EP1013601B1 - Connecting device between pivot and tower for a tower crane - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates, in general, to the industrial field of tower cranes and more particularly it concerns a connecting device between pivot and mast for tower cranes. These measures ensures the dismountable assembly between, on the one hand, the top of a mast of tower crane, consisting of structural steel elements superimposed square section, and on the other hand, a fixed pivot whose section horizontal envelope is generally square in shape and used for and the orientation of the rotating upper part of the crane, comprising especially the arrow. In particular, the link device object of the invention is suitable for assembling an envelope section pivot square having a given length side, for example 2.5 meters, with a square section framing member having a length side out any higher, for example greater than 2.5 meters.

In a generally known manner, the connection between the pivot fixed and the top of the mast, in a tower crane, is provided by means of splicing, similar to the means used for the assembly removable between the mast elements of the same crane.

So, there are tower crane mast elements with vertical corner members (or uprights) of round section, provided with their lower end of tenons and at their upper end of clevises corresponding, removable connecting pins joining the tenons and the screeds. The connection of the pivot to the upper element of the mast is done at using the feet of this pivot, of identical construction to the means provided for in the base of the mast elements. Such an embodiment is particularly described in Chinese Utility Model No. 94247749.9 in the name of the Applicant, filed on December 22, 1994 and issued October 29, 1995 under the N ° 222090. In this embodiment, the tenons and clevises providing the connections between elements are oriented at 45 °, with respect to the adjacent faces of these elements, and thus extend outside the square base section said elements.

This results, for the pivot, a useful square section whose side is limited to approximately 2.3 meters, for an overall dimension of 2.5 meters. In addition, the overall height of the pivot is relatively important.

There are also pivots provided with means of splicing adapted to mast elements whose corner members are constituted by corner profiles. Here, reference may be made to the patent application No. 7218577 of 18 May 1972 in the name of the Applicant, published on 28 December 1973 under No. 2 185 217, which describes a device in which the top of a post carries an inner splint square and two external splints welded on this amount, while that at the base of an amount are welded interior reinforcements and outside; this device is equipped with broaching pins that cross the splint and the reinforcements. Such a device, applied to the assembly of a pivot, implies that for a pivot whose square section overall has side of 2.5 meters, the mast can not have a square section of upper side 2.5 meters.

Another known device for connection between the fixed pivot and the mast of a tower crane is illustrated in the European patent application No. 0659678 (Figures 18 and 19). The link is here realized by means of tenons and clevises, parallel to the lateral faces of the mast, and joined by horizontal connecting axes, which are also parallel to the faces side of the mast. This device constitutes a classic splint, intended for resuming efforts in the direction of the frames, not efforts deported. In addition, it is a connection between parts of the same size, and not of different size.

• d'augmenter les caractéristiques (en termes de charges manutentionnées ou de portée maximale) des grues à tour, elles-mêmes déterminées par les dimensions du pivot, tout en permettant leur transport selon le gabarit autorisé de transport routier, ou par conteneur normalisé de type « plateforme » ;
• de diminuer l'encombrement du transport des pivots de grues à tour, notamment leur hauteur hors tout.

The present invention aims to avoid the disadvantages and limitations of the current connection devices between pivot and mast, and thus has the following purposes:

• to increase the characteristics (in terms of loads handled or maximum range) of tower cranes, themselves determined by the dimensions of the pivot, while allowing their transport according to the authorized road transport gauge, or by standardized container type "Platform";
• to reduce the congestion of the transport of the cranes of tower cranes, in particular their overall height.

• à chacun des quatre angles du pivot, au moins une éclisse fixée dans un plan vertical passant par une diagonale de la section horizontale carrée du pivot, ou parallèle à cette diagonale, chaque éclisse étant percée d'au moins un trou d'axe géométrique horizontal, et l'ensemble des éclisses du pivot s'inscrivant dans le gabarit admis pour le transport de ce pivot ;
• à chacun des quatre angles du sommet de l'élément de mât supérieur, au moins une autre éclisse fixée sur la partie supérieure d'une membrure d'angle ou montant de cet élément de mât, du côté intérieur du montant, dans un plan vertical passant par une diagonale de la section horizontale carrée de l'élément de mât, ou parallèle à cette diagonale, chaque éclisse étant percée d'au moins un trou d'axe géométrique horizontal, et l'ensemble des éclisses de l'élément de mât se situant à l'intérieur du volume délimité par les quatre zones latérales de cet élément de mât, et
• des axes de liaison horizontaux amovibles, prévus pour être engagés au travers des trous des éclisses du pivot, et des trous des éclisses de l'élément de mât, trous venant en correspondance à chacun des quatre angles lorsque le pivot est posé sur le sommet de l'élément de mât.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is essentially a connecting device between pivot and mast for tower cranes, of the type specified in the introduction, which comprises in combination:

