EP0699164B1 - Container transfer process and arrangement - Google Patents

Container transfer process and arrangement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0699164B1
EP0699164B1 EP94918382A EP94918382A EP0699164B1 EP 0699164 B1 EP0699164 B1 EP 0699164B1 EP 94918382 A EP94918382 A EP 94918382A EP 94918382 A EP94918382 A EP 94918382A EP 0699164 B1 EP0699164 B1 EP 0699164B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
intercoupling
container
units
intermediate coupling
holder means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94918382A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0699164A1 (en
Inventor
Hans Tax
Dieter Bauer
Klaus HÖSLER
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tax Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH
Original Assignee
Tax Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0699164A1 publication Critical patent/EP0699164A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0699164B1 publication Critical patent/EP0699164B1/en
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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/0006Coupling devices between containers, e.g. ISO-containers
    • B65D90/0013Twist lock
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/0006Coupling devices between containers, e.g. ISO-containers
    • B65D90/0013Twist lock
    • B65D90/002Apparatus for manual or automatic installation/removal of twist-lock
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66CCRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C1/00Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
    • B66C1/10Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
    • B66C1/62Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled
    • B66C1/66Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled for engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof
    • B66C1/663Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled for engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof for containers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66CCRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C17/00Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports
    • B66C17/06Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forges; combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes
    • B66C17/20Overhead travelling cranes comprising one or more substantially horizontal girders the ends of which are directly supported by wheels or rollers running on tracks carried by spaced supports specially adapted for particular purposes, e.g. in foundries, forges; combined with auxiliary apparatus serving particular purposes for hoisting or lowering heavy load carriers, e.g. freight containers, railway wagons
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66CCRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
    • B66C19/00Cranes comprising trolleys or crabs running on fixed or movable bridges or gantries
    • B66C19/002Container cranes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for moving containers which have upper container corner fittings for coupling with coupling means of a spreader in their upper corners and lower container corner fittings for connection to the upper corner fittings of a respective lower container or with corresponding carrier fittings in their lower corners of a container carrier, between a first stand, at which the respective container with its lower container corner fittings is secured by detachable intermediate coupling units on upper container corner fittings of a lower container or on corresponding carrier fittings of a container carrier, and a second stand
  • the intermediate coupling units first being detached from the lower container or the container carrier in the context of this method, and the container to be moved is s or is then lifted from the lower container or the carrier by means of a spreader, taking the intermediate coupling units with it, the intermediate coupling units are then removed from the lower container corner fittings, and the container to be moved, which is freed from the intermediate coupling units, is then brought to the said second location.
  • Such a method is used, for example, when containers are arranged on the deck of a container transport ship lying against a quay edge and these containers have to be brought from the deck to a land-side storage location by a ship loading crane or container loading crane.
  • the containers are on the deck of the container transport ship on the deck floor by means of intermediate coupling units secured. If the containers are arranged one above the other on deck, the upper container is also secured to the lower container by intermediate coupling units.
  • the intermediate coupling units can be detached both from the lower container or from the deck and from the respective upper container.
  • the container to be relocated is detached from the container adjacent to the bottom or from the deck of the container ship, in that the intermediate coupling units, while maintaining their connection with the respective container to be relocated, the deck of the container ship can be solved. This is done by hand.
  • the work crew on deck of the ship uses operating rods, insofar as the coupling points are not readily accessible, to access the coupling points, ie the respective actuators of the intermediate coupling units. If a container to be moved is then released, it is raised, after it has been connected to a spreader before the solution, and transported in the direction of the new land-based stand.
  • the invention has for its object to shorten the transfer times in a method for transferring containers of the type mentioned, to limit the difficult and dangerous human work and also to make the transfer process cheaper.
  • the container to be moved is placed on its way from the first location to the second location on an intermediate coupling holder means which, according to a distribution image corresponding to the arrangement of upper container corner fittings Receptacles for the intermediate coupling units is equipped, the intermediate coupling units engaging with these receptacles, the intermediate coupling units are then uncoupled from the container positioned opposite the intermediate coupling holder means, and the container to be moved is then conveyed on to the intermediate coupling holder means, leaving the intermediate coupling units behind second stand.
  • the invention also relates to a method for moving containers which have upper container corner fittings for coupling with coupling means of a spreader on the upper corner and lower container corner fittings for connection with upper container corner fittings in their lower corners each of a lower container or with corresponding carrier fittings of a container carrier, between a second stand and a first stand, at which the lower container corner fittings of the container to be moved are arranged by means of intermediate coupling units to upper container corner fittings of a lower container or corresponding carrier fittings of a container Carrier are to be coupled, the container to be moved being equipped with the intermediate coupling units on its way from the second location, where it was accommodated without intermediate coupling units, to the first location and then transported further to the first stand by means of a spreader and placed there on the lower container or the container carrier and connected to the upper container corner fittings of the lower container or the carrier fittings there by means of the intermediate coupling units.
  • the object of the invention is to shorten the conversion times, to limit the amount of tedious
  • the container to be moved coming from the second position is first placed on intermediate coupling holder means which, according to a distribution pattern corresponding to the arrangement of upper container corner fittings or carrier fittings, have receptacles for intermediate coupling units and are equipped with intermediate coupling units in these receptacles that the container to be moved is connected to the intermediate coupling units during its positioning relative to the intermediate coupling holder means, and that the container to be moved is then brought from the intermediate coupling holder means to the first location, taking it down on the respective lower container or the container carrier, and mediating the Intermediate coupling units is secured.
  • the containers can also be set down and anchored on the deck of the container ship without human effort by putting the intermediate coupling units in preparatory positions before putting them on the ship, in which they are inevitably lowered further by lowering surfaces in the upper corner fittings below Containers or in the carrier fittings on the deck and after threading through these fittings by spring preload in a locking position. So there is only the need to detach the containers in the import, ie when loading from the ship on land, from the container below or the carrier fittings on deck.
  • the intermediate coupling units are removed from the respective receptacle and fed to a memory. Care should be taken to ensure that the transfer of the intermediate coupling units from the respective receptacle to a storage location is carried out while maintaining the orientation of the intermediate coupling unit in space or with an orderly reorientation; this measure is particularly desirable because it allows the intermediate coupling units to be preserved or ordered corrected position can also be removed from the memory again using simple handling means.
  • the intermediate coupling units are fed from a memory to the respective receptacle when a container is exported, ie. H. from a stand on land to a stand on ship. In both cases it is desirable that the intermediate coupling units are moved between their respective storage location and the respective receptacle while maintaining their orientation in space or with an orderly reorientation.
  • intermediate coupling units are transported from the receptacles of the intermediate coupling holder means by mechanical transport means to the respective storage location or are transported from the respective storage location to the respective accommodation location by mechanical transport means.
  • the situation in many ports is often as follows:
  • the containers are lifted from the ship by a container loading crane that can be moved along the quay edge and are not brought directly to the final location, but are handed over to the transfer spreader of the ship loading crane at a transfer point and from a land transport vehicle, usually taken over again by means of a spreader.
  • the shore-side transport vehicle then takes the rest of the way to a container stacking place or a shore-side means of transport, such as a truck or a train.
  • the container loading cranes can often be moved along a quay edge in order to be able to operate different longitudinal sections of a ship lying against the quay edge one after the other. If the trolley running on the bridge girder of such a container loading crane with the container loading crane successively reaches different longitudinal positions along the quay edge, then according to a development of the method according to the invention it is advantageous if the intermediate coupling holder means with a container loading crane are different Jobs of this container loading crane are taken. Then, every time the container loading crane has changed its position along the quay edge, the intermediate coupling bracket is located at the new location already available in the correct position to receive a container floating on the trolley of the bridge girder in the correct position.
  • the invention in another aspect, relates to a device for moving containers between two stands.
  • intermediate coupling holder means with receptacles for intermediate coupling units, these intermediate coupling holder means having receptacles for intermediate coupling units according to a distribution picture corresponding to the arrangement of lower container corner fittings.
  • mechanical actuation means for detaching or coupling a respective intermediate coupling unit from or to a container is provided for each respective holder of the intermediate coupling holder means assigned.
  • the mechanical actuation means for different types of intermediate coupling units can be configured and / or exchanged. In this way, there is at least the chance to be able to use at least the heavy and difficult-to-transport parts of the intermediate coupling holder means not only for one type of intermediate coupling unit, but for a large number of types, if possible all types available on the market.
  • the retrofitting of the intermediate clutch holder means to different types of intermediate clutch units can be facilitated in particular by the fact that the mechanical actuation means have at least one holder-side power device in spatial association with a respective receptacle and that on this holder-side power device in adaptation to different intermediate clutch units different attack means for attacking intermediate clutch units and / or power transmission means can be coupled. In this way, the conversion work can often be reduced to a part of the specific resources for individual intermediate coupling units.
  • intermediate coupling units of different designs which can be used, there are those with a base and an adjustable engagement head above and below the base, as well as those in which the base is only equipped with a lower engagement head that can be rotated relative to the base is and the connection with the respective lower corner fitting of an upper container is made or solved in that the entire base is rotated with a base-fixed engaging head attached to the respective lower corner fitting.
  • a rotary unit will be assigned to a respective receptacle, this rotary unit being designed and designed to interact with lower coupling subunits of intermediate coupling units, namely those subunits which are designed and designed for engagement in upper container corner fittings or carrier fittings are so that this rotating unit can loosen or lock the intermediate coupling unit against a respective lower container corner fitting by rotating the intermediate coupling unit as a whole within the respective receptacle.
  • the actuating means are designed to engage with adjusting means of the intermediate coupling unit, which effect the release of the respective intermediate coupling unit from or its locking on a respective lower container corner fitting.
  • the intermediate coupling units are to be transported between the intermediate coupling holder means and a storage device without substantial human labor, it is provided that the receptacles of the intermediate coupling holder means are each connected via a transport path to a storage unit for intermediate coupling units, this transport path being used for maintaining orientation or orderly reorientation of the intermediate coupling units is trained.
  • the memories can be designed in such a way that different intermediate coupling units can be received and released in one and the same memory, for example in different compartments or areas.
  • the memory can be removed from the intermediate coupling holder means, so that a full memory can be replaced by an empty one and vice versa if necessary.
  • an intermediate coupling unit is provided with orientation preservation or correction means which are coordinated with positioning surfaces of intermediate coupling units, in particular with positioning surfaces of lower sub-units of intermediate coupling units which are adapted to standardized upper container corner fittings .
  • orientation preservation or correction means of the transport path or the storage locations are formed by mutually facing edges and / or upward contact surfaces by slot delimitation strips.
  • the memory or the memories can be an areal or spatial memory; accordingly, the transport routes to and within the store must be designed in a variety of ways.
  • the intermediate clutch holder means be made of there are boxes which are movable relative to one another and which allow the recordings to be adjusted to different distribution images in accordance with the arrangement of upper and lower container corner fittings on containers of different dimensions.
  • the stores may have to accommodate significant numbers of intermediate coupling units. This can lead to housing problems for the intermediate coupling units and thus also for the correspondingly large storage units. Assuming again that the intermediate coupling holder means are arranged on or just above a driving lane and that piste-accessible container transport vehicles are used to position containers in relation to the intermediate coupling holder means, it can be difficult to accommodate these stores in such a way that the piste-accessible container transport vehicles can still approach the intermediate coupling holder means undisturbed.
  • One possible solution to this problem is that the memory or individual receptacles assigned to individual receptacles for intermediate coupling units are arranged at least in part within a width dimension of the intermediate coupling holder means defined by the receptacles.
  • the piste-accessible container transport vehicles can then approach or move away from the intermediate coupling holder means at least along one lane in two directions, and there is still the possibility of bringing the storage to corresponding capacity by extending in this lane direction.
  • the intermediate coupling holder means In order to be able to use the intermediate coupling holder means in the area of a port at various points, it is proposed that the intermediate coupling holder means together with actuating means assigned to the receptacles and / or a memory or individual storage of the recordings are designed as a transportable unit, which can preferably be detected and implemented by a spreader, if necessary also after disassembly into sub-units.
  • the intermediate coupling holder means are connected by connecting means to a part of a container loading crane which can be passed over by a rail-less container transport vehicle approaching in the container transfer position and, if necessary Include power and control lines for the intermediate clutch holder means.
  • the connecting means can either grind on the piste or be guided by very low rollers or balls on the piste.
  • a possible breakdown could be that a spreader which is in connection with a container positioned on the intermediate coupling holder means is raised, under the erroneous assumption that the container with the intermediate coupling units coupled to it is decoupled from the receptacles of the intermediate coupling holder means.
  • the lifting of the container could result in extensive destruction of the intermediate coupling holder means or at least one of their receptacles.
  • securing means are provided which prevent a receptacle and associated functional parts from being taken along when a container is lifted relative to the intermediate coupling holder means if, despite issuing a release command to release the respective intermediate coupling unit from the container, this release command with respect to one or more intermediate coupling units has not been carried out or has been carried out incorrectly . It can be provided that the securing means emit a warning or control signal to an operator or to a lifting mechanism which serves to remove the container from the intermediate coupling holder means.
  • the intermediate coupling unit is used to release the intermediate coupling unit from a lower container corner fitting or for coupling to a lower container corner fitting whole must be rotated under the load of the container above it.
  • a rotating unit on the intermediate coupling holder means is required.
  • the rotating unit can be assigned a pretensioning device which is pre-tensioned in the release or coupling direction in such a way that when the intermediate coupling unit is relieved of the weight of the container, a rotation in the Release or coupling sense takes place during the relief phase.
  • the intermediate coupling holder means consist of a base frame and at least one movement frame that is adjustable relative to the base frame, by adjusting the distribution image of the receptacles to the respective container format is adaptable.
  • two movement frames can be provided on the base frame, which can be adjusted symmetrically in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the container relative to the base frame and possibly accommodate one or two stores (68) .
  • engagement fittings for spreading-side coupling means which can be adapted to different container formats on the spreader, can be provided on the intermediate coupling holder means.
  • a simple displacement of the intermediate coupling holder means can also be achieved if the intermediate coupling holder means are designed as a roadworthy unit or can be converted into such a unit and optionally coupled to a towing vehicle.
  • protective roof means are arranged on the intermediate coupling holder means in the area of the respective receptacles, on the one hand in such a way that they overlap with a properly approaching or raised expecting containers, on the other hand, so that they provide immediate protection or a short escape route for service personnel working at the respective reception. Additional security for service personnel can also be achieved in that the protective roof means is assigned a barrier which, when the service personnel exit the protective roof area, approaches road-going container transport vehicle in the lounge area of the service personnel.
  • the intermediate coupling holder means are provided with instruction means for a container.
  • a quay edge is designated by 10; this runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.
  • the quay edge 10 is followed by a runway 12 for rubber-tired vehicles.
  • Rails 14 for a container loading crane 16 are also laid parallel to the quay edge 10 on this quay runway 12.
  • the crane frame 16 consists of a portal with portal columns 16a and a trolley bridge girder 16b.
  • a trolley 18 drives onto your trolley bridge support 16b, which carries a so-called spreader via lifting cables 20, ie a container receiving frame 22 which corresponds approximately to the horizontal cross section of a container and is provided with so-called twistlocks 24 in its four corners, which are designed for coupling to upper corner fittings 26a of a container 26I to be moved.
  • the two containers 26I and 26II are stacked on the deck of a container loading ship 28.
  • the lower container 26II is coupled with lower corner fittings 26b by means of intermediate coupling units 30 to support fittings 32 of the ship 28.
  • the upper container 26I with its lower corner fittings 26b is in turn coupled to the upper corner fittings 26a of the lower container 26II by intermediate coupling units 30.
  • the container 26I is to be moved from its position A shown in FIG. 1 to a position B, where the position B can be located anywhere on the quay runway 12, for example within a container warehouse.
  • the spreader 22 is lowered onto the upper container 26I and connected to it by actuating the twistlocks 24.
  • the Twistlocks 24 must be imagined as a hammer-shaped structure, the hammer handle of which can be rotated about a vertical axis.
  • the hammer heads of the twistlocks 24 reach through elongated holes 26a1 of the upper corner fittings 26a (FIG. 1a); if they have passed through the elongated holes 26a1, the hammer handles are rotated about their vertical axes, so that the hammer heads 24a engage under the upper corner fittings 26a. Then the spreader 22 can lift the upper container 26I as soon as it is detached from the lower container 26II.
  • the intermediate coupling units 30 are uncoupled from the lower container 26II, while these intermediate coupling units 30 remain connected to the upper container 26I.
  • the upper container 26I can now be moved by the spreader 22 along a path a-b-c into a position C on an intermediate coupling holder 34. Please note: on the route a-b-c, the intermediate coupling units 30 are still coupled to the container 26I. Now you want to bring the container 26I ultimately into position B and, for example, park it on the quay slope 12, the intermediate coupling units 30 having to be uncoupled from the container 26I beforehand in order to park on the quay slope 12 in position B.
  • the container 26I is placed on the intermediate coupling holder 34 with the intermediate coupling units 30, that then, while the container 26I is on the intermediate coupling holder 34, the intermediate coupling units 30 are detached from the container 26I and that the container 26I is then removed from the Intermediate clutch holder 34 is removed again and brought into position B, the intermediate clutch units 30 are intended to remain on the intermediate clutch holder 34 and are to be inserted from there into a memory for intermediate clutch units.
  • the container 26I is gripped by a further spreader 36 by means of twistlocks 24 also provided on this spreader 36.
  • the spreader 36 is suspended by means of lifting ropes 38 on a gantry pallet truck 40, which can run on the quay piste 12 by means of wheels 42 which can be steered and preferably steerable, in order to bring the container 26I from position C to position B and place it there on the quay - Take off runway 12.
  • a gantry pallet truck 40 which can run on the quay piste 12 by means of wheels 42 which can be steered and preferably steerable, in order to bring the container 26I from position C to position B and place it there on the quay - Take off runway 12.
  • the trolley bridge girder 16b container loading crane 16 can be moved parallel to the quay edge 10, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1, in order to be able to successively lift containers from different parking spaces of the ship which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the ship , it is necessary to be able to also move the intermediate coupling holder 34 with the crane scaffold 16 in its different positions.
  • the intermediate coupling holder 34 is connected via a driver connection 44 to the portal column 16a of the crane scaffold for driving.
  • the driver 44 lies directly on the quay runway 12, so that the gantry truck 40 can be run over by the wheels 42 of the gantry truck 40 from position C when approaching the takeover position for taking over the container 26I. All supply lines which are necessary for the control and actuation of moving parts in the region of the intermediate coupling holder 34 can be laid in the driver 44.
  • the intermediate coupling holder 34 must be adapted to different container formats, the adaptation generally being able to be restricted to the longitudinal direction of the containers; the containers in question are standardized across the board; in the longitudinal direction there are different formats, e.g. B. 40-foot containers, 45-foot containers and 20-foot containers.
  • the intermediate coupling holder 34 in one position coordinated with a 20-foot container.
  • the intermediate coupling holder 34 consists of two boxes 46 which are guided in a base frame 50 by means of intermediate telescopic pieces 48.
  • the boxes 46 and the intermediate telescopic pieces 48 can be adjusted synchronously with respect to the base frame 50, so that one can optionally achieve the longitudinal dimensions according to FIGS. 2, 2a and 2b.
  • Guide plates 52 are attached to the boxes 46 for the respective container to be moved.
  • FIG. 3 shows the driver constructions 44, which connect the base frame 50 to the portal column 16a of the crane scaffold 16 at the quay runway level 12.
  • a receptacle 54 for the four intermediate coupling units 30 of a container 26I is provided on the boxes 46 in the four upper corners.
  • the intermediate coupling units 30 are released from the container 26II by hand. The same applies if the container 26II is to be detached from the carrier fittings 32 on the deck of the ship 28 at a later point in time.
  • FIG. 4 an upper corner fitting 26a of the lower container 26II and a lower corner fitting 26b of the upper container 26I is shown and between them an intermediate coupling unit 30.
  • the intermediate coupling unit 30 comprises a base 30a, which consists of an intermediate plate 30a1, a lower filler 30a2 and an upper filler 30a3.
  • the lower filler 30a2 fills the slot 26a1 of the upper corner fitting 26a substantially completely.
  • the upper filler 30a3 essentially completely fills a corresponding elongated hole 26b1 of the lower corner fitting 26b of container 26I.
  • the longitudinal axis LX extends Elongated holes 26a1 and 26b1 in Fig. 4 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.
  • the intermediate plate 30a which has an approximately square outline and lies with its square sides parallel to the rectangular sides of the elongated holes 26a1 and 26b1, has a downward bearing surface 30a12 and an upward wing 30a13.
  • the downward bearing surface 30a12 rests on the upper side 26a2 of the upper corner fitting 26a of the container 26II, while the lower side 26b2 of the lower corner fitting 26b of container 26I rests on the upward supporting surface 30a13 of the intermediate plate 30a1.
  • a shaft 30b is rotatably mounted in the center of the base 30a. This shaft 30b carries an upper hammer head 30c at its upper end and a lower hammer head 30d at its lower end.
  • the intermediate coupling unit 30 is released from the upper corner fitting 26a of the container 26I, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 5b, namely from the parallel position of the hammer head 30d and the elongated hole 26a1.
  • the intermediate coupling unit 30 is still locked to the lower corner fitting 26b of the upper container 26I, as can be seen from FIG. 5a, where the upper hammer head 30c is transverse to the elongated hole 26b1.
  • FIG. 6 shows that the container 26I with its lower corner fitting 26b has been brought into alignment with an intermediate coupling receptacle 54 of the intermediate coupling holder 34.
  • the angular position of the shaft 30b is unchanged from the angular position in Fig. 5, so that the upper hammer head 30c still hangs on the lower corner fitting 26b and the lower hammer head 30b can enter an elongated slot 54a of the receptacle 54 unhindered.
  • the filler 30a2 corresponds in width to the width of the slot 54a.
  • the upper hammer head 30c still overlaps the lower corner fitting 26b.
  • an actuating device for the actuating lever 30e is attached to the intermediate coupling holder 34 in the region of the intermediate coupling receptacle 54.
  • This actuator is designated 56. It comprises an actuating fork 56a on an actuating shaft 56b, which passes through a pivot shaft 56c diametrically, is displaceable in the longitudinal direction within the actuating shaft 56c in the direction of arrow 56d and can be rotated with the actuating shaft 56c in the direction of arrow 56e.
  • this actuating device 56 By means of this actuating device 56, the setting lever 30e can be brought into the position according to FIG. 7.
  • the upper hammer head 30c assumes a parallel position to the slot 26b1 of the lower corner fitting 26b of the container 26I, so that the container 26I can be lifted off the intermediate coupling holder 34, leaving the intermediate coupling unit 30 in the receptacle 54 of the intermediate coupling holder 34.
  • the location the intermediate clutch unit 30 on the intermediate clutch holder 34 is secured by the setting of the lower hammer head 30d, which, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 7b, engages under the intermediate coupling receptacle 54.
  • FIGS. 8 and 8b differ from FIGS. 8 and 8b only in that the actuating device 56 has been withdrawn from the actuating lever 30e.
  • FIG. 9 as in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a transport slide 58 is shown, which can be moved along a linear guide rail 58a.
  • the transport slide 58 is fork-shaped and rests with its two fork legs 58b, 58c on the front and rear boundary surfaces of the intermediate plate 30a1 which are parallel to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 9.
  • the intermediate coupling unit 30 can be pushed out of the elongated slot 54a in the direction of arrow 60 according to FIG. 9b.
  • the two side surfaces 30a21 of the filler 30a2 slide along the slot delimiting surfaces 54a1 of the elongated slot 54a. In this way, the orientation of the intermediate coupling unit 30 about its vertical axis is obtained.
  • FIG. 10a the position of the intermediate coupling unit 30 according to FIG. 9 can be seen in a section along line Xa-Xa of FIG. 9.
  • the filling piece 30a2 is still located within the elongated slot 54a between its two slot delimiting surfaces 54a1, while the intermediate plate 30a1 rests on the upper side 54b of the receptacle 54.
  • Fig. 10a the position of the intermediate coupling unit 30 according to FIG. 9 can be seen in a section along line Xa-Xa of FIG. 9.
  • the filling piece 30a2 is still located within the elongated slot 54a between its two slot delimiting surfaces 54a1, while the intermediate plate 30a1 rests on the upper side 54b of the receptacle 54.
  • a transport table 62 is in position opposite the intermediate coupling receptacle 54 is in such a way that the upper sides 62a of the transport table 62 lie flush with the upper side 54b of the receptacle 54 and that a slot 62b with slot boundary edges 62b1 of the transport table 62 is in alignment with the elongated slot 54a of the receptacle 54.
  • the transport slide 58 can move the intermediate coupling unit 30 from the position according to FIG. 10a to the position according to FIG. 10b.
  • the transport slide 58 can be withdrawn in a manner not shown, so that by means of the transport table 62 the intermediate coupling unit 30 in two mutually orthogonal directions corresponding to the direction symbols 64 and 66 parallel to Front wall 68a of a memory 68 can be moved in the vertical and horizontal directions.
  • the intermediate coupling unit 30 can then be brought into alignment with one of the storage compartments 68I1-68I4 or 68II1-68II4 arranged in columns 68I and 68II. Once the escape position to such a storage compartment has been established, the intermediate coupling unit 30 can be transported from the transport table 62 into the respective storage compartment.
  • the storage compartment 68II1 is loaded.
  • the transition from the transport table 62 into the storage compartment 68II1 can be taken over by a saw-like transport rod 70.
  • This transport rod 70 can be placed in the working position opposite each of the storage compartments and is located below the storage compartment to be loaded; 11, the storage compartment 68II1 is being loaded. Accordingly, the saw-shaped transport rod 70 is located in the storage compartment 68II2 underneath.
  • the transfer of the intermediate coupling unit 30 from the transport table 62 10b into the storage compartment 68II1 takes place by saw teeth 70a of the transport rod 70.
  • the distance between two saw teeth 70a which belong together in pairs is matched to the length of the filler 30a2, which is designated by 1 in FIG. 10a.
  • the transport rod 70 is movable and leads according to the direction symbols 72 and 74; viewed in viewing direction V of FIG. 10b, a periodic movement along a rectangular path in the vertical plane. According to FIG. 10b, two saw teeth 70a are in register position with the filler 30a2, but according to FIG. 11 below and out of engagement with the intermediate coupling unit 30. If the transport rod 70 now goes up in the direction 74 from the position according to FIG. 11, the fork filler 30a2 into both saw teeth 70a with the filler 30a2 in register position. If the transport rod 70 then moves in the direction of the arrow 72 (upwards in FIG.
  • the intermediate coupling unit 30 is pushed into the storage compartment 68II1 by the stroke h of the transport rod 70 in the direction of the arrow 72.
  • the intermediate coupling unit 30 is prevented from rotating about its vertical axis by the longitudinal edges 30a21 of the filler 30a2 resting on the longitudinal edges of support strips 68b of the storage compartment 68II1.
  • the intermediate plate 30a1 rests on the strips 68b.
  • the transport rod 70 can then carry out a reverse stroke in the direction of arrow 72 and after executing this reverse stroke along the arrow 74 according to FIG. 11 go up again in order to take over a further intermediate coupling unit 30 presented by the transport table 62 and to bring it into the storage compartment 68II1.
  • the ones already contained in the storage compartment 68II1 Intermediate clutch units 30 are brought to further storage locations in the storage compartment 68II1 by the next following pairs of teeth each by a stroke length h. This ensures that the intermediate coupling units 30 in the storage compartment 68II1 assume defined positions in the longitudinal direction of this storage compartment, so that they can also be gripped by the transport rod 70 for the purpose of return transport on the transport table 62.
  • the transport table 62 sets itself in alignment with another storage compartment etc.
  • the transport rod 70 is brought into position opposite the storage compartment to be loaded, ie inserted into the storage compartment located under the storage compartment to be loaded.
  • a special memory can be provided for each of the four intermediate coupling receptacles 54 of the intermediate coupling holder 34 according to FIGS. 2, 2a, 2b and 3.
  • the memories 68 according to FIGS. 10a, 10b and 11 can be set loosely in the boxes 46 so that they can be removed from them and replaced, for example with a forklift.
  • container 26I can also be moved from position B via position C to position A on the deck of ship 28.
  • the container 26I arriving from position B without intermediate coupling units 30 in position C on the intermediate coupling holder 34 is equipped with intermediate coupling units 30, these being locked to it.
  • the spreader 22 can again pick up the container 26I and bring it on the path cba in the direction of the arrow to position A, where it is again on the lower one Container 26II can be placed.
  • the intermediate coupling units 30 are locked again with the upper corner fittings 26a of the lower container 26II.
  • the lower hammer heads 30d are automatically locked in the upper corner fittings 26a of the lower container 26II or in the fittings 32 on the deck of the ship 28.
  • the hammer heads 30d are brought into an intermediate position, from which they can be rotated when they are immersed in the respective elongated hole 26a1 by instruction bevels of the hammer head in parallel position to the respective elongated hole 26a1, in order to pass the respective upper corner fitting after passing through the respective elongated hole 26a1 26a to reach under.
  • intermediate coupling units 30 there are different designs of intermediate coupling units 30.
  • An alternative embodiment provides that the upper hammer head 30c of an intermediate coupling unit 30 cannot be rotated relative to the base 30a.
  • the receptacle 54 must be designed so that the entire intermediate coupling unit 30 can rotate in it.
  • a rotary drive is then assigned to the receptacle 54, which causes the intermediate coupling unit 30 to rotate. This rotary drive can then on the lower filler 30a2 Attack base 30a.
  • the containers are delivered to the intermediate coupling holder 34 on the land side by a container transport vehicle, for example a straddle carrier, of the type shown at 40 in the drawings. It is also conceivable that a container is brought up to the intermediate coupling holder, for example on a platform carriage, and is to be placed there in position relative to the respective receptacles for the intermediate coupling units. In this case, an auxiliary crane can be assigned to the intermediate coupling holder in a stationary manner, which lifts the respective container from the platform truck and places it on the intermediate coupling holder.
  • the spreader 22 can already be lifted off the container and driven back to the ship by means of the trolley 18 for receiving another container without having to wait until the intermediate coupling units 30 have been removed from the container 26I are decreased.
  • the ring cycle is therefore not influenced by the removal and attachment of the intermediate coupling units and in particular is not extended.
  • intermediate coupling holder 34 can also be used where, in the case of a container loading crane with two or more trolleys, the transfer from a spreader of one trolley to a spreader of another trolley takes place.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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Abstract

