DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING / DISASSEMBLING A MOBILE CRANE EXTENSION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for assembling and disassembling a boom of a mobile crane, in particular a telescopic boom, as well as to a mobile crane with a device according to the invention and to a method for assembling a mobile crane boom using the device according to the invention.

[0002] Large mobile cranes are often too heavy to be transported on public roads in a fully operational state. Therefore, components of the mobile crane must be disassembled and transported separately for road transport. One heavy component that is particularly suitable for disassembly is the boom. This particularly applies to mobile cranes with a telescopic boom, which comprises several telescopic sections that are slidably mounted inside one another and can be extended and retracted via one or more telescopic cylinders, and therefore has a high deadweight (e.g., in the order of 40 tons).

[0003] The assembly and disassembly of the telescopic boom is complex and time-consuming. State-of-the-art solutions involve using the telescopic cylinder(s) of the telescopic boom to push the boom from the mobile crane onto a transport vehicle, such as a tractor with a semi-trailer (and vice versa). The disadvantage of this approach is that the telescopic cylinder is necessarily very large for crane operation, meaning it has a large diameter and requires a large amount of hydraulic oil for its movement. Consequently, the hydraulic connecting hoses must also have a large cross-section, which, however, is not actually required for simply moving the boom during assembly or disassembly.The hydraulic hoses also have to be relatively long, as they have to span the entire distance between the mobile crane's auxiliary hydraulics connection and the hydraulic connection on the telescopic boom when transported on the semi-trailer. Another known option is to use a special vehicle specially equipped for assembling or disassembling the boom, which has an integrated mechanism for moving the boom to or from the mobile crane. One known solution, for example, involves a hydraulic cylinder attached to the loading area of ​​the transport vehicle for horizontally displacing the boom, with the hydraulic cylinder being designed to be sufficiently long to span the distance to the mobile crane. The disadvantage of this is that such special vehicles are expensive to manufacture and can only be used for this single purpose.

[0004] Document DE 11 2016 001 320 T5 discloses the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] The objective of the present invention is therefore to simplify and shorten the assembly and disassembly process of the boom in mobile cranes. Furthermore, the required tools should be designed more cost-effectively, and expensive tools, such as the transport vehicle for the boom, should not be stored exclusively for a single purpose, but should be versatile.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the subclaims and the following description.

[0007] Accordingly, a device for assembling and disassembling a mobile crane boom is proposed, which comprises the following: a support device attached or attachable to the mobile crane and / or a transport vehicle, on which the boom can be placed and fixed or locked, a roller carriage on which the boom can be placed and which, in particular on the side of the support device facing away from the mobile crane, is movably mounted or mountable on the transport vehicle, and a guide mechanism attached or attachable to the transport vehicle, by means of which the roller carriage - and thus the boom placed thereon - can be actively moved parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boom, and the boom can be displaced, wherein the guide mechanism comprises a drive unit which is movable along a guide device and is arranged on the roller carriage.

[0008] The support device may comprise several components, some of which are arranged or can be arranged on the mobile crane and some of which are arranged or can be arranged on the transport vehicle.

[0009] The movement of the boom from the transport vehicle to the mobile crane or vice versa, using the particularly hydraulically driven roller carriage, takes place essentially horizontally and requires a significantly lower hydraulic oil volume than the telescopic cylinders installed in a telescopic boom. This results in easy handling of the device according to the invention, as no oversized hydraulic lines need to be installed. Alternatively, the roller carriage or the guide mechanism can also be electrically driven, thus eliminating the need for a hydraulic connection at all.

[0010] Furthermore, the components of the device according to the invention assigned to the transport vehicle do not necessarily have to be permanently installed thereon. It is even advantageous if these components are detachably attached to the transport vehicle, i.e., can be removed from it after use. This allows the transport vehicle, which can be a tractor with a semi-trailer, to be used for other purposes or transport purposes after the boom has been mounted on the mobile crane and the components of the device according to the invention have been removed. This increases the flexibility of the equipment and reduces costs.

