VEHICLE CRANE HAVING A TELESCOPING JIB AND VEHICLE CRANE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING A BRACING APPARATUS ON THE TELESCOPING JIB OF A VEHICLE CRANE

Abstract

A vehicle crane having a telescoping jib, comprising a basic box with linearly displaceable inner boxes and a lifting cable with a load picking-up device. A fastening region is arranged on the basic box or on a head end of one of the inner boxes, and a bracing apparatus is securable to the fastening region by a connecting end. To simplify rigging/de-rigging of the vehicle crane in relation to the bracing apparatus, the fastening region is formed for mounting the bracing apparatus on the basic box or on one of the inner boxes such that a bracing apparatus that is freely suspended on the lifting cable is coupled to the fastening region with the connecting end being brought close to the fastening region by movements of the vehicle crane, retraction and extension of the inner boxes, raising and lowering of the load picking-up device, and/or luffing of the telescoping jib.

Claims

1. A vehicle crane comprising: a telescoping jib, comprising a basic box having linearly displaceable inner boxes and having a lifting cable having a load pick-up device, wherein a fastening region is arranged on the basic box or on a head end of one of the inner boxes; and a bracing apparatus that is configured to be secured to the fastening region at a connecting end of the bracing apparatus; wherein the fastening region is formed for mounting the bracing apparatus on the basic box or on one of the inner boxes with the bracing apparatus being coupled to the fastening region from a freely suspended orientation on the lifting cable to the connecting end being brought close to the fastening region by movements of the vehicle crane, by retraction and extension of the inner boxes, raising and lowering of the load pick-up device and/or luffing of the telescoping jib.

2. The vehicle crane as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the fastening region a first plug connection part configured to form a plug connection is arranged on the basic box or on one of the inner boxes and can be coupled to a corresponding second plug connection part arranged on the connecting end of the bracing apparatus.

3. The vehicle crane as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first plug connection part comprises an opening channel provided to at least partially accommodate the second plug connection part comprising a plug element, and wherein the extension of the opening channel defines a plug axis extending in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the basic box.

4. The vehicle crane as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first plug connection part comprises a plug element provided for the at least partial arrangement in an opening channel of the second plug connection part, and wherein the extension of the plug element defines a plug axis extending in parallel with a longitudinal axis of the basic box.

5. The vehicle crane as claimed in claim 2, wherein the basic box and each inner box has an upper side and a lower side opposite the upper side, and wherein the first plug connection part is arranged on the lower side of the basic box or of the inner box on the head end thereof.

6. The vehicle crane as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bracing apparatus has a second plug connection part that corresponds to the first plug connection part of the telescoping jib and is articulated on the bracing apparatus.

7. The vehicle crane as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracing apparatus has two articulated bracing supports and at least one drive, wherein when the bracing apparatus is coupled to the basic box the bracing supports can be pivoted from a mounting position into a working position and back at least partially by the drive.

8. The vehicle crane as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first plug connection part and/or the second plug connection part comprises an insertion aid in the form of at least one oblique surface.

9. The vehicle crane as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one rotatably mounted deflecting roller is arranged on a free end of the bracing apparatus.

10. A vehicle crane system comprising a vehicle crane as claimed in claim 1, and a transport unit configured to transport the bracing apparatus of the telescoping jib system.

11. A method for mounting a bracing apparatus to a telescoping jib of a vehicle crane comprising: providing a transport unit having a bracing device accommodated thereon in the region of a vehicle crane, wherein the bracing device has a connecting end; connecting a load pick-up device of the vehicle crane to the bracing apparatus; raising the bracing apparatus from the transport unit via the vehicle crane; moving the bracing apparatus freely suspended on the lifting cable by retraction and extension of the inner boxes, raising and lowering of the load pick-up device and/or luffing of the telescoping jib with respect to a fastening region on a basic box or on a head end of one of the inner boxes with respect to the fastening region; coupling the bracing apparatus to the fastening region of the basic box or one of the inner boxes; and releasing the load pick-up device of the vehicle crane from the bracing apparatus.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bracing apparatus is coupled to the fastening region by moving the bracing apparatus freely suspended on the lifting cable.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the bracing apparatus is mechanically secured after coupling to the fastening region.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a second plug connection part on the bracing apparatus is coupled to a first plug connection part corresponding to the second plug connection part.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first plug connection part is coupled to the second plug connection part by retracting at least one of the inner boxes.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein two bracing supports articulated on the bracing device are pivoted from a mounting position into a working position at least partially by at least one drive.

17. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising orienting a longitudinal extension of the bracing apparatus in parallel with a longitudinal extension of the telescoping jib prior to said coupling the bracing apparatus to the fastening region of the basic box or one of the inner boxes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle crane,

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a side view of an inventive vehicle crane system having a vehicle crane, reduced to an inventive telescoping jib, from FIG. 1 and a bracing apparatus located on a transport unit,

[0036] FIG. 3 shows the vehicle crane system from FIG. 2 in an uncoupled state in a changed orientation,

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the vehicle crane system from FIG. 3 in a coupled state,

[0038] FIG. 5 shows the vehicle crane system from FIG. 4 with a changed orientation of the telescoping jib and the bracing apparatus,

[0039] FIG. 6 shows the vehicle crane system from FIG. 5 with a changed orientation of the bracing apparatus and the telescoping jib,

[0040] FIG. 7 shows the vehicle crane system from FIG. 6 with an orientation of the bracing apparatus which has further changed with respect thereto,

[0041] FIG. 8 shows the vehicle crane system from FIG. 7 with a luffed-up telescoping jib,

[0042] FIG. 9 shows the vehicle crane system from FIG. 8 with an extended bracing rod,

[0043] FIG. 10 shows the vehicle crane system from FIG. 8 with an alternative design for connecting the bracing rod,

[0044] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of an articulation of a bracing support on a basic box, and

[0045] FIG. 12 shows a side view of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle crane 1 which is parked on the ground U and has a telescoping jib 2 which, in a transport position, extends with its longitudinal direction X1 in the present case in parallel with a horizontal direction X. The telescoping jib 2 with its telescoping jib head 2f is illustrated in a purely schematic manner and is not formed in accordance with the invention. The vehicle crane 1 has a lower carriage 3 which, in the example shown here, comprises a wheeled running gear unit 4 which includes on the whole six axles 4a to 4f each having at least two wheels 5 mounted to be rotatable on the axles and spaced apart from each other in parallel with a vertical direction Y. Arranged on the lower carriage 3 is a superstructure 6 which carries the telescoping jib 2 and can be rotated relative to the lower carriage 3 about an axis of rotation Z1 extending in parallel with an upwards direction Z. The telescoping jib 2 extending in its longitudinal direction X1 is articulated on the superstructure 6 via a horizontal luffing axis Y1.

[0047] The telescoping jib 2 has a basic box 2a which is articulated in a luffable manner on the superstructure 6 and contains a plurality of inner boxes 2b to 2e. Owing to their stepped cross-sections matched to each other, the inner boxes 2b to 2e are arranged one inside the other and within the basic box 2a such that these can be displaced, in particular can be hydraulically retracted and extended, accordingly linearly in the longitudinal direction X1 of the telescoping jib 2. The telescoping jib 2 is luffable accordingly via at least one linear drive acting between the basic box 2a and the superstructure 6 in the design as a luffing cylinder 6a. A load lifting device or pick-up device or picking-up means 7 is arranged on the free end of the telescoping jib 2 via a lifting cable (see FIG. 2) in order to be able to pick up a load. The load picking-up means 7 is typically formed as a load hook having a lower block for a cable reeving.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows the vehicle crane 1 from FIG. 1 reduced to its telescoping jib 2, together with a brace or bracing apparatus 9 stored in a transport position on a transport unit 8, only sections of which are indicated in the figure. The telescoping jib 2 is illustrated in FIG. 2 in a design in accordance with the invention. The transport unit 8 is formed e.g. as a semi-trailer, but it can also be a trailer.

[0049] Such bracing apparatuses 9 are generally known and substantially consist of two bracing supports 9b, of which only a front, or left, one is shown in FIG. 2. The two bracing supports 9b are connected together at their respective inner ends via a connecting frame which is likewise concealed, and so the two bracing supports 9b can be pivoted from a mutually parallel transport position into an operating position orientated in a substantially v-shaped manner with respect to each other.

