EP1919815B1

EP1919815B1 - Gantry crane for lifting loads, particularly containers in harbour areas or the like

Info

Publication number: EP1919815B1
Application number: EP06779770A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luciano Fantuzzi
Original assignee: Reggiane Cranes and Plants SpA
Current assignee: Demag Cranes and Components GmbH
Priority date: 2005-06-24
Filing date: 2006-06-26
Publication date: 2012-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-26
Also published as: EP1919815A1; EP1919815B8; WO2006136941A1; CN101203451B; ITMO20050160A1; CN101203451A

Description

Technical Field

This invention refers to a gantry crane for lifting loads, particularly containers in harbour areas or the like.

Background art

It is a known fact that the most commonly used gantry cranes in the goods loading and unloading areas, such as harbours, are lifting machines comprising a pair of more or less vertical portal (or legs) that sustain a horizontal beam superstructure along which a trolley can travel equipped with a load lifting unit. One particular type of gantry crane - the so called RTG, Rubber Tired Gantry - has a plurality of tired and steering wheels mounted at the base of the two portals, that can also be motorised, so the crane can be moved easily in the goods loading and unloading areas.
In view of their considerable size, not to mention their weight which cannot be neglected, these cranes are usually shipped from producer to customer by sea, either completely dismantled or completely assembled on deck of merchant ships of a suitable size.
In both cases there are several unpleasant drawbacks with these cranes of known type.
Shipping such cranes completely dismantled does, in fact, entail high costs due to the fact they cannot be inspected and tested prior to delivery (unless they are assembled and reassembled before loading on board) and then they have to be assembled at their final destination where conditions are not always the best for doing such a j ob accurately and safely.
If the gantry cranes are transported completely assembled a painstaking study has to be conducted to find the best possible way to arrange them on deck so that their relative distance can be reduced in order to load on board as many cranes as possible and thus limit freight costs.
But despite this, there is still a lot of unused space on deck which is often impossible to use to carry other goods due to the need to lash the machines during navigation besides problems linked to transport combinability.
Such drawbacks determine a high freight influence on the final cost of each crane.
Another kind of crane is known from the patent document DE 88 11 750 .

Disclosure of the invention

The primary aim of this invention is to eliminate the drawbacks described above regarding the known technique, inventing a gantry crane for lifting loads, particularly containers in harbour areas or the like, that, during carriage by sea, is reduced in size so that more of the same can be loaded and thus reduce freight costs and not prejudice any controls and tests conducted prior to loading on board.
As part of such technical aim, another purpose of the present invention is to achieve the previous aims with a simple structure, of relatively practical implementation, safe use and effective operation, as well as of a relatively low cost.
This aim and these purposes are all achieved by this gantry crane for lifting loads, particularly containers in harbour areas or the like, according to claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of this invention will appear even more evident from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, form of embodiment of a gantry crane for lifting loads, particularly containers in harbour areas or the like, illustrated by way of non limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a front view of a first form of embodiment of the crane according to the invention and whose portals are arranged in a spaced configuration;
figure 2 is a front view of the crane of figure 1 whose portals are arranged in a close-up configuration;
figure 3 is a schematic and partial cross-section view of a ship on which some of the cranes of figure 1 are loaded;
figure 4 is a front view of a second form of embodiment of the crane according to the invention and whose portals are arranged in a spaced configuration;
figure 5 is a front view of the crane of figure 4 whose portals are arranged in a close-up configuration;
figure 6 is a front view of the crane of figure 4 while the first portion of the superstructure is being turned;
figure 7 is a front view of the crane of figure 4 ready for loading on board;
figure 8 is a schematic and partial cross-section view of a ship on which some of the cranes of figure 4 are loaded.

Ways of carrying out the Invention

With special reference to such figures, a gantry crane for lifting loads, particularly containers in harbour areas or the like, has been generally designated by reference numeral 1.
The crane 1 comprises a first portal 2 and a second portal 3, substantially vertical and supporting a horizontally extended superstructure 4.
Two or more tracks are mounted on the superstructure 4 along which a sliding load lifting unit 5 is associated.
The crane 1 is the RTG (Rubber Tired Gantry) type, that is, the bottom ends of the first and second portals 2 and 3 are fitted with wheels 6 for moving over the ground; the wheels 6 are the tired and steering type and may even be motorised. According to the invention, the first portal 2 can be associated to the superstructure 4 by interposing first movable blocking means 7 in a configuration spaced from the second portal 3 where the crane 1 is operative and fully functional for lifting and lowering loads by way of the lifting unit 5, and in a configuration close-up to the second portal 3, where the size of the crane 1 on the ground is compact and limited, easily transportable on a ship N. In a first form of embodiment of the invention illustrated in figures 1 to 3, the superstructure 4 is one rigid body.
In the spaced configuration of this form of embodiment, the upper end of the first portal 2 is associated to the first end 4a of the superstructure 4 while, in the close-up configuration, it is associated to the substantially centre portion of the superstructure 4, in proximity of the second portal 3.
The upper end of the second portal 3 on the other hand is associated, in a firmly connected and irremovable way, to a second end 4b of the superstructure 4, opposite the first end 4a.
The first movable blocking means 7 comprise, in particular, a joining element 8 associated to the upper end of the first portal 2 and joinable alternatively to two connecting flanges 9 associated to the superstructure 4 by the spaced configuration and close-up configuration respectively.
Usefully, the first end 4a of the superstructure 4 features a connection element 10, eyelet type or similar, that can be associated to an external supporting point 11 during movement of the first portal 2 between the spaced configuration and the close-up configuration.
This external supporting point is made of, for example, an auxiliary crane, either a conventional type or one according to the invention, that keeps the second portal 3 and the superstructure 4 balanced when the first portal 2 is detached from the crane 1.
Advantageously, the crane 1 is also equipped with moving means 12 for the first portal 2 between the spaced configuration and the close-up configuration.
Such moving means comprise sliding means 13 of the upper end of the first portal 2 along the superstructure 4 which are made up of a temporary supporting trolley of the first portal 2 that can be made to slide along horizontal guides associated to the superstructure 4.
Said horizontal guides can coincide with the tracks that move the lifting unit 5 or can be separate from them and mounted, for instance, at the bottom of the superstructure 4.
In actual fact, the sliding means 13 keep the first portal 2 balanced on its wheels 6 which, during transfer between the spaced and close-up configurations, have their rotational axes orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the superstructure 4, allowing it to roll along the ground.
Propulsion for moving the first portal 2 can be achieved by the direct thrust of traditional lifting trolleys normally used in the goods loading and unloading areas.
Alternatively, the moving means 12 can take into account that said propulsion is achieved via the motorisation of the wheels 6 of the first portal 2.
Another alternative sees the moving means 12 with suitable connecting means of the first portal 2 to a rope hoist or the like, which is mounted on the crane 1, being an integral part of it, fixed or removable, or which is external to the crane 1 and mounted on another machine.
Said rope hoist can be powered by supply means mounted on the crane 1 or by an external energy source.
Lastly, in the form of embodiment of the invention illustrated in figures 1 to 3, the first movable blocking means 7 comprise one or more shoring bars 14 which, in the close-up configuration, can be associated - substantially oblique - to between the cantilevered part of the superstructure 4 and the first portal 2, providing greater stability to the structure.
The operation of this form of embodiment is the following: the crane 1 is assembled before being loaded on board so it can be tested and inspected with the first portal 2 arranged in a spaced configuration during such tests.
Before the crane 1 is loaded on the ship N, the portal 2 is moved into the close-up configuration by constraining the connection element 10 to an adjacent crane, connecting the first portal 2 to the temporary supporting trolley 13, disconnecting the joining element 8 from the connecting flange 9 which is in the proximity of the first end 4a, translating the first portal 2 and fixing the joining element 8 to the other connecting flange 9.
Once the first portal 2 is secured to the superstructure 4 in the close-up configuration, the shoring bars 14 can then be attached and the crane 1 loaded on board as illustrated in figure 3.
The size of cranes 1 on the ground in the close-up configuration is very reduced which means that two cranes 1 can be placed side by side on the deck of the ship N - whereas only one can be positioned in the spaced configuration; with this system we can double the number of cranes 1 to ship on a vessel the same tonnage as ship N.
When the destination is reached, the crane 1 can be rendered operative by moving the first portal 2 into the spaced configuration, following the steps in the opposite order compared to when it was loaded on board.
In the second form of embodiment of the invention, illustrated in figures 4 to 8, the superstructure 4 is divided into a first mobile portion 15 which is arranged on the side of the first portal 2, and a second fixed portion 16 that substantially remains horizontal and firmly connected, and irremovable, to the second portal 3.
In this form of embodiment, the first and second portions 15 and 16 can be joined together by interposing second movable blocking means 17 in a first operating configuration wherein the first portion 15 is horizontal and aligned with the second portion 16, and in a second operating configuration wherein the first portion 15 is substantially parallel and adjacent to the first portal 2 positioned in the close-up configuration.
In a manner similar to the first form of embodiment represented in figures 1 to 3, in this second form of embodiment too the first movable blocking means 7 comprise a joining element 8 associated to the upper end of the first portal 2 and two connecting flanges 9 that are mounted on the first portion 15 and on the second portion 16, respectively, by the spaced configuration and by the close-up configuration.
The second form of embodiment has a connection element 10 and moving means 12 exactly the same as those illustrated previously and which allow the first portal 2 to be moved between the spaced and close-up configuration.
The second movable blocking means 17 comprise a pair of bolted plates 18 associated to the adjacent longitudinal ends of the first and second portions 15 and 16, plates which can be connected together in the first operating configuration.
Advantageously, rotation means 19 are also envisaged for the first portion 15 with respect to the second portion 16 around a horizontal axis, crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the superstructure 4.
The rotation means 19, which allow movement of the first portion 15 between the first and second operating configurations, are made up of a removable cylindrical joint equipped with two arms hinged together which can, as needs dictate, be associated to the adjacent longitudinal ends of the first and second portions 15 and 16.
The operation of the form of embodiment of this invention illustrated in figures 4 to 8 is the following: before loading on board, the first portal 2 can be moved from the spaced configuration to the close-up configuration in a similar manner as described previously for the first form of embodiment of the invention. Once the first portal 2 is secured to the second portion 16 of the superstructure 4 in the close-up configuration, the joint 19 can be attached between the first and second portions 15 and 16 and then, by means of the auxiliary crane 11, the free end of the first portion 15 dropped until the second operating configuration is reached where the first portion 15 is secured to the first portal 2 with ropes, or the like.
At this point the crane 1 can be loaded on the deck of ship N as illustrated in figure 8.
The size of this second form of embodiment of the invention, when loading on board, can be reduced to a third compared to that of crane 1 in the spaced configuration meaning the benefits are higher also than the form of embodiment of figures 1 to 3 in that more cranes can be transported on the same trip resulting in lower freight costs.
Practically speaking, it has been ascertained how the described invention achieves the intended purposes.
The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which falling within the scope of the inventive concept. Furthermore all the details can be replaced with others that are technically equivalent.
In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements without because of this moving outside the protection scope of the following claims.

