Systems for connecting a ground-engaging motive device to a vehicle and related methods

#The present invention relates generally to vehicles having one or more removable ground-engaging motive devices, such as crawler track assemblies and, more particularly, to systems and related methods for easily, efficiently and reliably connecting such a motive device to a vehicle in either an extended or a retracted position.

#Heavy duty, off-the-road vehicles utilize crawler tracks to provide better mobility on uneven ground and for improved traction. In the usual arrangement, the tracks comprise a plurality of links formed together in an endless chain-type fashion with pads formed on the links for engagement with the ground. The multiple pads along the lower run of the endless track in engagement with the ground at any one time provide exceptional traction, while the upper run serves to recirculate the track. Driven sprockets engage the inner surfaces of the links to drive the track along an endless path and thereby provide movement to the vehicle.

#While crawler tracks are quite useful when the vehicle is moving about the job site in a traveling mode, they are not well-suited for use in over-the-road or highway travel. Consequently, the vehicle is normally transported on a tractor trailer from one site to the next. In many cases, over-the-road transport requires removing the entire assembly supporting and driving the crawler tracks from the vehicle to comply with governmental regulations on maximum vehicle width (and possibly placing them on a different tractor trailer altogether to comply with maximum weight restrictions). Since this operation is costly, a significant sought after advantage is of course the ability to complete it in a very short time such that the construction company can make the most efficient use of their capital equipment. In the past, this and other quick assembly type of features have been a particular focus for design of many types of vehicles, including not only light-to-medium duty cranes, but also heavy duty crawler cranes.

#The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments of the invention.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary vehicle, such as a crane, on which the present inventions may be practiced;

#Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which show a vehicle in the form of a medium/heavy duty, mobile crawler crane C. As will be recognized, the crane C is generally shown as being assembled and includes a crane base unit (or upper/lower works) B. The base unit B comprises a chassis or carbody D carried on and supported above the ground G by motive devices, such as crawler track assemblies A1, A2 of a type generally known in the art. While the crawler track assemblies A1, A2 are shown on this particular mobile crane C, it is to be understood that the principles of the present invention would also apply to other types of ground-engaging motive devices used on other types of vehicles, including those adapted for direct over-the-road travel as well.

#Although not shown in FIG. 1, the crane C typically includes a boom (typically a lattice boom) or other type of live mast, as more fully illustrated in commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,131,750 and 5,240,129, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. An operators cab O in which the controls for operating the crane C are located is positioned on the deck K of the crane base unit B. Removable counterweights W are also supported at the rear of the deck K. Other component parts of a typical crawler crane C not shown in detail may include a gantry assembly and a rear power winch or drum. The details of the overall construction of such a heavy-duty crawler crane C and the booms used therewith are generally known in the art and, therefore, are not repeated herein.

#Turning now to FIGS. 3a, 3b, and 4a-4d, one embodiment of the system 10 for connecting at least one of the crawler track assemblies, such as assembly A1, is illustrated. With specific reference to the partially cutaway top view of FIG. 3a and the partially cutaway side view of FIG. 4a, it can be seen that the crane carbody D includes a pair of outwardly projecting stable mounting structures, such as stub axles 12a, 12b, to which the crawler track assembly A1 is connected in a retracted position. Specifically, the crawler track assembly A1 includes linking structures, such as arms 14a, 14b projecting outwardly in a direction transverse to the direction of crane travel (see action arrow T in FIG. 3a) at positions corresponding to the locations of the mounting structures or stub axles 12a, 12b on the carbody D. As described in more detail below, the linking structures or arms 14a, 14b correspond with and are positioned adjacent to the mounting structures or stub axles 12a, 12b in the operative position for receiving removable connectors.