• at each of the four corners of the pivot, at least one splice fixed in a vertical plane passing through a diagonal of the square horizontal section of the pivot, or parallel to this diagonal, each splice being pierced with at least one hole of horizontal geometric axis , and all of the pivots of the pivot forming part of the jig admitted for the transport of this pivot;
• at each of the four corners of the top of the upper mast element, at least one other splint fixed on the upper part of a corner frame or post of this mast element, on the inside of the post, in a vertical plane passing through a diagonal of the square horizontal section of the mast element, or parallel to this diagonal, each splice being pierced by at least one hole of horizontal geometric axis, and all the splints of the mast element lying within the volume defined by the four lateral zones of this mast element, and
• removable horizontal connecting pins, intended to be engaged through the holes of the pivot splints, and holes of the mast member splints, holes corresponding to each of the four corners when the pivot is placed on the top of the mast; the mast element.

Thus, according to the invention, the connection between the fixed pivot and the element the upper mast is made by four identical splints, located at each angle of the pivot, in the plane of the diagonals of the horizontal section square of the pivot. The overall dimension of the pivot splints is included in within the maximum size allowed for ordinary road transport or for container transport of the "platform" type, ie 2.5 meters. On the other hand, the ribs of the mast element are located inside the volume defined by the lateral faces of this element, the pivot can be assembled to a mast element whose horizontal section is a square of upper side 2.5 meters. Each splint of the device, object of the invention constitutes, from the mechanical point of view, a connection with neutral fibers off-center, transmitting the forces between the pivot whose side of the section is equal for example to 2.5 meters, and the mast whose side of the section is greater than 2.5 meters.

In one embodiment of the invention, each splint of the pivot is fixed by welding under a corner area of the horizontal plate upper, generally square, pivot. Advantageously, each pivot splint is also attached by welding to adjacent areas of vertical reinforcements, located on all four sides of the pivot, under its plate upper, and connected to the shell of said pivot.

According to a preferred embodiment of the binding device, object of the invention, the pivot comprises, at each of its four angles, a single splice located in the vertical plane passing through the diagonal of the square section of the pivot, while are attached, on the upper part of each corner frame or mast element upright, two sides parallel symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane passing through the diagonal of the square horizontal section of the mast element, the two sides forming a clevis in which the corresponding splint of the pivot is inserted.

According to an advantageous arrangement, two superposed holes are pierced in the splints of the pivot, as well as in the splints of the element mast, for the implementation, at each of the four angles, of two axes superimposed link. The holes drilled in the splints of the pivot, likewise the other holes drilled in the ribs of the mast element are preferably provided with matting cores, intended to increase the surface area contact between these fishplates and the linkage that passes through them, and therefore to to reduce the pressure of matting.

According to an advantageous complementary arrangement, a platinum horizontal is welded to the top end of each chord angle or amount of the mast element, the upper horizontal plate of the pivot coming in correspondence, by each of its corner zones, with the corresponding stage. More particularly, the top plate of the pivot may carry, in each corner zone, at least one peg of centering down, while each platinum of the mast element is pierced with at least one hole, capable of receiving a centering pin corresponding pivot. According to a particular configuration, each plate of the mast element has a "U" shape, comprising two branches pointing inward of the square horizontal section of the mast element, each branch being pierced with a hole, and comprising a central cutout provided for the passage of the corresponding splint of the pivot, the upper plate of the pivot bearing, in each corner zone, two centering pins arranged symmetrically on both sides of the splint and intended to be introduced into the two holes of the plate corresponding.

