Abstract: The invention is concerned with the demountable assembly of latticework jib elements comprising upper and lower chords connected to one another by means of triangulation bars. In the region of the upper chords, there is provided an assembly by shackle, tenon and a connecting shaft, with abutment and relative positioning means. In the region of the lower chords, there are provided centering pegs and a locking assembly consisting of two connections spaced apart and having clamping and locking means. This device is used for assembling the jib elements and counterjib elements of tower cranes, in particular those having a jib without a masthead and without a tie.

Abstract: The device combines ballast blocks (3) that can be stacked onto a base frame of the crane, and a gripper (2) for handling these blocks, the gripper being designed to be connected, during use, to a handling means. This device comprises means of nonpermanent connection, by hooking, between the gripper (2) and a ballast block (3) and means (34, 37, 38) for centering the stacked ballast blocks (3) relative to one another. The aforementioned connection means are constituted by two opposed gripping hooks (15, 16) mounted pivotably at the ends of a lifting beam (4) of the gripper (2) and interacting with transverse pins (35) of a block (3). The rear part of each hook (15, 16) is attached to a sling (27, 28), and a lock (21, 22) is assigned to it. The invention applies in particular to the ballasting of tower cranes.

Abstract: The auto-erection tower crane possesses a tie-free jib, mounted at the summit of a mast and extended, toward the rear of its connection point to the summit of the mast, by a counter-jib, the end of which is connected, by a rear tie, to a bogie truck element of the crane. For the transport of the crane, the counter-jib is folded up in a vertical plane on the rear part of the jib. The unfolding and folding-up of the counter-jib are realized automatically, simultaneously with the automatic erection or dismantling of the crane. The structure of the counter-jib also allows adjustment of the working position, horizontal or inclined, of the jib.

Abstract: The invention relates to radio-control of lifting machinery, and is intended to solve problems due to the presence of interfering metal masses. For this purpose, the support arm of the radio-control antenna is mounted such that it is able to be orientated about a vertical pivoting axis, on the lifting, machinery. This support arm includes a head, radially offset with respect to the axis, upon which the antenna is mounted. The support arm can occupy separate angular positions, and in particular a position in which the antenna is separated from the metal structure of the lifting machinery. This invention applies in particular to the radio-control of tower cranes.

Abstract: The cab/pivot unit comprises an upper mast element associated with a pivot, an access platform which extends horizontally at one side of the mast element, and a driver's cab mounted pivotably about a vertical axis located at the side of the mast element and linked to this element. The cab is orientable manually (arrows F1, F2) through approximately 90° between an operating position, in which it is located in the extension of the access platform, in front of the mast element, and a transport position, in which this cab is folded above the platform, against the mast element. The invention is used for tower cranes with a “suspended” cab.

Abstract: The device applies to a crane having multiple functions, with a modifiable configuration, which comprises a foldable mast, composed of two elements, and a distributing jib, composed of a plurality of successive elements. This device comprises a double-acting jack connecting a lower rod assembly to an upper rod assembly. The lower rod assembly is connected to the lower part of the upper mast element and to the upper part of the lower mast element. The upper rod assembly is connected to the upper part of the upper mast element and to the jib foot.

Abstract: The device enables a switch from the pulley blocks being rigged with one strand to the pulley blocks being rigged with two strands and vice versa. The jib tip has a pulley moveable along its axle between a central position, when the blocks are rigged with one strand, and a lateral position, when the blocks are rigged with two strands. The lifting block, with housing of symmetric shape, comprises a pulley and retractable guide means for the lifting cable. When the blocks are rigged for two strands, the end of the cable is connected to a point of attachment situated on the jib tip, on the opposite side to the lateral position of the pulley. When the blocks are rigged with one strand, the end of the cable is connected to a point of attachment situated on the pulley block. This device for changing the rigging of the blocks applies mainly to luffing cranes.

Abstract: For a lateral face of the lattice girder, defined by an upper chord and a lower chord, the triangulation comprises compression bars substantially perpendicular to the chords, oblique tension bars of smaller length connecting the top of a compression bar to the lower chord, and other oblique tension bars of greater length, also connecting the top of a compression bar to the lower chord, at a point located further ahead toward the base of the next compression bar. This triangulation is used, in particular, for the jib and counterjib elements of tower cranes.

Abstract: The device combines ballast blocks (3) that can be stacked onto a base frame of the crane, and a gripper (2) for handling these blocks, the gripper being designed to be connected, during use, to a handling means. This device comprises means of nonpermanent connection, by hooking, between the gripper (2) and a ballast block (3) and means (34, 37, 38) for centering the stacked ballast blocks (3) relative to one another. The aforementioned connection means are constituted by two opposed gripping hooks (15, 16) mounted pivotably at the ends of a lifting beam (4) of the gripper (2) and interacting with transverse pins (35) of a block (3). The rear part of each hook (15, 16) is attached to a sling (27, 28), and a lock (21, 22) is assigned to it. The invention applies in particular to the ballasting of tower cranes.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with the demountable assembly of latticework jib elements comprising upper and lower chords connected to one another by means of triangulation bars. In the region of the upper chords, there is provided an assembly by shackle, tenon and a connecting shaft, with abutment and relative positioning means. In the region of the lower chords, there are provided centering pegs and a locking assembly consisting of two connections spaced apart and having clamping and locking means. This device is used for assembling the jib elements and counterjib elements of tower cranes, in particular those having a jib without a masthead and without a tie.

Abstract: Radio-control antenna support arm for lifting machinery The invention relates to the radio-control of lifting machinery, and is intended to solve the problems due to the presence of interfering metal masses. For this purpose, the support arm (5) of the radio-control antenna (6) is mounted such that it is able to be orientated about a vertical pivoting axis (11), on the lifting machinery (2), this support arm (5) comprising a head (10), radially offset with respect to the axis (11), upon which the antenna (6) is mounted. The support arm (5) can therefore occupy at least two separate angular positions (A, B), and in particular a position in which the antenna (6) is separated from the metal structure of the lifting machinery (2). This invention applies in particular to the radio-control of tower cranes.

Abstract: The invention makes secure the processing of a signal (Se) delivered by a sensor (2) of resistive analog type, in a safety device, the signal (Se) being converted into a digital signal (n) in an analog/digital converter (4) of resolution (R). A digital signal (n1) is acquired and stored, then the supply voltages (Va, Vb) of the sensor (2) are inverted (at 8) and a new digital signal (n2) is acquired. The two signals (n1, n2) are summed, and their sum (S) is compared with the resolution (R) of the converter (4). Depending on whether the sum (S) is or is not equal to the resolution (R), the control (Cm) of an actuator (6), corresponding to a pre-set (Sc), is enabled or otherwise. Application to tower crane safety devices.

Abstract: The device enables a switch from the pulley blocks being rigged with one strand to the pulley blocks being rigged with two strands and vice versa. The jib tip has a pulley moveable along its axle between a central position, when the blocks are rigged with one strand, and a lateral position, when the blocks are rigged with two strands. The lifting block, with housing of symmetric shape, comprises a pulley and retractable guide means for the lifting cable. When the blocks are rigged for two strands, the end of the cable is connected to a point of attachment situated on the jib tip, on the opposite side to the lateral position of the pulley. When the blocks are rigged with one strand, the end of the cable is connected to a point of attachment situated on the pulley block. This device for changing the rigging of the blocks applies mainly to luffing cranes.

Abstract: For a lateral face of the lattice girder, defined by an upper chord and a lower chord, the triangulation comprises compression bars substantially perpendicular to the chords, oblique tension bars of smaller length connecting the top of a compression bar to the lower chord, and other oblique tension bars of greater length, also connecting the top of a compression bar to the lower chord, at a point located further ahead toward the base of the next compression bar. This triangulation is used, in particular, for the jib and counterjib elements of tower cranes.

Abstract: The cab/pivot unit comprises an upper mast element associated with a pivot, an access platform which extends horizontally at one side of the mast element, and a driver's cab mounted pivotably about a vertical axis located at the side of the mast element and linked to this element. The cab is orientable manually (arrows F1, F2) through approximately 90° between an operating position, in which it is located in the extension of the access platform, in front of the mast element, and a transport position, in which this cab is folded above the platform, against the mast element. The invention is used for tower cranes with a “suspended” cab.

Abstract: The auto-erection tower crane possesses a tie-free jib, mounted at the summit of a mast and extended, toward the rear of its connection point to the summit of the mast, by a counter-jib, the end of which is connected, by a rear tie, to a bogie truck element of the crane. For the transport of the crane, the counter-jib is folded up in a vertical plane on the rear part of the jib. The unfolding and folding-up of the counter-jib are realized automatically, simultaneously with the automatic erection or dismantling of the crane. The structure of the counter-jib also allows adjustment of the working position, horizontal or inclined, of the jib.

Abstract: The device applies to a crane having multiple functions, with a modifiable configuration, which comprises a foldable mast, composed of two elements, and a distributing jib, composed of a plurality of successive elements. This device comprises a double-acting jack connecting a lower rod assembly to an upper rod assembly. The lower rod assembly is connected to the lower part of the upper mast element and to the upper part of the lower mast element. The upper rod assembly is connected to the upper part of the upper mast element and to the jib foot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control monitoring device for tower cranes, in particular for small cranes, with integration of functions, and adapted for radio control. The device comprises, in respect of all the movements of the crane, such as hoisting, rotation, distribution and translation, a monitoring/control electronic unit (2) receiving at its inputs and processing the control signal (4) originating from the radio control box (3), and also receiving signals (5, 8, 9, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21) originating from sensors (6, 8, 11, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24) and from switches (14, 16). The electronic unit (2) delivers start and stop commands (27, 30, 31, 33, 34) at its outputs, while monitoring the action of the speed regulators (28) or other control members (35, 36) assigned to the movements, as well as the action of the crane's safety devices (32).