FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a Pick-n-Carry crane. The crane has lesser structural parts for ease of assembly, lower center of gravity for improved stability both from front and side tipping while lifting & moving with load, unique 3 point swivel centre joint, luff cylinders mounted uniquely on front frame and connected to boom assembly at a greater distance enabling better load lift capacity and improved strength of members, semi forward cabin on vibration mounts for providing jerk free operation and all round visibility especially front and side corner visibility, walk through cabin with access from 3 sides, automotive dashboard with instrument cluster and compact switch panel provided inside cabin, spacious cabin for provision of co-driver and other passengers seating and control valve mounted on side enabling operator to work easily while seating in its place, wheel steering, all controls within easy reach of operator, side mounted tanks with increased capacity and air space for easy approach and serviceability. Engine and transmission is mounted on a rail enabling full access and removal of engine just by dismantling it from gearbox and sliding it forward. Also, a bigger tool box in front is provided for keeping all the accessories.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Pick-n-Carry crane is known in the art, which is widely used to lift loads and place at different position. There are various known arts in this field. One of the most common art is that Pick-n-Carry crane has many loose structural parts which form the lower part of the crane, most commonly known as Main Frame, a Frame, Craddle and Yoke Assembly. These constitute the front part and they are coupled to chassis by pins. In present cranes, the number of loose parts and the
resultant tolerances in fabrication and assembly of these parts results in cumbersome assembly procedure, more number of joints, and free play between various joints which in turn leads to misalignment of front and rear portion and normal crane is tilted either to front or rear. It also results in uneven loading in two planes on steering cylinders and hence heavy cylinders with bearings are required to be used. Also, since anchoring points are distant apart, hence longer steering cylinders are required.
The center pivot or joining of both frames is normally a 2 point joint without self aligning bearings, hence this point is heavily loaded and also the flexibility being more in cradle yoke assembly which has freedom to rotate in two plane. This allows crane tilting excessively in the steered direction with load which in turn leads to toppling of crane in that direction.
Lift cylinders for use in a crane are as such known in the art. Such cylinders normally have mounting on Front Axle through a bracket welded on the front axle. These cylinders are mounted through pins on this bracket. It would be apparent that, when crane lifts the load, weight is transferred on front axle of the crane. Also these cylinders are very close to suspended load and there is always a risk of load hitting the cylinder rod. To obviate such a disadvantage, it is also known to have 'Jack Guard' fixed on main frame and T' Handle fixedly held to the boom. Though the provision of these does to a certain extent reduce the disadvantage of a load hitting the cylinder, but it has been found that such a construction still possesses restrictive applications with the following drawbacks:
Excessive load on front tyre and axle.
1. Steel plates and long pipes can not be lifted by these type of cranes as the effective lift area as per load chart is not practically utilized in application.
Another construction known in the art and normally employed in heavy lift capacity Revolving and Truck Mounted cranes comprises lift cylinders mounted on the chassis towards rear.
In case of a crane, boom is an important part, which is used to lift load from one position and to place it to another position. Normally these booms have one or more members which move in and out through hydraulic cylinders. At the boom end side, one block with hook is available which is mounted through rope laid on a winch. This unwinds or winds the rope when the members are moved out or moved in. Hence, when the operator actuates the members then firstly it is required to loosen the rope to avoid any possibility of rope getting loaded which may result in rope breakage or winch getting uprooted.
In a crane, normally the jib head is provided [i.e. outer most portion of last sliding member] in such a way that, it is vertically bigger than horizontally, resulting in hook block at lower height and wastage of actual working height utilization in a boom.
Rope is being laid horizontally / vertically in booms since 1960 onwards by many manufacturers of Europe / USA / Australia / Asia. However, the more innovative design is being introduced recently where strength, ease of operation, operation abuse and safety related issues are addressed.
In these cranes, the operator cabin is at the rear rigidly mounted on counter weight assembly and chassis. Hence, there is always jerk on operator while moving and also due to misalignment of two member's cabin. Also being rear most member of the crane the front and side visibility is always poor resulting in greater operator effort while driving on road for front visibility and increased chances of crane hitting the objects. In some cranes, the cabin is in the front resulting exposure of operator to load and in case of any accident or sling failure, there are chances of load hitting the cabin and operator. Also in most of the cranes the cabin entry is either from rear or side, but both the options are not available resulting poor or little escape route in case of emergency exit or in some cases if crane is already parked in such a condition in site blocking the only entry available.
Normally, these types of cranes are fitted with stick steering and craning levers are in front. Hence, operator is required to move to front always for operating these levers. Also, the cranes have long dashboard having individual gauges and switches with less leg room. There is very little or no provision of co-driver seat and also seating of additional passengers.