[0011] The components removed from the transport vehicle are preferably assigned to the mobile crane and can be stowed in special holding or storage devices (e.g., storage boxes and / or brackets). Alternatively, the corresponding holding or storage devices can also be provided on the transport vehicle without compromising its multi-purpose capability.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the support device comprises a roller block, attached or attachable to the mobile crane or transport vehicle, with a roller bearing for receiving and guiding the boom. The boom is placed on the roller bearing, which preferably comprises at least two, but ideally at least four rollers, so that when the boom is moved relative to the roller block, the boom is supported by roller bearings. This reduces the drive forces required for horizontal displacement of the boom.

[0013] The roller block is preferably located (or can be located) on the mobile crane, for example, at the rear of the mobile crane's undercarriage. Alternatively, the roller block can also be located (or can be located) on the transport vehicle, particularly at the rear, which faces the mobile crane during assembly / disassembly. In the latter case, the boom can be mounted on or removed from the mobile crane at any position of the superstructure relative to the undercarriage.

[0014] Preferably, the roller block is vertically height-adjustable, for example, by means of one or more hydraulic cylinders that adjust the roller bearings vertically relative to the roller block's attachment to the mobile crane. The term "vertical direction" refers to the mobile crane being positioned on a horizontal plane.

[0015] The height adjustability makes it possible to raise the boom supported on the support device and thus, for example, lift it off another support. This means the boom is fully supported on roller bearings and can be easily moved. Furthermore, it allows for precise positioning of the boom relative to the mobile crane during assembly, allowing the connecting elements and bolts to be easily inserted. During disassembly, lifting the boom from the support device relieves the load on the bolt connection between the pivot piece and the luffing cylinder, allowing it to be easily removed.

[0016] In a further possible embodiment, the support device comprises a support frame attached or attachable to the transport vehicle, which can preferably be moved from a fixing position, in which the boom can be placed and / or fixed on the support frame, into a release position, in which the support frame does not block horizontal movement of the boom, and vice versa. The fixing position does not necessarily have to fix the boom itself. This can be achieved, for example, using special fixing elements when the support frame is in the fixing position. The support frame is preferably located between the roller frame and the roller carriage in a rear area of ​​the transport vehicle.

[0017] The movement between the release and locking positions could, for example, be achieved by vertically adjusting a support frame bearing or by moving and / or pivoting clamping elements or blocks, which, in the locking position, grip or clamp the boom or merely contact it (and, for example, form a support surface). Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the support frame to be immobile, and for the boom to be separated or released only by lifting it using the height-adjustable roller block.

[0018] According to the invention, the guide mechanism comprises a drive unit that is movable along a guide device, wherein the drive unit is arranged or provided on the roller carriage. The guide device preferably runs horizontally along the longitudinal axis of the boom or the transport vehicle and can be attached or attachable to a loading area, e.g., to a semi-trailer. The guide device can comprise rails in which the roller carriage is guided.

[0019] The drive unit is preferably hydraulically driven, but can also be electrically driven. By driving the drive unit, the roller carriage and thus the boom mounted on it are moved relative to the transport vehicle and thus also to the mobile crane.

[0020] In a further possible embodiment, the guide device comprises a traction means which is attached or attachable along a loading area of ​​the transport vehicle and is guided over one or more rollers of the drive unit, wherein at least one of the rollers is actively drivable. Such a drive mechanism is simple to implement and, above all, quick and easy to install and remove. The traction means only needs to be attached to corresponding and, if applicable, already existing attachment points on the transport vehicle (at least two, namely at the front and rear of the transport vehicle). The traction means can be, for example, a rope, a belt or a chain, although combinations of these are also conceivable.

[0021] In contrast to conventional solutions with hydraulic cylinders, the traction mechanism only transmits tensile forces. The cylinder, on the other hand, transmits both tensile and compressive forces. When subjected to compressive loads, buckling loads must also be considered. For this reason, the long cylinder in such solutions is heavier than necessary, and additional connection points to the bearing or trailer surface may even be necessary to guide the cylinder and protect it from buckling. The traction mechanism, on the other hand, can be comparatively lightweight, as can the drive unit.

[0022] In a further possible embodiment, the traction means is detachably mountable on the loading area of ​​the transport vehicle, preferably via fastening means arranged at a front and a rear end of the loading area. Two fastening points or means can be provided, between which the traction means is tensioned or can be tensioned. However, several fastening points can also be provided, e.g. at the sides, front and rear, wherein the traction means, which can run centrally along the loading area, preferably branches off at the ends to the respective fastening points (e.g. as a Y-branch). The fastening means can be load securing eyes.

[0023] In a further possible embodiment, the traction means is or comprises a chain, in particular a hoist chain, which is guided over one or more sprockets of the drive unit. The chain preferably comprises a tensioning device by means of which the chain can be tensioned. This minimizes the dead travel at the beginning of the boom movement.

[0024] Chain slings, such as those disclosed in DE 20 2018 107 005 U1, to which reference is hereby explicitly made, could be used as connecting elements between the hoist chain and the fastening means. These connecting elements can thus each have two or three chain strands with compensating rockers. Furthermore, according to a special solution, hook-shaped shortening elements (for flexibly shortening the chain strands by hooking the chain links into the hooks) enable easy switching between different transport vehicles. The ends of the possibly shortenable chain strands can be attached to the fastening means or load securing eyes and connected to each other and to the hoist chain running centrally along the loading area of ​​the transport vehicle, for example via a ring.

[0025] In another possible embodiment, the drive unit is hydraulically driven, with a hydraulic line being provided that can be routed from the drive unit to a hydraulic connection of the mobile crane. The hydraulic line is preferably or comprises a flexible hydraulic hose. This hose can be mounted on a hose reel for winding and unwinding. The drive unit is supplied with oil via the hose reel, while the hose reel itself is connected to the mobile crane's hydraulic system.

[0026] Since the boom's bearings are preferably fully supported by roller bearings during movement by the drive unit, the required drive forces are very low, and only a drive unit designed or constructed specifically for this purpose serves as the drive. Due to the small required hydraulic oil flow, the cross-sections of all hydraulic connections and the hydraulic line(s) are small, making the components relatively easy to handle.

[0027] In another possible embodiment, the guide mechanism or drive unit is driven via a hydraulic system of the mobile crane. The mobile crane thus serves as the sole drive for the device according to the invention. Thus, only the mobile crane's hydraulic oil is used for the drive. After successful assembly / disassembly, the assembly device is separated from the mobile crane. The separation always takes place in a state in which the hydraulic lines are still filled with oil (the coupling points enclose the respective oil volume in a leak-proof manner).

[0028] If the device is later remounted on the mobile crane, for example, to dismantle the boom, the boom will again drive the device according to the invention with its hydraulic oil, and the oil still contained in the device will flow back to the mobile crane. This means there is no mixing with older or lower-quality hydraulic oil from another system. Given the large amount of oil circulating in such mobile cranes, this represents a significant cost factor when an oil change becomes necessary.

[0029] The present invention further relates to a mobile crane with a device according to the invention. This obviously results in the same advantages and properties as the device according to the invention, which is why a repetitive description is omitted here. The mobile crane preferably has a telescopic boom, although other designs, such as lattice booms, are also conceivable and can be mounted or dismounted using the device according to the invention. The mobile crane can have an undercarriage with a crawler or wheeled chassis and a rotatably mounted superstructure to which the boom can be mounted.

[0030] The fixed assignment of the device according to the invention to the respective mobile crane results, among other things, in the advantage described above that only the hydraulic oil of the mobile crane is used to drive the drive unit and there is no mixing with oil from another system.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for mounting a boom, in particular a telescopic boom, mounted on a transport vehicle on a mobile crane using the device according to the invention. The method comprises the following steps: Positioning the transport vehicle relative to the mobile crane, in particular by moving the transport vehicle towards the mobile crane or vice versa or both, releasing the fixation of the boom to the transport vehicle, in particular to the support device, moving the boom along its longitudinal axis towards the mobile crane by actively moving the roller carriage, wherein the boom is mounted on the support device and the roller carriage in a rolling manner, connecting the boom to the mobile crane, in particular by setting the corresponding bolts, and luffing the boom so that it lifts off the support device and the roller carriage.

[0032] This obviously results in the same advantages and properties as for the device according to the invention, which is why a repeated description is omitted at this point.

[0033] Dismantling the boom from the mobile crane is essentially done by performing these steps in reverse order.

[0034] In one possible embodiment of the method, the support device comprises a support frame attached to the transport vehicle. Before the boom is moved, the support frame is moved from a fixed position to a release position in which the support frame does not block movement of the boom. From this point on, the boom is preferably fully supported on roller bearings.

