Automatic coupling device for loading platforms

Handling: hand and hoist-line implements – Hook – hoistline – or grab type – Load releasing means

Patent

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Details

2941101, B66C 138

Patent

active

045181861

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an automatic coupling device for connecting and disconnecting a loading platform or a loading plane to and from a lifting hook respectively, which lifting hook through hoisting cables is operated by a hoisting crane for transferring the pallets positioned on the loading platform or the loading plane between for instance a dock pier and a ship's deck.
Today a great portion of all goods is transported in standardized transport containers, but this system suffers from certain disadvantages. Among these disadvantages are the high manufacturing costs for the containers, the great space requirement in connection with the storage thereof when standing-by for loading or unloading, but most of all the expensive and time-consuming transport between the place where the containers receive their load (or where the load is unloaded) and the container ports which are getting bigger and bigger and which are necessary for a rational handling. Thus, there is a demand for a possibility to handle goods placed on common pallets in a rational way in connection with the loading and unloading thereof onto and from a ship respectively. The invention relates to such a system by means of which load placed on common pallets quickly and easily may be transferred between for instance the dock pier and the deck of a cargo ship. The use of the kind of handling system suggested in accordance with the invention will thus have the effect of promoting primarily the competition of the smaller ports due to the fact that the demand for loading all goods in containers which are then transported to the larger container ports will not be very great since also piece goods may be handled effectively and thus more economically directly from the pier to the deck of the cargo ship and reverse. Compared to the use of fork lifts or similar pallet fork systems this invention brings about the advantage that the time consumed for loading and/or unloading may be reduced to half while maintaining the same number of dock labourers.
An example of the kind of handling system suggested in accordance with the invention is illustrated in the Swedish printed and published specification No. 339.299 which discloses a loading plane on which piece goods is placed, and this loading plane may be transferred between two places by means of a crane. A hoisting frame connects the loading plane to the lower portion of a coupling device and at the hoisting cable of the hoisting crane an upper portion of the coupling device is attached to the lifting hook. The coupling device illustrated and described in said Swedish printed and published specification No. 339.299 does however suffer from certain disadvantages. Among these is the danger of obtaining an unsatisfactory arresting if the upper portion of the coupling device is brought down too quickly into the lower portion of the coupling device, whereby an instantaneous unlocking action is achieved and no lock-up will take place.
The object of the present invention is to eliminate among other things the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art handling systems. By a device of the kind indicated in the preamble of the enclosed patent claims this object is achieved through the significant characteristic features of the invention, which features are also clear from the patent claims.
In the enclosed drawings,
FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective overall view of the kind of handling system where the invention may be applied,
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating how the automatic coupling according to the invention may be stored in a cradle, which is designed especially for this purpose, when the coupling in not operated,
FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of the automatic coupling according to the invention in its opened condition when it is ready to be coupled together with a coupling head of a loading plane,
FIGS. 4 and 5 are views illustrating different phases of the connecting operation for the automatic coupling according to the invention,
FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view of the auto

REFERENCES:
patent: 701654 (1902-06-01), White
patent: 2507058 (1950-05-01), Stone
patent: 2537829 (1951-01-01), Hohler
patent: 3311401 (1967-03-01), Bacon
patent: 3600031 (1971-08-01), Coleman et al.

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