Patent ID: 6622877
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: B66C

Abstract:
An overhead crane adapted to be supported on a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel rails, said crane comprising:a frame which includes a frame outer surface having therein a generally cylindrical frame opening; a wheel adapted to roll alone one of the rails; a bearing assembly supporting the wheel for rotation relative to the frame, the bearing assembly including a bearing supporting the wheel for rotation about an axis having a position relative to the frame, the bearing having an outer race with a generally cylindrical outer surface; and a generally cylindrical bearing retainer housed in the frame opening, the bearing retainer having an outer surface including an engagement surface facing the frame outer surface and a generally cylindrical outer surface portion that is received by the frame opening, the bearing retainer further having a generally cylindrical inner surface housing the bearing and directly engaging outer surface of the outer race of the bearing, wherein the inner surface of the bearing retainer is eccentric relative to the outer surface portion of the bearing retainer, such that rotation of the bearing retainer relative to the frame moves the bearing and thereby the rotational axis of the wheel relative to the frame so that the position of the rotational axis of the wheel is adjustable relative to the frame in an infinite number of positions, and such that the bearing retainer is fixable relative to the frame so as to fix the rotational axis of the wheel relative to the frame; a locking ring that engages the bearing retainer, the locking ring being releasably fixed to the frame, such that fixing the locking ring to the frame causes the locking ring to clamp the engagement surface of the bearing retainer against the frame outer surface, thereby substantially preventing rotation of the bearing retainer relative to the frame; a hoist supported by the frame; and a load engaging mechanism which is raised and lowered by the hoist.