[0001] This invention relates to a very high capacity crane apparatus of the type which
are transportable on the highway from job site to job site and which may be operated
as a mobile crane and as a stationary crane.
[0002] There has been a need for many years for a very high capacity lift crane which is
simple to assemble and disassemble and is readily adaptable for transport on the highway
at highway speeds. Transportability from job site to job site is important to provide
ease of use of the crane and to facilitate setup and takedown in very short periods
of time. There has also been a need for such a lift crane that can be converted to
many different modes of operation at the job site. There has also been need of such
a crane which can utilize the principles of diesel hydraulic power for operating the
various components of the crane.
[0003] There are many examples of prior art cranes which have attempted to provide certain
of the foregoing features but have not been fully satisfactory in so doing. The use
of a swinging counterweight trailer has been shown, as for example, in U.S. Patent
No. 3,842,984. However, that patent teaches nothing concerning the use of the auxiliary
trailer as a portion of the transport means for delivering the crane body to a job
site. U.S. Patent No. 3,836,010 discloses a crane wherein the crane body itself is
used as the auxiliary counterweight. However, neither this patent nor the prior patent
teaches anything concerning the use of outriggers in association with a crane body.
[0004] In addition, a company known as American Hoist & Derrick Company of St. Paul, Minnesota
has produced and offered for sale a number of heavy lift cranes under the trademark
SKY HORSE and SUPER SKY HORSE. However, none of these cranes utilize the portability
and mobility concepts disclosed in the present application, nor the use of outriggers
in connection with crawler means as contemplated herein.
[0005] A company known as Sparrows International of Houston, Texas offers to the trade a
crane construction which it designates as the GOTTWALD MOBILE CRANE, which utilizes
the concept of outriggers for supporting a crane. The Gottwald Mobile Crane is sometimes
referred to as the Gottwald MK 600. However, it teaches nothing concerning the use
of a trailer for assisting in the transport of the crane body and subsequent use of
the trailer as auxiliary counterweight. Neither does it teach the use of crawler means
in association with or attached to the outriggers, nor the use of a crawler as a front
auxiliary outrigger as disclosed in the present application.
[0006] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a transportable crane which
is operable on the diesel hydraulic principles, that is simple to assemble and disassemble
at the job site, can be operated in either the mobile or stationary mode, and can
be operated in various configurations.
[0007] Briefly stated, one embodiment of the invention includes a highway-transportable
crane having a crane body having means for pivotally supporting a boom thereon. Means
are attached to a forward portion of the crane body for detachably connecting a transport
vehicle such as a truck tractor thereto and for support thereby during transport thereof.
A trailer is detachably con-. nected to a rearward portion of the crane body and adapted
for supporting the crane body thereon during transport. The trailer has hydraulic
power means for rotating the wheels to alternately track in a longitudinal direction
and in a transverse direction. The crane body has attached thereto and supported therebelow
an outrigger support body which is arranged for rotation relative to the crane body
about a generally vertical axis. The crane includes a plurality of outriggers detachably
connected to the outrigger support body and extending generally horizontally therefrom.
Each of the outriggers is provided with vertically extendable and retractable ground
support means for raising and lowering the outriggers, the outrigger support body
and the crane body. During transport of the crane, the crane body is supported on
the transport vehicle and on the trailer and when the outriggers are attached to the
outrigger support body and the ground support means operated to raise the outrigger
support body and the crane body, the trailer and support vehicle may be detached from
the crane, with the crane then being in one of its operating modes. By attaching a
boom and mast both to the cab body, and attaching the trailer with counterweights
supplied therein, extremely heavy lifts may be made. In certain configurations of
the crane, powered crawler means may be rotatably attached to and support a forward
portion of the crane body after the transport vehicle has been detached, such that
the powered crawler means acts as a powered auxiliary outrigger for supporting a portion
of the load carried by the crane body and for assisting in the rotation of the crane
body. In certain embodiments of the invention the outriggers may be supported on a
pair of powered crawler means, whereby the entire crane becomes mobile along with
the auxiliary outrigger and the auxiliary counterweight.
[0008] Another embodiment of the crane includes a crane body having means for pivotally
supporting a boom thereon, and, as desired, a mast. An outrigger support body is connected
to the crane body for relative rotation therewith about a generally ver-- tical axis.
The crane includes at least two pairs of outriggers attached to the outrigger support
body. Each of the outriggers has vertically extendable and retractable ground support
means connected thereto. Powered crawler means are connected between and support each
of the aforesaid pair of outriggers whereby the crane is fully mobile and capable
of transporting a load when the ground support means are raised from contact with
the ground. The crane may be placed in a stationary position for raising a load when
the ground support means are in contact with the ground. In this embodiment additional
powered crawler means may also be rotatably attached to and supporting a forward portion
of the crane body to provide an auxiliary outrigger which is adaptable for providing
mobility and rotation to the crane body. In this embodiment of the invention a boom
and mast may both be attached to the crane body along with the aforesaid counterbalance
trailer for adapting the crane to extremely heavy lifting and wherein the crane may
still be operated in a mobile mode.
[0009] In each of the aforesaid embodiments the same may be adapted for conversion to operating
in a guy derrick mode or a jib crane mode as desired.
[0010] The present invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view showing the crane body disassembled for transport
along a public highway to a job site.
Fig. 2 is a partial top plan view showing a portion of the diesel hydraulic system
and reaving drums of the crane.
Fig. 3 is a partial side elevation view showing the crane at a job site assembled
for operation on outriggers and with the use of one boom or mast, such that the crane
may be operated as a standard crane.
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the crane shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a full side elevation view of the crane shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and shown
having a counterweight supported on the rearward end thereof.
Fig. 6 is a partial side elevation view showing the crane converted to a very high
capacity lift crane by the addition of a mast and a power-steered auxiliary counterweight
trailer.
Fig. 7 is a full side elevation view of the crane shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the crane in a mode of operation similar to that shown
in Figs. 6 and 7 but arranged such that the counterweight trailer is extended further
rearwardly, the outriggers have have been retracted to supply close by ground support,
and crawler means have been added to the forward end of the crane body to provide
an auxiliary outrigger which is useful in providing. full 360-degree rotation of the
crane while the crane is supported on the outriggers.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of an embodiment of the crane similar to that shown in Fig.
8 but wherein crawler means have been attached to and support the outriggers, whereby
the crane becomes fully mobile while supporting a load thereon.
Fig. 10 is a partial side elevation view of the auxiliary counterweight trailer of
the type shown in Fig. 8 but having a second power-steered auxiliary counterweight
trailer attached therewith for rotation and movement with the first trailer.
Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the trailer assemblies shown in Fig. 10 showing the
direction of travel of the wheels thereof.
Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a crane utilizing the trailer assemblies shown in Figs.
10 and 11 in which the crane is otherwise similar to the fully mobile crane shown
in Fig. 9.
Fig. 13 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the crane similar to that shown in
Fig. 12 but having the outriggers fully extended and supported on the ground such
that the crawlers act as additional outriggers and wherein the outriggers and crawlers
are operated in a stationary position, but the crane body is still adaptable for adjusting
rotation by means of the front crawler.
Fig. 14 is a partial side elevation view of the crane shown in Fig. 13.
Fig. 15 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the invention operated as a
guy derrick.
Fig. 16 is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the invention operated as
a jib crane in a stationary position, and which crane may be converted to a mobile
jib crane as desired.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0011] Referring now to the drawings, and Fig. 1 in particular, a portable crane is generally
designated by the numeral 11 having the rearward end thereof attached to and supported
on a sixteen- wheeled auxiliary counterweight trailer 12 and the forward end or crane
body hitch 29 is connected to and supported on a transport vehicle in the form of
a tractor truck 13. The crane includes a crane body 14, the overall width of which
may be on the order of ten feet and the height of which may be on the order of thirteen
to fourteen feet such that the same is highway transportable.
