The present invention relates to a crane.
Cranes which include a boom capable of being raised and lowered and a derricking mechanism for raising and lowering the boom are conventionally known. Patent Literature 1 mentioned below discloses an example of such cranes.
In the crane disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the boom has a proximal end mounted on a front portion of a machine body of the crane rotatably about an axis extending in a widthwise direction of the machine body. On the machine body, a live mast is disposed behind the boom and a high mast is disposed behind the live mast. Each of the live mast and the high mast has a proximal end mounted on the machine body rotatably about an axis extending in the widthwise direction of the machine body so as to be rotatable about the proximal end.
A top link is disposed on a ventral surface of a distal end of the boom. A top sheave is disposed at the top link, and a hook for hanging a hoisting load is suspended from the top sheave via a hook rope. A pendant link is secured to a back surface of the distal end of the boom. A rear end of the pendant link and a distal end of the live mast are connected via a pendant corresponding to a guy line.
A boom rope is wound around a sheave disposed at a distal end of the high mast and a sheave disposed at the distal end of the live mast, and is wound in and out by a winch disposed on the machine body. The winch winds in the boom rope to rotate the live mast rearward so that the distal end of the live mast approaches the distal end of the high mast. Consequently, the pendant is drawn rearward to draw the distal end of the boom rearward so that the boom is positioned vertically.
In this crane, owing to the pendant link projecting rearward from the distal end of the boom, the connection position of the pendant is spaced behind the distal end of the boom. Consequently, the acting position of a compressive force lies at a position close to an axis of the boom, the compressive force acting on the boom as the resultant of a tensile force of the pendant and a hoisting load. This allows the boom to withstand a great compressive force to thereby improve the hoisting capacity of the crane.
It is common to use a boom having a structure that allows the length of the boom to be changed, and change the length of the boom to an appropriate length depending on the contents of hoisting wok, the conditions of work site, or the like. In the above-described crane of Patent Literature 1, the hoisting capacity is improved by providing the pendant link; however, there is a possibility that the hoisting capacity cannot be prevented from decreasing when the boom is made shorter. Further, when the boom is made longer, another problem is liable to occur that the tensile force required to raise the boom being in the horizontal position increases.
Specifically, when the boom is made shorter, the angle between the extension direction of the pendant and the acting direction of a hoisting load increases. Consequently, the acting position of a compressive force is spaced in front of the axis of the boom, which results in a greater bending moment. Consequently, the hoisting capacity cannot be prevented from being reduced in order to avoid deflection of the boom. On the other hand, when the boom is made longer, the angle between the pendant and the axis of the boom decreases in a substantially horizontal position of the boom. This makes the vertical component of a tensile force of the pendant small. As a result, a greater tensile force of the pendant is required to raise the boom.
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. HEI 11-43288
An object of the present invention is to provide a crane capable of achieving both an improvement of the hoisting capacity and the reduction of the tensile force required to raise a boom.
A crane according to an aspect of the present invention comprises: a machine body; a boom rotatably mounted on the machine body and having a structure which allows the length of the boom to be changed; and a derricking mechanism configured to rotate the boom to raise and lower the boom with respect to the machine body, wherein: the derricking mechanism includes a guy line, a linking device provided on a distal end of the boom to connect one end of the guy line to the distal end of the boom, and a guy line operating device configured to draw the guy line rearward to raise the boom and configured to advance the guy line to lower the boom; the distal end of the boom has a back surface which faces rearward when the boom is in a vertical position, and a ventral surface which faces forward when the boom is in the vertical position; the linking device includes a joint connected to one end of the guy line, and a support device provided on the distal end to support the joint so as to locate the joint at a position away from the back surface and opposite to the ventral surface; and the support device includes a holding member which holds the joint, the holding member allowing the position of the joint to be selectively changed to a plurality of different positions in a first direction perpendicularly intersecting an axis of the boom and a rotary axis of the boom.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A crane according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to
The crane according to the first embodiment includes a machine body 6 having a self-propelled lower travelling body 2, and an upper slewing body 4 mounted on the lower travelling body 2 pivotally about a vertical axis, as shown in
It should be noted that in the description hereinafter given, the terms “forward” and “rearward” mean towards the front and towards the rear of the upper slewing body 4, respectively. In other words, the right side of
The crane according to the first embodiment includes, as shown in
The boom 10 is in the form of a lattice boom having a lattice structure and having a longer dimension in one direction. The boom 10 is configured in such a manner as to allow its axial length to be changed. The boom 10 includes a boom body 12 and a boom head 13.
The boom body 12 constitutes a large portion of the boom 10, and includes a plurality of boom units 14 having a lattice structure and linked with each other. A proximal end, which is a longitudinal one end, of the boom body 12 constitutes a proximal end of the boom 10 and is mounted on a front end of the upper slewing body 4. The proximal end of the boom body 12 is mounted on the upper slewing body 14 rotatably about the rotary axis extending in the widthwise direction. This allows the boom 10 to be raised and lowered with the proximal end of the boom body 12 serving as a fulcrum.
Each boom unit 14 includes four main members 15 and a plurality of lattice members 16 each connecting one main member 15 to another. It should be noted that because the drawings are side views of the boom 10, only two of the four main members 15 are shown in the drawings. The main members 15 are respectively disposed in such a manner as to constitute the vertices of a rectangle in the cross section perpendicularly intersecting the longitudinal direction of the boom 10. The boom 10 has an axis 10a extending in the longitudinal direction of the boom 10 and passing through the center of the four main members 15 in the cross section perpendicularly intersecting the longitudinal direction of the boom 10. The respective one main members 15 of adjacent boom units 14 are detachably connected to each other. It is possible to change the axial length of the boom 10 by changing the number of boom units 14 to be connected or replacing a boom unit 14 to be used with another having a different axial length.
The boom head 13 is mounted on the other end of the boom body 12 opposite to the proximal end, and constitutes a distal end of the boom 10. The boom head 13 serves as an example of a distal end of a boom of the present invention. The boom head 13 has, as shown in
A top sheave 25 is disposed on a portion of the ventral surface 22 of the boom head 13 rotatably about a horizontal axis extending in the widthwise direction. As shown in
The derricking mechanism 11 (see
The guy lines 30 and the linking devices 32 connect a distal end 60b of a crane mast 60 described later and the boom head 13.
The two guy lines 30 are spaced from each other in the widthwise direction of the upper slewing body 4. Because the two guy lines 30 overlap when seen from a lateral side of the upper slewing body 4, only one of the guy lines 30 is shown in the drawings. The two linking devices 32 are disposed on the boom head 13, and are spaced from each other in the widthwise direction. The two linking devices 32 also overlap when seen from the lateral side of the upper slewing body 4 and, therefore, only one of the linking devices 32 is shown in the drawings.
One of the linking devices 32 connects one end of a corresponding one of the guy lines 30 to the boom head 13. The other of the linking devices 32 connects one end of the corresponding other of the guy lines 30 to the boom head 13. The respective other ends of the guy lines 30 are connected to the distal end 60b of the crane mast 60 described later. One of the linking devices 32 is disposed at one end of the boom head 13 in the widthwise direction, and the other of the linking devices 32 is disposed at the other end of the boom head 13 in the widthwise direction. The two linking devices 32 have the same configuration and, therefore, the structure of one linking device 32 will be representatively described hereinafter.
The linking device 32 includes, as shown in
The joint 36 is a portion to which the one end of the guy line 30 is coupled. The joint 36 includes a pin 55, and an unillustrated connection member such as shackle attached to the pin 55. The pin 55 connects a first linking member 49 and a second linking member 50 of the support device 38 described later. The one end of the guy line 30 is coupled to the connection member attached to the pin 55.
The support device 38 is provided on the boom head 13 to support the joint 36 so as to locate the joint 36 at a position away from the back surface 21 and opposite to the ventral surface 22 of the boom head 13. The support device 38 includes, as shown in
The attachment section 42 is a portion to which the link 44 is attached. The attachment section 42 is fixedly provided on the back surface 21 of the boom head 13 in such a way as to project from the back surface 21 in a direction away from the ventral surface 22, and supports the link 44. The attachment section 42 includes, as shown in
The first attachment member 46 is in the form of two plates and disposed vertically on the back surface 21 and near the top surface 23 of the boom head 13. The two plates of the first attachment member 46 are disposed in such a way that a plate thickness direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction. The two plates are slightly spaced from each other in the widthwise direction. Each plate is formed with an attachment hole passing therethrough in the plate thickness direction at the same position.
