AU2013100394B4

AU2013100394B4 - Structure for use with container-handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2013100394B4
Application number: AU2013100394A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Murray Robert BRIDLE
Original assignee: Australian Mobile Mining Equipment Systems and Accessories Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Australian Mobile Mining Equipment Systems and Accessories Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-31
Filing date: 2013-03-31
Publication date: 2014-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2021-03-31
Also published as: AU2013100394A4; AU2014100229A4

Abstract

According to the present invention, there is provided a structure (10) to facilitate positioning of container-handling apparatus (14) and of an intermodal, shipping or cargo container (15), for engagement of the container by the container-handling apparatus, the structure including: a substantially horizontal base (11) upon which the container is to be positioned, for subsequent engagement by the container-handling apparatus; and at least one upwardly extending arm (12) having a guide surface facing inwards (relative to the perimeter of the base); wherein the upwardly extending arm(s) (12) are sized and located with reference to the dimensions of the container-handling apparatus (14) and the position of the container (15) on the base, to thereby guide the container-handling apparatus into a position in which it can engage with the container positioned on the base. In a first aspect of the invention, the base (11) has a container-locating area (16), with marker(s) at or proximal to its perimeter, to define the position for receiving the container (for subsequent engagement by the container-handling apparatus). In a second aspect of the invention, each upwardly extending arm (12) has at least one support (20), each of which includes one or more pad (19) of shock absorbing or impact-absorbing material.

Description

1 STRUCTURE FOR USE WITH CONTAINER-HANDLING APPARATUS TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to a system and structure to facilitate positioning of container-handling apparatus and of a container for engagement of the container by the container-handling apparatus. It has particular application to loading and unloading of intermodal, shipping or cargo containers by container-handling equipment, where the containers are being used for the handling of bulk materials, such as ore, coal, grain, fluids etc., for shipping/transport purposes. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] For many years, a common method for loading ISO-style shipping containers into the holds of, or onto the decks of, ships, barges and the like is via a mobile harbour crane, ship's crane or other slewing type crane or lifting device. [0003] This method can however be difficult and somewhat dangerous due to uncontrolled and/or uncontrollable movement, such as swing of various items during the connection of the crane's lifting device to the container, and when subsequently returning the emptied container to the ground for disconnection. One or more persons may need to manipulate a lanyard or rope system to control and line up the container handling apparatus (mobile harbour crane etc.) with the container. [0004] This uncontrolled and/or uncontrollable movement can be caused by a number of factors, such as wind, boat / ship wash, ballasting error or operator's error. [0005] Over the years, many basic, and fairly rudimentary, loading frames have been manufactured with a view to minimising the effects of the above. [0006] With the advent of container rotation systems and container tipplers for the loading of bulk ore ships, this problem is now exacerbated due to the requirements of higher loading cycles to meet customer requirements. [0007] To meet the requirements of container-handling and rotating apparatus (such as the ROTAINER* apparatus described in the Applicant's International (PCT) Application No. PCT/AU2010/001337), there is a need for a purpose-designed container loading system.

2 [0008] A more efficient system would remove the need for one or two persons manipulating a lanyard or rope system to control and line up the container-handling apparatus (e.g. ROTAINER* apparatus) with the container, and would minimise the use of forklifts and other container-handling equipment (which might otherwise need to be over-employed in lining up the container with the container-handling apparatus) in the vicinity of the work area. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a structure to facilitate positioning of container-handling apparatus and of an intermodal, shipping or cargo container, for engagement of the container by the container-handling apparatus, the structure including: a substantially horizontal base upon which the container is to be positioned, for subsequent engagement by the container-handling apparatus; and at least one upwardly extending arm having a guide surface facing inwards (relative to the perimeter of the base); wherein the upwardly extending arm(s) are sized and located with reference to the dimensions of the container-handling apparatus and the position of the container on the base, to thereby guide the container-handling apparatus into a position in which it can engage with the container positioned on the base. [00010] According to a first aspect of the invention, a structure to facilitate positioning of container-handling apparatus and of an intermodal, shipping or cargo container, for engagement of the container by the container-handling apparatus, includes: a substantially horizontal base having a container-locating area, with marker(s) at or proximal to its perimeter, to define the position for receiving the container (for subsequent engagement by the container-handling apparatus); and at or proximal to the perimeter of the container-locating area, at least one upwardly extending arm having a guide surface facing toward the container-locating area; wherein the upwardly extending arm(s) are sized and located with reference to the dimensions of the container-handling apparatus and with reference to the container locating area, to thereby guide the container-handling apparatus into a position in which it can engage with a container within the container-locating area.

3 [00011] According to a second aspect of the invention, a structure to facilitate positioning of container-handling apparatus and of an intermodal, shipping or cargo container, for engagement of the container by the container-handling apparatus, includes: a substantially horizontal base upon which the container is to be positioned, for subsequent engagement by the container-handling apparatus; and at least one upwardly extending arm having a guide surface facing inwards (relative to the perimeter of the base); wherein the upwardly extending arm(s) are sized and located with reference to the dimensions of the container-handling apparatus and the position of the container on the base, to thereby guide the container-handling apparatus into a position in which it can engage with the container positioned on the base; and wherein each upwardly extending arm has at least one support, each of which includes one or more pad of shock-absorbing or impact-absorbing material. [00012] Preferably, each upwardly extending arm includes two upwardly extending sections, with an angle of at least 900 therebetween, located at or proximal to a corner of the container-locating area. In a preferred embodiment, there are two such upwardly extending arms, located at or proximal to the corners at either end of at least one of the longitudinal sides of a substantially rectangular container-locating area of the base. More preferably, the angle between the two sections of each upwardly extending arm is substantially 105'. [00013] Also, the upper part of each upwardly extending arm preferably has a sloping portion which tapers inwards (relative to the perimeter of the base) from the upper edge to the lower edge of that upper part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. [00015] In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the structure of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an end view of the structure of Figure 1; 4 Figure 5 is a perspective view of the structure of Figure 1, with a first container in the container-locating area of its base; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the structure and container of Figure 5, also showing the container-handling apparatus descending toward the first container; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the structure and container of Figure 5, and also shows the container-handling apparatus engaging with the first container; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the structure of Figure 1, with the first container having been transported away from the structure of the present invention by the container-handling apparatus; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the structure of Figure 1, with the first container (after having been emptied) being transported back toward the structure by the container handling apparatus, and with a second container having been placed in the container locating area of the base in readiness for handling by the container-handling apparatus; and Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views of the structure of Figure 1, showing the container-handling apparatus replacing the first container which has been emptied (Figure 10), and then picking up a second container from the container-locating area of the base of the structure (Figure 11). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [00016] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes an exemplary embodiment, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain of the parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration. [00017] Also, in order to simplify nomenclature, various upwardly extending arm(s) are referred to as "vertical arm(s)". However, it should be noted that these references to "vertical arm(s)" include within their scope substantially vertical arm(s), and also arm(s) having portions (such as sloping portions of their upper parts) which are not themselves vertical.

