SIMPLIFIED ASSEMBLY TRELLIS-LIKE MODULAR ELEMENT FOR TOWERS OF TOWER CRANES AND TOWER COMPRISING SUCH MODULAR ELEMENT

Abstract

 The present invention refers to a simplified assembly trellis-like modular element for towers of tower cranes and to a tower comprising at least one of such elements, where the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) for towers of tower cranes comprises a plurality of posts (31) for supporting a trellis structure, each of the posts (31) extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis (A) and having a first end (32) and a second end (33), the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) being characterized in that each of the posts (31), at the first end (32), comprises at least a connection assembly (40) arranged to at least partially house at least one screw (34) of a bolt (34, 35) adapted to connect the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) to another trellis-like modular element (30) as well as to guide and support the at least one screw (34) during assembly.

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a simplified assembly trellis-like modular element for towers of tower cranes and to a tower comprising at least one of such elements.

[0002] As known, tower cranes are lifting apparatuses of the arm type comprising a tower at the top of which a rotary assembly can be mounted, constrained on one side to a lifting arm or jib and on the other side to a counter-arm or counter-jib. In addition, cranes are provided with a complex system of motorized members and cables for lifting, lowering and moving suspended loads.

[0003] Tower cranes can, in general, be installed in a fixed position or equipped with sliding and/or lifting means.

[0004] In such cases, the tower is constrained to a base structure that can consist of a block or a plurality of foundation legs, generally four, or a fixed or translating base.

[0005] The tower, in particular, generally comprises a plurality of modular elements, generally of the trellis type, connected in succession one on top of the other.

[0006] Trellis-like modular elements comprise, as known, a plurality of posts extending longitudinally connected to one another by a trellis structure; these modular elements can be connected to one another one on top of the other through fixing means adapted for constraining the posts of the respective modular elements to one another.

[0007] Such fixing means are known to be bolts or pins. In particular, horizontal, or more generally transversal, bolting operations are known, in which the screws of the bolts are transversal to the longitudinal extension of the posts and vertical bolting operations are known in which the screws of the bolts are parallel to the longitudinal extension of the posts. In the latter case, each post is provided with one or more guide bushes for the screws, so that, when two modular elements are arranged on top of one another, the bushes of the respective posts are in corresponding position and make a receiving channel with longitudinal extension for the fixing screws. In the assembly step such screws are then tightened with the respective nuts through torque wrenches with predetermined tightening torque based on safety specifications. Thus, a stable and secure coupling is made between the two modular elements. However, the vertical bolting operation is very complex and intricate, since it needs at least two operators, in particular one to hold the fixing screw in position while the other tightens the screw with the respective nut.

[0008] This means an inevitable slowing down of the mounting operations of the tower.

[0009] The purpose of the present invention is to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks and in particular to devise a trellis-like modular element for towers of tower cranes that makes the mounting of a tower simpler than what is provided for by the state of the art.

[0010] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a tower for tower cranes that is quick and simple to be mounted.

[0011] These and other purposes according to the present invention are accomplished by making a simplified assembly trellis-like modular element for towers of tower cranes and a tower as outlined in the independent claims.

[0012] Further characteristics of the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element for towers of tower cranes and of the tower are the object of the dependent claims.

[0013] The characteristics and advantages of a simplified assembly trellis-like modular element for towers of tower cranes and of a tower according to the present invention will become clearer from the following description, given as an example and not for limiting purposes, referring to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

• figures 1a and 1b are two schematic perspective views, respectively, of a simplified assembly trellis-like modular element and of a tower according to the present invention;
• figures 2 and 3 are two partial schematic views, respectively front and side, of a simplified assembly trellis-like modular element according to the present invention in transportation configuration;
• figures 4 and 5 are two section views along the lines IV-IV and V-V, respectively, of the modular element of figure 2;
• figures 6a and 6b are two partial schematic views, respectively front and side, of the modular element of figure 2 in a first mounting step;
• figure 6c is a front partial schematic view of the modular element of figure 2 in a second mounting step;
• figures 6d and 6e are two partial schematic views, respectively front and side, of the modular element of figure 2 in an assembly configuration with another modular element;
• figures 7a and 7b are two partial schematic views, respectively side and plan, of a housing and guiding seat of a joining block comprised in the modular element of figure 2;
• figures 8a, 8b and 8c are three schematic views, respectively perspective, side and top side, of a tightening end portion comprised in the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element of the previous figures.