Normally, in these cranes boom pivot point is at higher height to achieve greater under hook height. But, it also results in higher center of gravity and hence more changes of toppling of crane, as most of the time crane has to work in rough and undulated places and hence CG shifts faster and out of the safe zone.
These cranes have tractor transmission in which gearbox and transmission is directly coupled to the engine. If any one desires to
change the clutch plate, he has to open the engine and it needs to be supported or hanged before dismantling from gearbox and there is no support provided on chassis frame, resulting lot of wastage of time and effort.
A craning operation requires lot of accessories like slings, hooks etc which an operator has to carry along with the crane to the site. Normally, in the present cranes there is little or no space for covered lockable tool box in which items can be safely kept. The tool box has been provided beneath main frame, but access is very poor.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a pick—n-carry crane which overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pick-n-carry crane which allows both frames to tilt independent of other increasing the rough terrainability of the crane.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pick—n-carry crane, wherein the assembly - disassembly of the crane becomes very easy.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a pick—n-carry
crane which is provided with boom members actuation mechanism
having multiple extendable members wherein the actuation takes
place through ropes.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pick—n-carry crane with a narrower jib head depth wise to take the advantage of full utilization of working height.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide, T-type boom section in such a way which ensures proper force transfer from one member to another and wide nylon pads for ensuring bigger contact area and less pressure on pads.
Yet another object of this invention is to propose a main frame for use in a crane which has lift cylinders mounting on main frame , which is safe.
Another objective of the invention is to position operator cabin in such a place which is free from possibility of load hitting in case of accident with all round visibility.
Another objective of the invention is to provide spacious and bigger walkthrough cabin with access from three sides hence entry and exist are never blocked in any position of the crane.
Yet another objective of the invention is to mount operator cabin on vibration mounts to provide jerk free ride and comfort to operator.
Another objective of the invention is to mount engine in such a way that dismantling is easy in field for any service work.
Another objective of the invention is to provide larger fuel and hydraulic tanks which are easily approachable and can be removed easily without dismantling any other part.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a pick-n-carry crane comprising of a front frame and rear frame joined together by three
point, a plurality of luff cylinders positioned in a way to support boom assembly at a greater distance, a cabin mounted on said rear frame on vibration mounts, hydraulic and diesel tanks mounted on sides for full access by operator, a jib head with special profile and anti-two block system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: crane assembly.
Fig. 2 shows: auto adjusted hook block.
Fig. 3 shows: jib head profile.
Fig. 4 shows: rope anchoring arrangement and luff cylinder mounting brackets.
Fig. 5 shows: boom sections and pads.
Fig. 6 shows: anti two block wireless system.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The present invention discloses a pick—n-carry crane. Referring to fig. 1, wherein the pick-n-carry crane comprising of Front Frame (1), Rear Frame (2), Center Pivot Joint Lower (3.1), Center Pivot Joint Upper (3.2&3.3), Boom Assembly (4), Luff cylinders (5), Luff cylinder mounting bkt on front frame (5.1), Luff cylinder mounting bkt on boom (5.2), Boom Pivot point (6), Winch (7), Cabin (8), Shock Mounts
(9), Hydraulic Tank (10), Fuel Tank (11), Tool Box (12), Counter Weight (13) and Bonnet Assembly (14) connected to each other.
The crane comprising of front Frame (1) and Rear Frame (2) joined together by three point (3.1, 3.2 & 3.3) having self aligning bearings which allow oscillation and rotation of both frames independently.
Luff cylinders (5) are positioned is such a way that they support the Boom assembly (4) at a greater distance making it more stronger resulting in more load lift capability of crane. Also, the hydraulic pressures are much lower for same load as compared to the one obtained in conventional design.
Boom pivot (6) is much lower in height enabling better front vision for operator so that he can see through both front and side clearly. Winch (7) is mounted on the Boom top which ensures rope is always parallel to mother boom while boom moves up and down and also winch height is much lower as compared to cabin height allowing crane to go inside cramped places and position load.
Cabin (8) is directly mounted on Rear Frame (2) on Vibration mounts (9) allowing jerk free operation and smooth ride for operator. Also, its alignment is always ensured. Counter weight (13) is free from cabin and can easily be removed without effecting cabin.
Hydraulic (10) and Diesel (11) Tanks are mounted on sides resulting full access to operator on both tanks, which are independently dismountable. It also provides free access to engine compartment and ease in doing any work on driveline parts.
One Tool Box (12) is provided in the front in between front tyres in which operator can put any accessories required for craning operation.
Further, bonnet (14) can be lifted together as a set while working on engine. Both sides of bonnet opens upwards providing full access to operator on both sides of engine.
