Abstract:
A telehandler crane apparatus and method is provided. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile apparatus adaptable for use as a crane and as a telehandler, and an associated method. The telehandler crane includes a telehandler frame, an outrigger assembly engaged with the telehandler frame, a rotating assembly engaged with the telehandler frame adapted for rotating 360 degrees, and a boom engaged with the rotating assembly such that the boom can be rotated 360 by the rotating assembly. Further, the telehandler crane apparatus of the present invention can be operated remote from the telehandler crane apparatus by the operator using a remote docking base.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to mobile all terrain apparatuses. The present invention relates to mobile telescopic handlers and crane apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile apparatus adaptable for use as a crane and as an telescopic handler, and associated methods.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Heavy duty earth moving and material handling equipment is very expensive. Each piece of equipment can represent a significant investment to accomplish a very specific or limited utility with respect to the piece of equipment. The industry has recognized the need to have such expensive equipment serve more general or at lease multiple applications. An example is the familiar back-hoe device having loader arms on one end mounted with a digging bucket or scraper, and a swiveling articulated boom at the other end mounted with a bucket, jack hammer or another material handling device. For example, the industry has taken the familiar back-hoe device and adapted it to new applications to increase their utility. U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,902 to Heroz, et al. is an example of such a novel adaptation of a familiar tool to achieve new utility. Other novel adaptations which increase the scope of application of existing equipment are beneficial to the industry. A device is needed for mounting different booms, e.g., a crane boom or an excavator boom, to the same platform.  
           [0003]    Also, material handling equipment is very expensive. Each piece of equipment can represent a significant investment to accomplish a very specific or limited utility with respect to the piece of equipment. The industry has recognized the need to have smaller machines that can handle a variety of small jobs quickly in any environment. The industry has noted that any time saved in the movement of materials equates to greater profits from the saved time. Also, the Industry has recognized the need to have equipment that can transport its self on public roads. An example is the familiar back-hoe machines normally provide the ability to do several jobs on a work site quickly and have wheels to transport themselves around a job site or on public roads. The industry has taken familiar crane equipment and placed them upon wheels. Grove, an equipment company, has a wheeled industrial crane. Also, Another equipment company, Broverson, manufactures a wheeled crane. Novel adaptations which increase the scope of application of existing equipment are beneficial to the industry. A device is needed that is a quick and easy to transport crane device with a wide range of rotation and great load handing ability.  
           [0004]    There exists a need for a man-bucketed telehandler. Also, there exists a need for a telehandler crane apparatus that can pick up a full load at close proximity to the load. Further, there exists a need for a telehandler crane apparatus that can be remotely controlled. And there exists a need for a telehandler crane apparatus that can interchange crane with forks, and the boom of the crane can rotate 360 degrees.  
           [0005]    It is, therefore, a feature of the present invention to provide an telehandler crane apparatus that has a telescoping arm or boom that can be rotated up to and exceeding 360 degrees.  
           [0006]    A feature of the present invention is to provide an telehandler crane apparatus with an outrigger assembly using heavy-duty materials. The use of heavy-duty parts allows the all-terrain telehandler crane to be more stable so as to have a greater peak load. Therefore, the telehandler crane apparatus can engage and lift a heavier load before reaching its tipping moment.  
           [0007]    Another feature of the present invention is to provide a telehandler crane apparatus that has a double counterweight system.  
           [0008]    Yet still another feature of the present invention is to provide a telehandler crane apparatus with a reinforced box frame formed by a “U” member and reinforcement plates.  
           [0009]    Yet further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a telehandler crane apparatus with a telescoping arm retractable for easy transport and movement.  
           [0010]    Yet still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a telehandler crane apparatus with the ability to remotely control crane functions.  
           [0011]    Yet still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a telehandler crane apparatus that will lift a full more weight than normal telehandlers.  
           [0012]    Yet still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a telehandler crane apparatus with the pivot point of the telehandler boom behind the rear outrigger.  
           [0013]    Still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for lifting a full capacity while being in close proximity to the load.  
           [0014]    Still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for remotely controlling the crane functions from outside the operator compartment.  
           [0015]    Still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for attaching a man basket to the end of the telehandler arm.  
           [0016]    Still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for remotely controlling the functions of the telehandler arm while being operated from a man basket.  
           [0017]    It is, therefore, a further feature of the present invention to provide a conversion apparatus and method for use with telescopic handlers and crane devices for mounting different booms to the same platform.  
           [0018]    A feature of the present invention is to provide a conversion apparatus and method for use with telescopic handlers and crane devices for converting the telescopic handler to be a crane.  
           [0019]    Another feature of the present invention is to provide a conversion apparatus and method for use with telescopic handler and crane devices that can accept either telehandler implements or crane implements.  
