Crane having a collapsible jib

Abstract

The invention relates to a crane comprising a tower and a jib, wherein the jib rests on the tower and is fixed on the tower when the crane is in an inoperative position.

Claims

1. Crane, comprising a tower (11) and a jib (9), wherein the jib (9) rests on the tower (11) and is fixed on the tower (11) when the crane is in an inoperative position, and in the inoperative position, the jib (9) is locked against rotation to the tower (11) by a frame (12).

2. Crane according to claim 1, wherein, in the inoperative position, the jib (9) rests on the tower (11) to be parallel.

3. Crane according to claim 1, wherein an auxiliary support (4) is provided between a jib retaining support (2) and an adjustment winder (3) for adjusting the jib (9), which auxiliary support is coupled to the jib retaining support (2), by at least one guy rod (5), when in a working position.

4. Crane according to claim 1, wherein, in an installation position, the jib (9) is coupled to a transmission platform (1), by a stay (10), at a jib articulation part (91).

5. Crane according to claim 4, wherein the frame (12) is coupled to or mounted on the tower (11) at a location underneath and spaced away from the transmission platform (1).

6. Crane according to claim 1, wherein the frame (12) is coupled to or mounted on the tower (11) such that the tower (11) and the jib (9) indirectly contact one another when the jib (9) is locked against rotation.

7. Crane according to claim 1, wherein the frame (12) is separately couplable to the tower (11) at different locations along the tower (11).

8. Crane according to claim 1, wherein the frame (12) has a profile the same as or similar to the tower (11).

9. Crane according to claim 8, wherein the frame (12) has a rectangular cross-section larger than a rectangular cross-section of the tower (11).

10. Crane according to claim 1, wherein the frame (12) is at least partially positioned around the tower (11) to introduce force or torque from the jib (9) into the tower (11).

11. Crane according to claim 10, wherein the frame (12) is entirely positioned around the tower (11).

12. Crane comprising a tower (11) and a jib (9), wherein the jib (9) rests on the tower (11) and is fixed on the tower (11) when the crane is in an inoperative position, an auxiliary support (4) is provided between a jib retaining support (2) and an adjustment winder (3) for adjusting the jib (9), which auxiliary support is coupled to the jib retaining support (2), by at least one guy rod (5), when in a working position, and the auxiliary support (4) and the jib retaining support (2) are uncoupled from one another in the inoperative position.

13. Crane comprising a tower (11) and a jib (9), wherein the jib (9) rests on the tower (11) and is fixed on the tower (11) when the crane is in an inoperative position, in an installation position, the jib (9) is coupled to a transmission platform (1), by a stay (10), at a jib articulation part (91), and in the inoperative position, the stay (10) is uncoupled from the jib articulation part (91) and/or from the transmission platform (1).

14. Crane comprising a tower (11) and a jib (9), wherein the jib (9) rests on the tower (11) and is fixed on the tower (11) when the crane is in an inoperative position, in an installation position, the jib (9) is coupled to a transmission platform (1), by a stay (10), at a jib articulation part (91), the jib articulation part (91) is hinged, and a front part (911) and a rear part (912) of the jib articulation part (91) are rotatably coupled together by a pivot point (913).

15. Crane according to claim 14, wherein the jib articulation part (91) comprises a connection (92) arranged on a side opposite the pivot point (913).

16. Crane according to claim 15, wherein the connection (92) is released in the inoperative position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further details and advantages of the invention are explained with reference to the embodiments that are shown by way of example in the figures. In said figures:

(2) FIG. 1: shows a crane according to the invention in the working position;

(3) FIG. 2: shows a crane according to the invention in the installation position; and

(4) FIG. 3: shows a crane according to the invention in the inoperative position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(5) FIG. 1 shows a crane according to the invention that is designed as a revolving tower crane, comprising a tower 11 and a jib 9, wherein the jib 9 or the crane is shown in a working position. On the transmission platform 1, an auxiliary support 4 is provided between the jib retaining support 2 and the adjustment winder 3. The auxiliary support 4 is connected to the jib retaining support 2 by means of guy rods 5. In this case, it is also possible to use one single guy rod 5. The connection established by the guy rods 5 may be separable, wherein a controllable actuator may be provided for separating and/or establishing the connection, such that the connection can be manipulated or set by means of a remote controller for example. The guy rods 5 may be permanently coupled to the jib retaining support 2 and releasably coupled to the auxiliary support 4, or vice versa. The adjustment rope 7 is slipped between the auxiliary support 4 and the jib retaining support 2, and furthermore between the jib retaining support 2 and the jib 9, over a cylinder 8.

(6) A stay 10 may be provided at the bottom of the jib articulation part 91. The stay 10 is required for folding or supporting the jib 9. The jib articulation part 91 may be hinged and may correspond to a first portion of the jib 9 via which the jib 9 is connected to the tower 11. A frame 12 may be provided on the tower 11, in which frame the jib 9 can be locked when in the folded position or in the inoperative position. The transmission platform 1 may be arranged in the region of the upper end of the tower 11, as a rotatable platform, and/or may be arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the tower 11 or so as to be rotatable together with the tower 11 relative to an undercarriage (not shown) or another rest.