A shipping container (26I, 26II) is transferred from a location A on the ship to a location B on shore. On its way between both locations A and B the container (26I, 26II) is transferred at a position C from a container loading crane (16) to conveyor means (40) on the shore. At this location (C), the container (26I, 26II) is laid on holders (34) for intermediate coupling units which have a recess (54) for each intermediate coupling unit (30). The intermediate coupling units (30) may then either be coupled to the container (26I, 26II), when the container is loaded on the ship (28) and must be locked there by means of the intermediate coupling units (30), or they may be uncoupled from the container (26I, 26II), when the container is leaving the ship (28) and is to be deposited on shore (12) without intermediate coupling units (30).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Umsetzen von Containern, welche in ihren oberen Ecken obere Container-Eckbeschläge zur Kupplung mit spreaderseitigen Kupplungsmitteln eines Spreaders besitzen und in ihren unteren Ecken untere Container-Eckbeschläge zur Verbindung mit den oberen Eckbeschlägen eines jeweils unteren Containers oder mit entsprechenden Trägerbeschlägen eines Container-Trägers besitzen, zwischen einem ersten Standplatz, an welchem der jeweilige Container mit seinen unteren Container-Eckbeschlägen durch lösbare Zwischenkupplungseinheiten an oberen Container-Eckbeschlägen eines unteren Containers oder an entsprechenden Trägerbeschlägen eines Container-Trägers gesichert ist, und einem zweiten Standplatz, an welchem der Container ohne die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten aufgenommen werden soll, wobei im Rahmen dieses Verfahrens die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten zunächst von dem unteren Container bzw. dem Container-Träger gelöst werden, der umzusetzende Container sodann mittels eines Spreaders unter Mitnahme der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von dem unteren Container bzw. dem Träger abgehoben wird, die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten sodann von den unteren Container-Eckbeschlägen abgenommen werden und der von den Zwischenkupplungseinheiten befreite umzusetzende Container sodann zu dem genannten zweiten Standplatz gebracht wird.The invention relates to a method for moving containers which have upper container corner fittings for coupling with coupling means of a spreader in their upper corners and lower container corner fittings for connection to the upper corner fittings of a respective lower container or with corresponding carrier fittings in their lower corners of a container carrier, between a first stand, at which the respective container with its lower container corner fittings is secured by detachable intermediate coupling units on upper container corner fittings of a lower container or on corresponding carrier fittings of a container carrier, and a second stand Which of the containers is to be accommodated without the intermediate coupling units, with the intermediate coupling units first being detached from the lower container or the container carrier in the context of this method, and the container to be moved is s or is then lifted from the lower container or the carrier by means of a spreader, taking the intermediate coupling units with it, the intermediate coupling units are then removed from the lower container corner fittings, and the container to be moved, which is freed from the intermediate coupling units, is then brought to the said second location.

Siehe als Beispiel WO-A-92/05093.See for example WO-A-92/05093.

Ein solches Verfahren wird beispielsweise dann angewandt, wenn auf Deck eines an einer Kai-Kante anliegenden Container-Transportschiffs Container angeordnet sind und diese Container durch einen Schiffsverladekran oder Container-Verladekran von Deck an eine landseitige Lagerstelle gebracht werden müssen. Dabei ist nun folgendes zu beachten: Die Container werden an Deck des Container-Transportschiffs auf dem Deckboden durch Zwischenkupplungseinheiten gesichert. Sofern die Container auf Deck übereinander angeordnet sind, wird der jeweils obere Container an dem jeweils unteren Container ebenfalls durch Zwischenkupplungseinheiten gesichert. Die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten sind dabei sowohl von dem jeweils unteren Container bzw. von Deck als auch von dem jeweils oberen Container lösbar. Es wird bisher wie folgt vorgegangen: Der jeweils umzusetzende Container wird von dem jeweils nach unten angrenzenden Container bzw. von dem Deck des Container-Schiffs gelöst, indem die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten unter Beibehaltung ihrer Verbindung mit dem jeweils umzusetzenden Container von dem jeweils nächst unteren Container bzw. dem Deck des Container-Schiffes gelöst werden. Dies geschieht von Hand. Die Arbeitsmannschaft an Deck des Schiffes benutzt dabei, soweit die Kupplungsstellen nicht ohne weiteres greifbar sind, Bedienungsstangen, um an die Kupplungsstellen, d. h. an die jeweiligen Stellorgane der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten, heranzukommen. Ist ein umzusetzender Container dann gelöst, so wird er, nachdem er schon vor der Lösung mit einem Spreader in Verbindung gebracht worden ist, angehoben und in Richtung des neuen landseitigen Standplatzes abtransportiert. Nun sind die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten immer noch an der Unterseite des umzusetzenden Containers vorhanden; andererseits sind diese Zwischenkupplungseinheiten aber bei der Abstellung des umzusetzenden Container an einem landseitigen Lagerplatz störend, unerwünscht und kostenverursachend. Es besteht deshalb die Notwendigkeit, die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von dem umzusetzenden Container, d. h. von dessen Unterseite, abzukuppeln, während der Container von dem schiffsseitigen Standplatz auf den landseitigen Standplatz umgesetzt wird. Dieses Abkuppeln der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von dem jeweils auf dem Weg befindlichen Container wurde bisher so durchgeführt, daß eine Bedienungsmannschaft eingesetzt war, um die von dem jeweiligen Container nach unten abstehenden Zwischenkupplungseinheiten zu demontieren und sodann in ein Lager für Zwischenkupplungseinheiten weiterzugeben. Diese von der Mannschaft verlangte Arbeit ist äußerst mühsam, da die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten ein Gewicht in der Größenordnung von 5 - 15 kg haben und gehandhabt werden müssen. Überdies müssen die Stellmittel betätigt werden, welche das Lösen bzw. Ankuppeln der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten an dem jeweiligen Container bewirken.Such a method is used, for example, when containers are arranged on the deck of a container transport ship lying against a quay edge and these containers have to be brought from the deck to a land-side storage location by a ship loading crane or container loading crane. Please note the following: The containers are on the deck of the container transport ship on the deck floor by means of intermediate coupling units secured. If the containers are arranged one above the other on deck, the upper container is also secured to the lower container by intermediate coupling units. The intermediate coupling units can be detached both from the lower container or from the deck and from the respective upper container. Up to now, the procedure has been as follows: The container to be relocated is detached from the container adjacent to the bottom or from the deck of the container ship, in that the intermediate coupling units, while maintaining their connection with the respective container to be relocated, the deck of the container ship can be solved. This is done by hand. The work crew on deck of the ship uses operating rods, insofar as the coupling points are not readily accessible, to access the coupling points, ie the respective actuators of the intermediate coupling units. If a container to be moved is then released, it is raised, after it has been connected to a spreader before the solution, and transported in the direction of the new land-based stand. Now the intermediate coupling units are still available on the underside of the container to be moved; on the other hand, these intermediate coupling units are disruptive, undesirable and costly when the container to be moved is parked at a land-side storage location. There is therefore a need to uncouple the intermediate coupling units from the container to be moved, ie from its underside, while the container is being moved from the ship-side stand to the shore-side stand. This uncoupling of the intermediate coupling units from the container currently on the way has so far been carried out in such a way that an operating team has been deployed in order to prevent the container from projecting downwards Dismantle intermediate coupling units and then pass them on to a bearing for intermediate coupling units. This work, which is required by the team, is extremely laborious since the intermediate coupling units have a weight of the order of 5-15 kg and have to be handled. In addition, the actuating means must be actuated, which bring about the loosening or coupling of the intermediate coupling units to the respective container.

