ENHANCED STABILITY CRANE AND METHODS OF USE

摘要

An enhanced stability crane (100) is described. Embodiments include a telescoping main support mast (114) upon which a crane base (106) resides. A boom (140) projects upwardly from the crane base and a jib (148) typically projects upwardly from the boom. A clamping assembly (108) resides on the main support mast and is configured to attach to an existing structure adjacent to the crane, in order to enhance stability. Multiple clamping assemblies can be distributed along the telescoping main support mast when it is extended. The existing structure is generally a tower structure (180) that is columnar and vertical in shape and orientation, and frequently has an elliptical horizontal cross-section. Tower structures are typically, but not necessarily, wind turbine towers. In some embodiments, the crane is mobile capable of lifting objects weighing about 110 tons to a height of about 400 feet. The crane typically adjusts to a collapsed configuration, enabling facile transport.

主权项

1. An enhanced stability crane comprising:
a platform assembly; a telescoping main support mast coupled to the platform assembly; a crane base mounted on the main support mast; a power source residing within the crane base; a boom coupled to the crane base at a boom first end and projecting upwardly therefrom; a jib pivotably coupled to the boom proximate a boom second end and projecting upwardly therefrom; a maximum jib height of at least 262 feet; a crane load capacity of at least 160,000 pounds; and a clamping assembly coupled directly to the main support mast, the clamping assembly being configured to affix securely to a tower structure to stabilize the crane; wherein in a fully collapsed configuration (i) the main support mast is oriented substantially horizontally on the platform assembly and (ii) the boom and the jib are oriented substantially horizontally with the jib residing above and substantially parallel to the boom.