[0012] Crane body 14 has attached therewith and suspended therebelow outrigger support body
15. Outrigger support body 15 is supported for rotation about a vertical axis relative
to crane body on bull ring gear bearing 16, by means of one or more hydraulic motors
21 mounted in crane body 14.
[0013] Outrigger support body 15 has a plurality of radially extending bores generally rectangular-
in cross-section, which bores are designated by the numerals 25 and which are adapted
for detachably connecting outriggers, as will be described hereinafter. Crane body
14 also has pivotally supported thereon conventional boom inner 17 and mast inner
18. It is to be understood that in certain instances the words boom and mast may be
interchangeably used when only one of the two is in use or operation of the crane
of this invention. In addition, crane body 14 has attached thereto and supported thereon
. conventional gantry 19, which is adapted for raising and lowering by means of cylinder
assembly 20. Crane body 14 has supported thereon operator cab 22 mounted on a pivotal
support 23 by means of cab pivot 24. Transport vehicle 13 is provided with a fifth
wheel 26 which is adapted for engagement by trailer hitchpin 27 of conventional design.
[0014] Counterweight trailer has sixteen wheels 28, each of which are pivoted by power means
such that the wheels 28 may be aligned longitudinally with trailer 12 for movement
in a longitudinal direction or may be rotated transversely for movement in a transverse
direction. A trailer of this general type with such rotatable wheels is generally
taught in U.S. Patent No. 3,842,984. Wheels 28 may also be powered by a hydraulic
motor, so as to provide locomotion to trailer 12 as desired, such that it is a powered
vehicle.
[0015] Referring now to Fig. 2, the means for providing power to the crane will be described.
Crane body 14 is shown having supported therein diesel engine 30 connected and adapted
through conventional pulley means for operating hydraulic pump 31 from which hydraulic
power may be taken as by hydraulic lines to operate various hydraulic motors to facilitate
operation of the crane, as will be described hereinafter.
[0016] Crane body 14 is shown supporting a split drum generally designated by the numerals
32-32, each of which is operated by a hydraulic motor 33, the power source of which
comes from hydraulic pump 31 via hydraulic lines. Split drums 32 are generally utilized
for operating the load block, and by being split, both ends of the load line may be
taken up, thereby increasing the speed with which loads may be raised and lowered.
[0017] Spaced immediately rearward of split drums 32 is jib drum 34 which has wound thereon
cable for operating a fly jib, for example, and is operated by hydraulic motor 35
supplied by hydraulic lines connected to pump 31. Immediately rearward thereof is
boom suspension drum 36 which has wound thereon line for controlling the boom in certain
configurations of the crane and is similarly operated by hydraulic motor 37. Immediately
rearward thereof is another drum designated by the numeral 38 and may sometimes be
described as a gantry, mast, boom guy- line drum as the need arises and may have two
separate lines wound thereon for operating any of those elements. Drum 38 is arranged
for operation by hydraulic motor 39.
[0018] It is to be understood that the connection between hydraulic pump 31 and each of
the hydraulic motors heretofore described is by means of hydraulic lines or hoses
connected in conventional manner. It is also to be understood that hydraulic pump
31 provides power for rotating crane body 14 relative to outrigger support body 15
as well as the telescoping outriggers, the crawler means hereinafter described, and
trailer 12, again by connection of hydraulic lines in conventional fashion. Hence,
the power system of this crane may sometimes be described as being operated on the
diesel hydraulic principle.
[0019] Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 in particular, setup and operation of the crane
of this invention as a standard lifting crane will now be explained. When crane body
14 arrives at the job site in the condition shown in Fig. 1, hydraulically- extendable
and telescoping outriggers 41 are inserted and pinned in bores 25 of outrigger support
body 15. Each of the outriggers 41 is provided with hydraulically- extensible means
in the form of outrigger extensions 42, whereby the length of outriggers 41 may be
varied by hydraulically extending or retracting extensions 42. Each of the outrigger
extensions 42 has supported on the outwards end thereof vertically aligned hydraulic
cylinder assemblies comprising a hydraulic cylinder 43 arranged to operate as a depending
pisten 44, the lower ends of which are each adapted for support on an outrigger equalizing
pad 45.
[0020] With outriggers 41 thus installed, pistons 44 may be extended, thereby raising outriggers
41, outriggers support body 15 and crane body 14. This raising is continued until
crane body 14 is freed from contact with trailer 12 and truck 13, which may then be
removed. A mast center 47 and.mast outer 48 may then be attached to mast inner 18,
as shown in Figs. 3 and 5 and thereafter raised in conventional manner by operation
of gantry suspension 53, with the mast operated as a conventional boom. It is to be
understood that when mast center 47, with inner 18 and outer 48 are utilized by themselves,
they may sometimes be referred to as a boom, since the same are interchangeable therewith.
[0021] Referring now to Fig. 5, mast center 47 is shown having supported thereon mast outer
48, the upper end of which is adapted for supporting main load tackle 49 which supports
load block 50 and load hook 51. The upper end of mast outer 48 has connected thereto
mast suspension 52 which in turn is connected to the upper end of gantry 19. Hence,
by taking up on gantry suspension 53, the mast is raised and lowered accordingly.
Mast center 47 has pivotally attached therewith mast stop 55, the lower end of which
is pivotally connected to crane body 14 to limit the rearward movement of mast center
47 as desired. Gantry 19 is arranged for initial raising and subsequent lowering by
means of cylinder assembly 20 as described above. As shown in Fig. 5, the rearward
end of crane body 14 may have supported thereon conventional counterweight 56 which
may be slabs of concrete or the like.
[0022] Hence by taking up on gantry suspension 53, mast center 47 may be raised and lowered
or otherwise moved through a vertical arc. By taking up on load line 57 which is connected
to main load tackle 49, load hook 51 may be raised and subsequently lowered with the
load thereon. It is to be understood that load line 57 may be a double line and arranged
for reaving on and off of split drums 32 as explained above. Similarly, gantry suspension
53 is comprised of a line which is wound on and off of drum 38 as heretofore described.
Thus it will be seen that this invention provides a crane which is readily adaptable
for self erecting into a standard crane mode of operation. As shown, operator cab
22 is rotated 90 degrees to place the operator in a better viewing position.
[0023] Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, an embodiment of the crane is shown wherein it has
been converted to a high capacity lift crane by the addition of a boom or another
mast and wherein the trailer 12 is converted to an auxiliary counterweight trailer.
The rigging for the mast and boom will now be described. A boom center 60 is attached
to and supported on boom inner 17, which has attached to the upper end thereof boom
outer 61. Boom suspension 62 is attached to the boom outer 61 and to mast outer 48
such that boom center 60 may be raised and lowered through a vertical arc lying in
the same plane of rotation as mast center 47, which movement is effected by boom line
63. Thus the mast and boom are both arranged for independent pivotal movement through
vertical arcs lying in the same general plane by operation of gantry suspension 53
which operates on mast suspension line 52, and by operation of boom line 63 which
operates boom suspension 62. In this embodiment load tackle 49 and load block 50 are
suspended from boom outer 61 as shown in Fig. 7.
[0024] The capacity of the crane of this embodiment is further enhanced by the attachment
of auxiliary trailer 12 with the longitudinal axis thereof generally transverse to
the longitudinal axis of crane body 14, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 with wheels 28 thereof
aligned for longitudinal travel by the trailer. Trailer 12 may have supported thereon
additional auxiliary counterweight 64 in the form of concrete slabs or the like. Trailer
12, in this mode of operation, is connected to crane body 14 by means of an extendable
bridge frame 65 having pins for attachment to each side of crane body 14 for attachment
thereto in variable extended positions. The other end of bridge frame 65 is attached
to trailer 12. Trailer 12 is connected by connector 66 to counterweight pendant 67,
the upper end of which is attached to mast outer 48.