The second attachment member 47 is in the form of a single plate and disposed vertically on the back surface 21. The second attachment member 47 is disposed in such a way that a plate thickness direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction, and is disposed in the middle between two plates of the first attachment member 46. The second attachment member 47 is formed with an attachment hole passing therethrough in the plate thickness direction. The attachment hole is located at a position near a proximal end of the boom head 13, the proximal end being disposed at the side opposite to the top surface 23 (at the side closer to the boom body 12).
The link 44 is attached to the attachment section 42 and supports the joint 36. The link 44 is attachable to and detachable from the attachment section 42. The link 44 includes, as shown in
The first linking member 49 serves as an example of a holding member of the present invention. The first linking member 49 holds the pin 55 of the joint 36. The first linking member 49 provides the joint 36 with a plurality of different positions in an A-direction perpendicularly intersecting the axis 10a of the boom 10 and the rotary axis of the boom 10 to allow positional change of the joint 36.
Specifically, the first linking member 49 is in the form of a long and narrow flat plate. The first linking member 49 is formed with a plurality of holes 49a passing therethrough in its plate thickness direction. The holes 49a serve as an example of holding parts of the present invention. The plurality of holes 49a are disposed at intervals in a longitudinal direction of the first linking member 49. Each hole 49a is configured to detachably hold the pin 52. The first linking member 49 includes a proximal end 49b and a distal end 49c constituting opposite ends thereof in the longitudinal direction. Each of the proximal end 49b and the distal end 49c of the first linking member 49 is also formed with the hole 49a.
The proximal end 49b of the first linking member 49 is placed between the two plates of the first attachment member 46. The pin 52 is fitted into the hole 49a formed in the proximal end 49b of the first linking member 49 and the attachment holes respectively formed in the two plates of the first attachment member 46 to attach the proximal end 49b of the first linking member 49 to the first attachment member 46. The pin 52 can be inserted to and removed from the hole 49a of the proximal end 49b and the attachment holes of the first attachment member 46. The proximal end 49b can be detached from the first attachment member 46 by removing the pin 52 from these holes. In other words, the proximal end 49b of the first linking member 49 is attachable to and detachable from the first attachment member 46.
The second linking member 50 serves as an example of a supporting member of the present invention. The second linking member 50 extends in a direction intersecting the first linking member 49 and the back surface 21 of the boom head 13, and is disposed between the first linking member 49 and the back surface 21 of the boom head 13. The second linking member 50 is coupled with the pin 55 of the joint 36 held by the first linking member 49 to support the first linking member 49 at the position of the pin 55 via the pin 55.
Specifically, the second linking member 50 is in the form of two long and narrow flat plates. The two flat plates have the same shape. Each flat plate of the second linking member 50 includes a proximal end 50a and a distal end 50b constituting opposite ends thereof in the longitudinal direction. The proximal end 50a of each flat plate is formed with a hole 51a passing therethrough in its plate thickness direction. The distal end 50b of each flat plate is formed with a hole 51b passing therethrough in its plate thickness direction.
The proximal ends 50a of the two flat plates of the second linking member 50 are connected to the second attachment member 47. Specifically, the proximal ends 50a are placed on both sides of the second attachment member 47 in its plate thickness direction in such a way that the holes 51a communicate with the attachment hole of the second attachment member 47 and, in this state, the pin 54 is fitted into the holes 51a of the proximal ends 50a and the attachment hole of the second attachment member 47. Consequently, the proximal ends 50a of the second linking member 50 are attached to the second attachment member 47. The pin 54 can be inserted to and removed from the holes 51a of the proximal ends 50a and the attachment hole of the second attachment member 47. The proximal ends 50a can be detached from the second attachment member 47 by removing the pin 54 from these holes. In other words, the proximal ends 50a of the second linking member 50 are attachable to and detachable from the second attachment member 47.
Further, the distal ends 50b of the two flat plates of the second linking member 50 are connected to the first linking member 49. Specifically, the distal ends 50b are placed on both sides of the first linking member 49 in its plate thickness direction in such a way that the holes 51b communicate with one of the plurality of holes 49a formed in the first linking member 49 and, in this state, the pin 55 is fitted into the one hole 49a corresponding to the holes 51b. Consequently, the distal ends 50b of the second linking member 50 are attached to the first linking member 49. The pin 55 can be inserted to and removed from the holes 51b of the distal ends 50b and the hole 49a of the first linking member 49. The first linking member 49 can be detached from the distal ends 50b of the second linking member 50 by removing the pin 55 from the holes 49a and 51b. In other words, the distal ends 50b of the second linking member 50 are detachably connected to the first linking member 49. The second linking member 50 supports a portion of the first linking member 49 where the hole 49a fitted with the pin 55 is formed, via the pin 55.