5 [00018] An embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figures 1 to 11. The structure 10 of the present invention includes a base 11 (which is substantially horizontal) and vertical arms 12. The base and vertical arms may, for example, be joined together by a bolting or pinning system, or any other suitable system. [00019] The vertical arm(s) 12 are sized and angled with reference to the corresponding dimensions of the container-handling apparatus 14, so as to assist with guiding the container-handling apparatus to a position which allows easy connection to a container 15 or 15a. [00020] The vertical arm(s) 12 preferably each include two separate upwardly extending sections 12a, and may be positioned atop an elevating structure 13 (preferably, a framework structure), to thereby elevate the vertical arm(s) 12 above the level of the base 11. The elevating structure 13 may, for example, be a substantially rectangular, cubic or box-like structure located beneath each section 12a of the vertical arm(s) 12. [00021] The vertical arms 12 are preferably corner structures, each comprising two upwardly extending sections 12a with an angle of at least 900 therebetween, located at or proximal to the corners at either end of at least one of the longitudinal sides of a container-locating area 16 of the base. More preferably, the angle between the two sections of each corner structure is substantially 105'. [00022] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5 (in particular), the two sections 12a of each corner structure 12 may be separate from each other. However, in an alternative embodiment, the adjacent vertical (longitudinal) edges of the two sections 12a are joined together, at an appropriate angle, to form a single corner structure 12. [00023] A loaded container 15 is placed in a container-locating area 16, such as a substantially rectangular receptacle, forming part of the base and designed to locate the container in a pre-determined position. The container-locating area 16 may be defined by marker(s) (such as upwardly extending marker(s) at its perimeter). The marker(s) may, for example, be an upturned rim surrounding the container-locating area. [00024] Once the container 15 is appropriately located, the container-handling apparatus 14 is swung over the top of the structure of the present invention and rested against the top of its vertical arm(s) 12. The vertical arm(s) 12 act as guide arms to ensure that the container-handling apparatus 14 and the container 15 are properly aligned.

6 [00025] Preferably, there are two upwardly extending sections 12a, with an angle of more than 900 between them, located at (or proximal to) and defining corners at each end of one of the longitudinal sides of a substantially rectangular container-locating area 16. The two pairs of sections 12a combine to form two corner structures 12, which cooperate with the container-handling apparatus 14 to thereby guide it into a position in which it can engage with the container 15. The angle between the two sections 12a of each corner structure 12 may, for example, be substantially 1050. [00026] A set of large rollers or wheels 17 may be fitted to a lower part 18 (which preferably tapers inwards, from the top to bottom of that lower part) of the container handling apparatus 14. The rollers/wheels 17 meet and cooperate with the section(s) 12a of the corner structures 12 to ensure that the container-handling apparatus is positioned perpendicularly above the container. To facilitate this guiding/positioning of the container-handling apparatus 14 by the vertical arm(s) 12, the upper part 12b of each upwardly extending section 12a preferably has a sloping portion which tapers inwards (relative to the perimeter of the base) from the upper edge to the lower edge of that upper part 12b. Cooperation between the rollers/wheels 17 of the container-handling apparatus 14 and the sloping upper part 12b of some or all of the sections 12a effectively funnels the container-handling apparatus 14 into correct alignment to pick up the container 15 from the structure of the present invention. [00027] Due to the considerable weight and swing mass of the container-handling apparatus 14 and of the loaded container 15, a cushioning or energy/impact-absorbing system is preferably incorporated. That cushioning or energy/impact-absorbing system may be a device which includes one or more pad of shock-absorbing or impact absorbing material. That cushioning or energy/impact-absorbing system may be a device which includes one or more pad 19 of shock-absorbing or impact-absorbing material (e.g. rubber). [00028] Reinforcing struts (supports) 20 may also be incorporated to strengthen the impact/shock resistance of the vertical arm(s) 12, and to form part of the cushioning or energy/impact-absorbing system. The pad(s) 19 of shock-absorbing or impact-absorbing material may conveniently be located at an end (fulcrum point) of each reinforcing strut, where it attaches to another part of the structure of the present invention (for example, base 11 or elevating structure 13). [00029] As depicted in Figures 6 and 7, once the container-handling apparatus 14 and the container 15 are aligned, the container-handling apparatus is lowered to the 7 container, preferably whilst being guided by rollers or wheels 17 fitted to the lower part 18 of the container-handling apparatus. The container-locating apparatus, when sufficiently lowered, is connected to the container, and is then used to move the container to a ship, barge etc. for discharge. [00030] As depicted in Figure 8, the container-handling apparatus moves the container 15 to a ship, barge etc. for emptying of the container's payload into the hold of the vessel. The container-handling apparatus may include an automated lid-opening-and closing mechanism to remove the container's lid 15b, and then replace the lid on the container after it has been emptied. [00031] The emptied container 15 is then replaced on the loading area (dock, container terminal etc.). In a preferred embodiment (as depicted in Figure 10), the emptied container 15 is moved by the container-handling apparatus to a position above (and aligned with) a second receptacle at the front of the structure 10, lowered to that second receptacle, and then released. However, the positioning of the emptied container 15 is less crucial than the initial positioning of a loaded container awaiting pick-up by the container-handling apparatus, as the emptied container 15 can then be moved away by a forklift or similar equipment, the movement and positioning of which may not necessarily be automated. [00032] In the meantime, and as depicted in Figure 9, whilst that first container 15 is in transit to and from the ship, a further loaded container 15a has been placed (using a forklift or similar equipment) on the container-locating area 16 of the structure 10. This further loaded container 15a, thus positioned and awaiting pick-up by the container handling apparatus 14, acts as ballast to weigh down the structure 10 when an empty container 15 is moved to and from structure 10. This will minimise the risk of the structure 10 and empty container 15 sliding along the ground. [00033] The container-handling apparatus 14, when disconnected from the empty container 15, is then raised, and moved towards the vertical arm(s) 12 of the structure, so as to pick up the further loaded container 15a. [00034] Forklift tyne pockets 21 may be fitted to or included in the structure (e.g. at or near the middle of one longitudinal side of the base 11) to allow easy transportation (by forklift or similar apparatus) around the loading area (dock, container terminal etc.), as needed.

