GB2575655A

GB2575655A - A container handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2575655A
Application number: GB1811730.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ismail Ali Jassim Makki Aqil; Darshan Priya Mahaveer
Original assignee: Dp World Fze
Current assignee: Dp World Fze
Priority date: 2018-07-18
Filing date: 2018-07-18
Publication date: 2020-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-18
Also published as: GB201811730D0; GB2575655B

Abstract

A container handling kit is mountable to a container handler 28 for moving intermodal containers 34, 84 which may be stacked, the handler 28 including a wheeled chassis 30 having a vertically extending mast 44 and a slide 46 including a pair of spaced vertical support members 58 movably mounted to the mast 44, an upper container handling device 32 movably mounted to upper ends of members 58 for handling a first container 34. The kit includes a pair of additional vertical support members 72 connectable to members 58, brace members 74.1, 74.2, 74.3 for bracing the connection between members 72 and 58, a pair of horizontal locks 86 for handling a second container 84 via slots 22 disposed on vertical sides of the container 84, a lock displacing system (88 fig. 9) for displacing the locks 86 for locking the second container 84, a mounting system (82 fig. 9) for slidably mounting each lock 86 to a particular member 72 and a load bearing arrangement (80 fig. 9) for bearing the load of the container 84.

Description

A CONTAINER HANDLING APPARATUS

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a container handling apparatus and to a kit for customizing a container handler or spreader to improve the functionality and/or efficiency of the container handler or spreader. More particularly, the invention relates to a container handling apparatus for handling so-called “intermodal containers”.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION

The invention is concerned with a container handling apparatus for handling so-called “intermodal containers” i.e. containers of the type commonly known as a shipping container and / an ISO container. These intermodal containers are re-usable transport and storage unit for containing goods and are adapted for use in the global containerized intermodal freight transport system for transporting goods from one part of the world to another, via a variety of modes of transport including ship, rail, road vehicle and air, but particularly, without the need for opening these containers.

Intermodal containers conform to international (ISO) specifications which determine the external dimensions of these containers and which include standardized mounting means in the form of cubic corner blocks (also called “mounting blocks” or “corner castings”) for handling, lifting and connecting the containers to one another, as will be explained in more detail hereinbelow. More specifically, intermodal containers comprise a container body which is in a parallelepiped shape having six sides, at least one of which includes an openable and lockable door for accessing an interior of the container. Common container sizes include so-called “20 feet containers”, “40 feet containers” or “45 feet containers”, having length dimensions of 20 feet (6.096 meters) , 40 feet (12.192 m) and 45 feet (13.716 meters), respectively. Standard container heights are 2.5 meters or 2.9 meters.

The containers are particularly required to include eight corner blocks each being rigidly fixed in a different corner of each container, in a recessed relationship therewith, so that the free flat external sides of the corner blocks are substantially flush or slightly proud of the corresponding sides of the container associated therewith.

Each corner block typically comprises a hollow fabricated or cast steel box-like structure which defines an internal space with external sides of the corner block defining openings in the forms of slots of a standard size and shape which lead into the internal space. The slots are typically ovaloid in shape and are configured to cooperatively receive corner block mounting formations, such as, for example, orientating pins, latching devices, hooks, twist-lock connectors or other hardware which is provided and required for lifting and securing the container, in use, in an arrangement wherein components thereof project through the slots defined by the corner blocks and are located within the internal space of the corner blocks.

Typically, movable vehicles in the form of container handlers or spreaders are used for handling containers when loading, off-loading, moving or stacking the containers. Typically, conventional container handlers comprise a land vehicle such as a fork-lift truck having a special attachment mounted thereto for mounting or engaging containers.

In the case of empty containers, two adjacent corner blocks of a container are coupled to the container handler using movable twist-locks for releasably locking adjacent corner blocks to the container handler to permit lifting and moving of the container. More specifically, each twist-lock has as a shape complementary to the shape of the ovaloid slot of a corresponding corner block. As such, the twist-lock is extended, in use, so as to enter into the interior space of the associated corner block via the correspondingly shaped slot of the corner block. Once the twist-lock is located within the interior space of the corner block, the twist-lock is rotated such that the twist-lock engages an inner side of the corner block to releasably lock the twist-lock with respect to the corner block to permit safe lifting of the container.

Typically, intermodal containers travel through container terminals, for example, container terminals found at a harbour for offloading containers from ships and for loading the containers onto flat-bed trucks or trains passing through the container terminal. To make optimal use of space available in container terminals, empty 2 containers are typically stacked one on top of another, when loading or offloading empty containers.

The performance of a container terminal is measured according to the number of containers which are handled and moved during operating hours of the terminal. A need therefore exists for a container handler having improved functionality and/or efficiency when compared to known container handlers. More specifically, a need exists for an apparatus for handling empty stacked containers in a more efficient manner than is possible using conventional handlers or spreaders.

In this specification, the term “container” shall be interpreted to mean a container of the type as hereinabove described and the terms “slots”, “corner blocks” and “corner block mounting formation” shall be interpreted to mean slots, corner blocks and corner block mounting formations of the type as hereinabove described.

In this specification, the various sides of the container shall be named with reference to the orientation of a resting container, in other words, the bottom shall refer to the side upon which the container rests, the top shall refer to the opposite operatively upper end of the container and the vertical sides shall refer to the sides of the container extending between the top and the bottom of the container.

In this specification, any reference to a “movable vehicle”, must be interpreted to mean a vehicle of a type having a front end, a rear end, a left side, a right side and a longitudinal central axis extending between the front and rear ends of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container handling apparatus including:

a movable vehicle;

an upper container handling device movably mounted to the vehicle and configured to lift a first container;

a lower container handling device located, in use, beneath the upper container handling device, the lower container handling device being movably mounted to the vehicle and configured to lift a second container, the lower container handling device including a pair of spaced apart container engaging formations for engaging an adjacent pair of upper corner blocks of the second container, for coupling with the second container, wherein the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device are orientated, located and configured, in use, to project through the slots disposed on the vertical sides of the adjacent pair of upper corner blocks of the second container when coupling with the second container and wherein the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device are horizontally displaceable, in use, independently from the upper container handling device.

In use, the configuration of the lower container handling device advantageously permits the container handling apparatus to lift the second container even when the first container is stacked upon the second container. As such, the container handling apparatus is advantageously configured to couple with and lift the first and second containers while the first container is stacked upon the second container and configured to release the second container while the first container is being lifted by the upper container handling device.

The lower container handling device may further include horizontal lock displacing means for horizontally displacing the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device. The pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device may each be in the form of horizontally movable horizontal locks. As such, the horizontal lock displacing means of the lower container handling device may configured to provide for the horizontal displacement of the horizontal locks. More particularly, the horizontal lock displacing means may be configured to displace the horizontal locks between a container engaging condition wherein the horizontal locks extend through the vertical slots of the upper corner blocks of the second container so as to be located within the interior space of the corner blocks; and a retracted position.

More specifically, the horizontal lock displacing means may be configured for displacing the horizontal locks between a locking condition in which the horizontal locks lockingly engage the corner blocks for locking the horizontal locks to the corner blocks, thereby to couple the horizontal locks to the second container; and an unlocked condition wherein the horizontal locks are unlocked from the corner blocks. The horizontal lock displacing means may be in the form of a pair of piston-cylinder mechanisms, each piston-cylinder mechanism of the pair of piston-cylinder mechanisms being operable to displace a particular associated one of the horizontal locks.

The container handling apparatus may further include movable mounting means for movably mounting the upper and lower container handling device to the vehicle.

The movable mounting means of the container handling apparatus may include a slidable mounting system for slidably mounting the lower container handling device to the movable vehicle. More particularly, the slidable mounting system may be configured for slidably mounting the lower container handling device in an arrangement wherein the lower container handling device is slidably displaceable relative to the upper container handling device.

The slidable mounting system may include guiding means for guiding the slidable displacement of the lower container handling device relative to the upper container handling device.

The slidable mounting system may further include biasing means for biasing the lower container handling device. More particularly, the biasing means may be configured to positively locate the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device relative to the slots disposed on the vertical sides of the adjacent pair of upper corner blocks of the second container, when the upper container handling device is moved into the correct position for lifting the first container.

The movable mounting means of the container handling apparatus may further include a substantially vertically extending mast mounted to the movable vehicle in an arrangement wherein the mast extends substantially vertically relative to the movable vehicle, in use. The mast may be hindgedly mounted to a wheeled chassis of the vehicle at a lower end region of the mast.

The movable mounting means of the container handling apparatus may further include a slide movably mountable to the mast and configured to be lowered and raised relative to the mast. More particularly, the slide may be slidably mounted to the mast in an arrangement permitting slideable movement of the slide along a length of the mast as the slide is lowered and raised relative to the mast. The slide may include an elongate horizontal support member which is movably mounted to the mast.

The slide may further include horizontal telescoping means including a pair of elongate horizontal telescopic member, each elongate horizontal telescopic member being displaceably mounted to a different minor end region of the horizontal support member in a telescopic arrangement wherein each elongate horizontal telescopic member telescopes outwardly from a different end of the horizontal support member. The horizontal telescoping means of the movable mounting means may further include horizontal telescopic displacement means to provide for the horizontal telescopic displacement of each elongate horizontal telescopic member relative to the horizontal support member.