The cooperation of holes drilled in the plates, and pawns carried by the upper plate of the pivot, ensures the centering of the pivot by at the top of the mast, when setting up the pivot, during crane assembly, as well as the resumption of shear forces between the pivot and mast, when the tower crane is in service.

Figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble, en perspective, montrant un pivot fixe assemblé à l'élément de mât supérieur d'une grue à tour, à l'aide du dispositif objet de l'invention ;

Figure 2 représente, en perspective, le pivot seul dans son ensemble ;

Figure 3 est une vue partielle en perspective, à échelle agrandie, montrant le détail d'une zone d'angle du pivot ;

Figure 4 est une vue en perspective montrant le détail d'une zone d'angle du sommet de l'élément du mât, sur lequel s'assemble le pivot ;

Figure 5 est une vue en plan par dessus de la zone d'angle de cet élément de mât ;

Figure 6 est une vue en perspective, illustrant l'assemblage du pivot à l'élément de mât, en détail, dans l'une des zones d'angle ;

Figure 7 est une vue de côté, correspondant à la figure 6.

The invention will in any case be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of example, an embodiment of this connection device between pivot and mast for cranes. tower :

Figure 1 is an overall view, in perspective, showing a fixed pivot assembled to the upper mast element of a tower crane, using the device of the invention;

Figure 2 shows, in perspective, the single pivot as a whole;

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing the detail of a corner area of the pivot;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the detail of a corner area of the top of the mast member, on which the pivot is assembled;

Figure 5 is a plan view over the corner area of this mast element;

Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the pivot assembly to the mast member, in detail, in one of the corner areas;

Figure 7 is a side view, corresponding to Figure 6.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 designates as a whole the pivot stationary (also shown only in FIG. 2), whereas the reference 2 designates as a whole, the upper element of the mast of a tower crane.

The pivot 1, used to support and the orientation of the part rotating upper with boom (not shown) of the crane, has a horizontal section of square general shape. This pivot 1 has a circular central opening 3, delimited by the span of a crown 4. The upper part of the pivot 1 is formed by a square plate 5, interrupted by the central opening 3 and having four angles cut to 45 °, as indicated in 6. On its four sides, under the top plate 5, the pivot 1 further comprises reinforcements 7 located in planes vertical and connected to a ferrule 31. The whole of the pivot 1 falls within a square horizontal section envelope, each side of which has a length designated by A, equal for example to 2.5 meters, corresponding at the side of the square plate 5 (here excluding cut corners) 6).

The mast element 2, also having a horizontal section generally square in shape, but with a larger side than that of the pivot 1, is a framing member that includes four corner chords vertical or upright 8, joined together by braces 9 and by crosspieces 10 on the four lateral faces of the element 2. In the example illustrated, the uprights 8 and the crosspieces 9 are section sections round. The invention concerning the connection of the pivot 1 with the upper part of the mast element 2, we will not dwell here on the peculiarities of the lower part of this mast element 2, visible on the figure 1.

The connecting device according to the invention comprising means identical to the four angles of the pivot 1 on the one hand, and of the upper part of the mast element 2, on the other hand, the following will be described below. means provided for at one of these four angles, with particular reference to FIGS. 3 to 7 which represent the detail of a corner zone, both for the pivot 1 only for the mast element 2.

Considering first the pivot 1 (see Figures 2 and 3), it is provided at each angle a splint 11 forming tenon, located in a plane vertical passing through a diagonal D of the square top plate 5. The splint 11 is welded under this plate 5, and is also welded to adjacent areas of the vertical reinforcements 7 and thus fits between these reinforcements 7.

The splint 11 is pierced with two superimposed holes 12 and 13, the geometric axes of these holes being horizontal and parallel. Kernels annular matting 14 and 15 are welded on both sides of the splice 11, respectively around the two holes 12 and 13.

The position of each splint 11, and its dimensions horizontal, are determined so that this splint 11 fits inside the square section envelope, previously defined.

Two centering pins 16 and 17 are still welded in each corner region of the upper plate 5 of the pivot 1; the two pieces 16 and 17, arranged symmetrically on either side of the splint 11, are oriented vertically and directed downwards.

At the top of the mast element 2, and at each angle (see in particular FIGS. 4 and 5), two parallel splints 18 and 19 forming together a clevis 20 are planned. The two fishplates 18 and 19 are welded, in parallel vertical planes slightly spaced, on the upper part of the amount 8 of round section. These two fishplates 18 and 19 are thus placed on the inside of the upright 8, and also by therefore, within the volume delimited by the four lateral faces of the mast element 2 (faces in which the braces 9 and sleepers 10). The plane of symmetry of the two fishplates 18 and 19 merges with the vertical plane passing through the diagonal D 'of the horizontal section square of the mast element 2.

Each splint 18 or 19 of the mast element 2 is pierced with two superimposed holes 21 and 22, the geometric axes of these holes being horizontal and parallel, and the vertical spacing of the axes of the two holes 21 and 22 of a splint 18 or 19 being equal to the vertical spacing of two holes 12 and 13 of a splice 11 of the pivot 1. Matting cores rings 23 and 24 are welded on the outer faces of the ribs 18 and 19 respectively around the two holes 21 and 22.

At the upper end of each amount 8 of the element of mast 2, and in a horizontal plane, is still welded a plate 25 in shape of "U", whose two branches are directed towards the interior of the square horizontal section of the mast element 2, parallel to the diagonal of this section. In each branch of the platinum 25 is provided a hole, respectively 26 or 27, the spacing of the two holes 26 and 27 corresponding to that of the two centering pins 16 and 17 placed at an angle of the pivot 1. The central cutout 28 of the plate 25, resulting from its conformation in "U", is located in correspondence with the free space arranged between the two fishplates 18 and 19, located under this plate 25.

Referring to Figures 1 and especially 6 and 7, will be described now the pivot 1 assembly on the mast element 2. The pivot 1 is brought over the mast element 2, matching the four angles of the pivot 1 with the vertices of the four corner members 8 of the mast element 2. Then the pivot 1 is lowered, so that its four splints 11 engage, respectively, in the four clevises 10 of the mast element 2, the central cutout 28 of each plate 25 allowing the free passage of the corresponding splint 11 of the pivot 1.

At the end of lowering of the pivot 1, the two centering pins 16 and 17 located at each corner of it come to be introduced in both respective holes 26 and 27 of the corresponding plate 25, and finally the upper plate 5 of the pivot 1 is supported by its four zones angle, on the four plates 25 located at the top of the mast element 2.

In this position, the two holes 12 and 13 of each splice 11 of the pivot 1 come in correspondence, respectively, with the pairs holes 21 and 22 of the corresponding screed 10. Two horizontal axes overlapping links 29 and 30 (see FIG. 1) are then engaged, one at through holes 12 and 21 in correspondence, and the other, through the holes 13 and 22 in correspondence, this at the four corners of the pivot 1. Each connecting pin 29 or 30 is advantageously a long cone axis, equipped with a locking pin.

• en modifiant le nombre des éclisses du pivot 1 et de l'élément de mât 2, à chaque angle, ou le nombre des trous percés dans ces éclisses pour recevoir des axes de liaison, tout en conservant le même principe d'éclissage ;
• en appliquant le dispositif à des pivots et mâtures dont les sections horizontales sont de dimensions différentes de celles indiquées ;
• en adaptant ce dispositif au sommet d'un élément de mât dont les montants sont de forme quelconque, ces montants pouvant aussi être, en particulier, des tubes de section carrée ou rectangulaire.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this connecting device between pivot and masts for tower cranes, which has been described above as an example; it embraces, on the contrary, all variants of implementation and application respecting the same principle. In particular, one would not depart from the scope of the invention:

• by modifying the number of fishplates of the pivot 1 and the mast element 2, at each angle, or the number of holes drilled in these fishplates to receive connecting pins, while maintaining the same principle of splinting;
• applying the device to pivots and masts whose horizontal sections are of different dimensions from those indicated;
• adapting this device to the top of a mast element whose amounts are of any shape, these amounts may also be, in particular, square or rectangular section tubes.