           [0020]    Yet another feature of the invention is to provide a conversion apparatus and method for use with telescopic handler and crane devices that is stable when adapted to be used as a crane or as a telehandler.  
           [0021]    Still another feature of the present invention is providing a conversion apparatus and method for use with telescopic handler and crane devices that provides a range of boom angles comparable to the range of boom angles available to the boom connected to the telescopic handler body.  
           [0022]    Yet still another feature of the present invention is to provide a conversion apparatus and method for use with telescopic handler and crane devices having the same operating and stability characteristics as a crane.  
           [0023]    Yet further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for adapting a telescopic handler for use as a crane.  
           [0024]    Yet still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide a method for adapting various boom devices for use with nonconforming superstructure and telescopic handler components.  
           [0025]    Yet still further, an additional feature of the present invention is to provide an article of manufacture for adapting an telescopic handler for use as a crane.  
           [0026]    Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized by means of the combinations and steps particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0027]    To achieve the foregoing objects, features, and advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, an telehandler crane apparatus is provided. The telehandler crane includes a telehandler frame, an outrigger assembly engaged with the telehandler frame, a rotating assembly engaged with the telehandler frame adapted for rotating 360 degrees, and a boom engaged with the rotating assembly such that the boom can be rotated 360 by the rotating assembly. Further, the telehandler crane apparatus of the present invention can be operated remote from the telehandler crane apparatus by the operator using a remote docking base.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1A is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of a telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 5 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of a telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5A is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of a telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention with the boom extended in a forward direction.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 7 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a partial telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention without the operator compartment, wheels and drive train.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 8 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of a telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention with the boom extended in a rear direction, and illustrating the boom in an upper and lower position.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the operator compartment of the telehandler crane apparatus as practiced by the present invention. 
     
    
       [0040]    Table 1 lists specifications for the telehandler crane apparatus of present invention.  
         [0041]    Chart 1 is a load rating chart for the telehandler crane apparatus of present invention.  
         [0042]    The above general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative of the generic invention, and additional modes, advantages, and particulars of this invention will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0043]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention as described in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0044]    One preferred embodiment describes an telehandler crane apparatus  10  comprised of a frame  100 , an outrigger assembly  200 , a rotating assembly  300 , and a boom assembly  400 .  
         [0045]    The frame  100  is comprised of a box  110  further comprised of a “U” shaped member  112  with a welded front plate  114 . The welded front plate  114  is attached to the “U” shaped member  112  to create an enclosed area. The box  110  is further comprised of top plates  116  and bottom plates  118  that are attached to the bottom side and top side of the box  110 . The frame  100  has a carry deck  120  attached to the box  110  at the front end of the “U” shaped member  112  using support members  122 . The carry deck is attached to the box  110  using support members  122 . The support members  122  position the carry deck  120  parallel to the box  110 . The support members  122  form a “honey comb” support structure between the carry deck  120  and the frame  100 .  
         [0046]    The frame  100  has a weldment  130  attached to the “U” shaped member  112  at its apex. The weldment  130  is positioned perpendicular to the box  110 .  
         [0047]    The frame  100  is further comprised of drive train  140  and an operator compartment  150 . The drive train is comprised of the wheels, transmission, engine, axles, and other required linkage to enable the telehandler crane apparatus  10  to move and operate the hydraulics. The telehandler crane apparatus  10  has an all wheel drive system to move the crane. Also, the crane is steered using front wheels that turn.  
         [0048]    The operator compartment  150  is comprised of a seat for the operator, controls for movement of the chasis, controls for movement of the boom and winch, and electronics. The operator compartment  150  can be open or enclosed against weather and can be constructed of round tubing.  
         [0049]    The operator compartment  150  is located on the left side of the box  110  when standing behind the telehandler crane apparatus  10 . The telehandler crane apparatus  10  has three pipe racks located to the right of the operator compartment. The pipe rack is used to transport pipe to job locations.  
         [0050]    The outrigger assembly  200  is comprised of a rigid attachment  210 , a telescoping arm  220 , and a outrigger member  230 . The telescoping arm contains a hydraulic cylinder  222  that telescopes relative to the rigid attachment  210 . The outrigger assemblies  200  hydraulically telescope away from the corners of the telehandler crane apparatus  10  perpendicular to the tires and parallel to the front and back of the crane  10 . The outrigger assembly  200  has rigid attachments  210  in the front and rear of the crane telehandler crane apparatus  10 . The rigid attachments  210  on the front of the crane  10  are longer than the shorter rigid attachments  210  in the rear.  
