CRANE STRUCTURE AND A METHOD FOR TRANSFORMING A CRANE BODY

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crane structure which suites many kinds of crane operations an which is based on a digger or the like basic construction machine. A lower body (3) of the machine which has a turnable upper carriage (4) is heightened by a modular body heightening portion (8) which is located between parts (1, 2) of the original lower body (3). The present invention also relates to a method for modifying a crane structure which is based on a basic construction machine. The lower body (3) of said basic machine known <i>perse</i>, which machine originally has been implemented to be essentially unitary, is divided into at least two main portions (1, 2) between which intermediate pieces (8, 11, 11a) are arranged in a number which is necessary for the respective height requirement for the construction machine.

Description: CRANE STRUCTURE AND A METHOD FOR TRANSFORMING A CRANE BODY The present invention relates to a materials handling crane, which is based on a modified digger or the like basic machine and which can be utilized for a large variety of hoisting operations. The present invention relates, especially, to a crane structure, which can be extended in vertical direction, and which is based on a basic machine known per se, as well as to a method for modifying such a crane structure based on a basic machine. There are a great number of applications for using a long boom crane which is a modification based on a high body digger. Cranes of different heights are built for different needs, and then the height of the body can be defined at the planning stage. However, using a crane built for a certain purpose in new applications is restricted by the fact that the height of the body cannot be changed or the task would be too complicated in relation to the benefit which could be achieved. On the other hand, the height requirements for a work site crane vary, and when a crane is transferred from one work site to another one should be able rapidly to adapt the height of the machine to the need. The transport of a high body crane from one work site to another is also difficult and for some kinds of cranes even impossible. The present inventive arrangement, the characteristics of which being evident from the appended claims, has been developed in order to solve these problems related to prior art Thus, the arrangement according to the present invention is characterized in that a lower body of a basic machine comprising an upper carriage which can be turned, preferably freely rotated 360°, is extended vertically by means of an vertical extension body of a modular structure, especially so that said lower body of said basic machine is modified to include a modular body extension adapter, which renders pos- sible the introduction of one or several intermediate body segments between the parts of the original lower body, where said intermediate body segments are constituted by extension modules . Again, the method according to the present invention is characterized in that the basic body of a basic machine, which is known per se and which machine has been manufactured essentially to constitute an entity, is divided into at least two parts between which a number of intermediate pieces are positioned in accordance with the respective height requirements for the machine . The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to some favorable embodiments thereof as well as to the appended drawings, wherein Figure 1 discloses a conventional construction machine known per se, which machine can be commercially obtained, Figure 2, 2a, 2b disclose said working machine as a part of the inventive arrangement, as well as various modular segments included in the arrangement, and Figure 3 discloses a construction machine, which has been modified in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the machine arrangement including modular extension segments. According to Figure 1 a basic machine known per se , such as a digger, a harbor crane or the like crane-like construction machine comprises a lower body 3 as well as an upper carrier structure 4 which is attached to said body, usually so that the carrier can be rotated 360°, said upper carrier usually comprising the construction machine's engine and cab, where said cab favorably is arranged at the end of a boom arrangement, according to the favorable embodiment disclosed in Figure 3. A turning machinery including turning bearings 7 is arranged between said upper carrier 4 and said lower body 3. This construction machine can be any already existing construction machines or the like, or it can be one that has been designed especially for this purpose. A hoisting boom structure 14 known per se is connected to the upper structure 4, said boom structure possibly comprising lower and upper booms 14, 13 as well as accompanying force power means like hydraulic cylinders 15 and 16 or the like, as disclosed in Figure 3. The lower body 3 usually comprises arrangements for moving the construction machine, where said means in the case disclosed include a caterpillar assembly 2 known per se . According to the present invention the vertical extension of the construction machine is performed such that the basic body of the device, which body is known per se and usually already existing, is divided into at least two separated main parts, between which one or several extension modules 11, 11a, lib in accordance with the present invention can be installed in order to provide an intermediate piece 8, which constitutes the extension, as shown in Figure 3, which discloses an arrangement in assembled state. Favorably, modular adaptation pieces 9, 9a, 10, 10a, which facilitate the installation of said extension modules 11, 11a, lib and the intermediate pieces 8, 8a constituted thereof, are installed on the separated upper and, correspondingly, lower portions 4, 3 of the construction machine, said modular adaptation pieces suitably comprising flanges 18 or the like for receiving corresponding flanges or the like of the extension modules 11, 11a. Alternatively, said flanges are replaced/supplemented by fast connecting arrangements known per se (not shown) . In the arrangement according to Figures 2 and 3 the upper modular adaptation piece 9 then will favorably comprise the construction machine's turning machinery known per se, and the turning bearing 7 associated with said machinery, said bearing as such being attached to, e.g., an intermediate piece 1 of the caterpillar arrangement 2 at the basic machine. Thus, this modular adaptation piece 9 will be, in a way, connected to the upper portion 4 of the construction machine, where i.a. the machine's hoisting machinery and maneuvering arrangements are located. Correspondingly, a lower adaptation part 10, 10a is made, to which the construction machine's transportation machinery is connected, which machinery in the disclosed embodiment comprises a caterpillar arrangement 2, known jDe__se, which has been detached from said intermediate piece 1. According to the present invention a necessary amount of extension modules 11, 11a are thereafter arranged between these modular adaptation pieces 9, 10, 10a in order to form an intermediate piece 8, 8a, in which case the number of extension modules can also be zero or one . Already when the heightening of the body is effected as a two module arrangement, i.e. without any actual intermediate piece 8, 8a constituted by extension modules 11, 11a, a major advantage is achieved with respect to ease of transportation. Reasonably easily a heavy and large machine can be split into such portions, which can be transported in a considerably easier manner than the machine as an entity. Further, when the heightening of the body of a construction machine is effected by means of an intermediate piece 8, 8a constituted by one or several extension modules 11, 11a, one also achieves a possibility to change the height of the body of one individual machine by adding or reducing the number of superimposed extension modules 11, 11a. This gives the owner of the machine the possibility to use the crane also for other purposes than the ones which could be seen at the stage when the machine being designed, since the height of the machine body reasonably easily can be altered from less than one meter to several meters . Figures 2, 2a and 2b disclose an example of different modular pieces, which the arrangement renders possible, where the extension modules 11 to the left in Figure 2 are essentially identical pieces, which can be superimposed, while the Figure disclosed to the right in Figure 2 discloses an embodiment where favorably several such superimposed extension modules 11 are replaced with one extension module 11a, which further is arranged in an inclined manner to render possible a widening of the caterpillar assembly, as will be discussed in more detail below. Again, the extension module lib disclosed in Figure 2b as such is made asymmetric in order to effect different track gauges for the machine. The height adjustment is facilitated, besides by the modular structure, by i.a. the following favorable characteristics of the present invention: Favorably, the circuitry for hydraulic hoses, electrical wiring and the like, which interconnect different parts of the basic machine, are implemented in a self-winding manner at the point, where the body extension located. Then, when one performs an adjustment of the height there is no need to exchange any cabling and piping for new ones for the reason that the body height is changing, nor is there necessarily even any need to loosen any hosing or cabling during the height adjustment process. E.g., hydraulic cylinders 17 and possibly a telescopic structure can be permanently or detachably installed at the adapting modules 9, 9a, 10, 10a and/or extension modules 11, 11a, lib for heightening of the body, by means of which cylinders or telescopic structures the construction machine can be hoisted so that intermediate modules 11, 11a, lib can be added to the extension structure or removed therefrom. By means of the same cylinder 17 and telescopic structure the machine is lowered back down into position when the adjustment is performed. Thus, there necessarily is no need for any external crane in order to perform the height adjustment. The crane's own booms 13, 14 can also be utilized at the installing and removing of intermediate modules 11, 11a, lib, since the hoisting reach of said booms extend to within the extension 8, 8a. As an aid one can then favorably use a special exchange tool (not shown) , which is attachable to the end of the boom. Production costs can also be saved, when identical or compatible modules 9, 9a, 10, 10a, 11, 11a, lib can be used for different cranes and for cranes of different heights. The production of larger series reduces costs. A material crane, which is made higher in a modular manner, can further be implemented so that the crane is unable to tumble itself. This increases the crane safety and renders a costly load control apparatus unnecessary. Favorably the modification