IE55131B1

IE55131B1 - Automobile vehicle for towing and for hoisting loads

Info

Publication number: IE55131B1
Application number: IE2672/82A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Legueu Paul
Priority date: 1981-11-13
Filing date: 1982-11-09
Publication date: 1990-06-06
Also published as: AU568065B2; CA1222480A; BR8206594A; FR2516458B1; EP0079812B1; PT75735B; ES517367A0; IN157320B; MA19645A1; FR2516458A1; PT75735A; ATE45333T1; EP0079812A3; ES8400302A1; MX154483A; AU9045282A; IE822672L; GR77729B; EP0079812A2; DE3279863D1

Abstract

1. Universal automotive land vehicle of the type utilisable for towing and handling operations and comprising a platform (4), situated behind the driver's cabin (3), comprising a telescopic crane (5) with the joint function of lifting/handling loads and recovering/towing vehicles, which crane is adjustable between a first retracted, horizontal working position, in which it serves as a towing means, and a second raised and extended working position, in which it serves as a handling means, said crane (5) having a telescopic jib (6) which, in its retracted, horizontal position, extends solely over the length of the platform (4) whilst only extending beyond the platform with its rear end which is provided with a pulley (17) and associated hook (18), the jib being raised by means of two lateral, coupled lifting jacks (21), characterised in that the jib (6) is mounted on a crane support (7) pivotally mounted on the platform (4), in that the lateral lifting jacks (21) are mounted between said crane support (7) and a jib portion (13), and in that, in its retracted, horizontal position the jib (6) of the crane (5) is supported at its free end, on two lateral, detachable supports (23), which are connected to the jib (6) and the platform (4) and are adjustable in length.

Description

The present invention relates to a universal automotive land vehicle of the type utilisable for towing and handling operations and comprising a platform, situated behind the driver's cabin.

In the automotive sector, vehicles called "recovery vehicles" are known, which serve to permit the recovery and towing of another vehicle and which, for this purpose, generally comprise a towing hook, which is secured to a cable which is wound on a winch, integral with a reinforced part of the vehicle, and it permits the broken-down vehicle to be towed in a raised or hoisted position on the rear platform of the recovery vehicle. In the field of handling and lifting heavy loads, various systems are also known, especially different types of cranes, some of which may be installed on heavy vehicles, such as lorries. However, they are generally either small-size cranes, which relate more to hoisting systems or to small rotary loading jibs of limited rotation, or, on the contrary, high-capacity cranes which are extremely cumbersome, but have only a reduced Jib range.

However, it has been established that there is a need for -universal automotive land vehicles which can ensure these two operations, namely the towing of vehicles and the lilting of loads, and are characterised by dimensions corresponding to the reduced size of a lightweight vehicle, permitting it to be transported in an elevated manner, and characterised by a capacity to handle heavy loads with substantial jib ranges, especially with a view to their being utilised as vehicles with a joint function forming an integral part of a group of vehicles forming an independent displacement unit, for example, for studies and research in remote areas.

The document GB-A-2 045 186 describes a towing vehicle for towing trailers, and It is fitted with a crane or a recovery device. 3 355131 The document FR-A-2 242 319 describee an automatic lifting assembly, and not a towing assembly, comprising a crane support which pivots through 360° and is fitted with a telescopic Jib. According to this document, in it6 retracted, horizontal position, the Jib is supported, at its free end, on a support which is disposed at the front on the cabin of said assembly.

The document JA-A-53-91 225 concerns a device for securing a vehicle which has to be towed. According to Figure 1 of this document, a lorry is only apparent, in a schematic profile view, and there is no indication that it is a universal land vehicle. On its rear platform, this lorry comprises a crane which does not seem to be the telescopic type. It may be supposed that this crane is raised by means of a Jack, shown in its transverse position between the crane and the cabin. The towed vehicle is towed by a tow-bar. The end of the crane jib is provided with a pulley and its associated hook.

The above-mentioned problem is solved by means of a universal automotive land vehicle of the type utllisable for towing and handling operations and comprising a platform, situated behind the driver's cabin,, comprising a telescopic crane with the joint function of llfting/handling loads and recovering/towing vehicles, which crane is adjustable between a first retracted, horizontal working position, in which it serves ns a towing means, and a second raised and extended working position, in which it serves as a handling means; said crane having a telescopic Jib which, in its retracted, horizontal position, extends solely over the length of the platform whilst only extending beyond the platform with its rear end which is provided with a pulley and associated hook, the Jib being raised by means of two lateral, coupled lifting jacks, the Jib being mounted on a crane support pivotally mounted on the platform, the lateral lifting jacks beinq mounted between said crane support and a jib portion, and in its - retracted, horizontal position, the jib of the crane being supported, at its free end, on two lateral, detachable supports, which are connected to the jib and the platform and are adjustable in length.

« These arrangements permit the vehicle of the invention to ensure both lifting and towing operations, whilst having a reduced bulk and having an adjustable jib range.

In addition, according to the invention, the crane has a telescopic jib which, in its retracted, horizontal position, extends solely over the length of the platform whilst only extending beyond the platform with its free end which is provided with a pulley and associated hook, the jib being able to pivot horizontally through an angle of 360° when raised and extended.

