AU2022271418A1

AU2022271418A1 - A spreader for use with a reach stacker

Info

Publication number: AU2022271418A1
Application number: AU2022271418A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Murray Robert BRIDLE
Original assignee: Container Rotation Systems Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Container Rotation Systems Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-13
Filing date: 2022-11-16
Publication date: 2023-06-29

Abstract

A spreader for use with a reach stacker is described including: an elongate beam; the beam is arranged to be mounted in association with the boom of a reach stacker; the beam includes attachment points for attaching a container handling device to the beam; wherein the beam is hollow and includes an arrangement of internal stiffening members. 0 II II U 0 0 === '.0 III II - 0 Ii] I 0 '.0

Description

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I A SPREADER FOR USE WITH A REACH STACKER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a spreader for a reach stacker and particularly relates to a spreader for attaching a container rotating cargo handling system to a reach stacker that is lightweight in construction.

Background to the Invention

A reach stacker is a vehicle normally used for handling intermodal cargo containers in small terminals or medium-sized ports. The reach stacker has a lifting boom which is fitted with an attachment known as a spreader.

The spreader will normally include twist locks which can be used to engage with pockets located at the corners of a cargo container. The twist locks are provided on telescopic arms which can be extended or retracted by the operator of the reach stacker to allow the spreader to engage with containers of various lengths to lift and move the containers.

It is also possible to use a reach stacker with a cargo handling system which is arranged to pick up cargo containers and rotate the containers to tip out the contents of the containers. These types of cargo handling systems are used for handling dry bulk goods in granular or powdered form. An example of one of these systems is the Rotainer@ produced by Container Rotation Systems Pty Ltd (www.rotainer.com). (See figure 1).

To use one of these rotating systems with a reach stacker the cargo handling device is suspended from the reach stacker and attached by four eyelets which provided on the upper face of the cargo handling device. The reach stacker can then carry the cargo handling device around an area to pick up containers, and to tip the contents of the containers out.

An example of such an implementation could be at a mineral processing plant. Ore concentrate may arrive by truck at the plant loaded into open topped, lidded intermodal containers. A reach stacker with a rotating type cargo handling device attaches to the container and lifts it from the truck. The reach stacker then moves to a location adjacent to a hopper for receiving the ore. The reach stacker holds the container over the hopper and then lifts the lid of the container and rotates the container. The ore in the container falls into the hopper. The ore may then drop onto a conveyor where it is carried into the plant for processing. The empty container is replaced in the truck which leaves with the empty container.

There remains an ongoing need to improve the efficiency of cargo handling operations.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the present invention provides a spreader for use with a reach stacker including: an elongate beam; the beam is arranged to be mounted in association with the boom of a reach stacker; the beam includes attachment points for attaching a container handling device to the beam; wherein the beam is hollow and includes an arrangement of internal stiffening members.

The beam may be of substantially rectangular cross section having a generally planar bottom wall, a generally planar top wall, and first and second generally planar side walls which extend between the bottom and top walls.

The arrangement of internal stiffening members may include first and second longitudinal members which extend along the inside of the bottom wall and are located proximate the respective first and second side walls.

The arrangement of internal stiffening members may further include transverse stiffening ribs which are oriented transversely to the length of the beam, and which overlie the longitudinal members.

The arrangement of internal stiffening members may further include longitudinal stiffening ribs which extend between the transverse stiffening ribs, and overlie the longitudinal members.

The transverse stiffening ribs may be spaced more closely at a centre region of the beam than at other regions.

The spreader may include a support frame which supports the beam and attaches the beam to the arm of the reach stacker.

The lateral position of the beam with respect to the support frame may be adjustable in a direction along the length of the beam.

The sreader may include at least one hydraulic ram that operates between the beam and the support frame to adjust the lateral position of the beam.

The support frame may include a rotatable mounting which allows the rotational orientation of the beam to be adjusted.

In a secondf aspect the present invention provides a reach stacker including a spreader according to the first aspect of the invention.

The reach stacker may further including a cargo handling system attached to the spreader.

The cargo handling system may be a rotating container type system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art rotating container type of cargo handling system; Figure 2 shows a reach stacker with the cargo handling system of figure 1 attached by way of a spreader; Figure 3 is a side view of the spreader of figure 1 with the attachment mechanism removed; Figure 3A is an exploded view of one of the support pad assemblies of the spreader of figure 3; Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of the beam of the spreader of figure 3; Figure 5 is a lower perspective view of the beam of figure 4; Figure 6 is a top view of the beam of figure 4; Figure 7 is an end view of the beam of figure 4; Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of the beam of figure 3 with components of the internal stiffening arrangement shown in dotted outline; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the beam of figure 3; Figure 10A and 1OB illustrate the limits of movement of a lateral adjustment of the position of the beam in the spreader of figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to figure 1, a prior art cargo container handling apparatus 10 for handling cargo containers 90 with lids 92 is shown. The apparatus 10 is a containerised bulk handling apparatus sold under the trade mark ROTAINER* by Container Rotation Systems Pty Ltd (www.containerrotationsystems.com). Apparatus 10 includes a main body 20 and a container engagement arrangement for engaging with a cargo container in the form of two arms 22, each of which are pivotally mounted to body 20 and are each fitted with a pair of twist locks for engaging with twist lock pockets provided at the top corners of the container 90 in a known fashion. The arms 22 are associated with hydraulic actuators (not visible) which can be operated to rotate the arms with respect to the body 20 to rotate the container 90. The container 90 includes strengthening ribs along its side wall to support the side wall during a rotation operation.

Apparatus 10 further includes a container lid lifting mechanism in the form of lid lifting assemblies 24 which are associated with the body for engaging with a lid 92 of the container 90 and are also associated with hydraulic actuators which are arranged to move the lid lifting assemblies 24 between a raised position and a lowered position to thereby move the lid of the container between a closed condition and an open condition.

Body 10 is attachable to a lifting device in the form of a reach stacker by way of attaching chains to eyelets 30 so that the combination of the handling apparatus 10 container 90 and lid 92 may be lifted off the ground and moved to different locations in an area.

Referring to figure 2, cargo handling device 10 is shown attached to the boom of a reach stacker 100 by way of a spreader 40 of novel and lightweight construction.

Spreader 40 includes an attachment mechanism 41, a support mechanism and an elongate beam 50. The attachment mechanism 41 attaches to the boom of the reach stacker 100. The support mechanism 42 is rotatably attached to the attachment mechanism 41. The support mechanism supports beam 50 which is located in an aperture which extends through the support mechanism body 42.

Referring to figure 3, the support mechanism 42 and beam 50 are shown separated from the attachment mechanism. The support mechanism 42 attaches to the attachment mechanism by way of a circular toothed flange 43. The attachment mechanism includes a motor which can be actuated by the operator of the reach stacker to rotate the support mechanism 42 with the respect to the attachment mechanism for the purpose of aligning the cargo handling device to pick up containers in use.

Beam 50 is supported on two support pad assemblies 44 which are pivotally mounted in the support structure body. Referring to figure 3A, each of the support pad assemblies 44 includes two support pads 46 located on the upper surface of the support pad assemblies at either end of the support pad assembly. These are formed from a wear resistant metal and support the beam 50 from the underside, contacting the outer face of the lower wall 54 of the beam 50 at regions proximate the side walls 57, 58.

Referring to figures 4 to 7, beam 50 includes attachment points for attaching the container handling device to the beam in the form of eyelets 52. Beam 50 is of hollow construction and is rectangular in cross section having a generally planar bottom wall 54, a generally planar top wall 56, and first and second generally planar side walls 57, 58 which extend between the bottom and top walls. Padeyes 70, 72 are welded to the side faces of the beam and are used in effecting a side shift function of the spreader as will be described.

Referring to figures 8 and 9, beam 50 includes an arrangement of internal stiffening members which are shown in dotted outline as follows:

a) first and second longitudinal members 60, 62 which are welded in place and extend along the inside of the bottom wall 54, located proximate the respective first and second side walls 57, 58. The longitudinal members 60, 62 lie in the regions of the beam which bear against the support pads 46 in use.

b) transverse stiffening ribs 64 which are welded in place and are oriented transversely to the length of the beam, and which overlie the longitudinal members 60, 62. The transverse stiffening ribs 64 are spaced more closely at the centre region of the beam than at either side of the centre region.

c) longitudinal stiffening ribs 66 which are welded in place and extend between the transverse stiffening ribs 64, and overlie the longitudinal members 60, 62.

Referring again to figure 3, the support pad assemblies bear against the underside of the beam 50. The longitudinal members 60, 61 resist buckling of the beam. In turn, the transverse ribs 64 resist bending of the longitudinal members 60, 61. Still further, the longitudinal ribs 66 add further stiffness to the arrangement and also serve to resist buckling or deformation of the transverse ribs 64 to further reinforce the integrity of the structure of the beam.

The arrangement of internal stiffening members gives the beam 50 strength to resist the bending moments imparted by the weight of the cargo handling device 10 and container 100 combination which is suspended from the eyelets 52 in use, whilst at the same time, the beam 50 remains of overall lightweight construction.

The beam 50 is for use with a cargo handling device of known dimensions. This means that it does not need to include telescopic arms to accommodate picking up containers of various sizes as seen in traditional spreaders. This further reduces the weight of the spreader 40.

