Axle arrangement for mobile crane and related methods
AssigneeLink-Belt Construction Equipment Co., L.P., LLLP
InventorWiley T. Risen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mobile crane includes a main body and extendable axles, which are selectively re-positioned relative to the main body through strategically positioned apertures. The axles may be automatically locked to the main body in a desired one of the multiple positions without operator intervention. The axles one or more tapered ends for connecting to side frames, which may support crawler tracks. The tapered ends of the axles extend through openings located in the frames such that they are removably connected to an outside or exterior portion of the frames relative to the main body.
Claims20
An apparatus for a mobile crane supported by ground-engaging motive devices for moving the crane in a travel direction, comprising:
- an axle elongated in a direction transverse to the travel direction and adapted to be connected to the crane, the axle having a first end and including a first aperture;
- and
- a first frame for supporting one of the ground-engaging motive devices, the frame including a first opening which the first end of the axle passes through to adjacent an external side of the frame, said frame including a second aperture for aligning and registering with the first aperture in a vertical direction so as to be capable of receiving a connector in the vertical direction for connecting the first end of the axle to the frame;
- wherein the first end is tapered and includes an upper portion having the first aperture, such that the first aperture is outside of the first opening.
An apparatus for a mobile crane supported by ground-engaging motive devices for moving the crane in a travel direction, comprising:
- an axle elongated in a direction transverse to the travel direction and adapted to be connected to the crane, the axle having a first end and including a first aperture;
- and
- a first frame for supporting one of the ground-engaging motive devices, the frame including a first opening which the first end of the axle passes through to adjacent an external side of the frame, said frame including a second aperture for aligning and registering with the first aperture in a vertical direction so as to be capable of receiving a connector in the vertical direction for connecting the first end of the axle to the frame;
- wherein the first end is tapered and includes an upper portion having the first aperture, such that the first aperture is outside of the first opening;
- wherein the axle includes a second tapered end.
An apparatus for a mobile crane supported by ground-engaging motive devices for moving the crane in a travel direction, comprising:
- an axle elongated in a direction transverse to the travel direction and adapted to be connected to the crane, the axle having a first end and including a first aperture;
- and
- a first frame for supporting one of the ground-engaging motive devices, the frame including a first opening which the first end of the axle passes through to adjacent an external side of the frame, said frame including a second aperture for aligning and registering with the first aperture in a vertical direction so as to be capable of receiving a connector in the vertical direction for connecting the first end of the axle to the frame;
- wherein the first end is tapered and includes an upper portion having the first aperture, such that the first aperture is outside of the first opening;
- wherein the axle comprises a first portion telescopingly received in a second portion, the first portion including the first end, and further including an actuator for moving the first portion relative to the second portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.