Telescoping crane and related methods

Implementations of cranes may include a first telescoping boom and a second telescoping boom coupled within the first telescoping boom. The second telescoping boom may be entirely within the first telescoping boom when the second telescoping boom is in a fully extended position.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to cranes. More specific implementations involve davit cranes.

Cranes are used in a variety of industries. Cranes can hold, lift, lower, or move a load to another location. Various types of cranes exist, such as side lift cranes, overhead cranes, mobile cranes, all terrain cranes, and railroad cranes. Many cranes require wire, rope, chain or cable which sits in a sheave to lower or lift a load.

SUMMARY

Implementations of cranes may include a first telescoping boom and a second telescoping boom coupled within the first telescoping boom. The second telescoping boom may be entirely within the first telescoping boom when the second telescoping boom is in a fully extended position.

Implementations of cranes may include one, all, or any of the following:

The crane may be a davit crane.

The first telescoping boom may include a cylindrical tube.

The second telescoping boom may include a rectangular tube.

The first telescoping boom and the second telescoping boom may include a composite material.

The first telescoping boom and the second telescoping boom may be configured to telescope under a load.

Implementations of cranes may include a mast coupled to an outer telescoping boom, an inner telescoping boom coupled within the outer telescoping boom, a threaded rod rotatably coupled within the inner telescoping boom, and a sheave coupled to the outer telescoping boom. The crane may be configured to telescope under a load. The maximum distance the crane is configured to telescope may be equal to a maximum distance the outer telescoping boom is configured to telescope.

Implementations of cranes may include one, all, or any of the following:

The outer telescoping boom may include a first outer sleeve and a first inner sleeve and the inner telescoping boom may include a second outer sleeve and a second inner sleeve. The first outer sleeve may be fixedly coupled to the second outer sleeve and the first inner sleeve may be fixedly coupled to the second inner sleeve.

The outer telescoping boom may be configured to telescope a same amount as the inner telescoping boom when the crane telescopes.

The crane may be configured to telescope under a load.

The mast, the outer telescoping boom, and the inner telescoping boom may include composite materials.

The crane may be a davit crane.

Implementations of cranes may include a mast coupled to a boom support and a first telescoping boom coupled within the boom support. The first telescoping boom may include a first outer sleeve and a first inner sleeve. The first inner sleeve may be configured to fit within the first outer sleeve. The crane may also include a second telescoping boom coupled within the first telescoping boom. The second telescoping boom may include a second outer sleeve and a second inner sleeve. The second inner sleeve may be configured to fit within the second outer sleeve. The crane may also include a threaded nut fixedly coupled to the second inner sleeve and a threaded rod rotatably coupled within the threaded nut. The crane may be configured to telescope through rotation of the threaded rod. The first inner sleeve may be fixedly coupled to the second inner sleeve. The first outer sleeve may be fixedly coupled to the second outer sleeve.

Implementations of cranes may include one, all, or any of the following:

The crane may be configured to telescope under a load.

The boom support may include a first side plate, a second side plate, and a top plate. The first side plate and the second side plate may each include a protrusion configured to fit within a corresponding slot within the top plate.

A winch may be configured to directly couple to the boom support.

A cross section of the first telescoping boom may be circular.

A cross section of the second telescoping boom may be rectangular.

The crane may include a pin configured to be received by the boom support and the mast. The pin may be configured to couple to the boom support to the mast.

The boom support may include a closed opening in a first plate of the boom support and a slot in a second plate of the boom support. The pin may be configured to extend within the closed opening and within the slot.

DESCRIPTION

The implementations of the cranes disclosed herein may be davit cranes, and may be configured to mount to, by non-limiting example, a vehicle, a rooftop, or next to a waterway. While the implementations disclosed herein primarily relate to davit cranes, it is understood that the elements of the cranes disclosed herein may be applied to other types of cranes. Further, any of the types of cranes and elements thereof disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,630,816 (hereinafter '816), issued to Steve Napieralski on Apr. 25, 2017, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference, may also be incorporated into the implementations of cranes disclosed herein.

Referring toFIG. 1, a perspective view of a crane is illustrated. The crane2includes a mast4. The mast4may be made from, by non-limiting example, steel, other metals, a composite material (including any composite material disclosed herein, including in '816), any other material, or any combination thereof. As illustrated, the mast4may include a cylindrical or cylindrical tube shape. In other implementations, the mast4may include a rectangular prism or rectangular tube shape. In various implementations, the mast4may be a hollow tube or may be solid/filled. In various implementations, the mast may be configured to rotate when it is secured to a surface or may be rotatably fixed to a surface.

As illustrated byFIG. 1, the crane2may include a first angle adjuster attachment6coupled to the mast4and a second angle adjuster attachment8coupled to the first end10of the boom12. The angle adjuster attachments may be welded, bonded through an adhesive, bolted, or otherwise respectively fixed to the mast4and the boom12. In other implementations, the angle adjuster attachments may be formed as part of the mast and boom. The crane2may include an angle adjuster coupled to and between each of the first angle adjuster attachment6and the second angle adjuster attachment8. In various implementations, a pin may secure the angle adjuster to the first angle adjuster attachment6and a second pin may secure the angle adjuster to the second angle adjuster attachment8. The angle adjuster may be similar to or the same as any type of angle adjuster disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,630,816. In particular implementations, the angle adjuster may be a ratchet binder angle adjuster.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the crane includes a boom12coupled to the mast4. The boom12may include any material disclosed herein. The boom12includes a first end10and a second end14. In various implementations, the boom12is telescoping. As used herein, telescoping is defined as configured to telescope in a manner that results in a lengthening or shortening of the boom12through portions of the boom collapsing within one another or extending from one another. Referring toFIG. 4, a perspective view of the boom of the crane is illustrated. As illustrated byFIGS. 1 and 4, the boom12includes a first portion16which is configured to fit over a second portion18. Accordingly, when the boom12telescopes and is lengthened, the second portion18extends out and away from the first portion16.

Still referring toFIGS. 1 and 4, the boom includes a first telescoping boom which is an outer telescoping boom20. Referring toFIG. 2, a cross sectional side view of the crane is illustrated. Referring toFIG. 3, a semi-transparent view of the boom of the crane is illustrated. As illustrated, the outer telescoping boom20forms the outer portion of the boom12. The outer telescoping boom may include any type of material disclosed herein. As illustrated byFIGS. 2-4, the outer telescoping boom20includes a first outer sleeve22and a first inner sleeve24. The first inner sleeve24is coupled within the first outer sleeve22and is configured to fit and to telescope within the first outer sleeve22. In various implementations, the outer telescoping boom20may include a cylindrical tube shape, or a cross section of the outer telescoping boom may be circular. The outer boom of such implementations may have increased strength due to the circular shape of the outer boom and the outer boom not having a weld seam or other seam. In such implementations, the first inner sleeve24, considered alone with the first outer sleeve22, may be configured to translationally and rotationally move within the first outer sleeve22. In other implementations, the outer telescoping boom, including the first inner sleeve and the first outer sleeve, may include a rectangular prism or rectangular tube shape.

In various implementations, and as illustrated byFIGS. 2-3, the crane includes a second telescoping boom, or an inner telescoping boom26. The inner telescoping boom26is coupled within the outer telescoping boom20. The inner telescoping boom may include any material disclosed herein. Referring toFIG. 5, a perspective view of a portion of the outer telescoping boom of the boom ofFIG. 4over an inner telescoping boom is illustrated. Similarly, referring toFIG. 6, a perspective view of the inner telescoping boom is illustrated. More specifically,FIG. 5illustrates the boom12ofFIG. 4with the first outer sleeve22removed andFIG. 6illustrates the boom12ofFIG. 4with both the first outer sleeve22and the first inner sleeve24, or the outer telescoping boom20, removed. Accordingly, as illustrated byFIGS. 2-6, in various implementations the inner telescoping boom26may be coupled entirely within the outer telescoping boom20, even when the inner telescoping boom26is in a fully extended position. In such implementations, the inner telescoping boom26is not configured to telescope beyond a length of extension allowed by the outer telescoping boom20but is configured to telescope the same amount as the outer telescoping boom20when the crane2telescopes. Likewise, the maximum distance the crane2is configured to telescope is equal to a maximum distance the outer telescoping boom20is configured to telescope.

As illustrated byFIGS. 2-3, in various implementations nothing contacts the outer surface of the inner telescoping boom except at the first end28and the second end30of the inner telescoping boom26. Accordingly, in such implementations nothing between the inner and outer telescoping boom interferes with the ability of the inner telescoping boom26or the outer telescoping boom20to telescope.

As clearly illustrated byFIG. 6, the inner telescoping boom26includes a second outer sleeve32and a second inner sleeve34. In various implementations, the inner telescoping boom26, and the second outer sleeve32and the second inner sleeve34, may be rectangular tubes. Accordingly, a cross section of the inner telescoping boom26may be rectangular. In such implementations, the second inner sleeve34may be configured to fit within the second outer sleeve32and translationally move relative to the second outer sleeve32, however, the second inner sleeve34may be rotationally fixed as it is unable to rotate within the second outer sleeve32due to the rectangular shape of the inner telescoping boom. In other implementations the inner telescoping boom may include a tube having a non-rectangular and non-circular shaped cross section, such as, by non-limiting example, an ovate shaped cross section. Such implementations may also rotationally fix the second inner sleeve to the second outer sleeve. In other implementations, the inner telescoping boom may include a cylindrical tube, or a tube having a circular cross section. In such implementations, either the inner telescoping boom26or the outer telescoping boom20may include a mechanism which prevents the second portion18of the boom12from rotating relative to the first portion16of the boom.

In various implementations, the second inner sleeve34is fixedly coupled to the first inner sleeve24. As used herein, fixed is understood as meaning something unable to move relative to whatever it is fixed to. Accordingly, the second inner sleeve34cannot rotate or translationally move relative to the first inner sleeve24. In various implementations, the second inner sleeve34may be fixed to the first inner sleeve24through an inner sleeve end plate36, as illustrated byFIGS. 2 and 4-6. In various implementations, the first inner sleeve24and the second inner sleeve34may be fixed to the inner sleeve end plate36through, by non-limiting example, a weld, an adhesive, a bolt, a screw, or another fastening mechanism. In other implementations, the first inner sleeve24may include either slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof, the second inner sleeve34may include either slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof, and the inner sleeve end plate36may include either slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof. In such implementations, the slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof of the inner sleeve end plate36may engage corresponding slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof of the first inner sleeve24and the second inner sleeve34. The interaction between the slots or openings and the protrusions may fix the second inner sleeve34to the first inner sleeve24.

Similarly, in various implementations, the first outer sleeve22may be fixedly coupled to the second outer sleeve32. Accordingly, the second outer sleeve32cannot rotate or translationally move relative to the first outer sleeve22. In various implementations, the second outer sleeve32may be fixed to the first outer sleeve22through an outer sleeve end plate38, as illustrated byFIGS. 2-6. In various implementations, the first outer sleeve22and the second outer sleeve32may be fixed to the outer sleeve end plate38through, by non-limiting example, a weld, an adhesive, a bolt, a screw, or another fastening mechanism. In other implementations, the first outer sleeve22may include either slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof, the second outer sleeve32may include either slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof, and the outer sleeve end plate38may include either slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof. In such implementations, the slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof of the outer sleeve end plate38may engage corresponding slots, openings, protrusions, or a combination thereof of the first outer sleeve22and the second outer sleeve32. The interaction between the slots or openings and the protrusions may fix the second outer sleeve32to the first outer sleeve22.

In such implementations, because the first inner sleeve24and the second inner sleeve34are fixed relative to one another, and the first outer sleeve22and the second outer sleeve32are fixed relative to one another, the first outer sleeve22cannot rotate or translationally move relative to the second outer sleeve32. Similarly, the first inner sleeve24cannot rotate or translationally move relative to the second inner sleeve34. Further, in such implementations, because the inner sleeves are fixed to one another and the outer sleeves are fixed to one another, the outer telescoping boom20, the inner telescoping boom26, and the overall telescoping boom12must telescope together in the same amount.

Referring back toFIG. 2, the boom12comprises a threaded rod40rotatably coupled within the inner telescoping boom26. Referring toFIG. 7, a perspective view of a portion of a threaded rod of the crane is illustrated. In particular implementations, the threaded rod may be an ACME threaded rod. The threaded rod may be made from any material disclosed herein. In various implementations, and as illustrated byFIG. 2, the threaded rod may be as long as or shorter than the second outer sleeve32. In other implementations, the threaded rod may be longer than the second outer sleeve32. In various implementations, the threaded rod40is secured to the first portion16of the boom12in a manner that fixes translational movement, but still allows rotational movement, of the threaded rod40relative to the first outer sleeve22and the second outer sleeve32. In particular implementations, an end of the threaded rod40is fixed to a nut44, as illustrated byFIG. 2. Referring toFIG. 9, a perspective view of a nut of the crane is illustrated, and referring toFIG. 10, a rear view of the nut ofFIG. 9is illustrated. In various implementations, an end of the threaded rod40is fixed to the nut44, and may be fixed within the opening46of the nut44. In such implementations, the threaded rod may be welded, fixed through an adhesive, or otherwise fixed to the nut44. As illustrated byFIG. 9, the nut44may include a first end48, a second end50, and a middle ridge52. In various implementations, and as illustrated byFIG. 2, the outer sleeve end plate38may be coupled over and around the first end48of the nut44. In various implementations the crane2may also include a second outer sleeve end plate54directly coupled to the first outer sleeve22and the second outer sleeve32. In such implementations, the second outer sleeve end plate54may be coupled over and around the second end50of the nut44. In such implementations the nut44is free to rotate between the first outer sleeve end plate38and the second outer sleeve end plate54. As illustrated byFIGS. 2 and 9, the nut44includes a middle ridge52. The middle ridge52may be large enough that it is secured between the first outer sleeve end plate38and the second outer sleeve end plate54. In such implementations, translational movement of the threaded rod in relation to the first outer sleeve22and the second outer sleeve32may be fixed. In various implementations, the first outer sleeve end plate38and the second outer sleeve end plate54may include ball bearings to facilitate rotation of the threaded rod40, the nut44may include ball bearings to facilitate rotation of the threaded rod40, or both the end plates and the nut44may include ball bearings to facilitate rotation of the threaded rod.

Referring toFIG. 2, in various implementations the crane2includes a threaded nut58fixedly coupled to the end56of the second inner sleeve34opposite the end of the sleeve directly coupled to the inner sleeve end plate36. In other implementations, the threaded nut may be directly coupled to another portion of the second inner sleeve34other than the end56. In various implementations, the threaded nut58may be coupled within the second inner sleeve34and/or to the end56of the second inner sleeve34. Referring toFIG. 8, a perspective view of the threaded nut is illustrated. As illustrated, in various implementations the threaded nut58includes a threaded opening60through the threaded nut58. In such implementations, the threads of the threaded opening60correspond to the threads of the threaded rod40.

In various implementations, the threaded rod40is threaded through and coupled within the threaded nut58. In such implementations, the nut34may move along the length of the threaded rod as the threaded rod rotates. In implementations where the threaded nut58is fixed to the second inner sleeve34, and the second inner sleeve is fixedly coupled to the first inner sleeve24, the rotation of the threaded rod40may cause the threaded nut58to translationally move, and in turn, the second inner sleeve34, the first inner sleeve24, and the second portion18of the telescoping boom may telescope in a retracted or expanded manner, depending on the direction of rotation of the threaded rod40. In the implementations illustrated herein, because the inner telescoping boom26is a rectangular tube, the inner telescoping boom cannot rotate with rotation of the threaded rod40in the threaded nut58. Accordingly, the shape of the inner telescoping boom restricts the rotational movement of the second portion18of the boom12and allows translational movement of the second portion18of the boom12.

In various implementations, the threaded rod may include a stop at the end of the rod to prevent the threaded nut58from moving off of the threaded rod40. In other implementations, either the inner telescoping boom or the outer telescoping boom may include a stop to prevent the threaded nut58from moving off of the threaded rod40. In various implementations, a receiver may be coupled to the threaded rod40at the first end10of the boom12. The receiver may be configured to turn the threaded rod and either telescope the boom12in an extended or contracted manner. The receiver may be hand powered or powered by a motor. In particular implementations, the receiver may be configured to be powered by a hand-held drill.

In the implementations disclosed herein, the threaded rod40, the inner telescoping boom26, and the outer telescoping boom20may all strengthen the structure of the boom12of the crane. Further, the implementations disclosed herein having the outer telescoping boom, the inner telescoping boom and the threaded rod within the inner telescoping boom allow for the crane to telescope in or out safely while under a load. In various implementations, the amount of weight the crane may be rated for may vary depending on the length of the boom. Accordingly, when the boom is in a fully extended position it may be able to handle less weight than when the boom is in a shortened position. In various implementations, the outer surface of the first inner sleeve24may be marked with different weights along the length of the first inner sleeve, indicating to a user of the crane the amount of weight that the crane can support depending on the length of the boom12.

In the implementations disclosed herein, the outer telescoping boom20and the inner telescoping boom26may prevent debris from interfering with the rotation of the threaded rod, allowing the crane to telescope smoothly.