Referring now to figures 10A and 1OB, a side shift function of the spreader will be described which allows the lateral position of the beam with respect to the support frame to be adjusted in a direction along the length of the beam. This function is used by the operator of the reach stacker to align the cargo handling system 10 with a container to be picked up.

Commencing from the central position shown in figure 3, the beam 50 can be side shifted to the left or to the right by operation of a hydraulic ram 74 which is affixed at one end to padeye 70 and at the other end to support mechanism 42. The internal strengthening arrangement is arranged to accommodate the various bending moments introduced by the side shifting function.

In figure 10A, ram 74 is in a fully extended position, the beam is shifted fully to the left. The maximum bending moment on the beam is experienced at the point of contact of the support pad at point A. However, in this position, the closely spaced region of transverse ribs 64 in the centre of the beam is now located above the point A, which is the region of maximum stiffness of the beam.

In figure 1OB, ram 74 is in a fully retracted position, the beam is shifted fully to the right. The maximum bending moment on the beam is experienced at the point of contact of the support pad at point B. However, again in this position, the closely spaced region of transverse ribs 64 in the centre of the beam is now located above the point B, which is the region of maximum stiffness of the beam.

Another hydraulic ram may be provided at the hidden side of the spreader, operating between padeye 72 and the support mechanism body 42 in unison with ram

74. The operator of the reach stacker can actuate the rams to adjust the lateral position of the beam 50 to any point within the range between the positions shown in figure 1OA and 1OB. In addition, the angular orientation of the cargo handling device can be adjusted by rotation of the support mechanism by way of toothed flange 46 as described above. These modes of adjustment allow the operator of the reach stacker align the cargo handling device with a container to be picked up.

Reach stackers are rated with a safe working load (SWL) which limits the weight they can safely carry. The effective safe working load of the reach stacker is reduced by the combined tare weight of the spreader and cargo handling system used in conjunction with the spreader. This in turn dictates the net weight of material that can be safely handled in each container.

Spreaders according to the present invention weigh several tons less than conventional spreaders. This weight saving directly increases the permissible net weight of bulk product that can be loaded into each container. Thus, the amount of material handled in each container can be increased which increases the throughput of the loading operation, improving the efficiency of the operations of the reach stacker.

In the alternative, spreaders according to the invention will allow a reach stacker of reduced SWL capacity to work the same loads as a higher rated reach stacker using a conventional spreader. Thus, cost savings can be achieved by deploying a reach stacker of reduced size and weight as compared to use with a conventional reach stacker.

It can be seen that embodiments of the invention have at least one of the following advantages:

• Spreader is of lightweight construction • Reduced weight of spreader allows use of reach stacker with containers filled with increased nett weight of product, carrying more material in each container and reducing the number of loading manoeuvres. • A reach stacker of lower rating can be used to move the same amount of material as a higher rated reach stacker using a conventional spreader.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A spreader for use with a reach stacker including: an elongate beam; the beam is arranged to be mounted in association with the boom of a reach stacker; the beam includes attachment points for attaching a container handling device to the beam; wherein the beam is hollow and includes an arrangement of internal stiffening members.

2. A spreader according to claim 1 wherein the beam is of substantially rectangular cross section having a generally planar bottom wall, a generally planar top wall, and first and second generally planar side walls which extend between the bottom and top walls.

3. A spreader according to claim 2 wherein the arrangement of internal stiffening members includes first and second longitudinal members which extend along the inside of the bottom wall and are located proximate the respective first and second side walls.

4. A spreader according to claim 3 wherein the arrangement of internal stiffening members further includes transverse stiffening ribs which are oriented transversely to the length of the beam, and which overlie the longitudinal members.

5. A spreader according to claim 4 wherein the arrangement of internal stiffening members further includes longitudinal stiffening ribs which extend between the transverse stiffening ribs, and overlie the longitudinal members.

6. A spreader according to either of claims 4 or 5 wherein the transverse stiffening ribs are spaced more closely at a centre region of the beam than at other regions.

7. A spreader according to any preceding claim which includes a support frame which supports the beam and attaches the beam to the arm of the reach stacker.

8. A spreader according to claim 7 wherein the lateral position of the beam with respect to the support frame is adjustable in a direction along the length of the beam.

9. A spreader according to claim 8 which includes at least one hydraulic ram that operates between the beam and the support frame to adjust the lateral position of the beam.

10. A spreader according to any one of claims 7 to 9 wherein the support frame includes a rotatable mounting which allows the rotational orientation of the beam to be adjusted.

11. A reach stacker including a spreader according to any preceding claim.

12. A reach stacker according to clam 11 further including a cargo handling system attached to the spreader.

13. A reach stacker according to claim 12 wherein the cargo handling system is a rotating container type system.