[0050] The telescoping jib 2 and bracing apparatus 9 form a telescoping jib system 10 in accordance with the invention. The vehicle crane 1 from FIG. 1 equipped with the telescoping jib system 10 and the transport unit 8 formed for transporting the bracing apparatus 9 of the telescoping jib system 10 form a vehicle crane system 11 in accordance with the invention.

[0051] In the illustration of the telescoping jib 2, which is separate from the vehicle crane 1 in this figure, it is clear that the jib has a fastening region in which a first plug connection part 12 is arranged. Compared therewith, the bracing apparatus 9 has at a connecting end 9j a second plug connection part 13 which corresponds to the first plug connection part 12 of the telescoping jib 2, wherein the two plug connection parts 12, 13 can be coupled together to secure the bracing apparatus 9 to the basic box 2a forming a plug connection. The telescoping jib 2 has an upper side S1 and a lower side S2 which is opposite the upper side S1 and substantially faces the ground U, wherein the first plug connection part 12 is visibly arranged on the lower side S2 of the telescoping jib 2 and between the head of the basic box 2a and a receptacle for the luffing cylinder 6a.

[0052] In the design of the two plug connection parts 12, 13 which is shown by way of example only here, the first plug connection part 12 has an opening channel 12a which is open at least in the direction of the head of the basic box 2a, whilst the second plug connection part 13 has a plug element 13a articulated on an inner end of the bracing apparatus 9. The extension of the opening channel 12a defines a plug axis X2 which extends in parallel with the longitudinal axis X1 of the basic box 2a and thus the telescoping jib 2. The two plug connection parts 12, 13 are formed at least in regions in a form-fitting manner with respect to each other. In the design which is shown by way of example only here, it can be seen that the two plug connection parts 12, 13 each have at least one oblique surface F1, F2; F3, of which two oblique surfaces F1, F2 are arranged on the second plug connection part 13 whilst one oblique surface F3 is located on the first plug connection part 12. The two oblique surfaces F1, F2 of the second plug connection part 13 are orientated with respect to each other such that the plug element 13a narrows towards its free end. The single oblique surface F3 of the first plug connection part 12 is located such that the opening channel 12a widens in a wedge-shaped manner opposite an insertion direction. The oblique surfaces F1, F2; F3 are used as an insertion aid in order to be able to couple the two plug connection parts 12, 13 together more effectively.

[0053] In the situation which can be seen in FIG. 2, the bracing apparatus 9 stored on a loading surface 8a of the transport unit 8 is already coupled to the load picking-up means 7 of the telescoping jib 2 incorporating a suspension 14. The suspension 14 is connected to the bracing apparatus 9 such that the bracing apparatus 9 is suspended substantially horizontally on the load picking-up means 7.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows the condition in which the bracing apparatus 9 has been raised completely from the transport means 8—which can no longer be seen in this figure—by means of the load picking-up means 7. Raising occurs in a conventional manner by reeling in the lifting cable on the load picking-up means 7. Luffing of the telescoping jib 2 or extending an inner box 2a to 2e can also effect raising or lowering of the load picking-up means 7. Any combination of these three movements is also possible for this purpose. Moreover, the telescoping jib 2 has been luffed up about the luffing axis Y1 (see black, curved arrow) and thus positioned more steeply compared with the illustration in FIG. 2. At the same time or following on therefrom, the inner box 2e located at the free end of the telescoping jib 2 has been linearly displaced and so the telescoping jib 2 is at least partially extended (see black, straight arrow). As can be seen, by way of the combination of luffing and extending the telescoping jib 2 and raising or lowering the load picking-up means 7 via the lifting cable, the two plug connection parts 12, 13 are orientated with respect to each other such that the plug element 13a of the second plug connection part 13 faces substantially in the direction of the opening channel 12a of the first plug connection part 12. Preferably, the plug element 13a is orientated with its longitudinal extension in parallel with the plug axis X2. Moreover, arranged on the end of the plug element 13a is a supply plug part 13b, via which the bracing apparatus 9 can be coupled to the vehicle crane 1 electrically and hydraulically. As a counterpart for the supply plug part 13b, a supply coupling part 12c is indicated in the drawing on the first plug connection part 12 in the region of its base.

[0055] This mutually adjacent arrangement of the two plug connection parts 12, 13 can be achieved in such a manner because the luffing angle of the telescoping jib 2, the extension length of the telescoping jib 2 and the mounting locations of the two plug connection parts 12, 13 in each case on the basic box 2a of the telescoping jib 2 and on an inner end of the bracing apparatus 9 are adapted to one another accordingly.

