CRANE VEHICLE
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a crane vehicle, and more
specifically, to a crane vehicle being capable of moving while
suspending goods.
2. Related Art
[0002]
Conventionally, as this kind of vehicle, there has been known
a crane vehicle which includes: a crane apparatus; a first frame
on which the crane apparatus is provided; a second frame connected
to the first frame to be able to turn in the horizontal direction;
a drive source that is provided on the second frame and that supplies
at least a driving force for moving the crane vehicle, among the
driving force for moving the crane vehicle and a driving force
for driving the crane apparatus; axles provided on the first and
second frames; and wheels mounted on both ends of each of the
axles. This crane vehicle moves while suspending goods from the
crane apparatus.
[0003]
In this crane vehicle, when goods are suspended from the
crane apparatus, the weight of the goods is applied to the first
frame. Accordingly, the center of gravity of the crane vehicle

is shifted to the first frame side. Therefore, a counter weight
is mounted to the second frame to prevent the deviation of the
crenter of gravity, so that it is possible to improve the safety
in working with the crane apparatus, and in moving the crane vehicle
while suspending goods from the crane apparatus.
[0004]
In the crane vehicle, the counter weight protrudes from the
second frame in the moving direction, so that the entire length
of the crane vehicle increases. Accordingly, it is difficult for
the conventional crane vehicle to reduce the entire length.
SUMMARY
[0005]
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
a crane vehicle configured to reduce the entire length of the
vehicle body.
[0006]
To achieve the above-described object, a crane vehicle
includes: a crane apparatus; a first frame on which the crane
apparatus is provided; a second frame connected to the first frame
to be able to turn in a horizontal direction; a power source that
is provided on the second frame and that supplies at least a driving
force for moving a crane vehicle, among the driving force for
moving the crane vehicle and a driving force for driving the crane
apparatus; axles provided on the first frame and the second frame,
respectively; wheels mounted on both ends of each of the axles;

and a counter weight provided on the second frame, wherein the
counter weight is placed above at least an axle on the second
frame. By this means, it is possible to place the counter weight
above the axle on the second frame, and therefore to reduce the
dimension of the counter weight protruding from the second frame
in the moving direction.
[0007]
With the present invention, it is possible to reduce the
dimension of the counter weight protruding from the second frame
in the moving direction, and therefore to reduce the entire length
of the vehicle body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008]
Fig. 1 is a side view showing a crane vehicle according to
one embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the crane vehicle according
to one embodiment; and
Fig. 3 is a rear view showing the crane vehicle according
to one embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0009]
Figs. 1 to 3 show a crane vehicle 1 according to one embodiment
of the present invention. With the present embodiment, the

direction in which the crane vehicle 1 moves forward is defined
as "front side", the direction in which the crane vehicle moves
backward is defined as "rear side", and the direction extending
from side to side of the crane vehicle 1 is defined as "widthwise
direction" or "crosswise direction" for sake of clarity.
[0010]
This crane vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 10 that moves
on the road or a working place, and a crane apparatus 20 that
performs crane operation.
[0011]
The vehicle body 10 includes: a first frame 11 provided in
the front side; a second frame 12 that is provided in the rear
side and is connected to the first frame 11 to be able to turn
in the horizontal direction; a driver's cabin 13 that is provided
on the upper surface of the second frame 12 and that performs
crane operation and driving operation; and a counter weight 14
provided below the driver's cabin 13.
[0012]
The first frame 11 has a first lower frame 11a extending
in the moving direction of the vehicle body 10, and a first upper
frame 11b extending obliquely upward from the front end of the
first lower frame 11a to the rear side. The first upper frame
11b extends obliquely upward from its front end to its rear end,
and therefore gradually increases the distance from the first
lower frame 11a. The rear end of the first upper frame 11b extends
in the horizontal direction.
[0013]

A first axle 11e is rotatably provided on the frame 11 in
the vicinity of the junction of the first lower frame 11a and
the first upper frame 11b of the first frame 11, and extends in
the widthwise direction. Two wheels 11d are provided at both ends
of the first axle 11e, and therefore four wheels 11d are rotatably
provided on the first frame 11. Each of the wheels 11d mounted
on the first axle 11e has a relatively small diameter (second
outer diameter dimension D2), and a tire for such as a carrier
truck may be mounted on the wheel 11d.
[0014]
The second frame 12 has a second lower frame 12a extending
in the moving direction of the vehicle body 10 and a second upper
frame 12b extending upward from the front side of the second lower
frame 12a.
[0015]
The second upper frame 12b includes a pair of side frames
12c located on both sides of the second lower frame 12a, and a
connection frame 12b that connects between the upper ends of the
pair of side frames 12c. Each of the pair of side frames 12c is
a frame member formed by assembling linear members into a triangle.
The pair of side frames 12c is connected to the second lower frame
12a while one vertex of each of the triangles points upward. Both
ends of the connection frame 12d are fixed to the vertices pointing
upward of the side frames 12c, respectively.
[0016]
The second frame 12 is coupled with the first frame 11 such
that the center of the connection frame 12d is coupled with the

rear end of the first upper frame 11b via a coupling pin 15, and
the front part of the second lower frame 12a is coupled with the
rear part of the first lower frame 11a via a coupling pin (not
shown) . By this means, the second frame 12 is provided to be able
to turn with respect to the first frame 11 in the horizontal direct ion.
[0017]
Hydraulic cylinders (not shown) are provided on the lower
hems of the pair of the side frames, respectively, to extend and
contract in the longitudinal direction. The piston rods of the
hydraulic cylinders are connected to both sides of the first lower
frame 11a of the first frame 11, respectively. Each hydraulic
cylinder extends and contracts by an operation part (not shown)
such as an operation handle operated by the driver. This moves
the first frame 11 with respect to the second frame 12 in the
horizontal direction.
[0018]
A second axle 12e is rotatably provided on the first frame
11 side of the second frame 12 and extends in the widthwise direction.
A wheel 12f is provided on each end of the second axle 12e, and
therefore two wheels 12f are rotatably provided on the second
frame 12. Each wheel 12f mounted on the second axle 12e has a
relatively large diameter (first outer diameter dimension D1),
and a deep tread tire for such as a tractor may be mounted on
the wheel 12f.
[0019]
A third axle 12g is rotatably provided on the second frame
12 behind the second axle 12e and extends in the widthwise direction.

A wheel 12h is provided on each end of the third axle 12g, and
therefore two wheels 12h are rotatably provided on the second
frame 12. Like the wheels 11d, each wheel 12h provided on the
t hird axle 12g has a relatively small diameter (secondouter diameter
dimension D2) and a tire for such as a carrier truck may be mounted
on the wheel 12h.
[0020]
The second axle 12e and the third axle 12g are supported
by the second lower frame 12a via a pair of support members 12i
that is provided in the widthwise direction and extends in the
longitudinal direction. The second axle 12e and the third axle
12g are located on the front and rear ends of each of the support
members 12i, respectively. In addition, the support member 12i
is pivotably coupled with the second lower frame 12a via a spindle
12j to swing up and down at a position in the front side rather
than its center in the longitudinal direction, that is, ataposition
close to the second axle 12e rather than the third axle 12g. The
distance between the second axle 12e and the spindle 12 j is smaller
than the distance between the third axle 12g and the spindle 12 j .
[0021]
An engine E is provided on the front part of the second lower
frame 12a and between the pair of side frames 12c. The engine
E is a drive source to supply power for moving the vehicle body
10 and for driving the crane apparatus 20. The crankshaft of the
engine E is connected to the second axle 12e via a propeller shaft
(not shown) . By this means, the vehicle body 10 can move with
the wheels 12f mounted on the second axle 12e as driving wheels.

[0022]
The driver's cabin 13 is provided on the rear part of the
second lower frame 12a and located above the second axle 12e and
the third axle 12g. In the driver's cabin 13, there is provided
a seat on which the driver sits and an operating part such as
an operating handle or lever that is operated by the driver.
[0023]
A counter weight 14 is fixed to the second frame 12 below
the driver' s cabin 13. The counter weight 14 includes a main body
14a and an extension part 14b. The main body 14a is provided below
the driver's cabin 13, above the third axle 12g and between the
wheels 12h. The extension part 14b extends from the rear part
of the main body 14a to the outside in the widthwise direction.
This extension part 14b extending outward in the widthwise direct ion
is formed to avoid the movement range of the wheels 12h when the
vehicle body 10 is moving.
[0024]
The crane apparatus 20 includes a telescopic boom 21, and
a winch 22 that suspends from the front end of the boom 21 and
winds up and off a wire rope (not shown).
[0025]
The telescopic boom 21 includes a plurality of boom members
21a, 21b and 21c, and a front end boom member 21d. The boom members
21a, 21b and 21c can accommodate the adjacent boom members 21b,
21c, and 21d respectively. Here, one boom member can accommodate
the adjacent one in its front end side. The bottom boom member
21a is pivotably coupled with the first upper frame 11b of the

first frame 11. A hydraulic boom cylinder 21e is connected between
the boom member 21a and the front end of the first upper frame
lib, and extends and contracts to allow the boom 21 to go up and
down. A hydraulic telescopic cylinder (not shown) is provided
in the bottom boom member 21a, and extends and contracts to allow
the boom 21 to perform telescopic motion. The boom members 21a,
21b and 21c are provided with hook latches 21f that latch hooks
for hanging goods. The hook latches 21f can hang goods via the
hooks.
[0026]
The winch 22 includes a wire drum 22a around which the wire
rope is wound, and a hydraulic winch motor 22b to rotate the wire
drum 22a in forward and reverse directions. The winch motor 22b
is driven by the power of the engine E. The winch motor 22b rotates
the wire drum 22a, so that a hook block 22c that is coupled with
the front end of the wire rope wound around the wire drum 22a
and is suspended from the front end of the boom 21 is moved upward
and downward.
[0027]
The crane vehicle 1 having the above-described configuration
moves by transmitting the driving power of the engine E to the
second axle 12e to drive the wheels 12f. The moving crane vehicle
1 turns to the right or left by turning the first frame 11 to
the right or left with respect to the second frame 12.
[0028]
In addition, the crane vehicle 1 can perform crane operation
by suspending goods from the hook block 22c and operating the

winch 22 . Moreover, the crane vehicle 1 can move while suspending
goods from the hook latches 21f provided on the boom members 21a,
21b and 21c via the hooks.
[0029]
As described above, the crane vehicle 1 according to the
present embodiment includes: the crane apparatus 20; the first
frame 11 on which the crane apparatus 20 is provided; the second
frame 12 connected to the first frame 11 to be able to turn in
the horizontal direction; the engine E provided on the second
frame 12; the axle 11e provided on the first frame 11 and the
axles 12e and 12g provided on the second frame 12; the wheels
11d mounted on both ends of the axle 11e, the wheels 12f mounted
on both ends of the axles 12e and the wheels 12h mounted on the
axle 12g; and the counter weight 14 provided on the second frame
12. The counter weight 14 is located above at least the second
axle 12g. By this means, it is possible to reduce the dimension
of the counter weight 14 protruding from the second frame 2 in
the moving direction, and therefore to reduce the entire length
of the crane body 10.
[0030]
In addition, the counter weight 14 includes the extension
part 14b that extends outward in the widthwise direction and that
is formed to avoid the movement range of the wheels mounted on
the third axle 12g. By this means, part of the counter weight
is placed outside the second frame 12 in the widthwise direction.
Therefore, it is possible to provide the counter weight 14 with
large mass on the second frame 12 without an increase in the entire

length of the vehicle body 10.
[0031]
Here, with the above-described embodiments, the driver's
cabin 13 is provided on the second frame 12, but it is by no means
limiting. The driver' s cabin 13 may be provided on the first frame
11, or provided on the connecting portion between the first frame
11 and the second frame 12.
[0032]
Moreover, with the above-described embodiments, a
configuration has been described where the first frame 11 on which
the crane apparatus 20 is provided is located in the front side
while the second frame 12 on which the engine E is provided is
located in the rear side. However, it is by no means limiting.
Another configuration is possible where the first frame 11 is
located in the rear side while the second frame 12 is located
in the front side. By this means, it is possible to produce the
same effect as in the above-described embodiments.
[0033]
Moreover, with the above-described embodiments, a
configuration has been described where the pair of axles 12e and
12g is provided on the second frame 12 in the moving direction.
However, it is by no means limiting. Another configuration is
possible where three or more axles are provided on the second
frame 12 in the moving direction. By this means, it is possible
to produce the same effect as in the above-described embodiments.
[0034]
Moreover, with the above-described embodiments, a