Das gleiche Problem besteht natürlich dann, wenn Container von einem landseitigen Standplatz oder von einem Straßentransportfahrzeug oder von einem Eisenbahnzug auf Deck eines Schiffes verladen werden müssen. Hierbei ist davon auszugehen, daß die von Land kommenden Container in Anpassung an einen üblichen Container-Lagerplatz oder an die Brücke eines LKW oder an einen Eisenbahnwaggon zunächst nicht mit Zwischenkupplungseinheiten bestückt sind, wohl aber mit solchen bestückt werden müssen, bevor sie auf dem Schiff abgesetzt werden, um dort gesichert werden zu können, sei es an dem Deck des Container-Schiffes oder an einem bereits dort angebrachten und gesicherten unten liegenden Container.The same problem naturally arises when containers have to be loaded onto a ship's deck from a land-based stand or from a road transport vehicle or from a railroad train. It can be assumed here that the containers coming from land, in adaptation to a conventional container storage space or to the bridge of a truck or to a railway wagon, are initially not equipped with intermediate coupling units, but must be equipped with them before they are deposited on the ship in order to be able to be secured there, be it on the deck of the container ship or on a container already attached and secured below.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, bei einem Verfahren zum Umsetzen von Containern der eingangs bezeichneten Art die Umsetzzeiten zu verkürzen, die schwierige und gefährliche menschliche Arbeit einzuschränken und den Umsetzvorgang auch zu verbilligen.The invention has for its object to shorten the transfer times in a method for transferring containers of the type mentioned, to limit the difficult and dangerous human work and also to make the transfer process cheaper.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe wird bei einem Verfahren der eingangs bezeichneten Art vorgeschlagen, daß der umzusetzende Container auf seinem Weg von dem ersten Standplatz zu dem zweiten Standplatz auf einem Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel abgesetzt wird, welches nach einem der Anordnung oberer Container-Eckbeschläge entsprechenden Verteilungsbild mit Aufnahmen für die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten ausgerüstet ist, wobei die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten mit diesen Aufnahmen in Eingriff treten, daß die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten sodann von dem gegenüber den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln positionierten Container abgekuppelt werden und daß der umzusetzende Container sodann unter Zurücklassung der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten an den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln weiter befördert wird in Richtung auf den zweiten Standplatz.To solve this problem it is proposed in a method of the type mentioned that the container to be moved is placed on its way from the first location to the second location on an intermediate coupling holder means which, according to a distribution image corresponding to the arrangement of upper container corner fittings Receptacles for the intermediate coupling units is equipped, the intermediate coupling units engaging with these receptacles, the intermediate coupling units are then uncoupled from the container positioned opposite the intermediate coupling holder means, and the container to be moved is then conveyed on to the intermediate coupling holder means, leaving the intermediate coupling units behind second stand.

Wie weiter oben schon angedeutet, betrifft die Erfindung auch ein Verfahren zum Umsetzen von Containern, welche in ihren oberen Ecken obere Container-Eckbeschläge zur Kupplung mit spreaderseitigen Kupplungsmitteln eines Spreaders besitzen und in ihren unteren Ecken untere Container-Eckbeschläge zur Verbindung mit oberen Container-Eckbeschlägen eines jeweils unteren Containers oder mit entsprechenden Trägerbeschlägen eines Container-Trägers besitzen, zwischen einem zweiten Standplatz und einem ersten Standplatz, an welchem die unteren Container-Eckbeschläge des umzusetzenden Containers unter Vermittlung von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten an obere Container-Eckbeschläge eines unteren Containers oder entsprechende Trägerbeschläge eines Container-Trägers angekuppelt werden sollen, wobei der umzusetzende Container auf seinem Weg von dem zweiten Standplatz, an dem er ohne Zwischenkupplungseinheiten aufgenommen war, zu dem ersten Standplatz mit den Zwischenkupplungseinheiten bestückt und sodann mittels eines Spreaders zu dem ersten Standplatz weiter transportiert und dort auf den unteren Container oder den Container-Träger aufgesetzt und mit den dortigen oberen Container-Eckbeschlägen des unteren Containers bzw. den Trägerbeschlägen unter Vermittlung der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten verbunden wird. Auch bei diesem Verfahren besteht erfindungsgemäß die Aufgabe, die Umsetzzeiten zu verkürzen, den Umfang von mühsamer und gefährlicher menschlicher Arbeit einzuschränken und die Umsetzarbeiten auch unter dem Gesichtspunkt des Zeitaufwands zu verbilligen.As already indicated above, the invention also relates to a method for moving containers which have upper container corner fittings for coupling with coupling means of a spreader on the upper corner and lower container corner fittings for connection with upper container corner fittings in their lower corners each of a lower container or with corresponding carrier fittings of a container carrier, between a second stand and a first stand, at which the lower container corner fittings of the container to be moved are arranged by means of intermediate coupling units to upper container corner fittings of a lower container or corresponding carrier fittings of a container Carrier are to be coupled, the container to be moved being equipped with the intermediate coupling units on its way from the second location, where it was accommodated without intermediate coupling units, to the first location and then transported further to the first stand by means of a spreader and placed there on the lower container or the container carrier and connected to the upper container corner fittings of the lower container or the carrier fittings there by means of the intermediate coupling units. In this method, too, the object of the invention is to shorten the conversion times, to limit the amount of tedious and dangerous human work and to make the implementation work cheaper, also from the point of view of time expenditure.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe wird vorgeschlagen, daß der umzusetzende Container von dem zweiten Standplatz kommend zunächst auf Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel aufgesetzt wird, welche nach einem der Anordnung von oberen Container-Eckbeschlägen oder Trägerbeschlägen entsprechenden Verteilungsbild Aufnahmen für Zwischenkupplungseinheiten aufweisen und in diesen Aufnahmen mit Zwischenkupplungseinheiten bestückt sind, daß der umzusetzende Container während seiner Positionierung gegenüber den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln mit den Zwischenkupplungseinheiten verbunden wird und daß der umzusetzende Container sodann unter Mitnahme der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln zu dem ersten Standplatz gebracht, dort auf dem jeweils unteren Container bzw. dem Container-Träger abgesetzt und unter Vermittlung der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten gesichert wird.To solve this problem, it is proposed that the container to be moved coming from the second position is first placed on intermediate coupling holder means which, according to a distribution pattern corresponding to the arrangement of upper container corner fittings or carrier fittings, have receptacles for intermediate coupling units and are equipped with intermediate coupling units in these receptacles that the container to be moved is connected to the intermediate coupling units during its positioning relative to the intermediate coupling holder means, and that the container to be moved is then brought from the intermediate coupling holder means to the first location, taking it down on the respective lower container or the container carrier, and mediating the Intermediate coupling units is secured.

Bei den erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrensweisen ist es grundsätzlich möglich, halbautomatisch zu arbeiten in der Weise, daß nach Positionieren eines Container an den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von Hand gelöst bzw. am Container angebracht werden, indem eine Bedienungsmannschaft auf die entsprechenden Stellmittel an den Zwischenkupplungseinheiten einwirkt, welche die Lösung von bzw. die Verbindung mit dem jeweiligen Container auslösen. Auch bei einer solchen semiautomatischen Arbeitsweise ist bereits ein erheblicher Vorteil erreicht, insofern als die Hub- und Einfädelungsarbeiten der schweren Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von der Bedienungsmannschaft weggenommen sind. Gleichwohl müssen sich die Bedienungsleute dann noch in einen gefährdeten Bereich begeben, wo Container schwebend transportiert werden, unsachgemäß abgesetzt werden können und ggf. auch vom Spreader oder vom Träger des Spreaders herabfallen können. Es ist deshalb ein besonderes Anliegen der Erfindung, bei Umsetzbetrieb in beiden Richtungen die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln vollautomatisch an die Container zu übergeben bzw. die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten vollautomatisch von den Containern abzunehmen, so daß im Bereich der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel nur noch gelegentlich für Service-Zwecke die Anwesenheit von Personal erforderlich ist. Dann ist der Einsatz menschlicher Arbeit im Gefährdungsbereich auf ein Minimum reduziert. Das Übergeben der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten an die Container bzw. an die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel erfolgt ohne Personaleinsatz. Auch das Absetzen und Verankern der Container an Deck des Container-Schiffes kann ohne Einsatz menschlicher Leistung erfolgen, indem man die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten vor dem Aufsetzen auf das Schiff in Vorbereitungsstellungen bringt, in denen sie beim weiteren Absenken zwangsläufig durch Einweiseflächen in die oberen Eckbeschläge weiter unten stehender Container bzw. in die Trägerbeschläge an Deck eingefädelt werden und nach Durchfädeln durch diese Beschläge durch Federvorspannung in eine Verriegelungsstellung verrasten. Es bleibt also dann nur noch die Notwendigkeit, die Container im Import, d. h. beim Verladen vom Schiff an Land, von dem jeweils darunter stehenden Container bzw. den Trägerbeschlägen an Deck zu lösen.In the procedures according to the invention, it is fundamentally possible to work semi-automatically in such a way that after positioning a container on the intermediate coupling holder means, the intermediate coupling units are released by hand or attached to the container by an operating team acting on the corresponding actuating means on the intermediate coupling units, which the Solution of or trigger the connection with the respective container. Even with such a semi-automatic mode of operation, a considerable advantage has already been achieved in that the lifting and threading work of the heavy intermediate coupling units has been removed from the operating team. At the same time, the operators still have to move into an endangered area, where containers are transported suspended, can be placed improperly and may also fall off the spreader or the carrier of the spreader. It is therefore a particular concern of the invention to transfer the intermediate coupling units from the intermediate coupling holder means to the containers fully automatically or to remove the intermediate coupling units from the containers fully automatically during transfer operation in both directions, so that the presence of the intermediate coupling holder means only occasionally for service purposes by staff is required. Then the use of human work in the hazardous area is reduced to a minimum. The transfer of the intermediate coupling units to the containers or to the intermediate coupling holder means takes place without the use of personnel. The containers can also be set down and anchored on the deck of the container ship without human effort by putting the intermediate coupling units in preparatory positions before putting them on the ship, in which they are inevitably lowered further by lowering surfaces in the upper corner fittings below Containers or in the carrier fittings on the deck and after threading through these fittings by spring preload in a locking position. So there is only the need to detach the containers in the import, ie when loading from the ship on land, from the container below or the carrier fittings on deck.

Es ist erwünscht, daß die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von der jeweiligen Aufnahme entnommen und einem Speicher zugeführt werden. Dabei sollte darauf geachtet werden, daß die Überführung der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von der jeweiligen Aufnahme in eine Speicherstelle unter Erhaltung der Orientierung der Zwischenkupplungseinheit im Raum oder mit geordneter Umorientierung durchgeführt wird; diese Maßnahme ist deshalb besonders erwünscht, weil sie es erlaubt, die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten in ihrer erhaltenen oder geordnet korrigierten Position mit einfachen Handhabungsmitteln auch wieder aus dem Speicher zu entnehmen.It is desirable that the intermediate coupling units are removed from the respective receptacle and fed to a memory. Care should be taken to ensure that the transfer of the intermediate coupling units from the respective receptacle to a storage location is carried out while maintaining the orientation of the intermediate coupling unit in space or with an orderly reorientation; this measure is particularly desirable because it allows the intermediate coupling units to be preserved or ordered corrected position can also be removed from the memory again using simple handling means.

Umgekehrt ist nämlich auch vorgesehen, daß die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von einem Speicher der jeweiligen Aufnahme zugeführt werden, wenn ein Container exportiert, d. h. von einem Standplatz an Land auf einen Standplatz an Schiff umgesetzt werden soll. Für beide Falle ist es wünschenswert, daß die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten zwischen ihrer jeweiligen Speicherstelle und der jeweiligen Aufnahme unter Erhaltung ihrer Orientierung im Raum oder mit geordneter Umorientierung bewegt werden.Conversely, it is also provided that the intermediate coupling units are fed from a memory to the respective receptacle when a container is exported, ie. H. from a stand on land to a stand on ship. In both cases it is desirable that the intermediate coupling units are moved between their respective storage location and the respective receptacle while maintaining their orientation in space or with an orderly reorientation.

Es tritt nun noch insofern ein Problem auf, als zwar die Eckbeschläge von Containern, sowohl die unteren als auch die oberen, in der Regel genormt sind, andererseits aber Zwischenkupplungseinheiten unterschiedlicher konstruktiver Gestaltung und unterschiedlicher Bedienungsart im Einsatz sind. Dabei ist davon auszugehen, daß an ein und demselben Schiff jeweils die gleichen Zwischenkupplungseinheiten verwendet werden. Andererseits ist in einem Hafen mit der Beladung und Entladung von Schiffen unterschiedlicher Reedereien zu rechnen, die häufig eben diese unterschiedlichen Zwischenkupplungseinheitstypen einsetzen. Um das Umsetzen nach dem Erfindungsvorschlag auch unter Berücksichtigung der verschiedenen Typen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten zu beherrschen, könnte man daran denken, die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel jeweils am Schiff mitzutransportieren und bei Beginn einer Beladungs- oder Entladungsphase an Land in Position zu bringen. Diese Möglichkeit soll nicht ausgeschlossen sein, sondern auch als eine erfindungswesentliche Maßnahme in Betracht kommen. Man muß aber auch damit rechnen, daß häufig die Reedereien von der Übung ausgehen, daß das Anbringen und Abnehmen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten als Teil von Be- und Entladungsarbeiten Sache der jeweiligen Hafenvervaltung ist. Wenn nun die Hafenverwaltung sich mit unterschiedlichen Typen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten abfinden muß, so wird die Durchführung des erfindungsgemäß vorgeschlagenen Verfahrens zunächst einmal erschwert.A problem now arises in that the corner fittings of containers, both the lower and the upper ones, are as a rule standardized, but on the other hand intermediate coupling units with different structural designs and different types of operation are used. It can be assumed that the same intermediate coupling units are used on the same ship. On the other hand, loading and unloading of ships from different shipping companies, which often use these different types of intermediate coupling units, can be expected in a port. In order to master the implementation according to the invention proposal, taking into account the different types of intermediate coupling units, one could think of transporting the intermediate coupling holder means on the ship in each case and positioning them on land at the start of a loading or unloading phase. This possibility should not be ruled out, but should also be considered as a measure essential to the invention. But one also has to reckon with the fact that shipping companies often start from the practice of attaching and detaching intermediate coupling units as part of loading and unloading work It is up to the respective port administration. If the port administration now has to put up with different types of intermediate coupling units, the implementation of the method proposed according to the invention is initially made more difficult.

Es wurde nun erkannt, daß man dem Problem der Handhabung von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten unterschiedlichen Aufbaus beikommen kann, indem man bei deren Handhabung an Stellen ansetzt, die entsprechend den genormten Eckbeschlägen ausgebildet sind und deshalb in der Regel identische Kombinationen von Angriffsflächen darbieten. Es wird deshalb weiter vorgeschlagen, daß bei der Ausführung der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten mit Positionierungsflächen, die zum Eingriff in Öffnungen von oberen Container-Eckbeschlägen oder entsprechenden Trägerbeschlägen bestimmt und ausgebildet sind und mit abwärts gerichteten Auflageflächen, die zur Auflagerung an der Oberseite von oberen Container-Eckbeschlägen oder Trägerbeschlägen bestimmt sind, die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten an den Aufnahmen des Zwischenkupplungshaltermittels durch diese Positionierungs- und/oder Auflageflächen positioniert werden. Auf diese Art und Weise läßt sich das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren in beiden Richtungen mit verhältnismäßig geringfügigen Umstellungs- oder Umrüstarbeiten an den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln durchführen, auch wenn häufig von einer Kupplungsbauart auf eine andere Zwischenkupplungsbauart gewechselt werden muß.It has now been recognized that the problem of handling intermediate coupling units of different structures can be overcome by starting with their handling at locations which are designed in accordance with the standardized corner fittings and therefore generally offer identical combinations of attack surfaces. It is therefore further proposed that when designing the intermediate coupling units with positioning surfaces which are designed and designed for engaging in openings of upper container corner fittings or corresponding support fittings and with downward-facing bearing surfaces which are intended for bearing on the top of upper container corner fittings or Carrier fittings are determined, the intermediate coupling units are positioned on the receptacles of the intermediate coupling holder means by means of these positioning and / or contact surfaces. In this way, the method according to the invention can be carried out in both directions with relatively minor conversion or conversion work on the intermediate coupling holder means, even if it is often necessary to change from one coupling type to another intermediate coupling type.

Eine weitere Verringerung mühseliger und gefährlicher menschlicher Arbeit läßt sich dadurch erreichen, daß die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von den Aufnahmen des Zwischenkupplungshaltermittels durch mechanische Transportmittel zur jeweiligung Speicherstelle transportiert werden bzw. von der jeweiligen Speicherstelle zur jeweiligen Aufnahmestelle durch mechanische Transportmittel transportiert werden.A further reduction in tedious and dangerous human work can be achieved in that the intermediate coupling units are transported from the receptacles of the intermediate coupling holder means by mechanical transport means to the respective storage location or are transported from the respective storage location to the respective accommodation location by mechanical transport means.

Die Situation in vielen Hafen ist häufig wie folgt: Die Container werden von einem Container-Verladekran, der entlang der Kai-Kante fahrbar ist, vom Schiff abgehoben und nicht direkt bis zum endgültigen Standplatz gebracht, sondern an einer Übergabestelle von dem Spreader des Schiffsverladekrans abgegeben und von einem landseitigen Transportfahrzeug, in der Regel wiederum mittels eines Spreaders übernommen. Das landseitige Transportfahrzeug besorgt dann den Rest des Weges bis zu einem Container-Stapelplatz oder einem landseitigen Verkehrsmittel, etwa LKW oder Eisenbahnzug. Wenn also auf dem Weg von dem schiffsseitigen Standplatz zu dem landseitigen endgültigen Standplatz oder umgekehrt ohnehin eine Übergabe zu erfolgen hat, so wird dies nach einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung ausgenutzt in der Weise, daß der Container auf dem Weg zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Standplatz an einer Stelle mit den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln zur Abgabe bzw. Aufnahme der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten zusammengebracht wird, an der eine Übergabe zwischen verschiedenen Container-Transportmitteln erfolgt.The situation in many ports is often as follows: The containers are lifted from the ship by a container loading crane that can be moved along the quay edge and are not brought directly to the final location, but are handed over to the transfer spreader of the ship loading crane at a transfer point and from a land transport vehicle, usually taken over again by means of a spreader. The shore-side transport vehicle then takes the rest of the way to a container stacking place or a shore-side means of transport, such as a truck or a train. If a transfer has to take place on the way from the ship-side stand to the shore-side final stand or vice versa, this is used according to a further development of the invention in such a way that the container is on the way between the first and the second stand is brought together at a point with the intermediate coupling holder means for delivering or receiving the intermediate coupling units, at which transfer takes place between different container transport means.

Es wurde schon ausgeführt, daß die Container-Verladekräne häufig längs einer Kai-Kante verfahrbar sind, um verschiedene Längsabschnitte eines an der Kai-Kante anliegenden Schiffes nacheinander bedienen zu können. Wenn nun die auf dem Brückenträger eines solchen Container-Verladekrans verlaufende Laufkatze mit dem Container-Verladekran nacheinander an verschiedene Längspositionen längs der Kai-Kante gelangt, so ist es nach einer Weiterbildung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens vorteilhaft, wenn die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel mit einem Container-Verladekran zu verschiedenen Arbeitsstellen dieses Container-Verladekrans mitgenommen werden. Dann steht nämlich jedes Mal, wenn der Container-Verladekran seinen Standplatz längs der Kai-Kante gewechselt hat, an dem neuen Ort die Zwischungkupplungshalterung bereits in der richtigen Position zur Verfügung, um einen auf der Laufkatze des Brückenträgers heranschwebenden Container in der richtigen Position zu empfangen.It has already been stated that the container loading cranes can often be moved along a quay edge in order to be able to operate different longitudinal sections of a ship lying against the quay edge one after the other. If the trolley running on the bridge girder of such a container loading crane with the container loading crane successively reaches different longitudinal positions along the quay edge, then according to a development of the method according to the invention it is advantageous if the intermediate coupling holder means with a container loading crane are different Jobs of this container loading crane are taken. Then, every time the container loading crane has changed its position along the quay edge, the intermediate coupling bracket is located at the new location already available in the correct position to receive a container floating on the trolley of the bridge girder in the correct position.

Nach einem anderen Aspekt betrifft die Erfindung eine Einrichtung zur Umsetzung von Containern zwischen zwei Standplätzen.In another aspect, the invention relates to a device for moving containers between two stands.

Grundbestandteil einer solchen Einrichtung sind Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel mit Aufnahmen für Zwischenkupplungseinheiten, wobei diese Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel nach einem der Anordnung von unteren Container-Eckbeschlägen entsprechenden Verteilungsbild Aufnahmen für Zwischenkupplungseinheiten aufweisen.The basic component of such a device is intermediate coupling holder means with receptacles for intermediate coupling units, these intermediate coupling holder means having receptacles for intermediate coupling units according to a distribution picture corresponding to the arrangement of lower container corner fittings.

Um die Ankupplung bzw. Lösung der Container an bzw. von den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln ohne Einsatz menschlicher Arbeitskraft durchführen zu können, ist dabei bevorzugt vorgesehen, daß einer jeweiligen Aufnahme des Zwischenkupplungshaltermittels mechanische Betätigungsmittel zur Lösung bzw. Ankupplung einer jeweiligen Zwischenkupplungseinheit von einem bzw. an einem Container zugeordnet sind.In order to be able to connect or detach the containers to or from the intermediate coupling holder means without the use of human labor, it is preferably provided that mechanical actuation means for detaching or coupling a respective intermediate coupling unit from or to a container is provided for each respective holder of the intermediate coupling holder means assigned.

Um dem Problem der unterschiedlichen Konstruktionen von marktgängigen Zwischenkupplungseinheiten beizukommen, kann vorgesehen sein, daß die mechanischen Betätigungsmittel für unterschiedliche Typen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten umstellbar und/oder austauschbar ausgebildet sind. Auf diese Weise erhält man wenigstens die Chance, zumindest die schweren und schwer zu transportierenden Teile der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel nicht nur für einen Typ von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten einsetzen zu können, sondern für eine Vielzahl von Typen, möglichst alle marktgängigen Typen.In order to overcome the problem of the different designs of commercially available intermediate coupling units, it can be provided that the mechanical actuation means for different types of intermediate coupling units can be configured and / or exchanged. In this way, there is at least the chance to be able to use at least the heavy and difficult-to-transport parts of the intermediate coupling holder means not only for one type of intermediate coupling unit, but for a large number of types, if possible all types available on the market.

Die Umrüstung der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel auf verschiedene Typen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten kann insbesondere dadurch erleichtert werden, daß die mechanischen Betätigungsmittel mindestens ein halterseitiges Kraftgerät in räumlicher Zuordnung zu einer jeweiligen Aufnahme aufweisen und daß an dieses halterseitige Kraftgerät in Anpassung an unterschiedliche Zwischenkupplungseinheiten unterschiedliche Angriffsmittel zum Angriff an Zwischenkupplungseinheiten und/oder Kraftübertragungsmittel ankuppelbar sind. Auf diese Weise läßt sich die Umrüstarbeit häufig auf einen Teil der spezifischen Mittel für einzelne Zwischenkupplungseinheiten reduzieren.The retrofitting of the intermediate clutch holder means to different types of intermediate clutch units can be facilitated in particular by the fact that the mechanical actuation means have at least one holder-side power device in spatial association with a respective receptacle and that on this holder-side power device in adaptation to different intermediate clutch units different attack means for attacking intermediate clutch units and / or power transmission means can be coupled. In this way, the conversion work can often be reduced to a part of the specific resources for individual intermediate coupling units.

Unter den Zwischenkupplungseinheiten variierender Bauart, die zum Einsatz kommen können, befinden sich neben solchen, welche einen Sockel und oberhalb und unterhalb des Sockels jeweils einen verstellbaren Eingriffskopf besitzen, auch solche, bei denen der Sockel nur mit einem unteren, dem Sockel gegenüber verdrehbaren Eingriffskopf ausgerüstet ist und die Verbindung mit dem jeweils unteren Eckbeschlag eines oberen Containers dadurch hergestellt oder gelöst wird, daß der ganze Sockel mit einem daran angebrachten sockelfesten Eingriffskopf gegenüber dem jeweiligen unteren Eckbeschlag verdreht wird. In diesem Fall wird man als Teil der mechanischen Betätigungsmittel einer jeweiligen Aufnahme eine Dreheinheit zuordnen, wobei diese Dreheinheit dazu bestimmt und ausgebildet ist, mit unteren Kupplungsteileinheiten von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten zusammenzuwirken, denjenigen Teileinheiten nämlich, welche zum Eingriff in obere Container-Eckbeschläge oder Trägerbeschläge bestimmt und ausgebildet sind, so daß diese Dreheinheit durch Verdrehen der Zwischenkupplungseinheit als ganzer innerhalb der jeweiligen Aufnahme die Zwischenkupplungseinheit gegenüber einem jeweiligen unteren Container-Eckbeschlag lösen oder verriegeln kann.Among the intermediate coupling units of different designs, which can be used, there are those with a base and an adjustable engagement head above and below the base, as well as those in which the base is only equipped with a lower engagement head that can be rotated relative to the base is and the connection with the respective lower corner fitting of an upper container is made or solved in that the entire base is rotated with a base-fixed engaging head attached to the respective lower corner fitting. In this case, as part of the mechanical actuation means, a rotary unit will be assigned to a respective receptacle, this rotary unit being designed and designed to interact with lower coupling subunits of intermediate coupling units, namely those subunits which are designed and designed for engagement in upper container corner fittings or carrier fittings are so that this rotating unit can loosen or lock the intermediate coupling unit against a respective lower container corner fitting by rotating the intermediate coupling unit as a whole within the respective receptacle.

Bei anderen Ausführungsformen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten mit je einem drehbaren Eingriffskopf oberhalb und unterhalb eines Sockels ist vorgesehen, daß die Betätigungsmittel zum Eingriff mit Stellmitteln der Zwischenkupplungseinheit ausgebildet sind, welche die Lösung der jeweiligen Zwischenkupplungseinheit von bzw. deren Verriegelung an einem jeweiligen unteren Container-Eckbeschlag bewirken.In other embodiments of intermediate coupling units, each with a rotatable engaging head above and below a base, it is provided that the actuating means are designed to engage with adjusting means of the intermediate coupling unit, which effect the release of the respective intermediate coupling unit from or its locking on a respective lower container corner fitting.

Soll auch der Transport der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten zwischen den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln und einem Speicher ohne wesentlichen Einsatz menschlicher Arbeitskraft erfolgen, so ist vorgesehen, daß die Aufnahmen der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel über jeweils einen Transportweg mit einem Speicher für Zwischenkupplungseinheiten verbunden sind, wobei dieser Transportweg zur Orientierungserhaltung oder geordneten Umorientierung der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten ausgebildet ist.If the intermediate coupling units are to be transported between the intermediate coupling holder means and a storage device without substantial human labor, it is provided that the receptacles of the intermediate coupling holder means are each connected via a transport path to a storage unit for intermediate coupling units, this transport path being used for maintaining orientation or orderly reorientation of the intermediate coupling units is trained.

Die Speicher können, für den Fall, daß die Handhabung unterschiedlicher Typen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten vorgesehen ist, so ausgebildet sein, daß in ein und demselben Speicher, etwa in unterschiedlichen Fächern oder Bereichen unterschiedliche Zwischenkupplungseinheiten aufgenommen und abgegeben werden können.In the event that the handling of different types of intermediate coupling units is provided, the memories can be designed in such a way that different intermediate coupling units can be received and released in one and the same memory, for example in different compartments or areas.

Man kann einen Zentralspeicher für die in der Regel vier Aufnahmen einer Zwischenkupplungshalterung vorsehen; es ist aber auch denkbar und sogar bevorzugt, daß für jede Aufnahme der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel ein besonderer Speicher für Zwischenkupplungseinheiten vorgesehen ist. Dabei können die Speicher aus den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln entnehmbar sein, so daß man einen vollen Speicher durch einen leeren und bei Bedarf umgekehrt ersetzen kann.One can provide a central memory for the generally four receptacles of an intermediate coupling holder; but it is also conceivable and even preferred that a special memory for intermediate coupling units is provided for each receptacle of the intermediate coupling holder means. The memory can be removed from the intermediate coupling holder means, so that a full memory can be replaced by an empty one and vice versa if necessary.

Es wird empfohlen, daß der Transportweg und/oder die jeweilige Speicherstelle für eine Zwischenkupplungseinheit mit Orientierungserhaltungs- oder Korrekturmitteln versehen ist, welche auf Positionierungsflächen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten abgestimmt sind, insbesondere auf Positionierungsflächen von unteren Teileinheiten von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten, welche an genormte obere Container-Eckbeschläge angepaßt sind. Mit dieser Maßnahme macht man wieder von dem Umstand Gebrauch, daß die meisten handelsüblichen Zwischenkupplungseinheiten aufgrund ihrer Anpassung an die Eckbeschläge von Containern gewisse Flächen besitzen, die in ihrer Lage und Zuordnung in allen Ausführungsformen auftauchen.It is recommended that the transport route and / or the respective storage location for an intermediate coupling unit is provided with orientation preservation or correction means which are coordinated with positioning surfaces of intermediate coupling units, in particular with positioning surfaces of lower sub-units of intermediate coupling units which are adapted to standardized upper container corner fittings . With this measure one makes use again of the fact that most of the commercially available intermediate coupling units, due to their adaptation to the corner fittings of containers, have certain surfaces which appear in all embodiments in their position and assignment.

Es wird weiter vorgeschlagen, daß die Orientierungserhaltungs- oder Korrekturmittel des Transportwegs bzw. der Speicherstellen von einander zugekehrten Kanten und/oder aufwärtsgerichteten Auflageflächen von Schlitzbegrenzungsstreifen gebildet sind. Mit dieser Maßnahme wird von dem Umstand Gebrauch gemacht, daß bei den meisten Zwischenkupplungseinheiten Füllstücke für den Eingriff in obere Eckbeschläge von Containern vorhanden sind, welche sich zur Führung zwischen den Schlitzbegrenzungsstreifen eignen und ferner Flächen, die zur Auflage an den aufwärts gerichteten Auflageflächen geeignet sind.It is further proposed that the orientation preservation or correction means of the transport path or the storage locations are formed by mutually facing edges and / or upward contact surfaces by slot delimitation strips. This measure makes use of the fact that, in most intermediate coupling units, filler pieces for engaging in upper corner fittings of containers are available, which are suitable for guiding between the slot delimiting strips and also surfaces which are suitable for bearing on the upwardly directed bearing surfaces.

Der Speicher bzw. die Speicher kann bzw. können ein flächenhafter oder räumlicher Speicher sein; dementsprechend vielfältig müssen die Transportwege zum Speicher und innerhalb des Speichers gestaltet werden.The memory or the memories can be an areal or spatial memory; accordingly, the transport routes to and within the store must be designed in a variety of ways.

Es wurde schon darauf hingewiesen, daß es Container unterschiedlicher Abmessungen, insbesondere unterschiedlicher Längsabmessungen gibt. Aus diesem Grund wird weiter vorgeschlagen, daß die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel aus relativ zueinander beweglichen Kästen bestehen, welche eine Einstellung der Aufnahmen auf verschiedene Verteilungsbilder entsprechend der Anordnung oberer und unterer Container-Eckbeschläge an Containern unterschiedlicher Abmessung gestatten.It has already been pointed out that there are containers of different dimensions, in particular different longitudinal dimensions. For this reason, it is further proposed that the intermediate clutch holder means be made of there are boxes which are movable relative to one another and which allow the recordings to be adjusted to different distribution images in accordance with the arrangement of upper and lower container corner fittings on containers of different dimensions.

Die Speicher müssen unter Umständen erhebliche Stückzahlen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten aufnehmen. Dies kann Unterbringungsprobleme für die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten und damit auch für die entsprechend groß bemessenen Speicher mit sich bringen. Geht man wieder von der Vorstellung aus, daß die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel auf oder kurz über einer Fahrpiste angeordnet sind und daß pistengängige Container-Transportfahrzeuge benutzt werden, um Container in Position gegenüber den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln zu bringen, so kann es Schwierigkeiten geben, diese Speicher so unterzubringen, daß die pistengängigen Container-Transportfahrzeuge noch ungestört an die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel heranfahren können. Eine mögliche Lösung für dieses Problem liegt darin, daß der Speicher bzw. einzelnen Aufnahmen zugeordnete Individualspeicher für Zwischenkupplungseinheiten wenigstens zum Teil innerhalb eines durch die Aufnahmen definierten Breitenmaßes der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel angeordnet sind. Die pistengängigen Container-Transportfahrzeuge können dann wenigstens längs einer Spur in zwei Richtungen an die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel heranfahren bzw. von diesen wegfahren, und es bleibt trotzdem die Möglichkeit, die Speicher durch Verlängerung in dieser Spurrichtung auf entsprechende Kapazität zu bringen.The stores may have to accommodate significant numbers of intermediate coupling units. This can lead to housing problems for the intermediate coupling units and thus also for the correspondingly large storage units. Assuming again that the intermediate coupling holder means are arranged on or just above a driving lane and that piste-accessible container transport vehicles are used to position containers in relation to the intermediate coupling holder means, it can be difficult to accommodate these stores in such a way that the piste-accessible container transport vehicles can still approach the intermediate coupling holder means undisturbed. One possible solution to this problem is that the memory or individual receptacles assigned to individual receptacles for intermediate coupling units are arranged at least in part within a width dimension of the intermediate coupling holder means defined by the receptacles. The piste-accessible container transport vehicles can then approach or move away from the intermediate coupling holder means at least along one lane in two directions, and there is still the possibility of bringing the storage to corresponding capacity by extending in this lane direction.

Um die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel im Bereich eines Hafens an verschiedenen Stellen zum Einsatz bringen zu können, wird vorgeschlagen, daß die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel zusammen mit den Aufnahmen zugeordneten Betätigungsmitteln und/oder einem Speicher bzw. Individualspeichern der Aufnahmen als eine transportfähige Einheit ausgebildet sind, welche vorzugsweise durch einen Spreader erfaßbar und umsetzbar sind, gegebenenfalls auch nach Zerlegung in Teileinheiten.In order to be able to use the intermediate coupling holder means in the area of a port at various points, it is proposed that the intermediate coupling holder means together with actuating means assigned to the receptacles and / or a memory or individual storage of the recordings are designed as a transportable unit, which can preferably be detected and implemented by a spreader, if necessary also after disassembly into sub-units.

Es wurde weiter oben schon auf den wichtigen Gesichtspunkt des unmittelbaren Mitnehmens der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel durch einen Container-Verladekran hingewiesen. Um die hierzu erforderlichen Mitnahmemittel nicht zu einer Hemmung für die Bewegung der pistengängigen Containertransportmittel werden zu lassen, wird weiter vorgeschlagen, daß die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel durch Verbindungsmittel mit einen Teil eines Container-Verladekrans verbunden sind, welche von einem in Containerübergabeposition heranfahrenden schienenlosen Containertransportfahrzeug überfahrbar sind und gegebenenfalls Energie- und Steuerleitungen für die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel beinhalten. Die Verbindungsmittel können dabei entweder auf der Piste schleifen oder durch sehr niedrige Rollen oder Kugeln auf der Piste rollend geführt sein.The important aspect of the direct taking of the intermediate coupling holder means by a container loading crane has already been pointed out above. In order not to allow the entrainment means necessary for this to inhibit the movement of the container transport means accessible to the slopes, it is further proposed that the intermediate coupling holder means are connected by connecting means to a part of a container loading crane which can be passed over by a rail-less container transport vehicle approaching in the container transfer position and, if necessary Include power and control lines for the intermediate clutch holder means. The connecting means can either grind on the piste or be guided by very low rollers or balls on the piste.

Wenn an der Übergabestelle und damit am Ort der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel kein Bedienungs- und Überwachungspersonal mehr regelmäßig zugegen ist, so tritt vermehrt das Problem auf, Pannen automatisch auszuschließen. Eine mögliche Panne könnte sein, daß ein Spreader, der in Verbindung mit einem an den Zwischenkupplungshalterungsmitteln positionierten Container steht, angehoben wird, unter der irrigen Voraussetzung, daß der Container mit den an ihm angekuppelten Zwischenkupplungseinheiten von den Aufnahmen der Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln entkoppelt ist. Hier könnte durch das Anheben des Containers eine weitgehende Zerstörung der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel eintreten oder zumindest eine von deren Aufnahmen. Um dem entgegenzuwirken ist weiter vorgesehen, daß Sicherungsmittel vorgesehen sind, welche ein Mitnehmen einer Aufnahme und zugehöriger Funktionsteile bei Anheben eines Containers gegenüber den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln verhindern, wenn trotz Erteilung eines Lösebefehls zur Lösung der jeweiligen Zwischenkupplungseinheit vom Container dieser Lösebefehl bezüglich einer oder mehrere Zwischenkupplungseinheiten nicht oder fehlerhaft ausgeführt worden ist. Es kann dabei vorgesehen sein, daß die Sicherungsmittel ein Warn- oder Steuerungssignal an eine Bedienungsperson bzw. an ein zum Abnehmen des Containers von den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln dienendes Hubwerk abgeben.If operating and monitoring personnel are no longer regularly present at the transfer point and therefore at the location of the intermediate coupling holder means, the problem of automatically eliminating breakdowns arises. A possible breakdown could be that a spreader which is in connection with a container positioned on the intermediate coupling holder means is raised, under the erroneous assumption that the container with the intermediate coupling units coupled to it is decoupled from the receptacles of the intermediate coupling holder means. Here the lifting of the container could result in extensive destruction of the intermediate coupling holder means or at least one of their receptacles. To counteract this it is further provided that securing means are provided which prevent a receptacle and associated functional parts from being taken along when a container is lifted relative to the intermediate coupling holder means if, despite issuing a release command to release the respective intermediate coupling unit from the container, this release command with respect to one or more intermediate coupling units has not been carried out or has been carried out incorrectly . It can be provided that the securing means emit a warning or control signal to an operator or to a lifting mechanism which serves to remove the container from the intermediate coupling holder means.

Bei bestimmten Typen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten, denjenigen nämlich, bei denen der obere Eingriffskopf starr mit dem Sockel verbunden ist, kann der Fall auftreten, daß zur Lösung der Zwischenkupplungseinheit von einem unteren Container-Eckbeschlag bzw. zur Ankupplung an einen unteren Container-Eckbeschlag die Zwischenkupplungseinheit als ganze unter der Last des darüber stehenden Containers gedreht werden muß. Hierzu ist, wie oben schon angedeutet, eine Dreheinheit an den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln erforderlich. Um diese Dreheinheit unter Vermeidung der Installation all zu großer Antriebsleistung rechtzeitig wirksam werden lassen zu können, kann man der Dreheinheit eine Vorspanneinrichtung zuordnen, welche im Löse- bzw. Ankupplungssinn vorgespannt ist derart, daß bei Entlastung der Zwischenkupplungseinheit von dem Gewicht des Containers eine Drehung im Löse- bzw. Ankupplungssinn während der Entlastungsphase stattfindet.In certain types of intermediate coupling units, namely those in which the upper engaging head is rigidly connected to the base, the case may arise that the intermediate coupling unit is used to release the intermediate coupling unit from a lower container corner fitting or for coupling to a lower container corner fitting whole must be rotated under the load of the container above it. For this, as already indicated above, a rotating unit on the intermediate coupling holder means is required. In order to allow this rotating unit to take effect in good time while avoiding the installation of excessive drive power, the rotating unit can be assigned a pretensioning device which is pre-tensioned in the release or coupling direction in such a way that when the intermediate coupling unit is relieved of the weight of the container, a rotation in the Release or coupling sense takes place during the relief phase.

Im Hinblick auf die Anpassung an unterschiedliche Containermaße ist vorgesehen, daß die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel aus einem Grundrahmen und mindestens einem gegenüber dem Grundrahmen verstellbaren Bewegungsrahmen bestehen, durch dessen Verstellung das Verteilungsbild der Aufnahmen an das jeweilige Containerformat anpaßbar ist.With regard to the adaptation to different container dimensions, it is provided that the intermediate coupling holder means consist of a base frame and at least one movement frame that is adjustable relative to the base frame, by adjusting the distribution image of the receptacles to the respective container format is adaptable.

Um das Positionierungsprogramm eines Container-Verladekrans unabhängig von der Dimensionierung der Container zu machen, kann man an dem Grundrahmen zwei Bewegungsrahmen vorsehen, die in einer der der Containerlängsrichtung entsprechenden Richtung gegenüber dem Grundrahmen symmetrisch verstellbar sind und möglicherweise je einen oder zwei Speicher (68) aufnehmen.In order to make the positioning program of a container loading crane independent of the dimensions of the containers, two movement frames can be provided on the base frame, which can be adjusted symmetrically in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the container relative to the base frame and possibly accommodate one or two stores (68) .

Um die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel auf einfache Weise innerhalb eines Hafengeländes umsetzen zu können, kann man an den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln Eingriffsbeschläge für spreaderseitige Kupplungsmittel vorsehen, welche am Spreader für unterschiedliche Containerformate anpaßbar sind.In order to be able to implement the intermediate coupling holder means in a simple manner within a port area, engagement fittings for spreading-side coupling means, which can be adapted to different container formats on the spreader, can be provided on the intermediate coupling holder means.

Ein einfaches Versetzen der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel läßt sich auch dann erreichen, wenn die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel als straßengängige Einheit ausgebildet oder in eine solche umrüstbar und gegebenenfalls mit einem Schleppfahrzeug kuppelbar sind.A simple displacement of the intermediate coupling holder means can also be achieved if the intermediate coupling holder means are designed as a roadworthy unit or can be converted into such a unit and optionally coupled to a towing vehicle.

Da gelegentlich doch mit der Anwesenheit von Service-Personal im Bereich der Aufnahmen der Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel gerechnet werden muß, wird empfohlen, daß an den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln im Bereich der jeweiligen Aufnahmen Schutzdachmittel angeordnet sind, einerseits so, daß sie außer Überdeckung mit einem ordnungsgemäß sich annähernden oder angehoben werdenden Container liegen, andererseits so, daß sie an der jeweiligen Aufnahme tätigem Service-Personal unmittelbaren Schutz oder kurzen Fluchtweg gewähren. Zusätzliche Sicherheit für Service-Personal kann dabei auch dadurch erreicht werden, daß den Schutzdachmitteln eine Barriere zugeordnet ist, welche bei Austritt des Service-Personals aus dem Schutzdachbereich eine Annäherung eines straßengängigen Containertransportfahrzeugs in den Aufenthaltsbereich des Service-Personals unterbindet.Since the presence of service personnel in the area of the receptacles of the intermediate coupling holder means is to be expected, it is recommended that protective roof means are arranged on the intermediate coupling holder means in the area of the respective receptacles, on the one hand in such a way that they overlap with a properly approaching or raised expecting containers, on the other hand, so that they provide immediate protection or a short escape route for service personnel working at the respective reception. Additional security for service personnel can also be achieved in that the protective roof means is assigned a barrier which, when the service personnel exit the protective roof area, approaches road-going container transport vehicle in the lounge area of the service personnel.

Um das Positionieren von Containern gegenüber den Zwischenkupplungshaltermitteln insbesondere auch bei pendelnden Seilaufhängungen der Spreader zu erleichtern ist vorgesehen, daß die Zwischenkupplungshaltermittel mit Einweisungsmitteln für einen Container versehen sind.In order to facilitate the positioning of containers in relation to the intermediate coupling holder means, in particular also in the case of oscillating cable suspensions of the spreaders, it is provided that the intermediate coupling holder means are provided with instruction means for a container.

Die beiliegenden Figuren erläutern die Erfindung anhand eines Ausführungsbeispiels. Es stellen dar

Fig. 1
eine Ansicht einer Kai-Anlage in Längsrichtung der Kai-Kante mit einem Container-Schiff, einem Container-Verladekran und einer Container-Umsetzvorrichtung unterhalb des Container-Verladekrans;
Fig. 1a
einen oberen Eckbeschlag eines Containers zum Zusammenwirken mit einem der Twistlocks eines Spreaders in Draufsicht;
Fig. 2
eine Seitenansicht auf einen Zwischenkupplungshalter der Fig. 1 in Pfeilrichtung II der Fig. 1;
Fig. 2a
eine Seitenansicht auf den Zwischenkupplungshalter gemäß Fig. 2 in teleskopisch verlängerter Stellung;
Fig. 2b
eine Ansicht auf den Zwischenkupplungshalter gemäß Fig. 2 in einer nochmal verlängerten Stellung;
Fig. 3
eine Draufsicht auf den Zwischenkupplungshalter gemäß Fig. 2b;
Fig. 4
eine Zwischenkupplungseinheit im Eingriff mit einem oberen Eckbeschlag eines unteren Containers und gleichzeitig im Eingriff mit einem unteren Eckbeschlag eines oberen Containers;
Fig. 4a
schematisch den Eingriffszustand der Zwischenkupplungseinheit mit dem unteren Eckbeschlag des oberen Containers in Pfeilrichtung VIa-IVa der Fig. 4;
Fig. 4b
schematisch den Eingriff der Zwischenkupplungseinheit mit dem oberen Eckbeschlag des unteren Containers in Pfeilrichtung IVb-IVb der Fig. 4;
Fig. 5
die Anordnung nach Fig. 4 in einer Phase, in welcher der obere Container mit der an ihm verriegelten Zwischenkupplungseinheit von dem unteren Container abgehoben werden kann;
Fig. 5a und 5b
Darstellungen entsprechend Fig. 4a und 4b, jedoch entsprechend dem Zustand gemäß Fig. 5;
Fig. 6
den Eckbeschlag des oberen Containers nach erfolgtem Umsetzen des oberen Containers auf einen Zwischenkupplungshalter;
Fig. 6a und 6b
schematische Darstellungen entsprechend Fig. 4a und 4b, wobei Fig. 6a den Eingriffszustand der Zwischenkupplungseinheit mit dem umgesetzten oberen Container und Fig. 6b schematisch den Eingriffszustand der Zwischenkupplungseinheit mit dem Zwischenkupplungshalter darstellt;
Fig. 7
die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 6 nach Umstellung der Zwischenkupplungseinheit in eine Stellung, in welcher der obere Container unter Zurücklassung der Zwischenkupplungseinheit von dem Zwischenkupplungshalter abgehoben werden kann;
Fig. 7a und 7b
schematische Eingriffszustände der Zwischenkupplungseinheit mit dem umzusetzenden Container und mit dem Zwischenkupplungshalter entsprechend Fig. 7 in Betrachtungsrichtungen entsprechend Fig. 4, 4a und 4b;
Fig. 8
den Zwischenkupplungshalter mit einer Zwischenkupplungseinheit in der Relativposition gemäß Fig. 7, jedoch nach Abheben des umzusetzenden Containers;
Fig. 8a
die Stellung des oberen Teils der Zwischenkupplungseinheit gemäß Fig. 8;
Fig. 8b
den Eingriffszustand zwischen dem unteren Teil der Zwischenkupplungseinheit und dem Zwischenkupplungshalter gemäß Fig. 8;
Fig. 9
die Anordnung gemäß Fig. 8 nach Trennung eines am Zwischenkupplungshalter angebrachten Betätigungswerkzeugs von einem Betätigungshebel der Zwischenkupplungseinheit;
Fig. 9b
den Eingriffszustand zwischen dem unteren Teil der Zwischenkupplungseinheit und dem Zwischenkupplungshalter gemäß Fig. 9;
Fig. 10a
das Schema der Übergabe einer Zwischenkupplungseinheit von dem Zwischenkupplungshalter an ein Magazin;
Fig. 10b
eine Zwischenphase bei der Übergabe einer Zwischenkupplungseinheit von dem Zwischenkupplungshalter an das Magazin und
Fig. 11
eine Frontansicht des Magazins in Pfeilrichtung XI der Fig. 10b.
The accompanying figures explain the invention using an exemplary embodiment. It represent
Fig. 1
a view of a quay system in the longitudinal direction of the quay edge with a container ship, a container loading crane and a container transfer device below the container loading crane;
Fig. 1a
an upper corner fitting of a container for interacting with one of the twistlocks of a spreader in plan view;
Fig. 2
a side view of an intermediate coupling holder of Figure 1 in the direction of arrow II of Fig. 1.
Fig. 2a
a side view of the intermediate coupling holder of Figure 2 in the telescopically extended position.
Fig. 2b
a view of the intermediate coupling holder according to Figure 2 in a renewed position.
Fig. 3
a plan view of the intermediate coupling holder according to FIG. 2b;
Fig. 4
an intermediate coupling unit in engagement with an upper corner fitting of a lower container and at the same time in engagement with a lower corner fitting of an upper container;
Fig. 4a
schematically the state of engagement of the intermediate coupling unit with the lower corner fitting of the upper container in the direction of arrow VIa-IVa of Fig. 4;
Fig. 4b
schematically the engagement of the intermediate coupling unit with the upper corner fitting of the lower container in the direction of arrow IVb-IVb of Fig. 4;
Fig. 5
the arrangement of Figure 4 in a phase in which the upper container can be lifted from the lower container with the intermediate coupling unit locked to it.
5a and 5b
4a and 4b, but according to the state of FIG. 5;
Fig. 6
the corner fitting of the upper container after the upper container has been moved onto an intermediate coupling holder;
6a and 6b
schematic representations corresponding to FIGS. 4a and 4b, FIG. 6a schematically representing the state of engagement of the intermediate coupling unit with the converted upper container and FIG. 6b schematically representing the state of engagement of the intermediate coupling unit with the intermediate coupling holder;
Fig. 7
the arrangement of Figure 6 after switching the intermediate coupling unit into a position in which the upper container can be lifted off the intermediate coupling holder leaving the intermediate coupling unit behind;
7a and 7b
schematic engagement states of the intermediate coupling unit with the container to be moved and with the intermediate coupling holder according to FIG. 7 in viewing directions corresponding to FIGS. 4, 4a and 4b;
Fig. 8
the intermediate coupling holder with an intermediate coupling unit in the relative position according to FIG. 7, but after lifting off the container to be moved;
Fig. 8a
the position of the upper part of the intermediate coupling unit according to FIG. 8;
Fig. 8b
the engagement state between the lower part of the intermediate coupling unit and the intermediate coupling holder according to FIG. 8;
Fig. 9
the arrangement of Figure 8 after separation of an operating tool attached to the intermediate clutch holder from an operating lever of the intermediate clutch unit.
Fig. 9b
the engagement state between the lower part of the intermediate clutch unit and the intermediate clutch holder according to FIG. 9;
Fig. 10a
the diagram of the transfer of an intermediate coupling unit from the intermediate coupling holder to a magazine;
Fig. 10b
an intermediate phase in the transfer of an intermediate coupling unit from the intermediate coupling holder to the magazine and
Fig. 11
a front view of the magazine in the direction of arrow XI of Fig. 10b.

In der Fig. 1 ist eine Kai-Kante mit 10 bezeichnet; diese verläuft senkrecht zur Zeichenebene. Landseitig schließt sich an die Kai-Kante 10 eine Fahrpiste 12 für gummibereifte Fahrzeuge an. Auf dieser Kai-Piste 12 sind außerdem Schienen 14 für einen Container-Verladekran 16 parallel zur Kai-Kante 10 verlegt. Das Krangerüst 16 besteht aus einem Portal mit Portalsäulen 16a und einem Laufkatz-Brückenträger 16b. Auf dein Laufkatz-Brückenträger 16b fährt eine Laufkatze 18, welche über Hubseile 20 einen sogenannten Spreader trägt, d. h. einen Container-Aufnahmerahmen 22, welcher etwa dem Horizontalquerschnitt eines Containers entspricht und mit sogenannten Twistlocks 24 in seinen vier Ecken versehen ist, die zum Ankuppeln an obere Eckbeschläge 26a eines umzusetzenden Containers 26I ausgebildet sind. Die beiden Container 26I und 26II sind an Deck eines Container-Verladeschiffs 28 gestapelt. Dabei ist der untere Container 26II mit unteren Eckbeschlägen 26b unter Vermittlung von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 auf Tragerbeschlägen 32 des Schiffs 28 festgekuppelt. Andererseits ist der obere Container 26I mit seinen unteren Eckbeschlägen 26b an oberen Eckbeschlägen 26a des unteren Containers 26II wiederum durch Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 festgekuppelt.1, a quay edge is designated by 10; this runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. On the land side, the quay edge 10 is followed by a runway 12 for rubber-tired vehicles. Rails 14 for a container loading crane 16 are also laid parallel to the quay edge 10 on this quay runway 12. The crane frame 16 consists of a portal with portal columns 16a and a trolley bridge girder 16b. A trolley 18 drives onto your trolley bridge support 16b, which carries a so-called spreader via lifting cables 20, ie a container receiving frame 22 which corresponds approximately to the horizontal cross section of a container and is provided with so-called twistlocks 24 in its four corners, which are designed for coupling to upper corner fittings 26a of a container 26I to be moved. The two containers 26I and 26II are stacked on the deck of a container loading ship 28. The lower container 26II is coupled with lower corner fittings 26b by means of intermediate coupling units 30 to support fittings 32 of the ship 28. On the other hand, the upper container 26I with its lower corner fittings 26b is in turn coupled to the upper corner fittings 26a of the lower container 26II by intermediate coupling units 30.

Es sei nun angenommen, daß der Container 26I von seiner in Fig. 1 dargestellten Position A in eine Position B verbracht werden soll, wobei die Position B an beliebiger Stelle auf der Kai-Piste 12 gelegen sein kann, beispielsweise innerhalb eines Container-Lagers.It is now assumed that the container 26I is to be moved from its position A shown in FIG. 1 to a position B, where the position B can be located anywhere on the quay runway 12, for example within a container warehouse.

Hierzu wird wie folgt vorgegangen:To do this, proceed as follows:

Der Spreader 22 wird auf den oberen Container 26I abgesenkt und mit diesem durch Betätigung der Twistlocks 24 verbunden. Die Twistlocks 24 muß man sich als hammerförmige Gebilde vorstellen, deren Hammerstiel um eine vertikale Achse drehbar ist. Beim Absenken des Spreaders 22 auf den oberen Container 26I greifen die Hammerköpfe der Twistlocks 24 durch Langlöcher 26a1 der oberen Eckbeschläge 26a hindurch (Fig. 1a); sind sie durch die Langlöcher 26a1 hindurchgetreten, so werden die Hammerstiele um ihre vertikalen Achsen verdreht, so daß die Hammerköpfe 24a die oberen Eckbeschläge 26a untergreifen. Dann kann der Spreader 22 den oberen Container 26I anheben, sobald dieser von dem unteren Container 26II gelöst ist.The spreader 22 is lowered onto the upper container 26I and connected to it by actuating the twistlocks 24. The Twistlocks 24 must be imagined as a hammer-shaped structure, the hammer handle of which can be rotated about a vertical axis. When the spreader 22 is lowered onto the upper container 26I, the hammer heads of the twistlocks 24 reach through elongated holes 26a1 of the upper corner fittings 26a (FIG. 1a); if they have passed through the elongated holes 26a1, the hammer handles are rotated about their vertical axes, so that the hammer heads 24a engage under the upper corner fittings 26a. Then the spreader 22 can lift the upper container 26I as soon as it is detached from the lower container 26II.