Claims (9)

1. A device providing a connection between a pivot and a mast structure for tower cranes, the device comprising a top of the mast of the tower crane and a fixed pivot (1), the device providing dismantlable assembly between, on the one hand, said top of the mast of a tower crane, made up of mast elements (2) of square horizontal section and, on the other hand, said fixed pivot (1), the envelope section of which is of square overall shape and which serves to support and to orientate the rotating top part of the crane, comprising in particular the jib, which device is characterized in that it comprises, in combination :

   at each of the four corners of the pivot (1), at least one fishplate (11) fixed in a vertical plane passing through a diagonal (D) of the square horizontal section of the pivot (1), or parallel to this diagonal (D), each fishplate (11) being pierced with at least one hole (12, 13) of horizontal axis, and all of the fishplates (11) of the pivot being able to lie within the permissible size for transporting this pivot (1) ;

   at each of the four corners of the top of the upper mast element (2), at least one other fishplate (18, 19) fixed to the upper part of a corner member or upright (8) of this mast element (2), on the inside of the upright (8), in a vertical plane passing through a diagonal (D') of the square horizontal section of the mast element (2) or parallel to this diagonal (D'), each fishplate (18, 19) being pierced with at least one hole (21, 22) of horizontal axis, and all of the fishplates (12,19) of the mast element (2) lying inside the volume delimited by the four lateral faces (9,10) of the mast element (2), and

   removable horizontal connecting pins (29, 30) designed to be engaged through the holes (12, 13) in the fishplates (11) of the pivot (1) and the holes (21, 22) in the fishplates (18, 19) of the mast element (2), these holes coming into alignment at each of the four corners when the pivot (1) is placed on the top of the mast element (2).
2. The device providing a connection between a pivot and a mast structure as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each fishplate (11) of the pivot (1) is fixed by welding under a corner region of the upper horizontal plate (5), generally square in shape, of the pivot (1).
3. The device providing a connection between a pivot and a mast structure as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each fishplate (11) of the pivot (1) is also fixed by welding to the adjacent regions of vertical reinforcing pieces (7) located on the four sides of the pivot (1), under its upper plate (5), and connected to the shell cylinder (31) of said pivot (1).
4. The device providing a connection between a pivot and a mast structure as claimed in any claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pivot (1) comprises, at each of its four corners, a single fishplate (11) located in the vertical plane passing through the diagonal (D) of the square horizontal section of the pivot (1), whereas fixed to the upper part of each corner member or upright (8) of the mast element (2) are two parallel fishplates (18, 19) which are symmetric with respect to the vertical plane passing through the diagonal (D') of the square horizontal section of the mast element (2), the two fishplates (18, 19) together forming a yoke (20) in which the corresponding fishplate (11) of the pivot can (1) be inserted.
5. The device providing a connection between a pivot and a mast structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that two superposed holes (12, 13 ; 21, 22) are pierced in the fishplates (11) of the pivot (1), and in the fishplates (18, 19) of the mast element (2), so that two superposed connecting pins (29, 30) can be fitted at each of the four corners.
6. The device providing a connection between a pivot and a mast structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holes (12, 13) pierced in the fishplates (11) of the pivot (1) just like the other holes (21, 22) pierced in the fishplates (18, 19) of the mast element (2), are fitted with hammering inserts (14, 15 ; 23,24).
7. The device providing a connection between a pivot and a mast structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a horizontal mounting plate (25) is welded to the upper end of each corner member or upright (8) of the mast element (2), the upper horizontal plate (5) of the pivot (1) coming into alignment, at each of its corner regions, with the corresponding mounting plate (25).
8. The device providing a connection between a pivot and a mast structure as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the upper plate (5) of the pivot (1) bears, in each corner region, at least one centering stud (16, 17), directed downward, whereas each mounting plate (25) of the mast element (2) is pierced with at least one hole (26, 27) capable of accommodating a corresponding centering stud (16, 17) belonging to the pivot (1).
9. The device providing a connection between a pivot and a mast structure as claimed in all of claims 4 and 8, characterized in that each mounting plate (25) of the mast element (2) has a U shape with two branches directed toward the inside of the square horizontal section of the mast element (2), each branch being pierced with a hole (26, 27) and having a central cutout (28) designed for the passage of the corresponding fishplate (11) of the pivot (1), the upper plate (5) of the pivot (1) bearing, in each corner region, two centering studs (16, 17) arranged symmetrically one on each side of the fishplate (11) and designed to enter two holes (26, 27) in the corresponding mounting plate (25).

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