GB2074538A

GB2074538A - Method of loading or unloading a ship by means of lighters

Info

Publication number: GB2074538A
Application number: GB8111732A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Maschinenfabrik Buckau R Wolf AG
Current assignee: BWS Technologie GmbH
Priority date: 1980-04-25
Filing date: 1981-04-13
Publication date: 1981-11-04
Also published as: DE3016002A1; JPS56167587A

Abstract

A method of loading or unloading a ship by means of amphibious lighters (1, 3) having their own lifting gear (5, 6) in which, when the lighter is loaded and unloaded on land, two such lighters are coupled together and the goods (7) of one vehicle (1) are loaded and unloaded with the lifting gear (5, 6) of both lighters. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method of loading or unloading a ship by means of lighters This invention relates to a method of loading or unloading a ship by means of lighters.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of loading or unloading a ship by means of lighters, wherein, when unloading, cargo is loaded, in coastal waters, from the ship, at any desired point off the coast, on to an amphibious lighter vehicle or craft which is able to travel on land or in the water and which has its own lifting gear, and the cargo is transported by said craft on the sea and then by overland travel to a final destination, or vice versa for loading, and wherein, when the amphibious lighter vehicle or craft is loaded and unloaded on land, two of said amphibious lighter vehicles or craft are coupled together and the goods of one vehicle or craft are loaded or unloaded with the lifting gear of both vehicles or craft.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure illustrates two amphibious lighter vehicles or craft in a condition for loading and unloading goods on land.

The present method enables ships, more especially sea-faring ships, to be loaded and unloaded independently of harbour installations so that the ships can be loaded or unloaded at any desired location along the coast. More especially when using large high-sea freighters, not only light goods, but also heavy goods, are transported.

These heavy goods, such as machine assemblies or the like, can be easily loaded on to the lighter vehicles or craft by using means provided on board the ships. It is more difficult when these heavy goods are to be unloaded or loaded on land using the lifting gear with which each amphibious lighter vehicle craft is provided.

Figure 1 shows two lighter vehicles or craft 1 and 3 which are positioned on the land ready to load or unload heavy goods. Each vehicle has a driving cab 2, 4, respectively, and are moved parallel to one another in a laterally reversed arrangement and are coupled to one another by means of couplings 9, 10 and 11. Each vehicle or craft 1, 3 has its own lifting gear 5, 6, respectively, at one end of the vehicle.

When the two vehicles are in the laterally reversed arrangement illustrated, the lifting gear 5 of the vehicle 1 is situated at one end of a heavy load 7 and the lifting gear 6 of the vehicle 3 is in the region of the other end of the heavy load 7.

The two lifting gears 5 and 6 are now able to lift the heavy load 7 and set it down outside the vehicle 1 ,for example into the position shown in chain-dot lines, or conversely, to lift the load 7 from this position and set it down on or in the vehicle 1. At the same time, it is useful for a load 8 on the vehicle 3 to act as a counterweight.

It will thus be seen that by providing two vehicles coupled to one another, greater safety is provided during loading and unloading and also, because the two lifting gears are used, a heavier -load can be moved. The safety factor is further increased if the vehicle coupled to the vehicle being loaded or unloaded is also loaded so that its acts as a counterweight. In addition, each vehicle may be provided with stays or supports (not shown).

The vehicles are coupled to one another in the laterally reversed arrangement in order for their lifting gears to be used efficiently. In order to achieve a simple parallel displacement of the vehicles, they are operated in tandem during the coupling operation in order to load or unload on land and, for this purpose, the drive means of the vehicles are disposed in such a way as to permit a sideways movement of the vehicles.

After the vehicles 1 and 3 are uncoupled, another loaded vehicle (not shown) can be coupled to the vehicle 3 and, in this way, the load 8 can be unloaded. A vehicle which is loaded with several light-weight articles can also be used for counterbalancing purposes. In this case, the vehicle forming the counterweight can be loaded or unloaded by using only its own lifting gear.