The first linking member 49 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the A-direction while being attached to the first attachment member 46 and connected to the second linking member 50 which is attached to the second attachment member 47. In other words, the first linking member 49 has a predetermined length in the A-direction while being supported by the second linking member 50 and the pin 55. Because the plurality of holes 49a are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the first linking member 49, in the state that the first linking member 49 is supported by the second linking member 50 and the pin 55, the plurality of holes 49a are disposed at a plurality of different positions in the A-direction. Therefore, the pin 55 is fitted into a hole 49a selected from the plurality of holes 49a and into the holes 51b of the second linking member 50, to connect the distal ends 50b of the second linking member 50 to the first linking member 49 at the position of the selected hole 49a. Consequently, the joint 36 can be positioned at a specific position in the A-direction that corresponds to the selected hole 49a. Further, the position of the joint 36 can be changed in the A-direction by removing the pin 55 from the hole 49a and the holes 51b of the second linking member 50 fitted with the pin 55, and then bringing the holes 51b of the second linking member 50 into communication with another hole 49a and fitting the pin 55 into the another hole 49a and the holes 51b to change the position where the distal ends 50b of the second linking member 50 is connected to the first linking member 49.
When, for example as shown in
Further, when, for example as shown in
As described, the joint 36 can be disposed at a position closer to the back surface 21 of the boom head 13 by fitting the pin 55 into a hole 49a among the plurality of holes 49a formed in the first linking member 49 that lies at a position closer to the proximal end 49b. On the contrary, the joint 36 can be disposed at a position farther from the back surface 21 of the boom head 13 and further away from the ventral surface 22 by fitting the pin 55 into a hole 49a among the plurality of holes 49a formed in the first linking member 49 that lies at a position closer to the distal end 49c to connect the distal ends 50b of the second linking member 50 thereto.
The guy line operating device 34 (see
The crane mast 60 includes, as shown in
The mast rotating device 61 is configured to rotate the crane mast 60 to draw the guy lines 30 rearward or advance the guy line 30. The mast rotating device 61 includes, as shown in
The upper spreader 62 is mounted on the distal end 60b of the crane mast 60. The upper spreader 62 includes an upper sheave 62a rotatable about a horizontal axis extending in the widthwise direction.
The lower spreader 64 is disposed at a rear end of the upper slewing body 4. The lower spreader 64 includes a lower sheave 64a rotatable about a horizontal axis extending in the widthwise direction.
The derricking winch 66 is mounted on the upper slewing body 4. The derricking rope 68 drawn from the derricking winch 66 is wound around the upper sheave 62a and the lower sheave 64a. The derricking winch 66 winds in and out the derricking rope 68.
The derricking winch 66 winds in the derricking rope 68 to draw the upper spreader 62 toward the lower spreader 64 to rotate the crane mast 60 rearward. Consequently, the guy lines are drawn rearward by the crane mast 60. As a result, the boom head 13 is drawn rearward via the guy lines 30 and the linking devices 32 so that the boom 10 is raised.
On the other hand, the derricking winch 66 winds out the derricking rope 68 to increase the distance between the upper spreader 62 and the lower spreader 64 and rotate the crane mast 60 forward with the crane mast 60 supporting the load of the boom 10 and a hoisting load via the guy lines 30. Consequently, the guy lines 30 are advanced. As a result, the boom 10 rotates forward to be lowered.
In the first embodiment, as described above, the joint 36 (see
Specifically, as shown in
On the other hand,
As shown in
In the crane according to the first embodiment, the length of the boom 10 is changed to an appropriate length depending on the contents of hoisting work, the conditions of work site or the like, by changing the number of boom units 14 to be connected or replacing a boom unit 14 to be used with another having a different length. In this case, the first linking member 49 provides the joint 36 with the plurality of different positions in the A-direction to allow positional change of the joint 36. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both an improvement of the hoisting capacity and the reduction of the tensile force required to raise the boom 10.
Specifically, when the boom 10 is made shorter, the pin 55 of the joint 36 is fitted into the hole 49a closer to the distal end 49c of the first linking member 49 to locate the joint 36 at a position further behind the axis 10a of the boom 10 being in the vertical position. For example, the joint 36 is disposed at the position shown in
On the other hand, when the boom 10 is made longer, the pin 55 of the joint 36 is fitted into the hole 49a formed between the distal end 49c and the proximal end 49b of the first linking member 49 to locate the joint 36 at a position closer to the axis 10a of the boom 10. For example, the joint 36 is disposed at the position shown in
Further, in the first embodiment, the second linking member 50 extending in the direction intersecting the first linking member 49 supports a portion of the first linking member 49 where the hole 49a fitted with the pin 55 of the joint 36 is formed, via the pin 55. Therefore, the second linking member 50 allows the portion of the first linking member 49 where the hole 49a fitted with the pin 55 is formed to withstand a great tensile force of the guy line 30 acting thereon from the joint 36. Consequently, it is possible to prevent deformation or breakage of the first linking member 49.
In addition, the crane according to the second embodiment can be switched between a normal mode and a heavy lift mode. The crane mode is switched between the normal mode and the heavy lift mode depending on the magnitude of a hoisting load. Specifically, when the magnitude of a hoisting load is equal to or less than a predetermined set value, the crane mode is set to the normal mode, and when the magnitude of a hoisting load is greater than the set value, the crane mode is set to the heavy lift mode. In the second embodiment, when the crane is set to the heavy lift mode, the joint 36 is disposed at a position closer to the distal end of the boom 10 in the B-direction. Hereinafter, a specific structure of the crane according to the second embodiment will be described.
The normal mode corresponds to the mode of the crane shown in
The heavy lift mode corresponds to the mode of the crane shown in
The HL mast 76 has a lattice structure and has a longer dimension in one direction. The HL mast 76 includes a proximal end 76a and a distal end 76b constituting axially opposite ends thereof.
The proximal end 76a is detachably mounted on an upper slewing body 4. The proximal end 76a is mounted on the upper slewing body 4 rotatably about a common axis with a proximal end 60a of the crane mast 60. This allows the HL mast 76 to swing between the boom 10 and the crane mast 60 with the proximal end 76a serving as the center of the movement.
Further, in the second embodiment, the guy line operating device 34 includes a connecting rope 78 connecting a distal end 60b of the crane mast 60 and the distal end 76b of the HL mast 76. The connecting rope 78 serves as an example of a connecting member of the present invention. Further, the respective ends of the two guy lines 30 opposite to the linking devices 32 are connected to the distal end 76b of the HL mast 76. Consequently, the distal end 76b of the HL, mast 76 and the boom head 13 are connected via the guy lines 30 and the linking devices 32. The distal end 76b of the HL mast 76 lies at a higher level than the distal end 60b of the crane mast 60.
In the second embodiment, the mast rotating device 61 rotates the crane mast 60 to rotate the HL mast 76 via the connecting rope 78 to draw the guy lines 30 rearward or advance the guy lines 30.
Further, in the second embodiment, an attachment section 42 of a support device 38 supports a first linking member 49, and provides the first linking member 49 with a plurality of different positions in the B-direction to allow positional change of the first linking member 49.
Specifically, the attachment section 42 includes a first attachment member 46 and a second attachment member 47 having the same structures as the first attachment member 46 and the second attachment member 47 of the above-described first embodiment, respectively, and further includes a third attachment member 48 and a fourth attachment member 56. The first attachment member 46 and the third attachment member 48 of the second embodiment serve as an example of attachment members of the present invention.
The third attachment member 48 is in the form of two plates vertically disposed on a top surface 23 at a position near a ventral surface 22 of the boom head 13. Therefore, the third attachment member 48 is mounted on the boom head 13 at a different position from the first attachment member 46 in the B-direction, i.e. at a position closer to the distal end of the boom 10 than the first attachment member 46 is. The two plates of the third attachment member 48 are disposed in such a way that a plate thickness direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction. The two plates are slightly spaced from each other in the widthwise direction, and are disposed at positions respectively corresponding to the positions of the two plates of the first attachment member 46 in the widthwise direction. Each plate of the third attachment member 48 is formed with an attachment hole passing therethrough at the same position in the plate thickness direction.