[0056] Prior to the coupling, the bracing apparatus 9 is orientated with its longitudinal extension in parallel with the longitudinal extension of the telescoping jib 2. The orientation of the bracing apparatus 9 with respect to the telescoping jib 2 is effected in a virtually automatic manner because the bracing apparatus 9 is freely suspended on the load picking-up means 7. For this purpose, the load picking-up means 7 is then selected such that the load picking-up means 7 is formed rigid in relation to a vertical axis of rotation, which typically coincides with the longitudinal direction of the lifting cables and the guiding of the load picking-up means 7 over the cable reeving of the lifting cable is sufficient to orientate the bracing apparatus 9 with its longitudinal direction lying in a luffing plane of the telescoping jib 2 and thus in parallel with its longitudinal direction for the longitudinal extension of the telescoping jib 2 automatically for the coupling process. If the load picking-up means 7 comprises a load hook rotatable about a vertical axis for picking up the bracing apparatus 9, it is possible to provide guide cables freely suspended downwards on the bracing apparatus 9, via which auxiliary personnel can then orientate the bracing apparatus 9 into the desired position with respect to the telescoping jib 2. It would also be feasible for load picking-up means 7 to be fitted with a driven rotary apparatus, in particular a remotely operable rotary apparatus, in order to orientate the bracing apparatus 9 with respect to the telescoping jib 2 prior to coupling about a vertical axis. The required precise orientation between the bracing apparatus 9 and the telescoping jib 2 can also be effected via the designs of the mechanical elements for the coupling process and thus by the coupling process itself.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows the now-secured condition of the bracing apparatus 9 on the basic box 2a of the telescoping jib 2. As can be seen, the first and second plug connection parts 12, 13 are coupled together by retracting the telescoping jib 2 or its inner box 2e (see black, straight arrow). By retracting the inner box 2e, the plug element 13a of the second plug connection part 13 was displaced into the opening channel 12a of the first plug connection part 12, thus forming a plug connection. Then, the first plug connection part 13 is locked in the first plug connection part 12 automatically or manually via a bolt-like locking element 12b on the first plug connection part 12. In the achieved mounting position, the bracing apparatus 9 is additionally connected to the telescoping jib 2 or the vehicle crane 1 in the region of the first and second plug connection parts 12, 13 manually or automatically via hydraulic and/or electric supply lines which are not illustrated in more detail.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows the next step in the rigging of the telescoping jib 2 with the bracing apparatus 9 in order to remove the suspension 14 from the load picking-up means 7 and the bracing apparatus 9. Compared with the position shown in FIG. 4, the telescoping jib 2 is luffed down far enough with respect thereto (see black, curved arrow) and the bracing apparatus 9 is positioned onto an erecting cylinder 9d, illustrated for the first time in FIG. 12, far enough about a pivot axis Y2 (see black, curved arrow) so that the suspension 14 is moved in a favourable working position in relation to the ground U in order then to remove the suspension 14 from the bracing apparatus 9 and the load picking-up means 7. In this condition, the bracing apparatus 9 is already carried completely by the basic box 2a of the telescoping jib 2. The suspension 14 which hereby can be relieved of the previous tension force and in this respect is relaxed can thus be removed. The bracing apparatus 9 suspended on the telescoping jib 2 hovers over the ground U with its free end 9a and a rotatably arranged deflecting roller 9c.

[0059] FIG. 6 shows the vehicle crane system 11 from FIG. 5 with a changed orientation of the telescoping jib 2 and the bracing apparatus 9 compared with FIG. 5. The telescoping job 2 has been luffed down further and so its longitudinal direction X1 is orientated virtually horizontally and thus the telescoping jib head 2f can be reached more easily. The two bracing supports 9b have been erected further and so the free end 9a of the bracing apparatus 9 is located above the telescoping jib 2. Moreover, the fourth inner box 2e has been extended with the telescoping jib head 2f far enough that the free end 9a of the bracing apparatus 9 is located approximately above the telescoping jib head 2f. Then, a front tensioning cable 9g is fed out from tensioning frames 9f arranged on each of the two bracing supports 9b and is guided in each case along the bracing supports 9b in the direction of the respective free ends 9a to the deflecting roller 9c at that location, and then is freely suspended thereunder in the direction of the telescoping jib head 2f. Then, the tensioning cable 9g is fastened with its free end at the top on the telescoping jib head 2f. In this case, the tensioning frame 9f is articulated in each case in the region of a lower third of the bracing support 9b. It can also be seen from FIG. 6 that in each case a rear bracing rod 9h is mounted in an articulated manner on the free end 9a of each of the bracing supports 9b. The bracing rod 9h is shown lying in a rest position on the upper side of the bracing support 9b.

