Apparatus and system for transporting and operating a crane and method of use
First Claim
1. System for transporting and operating a crane, the system cooperating with a support surface, the system comprising:
- a tractor;
a crane having a boom and a base which has a front end and an opposite rear end;
a front adapter connected to said front end of said base;
a rear adapter connected to said rear end of said base;
a coupler connected to said front adapter and to said tractor, said coupler rotatably connected to said front adapter;
a dolly which is rotatably connected to said rear adapter;
a transportational configuration in which said crane is suspended above the support surface;
an operational configuration in which said coupler remains connected to said front adapter, and said dolly remains connected to said rear adapter;
said front adapter having a top part and a bottom part;
said rear adapter having a top part and a bottom part;
said coupler having a connection end which has a top part and a bottom part;
said dolly having a connection end which has a top part and a bottom part;
in said transportational configuration said bottom part of said front adapter is rotatably connected to said bottom part of said coupler;
in said transportational configuration said bottom part of said rear adapter is rotatably connected to said bottom part of said dolly;
in said operational configuration said top part of said coupler is separated from said top part of said front adapter; and
,in said operational configuration said top part of said dolly is separated from said top part of said rear adapter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for transporting and operating a crane includes a front adapter which connects to the front end of the base of the crane, and a rear adapter which connects to the rear end of the base of the crane A coupler pivotally connects to the front adapter, and also connects to the tractor. A dolly pivotally connects to the rear adapter. In a transportational configuration the crane is suspended above the support surface between the coupler and the dolly. In an operational configuration the coupler and the dolly remain connected to their respective adapters, with their weight fully supported by the ground. This allows the crane to be used with no reduction to the manufacturer'"'"'s rated capabilities. In accordance with another embodiment, the dolly includes a rear cradle which is shaped and dimensioned to receive and support the boom during transportation. In accordance with another embodiment, the coupler includes a front cradle which is shaped and dimensioned to receive and support the boom during transportation.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. System for transporting and operating a crane, the system cooperating with a support surface, the system comprising:
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a tractor; a crane having a boom and a base which has a front end and an opposite rear end; a front adapter connected to said front end of said base; a rear adapter connected to said rear end of said base; a coupler connected to said front adapter and to said tractor, said coupler rotatably connected to said front adapter; a dolly which is rotatably connected to said rear adapter; a transportational configuration in which said crane is suspended above the support surface; an operational configuration in which said coupler remains connected to said front adapter, and said dolly remains connected to said rear adapter; said front adapter having a top part and a bottom part; said rear adapter having a top part and a bottom part; said coupler having a connection end which has a top part and a bottom part; said dolly having a connection end which has a top part and a bottom part; in said transportational configuration said bottom part of said front adapter is rotatably connected to said bottom part of said coupler; in said transportational configuration said bottom part of said rear adapter is rotatably connected to said bottom part of said dolly; in said operational configuration said top part of said coupler is separated from said top part of said front adapter; and
,in said operational configuration said top part of said dolly is separated from said top part of said rear adapter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. System for transporting and operating a crane, the system cooperating with a support surface, the system comprising:
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a tractor; a crane having a boom and a base which has a front end and an opposite rear end; a front adapter connected to said front end of said base; a rear adapter connected to said rear end of said base; a coupler connected to said front adapter and to said tractor, said coupler rotatably connected to said front adapter; a dolly which is rotatably connected to said rear adapter; a transportational configuration in which said crane is suspended above the support surface; an operational configuration in which said coupler remains connected to said front adapter, and said dolly remains connected to said rear adapter; said front adapter clamped to said front end of said base; said rear adapter clamped to said rear end of said base; said base including two front outriggers which are extendable from a front outrigger housing, and two rear outriggers which are extendable from a rear outrigger housing; said front adapter including a plurality of front clamping members which clamp to said front outrigger housing; and
,said rear adapter including a plurality of rear clamping members which clamp to said rear outrigger housing. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification