GB2068566A - Apparatus for testing containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A lower beam 14 and an upper beam 16 are cantilevered from a tower 10. The floor of a container 24 is engaged under the lower beam 14, and an upward force is applied to the container lifting points by a hydraulic ram 22. The force is equivalent to a 50% overload of the container and is maintained for a given time, after which the container is checked for damage or deformation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for testing containers

DESCRIPTION This invention relates to apparatus for testing cargo containers of the type having a floor, at least side walls or posts for stacking, and cranage points from which the containers may be slung; for example the commonly used containers complying with ISO standards. These are hereinafter referred to simply as "containers".

Containers used at sea or in the offshore industry are subject to periodic testing by safety authorities such as Lloyds. The method of testing hitherto used is to load the container with metal weights to about 1 50% of its rated capacity, lift the container by a crane for a given period of time, and check visually for distortion, cracks etc., in the structural members of the container.

This method is time consuming and requires a considerable amount of labour. This is especially so in the case of the most usual container which is a closed box with end doors. The weights have to be loaded and unloaded, usually by a fork-lift truck, through the doors.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container testing rig which permits testing to be carried out in a simpler, quicker and more economical manner.

The invention accordingly provides an apparatus for testing containers, comprising a tower, a lower beam cantilevered from the tower for engaging the floor of a container fitted thereon, an upper beam projecting from the tower, and power means secured to the upper beam for applying an upward load to the container lifting points.

The power means suitably comprises a hydraulic ram connectable by cables or chains to the container lifting points.

The tower may be a steel lattice structure, and the upper and lower beams are each conveniently in the form of spaced I-beams interconnected at intervals by stiffening webs.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a test rig according to the invention, with the position of a container under test diagrammatically illustrated; Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the rig of Figure 1 , the container being omitted; and Figure 3 is an end elevation of the rig, also indicating the position of the container.

Referring to the drawings, the rig comprises a tower 10 supported on a base 12. The tower is a lattice structure of steel I and angle section. It will be noted that the base 1 2 extends mainly to one side of the tower 10. In the same direction, there extends a lower beam assembly 14 and an upper beam assembly 16, each cantilevered from the tower 10.

The lower beam assembly comprises a pair of substantial I-beams 1 8 spaced apart and braced by cross members 20. The upper beam assembly 1 6 is a box structure of steel beams. The upper beam assembly mounts a hydraulic ram indicated at 22, whose function is explained below.

In use, a container shown diagrammatically at 24 is placed on the base 12, suitably by a fork lift truck. The common form of box container can be so located by opening the end doors and fitting the open end around the lower beam assembly 14.

The container lifting points are then connected to the ram 22 by suitable chains or ropes 26, and the ram 22 operated to lift the container to engage its floor against the lower beam assembly 14 and thereafter to exert a force between the lifting points and the floor equal to a 50% overload. The overload force is maintained for a given time, and the procedure then reversed to remove the container. The container is then examined visually for damage.

The hydraulic system is not described in detail herein, since it may readily be made from conventional components.

Modifications of the above embodiment may be made within the scope of the present invention.

For example, although the lower beam should be cantilevered to allow a container to be fitted around it, the upper beam could be supported at each end on respective towers or other supports.

Also, the rig could include means such as strain gauges or optical detectors for automatically detecting undue movement resulting from damage to the container.

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for testing containers, comprising a tower, a lower beam cantilevered from the tower for engaging the floor of a container fitted thereon, an upper beam projecting from the tower, and power means secured to the upper beam and adapted to apply an upward load to the container lifting points.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the power means comprises a hydraulic ram.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the upper beam is cantilevered from the tower.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which thetower is a lattice structure, and the upper and lower beams are each in the form of spaced I-beams interconnected at intervals by stiffening webs.

5. Apparatus for testing containers, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawing.

6. A method of testing a container, comprising abutting the floor of the container against a rigid

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Apparatus for testing containers DESCRIPTION This invention relates to apparatus for testing cargo containers of the type having a floor, at least side walls or posts for stacking, and cranage points from which the containers may be slung; for example the commonly used containers complying with ISO standards. These are hereinafter referred to simply as "containers". Containers used at sea or in the offshore industry are subject to periodic testing by safety authorities such as Lloyds. The method of testing hitherto used is to load the container with metal weights to about 1 50% of its rated capacity, lift the container by a crane for a given period of time, and check visually for distortion, cracks etc., in the structural members of the container. This method is time consuming and requires a considerable amount of labour. This is especially so in the case of the most usual container which is a closed box with end doors. The weights have to be loaded and unloaded, usually by a fork-lift truck, through the doors. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container testing rig which permits testing to be carried out in a simpler, quicker and more economical manner. The invention accordingly provides an apparatus for testing containers, comprising a tower, a lower beam cantilevered from the tower for engaging the floor of a container fitted thereon, an upper beam projecting from the tower, and power means secured to the upper beam for applying an upward load to the container lifting points. The power means suitably comprises a hydraulic ram connectable by cables or chains to the container lifting points. The tower may be a steel lattice structure, and the upper and lower beams are each conveniently in the form of spaced I-beams interconnected at intervals by stiffening webs. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a test rig according to the invention, with the position of a container under test diagrammatically illustrated; Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the rig of Figure 1 , the container being omitted; and Figure 3 is an end elevation of the rig, also indicating the position of the container. Referring to the drawings, the rig comprises a tower 10 supported on a base 12. The tower is a lattice structure of steel I and angle section. It will be noted that the base 1 2 extends mainly to one side of the tower 10. In the same direction, there extends a lower beam assembly 14 and an upper beam assembly 16, each cantilevered from the tower 10. The lower beam assembly comprises a pair of substantial I-beams 1 8 spaced apart and braced by cross members 20. The upper beam assembly 1 6 is a box structure of steel beams. The upper beam assembly mounts a hydraulic ram indicated at 22, whose function is explained below. In use, a container shown diagrammatically at 24 is placed on the base 12, suitably by a fork lift truck. The common form of box container can be so located by opening the end doors and fitting the open end around the lower beam assembly 14. The container lifting points are then connected to the ram 22 by suitable chains or ropes 26, and the ram 22 operated to lift the container to engage its floor against the lower beam assembly 14 and thereafter to exert a force between the lifting points and the floor equal to a 50% overload. The overload force is maintained for a given time, and the procedure then reversed to remove the container. The container is then examined visually for damage. The hydraulic system is not described in detail herein, since it may readily be made from conventional components. Modifications of the above embodiment may be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, although the lower beam should be cantilevered to allow a container to be fitted around it, the upper beam could be supported at each end on respective towers or other supports. Also, the rig could include means such as strain gauges or optical detectors for automatically detecting undue movement resulting from damage to the container. CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for testing containers, comprising a tower, a lower beam cantilevered from the tower for engaging the floor of a container fitted thereon, an upper beam projecting from the tower, and power means secured to the upper beam and adapted to apply an upward load to the container lifting points.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the power means comprises a hydraulic ram.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the upper beam is cantilevered from the tower.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, in which thetower is a lattice structure, and the upper and lower beams are each in the form of spaced I-beams interconnected at intervals by stiffening webs.

5. Apparatus for testing containers, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawing.

6. A method of testing a container, comprising abutting the floor of the container against a rigid

structure, applying an overload force upwardly to the container lifting points for a predetermined: 'period of time, and checking for deformation of the container.

7. A method according to claim 6, in which said force is equivalent to the container carrying an overload of at least 50%.