[0025] In operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7, boom center
60 and boom outer 61 are attached to boom inner 17 with load tackle 49 suspended from
the upper end of boom outer 61. Boom suspension 62 is connected between boom outer
61 and mast outer 48 and the mast and boom are raised by taking in on gantry suspension
53 and boom line 63. A load may be raised by taking in on load line 69. It will be
thus seen that the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 and 7 provides a high capacity lift
crane utilizing both a mast and boom arrangement together with auxiliary counterweight
and with the crane body being supported on outriggers. Crane body 14 is supported
such that it may rotate on outrigger support body 15 for 360 degree rotation carrying
with it auxiliary trailer 12.
[0026] Referring now to Fig. 8, another embodiment of the invention will be described which
is similar to the Figs. 6-7 embodiment insofar as the arrangement of the boom and
mast is concerned. However, in this embodiment auxiliary trailer 12 is shown moved
rearwardly a substantial distance by the extension of bridge frame 65, which is pinned
to the side of crane body 14. In addition, in the Fig. 8 embodiment, outrigger extensions
42 are retracted with pistons 44 of cylinders 43 being supported on somewhat smaller
pads 71.
[0027] In addition, crane body hitch 29 is shown having supported therebeneath and attached
thereto crawler means in the form of a crawler 72 having a pair of contra-rotating
crawler tracks 73 and 74. It is to be understood that crawler tracks 73 and 74 are
operated in conventional fashion by hydraulic motors connected to hydraulic pump 31.
It should also be understood that crawler 72 may have a vertically adjustable fifth
wheel 75 for engagement with hitch pin 27, such that crawler 72 acts not only as an
auxiliary outrigger but in the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 can assist in swinging crane
body 14 a full 360 degrees while a load is supported on the crane body. It is to be
understood that the connection of crawler 72 may be accomplished by raising crane
body 14 by operation of cylinders 43 connected to outriggers 41 followed by the positioning
of crawler 72 as shown and thereafter lowering crane body 14 into contact therewith.
Alternatively, the connection may be made by means of the hydraulically-adjustable
fifth wheel 75 on crawler 72. There is thus provided a mode of operation wherein the
crane is stationary, but adapted for making heavy lifts and is still rotatable 360
degrees.
[0028] Referring now to Fig. 9, a further alternative embodiment of the invention will be
described. Its arrangement is substantially similar to that described with respect
to Fig. 8, except that a pair of contra-rotating crawlers 76 are shown attached as
by pinned connection 77 to outriggers 41, as shown. Again, this attachment can be
made by initially raising crane body 14 by operating pistons 44, the attachment then
made, and thereafter crane body 14 lowered by retracting pistons 44 to the point that
pistons 44 are fully retracted and crane body 14 is then supported by contra-rotating
crawlers 76. Again, it is to be understood that crawlers 76 are operated by hydraulic
motors in conventional fashion connected to a source of hydraulic fluid in the form
of hydraulic pump 31.
[0029] By operation of tracks 73 and 74 of crawler 72, the same may be positioned for longitudinal
travel as shown in Fig. 9. In addition, wheels 28 of trailer 12 are rotated such that
they are now positioned transverse to longitudinal axis of trailer 12 whereby the
crane is now fully mobile in both forward and backward directions and for turning
purposes. Thus arranged, the crane is fully mobile, both with and without a load,
and having a very high capacity when loaded. As discussed above, the rigging of the
boom and mast will be substantially the same in the Fig. 9 embodiment as in the Fig.
8 embodiment.
