Abstract:
A set-up winch for a crane, in particular for a mobile crane is designed as a transportable, modular unit. Characteristically, the winch&#39;s mounting element for mounting the winch to the crane comprises a securable quick-acting mounting system. Embodiments have a hang-in mounting system with a hang-in bolt and a safety bolt.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent document claims the benefit of priority to German Patent Application No. 20 2013 008 486.3, filed Sep. 24, 2013, and entitled “MODULAR SET-UP WINCH FOR A CRANE,” the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a modular set-up winch and its technical environment, in particular its mounting element, and a crane equipped therewith. 
         [0003]    Such set-up winches, also known as set-up and wind-in winches, are used to make the process of setting up a crane easier, in particular a mobile crane. By means of the winch, the main hoist rope can be pulled forwards for the different set-up states, for example. 
         [0004]    A known approach is to integrate such set-up and wind-in winches on the rotary table of mobile cranes as fixed units constituting an integral part of the crane structure. Due to the fact that the components used for this purpose are highly integrated, winches of this type known from the prior art are not readily accessible for unlocking or control operations and their flexibility during use is low. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The objective of this invention is to propose a set-up winch, in particular for a mobile crane, which at least partially overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the intention is to optimize overall functionality. 
         [0006]    This objective is achieved on the basis of a set-up winch as defined in claim  1 , by means of a mounting element for such a set-up winch as defined in claim  8 , as well as a crane as defined in claim  12 . The dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the invention. 
         [0007]    A set-up winch as proposed by the invention is suitable in particular for a mobile crane and is designed as a transportable, modular unit, and the winch&#39;s mounting element for mounting on the crane comprises a securable quick-acting mounting system. At this stage, it should be noted that the expression “modular unit” should be understood as meaning that the set-up winch is designed as a single, distinct module so that it can be transported as a complete unit. Naturally, this does not rule out the fact that the winch itself may comprise individual units which can be assembled in a modular fashion—details of specific embodiments in this connection will be given later. 
         [0008]    In other words, the set-up winch proposed by the invention is therefore designed as an intrinsically closed system and can be fitted and dismantled as a whole and secured to the crane at an appropriate point with the aid of the winch&#39;s securable quick-acting mounting system (i.e. on the winch) without the need for any complex technical features. The very fact that it can be secured to the crane at different or various points in principle significantly increases the flexibility of such winches proposed by the invention during use. Furthermore, they can be secured to readily accessible points, thereby reducing fitting and set-up times. A major advantage of the set-up winch proposed by the invention resides in the fact that it can be made available and sold as a piece of auxiliary equipment and all possible cranes and mobile cranes can be equipped with this winch by means of simple modifications. Controllability is improved because this factor can be easily taken into account when choosing where it will be mounted. 
         [0009]    Based on one embodiment, the set-up winch is designed as a functionally closed module from the outside incorporating all the essential components of a winch. This design makes it particularly flexible and very easy to use, even with different types of crane. 
         [0010]    Based on one embodiment, the crane winch is designed as a module with a rope winch mounted in a steel frame and a mounting element for the winch disposed on the steel frame. As already mentioned above, the winch may be regarded as a separate module but in the case of this embodiment it incorporates a few modular-type components and units in addition, which in turn facilitates assembly of the set-up winch, its maintenance and its operation. This aspect means that virtually only the power supply needs to be provided on the crane in addition to the mounting element. Accordingly, the winch, even in its very general form described above, is a stand-alone, independently operable unit. 
         [0011]    Based on another variant, the set-up winch has a one-sided mounting element or a mounting element disposed on only one of its sides. Firstly, this means that a mounting element can be provided in the form of a hang-in system with a lock to prevent it from slipping out, and secondly, again in a more detailed design, the mounting element may comprise a clevis hook or hang-in bolt. A hang-in system specifically makes for very rapid mounting and bolt locks can be provided in any size and in all situations, requiring little space, as a result of which this special embodiment highlights the advantages of the set-up winch proposed by the invention particularly well. As already mentioned above, the securable, quick-acting mounting system may have a safety bolt. 
         [0012]    Based on another aspect, this invention further relates to a mounting element for a set-up winch based on various designs, as will be described, and the mounting element has a mounting element for the crane in order to mount the set-up winch, which comprises a mounting system complementing the quick-acting mounting system of the set-up winch. This being the case, the mounting element may be designed so that it is suitable for a one-sided mounting of the set-up winch, in particular as a one-sided cantilever. A support with a clevis hook or bolt hang-in holder may be provided and in the case of another embodiment, the crane&#39;s mounting element is a support with a holding means for a safety bolt. 
         [0013]    In other words, the mounting element constitutes the complementary piece to the winch&#39;s mounting element and has another quick-acting mounting system which co-operates with the quick-acting mounting system of the set-up winch. The advantages of the different designs described above were explained earlier on and naturally also apply to the mounting element proposed by the invention. 
         [0014]    Based on another aspect of the invention, a crane is disclosed which has a set-up winch of the type described above and based on any of the various embodiments described here, and/or a mounting element, as also described above and based on the various embodiments described here. 
         [0015]    There are various points on the crane where the crane&#39;s mounting element proposed by the invention may be disposed, thereby offering specific advantages. If, as is possible on the basis of this invention, the crane is provided with several mounting elements, the position in which it is used may be selected depending on the set-up state required. However, even if only a single position is provided, the set-up winch system offers the advantages which come with a modular design as already described above. These advantages include, for example, the possibility of providing the set-up winch as a piece of auxiliary equipment for different cranes as well as the advantage relating to maintenance and control. 