The fourth attachment member 56 is in the form of a single plate disposed vertically on the top surface 23 of the boom head 13 at a position near a back surface 21 of the boom head 13. The fourth attachment member 56 is disposed in such a way that a plate thickness direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction. The fourth attachment member 56 is disposed in the middle between the two plates of the third attachment member 48 in the widthwise direction. The fourth attachment member 56 is formed with an attachment hole passing therethrough in the plate thickness direction.
The form of attachment of the link 44 to the attachment section 42 is changed from a first form of attachment S1 (see
The first form of attachment S1 is the same as the form of attachment of the link 44 in the above-described first embodiment shown in
On the other hand, in the second form of attachment S2, as shown in
In this second form of attachment S2, the proximal end 49b of the first linking member 49 is placed between the two plates of the third attachment member 48, and a pin 52 is fitted into a hole 49a formed in the proximal end 49b and the attachment holes of the plates of the third attachment member 48 to attach the proximal end 49b of the first linking member 49 to the third attachment member 48. The pin 52 can be inserted to and removed from the hole 49a of the proximal end 49b and the attachment holes of the third attachment member 48. The proximal end 49b can be detached from the third attachment member 48 by removing the pin 52 from these holes. In other words, the proximal end 49b of the first linking member 49 is attachable to and detachable from the third attachment member 48.
Further, in the second form of attachment S2, the proximal ends 50a of the two flat plates of the second linking member 50 are placed on both sides of the fourth attachment member 56 in its plate thickness direction in such a way that holes 51a communicate with the attachment hole of the fourth attachment member 56 and, in this state, a pin 54 is fitted into the holes 51a of the proximal ends 50a and the attachment hole of the forth attachment member 56. Consequently, the proximal ends 50a of the second linking member 50 are attached to the fourth attachment member 56. The pin 54 can be inserted to and removed from the holes 51a of the proximal ends 50a and the attachment hole of the forth attachment member 56. The proximal ends 50a can be detached from the fourth attachment member 56 by removing the pin 54 from these holes. In other words, the proximal ends 50a of the second linking member 50 are attachable to and detachable from the fourth attachment member 56.
In the second form of attachment S2, the link 44 projects from the top surface 23 of the boom head 13 away from the boom body 12 in the B-direction. Consequently, the joint 36 supported by the link 44 lies at a position away from the top surface 23 of the boom head 13 and opposite to the boom body 12 (opposite to the proximal end of the boom 10). This second form of attachment S2 is adopted in the heavy lift mode of the crane.
The crane according to the second embodiment has the same structures as those of the crane according to the first embodiment except for the above-described structure.
In the second embodiment, it is possible to use the crane in the heavy lift mode to make it possible to perform a task of hoisting a heavy hoisting load while suppressing the deflection of the boom 10 that occurs in the heavy lift mode.
Specifically, in the normal mode (see
In addition, when the crane is set to the heavy lift mode, the link 44 is shifted from the first form of attachment S1 adopted in the first normal mode to the second form of attachment S2 to locate the joint 36 at a position closer to the distal end of the boom 10. Consequently, the angle between the guy lines 30 and the axis 10a of the boom 10 can be adjusted to a slightly smaller angle.
Specifically, as shown in
Further, when the HL mast 76 is dismounted from the upper slewing body 4 and the crane is returned to the normal mode from the heavy lift mode, the link 44 can be returned to the first form of attachment S1 in which the link 44 projects from the back surface 21 of the boom head 13 to provide the same advantageous effects as in the above-described first embodiment.
It should be noted that the embodiment disclosed above is exemplary in all respects and should not be regarded as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the claims and not by the description given above, and includes all modifications within the same sense and scope as the claims.
For example, the joint of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the structure shown in the above-described embodiments. For example, the joint may be configured to include a pin 55, a second linking member 50 and a connection part disposed in the second linking member 50. In this case, the connection part is connected to the guy line 30 and is disposed, for example, in the middle between proximal ends 50a and distal ends 50b of the second linking member 50. Further, in this case, the hole 49a of the first linking member 49 for connecting the distal ends 50b of the second linking member 50 thereto via the pin 55 is changed from one to another to thereby pivot the second linking member 50 about the pin 54, whereby the relative position of the joint (connection part) with respect to the boom head 13 can be changed between the plurality of different positions in the A-direction.
Further, the holding member of the present invention that holds the joint and allows the position of the joint to be selectively changed to a plurality of different positions in the A-direction is not necessarily limited to the above-described first linking member 49. An element having a different structure from the first linking member 49 may also be used as the holding member of the present invention.
