimeter of the floor 3 (as shown by dashed and dotted lines in Figure 4). The column 11 can now be raised into the vertical position and locked in this position by the pin 28. The frame 21 can then be reinserted into the frame 20 to bring the column 11 close to the side wall 4 (as shown in Figure 1) or in another preferred position.

[0040] At this point the crane 1 is in its working position and can be used for loading and unloading objects.

[0041] The crane 1 can be conveniently mounted on the rear end of the vehicle, this being the position which enables it to best utilize its range of action without in any way being an obstacle to or interfering with the load compartment 2, as it is external to it.

[0042] To collapse the crane the reverse procedure is used, firstly withdrawing the frame 21 outwards, then removing the pin 28, then lowering the column 11 and folded jib 12 into the horizontal position, and reinserting the frame 21 and column 11 into the frame 20 below the floor 3.

[0043] Accessory elements can be advantageously fitted to the crane.

[0044] In this respect, a horizontal member 6 can be provided parallel to the elements 22 and in the same plane as the base frame 20. The member 6 is slidable within a short tubular element fixed to the side of an element 22 and carrying at its end a stabilizer element 8 which is rested on the ground.

[0045] When the vehicle is to move, the stabilizer 8 is inclined and raised from the ground and the member 6 reinserted below the floor 3.

[0046] Means for operating the cylinder-piston unit 13 can also be provided, consisting of a manually operated pump 42 and a tank 43 containing hydraulic oil

[0047] These means are located below the mobile frame 21 and supported by a horizontal arm 44 slidable within a guide 45 fixed below the member 26.

[0048] During crane operation, the means 42 and 43 are withdrawn transversely (as shown by dashed and dotted lines in Figure 3), to enable the pump 42 to be operated after fitting a lever 46.

[0049] The crane can obviously be mounted on the vehicle in positions different from that illustrated heretofore, for example in a position longitudinal instead of transverse to the vehicle or at the front instead of the rear. It can also be mounted on other vehicles, including those without a load-carrying floor.

[0050] Numerous modifications of a practical and applicational nature can be made to the invention, but without leaving the scope of the inventive idea as claimed hereinafter.

Claims

1. A collapsible crane for mounting on vehicles, of the type comprising a support column (11) and at least one jub (12) hinged to said column (11) and reclinable into a position parallel to and in contact with it, characterised by comprising:
- a substantially longitudinally extending base frame (20) to be fixed to the vehicle in typically a horizontal position;
- a substantially longitudinally extending mobile frame (21) parallel to said base frame (20) and slidable telescopically within this frame (20);
said support column (11) being supported by said mobile frame (21) and being hinged thereto so as to be able to assume both a vertical position and a horizontal position parallel to and in the same horizontal plane as the mobile frame (21); and
- means able to stabilize said vertical and horizontal position of the support column (11).

2. A crane as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said base frame (20) comprises two mutually parallel longitudinal tubular elements (22) positioned in the same horizontal plane and spaced apart by a distance such as to enable the support column (11) and the folded jibs (12) to be housed in the space defined between said tubular elements (22), said mobile frame (21) comprising two members (23) each slidable to retract into a respective tubular element (22), the lower part (14) of the support claim (11) being hinged by means of a transverse horizontal pin (24) fixed between said members (23) at the outer ends thereof.

3. A crane as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the means for stabilizing the vertical position of the support column (11) comprise:
- an element (27) provided with a through hole of transverse horizontal axis and fixed rigidly to the support column (11) in a position such that when the column (11) is in the vertical position said through hole lies on the horizontal axis through the middle of the mobile frame (21);
- a pair of holes provided in the members (23) in positions corresponding with said transverse hole; and a pin (28) passing through said holes.

4. A crane as claimed in claim 2, characterised by comprising, in the same plane as the base frame (20), a horizontal member (6) slidable in a tubular element (7) fixed to the base frame (20) and carrying at its end a stabilizer element (8) for resting on the floor.

5. A crane as claimed in claim 2 for mounting on vehicles comprising a load-carrying floor (3), characterised in that:
the base frame (20) is inserted into the space below the load-­carrying floor (3) so that it lies totally below this floor (3), the length of the base frame (20) being less than the corresponding dimension of the floor (3);
the members of the mobile frame (21) penetrate into the base frame (20) to such an extent that the entire crane lies below the load-­carrying floor (30);
the lengths of the members (23) and tubular elements (22) being such that said members (23) remain partly inserted into the respective tubular elements (22) even when they are withdrawn to the point at which the entire column (11) has entirely emerged from below the load-carrying floor (3) and can be raised into the vertical position.

Drawing