As is apparent, this arrangement provides the vehicle of the invention with reduced dimensions in respect of height and length (and also in respect of width, of course) when the Jib is retracted, thereby permitting said vehicle to be transported in an elevated manner, as well as providing it with a capacity to manoeuvre significantly in a radial and azimuth direction.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be found in the description which is going to fallow by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 is a rear, perspective view of the vehicle of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic, side elevational view of the vehicle shown in Fig. 1, with the crane jib in two working positions; Fig. 3 is a partial, rear view of.the vehicle operating as a lifting and handling means; and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the loads which can be handled by the crane as a result of the adjustable range of its jib.

Fig. 1 shows the vehicle of the invention generally, which comprises a conventional chassis 1 mounted on wheels 2 and having a cabin 3 situated at the front of the vehicle and a rear horizontal platform 4. The latter supports a crane, denoted generally by the reference numeral 5 and formed from a telescopic jib 6 which can pivot on a crane support 7 secured to the platform 4 and having laterally, on the one hand, an operator's seat 8 provided with a conventional type of instrument panel 9, which is shown very 5 555131 schematically, and, on the other hand, a spare wheel 10 for the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle comprises four lateral telescopic feet 11, which are connected to horizontal, telescopic, cross-piece members 12 and which, when extended, as shown in Fig. 1, 5 are supported on the ground to ensure stabilisation of the whole vehicle on the ground.

In Fig. 1, the crane 5 is shown laterally pivoted through a certain angle relative to the longitudinal angle of the vehicle and in a position in which its telescopic jib 6 is retracted. Fig. 2 10 shows the crane 5 brought back into the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, both in a low position, shown by solid lines, in which the jib 6 is horizontal and retracted, and in an oblique position, shown by dash-dot lines, in which the Jib 6 is raised and extended. Id addition, in Fig 2, the lateral vertical feet 11 are in an 15 inoperative retracted position.

Reference will be made evenly to Figs. 1 and 2 in the subsequent description.

The telescopic jib 6 of the crane 5 comprises a first jib portion 13, which can pivot on the crane support 7, and a second 20 sliding portion 14, which is provided with a lifting pulley 15. The portion 14 is slidable inside the jib portion 13 by the action of a hydraulic jack 16, the rod 17 of which is integral with the jib portion 14, and it is mounted inside the portion 13 of jib 6. Furthermore, the pulley 15 supports a lifting hook 18 by means of a 25 cable 19 which is wound on a hydraulic control winch 20 installed on the crane support 7.

As is also shown in the Figures, the jib 6 of the crane is connected, almost at the level of its central portion when retracted, by two parallel, coupled, hydraulic jacks 21, to the base 30 of the crane support 7, by means of pivotal connections, such as the β connection 22 shown very schematically in Figs. 1 and 2. In addition, in its retracted, horizontal position (shown by solid lines in Fig. 2>, the jib 6 lies, towards Its rear, free end provided with the pulley 15, on two substantially vertical, detachable, lateral props or supports 23 disposed on the two sides of the Jib 6 and connected, an the ane hand, to the Jib by msans of Joints 24 and, on the other hand, to the rear of the platform 4 by means of Joints 25. The joints 24 and 25 are, for example, of the type formed by a tongue fastening having an axis through which each support may pivot. Furthermore, the supports 23 are adjustable, for example they are of the telescopic type and comprise a lower element 26, which can slide and be blocked by any suitable means, denoted by the reference numeral 27, in an upper element 28 of corresponding configuration.

As has already been indicated, the vehicle of the invention also comprises lateral, vertical, telescopic feet 11 which each include, internally, a hydraulic jack such as 29 (Fig. 1), the body 30 of which jack is integral with ah upper portion 31 of the foot, and the rad 32 of which jack is integral with a lower portion 33 of said foot 11 which, itself, is integral, for example, with a horizontal slide for support on the ground. The Jacks 29 may be controlled by means of individual levers 34, which release the supply of a hydraulic control fluid to said jacks. The feet 11 are secured, on the two sides of the vehicle, to horizontal, ‘telescopic cross-piece members 12 which can be extended and retracted into part of the structure of the platform 4 by means of internal hydraulic jacks, such as 35, the body 36 of which is integral with the platform, and the rod 37 of which jack is connected to the crosspiece member 12.

For better stability of the whole vehicle, the latter also comprises a ballast 38 (Fig. 2) formed from a layer of concrete 7 551 Inserted horizontally between the chassis 1 of the vehicle and the platform 4.

The hydraulic control system for the various Jacks which control the lifting and extension of the Jib 6 of the crane and for the various jacks which control the adjustment of the telescopic feet 11 and their horizontal cross-piece members 12 will be described hereinafter. The chambers of the jacks 21 for lifting the Jib 6 are connected, by means of a feedpipe denoted by the reference numeral 39, to a hydraulic pump 40 via flexible pipelines 41, while the jack 16 is connected to the feedpipe 39 in a similar manner, not shown, and the chambers of the jacks such as 29 and 35, are connected to the general feedpipe 39 by means of flexible pipelines, such as those denoted by the reference numerals 42 and 43, and by means of individual feedpipes, not shown. An oil tank 44, installed behind the cabin 3 of the vehicle, is connected to the oil pump 40, which is itself controlled by a movement acting on the output end of the gear box 45 of the engine, not shown, for driving the vehicle.