[0035] In another possible embodiment, the support device comprises a height-adjustable roller block attached to the mobile crane with a roller bearing for receiving and guiding the boom. The boom is lifted with the roller block so that it can be disassembled. Afterward, the boom rests solely on the roller block. Furthermore, after horizontal displacement of the boom on the mobile crane, the roller block can be adjusted to an assembly position in which a connection can be established between the boom and the mobile crane. The roller block thus fulfills a dual function.

[0036] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the guide mechanism comprises a drive unit arranged on the roller carriage or integrated therein, which is connected to a traction means, in particular a chain or hoist chain, attached along a loading area of ​​the transport vehicle, wherein by driving the drive unit the roller carriage together with the boom is moved in the direction of the mobile crane.

[0037] In a further possible embodiment, it is provided that the drive unit is driven hydraulically by a hydraulic system of the mobile crane, wherein after positioning the transport vehicle relative to the mobile crane, a hydraulic connection is established between the drive unit and the hydraulic system of the mobile crane, preferably via a hydraulic hose mounted on a hose reel so that it can be wound up and unwound.

[0038] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments explained with reference to the figures. They show: Figure 1: a side view of a mobile crane and a transport vehicle with a telescopic boom mounted thereon according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2: the mobile crane and the transport vehicle according to Figure 1 in a perspective view, with the boom mounted on the mobile crane, with an enlarged view of the support frame; Figure 3: an enlarged view of the roller frame in a perspective view; Figure 4: a schematic view of the transport vehicle, to the loading area of ​​which a traction device is attached, according to a first embodiment; Figure 5: the view according to Figure 4according to a second embodiment; Figure 6: a side view of the transport vehicle with a telescopic boom mounted thereon according to an embodiment, with the roller carriage and the hose reel shown; Figure 7: a first embodiment of the roller carriage in a schematic side view; and Figure 8: a second embodiment of the roller carriage in a schematic plan view.

[0039] The Figure 1 shows a side view of the rear area of ​​a mobile crane 1, whose telescopic boom 10 is dismantled and mounted on a transport vehicle 2, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The transport vehicle 2 is a tractor with a semitrailer 2, which was moved with its rear area to the rear of the mobile crane 1 for the assembly / disassembly of the boom 10.

[0040] The mobile crane 1 has a mobile undercarriage with wheeled chassis and a superstructure rotatably mounted on the undercarriage, to which the boom 10 can be mounted. The mobile crane 1 is secured against tipping over by a support device comprising several folding or sliding beams 6. The telescopic boom 10 comprises a pivot piece 8 in which several telescopic sections are slidably mounted one inside the other. The innermost telescopic section has a roller head 11 at the end. The pivot piece 8 has connecting means 5 which can be connected to corresponding connecting means 9 on the superstructure of the mobile crane 1 to form a bolt connection representing the luffing axis of the boom 10. In the embodiment shown here, the boom 10 also has a Y-guying 7 which rests on the boom 10.

[0041] The semi-trailer 2 has a flat loading area 3 on which the disassembled boom 10 is mounted via a stationary support frame 14 and a movable roller carriage 16. The roller head 11 of the boom 10 is connected to or rests on the roller carriage 16, while the support frame 14 is arranged in the rear area of ​​the semi-trailer 2. The roller carriage 16 has several wheels 26, via which it can be moved or moved on the loading area 3 in the area between the support frame 14 and the driver's cab arranged in the front area of ​​the transport vehicle 2.

[0042] The support frame 14 arranged on the semi-trailer 2, together with a roller frame 12 arranged immovably at the rear of the mobile crane 1, forms a support device for the device according to the invention. During transport, the boom 10 rests on the support frame 14 and the roller carriage 16, while during assembly and disassembly it also rests on the roller frame 12.

[0043] In the Figure 2 Mobile crane 1 and semi-trailer 2 are shown in a perspective view, with the boom 10 mounted on the upper carriage of the mobile crane 1. The support frame 14 is shown separately in an enlarged view. An embodiment of the roller frame 12 is shown in the Figure 3 seen in a perspective view.

[0044] The support frame 14 has two beveled, movable blocks 15, which allow the support surface to be adjusted to the respective boom 10. Furthermore, by moving the blocks 15 apart, the support frame 14 can be moved into a release position in which it does not block or interfere with the horizontal movement of the boom 10.

[0045] The roller block 12 has a roller bearing 13 in its upper area with several rotatable rollers, whose axes of rotation are perpendicular to the horizontal direction of movement or the longitudinal axis of the boom 10. The roller bearing 13 is height-adjustable via at least one hydraulic cylinder 19, so that the support surface for the boom 10 or the boom 10 resting on the roller block 12 can be moved up or down. The hydraulic supply to the cylinders 19 is provided via the hydraulic system of the mobile crane 1. The hydraulic connection to the mobile crane 1 can be established, for example, via hydraulic connections of the mobile crane 1 to a sliding beam box, which is often dismantled for transport on such a crane, or via other hydraulic connections of the mobile crane 1.

[0046] The device according to the invention offers a simple mounting device that can be easily detached from the semi-trailer 2 and comprises a guide mechanism for the horizontal movement of the roller carriage 16 and thus of the boom 10 mounted thereon. For this purpose, a guide device designed as a hoist chain 20 is tensioned on the semi-trailer 2. The roller carriage 16 has a drive unit 18 with several sprockets 22, 24 around which the hoist chain 20 runs.

[0047] The use of a hoist chain 20 as a traction means for guiding or moving the roller carriage 16 is advantageous in terms of its lower tolerances and the required deflection by the chain wheels 22, 24 of the drive unit 18. Hoist chains are specially manufactured for the purpose of driving and rotating around a chain roller for drive purposes and are therefore ideally suited for the precise displacement of the boom 10 by means of the device according to the invention.

[0048] The chain 20 used here is pre-tensioned via a tensioning device designed as a turnbuckle. This allows for very precise positioning of the roller carriage 16. Dead travel at the beginning of the drive movement is minimized. The connection to the semi-trailer 2 is established via fastening devices 4, for example, via load securing eyes.

[0049] The Figure 4shows a first possible design and arrangement of the hoist chain 20. It shows a perspective, schematic view of the tractor with the semitrailer 2, with the hoist chain 20 represented as a dashed line. The chain 20 is tensioned centrally along the longitudinal axis of the semitrailer 2 and therefore runs parallel to the direction of displacement of the boom 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the hoist chain 20 is tensioned as a linear chain between two fastening means or load securing eyes 4 arranged centrally at the front and rear ends of the semitrailer 2.

[0050] These additional load securing eyes 4 enable a direct and straight attachment of the hoist chain 20, which allows for particularly good tensioning of the chain 20 using the turnbuckle. The central load securing eyes 4, which are installed in addition to the existing lateral load securing eyes, do not impair the universal use of the semi-trailer 2.

[0051] In the Figure 5 an alternative embodiment is shown in which the hoist chain 20 is fastened at both its ends via Y-branching connecting elements or chain strands to laterally arranged fastening means or load securing eyes 4.

[0052] Compensating rockers can be provided as connecting elements between the centrally running hoist chain 20 and the chain strands connecting the hoist chain 20 to the fastening means 4, as disclosed in DE 20 2018 107 005 U1. Hook-shaped shortening elements can optionally be provided on the compensating rockers, by means of which the branching chain strands can be reversibly shortened in order to enable easy switching between different transport vehicles. An advantage of this embodiment is the fact that already existing, laterally arranged load securing eyes 4 can be used to fasten the hoist chain 20. However, the double Y-shape of the chain formation may result in poorer tensionability and thus an increased dead travel compared to the embodiment according to Figure 4 .

[0053] The Figure 6shows the dismantled boom 10 mounted on the semi-trailer 2 in a side view, with the roller carriage 16 and a hose reel 32 additionally shown schematically. The roller carriage 16 with the drive unit 18 is shown in two different embodiments in the Figures 7 and 8 shown schematically, where the Figure 7 a side view and the Figure 8 show a top view of the roller carriage 16.

[0054] The horizontal travel movement of the boom 10 is realized by a chain drive at the front boom support point on the roller carriage 16. The roller head 11 of the boom 10 rests on the roller carriage 16, which can travel on the semi-trailer 2. The drive unit 18 with the sprockets 22, 24, around which the hoist chain 20 rotates, is integrated into the roller carriage 16. The power supply to the roller carriage 16 or the drive unit 18 is hydraulically via connecting hoses 30 and a hose reel 32. The hydraulic supply is provided via a connection to the auxiliary hydraulics on the mobile crane 1.