Claims

Gantry crane (1) for lifting loads, particularly containers in harbour areas or the like, comprising:
- at least a first and a second supporting portals (2, 3) for at least one substantially horizontal extended superstructure (4) to which a load lifting unit (5) is associated, and

- first movable blocking means (7) suitable for associating said first portal (2) to said superstructure (4) in at least one spaced configuration, in which said first portal (2) is spaced from said second portal (3), and in at least one close-up configuration, in which said first portal (2) is close-up to said second portal (3),
characterised by the fact that the end (4a) of said superstructure (4) adjacent to said first portal (2) comprises at least a connection element (10) suitable for being associated to an external supporting point (11) during the movement of said first portal (2) between said spaced configuration and said close-up configuration.
Crane (1) according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said superstructure (4) is divided in at least a first and a second portions (15, 16) which can be joined together by interposing second movable blocking means (17) in at least a first operating configuration wherein said first portion (15) is substantially horizontal and aligned with said second portion (16), and in at least a second operating configuration wherein said first portion (15) is substantially parallel and adjacent to said first portal (2) positioned in said close-up configuration.
Crane (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that said first movable blocking means (7) comprise at least a joining element (8) associated to the upper end of said first portal (2) and which can be associated alternatively to two connecting flanges (9) associated to said superstructure (4) by said spaced configuration and said close-up configuration respectively.
Crane (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that said first movable blocking means (7) comprise at least one substantially oblique shoring bar (14) which can be associated to said superstructure (4) and said first portal (2) in said close-up configuration.
Crane (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that it comprises moving means (12) for moving said first portal (2) between said spaced configuration and said close-up configuration.
Crane (1) according to claim 5, characterised by the fact that said moving means (12) comprise sliding means (13) for sliding the upper end of said first portal (2) between said spaced configuration and said close-up configuration.
Crane (1) according to claim 6, characterised by the fact that said sliding means (13) comprise at least a temporary supporting trolley of said first portal (2) that can be made to slide along horizontal guides associated to said superstructure (4).
Crane (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that at least one between said first and second portals (3) is fitted with wheels (6) for moving over the ground.
Crane (1) according to claim 8, characterised by the fact that said wheels (6) are tired.
Crane (1) according to claim 8, characterised by the fact that said wheels (6) are entirely made of metal and slide onto tracks.
Crane (1) according to one or more of the claims from 8 to 10, characterised by the fact that said wheels (6) are motorised.
Crane according to one or more of the claims from 8 to 11, characterised by the fact that said wheels (6) are steering.
Crane (1) according to one or more of the claims from 5 to 12, characterised by the fact that said moving means (7) comprise the motorised and steering wheels (6) of said first portal (2).
Crane (1) according to one or more of the claims from 5 to 13, characterised by the fact that said moving means (7) comprise connecting means for connecting said first portal (2) to a hoist or the like.
Crane (1) according to claim 14, characterised by the fact that said hoist can be mounted on at least one between said superstructure (4), said first portal (2) and said second portal (3).
Crane (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterised by the fact that said hoist is removable.
Crane (1) according to one or more of the claims from 14 to 16, characterised by the fact that it comprises power supply means of said hoist.
Crane (1) according to one or more of the claims from 14 to 17, characterised by the fact that said hoist is powered by an external energy source.
Crane (1) according to one or more of the claims from 2 to 18, characterised by the fact that said second movable blocking means (17) comprise at least one pair of bolted plates (18) associated to the adjacent longitudinal ends of said first and second portions (15, 16), which can be connected together in said first operating configuration.
Crane (1) according to one or more of the claims from 2 to 19, characterised by the fact that it comprises rotation means (19) for said first portion (15) with respect to said second portion (16) around a horizontal axis, substantially crosswise to said superstructure (4) for the movement of said first portion (15) between said first and second operating configurations.
Crane (1) according to claims 19 and 20, characterised by the fact that said rotation means (19) comprise at least a joint which can be associated to said longitudinal ends of the first and second portions (15, 16).
Crane (1) according to claim 21, characterised by the fact that said joint is removable.