SEVENTEEN TON PICK AND CARRY CRANE WITH OPTIMISED ARTICULATION
TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION:
The invention disclosed here is related to a new pick and carry (PnC) crane with a
limit of 17 tons towards load picking & carrying capacity (indicated by load chart
attached herein, figure 1), where the proposed crane has several new and advanced
structural as well as functional features.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION:
There are basically three types of pick and carry mobile cranes - lattice boom crawler
cranes, articulated non-slewing cranes and rough terrain hydraulic slewing. For
picking up load and transporting it to a particular destination such mobile cranes are
used. A crane holding the heavy load is very prone to instability and tilting, therefore
it requires too much precaution in handling such mobile loaded machine, especially
on critical/uneven road conditions or in unfavorable weather conditions.
A number of mobile cranes are known and several specific patents are also available
for mobile cranes with variable features, satisfying different safety norms and guiding
factors/regulations under one or another territory/country. Till date, Conventional pick
and carry (PnC) cranes, particularly in India, have several limitations as under:
(i) Basic structure is tractor mounted;
(ii) PnC has sliding mesh transmission;
(iii) PnC has limitation to maximum lifting capacity, reach, travel order height,
speed and gradeability; (iv) Operator visibility is very much restricted;

(v) AGB serviceability and accessibility is limited;
(vi) Front and rear tires are of unequal sizes;
(vii) Main boom is quite longer to accommodate the Extension Cylinder;
(viii) Replacement/maintenance of Extension Cylinder in conventional PnC crane: It
requires entire boom assembly to be taken out, which was a tedious and time
taking job; (ix) Two bodies (front and rear) of conventional cranes are joined through link
plate at top and directly joined/coupled at bottom, leading to high instability; (x) In conventional PnC crane, position of crane is such that either it obstructs the
operator's vision or it creates a psychological safety fear to the operator; (xi) Conventional Cranes have a rigid chassis i.e. no suspension system. In light of the aforementioned limitations associated with pick and carry (PnC) cranes, objectives of present invention are as under:
1. To design and manufacture a new pick and carry (PnC) crane with several better and advanced features where the proposed cfane has no tractor base and it is virtually free from above mentioned demerits, leading to certain conditions and circumstances.
2. To design and manufacture the proposed PnC crane with lift capacity of 17 ton at 1.5m radius and capacity to reach hook height up to 13 meters (as indicated in load chart, figure 1).
3. To design and manufacture the proposed PnC crane ensuring greater visibility for operator/driver by means of better positioning of boom and wider viewer-window of operator/driver cabin.
4. To design and manufacture the proposed PnC crane ensuring greater

stability by means of uniform wheel assembly, redesigning & better positioning of boom, optimized articulation point based on the concept of Articulation Axis Tilt (AAT), customized Luff cylinders etc.
5. To design and manufacture the proposed PnC crane with a lower height boom assembly with 'U' pressing feature, wherein applying a new compact & shorter main boom involving new concept of Extension Cylinder Housing, and consequently leading to easy accessibility and better serviceability/maintenance/replacement of various machine components.
6. To design and manufacture the proposed PnC crane with higher road speed.
STATEMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION:
The present invention is intended to propose a new pick and carry (PnC) crane with a
limit of 17 tons towards load picking & carrying capacity (indicated by load chart
attached herein, figure 1), where the proposed crane has several new and advanced
structural as well as functional features, as substantially described herein and
illustrated with the help of attached drawings herein.
SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION:
The present invention is related to design and manufacturing of a new pick and carry crane with several new and advanced structural and functional features, especially pertaining to load lifting & carrying technology, stability, safety and aesthetics.
Unlike conventional tractor based pick and carry (PnC) crane, the proposed crane is based on a uniform & standard channel based rigid platform on at least four


equal/equivalent wheels, where the proposed crane comprises of two main parts: (i) Drive Line Unit of the proposed crane (hereinafter referred as 'Rear
Body', Ref. figures 2, 3 & 4), and (ii) The Load Handling Unit of the proposed crane (hereinafter referred as 'Front Body', Ref. figures 2, 6 & 7),
and where these Rear Body and Front Body are integrated together at an
optimized articulation point, based on the concept of Articulation Axis Tilt
(AAT) (Ref. Figures 2 & 8).
The Rear Body consists of a rigid frame made up of channel sections (Ref. figure
3), and spring suspended on rear drive axel. It further comprises of several
components, mainly the engine assembly, the gear box, the suspended type rear axle,
driver's cabin, optional stepny etc.
The Front Body is also mounted on a rigid base made up of standard channel section (Ref. figure 6), suitable for load handling purpose, resting on front non-drive axel. The Front body mainly comprises of Luff cylinders mounting, and extendable Boom assembly.
Front Body and the Rear Body of the proposed crane are joined and integrated together at an optimized articulation point (Ref. figure 8), in such a manner that it not only creates a suitable load handling platform of for the proposed crane, but also provides maximum stability and easy movement/articulation to the proposed machine. Various precise advantages of the present invention are as follows:
a. Compact Main Boom.
b. Higher road speeds and lesser traveling time.
c. Better visibility and no psychological fear.

d. Low development cost & fast track development.
e. Better Ergonomics & Aesthetics.
f. Low height Boom for reaching to low height structures like Malls, Tunnels
etc.
g. Less spare part cost,
h. Better serviceability.
i. Better Stability particularly in steered condition. • The Rear Body:
Mounting of various important components in this embodiment of the proposed machine is very unique. Here the engine assembly and the gear box are positioned at the rear most side that is just in opposite side of the boom assembly. Thus the power transmission and vehicle's movements are controlled in a different and better manner. The position of the driver's cabin is just in front of the Front Body and in between the engine-gear box assembly and the Front Body and hence driver/operator can have a clear view of the movement of the boom as well as winch, especially when the crane is loaded and moving. Such positions of engine assembly, gear box assembly, driver's cabin and front Body are very much supportive towards better and controlled articulation, through the optimized articulation point.
Since the tires used in the Rear Body, attached with suspended type rear axel are same, in all respects, with those of Front Body and have large rear track, they provide extra stability to the proposed pick and carry (PnC) crane. The shape and size of front and rear tires may optionally be varied but they will always be very much equivalent towards load handling and balancing the

vehicle.
• The Front Body:
• In Front Body part, the Luff Cylinder and Boom assembly are mounted with the mounting base at such positions so that they occupy the central position on the base. The Luff cylinders are widely spaced, are extra strong, and are angled in such a manner that the combined height of the Luff cylinder and Boom assembly reduces considerably; preferably it remains up to a comfortably accessible /serviceable height. The boom assembly is installed with the Luff cylinders, where its main boom is very compact, in terms of shorter length in retracted condition, perfect accommodation of multiple extension cylinders) and multistage extension. The boom assembly of the proposed crane is very much customized for better stability, strength, movement, accessibility and serviceability in terms of 'U' pressing feature, synchronized extension and retraction mechanism, rope compensation mechanism, slotted and two way traveling hooks on the first extension boom etc.
• Other innovative and novel features, in general, in the proposed crane:
(i) 17 ton lift capacity at 1.5m radius with capacity to reach hook height
upto 13 meters (Ref. figure 1). (ii) Front frame (Ref. figure 6) and Rear frame (Ref. figure 3) are made out
of standard Channel Sections, (iii) Lower height Booms for easy accessibility & better Visibility (Ref.
figure 1). (iv) Shorter Main Boom with new concept of Extension Cylinder Housing
(Ref. figure 10).

(v) Equal tires.
(vi) Optimized Articulation Point (Ref. figure 8) for better stability in
articulated condition, (vii) Ergonomically designed spacious cabin (Ref. figure 5) with Split doors
for better operator comfort, (viii) All the serviceable parts are located at lower heights therefore they can
be attended from the floor itself like Boom Pivot Pin, Control Valve,
Priority Valve, Luff Cylinder Pins, Body Joining Pins & Bearing.
Extension Cylinder along with housing can be fitted and taken out
independently, (ix) With Suspension system (Ref. figure 4). (x) With Industrial Drive Line (Ref. figure 4). (xi) Booms in 'U' Pressing (Ref. figure 9). (xii) With rope compensation mechanism (Ref. figure 11). (xiii) With Synchronized Extension & Retraction System'(Ref. figures 12
and 13). (xiv) With lockable Chain/Slim Box (Ref. figure 7). (xv) With Slotted and two traveling hook on First Extension Boom (Ref.
figure 2). (xvi) With two way sliding seat, (xvii) With better placed Head Lamps & Work Lamps. • The present invention provides an optional provision to produce/manufacture a seventeen ton pick and carry (PnC) crane for any type of road transport system, by rearranging and redesigning the necessary components of the proposed crane. Actually traffic directionality refers to regulations requiring all vehicular traffic to keep either to the left or the right side of the road. Whether the right or the left (relative direction) is specified depends on the laws of each country. This is so fundamental to vehicular transport that it is

commonly referred to as the rule of the road. The purpose of the rule of the road is to facilitate traffic flow and reduce the likelihood of head-on collisions. About 34% of the world, by population drive on the left, and 66% on the right. By roadway distances, about 28% drive on the left, and 72% on the right, even though originally most traffic drove on the left worldwide. Details of the proposed advanced pick and carry crane with maximum seventeen ton load carrying capacity is substantially shown in several schematic drawings depicting various body parts of the proposed crane and their structural features. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
Figure 1: It represents the schematic load-chart of the proposed 17 ton pick and carry crane with optimized articulation, wherein three part slotted boom is depicted. Figure 2: It provides a schematic side view of the complete body assembly of the proposed crane, depicting all important body-parts of it.
Figure 3: It provides a schematic front view of the Rear Frame of the proposed crane, indicating all its important features, on which Rear Body of the crane is installed. Figure 4: It provides a schematic side view of the Rear Body of the proposed crane,
depicting mainly the drive line & suspension features of the crane.
Figure 5: It provides a schematic front view of the specious driver's/operator's cabin
of the proposed crane, indicating all its important features.
Figure 6: It provides a schematic front view of the Front Frame of the proposed crane,
indicating all its important features, on which the Front Body of the crane is installed.
Figure 7: It provides a schematic side view of the Front Body of the proposed crane.
Figure 8: It provides a schematic scheme for the optimized articulation of the Front
and Rear body-parts of the proposed crane, wherein the articulated Rear Frame and
Front Frame at 45° towards left are shown in the drawing.
Figure 9: It provides a schematic side view of the complete boom (in its retracted
position) and the schematic scheme for its 'U-Pressing' feature.
Figure 10: It provide a schematic complete side view of the shorter Main Boom

Assembly with new concept of Extension Cylinder Housing.
Figure 11: It provides a schematic complete view of the Main Boom Assembly with
Rope Compensation mechanism.
Figure 12: It provides a schematic complete view of the Main Boom Assembly with
Synchronized Extension mechanism.
Figure 13: It provides a schematic complete view of the Main Boom Assembly with
Synchronized Retraction mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH THE
HELP OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS:
The proposed invention of the 17 ton pick, and carry crane with optimized articulation
actually follows the schematic load chart depicted in Figure 1. Figure 1 clearly shows
the proposed ratio of Reach (in meters) and Capacity (in tonnes).
Figure 2 shows the schematic view of the proposed crane. The Front Body 1 of the
proposed machine is integrated with the Rare Body 11 at the optimized Articulation
point 10. The Front body 1, mainly comprises two front tires 2; the Luff-Cylinders 3
mounted on the front frame; suitably integrated Main Boom Assembly 4 along with
sliding hooks 5 on first extension 6, the main front-end hook 8 on second extension 7
and the rope handling winch 9. The Rear Body 11, mainly comprises
Driver's/operator's Cabin 12; Engine 13 including the drive-line & suspension
assembly; two rear tires 14; and the counterweight 15. The front side of the
Driver's/operator's Cabin 12 is installed in such a way that the Boom Assembly 4
remains in front of the Cabin 12.
Figure 3, providing the schematic front view of the Rear Frame 16 of the proposed
crane, clearly shows the important structural feature of it, namely the upper pivot
plate 17, lower pivot plate 18, AGB mounting bracket 19, Cabin mounting bracket 20,
Steer Lug 21, Engine mounting position 24, Radiator mounting position 25, Spring
rear hanger 26, counterweight mounting position 27 etc. Though the mounting
positions of various components are clearly indicated by the Rear Frame 16 herein,

but these positions of certain components are optionally subject to minor variations/altrations, depending on the esthetics, better stability of the vehicle, accommodation of any add-on/optional component etc.
Figure 4, providing the schematic side view of the Rear Body 11 of the proposed crane, mainly shows the drive line & suspension features of the proposed crane, and more particularly shows the schematic integrated assembly of the Engine 13, Propeller Shaft 28, AGB 30, Propeller Shaft 29, Axel 31, Suspension system 32, and Exhaust pipe 33.
The said propeller shaft assembly of the said drive line unit, installed on the said Rear Body of the proposed crane mainly comprises of the gear box associated to the engine 13, propeller shaft 28, AGB 30, Propeller Shaft 29, and the differential gear box of rear Axel 31. The propeller shaft assembly herein is virtually of'V shape; wherein the engine assembly 13 of the crane, via the gear box, is at one end of the propeller shaft 28, the said AGB 30 is virtually at the middle position, and the differential gear box with the rear axle31 is again at the other end of the said propeller shaft assembly, coupled with the AGB 30 via propeller shaft 29. The said engine assembly 13 and the said differential gear box of the rear axle 31 are in the same direction (i.e. towards the rear end of the crane) and the said AGB 30 is in the opposite direction (i.e. towards the front side of the crane); and wherein the said AGB 30 is virtually positioned below the driver's/operator's cabin 12.
Figure 5 provides a schematic front view of the specious driver's/operator's cabin 12 of the proposed crane, indicating all its important features, namely the split door 34 (in partly open condition herein), main viewer screen 35, upper viewer's window 36, viewer's back screen 37, and a solid front body 38 of the cabin. This cabin 12 is very specious, preferably have walk-through doors, and is mounted on the Rear Body 11 of the proposed crane in such a way that it virtually rests between the Boom Assembly 4 on the Front Body 1 and the Engine 13 on Rear Body 11 (mainly the drive line & suspension assembly), and therefore plays important role in offering better visibility

and easy load handling & carrying facilities. The complete control mechanism of the crane pertaining to its movement, its steering, its load handling capacity (i.e. picking/carrying/unloading etc.), and the hydraulic mechanism are virtually installed inside the driver's/operator's cabin. Thus the Front Body 1, which has virtually no control mechanism installed over it, is completely controlled by the Rear Body 11, particularly through the said driver's/operator's cabin 12.
Figure 6 provides a schematic front view of the Front Frame 39 of the proposed crane, indicating all its important structural features, namely upper pivot plate 40, boom pivot points 41, reinforcement box 42 (in both sides), Luff cylinder bracket 43, axle pin 44, axle box 45, and main articulation point 46. The Front Frame 39 mainly accommodates the complete Boom Assembly 4 and it makes the Front Body 1 of the proposed crane, once it gets suitably integrated with Rear Body 11 at articulation point 46 and rests on the front tires at their positions at 44.
Figure 7 providing the schematic side view of the Front Body 1 of the proposed crane, mainly showing the complete Main Boom Assembly 4 with its components like sliding hooks 5 on first extension 6, the main front-end hook 8 on second extension 7, the rope handling winch 9, the stationary hook 47 on Main Boom, the lower embodiment of the Main Boom 48 suitably mounted at Boom Pivot points 41 in front of upper pivot plate 40 of the Front frame 39; widely spaced Luff Cylinders 3 suitably mounted on the Front Frame 39 at the Luff Cylinder mounting points 49; Lockable Sling box 50; and front tires 2 etc.
Figure 8 provides a schematic scheme for the optimized articulation of the Front and Rear body-parts of the proposed crane. In the drawing a schematic integration of the Front frame 39 and the Rare frame 16 are shown, wherein both the said frames are hinged together at the optimized articulation point 46. The proposed articulation mechanism, along with the supporting hydraulic cylinders provides a very stable platform for load handling and carrying, especially in the articulated condition of the proposed crane. The said optimized articulation mechanism of the proposed crane

herein is mainly characterized by its customized hinges and hydraulic cylinders, specially provisioned for a balanced and smooth centralized articulation of the loaded crane's body; wherein the said optimized articulation at a centralized position between the said Front Body and the said Rear Body is preferably based on the concept of Articulation Axis Tilt (AAT). The concept of Articulation Axis Tilt (AAT) suggests slight deviation of the actual articulation axis towards the Rear Body from the vertical line, passing through the pivot holes of both the front and rear frames provisioned for hinging at a centralized articulation point, by certain minor angles. Figure 9 provides a schematic side view of the complete boom (in its retracted position) and the schematic scheme for its 'U-Pressing' feature. Figure 9(a), as a schematic cross-sectional view of the Boom Assembly, schematically depicts that preferably all three main components of the Boom Assembly, namely the Mother boom 4, First extension 6 and Second extension 7 are U-pressed at corners 54 and are not welded at these corners. Thus each of the cylinders of Mother boom 4, First extension 6 and Second extension 7 needs the welding at only two edges, as shown by number 55, wherein a plate of suitable dimension of one side of each cylinder is welded at edges 55 with a U-shaped embodiment of that cylinder. Further each side surface of each cylinder is welded with an additional plate 56 for additional strength. Inside the Second extension 7 there is Cylinder housing 52 with Extension cylinder 53.
Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12 and Figure 13 mainly illustrate various structural and functional features and mechanisms related to the Main Boom Assembly, mainly regarding the shorter Main Boom Assembly with new concept of Extension Cylinder Housing, regarding the Rope Compensation mechanism of the boom, regarding the Synchronized Extension mechanism of the boom, and Synchronized Retraction mechanism of the boom etc.

We claim:
1. A seventeen ton pick and carry crane with optimized articulation, wherein the
proposed crane mainly comprises of a Rear Body, a Front Body and the optimized
articulation mechanism integrating both said Rear and Front bodies of the crane
thereof through customized hinges supported by hydraulic cylinders; wherein the
proposed crane is characterized by the specific load handling capacity upto 17 tons, in
accordance with the load chart of the proposed crane therein; and wherein the
proposed crane is further characterized by the installation of the complete drive line
unit, the control mechanism of the crane towards load picking and carrying and the
suspension assembly of the crane are exclusively installed on the said Rear Body,
while the load handling components are mainly installed on the said Front Body.
2. A seventeen ton pick and carry crane with optimized articulation, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said Rear Body of the proposed crane herein mainly comprises of the rear frame; a special driver's/operator's cabin with walk through doors arrangement; complete drive line unit consisting of the configuration of the engine assembly with the propeller shaft assembly through the gear box and an additional gear box (AGB); the suspension assembly and two rear tyers mounted with the rear axle; and counter weights; wherein the said engine assembly and propeller shaft assembly are configured in such a manner that the said engine & gear-box assembly is positioned at the rear most side of the crane.
3. A seventeen ton pick and carry crane with optimized articulation, as claimed in claim 1 and 2, wherein the said propeller shaft assembly of the said drive line unit, installed on the said Rear Body of the proposed crane herein is virtually of'V shape; wherein the engine assembly of the crane, via the gear box, is at one end of the said propeller shaft assembly, the said AGB of the propeller shaft assembly is virtually at its middle position, and the differential gear box with the rear axle is again at the other

end of the said propeller shaft assembly; wherein the said engine assembly and the said differential gear box of the rear axle are in the same direction (i.e. towards the rear end of the crane) and the said AGB is in the opposite direction (i.e. towards the front side of the crane); and wherein the said AGB is virtually positioned below the driver's/operator's cabin.
4. A seventeen ton pick and carry crane with optimized articulation, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driver's/operator's cabin of the proposed crane herein is an ergonomically designed specious cabin, mounted on front side of the said Rear Body of the crane; wherein the said cabin consists of features like two walk through split doors in both sides of the cabin, main viewer screen, upper viewer's window, viewer's back screen, a solid front body of the cabin, wherein the said cabin is installed on the crane in such a manner that it virtually takes the central position, between the engine-suspension assembly and the said Front body of the crane as the load handling unit.
5. A seventeen ton pick and carry crane with optimized articulation, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said Front Body of the proposed crane herein mainly comprises of the front frame with its essential structural features namely upper pivot plate, boom pivot points, reinforcement box(es), luff cylinder bracket, axle pin and axle box; and a state-of-the-art compact boom assembly provisioned for holding the load upto variable heights; and wherein the said Front Body is characterized as the load handling unit, which is preferably controlled by the controlled mechanism installed inside the driver's/operator's cabin at the Rear body of the proposed crane.
6. A seventeen ton pick and carry crane with optimized articulation, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said optimized articulation mechanism of the proposed crane herein is mainly characterized by its customized hinges and hydraulic cylinders, specially provisioned for a balanced and smooth centralized articulation of the loaded
crane's body; wherein the said optimized articulation at a centralized position between the said Front Body and the said Rear Body is preferably based on the concept of Articulation Axis Tilt (AAT).
7. A seventeen ton pick and carry crane with optimized articulation, as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the said compact boom assembly of the proposed crane herein is a
low height boom assembly with state-of-the-art features namely booms in U-pressing,
customized rope compensation mechanism, synchronized boom extension and
retraction mechanism, and slotted and two traveling hooks on first extension boom.
8. A seventeen ton pick and carry crane with optimized articulation, substantially
as herein described and illustrated in the figures of the accompanying drawings.