Material or article handling – Process – Of loading or unloading marine system
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-25
2001-11-06
Cherry, Johnny D. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Process
Of loading or unloading marine system
C294S081210
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312213
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hoisting frame, specifically for hoisting containers, that includes a longitudinally adjustable beam having a plurality of outer pickup elements arranged at its ends and inner pickup elements arranged near its center.
2. Description of Prior Art
Such a hoisting frame is generally known, and may be used for hoisting two containers placed with their end faces adjacent one another. A problem which occurs here is that the positioning of the two containers adjacent one another is not always constant, and that therefore the spacing of the containers often varies. Thus in practice it is often not possible to pick up two containers at the same time with a single hoisting frame, so that it is then necessary to shorten the hoisting frame again for subsequently picking up the containers individually. This of course leads to a serious loss of time.
This problem occurs especially when transferring containers between shore and ship. Onshore containers will usually be stacked with a virtually constant spacing of no more than approximately 80 millimeters, whereas the stacking of containers on a ship depends on the specific structure of the ship, and will therefore vary from ship to ship. This is due to the requirement that the containers on a ship should be well stowed. This has for its result that during loading or unloading a container shin it is often impossible to handle two containers at the same time, so that such loading or unloading takes a relatively long time. The invention therefore aims to provide a hoisting frame with which the above-mentioned drawbacks are obviated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, this is accomplished in that at least the inner pickup elements are connected to the beam moveable in longitudinal direction. In this way the hoisting frame may be easily adapted to variations in spacing between containers onshore and onboard a ship.
Since a container must normally be picked up by two inner and two outer pickup elements, the inner pick up elements are preferably moveable along the beam in pairs. A structurally simple and robust embodiment of the hoisting frame is obtained when the inner pickup elements are each arranged in pairs on a saddle placed transversely on the beam and slideable therealong.
Although in principle the containers may form a shape and force defining connection between the inner and outer pickup elements, advantageously the outer pickup elements are connectable to the corresponding inner pickup elements and concurrently moveable therewith. In this way the container is not additionally stressed during movement of the pickup elements. Preferably the beam comprises a central part and at least two arms carrying the outer pickup elements and being moveable in longitudinal direction relative to the central part, each saddle being arranged to be releasably fixed to a corresponding arm. Thus a simple mechanical coupling is formed between the inner and outer pickup elements.
Preferably the hoisting frame comprises controllable means for moving each arm and the saddle connected thereto relative to the central part. These moving means might be formed by means for adjusting the length of the beam for use with one or two containers which are already present in the hoisting frame, but they preferably comprise at least one hydraulic cylinder arranged between the central beam part and the saddle.
The invention also relates to a method for transporting containers using the hoisting frame described above. The known manner of transporting containers comprises picking up at least two adjacent containers at a first location, lifting the containers and moving them through the air to a second location, and lowering the containers at the second location, and is characterized according to the present invention, in that at least one of the containers is moved in longitudinal direction relative to the hoisting frame between lifting and lowering thereof. Preferably the spacing of the containers is changed between lifting and lowering thereof. In this way containers which are stacked with a certain spacing at a first location, for instance onshore, may easily be picked up and transported to a second location, for instance onboard a ship, where they may be stacked with a different spacing. It is thus possible to pick up and transport containers which should be stacked with different spacings at different locations at least two at a time, whereby the transport capacity is greatly increased.
Advantageously the movement of the containers is asymmetrical relative to a center point of the hoisting frame. In this way an eccentric loading of the hoisting frame and therefore of the crane carrying the hoisting frame, for instance in case one of the two containers is fully loaded and the other one is totally empty, may be prevented. Thus no special requirements are necessary for cranes with which containers may be handled two at a time.
The invention is now illustrated by way of an example, with reference being made to the drawings.
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Cherry Johnny D.
Stinis Beheer B.V.
Webb Ziesenheim & Logsdon Orkin & Hanson, P.C.
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