Crane upper works to lower works alignment system
First Claim
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1. A method for aligning the upper works of a crane to the lower works of a crane to facilitate redecking the upper works to the lower works, the lower works comprising a car body supporting a swing bearing, which comprises the steps of:
- a) supporting said crane upper works in a generally level manner;
b) placing said crane lower works beneath and in general alignment with said upper works;
c) attaching a means for suspending said lower works beneath and from said upper works;
d) suspending said lower works by said suspending means;
e) aligning said lower works with said upper works through the influence of gravity on said lower works; and
f) redecking said upper works with said lower works.
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Abstract
A system and method for aligning the upper works assembly to the lower works assembly of a crane to facilitate redecking of the assemblies. The system and method involves suspending, preferably by pendants, the lower works from the upper works in such a manner that the influence of gravity will automatically level and align the lower works with the upper works. Alignment and redecking are accomplished without transferring the weight of the upper works assembly to lower works assembly.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for aligning the upper works of a crane to the lower works of a crane to facilitate redecking the upper works to the lower works, the lower works comprising a car body supporting a swing bearing, which comprises the steps of:
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a) supporting said crane upper works in a generally level manner; b) placing said crane lower works beneath and in general alignment with said upper works; c) attaching a means for suspending said lower works beneath and from said upper works; d) suspending said lower works by said suspending means; e) aligning said lower works with said upper works through the influence of gravity on said lower works; and f) redecking said upper works with said lower works. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for aligning the upper works of a crane to the lower works of a crane to facilitate redecking the upper works to the lower works, the lower works comprising a car body supporting a swing bearing, which comprises the steps of:
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a) supporting said crane upper works on a plurality of jacking cylinders, the upper works being supported in a generally level manner; b) placing said crane lower works beneath and in general alignment with said upper works; c) attaching a plurality of pivotally connected flexible wire rope pendants between said upper works and said lower works; d) raising said upper works with respect to said lower works so as to suspend said lower works by said pendants; e) aligning said lower works with said upper works through the influence of gravity on said lower works; f) lowering said upper works with respect to said lower works onto said aligned lower works; and g) redecking said upper works with said lower works. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. In a crane having an upper works including a boom and rigging means, a powered mobile lower works with a swing bearing adapted to rotatively support said upper works, a system for aligning said upper and lower work to permit their redecking, comprising:
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a) a plurality of jacking cylinder means mounted on said upper works for supporting, raising and lowering said upper works; b) a plurality of flexible pendants, each pendant having a first and second end, means for pivotally and releasably connecting one end of each of said flexible pendants to said upper works; c) means attached to said swing bearing and releasably connected to said upper works for redecking said upper and lower works; and d) means for connecting the other ends of the respective pendants to said attached means.
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15. In a crane having an upper works including a boom and a rigging, and a powered mobile lower works with a swing bearing adapted to rotatively support said upper works, a system for aligning said upper and lower works to permit their redecking, comprising:
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a) an adapter frame attached to said swing bearing and releasably connected to said upper works for redecking said upper and lower works; b) a plurality of jacking cylinders mounted on said upper works for supporting, raising and lowering said upper works; and c) a plurality of flexible pendants, each pendant having a first and second end, each of said first ends pivotally connected to said upper works, and each of said second ends pivotally connected to either said lower works or said adapter frame, at least one of said first and second ends of each pendant being releasably connected to the respective upper works, lower works or adapter frame. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification