Abstract:
A securement for crawler cranes and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, a pair of structural securements are spaced at approximately a track-distance apart with respect to the crawler crane and coupled together by multiple transverse support members. When the crawler crane is driven onto the structural securements and fastened thereto, the tipping fulcrum of the crawler crane is shifted, thereby requiring a greater tipping force to tip and adding stability during high wind events.

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/335,577 entitled “Securement for Crawler Cranes and System and Method for Use of Same,” and filed on May 12, 2016 in the name of Jim D. Wiethorn; which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates, in general, to crawler cranes and, in particular, to a securement for crawler cranes and system and method for use of the same that enable crawler crane owners, users, and manufacturers to reduce the risk of catastrophic events and protect workers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Crane accidents resulting from high winds are very dramatic and very visible, often resulting in viral videos and media attention. Worse, crane accidents may cause property damage, injury, and even death. With respect to crawler cranes and wind resistance, existing solutions utilize guy wires to increase the stability of crawler cranes during high winds. Guy wire-based solutions, however, have proved time consuming to deploy and require an extremely technical analysis to work in varying wind conditions. As a result of limitations in existing technology, high winds remain a risk for conventional crawler cranes. Accordingly, there is a need for improved systems and methods for securing crawler cranes in high winds or during emergency lay-down operations. The addition of tipping resistance during high wind events can result in the difference between catastrophe or successful stowage of the boom. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It would be advantageous to mitigate the risks to conventional crawler cranes caused by high winds. It would also be desirable to enable a mechanical-based solution that is easily and quickly deployed without the need for a complex technical analysis. To better address one or more of these concerns, a securement for crawler cranes and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, a pair of structurally designed securements are spaced at approximately a track-distance apart with respect to the crawler crane and coupled together by multiple transverse support members. When the crawler crane is driven onto the securements and fastened thereto, the tipping fulcrum of the crawler crane is shifted, thereby requiring a greater tipping force to overturn, thereby adding stability during high wind events. An individual securement and a method, which accompanies the system, are also disclosed. This structurally designed enhancement, along with the securement method and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view depicting one embodiment of a system utilizing structural securements for a crawler crane, during the deployment of the structural securements, according to the teachings presented herein; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view depicting one embodiment of the system presented in  FIG. 1  during use of the structural securements; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the system depicted in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a structural mat system depicted in  FIG. 2 , wherein only one track of the crawler crane is depicted for purposes of simplifying the illustration; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is front perspective view of one embodiment of a structural securement for a crawler crane; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the structural securement for a crawler crane presented in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the structural securement for a crawler crane presented in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view of the structural securement for a crawler crane presented in  FIG. 5  as viewed along line  8 A- 8 A; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of the structural securement for a crawler crane presented in  FIG. 5  as viewed along line  8 B- 8 B; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view depicting another embodiment of a system utilizing structural securements for a crawler crane, during the deployment of the structural securements, according to the teachings presented herein; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view depicting one embodiment of the system presented in  FIG. 9  during use of the structural securements; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the system depicted in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of a structural mat system depicted in  FIG. 10 , wherein only one track of the crawler crane is depicted for purposes of simplifying the illustration; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is front perspective view of one embodiment of a structural securement for a crawler crane; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the structural securement for a crawler crane presented in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a side elevation view of the structural securement for a crawler crane presented in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16A  is a cross-sectional view of the structural securement for a crawler crane presented in  FIG. 15  as viewed along line  16 A- 16 A; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16B  is a cross-sectional view of the structural securement for a crawler crane presented in  FIG. 15  as viewed along line  16 B- 16 B; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of a still further embodiment of a structural securement for a crawler crane; 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of two structural securements depicted in  FIG. 17  for a crawler crane being coupled together; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of the two structural securements depicted in  FIG. 18  with the coupling detailed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of several specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , therein is depicted one embodiment of a system  10  utilizing structural securements  12 ,  14  for a crawler crane  16 . As shown, the crawler crane  16  includes a crane  18  having a front  20  and a rear  22 . The crane  18  may be utilized for hoisting, excavating and the like and is mounted on a lower undercarriage  24  with a set of parallel tracks  26 ,  28  having endless treads  30 ,  32  that provide stability and mobility to the crawler crane  16 . As shown, the structural securements  12 ,  14  are deployed at approximately a track-distance apart with respect to the crawler crane. Thereafter, transverse support members  40 ,  42 ,  44  are located between the structural securement  12  and the structural securement  14  such that the structural securements  12 ,  14  are connected to each other. The crawler crane is then driven forward, as shown by arrow  46 , onto the structural securements  12 ,  14  such that the rear  22  of the crawler crane  16  is approximate a rear edge of the structural securements  12 ,  14 . One method of installation of the clamping tie-down system or shoes is to connect the tie-down system to the track and drive forward onto the structural mat for final securement as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, after the crawler crane  16  is completely driven forward onto the structural securements  12 ,  14 , tie-downs  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 , which may be rods, flat bars or chains, for example, are employed around the parallel tracks  26 ,  28  and endless treads  30 ,  32  to secure the crawler crane  16  and particularly the rear  22  of the crawler crane  16  to the structural securements  12 ,  14 . With this arrangement, the tipping fulcrum—the balance point around which there are equal moment arms of length times weight—of the crawler crane is extended toward the front of the structural securements  12 ,  14  thereby increasing the tipping resistance to wind or unbalance loading toward the front during laydown of the crane boom. As illustrated, the systems and methods herein may be deployed with the crawler crane  16  in response to a sudden increase in wind speed, as shown by arrow W, or in response to the crawler crane being taken out-of-service, under normal or emergency conditions, for example. 
         [0030]    More particularly, use of crawler cranes in congested urban areas and highly volatile refinery operations restricts the capability of the operator to lay a crawler crane&#39;s boom down during out-of-service periods such as overnight. Further, when high winds suddenly impact a site the time to properly prepare for lowering the boom is limited and often attempted under emergency conditions. The systems and methods presented herein meet the need for a specialized mechanism that provides additional overturning resistance during emergency lowering procedures or while the crane boom is left erected after hours. With respect to service, cranes are generally set out-of-service with the boom over the front of the tracks, which are required to be chocked, and the boom is placed at an angle of less than 70 degrees. Tipping occurs when the wind forces on the boom creates sufficient load to overturn the crane over the front tips of the tracks. With the use of securements, by extending the tipping point beyond the front tips of the tracks provides additional resistance of overturning. As shown, to achieve this benefit, the rear tracks utilize a mechanism to provide hold-down resistance in concert with the extended tipping point. Additionally, as shown, the crawler crane  16  is held in place by blocking member  72  at the track toe for chocking. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  through  FIG. 8B , the structural securement  12  includes a top  80 , a bottom  82 , a left side  84 , a right side  86 , and ends  88 ,  90 . A structural mat subsystem  92  is provided having four wide flange beams represented as beam portions  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  welded together with cross structural steel pipe members  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  such that openings, such as openings  122 ,  124 , are formed between the wide flange beams  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  and crossbar members  110 ,  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120 . Structural support members, such as wooden timbers  122 , are secured between the openings in the mat subsystem  92 . As will be presented hereinbelow, in another embodiment, steel plates can be secured to the top and bottom of the structural steel mat. In one implementation, the structural mat subsystem  92  may have a width greater than one of the parallel tracks  26 , of the crawler crane  16 . Also, the structural mat subsystem  92  may have a length greater than one of the parallel tracks  26 ,  28  of the crawler crane  16  by at least ten feet. As illustrated, the structural mat subsystem  92  may have from the end  88  to the end  90 , a tie down region  130 , an original crawler crane region  132 , and an enhanced crawler crane region  134 . 
         [0032]    The structural mat subsystem  92  includes a height configured to accept the crawler crane  16  in forward drive thereon on the end  88 . The tie down region  130  has multiple surfaces for accepting the tie-downs, such as tie downs  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 . As previously discussed, with respect to the structural securements  12 ,  14 , the enhanced crawler crane region  134  in combination with the original crawler crane region  132 , and the tie down region  130  shifts the tipping fulcrum of the crawler crane  16  toward the end  90  of the structural securement  12  when the crawler crane  16  is driven thereon. 
         [0033]    Alternate combinations of wide flange beams may be implemented. Eight wide flange beams can be utilized instead of four 40-foot-long steel wide flange beams. Five or six crossbar members may be utilized in this implementation. Further, the wooden timbers may be solid infield wooden oak timbers or steel plates top and bottom depending on the application. At the ends, in one embodiment, lifting slots may be provided enabling handling of the structural securement  12  by a conventional crane. Alternatively, slotted channels specifically placed around the center of gravity of the structural mat may be used by a forklift for handling. Further, multiple tie-down rings are provided at the end of the securement to provide for coupling of rigging, such as chains, bars or wire rope pendants, to secure the crawler crane to the securement. The structural mat subsystem  92  may include a width of approximately eight feet. In one embodiment, the mat subsystem may include a length of approximately 40 feet. Also the structural mat subsystem may include a length greater than one of the tracks by at least ten feet or approximately ten to approximately 15 feet. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , therein is depicted another embodiment of the system  10  utilizing structural securements  212 ,  214  for the crawler crane  16 . As shown, the structural securements  212 ,  214  are deployed at approximately a track-distance apart with respect to the crawler crane. Thereafter, the transverse support members  40 ,  42 ,  44  are located between the structural securement  212  and the structural securement  214  such that the structural securements  212 ,  214  are connected to each other. The crawler crane is then driven forward, as shown by arrow  46 , onto the structural securements  212 ,  214  such that the rear  22  of the crawler crane  16  is approximate a rear edge of the structural securements  212 ,  214 . As shown in  FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 , after the crawler crane  16  is completely driven forward onto the structural securements  212 ,  214 , tie-downs  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  70 , which, as discussed, may be rods, flat bars or chains, for example, are employed around the parallel tracks  26 ,  28  and endless treads  30 ,  32  to secure the crawler crane  16  and particularly the rear  22  of the crawler crane  16  to the structural securements  212 ,  214 . It should be appreciated that the exact type and number of tie-downs will depend on the safety engineering of the particular application. Additionally, as shown, the crawler crane  16  is held in place by blocking member  72  at the track toe for chocking. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 12  through  FIG. 16B , the structural securement  212  includes a top  220 , a bottom  222 , a left side  224 , a right side  226 , and ends  228 ,  230 . A structural mat subsystem  232  is provided having beam portions  234 ,  236 ,  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246 ,  248 ,  250  and cross-beam portions  252 ,  254  welded together with structural support members  256 ,  258 , which are depicted as upper and lower plates  260 ,  262 . This embodiment may therefore provide steel wide flange members with top and bottom steel plates. Ramps  264 ,  266  are formed at each of the ends  228 ,  230 . It should be appreciated that the structural mat systems presented herein are also designed to be secured to floating structures such as barges with the use of disposable mat tie-downs that are inserted into the ends of the crossbar pipes and welded to the barge deck. By way of example, in these implementations, subsequent installation of the crawler shoes are installed on each end of the tracks to hold meet OSHA requirements for tie-down on barges. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , in another embodiment, a structural securement  280  includes a top  290 , a bottom  292 , a left side  294 , a right side  296 , and ends  298 ,  300 . A structural mat subsystem  302  is provided having beam portions  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318 ,  320  and cross-beam portions  322 ,  324  welded together with structural support members  326 ,  328 , which are depicted as upper support beams  330 ,  332 ,  334 ,  336  and lower support beams  338 ,  340 ,  342 ,  344 . Ramps  346 ,  348  are formed at each of the ends  298 ,  300 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the structural mat system is also designed for multiple mats to be connected at the ends to provide continuous support for travel over fill material or less than adequate soil conditions. As shown, structural securement  280  and a structural securement  380  are coupled together by a coupling  382 . Further, it should be appreciated that a supplemental steel beam can also be added across the tailing ends of the structural mats to provide an under body connection to the front frame of a conventional hydraulic crane body to provide similar wind resistance to tipping as demonstrated for crawler cranes. 
         [0038]    In operation, it should be appreciated that the embodiments of  FIGS. 9 through 19  have substantially the same operational principles as the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 through 8B . In particular, the tipping fulcrum—the balance point around which there are equal moment arms of length times weight—of the crawler crane  16  is extended toward the front of the structural securements  12 ,  14  or structural securements  212 ,  214  or structural securement  280  thereby increasing the tipping resistance to wind or unbalance loading toward the front during laydown of the crane boom. Further, as the various structural securements  12 ,  14 ,  212 ,  214 ,  280  demonstrate, the architecture and deployment of the system  10  may vary depending on the engineering application. As illustrated, the systems and methods herein may be deployed with the crawler crane  16  in response to a sudden increase in wind speed, as shown by arrow W, or in response to the crawler crane being taken out-of-service, under normal or emergency conditions, for example. 
         [0039]    The order of execution or performance of the methods and techniques illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and techniques may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution. 
         [0040]    While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.