Patent ID: 9187296
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: B66C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A crane having an upper works rotatably mounted on a lower works, the upper works including at least one column, the column comprising: a) at least a first and second column segment each with a longitudinal axis and a first and second end, the second end of the first segment being coupled to the first end of the second segment; b) at least one first connector on the second end of the first segment configured to respectively mate with at least one second connector on the first end of the second segment; c) the first and second connectors each comprising at least one extension having a through-hole there through, and the through-hole having an axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis and positioned in the extensions such that all through-holes of mated first and second connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned; d) the at least one first connector comprising a first alignment surface comprising a rounded outer surface on a distal end of the extension of the first connector, and the at least one second connector comprising a second alignment surface comprising a concave pocket adjacent a base of the extension on the second connector; and e) the first and second alignment surfaces configured to cooperate such that when the first and second connectors are being brought together during column assembly, said alignment surfaces guide the column segments in two dimensions within a plane transverse to the axis of the through-holes through the connectors into a relative position such that when the first and second alignment surfaces on both the first and second connectors are fully engaged, the through-holes through the extensions in the connectors are aligned such that a tapered main pin can be inserted through the through-holes of all extensions in the first and second mating connectors.