[0014] With reference to the figures, a tower for tower cranes is shown, wholly indicated with 10.

[0015] The tower 10 can be constrained to a base structure that can consist of a block or a plurality of foundation legs or a fixed or translating base.

[0016] The tower 10 comprises a plurality of trellis-like modular elements 30 connected to one another in succession where each trellis-like modular element 30 comprises a plurality of posts 31 for supporting a trellis structure. Each post 31 of a trellis-like modular element 30 extends lengthwise along a longitudinal axis A and has a first end 32 and a second end 33 each of which is arranged to be connected through fixing means with a corresponding end of another trellis-like modular element 30.

[0017] According to the present invention, at least one from the plurality of trellis-like modular elements 30 is a simplified assembly trellis-like modular element 30.

[0018] Advantageously, each post 31 of the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element 30 comprises, at the first end 32, at least one connection assembly 40 arranged to at least partially house at least one screw 34 of a bolt 34, 35 adapted to connect the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element 30 to another trellis-like modular element 30, as well as to guide and support the screw 34 during assembly.

[0019] Preferably, at least one of the posts 31 comprises two connection assemblies 40 coupled on two opposite sides of the at least one of said posts 31, as for example come illustrated in the attached figures.

[0020] Each post 31 also comprises, at the second end 33, at least one seat 54 for receiving and tightening the bolt 34, 35.

[0021] The at least one connection assembly 40 comprises a housing and guiding seat 41 adapted to at least partially house the screw 34.

[0022] Such a housing and guiding seat 41 has, in particular, two guiding portions 42 facing one another that define a housing space between them for the screw 34 and a tightening end portion 43 connected to the two guiding portions and transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the post 31. The tightening end portion 43, in detail, has at least one opening 36 adapted for being crossed by the screw 34 and allowing the tightening of the screw 34 itself with a nut 35 and possibly a washer 53.

[0023] Preferably, the housing and guiding seat 41 has a substantially open prismatic or cylindrical configuration to allow access to the housing space. The housing and guiding seat 41, in particular, extends lengthwise parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post 31 and ends on one side, preferably, substantially at the first end of the post 31 with the tightening end portion 43.

[0024] Advantageously, the housing and guiding seat 41 is provided within the housing space with a first abutment element 44 for the head of the screw 34 coupled with the two guiding portions 42 at a first end-stroke position on the opposite side to the tightening end portion 43.

[0025] Preferably, the first end-stroke position is defined by the axis of at least a first pair of opposed through-seats 45 made on the two guiding portions 42 and the first abutment element 44 is made by at least one first pin 44 adapted to be removably engaged in the first pair of opposed through-seats 45 so as to cross the housing space defined between the guiding portions 42, therefore providing the first end-stroke for the head of the screw 34. In particular, preferably, an elastic cotter pin can be provided associated with the first pin 44.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the first abutment element 44 can be made in the form of a plate welded to the guiding portions 42 transversally to the longitudinal axis A of the post 31.

[0027] In any case, when the head of the screw 34 is in the first end-stroke position the end portion of the shank of the screw crosses the tightening end portion 43 and projects outside of the housing and guiding seat 41 for a first portion sufficient to allow the stable engagement with the nut 35 and possibly the washer 53.

[0028] Advantageously, the housing and guiding seat 41 is also provided within the housing space with a second abutment element 46 for the head of the screw 34 which can be selectively and removably coupled with the two guiding portions 42 at a second end-stroke position arranged between the first end-stroke position and the tightening end portion 43. In particular, the second abutment element 46 is coupled with the guiding portions 42 at the second end-stroke position when the screw 34 is made to slide from the first end-stroke position towards the tightening end portion 43 passing beyond the second end-stroke position.

[0029] Preferably, the second end-stroke position is defined by the axis of at least a second pair of opposed through-seats 47 made on the two guiding portions 42 and the second abutment element 46 is made as at least a second pin 46 adapted to be engaged in the second pair of opposed through-seats 47 so as to cross the housing space defined between the guiding portions 42, therefore providing the second end-stroke for the screw 34.

[0030] In particular, an elastic cotter pin can preferably be provided associated with the second pin 46.

[0031] In any case, when the head of the screw 34 is in the second end-stroke position the end portion of the shank of the screw crosses the tightening end portion 43 and projects outside of the housing and guiding seat 40 for a second portion greater than the first and sufficient to allow assembly with another trellis-like modular element 30.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing and guiding seat 41 is also provided within the housing space with a third abutment element 48 for the head of the screw 34 which can be selectively and removably coupled with the two guiding portions 42 at a blocking position arranged between the first and the second end-stroke position.

[0033] In this case, when the screw 34 is in the first end-stroke position and the third abutment element 48 is coupled with the two guiding portions 42 at the blocking position, the head of the screw 34 remains blocked between the first 44 and the third 48 abutment element.

[0034] Preferably, the blocking position is defined by the axis of at least a third pair of opposed through-seats 49 made on the two guiding portions 42 and the third abutment element 48 is made as at least a third pin 48 adapted to be removably engaged in the third pair of opposed through-seats 49 so as to cross the housing space defined between the guiding portions 42, therefore providing a blocking abutment for the head of the screw 34 when the latter is in the first end-stroke position. In particular, an elastic cotter pin can preferably be provided associated with the third pin 48.

[0035] In this case, the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element can be transported to the worksite easily and safely together with the bolts 34, 35 necessary for the connection with another trellis-like modular element. Indeed, when all of the screws 34 are arranged in the relative housing and guiding seats 41 each with the respective head blocked between the first end-stroke position and the blocking position and the respective nut 35 with the possible washer 53 screwed to the shank outside of the aforementioned housing and guiding seats 41, the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element assumes a compact transportation configuration; in such a transportation configuration the screws 34 cannot slide and thus come out from the respective seats ensuring safety in transportation.

[0036] In a possible embodiment of the present invention the second pin 46 coincides with the third pin 48. In this case, when it is wished to take the screw 34 from the first to the second end-stroke position the second pin 46 is disengaged from the second pair of through-seats 47, the screw 34 is made to slide beyond the second end-stroke position and the second pin 46 is engaged in the third pair of through-seats 49.

[0037] Preferably, the tightening end portion 43 is made as a perforated block 43 that projects inside the housing and guiding seat 41 until it substantially reaches the second end-stroke position. Such a perforated block 43, preferably, has a head portion 50 shaped so as to define a receiving seat 51 for the head of the screw 34.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in particular in figures 7a and 7b, the two guiding portions 42 have within the housing space two abutment tooth-like portions 52 facing one another so as to define a narrowing in order to limit the undesired lateral movement of the head of the screw 34.

[0039] Preferably, such two abutment tooth-like portions 52 are arranged between the first end-stroke position and the blocking position. In this way, the risk of undesired torsions that could damage the screws 34 is avoided.

[0040] The connection procedure of the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element 30 with another trellis-like modular element will be described hereinafter with reference, as a non-limiting example, to the embodiment illustrated in figures 6a-6e. In particular, reference will be made to the coupling between a first 30 and a second 30' simplified assembly trellis-like modular element. For the sake of clarity of presentation, the same alphanumeric references are associated with the elements of the second simplified assembly trellis-like modular element 30' of the first modular element 30 to which a superscript is added.

[0041] Let us consider an initial condition in which the first simplified assembly trellis-like modular element 30 is in its transportation configuration shown in figures 2 and 3.

[0042] In a first mounting step, the nuts 35 are unscrewed from the respective screws 34 together, where present, with the washers 53 as for example illustrated in figures 6a and 6b; the third pins 48 are also extracted from the third opposed through-seats 49.

[0043] At this point, the screws 34 are made to slide towards the tightening end portion 43 passing beyond the second end-stroke position and the third pins 49, that had previously been extracted, are inserted in the second opposed through-seats 47. The first simplified assembly trellis-like modular element 30 is oriented with the posts 31 transversal to the ground and the screws 34 in the second end-stroke position that point upwards as illustrated in figure 6c.

[0044] At this point, the second simplified assembly trellis-like modular element 30' is hoisted with the second ends 33 of the posts 31' facing towards the first ends 32 of the posts 31 of the first simplified assembly trellis-like modular element 30. The second simplified assembly modular element 30' is then lowered so that the screws 34 pass through the receiving and tightening seats 54' associated with the second ends 33'; the screws 34 are therefore tightened with the nuts 35 and the possible washers 54 with a torque wrench making the stable coupling between the modular elements.

[0045] It should be emphasized that this tightening step of the screws 34 can, advantageously, be carried out by a single operator in total safety since the screws 34 are kept in position by the second abutment elements 46 that in the case illustrated correspond to the third pins 48 engaged in the second opposed through-seats 47.

[0046] Such a solution also makes the positioning of the second trellis-like modular element 30' on the first trellis-like modular element 30 easy since the screws 34 act as centering means for the second trellis-like modular element 30'.