8 [00035] The system and structure of the present invention is particularly suited to modern cranes or other container-handling apparatus that have a "point-to-point" guidance/positioning system. This means that the coordinates for pick-up and replacing of containers can be pre-set to semi-automate the loading process. [00036] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be appreciated that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the principles and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A structure to facilitate positioning of container-handling apparatus and of an intermodal, shipping or cargo container, for engagement of the container by the container-handling apparatus, the structure including: a substantially horizontal base having a container-locating area, with marker(s) at or proximal to its perimeter, to define the position for receiving the container (for subsequent engagement by the container-handling apparatus); and at or proximal to the perimeter of the container-locating area, at least one upwardly extending arm having a guide surface facing toward the container-locating area; wherein the upwardly extending arm(s) are sized and located with reference to the dimensions of the container-handling apparatus and with reference to the container locating area, to thereby guide the container-handling apparatus into a position in which it can engage with a container within the container-locating area; and wherein the upwardly extending arm(s) incorporate an energy/impact-absorbing system or device.

2. A structure according to Claim 1, wherein the container-locating area of the base is substantially rectangular, and each upwardly extending arm includes two upwardly extending sections with an angle of at least 900 therebetween, located at or proximal to a corner of the container-locating area.

3. A structure to facilitate positioning of container-handling apparatus and of an intermodal, shipping or cargo container, for engagement of the container by the container-handling apparatus, the structure including: a substantially horizontal base upon which the container is to be positioned, for subsequent engagement by the container-handling apparatus; and at least one upwardly extending arm having a guide surface facing inwards (relative to the perimeter of the base); 10 wherein the upwardly extending arm(s) are sized and located with reference to the dimensions of the container-handling apparatus and the position of the container on the base, to thereby guide the container-handling apparatus into a position in which it can engage with the container positioned on the base; and wherein each upwardly extending arm has at least one support, each of which includes one or more pad of shock-absorbing or impact-absorbing material.

4. A structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper part of each upwardly extending arm has a sloping portion which tapers inwards (relative to the perimeter of the base) from the upper edge to the lower edge of that upper part.

5. A structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein a container with payload is located within or on the container-locating area to form ballast.