Referring to fig. 2, wherein winch rope holds the second member through pulleys with bearing and is connected to hook block which is parallel to boom assembly. This configuration has the advantage that "Hook block does not change its position until winch is operated."
Reference may be made to fig. 3, in which jib head with special profile, rope laying and pulley arrangement on hook block are indicated wherein ropes on hook block are parallel when viewed from front of the boom. This configuration has following advantages -
1. Hook block does not enter in jib head during- full retraction.
2. Hook block due to special boom design and rope layout ensure that, it always moves parallel to ground at any angular position of boom.
3. Jib head profile ensures the highest pin height and maximum vertical clearance of hook block.
4. Special geometry ensures that, the no. of falls per pulley can be changed as per requirement.
5. Hook brackets are positioned in a way ensuring direct mounting of hooks rather using intermediate 'Dee' Shackle and additional link points.
6. Ropes are laid parallel on hook block when viewed from
boom front ensuring hook block always moves straight even at no load.
Reference may be made to fig. 4, wherein rope anchoring arrangement and luff cylinder mounting brackets are associated with the following advantages -
1. Rope anchored close to mother boom bulk head preventing the rope from damage.
2. Shorter rope length.
3. Boom luff cylinder mountings are spread out to achieve machine stability, lesser deflection and torsion.
Provision of boom sections and pads (Fig. 5) are having the following advantages :-
1. Overlap of extensions are so designed that, the loading on pads is optimum during full extension of boom lifting maximum load (as defined in load chart).
2. Extendable section of boom has special box geometry, offering higher modulus and maximum strength.
3. Large seating space for resting pads (larger contact between moving sections) thus reduces play and torsional loads.
4. Extension and retraction ropes are clamped on boom top plate.
5. Single pin (in double shear) used on top pulley mounted on first extension, resulting easy assembly and disassembly wherein pin is simply supported between two plates means double shear.
6. Special side pad locking arrangement having simple screw so that tightening or untightening gap between two sections can be increased or decreased.
Referring to attached figure-6, in which provision of safety switches like "limit switch" is shown. A novel "ANTI-TWO BLOCK SYSTEM" is fitted with wireless sensor for the prevention of damage to the boom tip by the traveling member wherein the two block system of the present invention includes an engaging mechanism movably mounted with the boom tip for engaging the traveling member when the traveling member moves into close proximity to the boom tip during lifting operations of the traveling member with the crane for the prevention of damage.
In the present invention, additional extension and retraction rope's are mounted inside the boom which holds the extendable boom members and also adjusts themselves in such a manner that when the members are moving out or moving in, it ensures the rope length does not change and hence hook block remains stationary at its position.
Boom assembly of the present invention is having the following advantages-
1. Auto adjusted hook block
2. Multiple (one, two or three) extendable boom designs
3. Special profile jib head giving rise to maximum pin height
4. Safety system having no electrical wire or rope, to give audio-visual alarm in case of butting hook block with jib head. Machine cutoff feature is also available.
5. To ensure crane operator operates the machine without making any operation error.
Again, the Luff cylinders are mounted in such a way on Front Frame that, they are positioned rear words on frame and maximum towards front on Boom resulting highest strength of Boom members and lowest luff circuit pressure.
In this design of crane operator, cabin is extra wide and accessible from three sides enabling easy entry and exist inside and outside.
Cabin is mounted on Rubber mounts which provides vibration isolation to operator. Also cabin mounting is provided on chassis, which is free from counterweight.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-

WE CLAIM:
1. A pick-n-carry crane comprising of a front frame and rear frame joined together by three point, a plurality of luff cylinders positioned in a way to support boom assembly at a greater distance, a cabin mounted on said rear frame on vibration mounts, hydraulic and diesel tanks mounted on sides for full access by operator, a jib head with special profile and anti-two block system.
2. A pick-n-carry crane as claimed in claim 1, wherein said three point is having self aligning bearings, which allow oscillation and rotation of said frames independently.
3. A pick-n-carry crane as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said luff cylinders support boom assembly at a greater distance making it more stronger resulting in more load carrying capability of crane.
4. A pick-n-carry crane as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising of a tool box in the front in between front tyres.
5. A pick-n-carry crane as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein winch rope holds second member through pulleys and is connected to hook block, which is parallel to said boom assembly.
6. A pick-n-carry crane as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said anti two block system is fitted with wireless sensor for the prevention of damage to the boom tip.

7. A pick-n-carry crane as claimed in any of the preceding claims,
wherein said two block system comprises an engaging
mechanism movably mounted with the boom tip for engaging
the traveling member.
8. A pick-n-carry crane substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.