The vehicle of the invention is utilised as follows; 1) Vhen the Jib 6 of the crane is horizontal and retracted (see the position shown by solid lines in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), the Jib extends over the rear of the vehicle solely by its rear end, which is provided with the pulley 15 and the towing hook 18. In this position, the Jib 6 may be pivoted through a certain angle relative to the longitudinal axis or be disposed along this axis in order to tow another vehicle which has broken-down, the jib then being secured and supported by its rear supports 23. 2) When it is desirable to use the vehicle of the invention for lifting and handling operations (raised position of the jib 6 shown by dash-dot lines in Fig. 2, and Fig. 3), the Jib 6 is raised by controlling the Jacks 21 and extended to the desired length by 8 controlling the extension Jack 16, and the Jib of the crane 5 is pivoted sideways and, by actuating the winch 20, the hook 18 is lowered to the level of the upper portion of a load which is to be handled, such as a container 46 disposed, for example, on another vehicle 47. Prior to the actual load lifting operation, the vehicle of the invention ion the left in Fig. 3>, provided with the crane 5, is stabilised by extending laterally the telescopic cross-piece members 12 and by controlling the extension of the vertical telescopic feet 11, so that the latter lie firmly on the ground 48 and ensure a more stable bearing for the vehicle which is provided with the crane, whilst permitting an upper loading moment and a lateral upper lifting height. Once these stabilising feet are adjusted, the load 46 is hooked to the hook 18 by means of suitable or similar slings 49, and it is raised by the action of the winch 20 which is controlled hydraulically by the hydraulic pump 40 in a conventional manner not shown.

In Fig. 4, a graph is shown which relates to the performance of the crane 5 of the vehicle according to the invention, and the load (in kg) can be readily seen therein, such load being raisable to a given lateral distance from the longitudinal axis 50 of the vehicle, for a given inclination. In the graph, the.axis of the abscissae is graduated in metres and denotes the distances relative to the axis 50 of the vehicle, at ground level, while the axis of the ordinates, graduated in metres, denotes the height of the end of the jib 6 of the crane relative to the ground. In addition, the reference numeral 51 denotes the axis of rotation of the jib 6, three inclined positions 52, 53 and 54 being shown by dash-dot lines and corresponding to the respective angles of +75’, +50* and -15’ calculated algebraically with respect to the axis of the abscissae. Thus, by way of example, the jib 6 which has been extended over a length of 8 m can lift a load of 5 tons with its hook 18, over a lateral distance of 4 m and to a height of 6,6 m for the hook 18.

Claims

55131

1. Universal automotive land vehicle of the type utilisable for towing and handling operations and comprising a platform, situated behind the driver's cabin, comprising a telescopic crane with the Joint function of lifting/handling loads and recoverlng/towing vehicles, which crane is adjustable between a first retracted, horizontal working position, in which it serves as a towing means, and a second raised and extended working position, in which it serves as a handling means; said crane having a telescopic Jib which, in its retracted, horizontal position, extends solely over the length of the platform whilst only extending beyond the platform with its rear end which is provided with a pulley and associated hook, the Jib being raised by means of two lateral, coupled lifting jacks, the Jib being mounted on a crane support pivotally mounted on the platform, the lateral lifting jacks being mounted between said crane support and a jib portion, and in its retracted, horizontal position, the jib of the crane being supported, at its free end, on two lateral, detachable supports, which are connected to the jib and the platform and are adjustable in length.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the telescopic jib is extended by means of a jack situated inside the jib and mounted between the jib portion, which is connected to the support, and the sliding element at the end of the jib provided with the pulley.

3. Vehicle according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein all the jacks are controlled by control means situated at the level of an operator's seat, integral with the crane support and for setting in motion the feeding of the jacks frrjn a hydraulic pump controlled by a movement acting on the output end of the gear box of the vehicle. 5 5 13 1 1 Ο

4. Vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein, to operate as load handling means, lateral stabilising members are additionally provided In the form of vertical telescopic feet which are hydraulically manoeuvrable by Independent control 5 levers, which are integral with said feet, frau the hydraulic pump.

5. Vehicle according to the combination of claims 3 and 4, wherein the various control members and levers of the jacks and of the stabilising members are 10 connected to the hydraulic pump by means of one or more hydraulic feedpipes.

6. Vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the telescopic feet comprise internal jacks . which control their adjustment into the retracted and extended positions. 15

7. , Vehicle according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the vertical stabilising feet are secured to the lateral ends of adjustable, horizontal, telescopic cross-piece members which may be retracted inside the structure of the platform of the vehicle.

8. Vehicle according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein a ballast is provided which is formed from a layer of concrete inserted between the platform and the chassis of the vehicle, in order to achieve the stability thereof, especially when the jib of the crane is extended. 25

9. A universal automotive land vehicle according to claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawings. F.R. KELLY & CO., AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS.