US 2014/0231374 A1 · PIN PULLER FOR CRANE CONNECTIONS

Abstract

A pin puller is mounted between first and second connectors, preferably connectors on a lift crane, each of the connectors having a hole there though. The pin puller includes: a) first and second support frame members; b) a first pin with a first end located in the hole of the first connector and a second end inside the first support frame member; c) a second pin with a first end located in the hole of the second connector and a second end inside the second support frame member; d) at least one linear actuator connected to the first and second pins; and e) a length adjustment device between the first and second support frame members, with its length adjusted so as to force the first support frame member into contact with the first connector and the second support frame member into contact with the second connector.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A pin puller mounted between first and second connectors, each of the connectors having a hole there though, the pin puller comprising:

a) first and second support frame members;
b) a first pin with a first end located in the hole of the first connector and a second end inside the first support frame member;
c) a second pin with a first end located in the hole of the second connector and a second end inside the second support frame member;
d) at least one linear actuator connected to the first and second pins, the at least one linear actuator moveable between i) an extended state wherein the pins are extended all of the way though the holes in the first and second connectors and ii) a retracted state wherein the first ends of each of the pills do not extend out of the holes of the connectors;
and
e) a length adjustment device between the first and second support frame members, with its length adjusted so as to force the first support frame member into contact with the first connector and the second support frame member into contact with the second connector.

3 more elements

A method of connecting a pin puller between first and second connectors each having a hole there through, wherein the pin puller comprises first and second support frame members, first and second pins and at least one linear actuator, the method comprising the steps of:

a) placing the first pin in the first support frame member;
b) placing the second pin in the second support frame member;
c) placing at least a part of the at least one linear actuator in at least one of the support frame members wherein said part of the linear actuator is connected to a second end of one of the first and second pins;
d) placing the support frame members between the two connectors so that the first and second pins are respectively aligned with the holes in the first and second connectors;
e) extending a first end of the first pin into the hole of the first connector;
f) extending a first end of the second pin into the hole of the second connector;
g) connecting the linear actuator to a second end of the other of the first and second pins;
and
h) adjusting the length of a length adjustment device between the first and second support frame members to force the first support frame member into contact with the first connector and the second support frame member into contact with the second connector.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pin puller for crane connections

Life of this patent

Pin puller for crane connections

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38