configuration has been described where one wheel 12f is provided
on each end of the second axle 12e and one wheel 12h is provided
on each end of the third axle 12g. However, it is by no means
limiting. Another configuration is possible where two or more
wheels are provided at both ends of the second axle 12e or the
third axle 12g. By this means, it is possible to improve the load
bearing capability.
[0035]
Furthermore, a configuration has been described where the
counter weight 14 is fixed to the second frame 12, but it is by
no means limiting. The counter weight 14 may be removably mounted
to the second frame 12.
[0036]
In addition, with the above-described embodiments, a
configuration has been described where the counter weight 14 is
placed above the third axle 12g on the second frame. However,
it is by no means limiting, but another configuration is possible
where, for example, the counter weight 14 is placed above the
third axle 12g to extend in the longitudinal direction and protrude
from the rear end of the second frame 12.
[0037]
Moreover, with the above-described embodiments, a
configuration has been described where the counter weight 14 is
placed above the third axle 12g, but it is by no means limiting.
Another configuration is possible where the counter weight 14
is placed on the second frame 12 above the third axle 12g and
the second axle 12e.

[O038]
Moreover, with the above-described embodiments, a
configuration has been described where the wheels 12f of the second
axle 12e provided on the first frame 11 side of the second frame
12aredrivingwheels . However, itisbynomeanslimiting. Another
configuration is possible where the wheels 12h mounted on the
third axle 12g in the rear part of the second frame 12 are driving
wheels. In this case, the pair of support members 12i provided
in the widthwise direction is pivotably coupled with the second
frame 12 to swing up and down at a position in the rear side rather
than its center in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, both
the wheels 12f mounted to the axle 12e and the wheels 12h mounted
to the axle 12g may be driving wheels. In this case, the support
member 12i is pivotably coupled with the second frame 12 to swing
up and down at its center in the longitudinal direction.
[0039]
In addition, with the above-described embodiments, a
configuration has been described where the pair of side frames
12c constituting the second upper frame 12b is connected to the
front part of the second lower frame 12a. Here, a pair of second
lower frames 12a arranged in the widthwise direction is connected
to each other via a box member. By this means, it is possible
to provide a reinforced structure against when the second frame
12 is twisted. In addition, another configuration is possible
where the pair of second lower frames 12a arranged in the widthwise
direction is connected to each other via a plurality of plate-like
members arranged in the moving direction and each extending in

the widthwise direction. By this means, it is also possible to
provide a reinforced structure against when the second frame 12
is twisted. Moreover, a further another configuration is
possible where the lower parts of the pair of side frames 12c
are connected to each another via a pair of connection members
arranged back and forth. Then, the central part of the pair of
connection members in the widthwise direction is coupled with
the central part of the box member or the plurality of plate-like
members in the widthwise direction via a coupling member extending
inthe longitudinal direction, sothattheboxmemberortheplurality
of plate members pivotally swing with respect to the coupling
member. By this means, even if the second frame 12 is twisted
with respect to the first frame 11 due to the condition of the
road surface, the second frame 12 can follow the direction of
the first frame 11. As a result, it is possible to improve the
running performance.

Claims
1. A crane vehicle comprising:
a crane apparatus;
a first frame on which the crane apparatus is provided;
a second frame connected to the first frame to be able to
turn in a horizontal direction;
a power source that is provided on the second frame and that
supplies at least a driving force for moving a crane vehicle,
among the driving force for moving the crane vehicle and a driving
force for driving the crane apparatus;
axles provided on the first frame and the second frame,
respectively;
wheels mounted on both ends of each of the axles; and
a counter weight provided on the second frame,
wherein the counter weight is placed above at least an axle
on the second frame.
2. The crane vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the counter
weight includes an extension part that extends outward in a widthwise
direction, the extension part being formed to avoid a movement
range of the wheels mounted on the axle on the second frame.

ABSTRACT

There is provided a crane vehicle configured to reduce the
entire length of the vehicle body. A crane vehicle 1 includes
a crane apparatus 20; a first frame 11 on which the crane apparatus
20 is provided; a second frame 12 connected to the first frame
11 to be able to turn in a horizontal direction; a power source
E provided on the second frame 12; axles 11e, 12e and 12g provided
on the first frame and the second frame, respectively; wheels
11d, 12f and 12h mounted on both ends of each of the axles 11c,
12e and 12g; and a counter weight 14 provided on the second frame
12. The counter weight 14 is placed above at least the third axle
12g.