Zur Lösung des oberen Containers 26I von dem unteren Container 26II werden die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 von dem unteren Container 26II entkuppelt, während diese Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 mit dem oberen Container 26I in Verbindung bleiben. Nunmehr kann der obere Container 26I von dem Spreader 22 längs eines Weges a-b-c in eine Position C auf einem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 umgesetzt werden. Wohl gemerkt: Auf dem Weg a-b-c sind die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 noch an dem Container 26I angekuppelt. Nun will man aber den Container 26I letztlich in die Position B bringen und beispielsweise auf der Kai-Piste 12 abstellen, wobei zum Abstellen auf der Kai-Piste 12 in der Position B die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 vorher von dem Container 26I abgekuppelt werden müssen.In order to release the upper container 26I from the lower container 26II, the intermediate coupling units 30 are uncoupled from the lower container 26II, while these intermediate coupling units 30 remain connected to the upper container 26I. The upper container 26I can now be moved by the spreader 22 along a path a-b-c into a position C on an intermediate coupling holder 34. Please note: on the route a-b-c, the intermediate coupling units 30 are still coupled to the container 26I. Now you want to bring the container 26I ultimately into position B and, for example, park it on the quay slope 12, the intermediate coupling units 30 having to be uncoupled from the container 26I beforehand in order to park on the quay slope 12 in position B.

Hierzu ist vorgesehen, daß der Container 26I auf dem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 mit den Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 aufgesetzt wird, daß dann, während sich der Container 26I auf dem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 befindet, die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 von dem Container 26I gelöst werden und daß dann der Container 26I von dem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 wieder abgenommen und in die Position B verbracht wird, wobei die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 an dem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 verbleiben sollen und von dort aus in einen Speicher für Zwischenkupplungseinheiten eingeführt werden sollen. Nach Lösen der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 von dem Container 26I im Bereich des Zwischenkupplungshalters 34 wird der Container 26I von einem weiteren Spreader 36 mittels auch an diesem Spreader 36 vorgesehener Twistlocks 24 erfaßt. Der Spreader 36 ist mittels Hubseilen 38 an einem Portalhubwagen 40 aufgehängt, der mittels pistengängiger und vorzugsweise lenkbarer Räder 42 auf der Kai-Piste 12 fahren kann, um den Container 26I von der Position C in die Position B zu bringen und ihn dort auf der Kai-Piste 12 abzusetzen. Dabei verbleiben, wie schon angedeutet, die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30, welche mit dem Container 26I aus der Position A in die Position C gelangt sind, an dem Zwischenkupplungsträger 34 zurück und werden dort in einem noch näher zu beschreibenden Speicher gespeichert.For this purpose, it is provided that the container 26I is placed on the intermediate coupling holder 34 with the intermediate coupling units 30, that then, while the container 26I is on the intermediate coupling holder 34, the intermediate coupling units 30 are detached from the container 26I and that the container 26I is then removed from the Intermediate clutch holder 34 is removed again and brought into position B, the intermediate clutch units 30 are intended to remain on the intermediate clutch holder 34 and are to be inserted from there into a memory for intermediate clutch units. After the intermediate coupling units 30 have been released from the container 26I in the region of the intermediate coupling holder 34, the container 26I is gripped by a further spreader 36 by means of twistlocks 24 also provided on this spreader 36. The spreader 36 is suspended by means of lifting ropes 38 on a gantry pallet truck 40, which can run on the quay piste 12 by means of wheels 42 which can be steered and preferably steerable, in order to bring the container 26I from position C to position B and place it there on the quay - Take off runway 12. Remain as before indicated that the intermediate coupling units 30, which have moved from the position A to the position C with the container 26I, return to the intermediate coupling carrier 34 and are stored there in a memory to be described in more detail.

Da der Laufkatzen-Brückenträger 16b Container-Verladekran 16 parallel zur Kai-Kante 10, also senkrecht zur Zeichenebene der Fig. 1, verfahrbar ist, um nacheinander Container von verschiedenen Abstellplätzen des Schiffes, die in Längsrichtung des Schiffes voneinander beabstandet sind, abheben zu können, ist es geboten, auch den Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 mit dem Krangerüst 16 in dessen verschiedene Positionen verfahren zu können. Zu diesem Zweck ist der Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 über eine Mitnehmerverbindung 44 mit der Portalsäule 16a des Krangerüsts auf Mitnahme verbunden. Der Mitnehmer 44 liegt dabei unmittelbar auf der Kai-Piste 12 auf, so daß der Portalhubwagen 40 beim Heranfahren in die Übernahmestellung zur Übernahme des Containers 26I aus der Position C von den Rädern 42 des Portalhubwagens 40 überfahren werden kann. In dem Mitnehmer 44 können dabei alle Versorgungsleitungen verlegt sein, welche zur Steuerung und Betätigung von bewegten Teilen im Bereich des Zwischenkupplungshalters 34 notwendig sind.Since the trolley bridge girder 16b container loading crane 16 can be moved parallel to the quay edge 10, that is to say perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1, in order to be able to successively lift containers from different parking spaces of the ship which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the ship , it is necessary to be able to also move the intermediate coupling holder 34 with the crane scaffold 16 in its different positions. For this purpose, the intermediate coupling holder 34 is connected via a driver connection 44 to the portal column 16a of the crane scaffold for driving. The driver 44 lies directly on the quay runway 12, so that the gantry truck 40 can be run over by the wheels 42 of the gantry truck 40 from position C when approaching the takeover position for taking over the container 26I. All supply lines which are necessary for the control and actuation of moving parts in the region of the intermediate coupling holder 34 can be laid in the driver 44.

Es muß weiter darauf hingewiesen werden, daß der Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 an verschiedene Container-Formate angepaßt werden muß, wobei die Anpassung in der Regel auf die Längsrichtung der Container beschränkt werden kann; die in Frage kommenden Container sind nämlich in Breitenrichtung genormt; in Längsrichtung gibt es aber unterschiedliche Formate, z. B. 40-Fuß-Container, 45-Fuß-Container und 20-Fuß-Container.It must also be pointed out that the intermediate coupling holder 34 must be adapted to different container formats, the adaptation generally being able to be restricted to the longitudinal direction of the containers; the containers in question are standardized across the board; in the longitudinal direction there are different formats, e.g. B. 40-foot containers, 45-foot containers and 20-foot containers.

In Fig. 2 erkennt man den Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 in einer auf einen 20-Fuß-Container abgestimmten Stellung. Der Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 besteht aus zwei Kästen 46, welche unter Vermittlung von Zwischenteleskopstücken 48 in einem Grundrahmen 50 geführt sind. Die Kästen 46 und die Zwischenteleskopstücke 48 sind gegenüber dem Grundrahmen 50 synchronisiert verstellbar, so daß man wahlweise die Längsausdehnungen gemäß den Fig. 2, 2a und 2b erreichen kann. An den Kästen 46 sind Einweisebleche 52 für den jeweils umzusetzenden Container angebracht.2 shows the intermediate coupling holder 34 in one position coordinated with a 20-foot container. The intermediate coupling holder 34 consists of two boxes 46 which are guided in a base frame 50 by means of intermediate telescopic pieces 48. The boxes 46 and the intermediate telescopic pieces 48 can be adjusted synchronously with respect to the base frame 50, so that one can optionally achieve the longitudinal dimensions according to FIGS. 2, 2a and 2b. Guide plates 52 are attached to the boxes 46 for the respective container to be moved.

In Fig. 3 erkennt man wieder die Mitnehmerkonstruktionen 44, welche den Grundrahmen 50 mit der Portalsäule 16a des Krangerüsts 16 auf Kai-Pistenniveau 12 verbinden. An den Kästen 46 ist in den insgesamt vier oberen Ecken jeweils eine Aufnahme 54 für die jeweils vier Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 eines Containers 26I vorgesehen.3 shows the driver constructions 44, which connect the base frame 50 to the portal column 16a of the crane scaffold 16 at the quay runway level 12. A receptacle 54 for the four intermediate coupling units 30 of a container 26I is provided on the boxes 46 in the four upper corners.

Zur Vorbereitung des Umsetzens des Containers 26I aus der Position A in die Position C werden die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 von dem Container 26II von Hand gelöst. Entsprechendes gilt, wenn zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt der Container 26II aus den Trägerbeschlägen 32 an Deck des Schiffs 28 gelöst werden soll.To prepare the transfer of the container 26I from the position A to the position C, the intermediate coupling units 30 are released from the container 26II by hand. The same applies if the container 26II is to be detached from the carrier fittings 32 on the deck of the ship 28 at a later point in time.

In Fig. 4 ist ein oberer Eckbeschlag 26a des unteren Containers 26II und ein unterer Eckbeschlag 26b des oberen Containers 26I dargestellt und zwischen diesen beiden eine Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30. Die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 umfaßt einen Sockel 30a, welcher aus einer Zwischenplatte 30a1, einem unteren Füllstück 30a2 und einem oberen Füllstück 30a3 besteht. Das untere Füllstück 30a2 füllt das Langloch 26a1 des oberen Eckbeschlags 26a im wesentlichen vollständig aus. Das obere Füllstück 30a3 füllt ein entsprechendes Langloch 26b1 des unteren Eckbeschlags 26b von Container 26I im wesentlichen vollständig aus. Dabei erstreckt sich die Längsachse LX der Langlöcher 26a1 und 26b1 in Fig. 4 senkrecht zur Zeichenebene. Die Zwischenplatte 30a1, welche annähernd quadratischen Umriß besitzt und mit ihren Quadratseiten parallel zu den Rechteckseiten der Langlöcher 26a1 und 26b1 liegt, weist eine abwärts gerichtete Auflagefläche 30a12 und eine aufwärts gerichtete Tragfläche 30a13 auf. Die abwärts gerichtete Auflagefläche 30a12 liegt auf der Oberseite 26a2 des oberen Eckbeschlags 26a des Containers 26II auf, während die Unterseite 26b2 des unteren Eckbeschlags 26b von Container 26I auf der aufwärts gerichteten Tragfläche 30a13 der Zwischenplatte 30a1 aufliegt. Im Zentrum des Sockels 30a ist eine Welle 30b drehbar gelagert. Diese Welle 30b trägt an ihrem oberen Ende einen oberen Hammerkopf 30c und an ihrem unteren Ende einen unteren Hammerkopf 30d.In Fig. 4, an upper corner fitting 26a of the lower container 26II and a lower corner fitting 26b of the upper container 26I is shown and between them an intermediate coupling unit 30. The intermediate coupling unit 30 comprises a base 30a, which consists of an intermediate plate 30a1, a lower filler 30a2 and an upper filler 30a3. The lower filler 30a2 fills the slot 26a1 of the upper corner fitting 26a substantially completely. The upper filler 30a3 essentially completely fills a corresponding elongated hole 26b1 of the lower corner fitting 26b of container 26I. The longitudinal axis LX extends Elongated holes 26a1 and 26b1 in Fig. 4 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The intermediate plate 30a1, which has an approximately square outline and lies with its square sides parallel to the rectangular sides of the elongated holes 26a1 and 26b1, has a downward bearing surface 30a12 and an upward wing 30a13. The downward bearing surface 30a12 rests on the upper side 26a2 of the upper corner fitting 26a of the container 26II, while the lower side 26b2 of the lower corner fitting 26b of container 26I rests on the upward supporting surface 30a13 of the intermediate plate 30a1. A shaft 30b is rotatably mounted in the center of the base 30a. This shaft 30b carries an upper hammer head 30c at its upper end and a lower hammer head 30d at its lower end.

Aus den Fig. 4a und 4b ist zu erkennen, daß im Zustand gemäß Fig. 4 die Welle 30b eine Winkelstellung gegenüber dem Sockel 30a einnimmt, in welcher der Hammerkopf 30d den oberen Eckbeschlag 26a untergreift und der Hammerkopf 30c den unteren Eckbeschlag 26b übergreift, so daß die beiden Eckbeschläge 26a und 26b der beiden Container 26II bzw. 26I miteinander verriegelt und gegen vertikales Abheben voneinander gesichert sind. An dem Sockel 30a ist ein Stellhebel 30e angebracht, der ein Drehen der Welle 30b erlaubt und in verschiedenen Positionen verschiedene Winkelstellungen der Welle 30b festlegt.4a and 4b that in the state according to FIG. 4 the shaft 30b assumes an angular position with respect to the base 30a, in which the hammer head 30d engages under the upper corner fitting 26a and the hammer head 30c engages over the lower corner fitting 26b, so that the two corner fittings 26a and 26b of the two containers 26II and 26I are locked together and secured against vertical lifting apart. An adjusting lever 30e is attached to the base 30a, which allows the shaft 30b to be rotated and fixes various angular positions of the shaft 30b in different positions.

Gemäß Fig. 5, 5a und 5b ist die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 von dem oberen Eckbeschlag 26a des Containers 26I gelöst, wie sich insbesondere aus der Fig. 5b ergibt, nämlich aus der Parallelstellung des Hammerkopfes 30d und des Langlochs 26a1. Andererseits ist die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 mit dem unteren Eckbeschlag 26b des oberen Containers 26I noch verriegelt, wie sich aus Fig. 5a ergibt, wo der obere Hammerkopf 30c quer zu dem Langloch 26b1 steht.5, 5a and 5b, the intermediate coupling unit 30 is released from the upper corner fitting 26a of the container 26I, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 5b, namely from the parallel position of the hammer head 30d and the elongated hole 26a1. On the other hand, the intermediate coupling unit 30 is still locked to the lower corner fitting 26b of the upper container 26I, as can be seen from FIG. 5a, where the upper hammer head 30c is transverse to the elongated hole 26b1.

Man beachte hierzu die neue Position des Stellhebels 30e. Im Zustand der Fig. 5 kann der Container 26I durch den Spreader 22 abgehoben und in die Position C der Fig. 1 verbracht werden, um dort auf den Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 aufgesetzt zu werden.Note the new position of the control lever 30e. In the state of FIG. 5, the container 26I can be lifted off by the spreader 22 and brought into the position C of FIG. 1 in order to be placed there on the intermediate coupling holder 34.

In Fig. 6 ist nun dargestellt, daß der Container 26I mit seinem unteren Eckbeschlag 26b in Fluchtstellung zu einer Zwischenkupplungsaufnahme 54 des Zwischenkupplungshalters 34 gebracht worden ist. In Fig. 6 ist die Winkelstellung der Welle 30b unverändert gegenüber der Winkelstellung in Fig. 5, so daß der obere Hammerkopf 30c noch an dem unteren Eckbeschlag 26b hängt und der untere Hammerkopf 30b in einen Langschlitz 54a der Aufnahme 54 unbehindert eintreten kann. Das Füllstück 30a2 entspricht in der Breite der Breite des Schlitzes 54a. Der obere Hammerkopf 30c übergreift nach wie vor den unteren Eckbeschlag 26b.6 shows that the container 26I with its lower corner fitting 26b has been brought into alignment with an intermediate coupling receptacle 54 of the intermediate coupling holder 34. In Fig. 6, the angular position of the shaft 30b is unchanged from the angular position in Fig. 5, so that the upper hammer head 30c still hangs on the lower corner fitting 26b and the lower hammer head 30b can enter an elongated slot 54a of the receptacle 54 unhindered. The filler 30a2 corresponds in width to the width of the slot 54a. The upper hammer head 30c still overlaps the lower corner fitting 26b.

In Fig. 7 erkennt man, daß an dem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 im Bereich der Zwischenkupplungsaufnahme 54 ein Betätigungsgerät für den Stellhebel 30e angebracht ist. Dieses Betätigungsgerät ist mit 56 bezeichnet. Es umfaßt eine Betätigungsgabel 56a an einem Betätigungsschaft 56b, welcher eine Schwenkwelle 56c diametral durchsetzt, in seiner Längsrichtung innerhalb der Betätigungswelle 56c in Pfeilrichtung 56d verschiebbar und mit der Betätigungswelle 56c in Pfeilrichtung 56e verdrehbar ist. Durch dieses Betätigungsgerät 56 kann der Stellhebel 30e in die Stellung gemäß Fig. 7 gebracht werden. In dieser Stellung nimmt der obere Hammerkopf 30c eine Parallelstellung zu dem Langloch 26b1 des unteren Eckbeschlags 26b von Container 26I ein, so daß der Container 26I von dem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 abgehoben werden kann unter Zurücklassung der Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 in der Aufnahme 54 des Zwischenkupplungshalters 34. Der Verbleib der Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 an dem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 ist durch die Einstellung des unteren Hammerkopfes 30d gesichert, der, wie insbesondere aus Fig. 7b hervorgeht, die Zwischenkupplungsaufnahme 54 untergreift.7 that an actuating device for the actuating lever 30e is attached to the intermediate coupling holder 34 in the region of the intermediate coupling receptacle 54. This actuator is designated 56. It comprises an actuating fork 56a on an actuating shaft 56b, which passes through a pivot shaft 56c diametrically, is displaceable in the longitudinal direction within the actuating shaft 56c in the direction of arrow 56d and can be rotated with the actuating shaft 56c in the direction of arrow 56e. By means of this actuating device 56, the setting lever 30e can be brought into the position according to FIG. 7. In this position, the upper hammer head 30c assumes a parallel position to the slot 26b1 of the lower corner fitting 26b of the container 26I, so that the container 26I can be lifted off the intermediate coupling holder 34, leaving the intermediate coupling unit 30 in the receptacle 54 of the intermediate coupling holder 34. The location the intermediate clutch unit 30 on the intermediate clutch holder 34 is secured by the setting of the lower hammer head 30d, which, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 7b, engages under the intermediate coupling receptacle 54.

Wenn nun der Container 26I mittels des Spreaders 36 des Portalhubwagens 40 von dem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 abgenommen wird, so tritt der Zustand gemäß Fig. 8, 8a und 8b ein.If the container 26I is now removed from the intermediate coupling holder 34 by means of the spreader 36 of the straddle carrier 40, the state according to FIGS. 8, 8a and 8b occurs.

Die Fig. 9 und 9b unterscheiden sich von den Fig. 8 und 8b nur dadurch, daß das Betätigungsgerät 56 von dem Stellhebel 30e zurückgezogen worden ist.9 and 9b differ from FIGS. 8 and 8b only in that the actuating device 56 has been withdrawn from the actuating lever 30e.

