WO2000002809A1

WO2000002809A1 - Floor crane with rotatable boom

Info

Publication number: WO2000002809A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/015646
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dominic Spinosa; Frank Knoll
Original assignee: East/West Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-07-10
Filing date: 1999-07-12
Publication date: 2000-01-20
Also published as: AU4869899A

Abstract

An improved, fully-mechanical, hand crank actuated, portable, collapsible, air transportable, mobile maintenance crane (10) incorporating articulated outriggers (14, 16) pivotally mounted to a towable plate/rotatable platform (20) supporting a height adjustable, 360 degree rotatable, extending lifting boom assembly (26) with a large weight capacity, particularly suited for maintenance of aircraft.

Description

FLOOR CRANE WITH ROTATABLE BOOM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to improvements in mobile cranes and particularly to readily maneuverable mobile maintenance stand and crane apparatus suitable for vehicle and vehicle part servicing, maintenance and transportation, e.g. engines, aircraft ejection seats, etc. removal and replacement for use in normal and in confined areas by incorporating articulating and rotating outriggers providing for custom placement and full rotation.

BACKGROUND ART

This is an improvement to the mobile crane disclosed and described in US 4,597,498 issued July 1 , 1986 entitled Mobile maintenance stand and crane apparatus by the inventors Dominic Spinosa and Frank Knoll and owned by East West Industries, Inc. of Ronkonkoma, NY. The content of that patent is incorporated herein by reference. The invention herein is subject to general application as a mobile, mechanically actuated floor crane that can be used where any such lifting/support device is useful. However, it has particular usefulness to the maintenance community in servicing various aircraft components in a safe, reliable and expedient manner. Air Technical Industries of Mentor, Ohio (hereinafter ATI) manufactures a line of floor cranes. ATI's Super-Master floor crane is characterized by a boom/mast assembly supported by a wheel base with legs. Outriggers may be coupled to the wheel base. While the outriggers are telescopic and collapsible, they are not rotatable. In addition, the mast is rotatable only through an angle of 150° with the outriggers in place.

Regent Manufacturing, Inc. of Downey, California produces a mobile floor crane bearing model number 9319-010. This crane employs a stationary boom/mast assembly coupled to a wheel base having legs.

In the aircraft maintenance and repair industry, it is necessary for maintenance personnel to lift and transport heavy, expensive and often awkwardly positioned parts without colliding with the aircraft or other structures. These operations may be performed in a hangar or on the flightline. Consequently, there is a need for a crane that may be easily transported to the aircraft and that has maximum maneuverability for accessing aircraft parts.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a crane structure improving over the teachings of the prior art.

The invention provides a mobile, towable floor crane with sufficient reach, height, and lifting capacity to assist in the removal and installation, for example of aircraft components, The inventive crane does not require external power or hydraulics (although these can be incorporated if desired). In its preferred mode, the crane is manually operated, towable, air transportable and mounted on locking casters. Based on these capabilities, the invention herein is readily operational in virtually any ambient environment (sea or land) and provides for utilization in hangers, on platforms, tarmacs and runways, as well as TAB VEE first, second and third generation aircraft shelters.

In part, owing to its ability to rotate 360° in the horizontal plane (the plane parallel to the floor), the invention is useful in operations involving a wide range of vehicles and particularly in the field of aircraft maintenance. The invention provides for angular adjustment in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions ranging from full extension to a fully collapsed towable and easily stored structure. Consequently, the invention is readily adapted for storage in minimal space but quickly configured to service even aircraft with low ground clearance in a manner that there is no need to remove external stores, pods or fuel tanks (both outboard and centerline types).

The invention herein provides for enhanced system reliability and maintainability while simultaneously minimizing risk of injury to maintenance personnel. Controls and indicators offer the operator an efficient crane for all aspects of maintenance. Additionally, the invention herein, when used properly, reduces the risk of damage to aircraft or other structures structure during maintenance functions. The invention design contemplates provision of both a versatile crane platform and human engineering to provide maximum safety and ease of operation. Furthermore the invention herein embodies a design to comply with aircraft interface requirements to perform maintenance tasks while providing sufficient clearance to preclude contact with aircraft, systems, and support structures.