         [0016]    One option with regard to position is to secure the crane&#39;s mounting element on or to a counterweight element, which in particular makes for free accessibility and, consequently, easier controllability and also offers a simple way of making various appropriate set-up positions available. 
         [0017]    Another positioning option is the auxiliary hoist fixing mechanism, and in the case of many cranes, this is precisely where the crane driver can work safely when controlling the set-up winch because such usage positions can usually be reached by means of fixed steps. At both of the above-mentioned positions, an anti-slip standing surface is often provided, as well as supporting devices such as handrails. This ready accessibility enables the reeling behavior of the winch to be controlled and corrected and because the practical positioning means that space is available in the surrounding area, the set-up winch (hand set) can be controlled from a position directly adjacent to the winch, which affords a very good overall view of the work in hand. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of various embodiments and with reference to the appended drawings. Of these: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates the mounting of a set-up winch as proposed by the invention on the rear rotary table, using the auxiliary hoist fixing mechanism of a mobile crane; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates the mounting of a set-up winch proposed by the invention on a counterweight element of a mobile crane; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a view seen from an angle showing the modular set-up winch based on one embodiment proposed by the invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows the set-up winch illustrated in  FIG. 3  suspended on a mounting element of the crane. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    This description will refer firstly to  FIGS. 1 and 2  to explain different usage or positioning options for a set-up winch as proposed by the invention. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , reference number  1  denotes as a whole a part of the top cab of a mobile crane and the counterweight elements are denoted by reference number  2 . Reference number  10  in these two drawings denotes a set-up winch or a set-up and wind-in winch, whilst reference number  20  denotes a mounting element on the crane for this winch  10 . 
         [0024]    As may be seen from  FIG. 1 , an auxiliary hoist fixing mechanism  4  with two outer support stands is provided on the rear upper rotary table area  3 , which is used to mount the auxiliary hoist, although this is not illustrated. The right-hand one of the two supports in this embodiment is additionally used to secure the set-up winch by its external side. The advantage of this positioning can be seen particularly clearly because firstly, fixed steps and handrails are provided in the region of the set-up winch  10  and secondly, control operations can take place in the immediate vicinity. 
         [0025]    As may be seen from the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the crane&#39;s mounting element  20  is disposed on a counterweight element  5  where it supports the set-up winch  10 . This also offers ready accessibility and because several appropriate options for the fixing mechanism are available on the counterweight, i.e. at several points, the winch can be mounted very easily in a particularly advantageous position for whatever work has to be carried out. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  illustrates what one possible embodiment of a set-up winch module  10  looks like. There are four main units, namely the rope winch  11  with its mechanical components, the steel frame  12  for mounting the rope winch  11  and the other add-on parts, the power socket  18  and the winch&#39;s quick-acting mounting system or mounting element which is denoted as a whole by reference number  19 . The mounting element  19  together with the steel frame  12  constitutes a self-supporting frame, thereby enabling additional retaining means to be dispensed with and offering corresponding savings on costs and weight. 
         [0027]    The mounting element  19  has two supporting plates  13 A and  13 B extending vertically up from the frame  12 , on which the other elements of the quick-acting mounting system are mounted. These comprise a hang-in bolt  14 , or a clevis hook in some embodiments, mounted in two aligned end-to-end bores  30 A and  30 B. The hang-in bolt  14  is provided at its two ends  32 ,  33  with plates  34  so that it is not able to slip out of its end-to-end or guide bores  30 A and  30 B. Disposed further down, likewise in a guide comprising two aligned bores  15 A and  15 B in supports  13 A and  13 B, is the safety bolt  15  which, although designed so that it can be removed, may be provided with a locking mechanism  16  at its end, in this instance provided in the form of a lynchpin. Also disposed underneath the end-to-end bores  15 A,  15 B for the safety bolt  15  are two adjustable spacers  17 . 
         [0028]    This set-up winch module can now be rapidly, easily and safely mounted in a co-operating mounting element  20 , the mounted state being illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The mounting element  20  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is the same as the one illustrated in the general view of  FIG. 1  and the reference numbers denoting the set-up winch in  FIG. 4  correspond to those given in  FIG. 3  and relate to the same parts. 
         [0029]    The main part of the mounting element  20  is the upright support  21 , which in turn has two supporting plates  22 A and  22 B at its top right-hand side. At their top edge, the two supporting plates  22 A,  22 B have aligned holding structures for hang-in bolts  14  provided in the form of round recesses denoted by reference numbers  23 A and  23 B in  FIG. 4 . In order to hang the set-up winch  10  in, with the safety bolt  15  still removed, the hang-in bolt  14  is placed in the hang-in holders  23 A and  23 B from above so that the two supports  13 A and  13 B of the winch  10  extend around the crane&#39;s supporting plates  22 AA and  22 B, respectively, from outside. The spacers  17  ( FIG. 3 ) can then be used to correct the tilt position of the set-up winch-module  10  if necessary—in most situations, however, the spacers  17  are already set so that the tilt position is one in which the end-to-end bores  15 A,  15 B ( FIGS. 3) and 24A ,  24 B in the supports  13 A,  13 B,  22 A,  22 B are aligned and the safety bolt  15  with the locking mechanism, or end lock  16  removed can be pushed through both the end-to-end bores  15 A,  15 B of the supporting plates  13 A,  13 B of the winch  10  and the end-to-end bores  24 A,  24 B of the supporting plates  22 A,  22 B of the mounting element  20 , respectively, after which the end lock  16  is fitted to prevent the safety bolt from slipping out. 
         [0030]    The set-up winch is therefore secured on the crane by a rapid, easy and safe quick-acting mounting system and can now be used for its work.