In Fig. 9 ist, wie schon in den Fig. 6, 7 und 8, ein Transportschieber 58 dargestellt, der längs einer Linearführungsschiene 58a verschiebbar ist. Der Transportschieber 58 ist gabelförmig ausgebildet und liegt mit seinen beiden Gabelschenkein 58b,58c an den in Fig. 9 zur Zeichenebene parallelen vorderen und hinteren Begrenzungsflächen der Zwischenplatte 30a1 an. Mittels dieses Transportschiebers 58 kann die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 gemäß Fig. 9b in Pfeilrichtung 60 aus dem Langschlitz 54a ausgeschoben werden. Dabei gleiten die beiden Seitenflächen 30a21 des Füllstücks 30a2 entlang den Schlitzbegrenzungsflächen 54a1 des Langschlitzes 54a. Auf diese Weise wird die Orientierung der Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 um ihre vertikale Achse erhalten.In FIG. 9, as in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a transport slide 58 is shown, which can be moved along a linear guide rail 58a. The transport slide 58 is fork-shaped and rests with its two fork legs 58b, 58c on the front and rear boundary surfaces of the intermediate plate 30a1 which are parallel to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 9. By means of this transport slide 58, the intermediate coupling unit 30 can be pushed out of the elongated slot 54a in the direction of arrow 60 according to FIG. 9b. The two side surfaces 30a21 of the filler 30a2 slide along the slot delimiting surfaces 54a1 of the elongated slot 54a. In this way, the orientation of the intermediate coupling unit 30 about its vertical axis is obtained.

In Fig. 10a ist die Position der Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 gemäß Fig. 9 in einem Schnitt nach Linie Xa-Xa der Fig. 9 erkennbar. Das Füllstück 30a2 befindet sich noch innerhalb des Langschlitzes 54a zwischen dessen beiden Schlitzbegrenzungsflächen 54a1, während die Zwischenplatte 30a1 auf der Oberseite 54b der Aufnahme 54 aufliegt. In Fig. 10a erkennt man, daß ein Transporttisch 62 in Position gegenüber der Zwischenkupplungsaufnahme 54 steht, und zwar so, daß die Oberseiten 62a des Transporttisches 62 bündig liegen mit der Oberseite 54b der Aufnahme 54 und daß ein Schlitz 62b mit Schlitzbegrenzungskanten 62b1 des Transporttisches 62 in Flucht liegt mit dem Langschlitz 54a der Aufnahme 54. In dieser Zuordnung kann nun der Transportschieber 58 die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 aus der Position gemäß Fig. 10a in die Position gemäß Fig. 10b verschieben.In FIG. 10a, the position of the intermediate coupling unit 30 according to FIG. 9 can be seen in a section along line Xa-Xa of FIG. 9. The filling piece 30a2 is still located within the elongated slot 54a between its two slot delimiting surfaces 54a1, while the intermediate plate 30a1 rests on the upper side 54b of the receptacle 54. In Fig. 10a it can be seen that a transport table 62 is in position opposite the intermediate coupling receptacle 54 is in such a way that the upper sides 62a of the transport table 62 lie flush with the upper side 54b of the receptacle 54 and that a slot 62b with slot boundary edges 62b1 of the transport table 62 is in alignment with the elongated slot 54a of the receptacle 54. In this assignment Now the transport slide 58 can move the intermediate coupling unit 30 from the position according to FIG. 10a to the position according to FIG. 10b.

Sobald die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 ihre Position gemäß Fig. 10b auf dem Transporttisch 62 erreicht hat, kann der Transportschieber 58 in nicht dargestellter Weise zurückgezogen werden, so daß mittels des Transporttisches 62 die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 in zwei zueinander orthogonalen Richtungen entsprechend den Richtungssymbolen 64 und 66 parallel zur Frontwand 68a eines Speichers 68 in vertikaler und horizontaler Richtung verschoben werden kann. Mittels des Transporttisches 62 kann dann die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 in Flucht mit einem der in Spalten 68I und 68II angeordneten Speicherfächer 68I1-68I4 bzw.68II1 - 68II4 gebracht werden. Ist die Fluchtstellung zu einem solchen Speicherfach einmal hergestellt, so kann die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 von dem Transporttisch 62 in das jeweilige Speicherfach transportiert werden, im Beispielsfall gemäß Fig.11 wird das Speicherfach 68II1 beschickt. Der Übergang von dem Transporttisch 62 in das Speicherfach 68II1 kann dabei von einer sägeartigen Transportstange 70 übernommen werden. Diese Transportstange 70 kann in Arbeitsstellung gegenüber jedem der Speicherfächer gebracht werden und befindet sich jeweils unterhalb des zu beschickenden Speicherfachs; gemäß Fig. 11 wird gerade das Speicherfach 68II1 beschickt. Demnach befindet sich die sägeförmige Transportstange 70 in dem darunterliegenden Speicherfach 68II2. Die Übergabe der Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 von dem Transporttisch 62 gemäß Fig. 10b in das Speicherfach 68II1 erfolgt dabei durch Sägezähne 70a der Transportstange 70. Der Abstand zwischen zwei paarweise zusammengehörigen Sägezähnen 70a ist jeweils auf die Länge des Füllstücks 30a2 abgestimmt, die in Fig. 10a mit 1 bezeichnet ist. Die Transportstange 70 ist entsprechend den Richtungssymbolen 72 und 74 beweglich und führt; in Betrachtungsrichtung V der Fig. 10b betrachtet, eine periodische Bewegung längs einer Rechtecksbahn in vertikaler Ebene aus. Gemäß Fig. 10b befinden sich zwei Sägezähne 70a in Registerstellung zu dem Füllstück 30a2, jedoch gemäß Fig. 11 unterhalb und außer Eingriff mit der Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30. Wenn nun die Transportstange 70 in Richtung 74 aus der Position gemäß Fig. 11 hochgeht, so gabeln die beiden mit dem Füllstück 30a2 in Registerstellung befindlichen Sägezähne 70a das Füllstück 30a2 ein. Wenn sich dann die Transportstange 70 in Pfeilrichtung 72 bewegt (in Fig. 10b nach oben), so wird die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 um den Hub h der Transportstange 70 in Pfeilrichtung 72 in das Speicherfach 68II1 hineingeschoben. Dabei wird die Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 durch Anlage der Längskanten 30a21 des Füllstücks 30a2 an Längskanten von Auflageleisten 68b des Speicherfaches 68II1 gegen Verdrehung um ihre Hochachse gehindert. Gleichzeitig liegt die Zwischenplatte 30a1 auf den Leisten 68b auf. Sobald die Transportstange 70 ihren Hub h in Pfeilrichtung 72 beendet hat, bewegt sie sich längs ihrer Rechtecksbahn wieder abwärts in Richtung des Pfeiles 74, so daß die Zahne 70a,die bis dahin das Füllstück 30a2 eingegabelt hatten, wieder außer Eingriff mit dem Füllstück 30a2 treten. Die Transportstange 70 kann dann einen Rückwärtshub in Pfeilrichtung 72 ausführen und nach Ausführung dieses Rückwärtshubs entlang dem Pfeil 74 gemäß Fig. 11 wieder nach oben gehen, um eine weitere, von dem Transporttisch 62 dargebotene Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 zu übernehmen und in das Speicherfach 68II1 hereinzuholen. Dabei werden die bereits in dem Speicherfach 68II1 enthaltenen Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 durch die nächstfolgenden Zähnepaare jeweils um eine Hublänge h zu weiteren Speicherplätzen in dem Speicherfach 68II1 gebracht. Auf diese Weise ist sichergestellt, daß die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 in dem Speicherfach 68II1 definierte Positionen in Längsrichtung dieses Speicherfachs einnehmen, so daß sie durch die Transportstange 70 auch wieder zum Zwecke des Rücktransport auf dem Transporttisch 62 erfaßt werden können. Wenn ein Speicherfach gefüllt ist, so stellt sich der Transporttisch 62 in Fluchtstellung zu einem weiteren Speicherfach ein usw. Gleichzeitig wird die Transportstange 70 dem neu zu beschickenden Speicherfach gegenüber in Position gebracht, d. h. in das unter dem neu zu beschickenden Speicherfach gelegene Speicherfach eingeführt.As soon as the intermediate coupling unit 30 has reached its position according to FIG. 10b on the transport table 62, the transport slide 58 can be withdrawn in a manner not shown, so that by means of the transport table 62 the intermediate coupling unit 30 in two mutually orthogonal directions corresponding to the direction symbols 64 and 66 parallel to Front wall 68a of a memory 68 can be moved in the vertical and horizontal directions. By means of the transport table 62, the intermediate coupling unit 30 can then be brought into alignment with one of the storage compartments 68I1-68I4 or 68II1-68II4 arranged in columns 68I and 68II. Once the escape position to such a storage compartment has been established, the intermediate coupling unit 30 can be transported from the transport table 62 into the respective storage compartment. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the storage compartment 68II1 is loaded. The transition from the transport table 62 into the storage compartment 68II1 can be taken over by a saw-like transport rod 70. This transport rod 70 can be placed in the working position opposite each of the storage compartments and is located below the storage compartment to be loaded; 11, the storage compartment 68II1 is being loaded. Accordingly, the saw-shaped transport rod 70 is located in the storage compartment 68II2 underneath. The transfer of the intermediate coupling unit 30 from the transport table 62 10b into the storage compartment 68II1 takes place by saw teeth 70a of the transport rod 70. The distance between two saw teeth 70a which belong together in pairs is matched to the length of the filler 30a2, which is designated by 1 in FIG. 10a. The transport rod 70 is movable and leads according to the direction symbols 72 and 74; viewed in viewing direction V of FIG. 10b, a periodic movement along a rectangular path in the vertical plane. According to FIG. 10b, two saw teeth 70a are in register position with the filler 30a2, but according to FIG. 11 below and out of engagement with the intermediate coupling unit 30. If the transport rod 70 now goes up in the direction 74 from the position according to FIG. 11, the fork filler 30a2 into both saw teeth 70a with the filler 30a2 in register position. If the transport rod 70 then moves in the direction of the arrow 72 (upwards in FIG. 10b), the intermediate coupling unit 30 is pushed into the storage compartment 68II1 by the stroke h of the transport rod 70 in the direction of the arrow 72. In this case, the intermediate coupling unit 30 is prevented from rotating about its vertical axis by the longitudinal edges 30a21 of the filler 30a2 resting on the longitudinal edges of support strips 68b of the storage compartment 68II1. At the same time, the intermediate plate 30a1 rests on the strips 68b. As soon as the transport rod 70 has completed its stroke h in the direction of arrow 72, it moves downwards again along its rectangular path in the direction of the arrow 74, so that the teeth 70a, which had previously forked the filling piece 30a2, come out of engagement with the filling piece 30a2 again . The transport rod 70 can then carry out a reverse stroke in the direction of arrow 72 and after executing this reverse stroke along the arrow 74 according to FIG. 11 go up again in order to take over a further intermediate coupling unit 30 presented by the transport table 62 and to bring it into the storage compartment 68II1. The ones already contained in the storage compartment 68II1 Intermediate clutch units 30 are brought to further storage locations in the storage compartment 68II1 by the next following pairs of teeth each by a stroke length h. This ensures that the intermediate coupling units 30 in the storage compartment 68II1 assume defined positions in the longitudinal direction of this storage compartment, so that they can also be gripped by the transport rod 70 for the purpose of return transport on the transport table 62. When a storage compartment is filled, the transport table 62 sets itself in alignment with another storage compartment etc. At the same time, the transport rod 70 is brought into position opposite the storage compartment to be loaded, ie inserted into the storage compartment located under the storage compartment to be loaded.

Für jede der vier Zwischenkupplungsaufnahmen 54 des Zwischenkupplungshalters 34 gemäß Fig. 2, 2a, 2b und 3 kann ein besonderer Speicher vorgesehen sein. Insbesondere empfiehlt es sich, in jedem der Kästen 46 je zwei Speicher für die beiden, dem jeweiligen Kasten 46 zugeordneten Aufnahmen 54 vorzusehen. Die Speicher 68 gemäß Fig. 10a, 10b und 11 können in die Kästen 46 lose eingestellt sein, so daß sie aus diesen beispielsweise mit einem Gabelstapler entnommen und ersetzt werden können.A special memory can be provided for each of the four intermediate coupling receptacles 54 of the intermediate coupling holder 34 according to FIGS. 2, 2a, 2b and 3. In particular, it is advisable to provide two stores in each of the boxes 46 for the two receptacles 54 assigned to the respective box 46. The memories 68 according to FIGS. 10a, 10b and 11 can be set loosely in the boxes 46 so that they can be removed from them and replaced, for example with a forklift.

Es ist ohne weiteres ersichtlich, daß der Container 26I auch von der Position B über die Position C in die Position A an Deck des Schiffes 28 gebracht werden kann. Dabei wird der aus der Position B ohne Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 in der Position C ankommende Container 26I auf dem Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 mit Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 bestückt, wobei diese an ihm verriegelt werden. Dann kann wieder der Spreader 22 den Container 26I aufnehmen und auf dem Weg c-b-a entgegen der Pfeilrichtung in die Position A bringen, wo er wieder auf dem unteren Container 26II aufgesetzt werden kann. Nach Aufsetzen werden die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 mit den oberen Eckbeschlägen 26a des unteren Containers 26II wieder verriegelt.It is readily apparent that container 26I can also be moved from position B via position C to position A on the deck of ship 28. In this case, the container 26I arriving from position B without intermediate coupling units 30 in position C on the intermediate coupling holder 34 is equipped with intermediate coupling units 30, these being locked to it. Then the spreader 22 can again pick up the container 26I and bring it on the path cba in the direction of the arrow to position A, where it is again on the lower one Container 26II can be placed. After mounting, the intermediate coupling units 30 are locked again with the upper corner fittings 26a of the lower container 26II.

Dabei ist nun vorgesehen, daß die Verriegelung der unteren Hammerköpfe 30d in den oberen Eckbeschlägen 26a des unteren Containers 26II oder in den Beschlägen 32 an Deck des Schiffes 28 selbsttätig erfolgt. Hierzu werden die Hammerköpfe 30d in eine Zwischenstellung gebracht, aus der heraus sie beim Eintauchen in das jeweilige Langloch 26a1 durch Einweisungsschrägen des Hammerkopfes in Parallelstellung zu dem jeweiligen Langloch 26a1 verdreht werden können, um nach Durchgang durch das jeweilige Langloch 26a1 unter Federwirkung den jeweiligen oberen Eckbeschlag 26a zu untergreifen.It is now provided that the lower hammer heads 30d are automatically locked in the upper corner fittings 26a of the lower container 26II or in the fittings 32 on the deck of the ship 28. For this purpose, the hammer heads 30d are brought into an intermediate position, from which they can be rotated when they are immersed in the respective elongated hole 26a1 by instruction bevels of the hammer head in parallel position to the respective elongated hole 26a1, in order to pass the respective upper corner fitting after passing through the respective elongated hole 26a1 26a to reach under.

Die Überführung des jeweiligen Hammerkopfes 30d in eine Bereitschaftsstellung, aus der heraus er beim Eintauchen in ein Langloch 26a1 sich entgegen der Federwirkung selbsttätig parallel zum Langloch 26a1 stellt, wird bereits vor oder während des Ausfahrens des Hammerkopfs 30d aus dem Langschlitz 54a der Aufnahme 54 bewirkt. Diese Herbeiführung des Bereitschaftszustands kann wiederum durch Einwirkung auf den Stellhebel 30e geschehen.The transfer of the respective hammer head 30d into a standby position, from which, when immersed in an elongated hole 26a1, automatically positions itself parallel to the elongated hole 26a1 against the spring action, is effected before or during the extension of the hammer head 30d from the elongated slot 54a of the receptacle 54. This bringing about the standby state can in turn take place by acting on the actuating lever 30e.

Es sei hier noch angemerkt, daß es unterschiedliche Konstruktionen von Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 gibt. Eine alternative Ausführungsform sieht vor, daß der obere Hammerkopf 30c einer Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 gegenüber dem Sockel 30a unverdrehbar ist. In diesem Fall muß die Aufnahme 54 so ausgebildet sein, daß sich die gesamte Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 in ihr drehen kann. Es wird dann der Aufnahme 54 ein Drehantrieb zugeordnet, welcher die Verdrehung der Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 bewirkt. Dieser Drehantrieb kann dann am unteren Füllstück 30a2 des Sockels 30a angreifen. Dabei tritt nun das folgende Problem auf: Solange ein oberer Container 26I auf der Zwischenkupplungseinheit 30 oder genauer gesagt auf der Zwischenkupplungsplatte 30a1 aufliegt, die ihrerseits auf der Oberseite 54b einer Aufnahme 54 aufliegt, ist ein Verdrehen des Sockels 30a zum Zwecke der Entriegelung von bzw. Verriegelung mit dem unteren Eckbeschlag 26b des Containers 26I nur gegen großen Reibungswiderstand möglich. Um diesen Reibungswiderstand zu umgehen, ist vorgesehen, daß an dem Sockel 30a Drehvorspanngerät angreift, welches die Betätigungskraft zum Verdrehen des Sockels 30a speichert und die Verdrehung bewirkt, sobald die Zwischenplatte entlastet wird.It should also be noted here that there are different designs of intermediate coupling units 30. An alternative embodiment provides that the upper hammer head 30c of an intermediate coupling unit 30 cannot be rotated relative to the base 30a. In this case, the receptacle 54 must be designed so that the entire intermediate coupling unit 30 can rotate in it. A rotary drive is then assigned to the receptacle 54, which causes the intermediate coupling unit 30 to rotate. This rotary drive can then on the lower filler 30a2 Attack base 30a. The following problem now arises: As long as an upper container 26I rests on the intermediate coupling unit 30 or more precisely on the intermediate coupling plate 30a1, which in turn rests on the upper side 54b of a receptacle 54, the base 30a is twisted for the purpose of unlocking or Locking with the lower corner fitting 26b of the container 26I is only possible against great frictional resistance. In order to avoid this frictional resistance, it is provided that the base 30a is engaged by a rotary pretensioner, which stores the actuating force for rotating the base 30a and causes the rotation as soon as the intermediate plate is relieved.