[0055] The boom 10 is fully supported on roller bearings during movement. This means that the required drive forces are very low, and the drive is provided by a drive unit 18 designed and constructed exclusively for this purpose. Due to the low required hydraulic oil flow, the cross-sections of all hydraulic connections are small, making the components easy to handle. This design also makes it possible to leave the telescopic boom guying 7 on the boom 10 while it is removed from the mobile crane 1.

[0056] The roller carriage 16 is equipped with four wheels 26 (more wheels 26 can of course be used here). The hoist chain 20, tensioned on the semi-trailer 2, is guided by three sprockets 22, 24 (embodiments with more than three sprockets 22, 24 are also conceivable here), with one of the sprockets 24 serving as the drive, ideally due to the largest wrap angle. This sprocket 24 is driven hydraulically, supplied via the hose reel 32. The latter is connected to the hydraulic system of the mobile crane 1.

[0057] The sprockets 22, 24 ideally have a smaller diameter than the sprockets 26, but this is not necessarily the case. The sprockets 22, 24 also serve to enable the lowest possible entry point of the chain 20 into the roller carriage 16. This minimizes the deflection of the hoist chain 20. The disadvantage of such a deflection is the distortion of the chain 20 that occurs at the end of the movement due to the chain tension.

[0058] Accordingly, the Figure 7 An embodiment in which the sprockets 22, 24 are arranged such that the hoist chain 20 rotates in a vertical plane, i.e., it is deflected upwards by the first sprocket 22, rotates around the drive wheel 24, and is then deflected back into the horizontal direction by the third sprocket 22. The axes of rotation of the sprockets 22, 24 run parallel to the axes of rotation of the wheels 26 of the roller carriage 16.

[0059] Alternatively, a variant with a horizontal drive unit 18 is also conceivable, as shown in the Figure 8 Here, the chain 20 is deflected within a horizontal plane, i.e., the rotational axes of the chain wheels 22, 24 are perpendicular to the rotational axes of the wheels 26 of the roller carriage 16. The advantage of this embodiment is a lower overall height of the roller carriage 16, since the drive unit 18 can be moved away from the area of ​​the boom head or roller head. However, this advantage is "acquired" by a higher entry of the hoist chain 20 into the roller carriage 16.

[0060] The hoist chain 20 is used to move the roller carriage 16 and can only transmit tensile forces. It has at least two connection points 4 to the semitrailer 2, one located at the front end and one at the rear end of the trailer surface 3. Depending on the direction of movement, i.e., disassembly or assembly, one of the ends of the hoist chain 20 transmits the force to the semitrailer 2 via the load securing eyes 4.

[0061] This offers another significant advantage over the conventional drive system using a long cylinder. The cylinder transmits tensile and compressive forces. However, when subjected to compression, buckling loads must also be considered. For this reason, the long cylinder is heavier than necessary, and additional connection points to the trailer surface may even be necessary to guide the cylinder and protect it from buckling.

[0062] An embodiment of a method according to the invention for mounting a telescopic boom 10 on a mobile crane 1 is described below: 1. If required: Attach the roller block 12 to the mobile crane 1 and establish the hydraulic connection(s) to the mobile crane 1. Alternatively, the roller block 12 can be permanently mounted on the mobile crane 1. 2. Position the semi-trailer 2 with the attached hoist chain 20, the attached support block 14 and the telescopic boom 10 mounted on the trailer surface 3 relative to the mobile crane 1 and establish the hydraulic connection(s) between the hydraulic system of the mobile crane 1 (e.g. a hydraulic auxiliary drive) and the hose reel 32 or the drive unit 18 of the roller carriage 16. In particular, the boom 10 is also positioned above the roller block 12. 3. Extend the roller block 12 upwards until the roller bearing 13 contacts the boom 10. 4. Release all transport securing devices, in particular the fixing or locking device on the support frame 14, and establish the mechanical and other connections between mobile crane 1 and semi-trailer 2.This step can also be carried out before step 3. 5. Raise the telescopic boom 10 using the cylinders 19 in the roller block 12, i.e. extend the roller block 12 upwards. This causes the telescopic boom 10 to lift off the support block 14. The boom 10 now rests on the roller carriage 16 and the roller block 12, i.e., it is solely supported by rollers. 6. Move the support block 14 into the release position so that it does not later obstruct the movement of the telescopic boom 10. Alternatively, a stationary support block 14 can be used, eliminating the need for this step. 7. Move the roller carriage 16 with the entire telescopic boom 10 horizontally towards the mobile crane 1 along the longitudinal axis of the boom. The roller carriage 16 rolls on the trailer surface 3 and the linkage piece 8 of the boom 10 rolls on the roller bearing 13 on the roller block 12. 8. If necessary.9. Establish the pin connection and all other electrical / hydraulic connections between the mobile crane 1 and the telescopic boom 10 and set the boom pin on the boom ripping axis 5, 9. 10. Connect the luffing cylinder to the boom 10. 11. Luff the telescopic boom 10 until its roller head 11 lifts off the roller carriage 16 and the linkage 8 lifts off the roller carriage 12. 12. Disconnect the hydraulic connection(s) between the mobile crane 1 and the hose reel 32 or the drive unit 18 of the roller carriage 16.

