ASSEMBLING AN AUXILIARY LIFTING UNIT ON A MOBILE CRANE

• US 20120118846A1
• Filed: 08/23/2011
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France MCG FCE (The Manitowoc Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Group France MCG FCE (The Manitowoc Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: SCHRÖDER, DIERK
• Granted Patent: US 9,394,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 212/179
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/62 Constructional features or details of dredgers E02F
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly system for a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit comprising auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings which are coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit and serve to fasten the auxiliary lifting unit to the crane, and comprising an assembly unit which can move the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings into an assembly position. It also relates to an assembly installation for a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit, comprising such an assembly system and comprising a sub-structure. A footing support for a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit and a method for assembling a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An assembly system for an auxiliary lifting unit of a mobile crane, the assembly system comprising:

an auxiliary lifting unit frame;

auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit, the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings adapted to fasten the auxiliary lifting unit to the mobile crane; and

an assembly unit coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings and adapted to move the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings into an assembly position.

2. The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings are coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit frame and the assembly unit is adapted to lift auxiliary lifting unit frame and auxiliary lifting unit fastenings together.

3. The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings are coupled to the assembly unit and the assembly unit is adapted to lift auxiliary lifting unit fastenings relative to the auxiliary lifting unit frame.

4. The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the assembly position is a fastening position on an upper structure of the crane, in which engagement between the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings and mating fastenings on the crane upper structure occurs.

5. The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the assembly unit is adapted to move the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings into the assembly position in a direction selected from the group consisting of upwards, downwards, obliquely upwards, obliquely downwards, and laterally.

6. The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the assembly unit includes a drive unit selected from the group consisting of an electrical drive unit, hydraulic drive unit, pneumatic drive unit, and a combination drive unit.

7. The assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the assembly unit includes a hydraulic lifting cylinder device coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit frame and is adapted to move the auxiliary lifting unit frame away from a sub-structure element.

8. The assembly system according to claim 7, wherein the sub-structure element is a support base connected to the frame by the assembly unit from which the auxiliary lifting unit frame can be lifted away into the assembly position by means of the assembly unit.

9. The assembly system according to claim 8, wherein the assembly unit is connected to the support base in a compression-proof and tension-proof manner.

10. The assembly system according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of feet are disposed on the support base facing away from the auxiliary lifting unit frame.

11. The assembly system according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of feet are footing supports adjustable in position.

12. The assembly system according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-structure adapted for supporting the auxiliary lifting unit.

13. The assembly system according to claim 12, wherein the sub-structure includes a topmost mounted counterweight element.

14. The assembly system according to 12, wherein the sub-structure includes a mounting rack placed on a counterweight support.

15. The assembly installation according to claim 12, further comprising mating footing supports complementary to the plurality of feet, the mating footing supports being disposed on the sub-structure.

16. A footing support for a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit, the footing support comprising:

at least one foot having a downwardly protruding footing support element adapted to have a restricted mobility and adjustability in at least one direction with respect to the auxiliary lifting unit.

17. The footing support according to claim 16, wherein the footing support element is resiliently deformable transversely to its attachment.

18. The footing support according to claim 16, wherein the footing support element has an slotted sleeve adapted to rotate 360 degrees and the footing support is seated on a bolt and is attached displaceably transverse to a longitudinal axis of the bolt my means of the slotted sleeve.

19. The footing support according to claim 16, wherein the footing support element is attached to the auxiliary lifting unit with a lockable support adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the footing support element.

20. The footing support according to claim 16, wherein the footing support is coupled to an auxiliary lifting unit assembly system comprising:

an auxiliary lifting unit frame;

auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit frame, the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings adapted to fasten the auxiliary lifting unit to the mobile crane; and

an assembly unit coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings and adapted to move the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings into an assembly position.

21. A method for assembling a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit with auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings, which are assigned to the frame of the auxiliary lifting unit and serve for fastening the auxiliary lifting unit to the crane, the method comprising:

moving the auxiliary lifting unit into an assembly position, wherein the movement is effected by an assembly unit attached to the auxiliary lifting unit, which moves the auxiliary lifting unit frame into the assembly position.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the method is performed by an assembly system comprising:

an auxiliary lifting unit frame;

auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit frame, the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings adapted to fasten the auxiliary lifting unit to the mobile crane; and

an assembly unit coupled to the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings and adapted to move the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings into an assembly position.

23. A method for assembling a mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit having an assembly system with a frame, auxiliary lifting unit fastenings coupled to the frame, an assembly unit coupled to the frame, and a sub-structure coupled to the assembly unit, the method comprising:

causing the assembly unit to move the mobile crane auxiliary lifting unit relative to the sub-structure from a first location to a second location; and

positioning a crane upper structure adjacent the auxiliary lifting unit assembly fastenings.