1. A method or loading or unloading a ship by means of lighters, wherein when unloading, cargo is unloaded, in coastal waters, from the ship, at any desired point off the coast, on to an amphibious lighter vehicle or craft which is able to travel on land or in the water and which has its own lifting gear, and the cargo is transported by said craft on the sea and then by overland travel to a final destination, or vice versa for loading, and wherein, when the amphibious lighter vehicle or craft is loaded and unloaded on land, two of said amphibious lighter vehicles or craft are coupled together and the goods of one vehicle or craft are loaded or unloaded with the lifting gear of both vehicles or craft.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein when said amphibious lighter or craft is loaded and unloaded on land, two of said amphibious vehicles or craft are coupled together in laterally reversed formation.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein travelling gear with w.hich said lighter vehicles or craft are provided is operated in tandem during the coupling operation for loading and unloading on land.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3,

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Method of loading or unloading a ship by means of lighters This invention relates to a method of loading or unloading a ship by means of lighters. According to the present invention, there is provided a method of loading or unloading a ship by means of lighters, wherein, when unloading, cargo is loaded, in coastal waters, from the ship, at any desired point off the coast, on to an amphibious lighter vehicle or craft which is able to travel on land or in the water and which has its own lifting gear, and the cargo is transported by said craft on the sea and then by overland travel to a final destination, or vice versa for loading, and wherein, when the amphibious lighter vehicle or craft is loaded and unloaded on land, two of said amphibious lighter vehicles or craft are coupled together and the goods of one vehicle or craft are loaded or unloaded with the lifting gear of both vehicles or craft. For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure illustrates two amphibious lighter vehicles or craft in a condition for loading and unloading goods on land. The present method enables ships, more especially sea-faring ships, to be loaded and unloaded independently of harbour installations so that the ships can be loaded or unloaded at any desired location along the coast. More especially when using large high-sea freighters, not only light goods, but also heavy goods, are transported. These heavy goods, such as machine assemblies or the like, can be easily loaded on to the lighter vehicles or craft by using means provided on board the ships. It is more difficult when these heavy goods are to be unloaded or loaded on land using the lifting gear with which each amphibious lighter vehicle craft is provided. Figure 1 shows two lighter vehicles or craft 1 and 3 which are positioned on the land ready to load or unload heavy goods. Each vehicle has a driving cab 2, 4, respectively, and are moved parallel to one another in a laterally reversed arrangement and are coupled to one another by means of couplings 9, 10 and 11. Each vehicle or craft 1, 3 has its own lifting gear 5, 6, respectively, at one end of the vehicle. When the two vehicles are in the laterally reversed arrangement illustrated, the lifting gear 5 of the vehicle 1 is situated at one end of a heavy load 7 and the lifting gear 6 of the vehicle 3 is in the region of the other end of the heavy load 7. The two lifting gears 5 and 6 are now able to lift the heavy load 7 and set it down outside the vehicle 1 ,for example into the position shown in chain-dot lines, or conversely, to lift the load 7 from this position and set it down on or in the vehicle 1. At the same time, it is useful for a load 8 on the vehicle 3 to act as a counterweight. It will thus be seen that by providing two vehicles coupled to one another, greater safety is provided during loading and unloading and also, because the two lifting gears are used, a heavier -load can be moved. The safety factor is further increased if the vehicle coupled to the vehicle being loaded or unloaded is also loaded so that its acts as a counterweight. In addition, each vehicle may be provided with stays or supports (not shown). The vehicles are coupled to one another in the laterally reversed arrangement in order for their lifting gears to be used efficiently. In order to achieve a simple parallel displacement of the vehicles, they are operated in tandem during the coupling operation in order to load or unload on land and, for this purpose, the drive means of the vehicles are disposed in such a way as to permit a sideways movement of the vehicles. After the vehicles 1 and 3 are uncoupled, another loaded vehicle (not shown) can be coupled to the vehicle 3 and, in this way, the load 8 can be unloaded. A vehicle which is loaded with several light-weight articles can also be used for counterbalancing purposes. In this case, the vehicle forming the counterweight can be loaded or unloaded by using only its own lifting gear. CLAIMS

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein when the goods of said one vehicle are loaded and unloaded, the other vehicle is a loaded vehicle so as to act as a counterbaiance.

5. A method of loading or unloading a ship, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.