         [0051]    The outrigger member  230  is comprised of a cylinder  232 , a piston  234 , and a foot  236 . The piston  234  is housed within the cylinder  232  and is moved closer to the stationary surface by hydraulics. The cylinder has a foot  236  that is attached at one end of the cylinder. The foot  236  is the part of the cylinder that comes into contact with the resting surface when the cylinder is actuated closer the stationary surface.  
         [0052]    The rotating assembly  300  is comprised of a bearing  310 , a hydraulic motor  320 , and a pinion  330 . The bearing  310  is attached to the weldment  130  and is rotated about the weldment  130  using the pinion  330 . The hydraulic motor  320  provides the force to turn the bearing  310 .  
         [0053]    The boom assembly  400  is comprised of a base  410 , a telescoping arm  420 , a block assembly  430 , a pivoting hydraulic cylinder  440 , a winch  450 , and a double counterweight system  460 . The base  410  is attached to the bearing  310  and can be rotated up to 372 degrees. The base  410  further contains a 1st pivoting member  412  and a 2nd pivoting member  414 . The telescoping arm  420  is attached to the 1st pivoting member  412  and the 2nd pivoting member  414 . A boom rest pedestal  126  is attached to the carry deck  120  and creates a surface parallel to the carry deck  120  for the telescoping arm  420  to be placed upon during movement or storage.  
         [0054]    The telescoping arm  420  is comprised of a 1 st  arm  422 , a 2 nd  arm  424 , a 3rd arm  426 , and a telescoping hydraulic cylinder  428 . The 1 st  arm  422  contains the telescoping hydraulic cylinder  428 . The telescoping hydraulic cylinder  420  extends the 2 nd  arm  424  that is positioned within the 1 st  arm  422 . The 3 rd  arm  426  is positioned within the 2 nd  arm  424 . The 1 st  arm  422 , the 2 nd  arm  424 , and the 3 rd  arm  426  are constructed of square tubing. The telescoping hydraulic cylinder  420  has a piston that as it is extended under hydraulic pressure extends to lengthen to overall length of the arm. The 2 nd  arm  424  extends out of the 1 st  arm  422  first. Then, the 3 rd  arm  426  extends out of the 2 nd  arm. The block assembly  430  is attached to the third arm  426  at the end opposite the base  410 .  
         [0055]    The telescoping arm  420  is attached to the base  410 . The attachment of the telescoping arm  420  to the base  410  further comprises the 1 st  arm  424  attached to the 1 st  pivoting member  412  and the 2 nd  pivoting member  414 . The 1 st  arm  424  and the 1 st  pivoting member  412  are connected by the pivoting hydraulic member  440 . The pivoting hydraulic cylinder  440  is comprised a 1 st  attachment member  442 , a piston  444 , and a 2 nd  attachment member  446 . The 1 st  attachment member is on the side of the piston closest to the base  410 . The 2 nd  attachment member is on the opposite side of the piston as the 1 st  attachment member and is closest to the 1 st  arm  424 . The 1 st  attachment member  442  is attached to the 1 st  pivoting member  412 . The 2 nd  attachment member  446  attaches to the 1 st  arm  424 .  
         [0056]    The winch  450  is attached to the 1 st  arm  424 . The winch is located on the end of the 1 st  arm  424  closest to the base  410 . The winch  450  is comprised of a spool, a hydraulic motor, and cable. The winch  450  controls the cable and the movement of cable through pulley found on the end of the 3 rd  arm  426  and through the block assembly  430 .  
         [0057]    The double counter weight system  460  is comprised of arms  462  and counterweights  464 . The arms  462  of the double counter weight system  460  are attached to the base  410 . The arms  462  may be able to extend. The counterweights  464  are attached to the arms  462 . The counter weights  464  can be of different masses on each of the two arms  462 . The arms  462  are attached so that the winch  450  will fit between the counterweights  464  when the telescoping arm  420  is pivoted to a large angle relative to the frame  100 .  
         [0058]    The telehandler crane apparatus  10  has a Load moment indicator (LMI). The LMI is used to keep the telehandler crane apparatus  10  from tipping over. The LMI determines both the radius of the telescoping arm  420  and the loaded boom angle of the telescoping arm  420 . Next, the LMI determines the maximum load at that radius and angle. The LMI has lock out control of the telescoping hydraulic cylinder. The LMI activates the lock out control when the maximum load capacity has been met for a given radius and angle.  
         [0059]    The telehandler crane apparatus  10  has an Anti-two block system. The Anti-two block system insures that the block assembly  430  and the hook on the end of the cable does not touch and place force upon the block assembly  430 . The Anti-two block system locks out hydraulic power to the winch  150  when the hook and block assembly are in close orientation to keep damage to either of the two components from occurring.  
         [0060]    Additional advantages and modification will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus, and the illustrative examples shown and described herein. Accordingly, departures may be made from the details without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed general inventive concept.