[0060] FIG. 7 shows the vehicle crane system 11 with a virtually vertically positioned bracing support 9b compared with FIG. 6. A further tensioning cable 9g has been fed out from the tensioning frame 9f in a corresponding manner.

[0061] FIG. 8 shows the vehicle crane system 11 from FIG. 7 with a telescoping jib 2 which has been luffed up in comparison therewith about the luffing axis Y1 far enough that the bracing rod 9h is freely suspended perpendicularly on the telescoping jib foot 2g via its fastening point. As a result of gravitational force, the bracing rod 9h has pivoted out of its rest position, lying on the bracing support 9b, into a perpendicular mounting position.

[0062] FIG. 9 substantially coincides with FIG. 8, wherein the bracing rod 9h is formed so as to be linearly extendible with an inner rod and has already been extended far enough that its free end can be fastened, in particular bolted, in the region of the telescoping jib foot 2g. The bracing rod 9h can be extended e.g. by an electrical cable winch, not shown, which is a component of the bracing apparatus 9. Of course, this cable winch can then also be used to retract the bracing rod 9h. Moreover, the bracing rod 9d is locked in its extended position in relation to its length.

[0063] FIG. 10 shows the vehicle crane system 11 from FIG. 8, wherein—compared to FIG. 9—the bracing rod 9h is fastened to the telescoping jib foot 2g in an alternative manner. For this purpose, the bracing support 9b is pivoted in the direction of the telescoping jib foot 2g beyond the 90° position until the free end of the bracing rod 9h can be fastened, in particular bolted, in the region of the telescoping jib foot 2g. Then, the bracing rod 9h—which can likewise be extended or lengthened by means of an inner rod—is unlocked via a securing element 9i, and so in a next step the bracing support 9b can be pivoted back into the 90° position and the bracing rod 9h is extended into its maximally extendible position.

[0064] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of an articulation of a bracing support 9b on a basic box 2a of a telescoping jib 2. It can be seen that the bracing support 9b can be pivoted about an erecting axis Y2 between a plurality of mounting positions (see FIGS. 3 to 6) into an operating position (see FIGS. 7 and 8). Moreover, the bracing support 9b can be pivoted out about a pivot axis X3 laterally into the v-shaped operating position. A hydraulic pivot cylinder 9e is provided for this pivoting movement.

[0065] FIG. 12 shows a side view of FIG. 11. The erecting axis Y2 and the pivot axis X3 can also be seen in this view. In addition, a hydraulic erecting cylinder 9d for the movement about the erecting axis Y2 is shown.

[0066] Although the mechanical elements for coupling the bracing apparatus 9 to the fastening region of the basic box or the inner box are formed as first and second plug connection parts in the previously described exemplified embodiment, it is self-evident that other structural designs are also possible. It is essential that these mechanical elements can be engaged with one another via a linear, circular and/or spherical joining movement towards each other. Therefore, hooks which grasp a bolt with their opening are feasible as a possible other design for the mechanical elements. The coupling direction, in which the two mechanical elements are moved towards each other and engaged with each other, does not have to be from top to bottom and in parallel with the longitudinal extension of the telescoping jib as described in the exemplified embodiment but can also be from bottom to top, from front to back, from back to front or in any oblique position with respect to the longitudinal direction of the telescoping jib. Accordingly, the fastening region can be arranged on the lower side and also on the sides of the basic box or one of the inner boxes. Provision can also be made that the first plug connection part is arranged not only at the bottom but also on the sides or at the top of the telescoping jib. In a conventional manner, the transport unit for the bracing apparatus is a semi-trailer. Transport can also be effected on loading surfaces of heavy-goods vehicles or associated trailers. Other components of a mobile crane, such as e.g. counterweights or lattice mast jib sections are mostly transported together with the bracing apparatus.