[0047] From the description that has been made, the characteristics of the modular element for vertical towers of tower cranes and of the vertical tower object of the present invention are clear, just as the relative advantages are also clear.

[0048] Indeed, the connection assemblies of the simplified assembly trellis-like modular element allow not only to house and thus also to transport the bolts in a safe and easy manner, but also to simplify the connection with another trellis-like modular element.

[0049] Finally, it is clear that the modular element for vertical towers of tower cranes and the vertical tower thus conceived can undergo numerous modifications and variants, all of which are covered by the invention; moreover, all of the details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the sizes, can be whatever according to the technical requirements.

Claims

1. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) for towers of tower cranes comprising:

- a plurality of posts (31) for supporting a trellis structure, each of said posts (31) extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis (A) and having a first end (32) and a second end (33);

characterized in that each of said posts (31) comprises, at said first end (32), at least a connection assembly (40) arranged to at least partially house at least one screw (34) of a bolt (34, 35) adapted to connect said simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) with another trellis-like modular element (30) as well as to guide and support said at least one screw (34) during assembly.

2. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to claim 1, wherein each of said connection assemblies (40) comprises a housing and guiding seat (41) adapted to at least partially house said at least one screw (34), said housing and guiding seat (41) having two guiding portions (42) facing each other which define a housing space therebetween for said at least one screw (34) and a tightening end portion (43) connected to said guiding portions (42) and transverse with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) of said post (31), said tightening end portion (43) having at least an opening (36) adapted to be crossed by said at least one screw (34), said housing and guiding seat (41) being provided within the housing space of a first abutment element (44) for the head of at least one screw (34) coupled to said two guiding portions (42) at a first end-stroke position on the side opposite to said tightening end portion (43), said housing and guiding seat (41) being further provided within the housing space of a second abutment element (46) for the screw head (34) which can be selectively and removably coupled to said two guiding portions (42) at a second end-stroke position placed between the first end-stroke position and said tightening end portion (43).

3. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to claim 2, wherein said first end-stroke position is defined by the axis of at least a first pair of opposed through-seats (45) made on said two guiding portions (42) and said first abutment element (44) is made by at least one pin (44) adapted to be removably engaged into the first pair of opposed through-seats (45) so as to cross the housing space defined by said guiding portions (42) thus providing the first end-stroke for the screw head (34).

4. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said second end-stroke position is defined by the axis of at least a second pair of opposed through-seats (47) made on said two guiding portions (42) and said second abutment element (46) is made as at least a second pin (46) adapted to be engaged into said second pair of opposed through-seats (47) so as to cross the housing space defined by said two guiding portions (42) thus providing the second end-stroke for the screw head (34).

5. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said housing and guiding seat (41) is further provided within the housing space of a third abutment element (48) for the screw head (34) which can be selectively and removably coupled to said two guiding portions (42) at a blocking position between the first and the second end-stroke position.

6. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to claim 5, wherein said blocking position is defined by the axis of at least a third pair of opposed through-seats (49) formed on said two guiding portions (42) and said third abutment element (48) is made as at least a third pin (48) adapted to be removably engaged into said third pair of opposed through-seats (49) so as to cross the housing space defined by said guiding portions (42) thus providing a blocking abutment for the screw head (34) when the latter is in said first end-stroke position.

7. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to claims 4 and 6, wherein said second pin (46) coincides with said third pin (48).

8. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said tightening end portion (43) is made in the form of a perforated block (43) which projects within said housing and guiding seat (41) and has a head portion (50) shaped so as to define a receiving seat (51) for the screw head (34).

9. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said two guiding portions (42) have within the housing space two abutment tooth-like portions (52) facing each other so as to define a narrowing in order to limit the undesired lateral movement of the screw head (34).

10. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to claim 9, wherein said two abutment tooth-like portions (52) are placed between the first end-stroke position and the blocking position.

11. Simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said posts (31) comprises two of said connection assemblies (40) which are coupled on two opposite sides of said at least one of said posts (31).

12. Tower (10) for a tower crane comprising a plurality of trellis-like modular elements (30) successively connected to each other, wherein each trellis-like modular element (30) comprises a plurality of posts (31) for supporting a trellis structure, each post (31) extending lengthwise along a longitudinal axis (A) and having a first (32) and a second (33) end, said tower (10) being characterized in that at least one of said trellis-like modular elements (30) is a simplified assembly trellis-like modular element (30) according to one of the preceding claims.

Drawing