Inverted kingpost crane
OwnerWilliam D. Morrowinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inverted kingpost crane is disclosed, the crane including an upperworks supporting a crane boom, the upperworks supported on a rotating kingpost, the kingpost supported in a sleeve, an upper radial bearing structure intermediate an upper section of the kingpost and the sleeve, a lower bearing structure comprising a thrust bearing and a radial bearing disposed intermediate a lower section of the kingpost and the sleeve. The upper bearing and the lower bearing structure are constructed of a relatively soft bearing material, the bearing material providing a sacrificial wearing surface between the rotating kingpost and the stationary sleeve.
Claims20
An inverted kingpost crane comprising:
- a vertical, elongated sleeve having a vertical sleeve axis;
- said sleeve including a cross-member vertically spaced from an upper end of said sleeve;
- an axial cross-member opening extending vertically through said cross-member;
- a vertical, elongated kingpost having a vertical kingpost axis;
- said kingpost rotatable within said sleeve;
- upperworks, including boom, mounted on said kingpost;
- upper bearing means intermediate said kingpost and said sleeve;
- lower bearing means comprising a bearing block;
- said bearing block slidably positioned in said cross-member opening;
- a bearing block retainer removably affixed to said cross-member;
- said bearing block retainer positioned and constructed to provide vertical support for said bearing block and selectively maintain said bearing block in said cross-member opening;
- thereby said bearing block may be removed and installed in said cross-member opening without removal of said kingpost from said sleeve;
- said bearing block extending above said cross-member when operatively positioned in said cross-member opening;
- and
- thereby a bearing block upper surface contacts a kingpost lower surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.