of the body is performed in the following manner: - the original lower body 3 of the basic machine is divided into portions such, that the transportation system, which in the disclosed embodiment includes the caterpillar assembly 2 and the intermediate piece 1, which interconnects the rollers, are detached from each other at some suitable point in order to form the upper module 9, - the intermediate piece 1 of the basic machine ' s lower body 3 as well as its turning bearings 7, which are required for turning the machine, are connected to the uppermost part of a modular body extension, which is formed by the basic machine's lower structure 3, so that said intermediate piece including its bearings 7 and adaptation pieces 9a, which pieces constitute the uppermost part of the extension, in combination form the upper module 9. The caterpillar assemblies 2 are connected via the modular body heightening arrangement 8 or 8a to a new lower module 10, 10a, which is formed separately, which lower module structure favorably is implemented such that the caterpillar bands 2 are located at an essentially longer mutual distance than when they are attached to the lower body 3 of the basic machine. This can be achieved, e.g., by means of a modular part 10a which is wider than the original one, as disclosed in Figure 2a. Thus, a new lower body 3' is actually formed. Thus, the structure according to the present invention is favorably implemented in the following alternative or mutually completing manners: The extension may comprise only a lower module 10, 10a and an upper module 9, in which case the extension of the body will be of a standard height. Alternatively, a necessary number of intermediate or extension modules 11, 11a, lib of a suitable height are inserted between the lower and upper modules 9, 10, 10a of the extension whereby the extent of the body heightening can be adjusted by increasing or reducing the number of superimposed intermediate modules 11, 11a by a number of 0 to "n" pieces mainly within the limits determined by the stability of the construction machine . According to another embodiment of the present invention the intermediate modules 11, 11a, lib included in the structure are not of a standard height, but the heightening structure 8, 8a comprises several intermediate modules 11, 11a, lib of optimized different heights, in which case an adjustable height variation can be implemented in a more diversified manner by combinations of different heights of intermediate modules 11, 11a, lib. According to still another embodiment of the present invention the lowest height of the adjustable extension 8, 8a is such that there are upper and lower modules 9, 10, 10a implemented in different manners with respect to height and/or width, in which case the individual intermediate modules can be mutually of standard or different heights. Favorably, the upper, lower and intermediate modules 9, 10, 10a and 11, 11a, lib, respectively, are provided with suitable alignment means, which facilitate the alignment during the installation and which if necessary can be implemented to support the structure in a lateral direction. Correspondingly, any hydraulic hoses and necessary electrical circuitry is favorably implemented as self retracting coiling in the area passing the modular body extension arrangement so that no hydraulic hoses, electrical wiring or the like need to be detached nor changed during the adjustment of the height of the body extension. If necessary, the body extension arrangement 8, 8a can be provided with suitably implemented permanent or detachable hydraulic cylinders 17 and, if necessary, with telescopic booms, by means of which the complete machine or the intermediate and upper modules 11, 11a, lib and 9 of the body heightening, respectively, as well as any overlying structures 13, 14, 15, 16... can be hoisted to such an extent that a removal or addition of one or several intermediate modules 11, 11a, lib as well as a lowering to a new adjusted level will be successful without any external hoisting means. The hoisting range of the crane booms is favorably implemented such that the end of a folding boom 13 can reach in within the modular body extension arrangement, whereby the crane's own booms 13, 14 with suitable arrangements can be utilized for adding or removing intermediate modules 11, 11a, lib. Suitably, said intermediate modules 11, 11a, lib are attached mutually or to said upper 9 or lower modules 10, 10a, e.g., by means of screws or suitable quick action couplings or, in some cases, by welding or in another suitable manner. Favorably, the whole structure is implemented to constitute a non-overturnable structure by adapting the length of the caterpillar assemblies 2 and, correspondingly, the width of the lower module 10, 10a, which defines their mutual lateral distances e, e 1 , i.e. the track gauge, as well as the diameters of the cylinders 15, 16 which operate the crane booms 13, 14 and further the crane's total mass and general structure in an optimal manner for the machine not to be able to overturn itself. The implementation of a material handling crane provided with a modular body extension structure to constitute a non- overturnable construction widens the area of use for high body cranes, facilitates the transport and considerably improves the range of uses for the individual crane . Above some favorable embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, but it should be clear that the invention can be implemented in many other ways within the scope of the appended claims .