[0030] Referring now to Figs. 10, 11 and 12, a further alternative embodiment of the crane
is shown which is generally similar to the Fig. 9 embodiment, except that a second
auxiliary counterweight trailer has been added, which is designated by the numeral
79. Trailer 79 is generally similar to trailer 12 and is supported on eight wheels
80 which are operated in the same manner as wheels 28 of trailer 12. That is to say,
that in highway transport it may be connected to the rearward end of trailer 12 with
wheels 80 longitudinally aligned for highway travel. In utilizing trailer 79 as an
auxiliary counterweight, the same is connected to the side of trailer 12 by connector
81 such that in rotation of crane body 14, trailers 12 and 79 are arranged to traverse
a circle and to provide additional counterweight for the crane. In this embodiment,
connector 66 is connected at the lower end to alternate connector lug 82 so as to
place the same in the center of gravity of the two trailers 12 and 79, as shown in
Fig. 10. Wheels 28 and 80 are longitudinally aligned as shown in Fig. 11. Crawler
72 is rotated to the transverse position as shown in Fig. 12. 'Thus assembled the
crane is equipped to make very heavy lifts and for 360-degree rotation, and with crawler
72 arranged for assisting in the rotation and with crawlers 76 in position supporting
outriggers 41. In this embodiment, the boom and crane arrangement is the same as with
the prior embodiments except with respect to the location of connector 66 as discussed
above.
[0031] Referring now to Figs. 13 and 14, an embodiment of the invention will be described
wherein it is arranged for making an ultra high capacity lift wherein the crane support
system is stationary, but crane body 14 may be rotated slightly for adjustment purposes.
In this embodiment the crane is essentially the same as that described with respect
to Figs. 10, 11 and 12 embodiment, except that outrigger extensions 42 are fully extended,
with the outer ends thereof now supported on pads 45. Hence, the weight of crane body
14 and any load supported thereon is, in turn, supported on outriggers 41 through
extensions 42 and pads 45 and on crawler 72 acting as an auxiliary outriggers. Thus
positioned, the support members for crane body 14 are immobile, but crane body 14
may be rotated slightly by operation of crawler 72 to make small adjustments in the
swinging position of crane body 14, which may be useful or desirable in carrying out
certain lifting operations. Again, the boom and mast operation of this embodiment
will be generally the same as with the prior embodiment. In this configuration, the
crane is placed in its maximum lifting capacity, but still has rotational ability
within small limits for adjustment purposes.
[0032] Fig. 14 shows one method by which crawlers 76 may be driven, as by chain drive 84
coupled over appropriate sprockets and operated by a hydraulic motor, as heretofore
described. It is to be understood that crawler tracks 73 and 74 are similarly contra-rotatable,
as is well known to those skilled in the art.
[0033] Referring now to Fig. 15, an embodiment of the crane operated as a guy derrick will
be described. In this embodiment, the suspension for crane body 14 is essentially
the same as that shown in Fig. 7 except as noted hereinafter. That is to say, crane
body 14 is shown supported on outriggers 41 which, in turn, are supported on pads
45, which engage the ground. In the Fig. 15 embodiment, auxiliary counterweight trailer
12 and counterweight pendant 67 are removed. Further, a guy cap 85 is shown attached
to the upper end of mast outer 48 for rotation therewith. Guy cap 85 has a plurality
of guy lines 86 attached therewith in conventional fashion. Mast center 47 has added
thereto mast extensions 87.
[0034] In operation of the Fig. 15 embodiment, and with guy cap 85 and guy lines 86 attached,
mast center 47 is raised upwardly to the point that guy cap 85 is positioned over
the center line of rotation of crane body 14 as shown. Thus positioned, guy lines
86 are made fast and mast suspension 52 is let slack. In this embodiment, the crane
is operable as a guy derrick, and is easily converted to such operations.
[0035] Referring now to Fig. 16, an embodiment of the crane is shown where the same has
been converted to a very high capacity stationary tower crane which may be also supported
on crawlers as will be described hereinafter. As shown in Fig. 16, crane body 14 is
supported on the same suspension system as described with respect to the Fig. 15 embodiment.
However, in the Fig. 16 embodiment, the boom has been removed, and mast outer 48 has
been removed and replaced by mast end 89, which has pivotally attached to the upper
end thereof jib 90, the outer end of which is arranged to support load tackle 49.