In short the invention provides a mechanically actuated, collapsible, portable crane capable of full rotation through 360°, mobility, transportability, and towability. Furthermore, the simplicity of its mechanical structure and actuation, coupled with the collapsibility and articulablity of the legs, allows the invention to provide for customizable disposition (to adapt to space limitations), accessibility, and serviceability heretofore unknown. The inventive crane herein provides a system that exceeds even the most demanding operational requirements.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an extended mobile crane/ maintenance stand, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is side view of the crane/ maintenance stand depicted in FIG. 1 in a partially collapsed position.

FIG. 3 is side view of the crane/ maintenance stand depicted in FIG. 1 in a fully collapsed position.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the invention showing the crane in a towing position and the articulatable outriggers being pivotably mounted to the crane support platform plate. FIG. 5 is a top view of the invention illustrating the pivotability of the outriggers relative to one another to provide for adequate stabilization of the inventive crane. FIG. 6 illustrates the towing position of the outriggers and an associated outrigger towbar.

The subject matter which we regard as our invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the figures and, in particular, to FIG. 1 there is shown a floor crane 10 according to the invention, which, from the ground up includes casters 12, forward outriggers 14 and rear outrigger legs 16, a forwardly disposed tow bar 18, a crane supporting rotation bearing and plate 20, a pivotally mounted mast 22, connected to both the rotary bearing 20 and to a removable support brace 24, used when the mast is in its extended/vertical position. The top of the mast is connected to a boom assembly 26 which is formed by a pair of triangulating, projecting lower boom legs 28 pivotally connected to the mast 22 via a pivot connection 30. The pivot connection 30 includes a pin about which the boom and mast relatively rotate. Two oppositely projecting short triangulating boom connectors 32 are also pivotally connected to the top of the mast 22 and converge to fixedly connect to the upper boom support arm 34 at a winch pulley assembly 36 established at the end of the support arm 34. Disposed at the opposite end of the boom arm 34 is a snatch block pulley assembly 38. The winch pulley support assembly features a cable receiving pulley (not illustrated) and a support cable attachment element 40 for securing support cable 42 to the pulley assembly 36 at the upper end and a tension adjustable support cable member 44 secured to the bearing plate 20 which ideally is disposed precisely vertically below the element 40. Also affixed to the bearing plate 20 and adjacent the member 44 is the hand-crank actuated winch assembly 46 which, upon operation translates the cable 48 relative to the pulley assemblies 36 and 38 to raise and lower the weighted snatch block assembly 50.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the crane 10 illustrated in Figure 1 has a preferred height of 20 feet when extended, a preferred height of 17 feet when retracted and when fully retracted (see figure 3) a preferred height of 7 1/2 feet. As depicted in Figure 1 , when the outriggers are extended, the crane 10 has a preferred length of 18 feet and a preferred width of 12 feet. When retracted the width of the crane is preferably as narrow as 5 feet. In a service and air transport configuration the crane 10 has a weight of 2500 pounds.

Referring briefly to Figures 2 and 3, they represent the crane 10 in various states of folding. In Figure 2, tension has been released on the winch cable 48 and the support cable 42 has been released from pulley guide 36. The boom assembly 24 has been pivoted about pivot 30 so that upper boom support arm 34 is resting in the vertical position against the mast 22.

Figure 3 represents the final position of the crane components at the conclusion of the folding operation. The support brace 24 has been released from the mast 22 and both the mast 22 and the boom assembly 2 rotated about the mounting on the platform 20 until the mast and upper support arm come to rest on the interior outriggers 16.

Referring to particular structures depicted in Figures 1-3, the crane casters 12 are made from urethane casters (FOD Resistant) and have a tread width of 2 inches. The casters 12 incorporate conventional swivel locks and manually operated foot brakes to provide ease of maneuverability and tracking during transport and crane deployment. The casters 12, may be associated with autolocking swivel wheels and when locked/braked, provide a stable, motionless base during crane manipulation which is particularly important during aircraft component removal/installation. When it is desirable to move the crane 10, the swivel locks are released to permit free rotation of the casters 12 to facilitate towing and maneuvering As disclosed, the crane 10 includes outrigger assemblies designated 14

(front/exterior) and 16 (rear/interior) which provide stability of the crane platform during usage.

The standard height of each outrigger is about 15 inches above ground level and the outriggers are pivotable and extendable relative to the base plate 20 to present a footprint of up to 22 feet (7 m). Preferably, detent pins are provided to obtain a tactile, positive stop when deploying or retracting the four outriggers 14 and 16.

Each outrigger optionally can include conventional screw jacks that can provide for fine height adjustment to establish a solid crane platform during usage. As preferred each screw jack represents a hand operated screw mechanism, which provides up to nine inches (23cm) travel for leveling and supporting the base assembly. Screw jacks are stowed in mounted brackets on the crane base when not in use. Advantageously, due to the pivoting action of outriggers 14 and 16, the positioning of outriggers 14 and 16 may be adjusted as desired. Accordingly, crane 10 may be stabilized as the boom assembly 26 is rotated through an angle of 360°, even under full load conditions.

An alternative structure to the 15 inch clearance version discussed above, the crane 10 may employ a low profile outrigger with a ground clearance of 11 inches. Such outriggers are particularly useful in low ground clearance areas of an aircraft to enable normal usage without compromising safety; e.g., where centerline ground clearance for external stores or tanks is limited. The use of low profile outriggers eliminates the need to drain and/or remove external tanks, pods or stores in order to service the aircraft with the crane, saving considerable man-hours and aircraft downtime involved in the preparation, removal and reinstallation of aircraft components not directly involved in specific maintenance cycles.

The rotation bearing 20 includes a gear driven turret bearing. For example, turret bearing structure described in U.S. Patent No. 4,597,498 may be employed to permit the crane 10 to be rotated 360° on the vertical axis under full load eliminating the need to move the crane during removal or installation of aircraft components and a stationary base plate 21 to which outriggers 14 and 16 are attached. To facilitate manipulation, hand wheels may be provided for operation on either side of the thereby allowing for full use even in congested areas as well as dispensing with the need for personnel to circumnavigate the crane 10 during hoisting operation

The boom assembly 26 embodies a multi-piece 140-inch long welded extension arm formed by members 28, 32, and 34 pivotally affixed to the mast 22 by pivot pin assembly 30. The boom assembly 26 also features two, terminal, oppositely disposed, guide pulley assemblies 36 and 38. These assemblies preferably incorporate cable protectors to prevent the cable 48 from rolling off the pulleys during hoisting or rotation of the boom when either loaded or unloaded. Due to its length and rotatablity, the boom assembly 26 permits access to otherwise difficult aircraft components during maintenance cycles and allows for greater clearance of work stands and platforms.

The crane operation is based on a hand cranked, mechanical actuation system that includes the winch assembly 46 mounted on the upper surface of the rotation bearing plate 20. The winch 46 incorporates a two (2) speed drive mechanism of a type familiar to the skilled artisan. The two speed drive mechanism may have a 16/1 ratio for hoisting and 4/1 ratio for rapid cable extension and rewind. This physical arrangement provides the operator with full visual access during usage. The rotation, and boom extension controls of the crane 10 are designed for ease of operation and precision hoisting by even one person. As a totally mechanical hoisting system, it is independent of any electric or hydraulic power source thereby enabling the use of the Floor Crane in remote locations without available power sources, as well as in hangars. The Crane requires minimum setup time without any support equipment, and is easily maneuvered in congested areas.

Preferably, the winch assembly 46 is rated at 6000 pounds load capacity when using a using a 3/8-inch diameter cable 48.

Disposed at the end of the cable 48 is the weighted snatch block 50 that preferably includes with a spring-loaded snap hook to maintain cable tension at all times. When using the crane to manipulate delicate or sensitive items such as certain aircraft components, preferably, the snatch block 50 includes a scuff resistant protective cover.

The disclosed crane/hoisting system, in summary provides for rapid and independent operation, which is totally mechanical, thereby avoiding the use of hydraulics and power sources. The system maximizes maneuverability during transport, set-up and use. While including a winch having a load rating capacity of 6000 pounds (3 tons), the inventive crane/hoist has maximum versatility by providing a variable working height ranging between 16- 20 feet (5-6m) while simultaneously providing for 360° rotation about the vertical axis even under load weighing up to 3,500 pounds while at its full operational height of 20 feet.

The incorporation of the towbar 18 permits the crane 10 to be towed up to 5 mph The inventive crane 10 therefore, constitutes an excellent and safe maintenance system to assist in the removal and installation of aircraft components in a hanger on a tarmac or shipboard, tow bar having a lunette eye conforming to MS51336, which is attached to an outrigger assembly for towing. As indicated above, the casters 12 may be associated with an optional braking assembly. More specifically, if desired, the caster 12 associated with the towbar permit automatic braking when the towbar is placed in a down position. See ghost lines in figures 1 and 3). This lockdown feature can be extremely useful when the crane 10 is located at sea.