(7) FIG. 2 shows the crane in a position in which the jib 9 has been lowered as far as the horizontal installation position shown here. In the figures, the same reference signs, or reference signs that differ only by apostrophes, denote mutually corresponding features or components. The installation position may also assume an angular position that deviates herefrom. The position or angular position of the jib 9 can be determined or set by means of the length of the adjustment rope 7. In the installation position, the jib 9 is locked to the transmission platform 1, via the stay 10, at the jib articulation part 91. After locking, the adjustment rope 7 can be tensioned. After the adjustment rope 7 has been tensioned, the connection 6 between the auxiliary support 4 and the guy rods 5, and/or between the auxiliary support 4 and the jib retaining support 2, is released. The connection between the supports 2, 4 is now provided in particular only by the adjustment rope 7 and/or is provided by the stay 10. An upper connection 92 in the jib articulation part 91 can also be released. The upper connection 92 in the jib articulation part 91 may be formed as a screw connection and/or as an in particular electronically actuable connection which can be actuated by means of a remote controller for example. The crane is now ready for being folded into the inoperative position shown in FIG. 3.

(8) In the installation position, the guy rod 5 can be arranged so as to be substantially vertical, while the jib retaining support 2 and the guy rod 5 together span an angle of approximately 30°. The spanned angle may, however, also deviate from the specified angle by up to 15°.

(9) As can be seen in FIG. 3, lowering the adjustment rope 7 increases the distance 71 or the angle between the auxiliary support 4 and the jib retaining support 2. Consequently, the jib retaining support 2 rotates about the point 13. As a result, the jib articulation part 91′ is folded out. The front 911 and rear 912 part of the jib articulation part 91′ are hingedly interconnected at a pivot point 913. The front part 911 may be the part of the jib articulation part 91′ that is in particular pivotably and permanently coupled to the transmission platform 1. The jib 9′ moves downwards during this process. For the purpose of stabilization, the jib 9′ is placed in or on the frame 12. The frame 12 may be designed such that it can be dismantled, and may be installed in further positions on the tower 11.

(10) In order to bring the crane into operation again, the process must be carried out in the reverse sequence. Alternatively, an additional winder may be installed for the purpose of folding, the rope of which winder is slipped between the auxiliary support 4 and the jib retaining support 2. The jib adjustment rope is subjected to less strain as a result.

(11) In the inoperative position shown in FIG. 3, the jib 9′ extends in parallel with the tower 11′. Embodiments that deviate therefrom are also conceivable, in which embodiments the jib 9′ may be set so as to be angled with respect to the tower 11′. The stay 10 may be separated from jib articulation part 91′ and/or from the transmission platform 1, in order to allow for folding of the jib 9′. In this case, an embodiment is preferred in which the stay 10 remains on one of the two components of the jib 9′ or the jib articulation part 91′ and thus does not have to be completely dismantled.

(12) As can furthermore be seen in FIG. 3, in the inoperative position the jib 9′ may be connected to the tower 11′ via at least two articulation points. A first articulation point is located in the region of the jib articulation part 91′, and connects the jib 9′ to the transmission platform 1. A second articulation point is located in the region of the frame 12. The jib 9′ and the tower 11′ can be fixed to one another by means of the two articulation points. In an embodiment in which the transmission platform 1 is designed so as to be rotatable relative to the tower 11′ and the tower 11′ itself is arranged so as not to be rotatable with respect to a substructure (not shown) or another base structure of the crane, the two articulation points can prevent rotatability of the crane or of the jib 9′ and the transmission platform 1 about a vertical axis.

(13) A third articulation point between the tower 11′ and the jib 9′ may be defined by the adjustment rope 7, on a side of the jib 9′ that is opposite the second articulation point. In the inoperative position, the jib retaining support 2 is arranged so as to be at an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the vertical, while the auxiliary support 4 may be arranged so as to be approximately at right-angles to the jib retaining support 2. In this case, the angle specifications are not to be understood as limiting, and therefore angular deviations of up to 30° from the specified angles are also covered by the inventive concept.

(14) As can furthermore be seen in FIG. 3, in the inoperative position the jib 9′ may be positioned in a state that is not shortened. In this case, it is not necessary to at least partly retract or shorten telescopic jibs 9′ for example. Foldable jibs 9′ or jibs 9′ comprising folding tips or folding elements may also be brought into the inoperative position without folding in the corresponding components.

(15) It is conceivable that, in the inoperative position, the jib retaining support 2 may be the component of the crane that protrudes most in the lateral direction and/or upwards in the vertical direction. It may furthermore be possible for the front part 911 of the jib articulation part 91′ to be of a length that corresponds to the height of the jib 9′ and/or the height of the crane tip. The crane tip may be of a greater height than other portions of the jib 9′ which could collide with the tower 11 in the folded state of the crane in FIG. 3.

(16) The front part 911 may therefore function as a spacer which protects the jib 9′, hanging down, from contact with at least one part of the remaining crane structure. The front part 911 may have a smaller horizontal extension than the jib retaining support 2. This can ensure that the adjustment rope 7 that is guided over the jib retaining support 2 can also bring about pivoting of the jib 9′ in the inoperative position of the crane.