IP Library Granted Patent US 7,549,546
Granted Patent B2
US 7,549,546 · App. 11/664,758 · Granted Jun 23, 2009

Wind safety device for cranes

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,549,546
App. No.
11/664,758
Filed
Apr 4, 2007
Granted
Jun 23, 2009
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3654
USPC
212/271
Abstract

The invention concerns a wind safety device for at least two outdoor cranes ( 2 a, 2 b), able to move by traveling gears ( 6 ) on a jointly shared crane track ( 1 ), especially track-mounted full gantry cranes, with holding devices engaging at or in the region of the crane track ( 1 ) to prevent the cranes ( 2 a, 2 b) from lifting up and being pulled away when certain wind speeds are exceeded, and it being possible to join together at least two neighboring cranes ( 2 a, 2 b) in the region of the traveling gears ( 6 ). In order to achieve greater safety against the lifting up and pulling away of cranes ( 2 a, 2 b) taken out of operation due to high wind speeds prevailing, it is proposed that impact elements ( 10 a, 10 b) be arranged above the coupling on the at least two neighboring cranes ( 2 a, 2 b), lying against each other when the at least two neighboring cranes ( 2 a, 2 b) are coupled together.

Claims (28)

1. A wind safety device for at least two outdoor cranes able to move by traveling gears on a jointly shared crane track, comprising:

holding devices engaging the at least two cranes at or in the region of the crane track to prevent the at least two cranes from being lifted up and pulled away when certain wind speeds are exceeded, wherein at least two neighboring cranes may be coupled together in the region of the traveling gears; and

impact elements arranged above the coupling on the at least two neighboring cranes, said impact elements lying against each other when the at least two neighboring cranes are coupled together.

2. The wind safety device per claim 1 , wherein the impact elements are arranged in the upper region of each crane.

3. The wind safety device per claim 2 , wherein the impact elements comprise bumpers with end faces that rest against each other to absorb the pressure forces when the at least two neighboring cranes are coupled together.

4. The wind safety device per claim 3 , wherein the crane directly exposed to the wind in the parking position at least partly covers the one or more cranes coupled to it.

5. The wind safety device per claim 4 , wherein track brakes, drag shoes, mechanical locking systems or track pinch bars are used as the holding devices.

6. The wind safety device per claim 5 , wherein a coupling link is provided for the coupling of the at least two cranes, said at least two cranes being one of neighboring and impinging on each other, wherein the coupling link can interlock the at least two cranes.

7. The wind safety device per claim 6 , wherein each coupling link joins together two coupling pieces that are fastened to each crane in the region of the traveling gear, wherein said coupling pieces absorb tensile and compressive forces acting between the one of neighboring and impinging cranes.

8. The wind safety device per claim 7 , wherein each coupling piece is fastened to the traveling gear of each respective crane and protrudes generally horizontal and parallel to the crane track, wherein opposite free ends of the two coupling pieces can be interlocked in removable manner by the coupling link.

9. The wind safety device per claim 8 , wherein the coupling link engages appropriately configured bearing surfaces on the coupling pieces and locks the coupling pieces abutting against each other.

10. The wind safety device per claim 9 , wherein the coupling link has an I-shape, including a web and at least two flange elements, wherein said web can be inserted in recesses in opposite end walls of the coupling pieces, wherein inner sides of the flange elements of the coupling link engage the bearing surfaces on the coupling pieces.

11. The wind safety device per claim 1 , wherein the impact elements are in the form of bumpers with end faces that rest against each other to absorb the pressure forces when the at least two neighboring cranes are coupled together.

12. The wind safety device per claim 11 , wherein the crane directly exposed to the wind in the parking position at least partly covers the one or more cranes coupled to it.

13. The wind safety device per claim 12 , wherein track brakes, drag shoes, mechanical locking systems or, track pinch bars are used as the holding devices.

14. The wind safety device per claim 13 , wherein a coupling link is provided for the coupling of the at least two cranes, said at least two cranes being one of neighboring and impinging on each other, wherein the coupling link can interlock the at least two cranes.

15. The wind safety device per claim 14 , wherein each coupling link joins together two coupling pieces that are fastened to each crane in the region of the traveling gear, wherein said coupling links absorb tensile and compressive forces acting between the neighboring cranes.

16. The wind safety device per claim 15 , wherein each coupling piece is fastened to the traveling gear of each respective crane and protrudes generally horizontal and parallel to the crane track, wherein opposite free ends of the two coupling pieces can be interlocked in removable manner by the coupling link.

17. The wind safety device per claim 16 , wherein the coupling link engages appropriately configured bearing surfaces on the coupling pieces and locks the coupling pieces abutting against each other.

18. The wind safety device per claim 17 , wherein the coupling link has an I-shape, including a web and at least two flange elements, wherein said web can be inserted in recesses in opposite end walls of the coupling pieces, wherein inner sides of the flange elements of the coupling link engage the bearing surfaces on the coupling pieces.

19. The wind safety device per claim 1 , wherein the crane directly exposed to the wind in the parking position at least partly covers the one or more cranes coupled to it.

20. The wind safety device per claim 1 , wherein track brakes, drag shoes, mechanical locking systems or, track pinch bars are used as the holding devices.

21. The wind safety device per claim 1 , wherein a coupling link is provided for the coupling of the at least two cranes, said at least two cranes being one of neighboring and impinging on each other, wherein the coupling link can interlock the at least two cranes.

22. The wind safety device per claim 21 , wherein each coupling link joins together two coupling pieces that are fastened to each crane in the region of the traveling gear, wherein said coupling links absorb tensile and compressive forces acting between the neighboring cranes.

23. The wind safety device per claim 22 , wherein each coupling piece is fastened to the traveling gear of each respective crane and protrudes generally horizontal and parallel to the crane track, wherein opposite free ends of the two coupling pieces can be interlocked in removable manner by the coupling link.

24. The wind safety device per claim 21 , wherein the coupling link engages appropriately configured bearing surfaces on the coupling pieces and locks the coupling pieces abutting against each other.

25. The wind safety device per claim 24 , wherein the coupling link has an I-shape, including a web and at least two flange elements, wherein said web can be inserted in recesses in opposite end walls of the coupling pieces, wherein inner sides of the flange elements of the coupling link engage the bearing surfaces on the coupling pieces.

26. The wind safety device of claim 1 , said cranes being full gantry cranes, wherein the impact elements are arranged in the region of the upper bridge trusses.