[0063] The semi-trailer 2 can now be used for other purposes. The traction device or hoist chain 20 and / or the roller carriage 16 can be removed. The roller block 12 can also be removed from the mobile crane 1.

[0064] A corresponding method for disassembling the telescopic boom 10 by means of the device according to the invention can be carried out as follows according to an embodiment: 1. If required: Attach the roller block 12 to the mobile crane 1 and establish the hydraulic connection(s) to the mobile crane 1. Alternatively, the roller block 12 can be permanently mounted on the mobile crane 1. 2. Position the semi-trailer 2 with the attached hoist chain 20 and the attached support block 14 relative to the mobile crane 1 and establish the hydraulic connection(s) between the hydraulic system of the mobile crane 1 and the hose reel 32 or the drive unit 18 of the roller carriage 16. 3. Position the roller carriage 16 in the disassembly position (i.e. closer to the support block 14 than during assembly) and move the support block 14 into the release position so that it does not later obstruct the movement of the telescopic boom 10. 4. Lower the telescopic boom 10 until its roller head 11 is positioned in its designated receptacle on the roller carriage 16 (i.e., after lowering, it rests on the roller block 12 and on the roller carriage 16). 5.Moving the support point 13 on the roller block 12 against the pivot piece 8 of the telescopic boom 10 (i.e. extending the roller block 12 towards the telescopic boom 10) and relieving the bolt connection between the pivot piece 8 and the luffing cylinder. 6. Disconnecting the bolt connection and all other electrical / hydraulic connections between the mobile crane 1 and the telescopic boom 10, as well as disconnecting the boom bolt on the boom rib axis 5, 9. 7. Horizontally moving the roller carriage 16 with the entire telescopic boom 10 away from the mobile crane 1 (i.e. the boom 10 moves away from the mobile crane 1) along the longitudinal axis of the boom. The roller carriage 16 rolls on the trailer surface 3, and the pivot piece 8 rolls on the roller bearing 13 on the roller block 12. 8. Closing the rear transport receptacle, i.e., moving the support block 14 into the fixing position, in which the boom 10 can be placed on the support block 14 and fixed. 9.Lowering the telescopic boom 10 via the cylinders 19 in the roller block 12, i.e. retracting the roller block 12. The telescopic boom 10 is lowered onto the support block 14. 10. Establishing all transport securing devices, in particular securing or locking the support block 14, and separating the mechanical and other connections between the mobile crane 1 and the semi-trailer 2.

[0065] In the two procedures described above, the steps listed do not necessarily have to be carried out in the specified order or some of the steps can be carried out together (e.g. steps 3 and 5 of the assembly procedure). List of reference symbols:

[0066] 1Mobile crane 2Transport vehicle (semi-trailer) 3Loading area / trailer area 4Fastening device (load securing eye) 5Connecting device / luffing axle (boom) 6Sliding beam 7Guarding 8Connecting piece 9Connecting device / luffing axle (superstructure) 10Boom 11Roller head 12Roller block 13Roller bearing 14Support frame 15Block 16Roller carriage 18Drive unit 19Cylinder 20Traction device (hoist chain) 22Roller 24Roller (drive roller or sprocket) 26Wheel 30Hydraulic hose 32Hose reel

Claims

1. Apparatus for assembling / disassembling a mobile crane boom (10) comprising - a support device that is attached or attachable to the mobile crane (1) and / or to a transport vehicle (2) and on which the boom (10) can be placed and fixed; - a roller cart (16) on which the boom (10) can be placed and that is movably stored or storable on the transport vehicle (2); and characterized by - a guide mechanism that is attached or attachable to the transport vehicle (2) and by means of which the roller cart (16) is actively movable in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the boom (10) and the boom is thereby displaceable, wherein the guide mechanism comprises a drive unit (18) that is movable along a guide device, with the drive unit (18) preferably being arranged on the roller cart (16).

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the support device comprises a pulley block (12) attached or attachable to the mobile crane (1) or transport vehicle (2) and having a roller bearing assembly (13) for mounting and guiding the boom (10) that is preferably vertically adjustable in the vertical direction.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the support device comprises a support block (14) that is attached or attachable to the transport vehicle (2) and that can preferably be moved from a fixing position in which the boom (10) can be placed on and / or fixed to the support block (14) into a release position in which it does not block a horizontal movement of the boom (10) and vice versa.

4. Apparatus in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device comprises a pulling means (20) that is attached or attachable along a load surface (3) of the transport vehicle (2) and that is guided via one or more rollers (22, 24) of the drive unit (18), with at least one of the rollers (22, 24) being actively drivable.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the pulling means (20) is releasably mountable on the load surface (3) of the transport vehicle (2), preferably via fastening means (4) that are arranged at a front end and a rear end of the load surface (3).

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the pulling means (20) is or comprises a chain, in particular a hoisting gear chain, that is guided via one or more sprocket wheels (22, 24) of the drive unit (18), with the chain (20) preferably comprising a tensioning means by means of which the chain (20) can be tensioned.

7. Apparatus in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit (18) is hydraulically drivable, with a hydraulic line being provided that can be laid from the drive unit (18) to a hydraulic connector of the mobile crane (1) and that preferably comprises a hydraulic hose (30) stored on a hose drum (32) in a windable and unwindable manner.

8. Apparatus in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide mechanism is drivable via a hydraulic system of the mobile crane (1).

9. Mobile crane (1) comprising an apparatus in accordance with one of the preceding claims.

10. Method of assembling a boom (10) stored on a transport vehicle (2) on a mobile crane (1) using the apparatus in accordance with one of the claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the steps: - positioning the transport vehicle (2) relative to the mobile crane (1); releasing the fixing of the boom (10) at the transport vehicle (2), in particular at the support device; - displacing the boom (10) along its longitudinal axis in the direction of the mobile crane (1) by an active movement of the roller cart (16), with the boom (10) being roller supported on the support device and the roller cart (16); - connecting the boom (10) to the mobile crane (1); and - luffing up the boom (10) so that it rises from the support device and the roller cart (16).

11. Method in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the support device comprises a support block (14) attached to the transport vehicle (2), with the support block (14) being moved prior to the displacement of the boom (10) from a fixing position into a release position in which the support block (14) does not block a displacement of the boom (10).

12. Method in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the support device comprises a roller block (12) attached to the mobile crane (1), vertically adjustable, and having a roller bearing assembly (13) for mounting and receiving the boom (10), with the roller block (12) being extended upwardly after the release of the fixing of the boom (10) so that the boom (10) rises from the support block (14), with the boom (10) at the mobile crane (1) preferably being movable by adjustment of the roller block (12) after the displacement into an assembly position in which a connection can be established between the boom (10) and the mobile crane (1).

13. Method in accordance with one of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the guide mechanism comprises a drive unit (18) that is arranged at the roller cart (16) and that is connected to a pulling means (20), in particular a chain, attached along a load surface (3) of the transport vehicle (2), with the roller cart (16) being moved together with the boom (10) in the direction of the mobile crane (1) by driving the drive unit (18).

14. Method in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that the drive unit (18) is hydraulically driven by a hydraulic system of the mobile crane (1), with a hydraulic connection being established between the drive unit (18) and the hydraulic system of the mobile crane (1), preferably via a hydraulic hose (30) stored in a windable and unwindable manner on a hose drum (32) after the positioning of the transport vehicle (2) relative to the mobile crane (1).