Claims: Claims 1. A crane structure which is based on a digger, crane or the like basic construction machine known per se , and which crane can be extended with respect to its height, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a lower body (3) of said basic machine, which machine comprises a turnable upper carriage structure (4), is modified to comprise a modular body heightening adapter (9, 9a), which renders possible a positioning of (an) intermediate piece (s) (8, 8a) constituted by (an) extension module (s) (11, 11a, lib) in between parts (1, 2) of the original lower body (3) . 2. A structure as defined in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the modification of the body is implemented in the following manner: the original lower body (3) of the basic machine is split into portions so that caterpillar rollers (2) and an intermediate piece (1) interconnecting said rollers are mutually detached at some suitable point, said intermediate piece (1) of the lower body (3) of the basic machine, including turning bearings (7) necessary for turning the machine, is connected to the uppermost part (9a) of a modular body heightening arrangement (8, 8a), so that said intermediate piece (1) with its bearings (7) and the uppermost part (9a) of the heightening arrangement together constitute an upper module (9), said rollers (2) are connected to a lower module (10, 10a) of said modular body heightening arrangement (8, 8a), the structure of said lower module favorably being implemented in such a manner that caterpillar bands (2) are located essentially farther apart than when they are connected to the original lower body (3) of the basic machine. 3. A structure as defined in claim 1 or 2 , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said machine if necessary can be provided with a suitable cab hoisting device so that the basic machine's own cab can be moved in a stepless manner within the moving range of said cab hoisting device. 4. A structure as defined in any one of the above claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that said basic machine is provided with long booms (13, 14) which are suitable for use in a crane, as well as provided with such appropriate hydraulic cylinders (15, 16) for operating said booms, which cylinders are suitable for crane operations and favorably also for performing a modular heightening operation. 5. A structure as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 , c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that the structure includes hoisting means such as hydraulic jacks (17) or the like, by means of which different parts (3, 4, 8, 8a, 11, 11a, and/or lib) of the structure can be brought mutually apart and, correspondingly, against each other in a controlled manner. 6. A structure as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that any hydraulic hoses, any necessary electrical wiring and/or other conduits necessary for the operation of the basic machine included in the basic construction machine are implemented, at the modular body extension location, in a self winding manner. 7. A method for modifying a crane structure based on a digger, a crane or the like basic construction machine, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that a lower body (3) of the basic machine known per se, which machine originally has been implemented as an essentially unitary structure, is divided into at least two main portions (1, 2) between which intermediate pieces (8, 8a, 11, 11a, lib) are positioned in a number which corresponds to the respectively needed height of the machine. 8. A method as defined in claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that an intermediate piece (1) of a transportation arrangement such as a caterpillar assembly is detached from the construction machine's transportation system (2) at a original lower body (3) of said basic machine, in order to form a body of an upper module (9) , adaptation pieces (9a) are connected to said intermediate piece (1) , said transportation arrangement (2) is attached to a separately implemented lower module (10), and a necessary amount of extension modules (11, 11a, lib) are installed between said upper (9) and lower modules (10, 10a) in order to form an intermediate portion (8, 8a) and thus to provide a desired amount of heightening. 9. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that separate jack means (17) are utilized at the installation of said modular pieces (8, 8a, 11, 11a). 10. A method as defined in claim 7 or 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the construction machine's own crane boom arrangement (13, 14, 15, 16) is utilized at the installation of said modular pieces (8, 8a, 11, 11a) .

Inventors: KALLIO KALEVI, KALLIO, KALEVI
Applicants: KALLIO KALEVI, KONEPAJA MANTSINEN OY, KALLIO, KALEVI
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E02F9
IPC codes: B62D21, B62D55, B66C23, E02F9