Mast end 89 also supports jib masts 91, over which jib line 92 is trained for raising
and lowering jib 90. Jib line 92 is attached to jib pendant 93, the lower end of which
is attached to jib suspension 94 for raising and lowering. Jib suspension 94 is operated
off of one of the drums in crane body 14. In addition, mast center 47 and the other
portions of the mast are moved to and held in the upright position through operation
of gantry suspension 53 and mast suspension 52. Mast stop 55 is arranged to control
the rearward movement of mast center 67 beyond a safe position. Thus arranged, the
Fig. 16 embodiment provides a very high lift stationary tower crane which is adapted
for making lifts at great reach or distances.
[0036] The crane as shown in Fig. 16 can be converted to a mobile crane by the addition
of crawlers 76 as with the Fig. 9 embodiment and by retracting outrigger extensions
42 and disengaging or lifting pistons 44 from engagement with the ground. It will
thus be seen that this invention provides a crane which is very versatile and is easily
converted to different configurations for carrying out different lifting operations.
It is operated on the diesel hydraulic principle which is simple and reliable. It
provides a crane which is portable over highways and arranged such that the mast or
boom may be interchangeable, such that the crane can work in a number of configurations
with ease of assembly and disassembly. Thus arranged, it is a crane which requires
low maintenance and can be operated with a minimum of expertise.
[0037] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of the apparatus of this invention
will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly,
this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of
teaching those skilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention. It is
to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to
be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. Various changes may be made in the
shape, size and arrangement of parts. For example, equivalent elements or materials
may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts may be reversed,
and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of
other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the
benefit of this description of the invention.
1. A transportable crane which comprises a highway transportable crane body having
means for pivotally supporting a boom thereon; means attached to a forward portion
of said crane body for detachably connecting a transport vehicle thereto and for support
thereby during transport thereof; a trailer detachably connected to a rearward portion
of said crane body and adapted for supporting said crane body thereon during transport
thereof, said trailer having means for rotating the wheels to alternately track in
a longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction; an outrigger support body
connected to said crane body for relative rotation therewith about a generally vertical
axis; a plurality of outriggers detachably connected to said outrigger support body
and extending generally horizontally therefrom; vertically extendable and retractable
ground support means connected to an outward portion of each of said outriggers for
raising and lowering said outriggers, said outrigger support body, and said crane
body; whereby, during transport of said crane body, said crane body is supported on
said transport vehicle and said trailer, and when said outriggers are attached to
said outrigger support body and said ground support means are operated to raise said
outrigger support body and said crane body, said trailer and said transport vehicle
may be detached from said crane body, with said crane then being in an operating mode.
2. A crane as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said outriggers includes a generally
horizontally telescoping assembly, whereby said outriggers may be extended and retracted
relative to said outrigger support body for varying the radial distance at which said
ground support means may be engaged with the ground.
3. A crane as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, including: a boom and a mast pivotally
attached to said crane body for movement through vertical arcs lying in the same general
plane; means for detachably connecting said trailer with said crane body such that
the longitudinal axis thereof is transverse to the longitudinal axis of said crane
body, whereby said trailer rotates with said crane body; counterbalance weight means
supported on said trailer; and line means connected between said mast and said trailer
with said weight supported thereon; whereby said trailer and weight operates as an
auxiliary counterbalance for said crane.
4. A crane as claimed in claim 3 wherein: said means for connecting said trailer transversely
with said crane body includes extendable and retractable bridge means, whereby the
counterbalancing effect of said trailer may be varied by variably spacing said trailer
from said crane body.
5. A crane as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including: powered crawler
means rotatably attached to and supporting said forward portion of said crane body
after said transport vehicle has been detached; whereby said crawler means acts as
a powered auxiliary outrigger for assisting in the rotation of said crane body on
said vertical axis relative to said ground supported outriggers.
6. A crane as claimed in claim 5, wherein: said crawler means includes a pair of endless
crawler tracks, each of which is contra-rotatable, whereby the direction of travel
of said crawler means may be controlled thereby.