Referring back toFIG. 1, in various implementations the crane2includes a sheave62coupled to the second end14of the boom12. In various implementations, the sheave may include a first plate64and a second plate66, with a wheel between the first plate64and the second plate66. In such implementations, a pin may be inserted through the first plate64, the wheel, and the second plate66. As illustrated byFIG. 1, in various implementations the first plate64and the second plate66may each include an upper extension68and a lower extension70. The second end of the boom may be coupled between the upper extension68and the lower extension70. In various implementations, as illustrated byFIG. 2, the sheave may include a middle extension72configured to extend into the boom12. The upper extension68, the lower extension70, and the middle extension72may be welded to the boom12, bonded to the boom12through an adhesive, or otherwise fixed to the boom12.

Referring back toFIG. 1, in various implementations the crane2includes a boom support74coupled to the mast4and the boom12. In various implementations, the boom support74may be similar to the boom end housing of '816, the disclosure of which was previously incorporated herein by reference. WhileFIG. 1illustrates a lower left sided perspective view of the boom support,FIG. 3illustrates an upper right sided perspective view of the boom support. Referring toFIG. 11, an isolated and a perspective view of the boom support of the crane is illustrated. In various implementations, the boom support may be made from any material disclosed herein. As illustrated, the boom support may include a first side plate76and a second side plate78. In various implementations, the first side plate may include a slot80and the second side plate78may include a closed opening82. In other implementations, the first side plate76may include the closed opening and the second side plate78may include the slot, and in still other implementations, both the first side plate76and the second side plate78may both include closed openings. In various implementations, the boom support may include a pin84configured to extend through the mast4of the crane and to be received by the first side plate76and the second side plate78. The pin84may couple the boom support74to the mast4. In various implementations, the pin84may be fixedly coupled to the mast and extend beyond either end of the mast, while in other implementations the pin may be formed as part of the mast. In implementations having the pin84coupled to the mast, a single individual may couple the boom fixed to the boom support74to the mast. In such implementations, the individual would position the boom over and perpendicular to the mast. The individual may rotate the boom to allow closed opening82to extend over the end of pin84. In particular implementations, the boom may be rotated approximately 45 degrees to allow the closed opening82to extend over the pin84. The individual may then rotate the boom to allow the slot80to fit over the opposing end of the pin84. In such implementations, the boom may be coupled to the mast through the boom support without the use of any moving pieces, such as latches or springs. The individual may then secure the boom to the mast through coupling an angle adjuster to the boom and the mast. In such implementations, the angle adjuster coupled to the boom and the mast may prevent rotation of the boom which would remove the pin84from the slot80. In other implementations, the pin84may be locked in place through a locking mechanism, such as a cotter pin, clip, or other locking mechanism. In various implementations, the first side plate76and the second side plate78may include openings86configured to receive protrusions88of the lower boom supports90. In various implementations, the lower boom supports may be fixed to the boom using any method disclosed herein, including through a weld or an adhesive.

Referring toFIG. 12, a perspective view of the boom support ofFIG. 11with the first side plate removed is illustrated. As illustrated, in various implementations the boom support74may include upper boom supports92. The boom support74may also include a top plate94. Referring toFIG. 13, a perspective view of the top plate of the boom support ofFIGS. 11-12is illustrated. In various implementations, the upper boom supports92may include protrusions96configured to be received by slots98in the top plate94. In various implementations, the upper boom supports92may be fixed to the boom using any method disclosed herein. As illustrated byFIG. 11, the first side plate76and the second side plate78may include protrusions100configured to fit into corresponding slots102within the top plate. In various implementations, the first side plate76, the second side plate78, the lower boom supports90, the upper boom supports92, and the top plate94may be coupled together through welds, adhesive, or any other mechanism disclosed herein. The protrusions within the boom support and the corresponding openings and slots may strengthen the structure of the boom support and may facilitate assembly of the boom support.

In various implementations, and as illustrated byFIGS. 3 and 12-13, the top plate94may include openings therethrough configured to allow a winch to be coupled and/or directly coupled to the top plate94.

While the implementations disclosed herein illustrate the boom support not rotatable relative to the mast (as illustrated byFIG. 1), in other implementations the boom support may be rotatable relative to the mast using any method and/or structure disclosed in '816.

In places where the description above refers to particular implementations of cranes and implementing components, sub-components, methods and sub-methods, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations, implementing components, sub-components, methods and sub-methods may be applied to other cranes.