EP1999040B1 - Device and method for inserting and removing securing fittings for twist-lock containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for inserting and removing securing fittings for twist-lock containers includes a support plate for containers, which is provided with a pneumatically or hydraulically driven screwing mechanism with a slot gripper for each expected position of a securing fitting for the twist-lock container.

Description

The invention relates to a device according to the features of the preamble of the main claim.

When loading and unloading container ships or other container transporting facilities so-called twist locks are used to be used in correspondingly provided recesses at the corners of the container, to attach them to the pitch or to each other.

Evidently, there is a need to quickly attach these twist locks, which are not part of the container, to release again from the container when not in use, and to keep it safe until the next use, so that they do not pollute or lose it. For example, incorrectly mounted twist locks that are located in the driving area of heavy goods vehicles on the roadway also pose a risk to the tires of the large forklift trucks, which can damage them.

So far, part of this task, namely the attachment, by complicated devices, such as those in the US Pat. No. 6,688,249 B1 or the WO 2004/065264 A described, solved, or - which is standard in small and large ports worldwide - by workers who take the appropriate gripping, tensioning and attaching operations on the containers while hanging at eye level on a crane.

There is the further problem that the workers may only approach the container when it is stationary. previously, the space and surrounding area into which the container is lowered, locked. Next, the crane operator has to estimate consuming, in what amount he should lower the container, so that the manual access is easily accessible. while he has to reduce his lowering speed gradually strong.

The invention, however, solves the problem with a device having the features of the main claim by not only creates a defined platform on which by appropriate guides a container comes to stand at a defined location and in addition to a complete barrier is possible (ie a approach as previously avoided).

Rather, if desired, cranes or people can move freely around the platform. In particular, access is no longer required under suspended loads to a free-hanging container, but - if any - to a settling plate on which no container is (the workers are therefore also freely visible).

The locking and unlocking takes place automatically. Proposed is a compressed air screwdriver similar to the Radmutterwerkzeugen in motor vehicle repair shops.

However, to remove a twist lock, only an approx. 90 ° turn is necessary. This is done by the twist locks in each provided in the device (the Anticipated locations of the container corners opposite) receiving slot come to rest, which brings them against a provided in the twist-lock spring tension in the twisting position in which they can be released from the container.

After twisting a twist-lock end into a defined position, the container can be lifted and the twist locks remain in the receptacle.

By provided at the four corners magazines can be done just as quickly and automatically when re-inserting usually four twist locks at the corners of the container insertion.

Now the use of such a platform can not be easily retrofitted for use in harbors where heavy forklift trucks drive around freely and cranes run along the quayside on rails. Neither power supply or compressed air lines can be easily moved to the port field, as they would be exposed by the heavy cranes considerable stress or otherwise interfere with the free movement, nor can be easily generated by a motor energy, then a "refueling" in regular intervals would be necessary and disproportionate maintenance costs would be added. In particular, the supply of compressed air is extremely expensive.

Therefore, the invention is able to produce the intended for actuating the recordings compressed air in that are provided below the recording, the settling plate, gas storage, which are compressed by the container placed on it and then compressed by appropriate electronic or pneumatic valve control Supply gas to a compressed gas storage tank.

Optionally, a battery may be provided to supply the electronic control; this can be charged by a pressurized gas engine or charged otherwise if necessary.

It is particularly advantageous that the container does not have to be stopped before final settling at working height, for example, to be able to remove twist locks manually. Also, the crane can relatively quickly the container on the lashing platform to be designated device for inserting Put on Twist-Lock-Container safety fittings, because the gas pressure spring-like "padded" behavior of the lashing platform does not cause any damage to the container.

Also, several already interconnected containers can be placed one above the other on the device, after which a crane, for example, can carry away three empty containers at once, which are interconnected by twist locks. A crane will support the previously provided with Twist-Locks upper container supported by guides of the lashing platform exactly on lower containers, with semi-automatic Twist-Locks even make the secure bond.

Due to the load distribution of the subframe also located under the frame floor in the portal area is less stressed, it can not come to a hard impact of the container on, for example, a harbor floor paving, which previously may have had the problem that sensitive goods within the container, but also the asphalt in the portal area could be damaged.

Advantageously, the platform is in a 40 "container corresponding design and can thus either a 20" container, 2 x 20 "container, a 40" or even with appropriate overhangs a 45 "container be added hydraulically telescopic to 45 ".

Fig. 1

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in seitlicher Darstellung,

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einem nichtbelasteten Zustand mit schema- tisch angedeuteten Magazinen für Twist-Lock-Beschläge, z.B. an jeder Ecke,

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 mit acht Schraubeinrich- tungen,

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 mit acht, mit Magazinen versehenen Schraubeinrichtungen und (gestrichelt angedeuteten) Luft- bälgen,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Frontalansicht eines speziell ausgebildeten Magazins für die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Seitenansicht des Magazins aus Fig. 5 und

Fig. 7

ein besonders bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in einer schematischen Draufsicht (A), in einer schematischen Seitenansicht (B) und in einer schematischen Frontalansicht (C).

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

Fig. 1

the device according to the invention in a lateral view,

Fig. 2

the device off Fig. 1 in a non-loaded state with schematically indicated magazines for twist-lock fittings, eg at each corner,

Fig. 3

a plan view of the device Fig. 1 with eight screwing devices,

Fig. 4

a plan view of the device Fig. 1 with eight screw-type devices provided with magazines and (bellowed) air bellows,

Fig. 5

a schematic frontal view of a specially designed magazine for the device according to the invention,

Fig. 6

a schematic side view of the magazine Fig. 5 and

Fig. 7

a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention in a schematic plan view (A), in a schematic side view (B) and in a schematic frontal view (C).

In Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 are clearly the individual damper, air bellows 10 or compressor, which - unlike shown - can be provided in large numbers under the platform, to recognize. Through it energy is gained during the gentle lowering of the container to be kept in a compressed gas storage.

In the Fig. 1 is shown how bellows 10 and hydraulic shock absorbers 12 may be provided in combination with each other.

By appropriately provided in the corners and / or sides of the platform, in any case the storage locations in the container adjacent, druelduftbetriebene twist locks TL cross and backward removal devices 16 (see. 3 and 4 ), the twist locks TL can be removed from the container in one operation and the container can then be transported further without twist locks TL. The remaining twist locks TL in the staging switches are either removed in a simple embodiment by personnel (for this there is time because the crane is otherwise lifting a container) or optionally by a corresponding removal device in a magazine 14 (see FIG. Fig. 2 ).

In usual cycles of 30 containers per hour, a person can manually put the twist locks TL in a ready-to-lie, lying magazine and if necessary, optically check the twist locks TL for their condition. In contrast to the manual removal of the twist locks TL from a container, there is the great advantage that the container itself no longer has to be stopped during its transport for a long time and in particular no longer by a crane operator in, for example, 1.50 m above the ground hovering position must be spent slowly by eye, but a predetermined, possibly facilitated by mechanical guides 18 position can be approached quickly and after a short, by simultaneous triggering of all four twist locks TL resulting waiting time, the container can be transported the same.

Of course, in a loading operation, the device can also be used differently, namely that corresponding twist locks TL are already prepared in the stowage holders 16 and lock themselves by placing the container in the mounting holes (this being the name-compliant functionality of the twist locks TL, namely in that, although arranged at right angles to the fastening hole, they rotate during the insertion process and then lock themselves spring-biased into a locking position). Alternatively, space twist locks TL can lock controlled in a container.

Also in this process kinetic energy is used again to be introduced pneumatically by means of compressors as working energy in storage. Of course, working with external power is also possible, and a computer control can be provided to manage the stocking and removal of the twist locks TL, i. h. Request from a magazine 14, if necessary, more twist locks TL or excess numbers of twist locks TL to such a magazine 14.

A specially designed execution of such a magazine is in Fig. 5 in a schematic frontal view and in Fig. 6 shown in a schematic side view. In this case, the twist loci TL are lined up in the example shown for provision on containers on elongate, for example rod-like elements, wherein the elongate elements can be moved in the manner of a circulating conveyor belt. By this embodiment, it is possible to provide a high number of twist locks TL. In this case, the elements which receive the twist locks TL, if an element has delivered all its twist locks TL mounted on it to the removal device / screwing device 16, continue to rotate in such a way that a another element can deliver his stored on him twist locks TL to the screw 16.

The method of operation with the device according to the invention is preferably designed such that the workflow is set up so that when a magazine 14 is completely emptied of twist locks TL, only containers are placed on the device in the following, which are freed from twist locks TL should be filled up to the magazine 14 again with twist locks TL. This is followed by an operation in which containers are to be equipped with Twist-Locks TL again.

Alternatively, however, the device may also be designed such that the magazines 14 are exchangeable and, for example, an access from the side of the device allows an empty magazine 14 to be replaced by a filled magazine 14 or vice versa. Such a replaceable magazine 14 preferably has, for example, pockets for accommodating a forklift fork.