Further, the attachment section of the present invention to which the holding member is attached and which allows the position of the holding member to be selectively changed to a plurality of different positions in the B-direction is not necessarily limited to the above-described attachment section 42. An element having a different structure from the attachment section 42 may also be used as the attachment section of the present invention.
Further, the second form of attachment S2 of the first linking member 49 and the second linking member 50 with respect to the boom head 13 may be modified as shown in
Specifically, in this modification, an attachment section 42 includes a first attachment member 46, a second attachment member 47, and a third attachment member 60. The first attachment member 46 and the second attachment member 47 have the same structures as those in the above-described embodiments.
The third attachment member 60 is disposed on the top surface 23 of the boom head 13 at the same position as the third attachment member 48 of the above-described second embodiment. However, the third attachment member 60 is in the form of a single plate disposed vertically on the top surface 23. The third attachment member 60 is disposed in such a way that a plate thickness direction thereof coincides with the widthwise direction. Further, the third attachment member 60 is disposed at a position corresponding to the position of the second attachment member 47 in the widthwise direction. In other words, the third attachment member 60 is disposed at a position corresponding to the middle between two plates of the first attachment member 46 in the widthwise direction. The third attachment member 60 is formed with an attachment hole passing therethrough in the plate thickness direction.
In the modified second form of attachment S2, the proximal end 49b of the first linking member 49 is, in the same manner as in the first form of attachment S1, attached to the first attachment member 46. It should be noted, however, that in the second form of attachment S2, the first linking member 49 is disposed in such a way as to project from the top surface 23 of the boom head 13.
Further, in the modified second form of attachment S2, the proximal ends 50a of the second linking member 50 are attached to the third attachment member 60. The way of attaching the proximal ends 50a to the third attachment member 60 is the same as the way of attaching the proximal ends 50a to the second attachment member 47. Therefore, the proximal ends 50a of the second linking member 50 are attachable to and detachable from the third attachment member 60.
In this modification, when the form of attachment is changed from the first form of attachment S1 to the second form of attachment S2, the pin 54 connecting the proximal ends 50a of the second linking member 50 to the second attachment member 47 is removed to detach the proximal ends 50a from the second attachment member 47, and the first linking member 49 is pivoted about the pin 52 from the position in the first form of attachment S1 in the direction of D shown in
The embodiments described above can be summarized as follows.
A crane according to the above-described embodiments comprises: a machine body; a boom rotatably mounted on the machine body and having a structure which allows the length of the boom to be changed; and a derricking mechanism configured to rotate the boom to raise and lower the boom with respect to the machine body, wherein: the derricking mechanism includes a guy line, a linking device provided on a distal end of the boom to connect one end of the guy line to the distal end of the boom, and a guy line operating device configured to draw the guy line rearward to raise the boom and configured to advance the guy line to lower the boom; the distal end of the boom has a back surface which faces rearward when the boom is in a vertical position, and a ventral surface which faces forward when the boom is in the vertical position; the linking device includes a joint connected to one end of the guy line, and a support device provided on the distal end to support the joint so as to locate the joint at a position away from the back surface and opposite to the ventral surface; and the support device includes a holding member which holds the joint, the holding member allowing the position of the joint to be selectively changed to a plurality of different positions in a first direction perpendicularly intersecting an axis of the boom and a rotary axis of the boom.
In this crane, the holding member for holding the joint allows the position of the joint to be selectively changed to the plurality of different positions in the first direction perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the boom. This makes it possible to achieve both an improvement of the hoisting capacity and the reduction of the tensile force required to raise the boom.
Specifically, when the boom is made shorter, the joint is disposed at a position further behind the axis of the boom being in the vertical position to reduce the angle between the extension direction of the guy line and the acting direction of a hoisting load to locate the acting position of a compressive force closer to the axis of the boom being in the vertical position, the acting position having shifted forward with respect to the axis of the boom due to the reduction in the length of the boom. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the bending moment generated in the boom to suppress the deflection of the boom and, in turn, to improve the hoisting capacity. On the other hand, when the boom is made longer, the joint is disposed at a position closer to the axis of the boom to increase the angle of the guy line with respect to the axis of the boom, the angle having decreased due to the increase in the length of the boom. This can make the vertical component of a tensile force of the guy line great when the boom in the horizontal position is raised. As a result, the tensile force of the guy line required to raise the boom can be reduced.