Referring to Figures 4-6, they represent a possible array of outrigger positions ranging from the towing (Figure 6) to various extended/work positions. Each of the outriggers is pivotally mounted to the underside of the rotatable bearing platform 20 via pivot assemblies 52 and preferably are aligned along a common chord. Furthermore, each of the outriggers, itself, is articulated. Each outrigger includes a short leg section 54 pivotally mounted to the platform 20 and articulately joined to a loner leg section 56 at pivot 58. This mounting arrangement provides for maximum positioning flexibility to insure stability even when the crane 10 is used in very confined premises to manipulate items weighing over a ton. Furthermore, by including the pivot connection between the rotatable platform and the legs, once set, ordinary torquing forces will not cause the outriggers to move relative to each other or the platform. However, should towing be desirable, then upon release of the wheel locks, the outriggers can be rotated into the position depicted in Figures 4 and 6, the towbar connected to a moving source, and the crane 10, either loaded or unloaded, moved to a selected destinatio^'n. Also, as illustrated in Figure 6, particularly, for storage and transport purposes, it may be desired to provide a more integrated structure and prevent rotation of the outer leg sections 56 relative to their shorter counterparts and to each other. For that reason, an outrigger lock 60 may be used to lock down the outriggers and the boom assembly relative to each other. The crane 10, as described, meets the criteria set forth in MIL-S-8512 - Design of

Support Equipment and MIL-STD-1784 - Mobility Requirements Type 1 , Class 2. The collapsibility of the crane permits the crane to folded into a compact easily transported form (See Figure 3), even by air.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is particularly useful for performing aircraft maintenance and repair functions. The present invention may be manually operated and may be used in all type of environments, i.e. on land or aboard ship. Removal and installation of aircraft components such as canopies, ejection seats, ammunition drums, leading edge flap drives, vertical and horizontal stabilizers, wing and wing components, rapport ECM generators, flight control surfaces, rotorblades and rotor transmissions, are easily achieved by the present invention.

In addition to its applicability to aircraft, the present invention may be utilized for maintenance, installation and removal of components to and from land and marine vehicles.

Hereinbefore has been disclosed a crane apparatus which is lightweight, transportable, and utilizable in the field with a minimum of manpower. It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, arrangements of parts and operating conditions which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A floor crane comprising: a boom; a mast coupled to said boom; a winch assembly operatively associated said boom and said mast; a plurality of outriggers, said plurality of outriggers being collapsible and retractable; and means interconnecting said boom, said mast , said winch assembly and said plurality of outriggers for rotating said boom, said mast and said winch assembly through an angle of up to 360┬░, said outriggers being pivotable with respect to said means.

2. The floor crane according to claim 1 wherein each outrigger is articulatable.

3. The floor crane according to claims 1 and 2 wherein said mast is collapsible.

4. The floor crane according to claims 1 and 2 wherein said boom is collapsible.

5. The floor crane according to claim 2 wherein each outrigger includes a caster.

6. A floor crane comprising: a boom assembly; a mast coupled to said boom assembly; a winch assembly operatively associated said boom assembly and said mast; a rotatable bearing comprising a first rotating plate and a second stationary plate, said mast and said winch assembly being connected to the first plate; a plurality of articulated outriggers connected to said bearing, said plurality of articulated outriggers being collapsible.

7. The floor crane of claim 6 wherein said bearing is rotatable through an angle of 360┬░.

8. The floor crane of claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of outriggers is pivotably connected to the second plate.

9. The floor crane of claim 6 further comprising means for rotating the first plate.

10. The floor crane of claim 9 including means for locking the first plate.

11. The floor crane of claim 6 wherein said mast is pivotably connected to said boom assembly.

12. The floor crane of claim 11 wherein said mast is pivotably connected to said bearing.

13. The floor crane of claim 6 wherein each outrigger includes a caster.

14. The floor crane of claim 13 wherein each outrigger is retractable.

15. The floor crane of claim 6 further comprising a tow bar connected to said bearing.

16. The floor crane of claim 6 wherein said boom assembly includes first and second boom legs pivotally connected to said mast at a pivot point, first and second triangulating boom connectors pivotally connected to said mast at the pivot point, and a boom support arm fixedly connected to the first and second boom legs and the first and second boom connectors.

17. The floor crane of claim 16 wherein the first and second boom legs converge at a first convergence point and the first and second boom connectors converge at a second convergence point, the boom support being fixedly connected at the first and second convergence points.