7. A crane as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, including: at least two additional powered
crawler means, each one of which is connected to at least one of said outriggers;
and including a second powered crawler means connected between and supporting each
of said pair of outriggers; whereby said crane is fully mobile and capable of transporting
a load when said ground support means are raised from contact with the ground.
8. A crane as claimed in claim 7, wherein: each of said second powered crawler means
includes a contra-rotatable crawler track, whereby the direction of travel of said
crane may be controlled thereby.
9. A crane as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, including a second trailer having means
for supporting a counterweight thereon and having means for rotating the wheels thereof
to alternately track in a generally longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction;
and means for attaching said second trailer to the side of said first trailer for
horizontal movement therewith, whereby said second trailer provides additional counterbalancing
capabilities to said crane.
10. A crane as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein, said ground support means
are engaged in load supporting contact with the ground, whereby said second crawler
means act as auxiliary outriggers to thereby increase the load lifting capability
of said crane, and whereby said crane body may be rotated about its vertical axis.
11. A crane as claimed in claim 10, wherein:
said outriggers are telescopically extended whereby the lifting capability of said
crane body is increased and said crane body is still capable of minor rotational adjustment.
12. A crane as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims, including: a book and
mast pivotally attached to said crane body for movement through vertical arcs lying
in the same general plane; a guy cap attached to said mast for rotation relative thereto;
and guy lines attached to said guy cap; whereby said crane is operable in a guy derrick
mode.
13. A crane as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, including: a mast pivotally attached
to said crane body for movement through a vertical arc; a jib attached to an upper
portion of said mast and extendable generally horizontally therefrom; and means for
supporting a load on the outer end of said jib; whereby said crane may be operated
as a jib crane.
14. A crane as claimed in claim 13 wherein:
said plurality of outriggers include a pair thereof extending horizontally from each
side of said crane body; and including a powered crawler means connected between and
supporting each of said pair of outriggers; whereby said crane may be operated as
a fully mobile jib crane when said ground support means are raised from contact with
the ground.
15. A crane comprising: a crane body having means for pivotally supporting a boom
thereon; an outrigger support body connected to said crane body for relative rotation
therewith about a generally vertical axis; a plurality of outriggers attached to said
outrigger support body; vertically extendable and retractable ground support means
connected to an outward portion of each of said outriggers; powered crawler means
connected to support said outriggers; whereby said crane is fully mobile and capable
of transporting a load when said ground support means are raised from contact with
the ground, and whereby said crane may be placed in a stationary position when said
ground support means are in contact with the ground.
16. A crane as claimed in claim 15, wherein: said outriggers include at least two
pairs thereof; and each of said pairs of outriggers is supported by one of said powered
crawler means.
17. A crane as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein: each of said outriggers includes
a generally horizontally telescoping assembly, whereby said outriggers may be extended
and retracted relative to said outrigger support body for varying the radial distance
at which said ground support means may be engaged with the ground.
18. A crane as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 including: second powered crawler
means rotatably attached to and supporting a forward portion of said crane body, whereby
said second powered crawler means acts as powered auxiliary outrigger.
19. A crane as claimed in claim 18 wherein: said second crawler means includes a pair
of endless tracks each of which is contra-rotatable, whereby the direction of travel
of said second crawler means may be controlled thereby.
20. A crane as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, including: a boom and a mast
pivotally attached to said crane body for movement through vertical arcs lying in
the same ground plane; a counterbalance trailer attached to said crane body for horizontal
movement therewith; and means connected between said mast and said trailer, whereby
said trailer operates as an auxiliary counterbalance for said crane.
21. A crane as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, including: a mast pivotally
attached to said crane body for movement through a vertical arc lying in the same
general plane as the arc of movement of said boom; a guy cap attached to said mast
for rotation relative thereto; and guy lines attached to said guy cap; whereby said
crane is operable in a guy derrick mode.
22. A crane as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, including a jib attached to
an upper portion of said boom and extendable generally horizontally therefrom; and
means for supporting a load on said jib; whereby said crane may be operated as both
a mobile and a stationary jib crane.