Die soweit beschriebene erfindungsgemäße Konstruktion erlaubt ein beschleunigtes Umsetzen der Container. Im Gegensatz zu bisheriger Betriebsweise ist es nicht mehr notwendig, nach Abheben eines Containers von einem darunter liegenden Container die zunächst von dem abgehobenen Container mitgenommenen Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 von Handabzukuppeln und zu speichern. Dadurch wird eine sehr mühselige, gefährliche und teure Handarbeit eingespart. Die gleiche Ersparnis tritt auch dann ein, wenn ein Container vor dem Aufsetzen auf ein Container-Schiff mit Zwischenkupplungseinheiten bestückt werden muß, mit denen er dann an einem darunter liegenden Container oder an Deck befestigt werden soll. Auch dieses Ansetzen der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 auf den am Schiff zu verladenden Container wurde bisher von Hand durchgeführt und wird nunmehr durch die mechanischen Mittel im Bereich des Zwischenkupplungshalters ersetzt. Handarbeit ist allenfalls noch an Deck des Schiffes erforderlich, wenn ein Container von einem darunter liegenden Container oder von Beschlägen an Deck abgekuppelt werden soll.The construction according to the invention described so far allows the containers to be moved faster. In contrast to the previous mode of operation, it is no longer necessary to manually disconnect and save the intermediate coupling units 30, which were initially carried along by the lifted container, after lifting a container from a container underneath. This saves a very tedious, dangerous and expensive manual work. The same savings also occur if a container must be equipped with intermediate coupling units with which it is then to be attached to an underlying container or on the deck before being placed on a container ship. This attachment of the intermediate coupling units 30 to the container to be loaded on the ship has previously also been carried out by hand and is now being replaced by the mechanical means in the region of the intermediate coupling holder. Manual work is still necessary on the deck of the ship if a container is to be uncoupled from an underlying container or from fittings on the deck.

Bisher ist davon ausgegangen worden, daß die Container landseitig durch ein Containertransportfahrzeug, etwa einem Portalhubwagen, der in den Zeichnungen bei 40 dargestellten Art, an den Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 angeliefert werden. Es ist auch die Möglichkeit denkbar, daß ein Container etwa auf einem Plattformwagen an den Zwischenkupplungshalter herangefahren wird und dort in Position gegenüber den jeweiligen Aufnahmen für die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten abgesetzt werden soll. In diesem Fall kann man dem Zwischenkupplungshalter stationär einen Hilfskran zuordnen, welcher den jeweiligen Container von dem Plattformwagen abhebt und auf dem Zwischenkupplungshalter absetzt.So far, it has been assumed that the containers are delivered to the intermediate coupling holder 34 on the land side by a container transport vehicle, for example a straddle carrier, of the type shown at 40 in the drawings. It is also conceivable that a container is brought up to the intermediate coupling holder, for example on a platform carriage, and is to be placed there in position relative to the respective receptacles for the intermediate coupling units. In this case, an auxiliary crane can be assigned to the intermediate coupling holder in a stationary manner, which lifts the respective container from the platform truck and places it on the intermediate coupling holder.

Wie auch immer der Container 26I von der Position C im Importbetrieb weiterbefördert wird, es ergibt sich folgender Vorteil:However the container 26I is transported from position C in the import operation, the following advantage results:

Sobald der Container 26I auf den Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 aufgesetzt ist, kann der Spreader 22 von dem Container bereits wieder abgehoben und mittels der Laufkatze 18 zur Aufnahme eines weiteren Containers zurück zum Schiff gefahren werden, ohne abwarten zu müssen, bis die Zwischenkupplungseinheiten 30 von dem Container 26I abgenommen sind.As soon as the container 26I is placed on the intermediate coupling holder 34, the spreader 22 can already be lifted off the container and driven back to the ship by means of the trolley 18 for receiving another container without having to wait until the intermediate coupling units 30 have been removed from the container 26I are decreased.

Der Kranzyklus wird also durch das Abnehmen und Anbringen der Zwischenkupplungseinheiten nicht beeinflußt und insbesondere nicht verlängert.The ring cycle is therefore not influenced by the removal and attachment of the intermediate coupling units and in particular is not extended.

Erwähnt sei auch noch, daß der Zwischenkupplungshalter 34 auch dort eingesetzt werden kann, wo bei einem Container-Verladekran mit zwei oder mehr Laufkatzen die Übergabe von einem Spreader der einen Laufkatze auf einen Spreader einer anderen Laufkatze erfolgt.It should also be mentioned that the intermediate coupling holder 34 can also be used where, in the case of a container loading crane with two or more trolleys, the transfer from a spreader of one trolley to a spreader of another trolley takes place.

Claims (39)

  1. Method of transferring containers (26I, 26II) having upper container corner fittings (26a) at their upper corners for coupling with counterpart coupling means (24) of a spreader (22) and lower container corner fittings (26b) at their lower corners for connection to the upper corner fittings (26a) of a respective lower container (26II) or to matching mount fittings (32) of a container mount (28), as the case may be, between a first location (A) where the respective container (26I) is secured at its lower container corner fittings (26b) by means of releasable intercoupling units (30) to upper container corner fittings (26a) of a lower container (26II) or to matching mount fittings (32) of container mount (28), as the case may be, and a second location (B) where the container (26I) is to be accommodated without the intercoupling units (30), within the scope of which method the intercoupling units (30) are first released from the lower container (26I) or container mount (28), the container (26I) to be transferred is then lifted off from the lower container (26II) or mount (28) by means of a spreader (22), the intercoupling units (30) being taken along, the intercoupling units (30) are then detached from the lower container corner fittings (26b), and the container (26I) to be transferred, freed from its intercoupling units (30), is then conveyed to the said second location (B),
    characterized
    in that the container (26I) to be transferred, on its way from the first location (A) to the second location (B), is deposited on intercoupling holder means (34) equipped, according to a pattern of distribution matching the arrangement of upper container corner fittings (26a), with receptacles (54) for the intercoupling units (30), the intercoupling units (30) entering into engagement with said receptacles (54), in that the intercoupling units (30) are then uncoupled from the container (26I) positioned in relation to the intercoupling holder means (34), and in that the container (26I) to be transferred is then further conveyed towards the second location (B), leaving the intercoupling units (30) behind at the intercoupling holder means (34).
  2. Method of transferring containers (26I, II) having upper container corner fittings (26a) at their upper corners for coupling with counterpart coupling means (24) of a spreader (22) and lower container corner fittings (26b) at their lower corners for connection to upper container corner fittings (26a) of a respective lower container (26II) or to matching mount fittings (32) of a container mount (28), as the case may be, between a second location (B) and a first location (A) where the lower container corner fittings (26b) of the container (26I) to be transferred are to be coupled, with intermediacy of intercoupling units (30), to upper container corner fittings (26a) of a lower container (26II) or matching mount fittings (32) of a container mount (28), the container (26I) to be transferred being fitted on its way from the second location (B), where it had been accommodated without intercoupling units (30), to the first location (A), with its intercoupling units (30) and then further conveyed by means of a spreader (22) to the first location (A) and there deposited on the lower container (26II) or container mount (28), as the case may be, and connected to the upper container corner fittings (26a) of the lower container (26II) or the mount fittings (32), with intermediacy of the intercoupling units (30),
    characterized
    in that the container (26I) to be transferred, coming from the second location (B), is first deposited on intercoupling holder means (34), which means, according to a distribution pattern corresponding to the arrangement of upper container corner fittings (26a) or mount fittings (32), has receptacles (54) for intercoupling units (30) and is fitted with intercoupling units (30) in said receptacles (54), in that the container (26I) to be transferred, during its positioning in relation to the intercoupling holder means (34), is connected to the intercoupling units (30), and in that the container (26I) to be transferred is then conveyed from the intercoupling holder means (34) to the first location (A), taking the intercoupling units (30) along, is there deposited on the respective lower container (26II) or container mount (28), as the case may be, and secured with intermediacy of the intercoupling units (30).
  3. Method according to claim 1,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling units (30) are taken from the respective receptacle (54) and supplied to a magazine (68).
  4. Method according to claim 3,
    characterized
    in that the transport of the intercoupling units (30) from the respective receptacle (54) to a magazine station (68I1, 68II1...) is performed with preservation of the orientation of the intercoupling unit (30) in space or with ordered reorientation thereof.
  5. Method according to claim 2,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling units (30) are supplied from a magazine (48) to the respective receptacle (54).
  6. Method according to claim 5,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling units (30) are supplied from their respective magazine station (68I1, 68II1 ...) to the respective receptacle (54) with preservation of their orientation in space or with ordered reorientation.
  7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
    characterized
    in that, the intercoupling units (30) being fabricated with positioning surfaces (30a21, 30a22) intended and configured for engagement in apertures (26a1) of upper container corner fittings (26a) or matching mount fittings (32) and with downward-directed bearing surfaces (30a12) intended for placement on the top of upper container corner fittings (26a) or matching mount fittings (32), the intercoupling units (30) are positioned at the receptacles (54) of the intercoupling holder means (34) by said positioning surfaces (30a21, 30a22) and/or bearing surfaces (30a12).
  8. Method according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling units (30) are transported from the receptacles (54) of the intercoupling holder means (34) by mechanical transport means (62, 70) to the respective magazine station (68I1, 68-II1 ...) or from the respective magazine station (68I1, 68II ...) to the respective receptacle station (54) by mechanical transport means (62, 70).
  9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
    characterized
    in that the container (26I), en route between the first location (A) and the second (B), is brought together at a station (C) with the intercoupling holder means (34) for delivery and/or pick-up of the intercoupling units (30), at which station a transfer between different container transport means (18, 22, 40, 36) takes place.
  10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling holder means (34) are carried along by a container loading crane (14, 18) to various operating stations of said container loading crane (16, 18).
  11. Device for practicing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
    characterized by intercoupling holder means (34) having receptacles (54) for intercoupling units (30), said intercoupling holder means (34) having receptacles (54) for intercoupling units (30) in accordance with a distribution pattern matching the arrangement of lower container corner fittings (26a).
  12. Device according to claim 11,
    characterized
    in that with a given receptacle (54) of the intercoupling holder means (34), mechanical actuating means (56) are associated for releasing or coupling a given intercoupling unit (30) from or to a container (26I).
  13. Device according to claim 12,
    characterized
    in that the mechanical actuating means (56) are configured to be convertible and/or interchangeable for different types of intercoupling units (30).
  14. Device according to claim 13,
    characterized
    in that the mechanical actuating means (56) comprise at least one power unit at the holder end in spatial relation to a given receptacle (54), and in that, in adaptation to different intercoupling units (30), different purchase means (56a) may be coupled to said power unit for purchase of intercoupling units, (30) and/or power transmission means (56b).
  15. Device according to any one of claims 12 to 14,
    characterized
    in that the mechanical actuating means (56) of a given receptacle (54) comprise a rotary unit, said rotary unit being intended and configured to cooperate with lower coupling part units (30a2, 30d) of intercoupling units (30), namely with those part units (30a1, 30d) which are intended and configured for engagement in upper container corner fittings (26d) and/or mount fittings (32), said rotary unit being capable of releasing or locking the intercoupling unit (30) vis-à-vis a given lower container corner fitting (26b) by rotating the intercoupling unit (30) as a whole within the given receptacle.
  16. Device according to any one of claims 12 to 15,
    characterized
    in that the actuating means (56) are configured for engagement with setting means (30e) of the intercoupling unit (30), which setting means effect the release of the given intercoupling unit (30) from, or its locking to, a given lower container corner fitting (26b).
  17. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 16,
    characterized
    in that the receptacles (54) of the intercoupling holder means (34) are connected by one transport path in each instance with a magazine (68) for intercoupling units (30), said transport path being configured for preservation of orientation or ordered reorientation of the intercoupling units (30).
  18. Device according to claim 17,
    characterized
    in that for each receptacle (54) of the intercoupling holder means (34), a special magazine (68) for intercoupling units (30) is provided.
  19. Device according to claim 17 or 18,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling magazine (68) is configured to accommodate various electively employable types of intercoupling units (30).
  20. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 19,
    characterized
    in that the transport path and/or the given magazine station for an intercoupling unit (30) is provided with orientation-maintaining or correcting means (54a1, 62b1, 68b) gauged to positioning surfaces (30a21, 30a22) of intercoupling units (30), in particular to positioning surfaces (30a21, 30a22) of lower part units (30a2, 30d) of intercoupling units (30) adapted to standardized upper container corner fittings (26a).
  21. Device according to claim 20,
    characterized
    in that the orientation-preserving or correcting means (54a1, 62b1, 68b) of the transport path or of the magazine stations (68I1, 68II1 ...) are formed by mutually facing edges (62b1, 68b) and/or upward- directed bearing surfaces (62a, 68b) of slit boundary strips.
  22. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 21,
    characterized
    in that the magazine (68) is an areal or spatial magazine, and accordingly comprises transport paths in at least two or at least three mutually perpendicular directions of transport respectively.
  23. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 22,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling holder means (34) consist of boxes (46) movable relative to each other, permitting an adjustment of the receptacles (54) to various distribution patterns corresponding to the arrangement of upper and lower container corner fittings (26a, 26b) on containers (26I) of various dimensions.
  24. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 23,
    characterized
    in that the magazine (68), or individual magazines (68) associated with single receptacles (54) for intercoupling units (30), are arranged at least in part within a measure of breadth, defined by the receptacles (54), of the intercoupling holder means (34).
  25. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 24,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling holder means (34) together with the actuating means (56) associated with the receptacles (54) and/or a magazine or individual magazines (68) of the receptacles (54) are configured as a transportable unit (34), capable of being picked up and transferable preferably by means of a spreader (22, 36), likewise after subdivision into part units, if required.
  26. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 25,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling holding means (34) are so arranged in the neighborhood of a runway (12) for trackless container transport vehicles (40) that they afford them (40) the possibility of bringing up and depositing or taking off and carrying away containers (26I) respectively to and from the intercoupling holder means (34).
  27. Device according to claim 26,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling holder means (34) are connected by connecting means (44) to a part (16a) of a container loading crane (16), which means are conveyable by a trackless container transport vehicle (40) being brought up into container transfer position (C) and, if required, contain energy and control lines for the intercoupling holder means (34).
  28. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 27,
    characterized
    in that securing means are provided which prevent a receptacle (54) and associated functional parts (56) from being carried along upon lifting of a container (26I) relative to the intercoupling holder means (34) if, despite issuance of a release command to release the given intercoupling unit (30) from the container (26I), said release command has failed to be executed or been faultily executed with respect to one or more intercoupling units (30) or if no release command was issued.
  29. Device according to claim 28,
    characterized
    in that the securing means emit a warning or control signal to an operator and/or to a mechanism (38) serving to remove the container (26I) from the intercoupling holder means (34).
  30. Device according to any of claims 11 to 29,
    characterized
    in that, in the case of an intercoupling unit (30) required to be rotated as a whole under the load of the container (26I) for release from a lower container corner fitting (26b) or for coupling to a lower container corner fitting (26b), a rotary unit intended for the purpose is prestressed at the intercoupling holder means (34) in the direction of release or coupling, as the case may be, by a prestress means, in such manner that upon relief of the intercoupling unit (30) from the weight of the container (26I), a rotation in the direction of release or coupling takes place during the relieving phase.
  31. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 30,
    characterized
    in that the magazine or magazines (68) are exchangeable.
  32. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 31,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling holder means (34) consist of a base frame (50) and at least one moving frame (46, 48) capable of being shifted relative to the base frame (50), by the shifting whereof the distribution pattern of the receptacles (54) may be adapted to the given container format.
  33. Device according to claim 32,
    characterized
    in that, on the base frame (50), two moving frames (46) are present, which are shiftable symmetrically in a direction corresponding to the lengthwise direction of the container relative to the base frame (50) and possibly each accommodate one or two magazines (68).
  34. Device according to any one of claims 32 and 33,
    characterized in that, on the intercoupling holder means (34), engagement fittings are provided for coupling means at the spreader end, which fittings are adaptable to spreaders for various container formats.
  35. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 34,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling holder means (34) are configured as a mobile road unit or are refittable as such and capable of being coupled to a tractor vehicle if required.
  36. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 35,
    characterized
    in that, at the intercoupling holder means (34), in the region of the given receptacles (54), protective roof means are arranged, firstly so that they lie out of superposition with a container (26I) approaching or being lifted in proper order, and secondly so as to afford direct protection and prompt escape for service personnel working at the given receptacle (54).
  37. Device according to claim 36,
    characterized
    in that, with the protective roof means, a barrier is associated, which upon exiting of the service personnel from the protective roof area will bar approach of a container transport road vehicle (40) into the area of occupancy by service personnel.
  38. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 37,
    characterized
    in that the intercoupling holder means are provided with guide-in means (52) for a container (26I).
  39. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 37,
    characterized
    in that a stationary handling crane is associated with the intercoupling holder means.
EP94918382A 1993-05-28 1994-05-27 Container transfer process and arrangement Expired - Lifetime EP0699164B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4317996 1993-05-28
DE4317996A DE4317996A1 (en) 1993-05-28 1993-05-28 Process and device for moving containers Keyword: Cradle
PCT/EP1994/001725 WO1994027894A1 (en) 1993-05-28 1994-05-27 Container transfer process and arrangement

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0699164A1 EP0699164A1 (en) 1996-03-06
EP0699164B1 true EP0699164B1 (en) 1997-01-08

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94918382A Expired - Lifetime EP0699164B1 (en) 1993-05-28 1994-05-27 Container transfer process and arrangement

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0699164B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH08507033A (en)
DE (2) DE4317996A1 (en)
SG (1) SG47006A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1994027894A1 (en)

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WO2006024071A1 (en) * 2004-08-30 2006-03-09 Nsl Engineering Pte Ltd Twist-lock handling system
AU2005279680B2 (en) * 2004-08-30 2011-11-10 Ram Smag Lifting Technologies Pte. Ltd. Twist-lock handling system
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JP6305010B2 (en) * 2013-10-22 2018-04-04 山九株式会社 Semi-auto locking container connector release jig
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WO2004065264A1 (en) 2003-01-15 2004-08-05 Noell Mobile Systems & Cranes Gmbh Device for automatically mounting or removing twistlocks
CN104058069A (en) * 2014-06-16 2014-09-24 中船黄埔文冲船舶有限公司 Auxiliary device for handling equipment into cabin
CN104058069B (en) * 2014-06-16 2016-04-20 中船黄埔文冲船舶有限公司 Equipment enters cabin auxiliary device
CN105730907A (en) * 2016-03-11 2016-07-06 上海振华重工(集团)股份有限公司 Automatic demounting and mounting system for lock pin of container
DE102018209421A1 (en) 2018-06-13 2019-12-19 Albrecht Bäumer GmbH & Co.KG Spezialmaschinenfabrik Device for storing and transporting large-volume foam blocks

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1994027894A1 (en) 1994-12-08
EP0699164A1 (en) 1996-03-06
DE59401548D1 (en) 1997-02-20
DE4317996A1 (en) 1994-12-01
SG47006A1 (en) 1998-03-20
JPH08507033A (en) 1996-07-30

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