Of course, an arrangement of two Laschplättformen be provided side by side to z. B. can be operated with a tandem spreader, a two containers simultaneously gripping and transporting gantry crane, or a twin tandem with four containers. Such an embodiment of the device according to the invention for a tandem spreader is in Fig. 7 in a schematic plan view ( Fig. 7A ), in a schematic side view ( Fig. 7B ) and in a schematic frontal view ( Fig. 7C ). To illustrate the spatial relationships, a container C is shown in addition to the device according to the invention, which is equipped with twist lock container security fittings TL.

Each stowage restrainer 16 consists of a rotary piston and a bushing, which via hydraulic or pneumatic means with a drive and a Ausschub in a laterally mounted, the twist holes TL in substantially vertical or horizontal alignment bearing magazine 14 spends. Next also a helical, space-saving magazine guide is possible in addition to the above possibility.

Finally, it should be noted that in Umschlagbetrieb example caused by tides, high winds or ship traffic caused wave movements Ship movements, which sometimes necessitate a slight adjustment of the relative horizontal position of the container bridge to the lashing platform. This horizontal movement of the entire lashing platform or at least of the container C receiving support frame of the lashing platform can also be made possible by the stored energy in the compressors and be controlled automatically or manually.

According to the invention, therefore, an independently operating lashing platform can be provided, which, according to a preferred embodiment, obtains the energy required for releasing and securing twist locks TL from or on a container C or for horizontal positioning of the platform from that energy which is deposited a container on the air bellows 10 of the platform is free. Such a device increases the flexibility in the use of lashing platforms and at the same time increases the productivity in the handling operation of containers.

Claims (6)

1. Device for inserting and removing securing fittings (TL) for twist-lock containers, having a support plate for a container (C), which is provided with a screwing mechanism (16) with a slot gripper for each expected position of a securing fitting (TL) for the twist-lock container,
   characterized in that
   below the support plate, gas-storage units are provided to which can be applied, by the support plate and a container (C) placed there upon, its gravity, an electronic valve control for passing on gases that have been compressed in the gas-storage units being connected via pipes to a pressurized-gas reservoir, and further pipes connecting the latter with the screwing mechanisms (16),
   the screwing mechanisms (16) being driven pneumatically.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized by magazines (14) for securing fittings (TL) provided for each screwing mechanism (16) for twist-lock containers.
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the magazines (14) are designed as running tracks formed by inclined rods inside which the securing fittings (TL) for twist-lock containers are supported vertically so that they rest vertically and can slide along the rods.
4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by vertical corner guides that tower the height of a container (C) and that on sliding along the vertical corner edges when lowering a container (C) into the device, confront the storage positions of the twist locks (TL) in the container (C) with the slot grippers.
5. Method for removing securing fittings (TL) for twist-lock containers from a container (C), characterized by the following steps:

   - setting down a container (C) on a support plate for containers (C), that can be lowered and is located, pre-tensioned by a spring, in an upper position and exhibits for each securing fitting (TL) for twist-lock containers a pneumatically driven screwing mechanism (16) having a slot gripper, and is provided with gas-storage units that are arranged below the support plate and to which can be applied by the support plate with a container (C) placed there upon its gravity, an electronic or pneumatic valve control for passing on gases that have been compressed in the gas-storage units being connected via pipes to a pressurized-gas reservoir, and further pipes connecting the pressurized-gas reservoir with the screwing mechanisms (16), so that on lowering the support plate, compressed air is delivered to the compressed-air screwing devices (16),
   it being the case that at the end of the lowering process the screwing mechanisms (16) have rotated the securing fittings (TL) for twist-lock containers into a position no longer attached to the container (C),

   - lifting the container (C), and

   - removing the securing fittings (TL) for twist-lock containers from the screwing mechanisms (16).
6. Method for equipping a container (C) with securing fittings (TL) for twist-lock containers, characterized by the following steps:

   - placing the securing fittings (TL) for twist-lock containers on screwing mechanisms (16) of a support plate for containers (C), that can be lowered and is located, pre-tensioned by a spring, in an upper position and exhibits at each expected position for a securing fitting (TL) for twist-lock containers a pneumatically driven screwing mechanism (16) having a slot gripper, and is provided with gas-storage units that are provided below the support plate and to which can be applied, by the support plate with a container (C) placed there upon, its gravity, an electronic or pneumatic valve control for passing on gases that have been compressed in the gas-storage units being connected via pipes to a pressurized-gas reservoir, and further pipes connecting the pressurized-gas reservoir with the screwing mechanisms (16),

   - setting down a container (C) on the support plate, so that compressed air is delivered to the compressed-air screwing devices (16) on lowering the support plate,
   it being the case that at the end of the lowering process the screwing mechanisms (16) have rotated the securing fittings (TL) for twist-lock containers into a position attached to the container (C),

   - lifting the container (C) with the securing fittings (TL) for twist-lock containers out of the screwing mechanisms (16).

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