It is preferred that, in the above-described crane, the holding member includes a plurality of holding parts respectively disposed at the different positions in the first direction, each of the holding parts being configured to detachably hold the joint.
In this configuration, the position of the joint can be changed in the first direction by detaching the joint held by one of the holding parts from the holding part and then attaching the joint to another one of the holding parts to be held thereby. Therefore, a holding member can be specifically configured that holds the joint and allows the position of the joint to be selectively changed to a plurality of different positions in the first direction.
In the above-described crane, it is preferred that the support device includes a supporting member which is disposed between the holding member and the back surface of the distal end, and the supporting member is coupled with the joint held by the holding member to support the holding member at the position of the joint via the joint.
In this configuration, a portion of the holding member that holds the joint can be supported by the supporting member. Therefore, the supporting member allows the portion of the supporting member that holds the joint to withstand a great tensile force of the guy line acting thereon via the joint. Consequently, it is possible to prevent deformation or breakage of the holding member.
In the above-described crane, it is preferred that: the guy line operating device includes a first mast rotatably mounted on the machine body at a position behind the boom, a second mast disposed between the boom and the first mast and rotatably mounted on the machine body, the second mast including a distal end connected to an opposite end of the guy line, the opposite end being an end opposite to the one end, a connecting member connecting a distal end of the first mast and the distal end of the second mast, and a mast rotating device configured to rotate the first mast to rotate the second mast via the connecting member to draw the guy line rearward or advance the guy line; the distal end of the second mast lies at a higher level than the distal end of the first mast; and the support device includes an attachment section which is disposed at the distal end of the boom and to which the holding member is attached, the attachment section allowing the position of the holding member to be selectively changed to a plurality of different positions in a second direction along the axis of the boom.
According to this configuration, it is possible to use the crane in a heavy lift mode capable of performing a task of hoisting a heavy hoisting load while suppressing the deflection of the boom that occurs in the heavy lift mode. Specifically, in a normal mode of the crane, the guy line is connected to the distal end of the first mast, and the first mast is rotated to draw the guy line rearward to raise the boom or advance the guy line to lower the boom. In this case, the angle between the guy line and the axis of the boom is small, the guy line connecting the distal end of the first mast and the distal end of the boom. Consequently, the component of a tensile force of the guy line acting in the direction perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the boom cannot be made great. This makes a task of hoisting a great hoisting load difficult in the normal mode. In contrast, in the above-stated configuration, the guy line is connected to the distal end of the second mast lying at a higher level than the distal end of the first mast. This allows the angle between the guy line and the axis of the boom to be greater than that in the normal mode in which the guy line is connected to the distal end of the first mast. Consequently, the component of a tensile force of the guy line acting in the direction perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the boom can be made great. In this manner, the crane can be used in the heavy lift mode capable of performing a task of hoisting a great hoisting load. Further, in this configuration, the attachment section which is disposed at the distal end of the boom and to which the holding member is attached allows the position of the holding member to be selectively changed to the plurality of different positions in the second direction along the axis of the boom. This makes it possible to locate the joint at a position closer to the distal end of the boom to adjust the angle between the guy line and the axis of the boom to a slightly smaller angle to thereby slightly weaken the component of a tensile force acting in the direction perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the boom. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the deflection of the boom that occurs in the heavy lift mode of the crane.
In this case, it is preferred that the attachment section includes a plurality of attachment members respectively disposed at the different positions in the second direction in the distal end of the boom, each of the plurality of the attachment members being attachable to and detachable from the holding member.
In this configuration, the position of the holding member can be changed in the second direction by detaching the holding member attached to one of the attachment members from the attachment member and then attaching the holding member to another one of the attachment members. Therefore, an attachment section can be specifically configured that allows the holding member to be attached thereto, and allows the position of the holding member to be selectively changed to a plurality of different positions in the second direction.
As described above, according to the above-described embodiments, it is possible to provide a crane capable of achieving both an improvement of the hoisting capacity and the reduction of the tensile force required to raise a boom being in a horizontal position.
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2014-153649 | Jul 2014 | JP | national |
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PCT/JP2015/070911 | 7/23/2015 | WO | 00 |
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WO2016/017512 | 2/4/2016 | WO | A |
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