The slide may further include a pair of spaced apart vertical support members, each vertical support member being located at a distal minor end of a different one of the horizontal telescopic members. As such, the upper container handling device may be disposed at upper end regions of the vertical support member and the lower container handling device may be disposed at lower end regions of the vertical support member.

The upper container handling device and the lower container handling device may be mounted to the slide, thereby to render the upper and the lower container handling device movable with the slide.

The pair of spaced apart vertical support members of the slide may each have a hollow tubular configuration and a different one of the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device may be slidably mounted within an associated one of the pair of spaced apart vertical support members. As such, the pair of spaced apart vertical support members may each have a slot extending along a length thereof through which the container engaging formations of the lower container handling device may pass thereby permitting sliding displacement of the lower container handling device relative to the upper container handling device. In the particular embodiment wherein the container engaging formations are in the form of horizontal locks, the horizontal locks may be mounted within a different one of the pair of spaced apart vertical support members of the slide at a location wherein the horizontal locks are wholly located within the vertical support members when the horizontal lock displacing means displace the horizontal locks into the retracted position.

In a particular embodiment, the guiding means of the slidable mounting system may include a pair of sliding support structures, each sliding support structure being configured to be slidingly mounted within an associated one the pair of spaced vertical support members. Each sliding support structure may be configured to mountingly receive an associated one of the piston-cylinder mechanisms of the horizontal lock displacing means. As such, the guiding means of the slidable mounting system may further include pair of apertured plates, each apertured plate being mounted, in use, within a particular one of the pair of spaced vertical support members, the guiding means of the slidable mounting system further including a pair of rods, each rod extending, in use, through the aperture of an associated one of the aperture plates and each rod having an end region fixed to an associated one of the pair of sliding support structures.

In a particular embodiment wherein, the movable mounting means includes:

(a) a substantially vertically extending mast mounted to the movable vehicle in an arrangement wherein the mast extends substantially vertically relative to the movable vehicle, in use;

(b) a slide movably mountable to the mast and configured to be lowered and raised relative to the mast, the slide including at least one elongate horizontal support member which is movably mounted to the mast, the slide further including a pair of spaced apart vertical support members, each vertical support member being located proximate to a different one of opposite distal minor ends of the elongate horizontal support member, wherein the upper container handling device is mounted to upper ends of the vertical support members; and (c) elevating means for vertically displacing the slide relative to the mast, the guiding means of the slidable mounting system may include a pair of sliding support structures, each sliding support structure being configured to be slidingly mounted within an associated one the pair of spaced vertical support members and each sliding support structure being configured to mountingly receive an associated one of the piston-cylinder mechanisms of the horizontal lock displacing means.

The container handling apparatus may further include load bearing means fixedly connected to the pair of spaced apart vertical support members for bearing a load from the weight of the second container.

The movable mounting means of the container handling apparatus may further include elevating means for displacing the upper and lower container handling device relative to the vehicle. The elevating means of the container handling apparatus may include at least one chain and at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanism fixedly mounted in an arrangement wherein the chain is operatively connected between the at least one hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanism and the slide via a roller (not shown) in an arrangement wherein the piston-cylinder mechanism is operable to displace the chain for vertical displacement of the slide to provide for raising and lowering of the slide.

The container handling apparatus may further include at least one piston I cylinder mechanisms mounted between the vehicle and the mast for hingedly displacing the mast relative to the vehicle for adjusting a vertical orientation of the mast. The mast may comprise a pair of parallel spaced support members and a number of cross members extending between the spaced support members.

The container handling apparatus may further include one or more cameras configured and arranged for providing images of the horizontal locks to allow for accurate alignment of the horizontal locks with respect to the slots of the second container. As such, the container handling apparatus may further include one or more monitors located within a cabin of the vehicle for monitoring images received from the camera. The container handling apparatus may further include one or more lamps for illuminating the horizontal locks for enhancing the clarity of the images received from the camera.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container handling kit which is mountable to a movable vehicle configured for moving containers, the vehicle having an upper container handling device movably mounted to the vehicle, the upper container handling device being configured to lift a first container, the kit including:

a lower container handling device movably mountable to the vehicle so as to be located, in use, beneath the upper container handling device, the lower container handling device being configured to lift a second container and including a pair of spaced apart container engaging formations for engaging an adjacent pair of upper corner blocks of the second container, for coupling with the second container, wherein the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device are orientated, located and configured, in use, to project through the slots disposed on the vertical sides of said adjacent pair of upper corner blocks of the second container when coupling with the second container and wherein the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device are horizontally displaceable, in use, independently from the upper container handling device.

In a particular embodiment wherein, the movable vehicle includes movable mounting means for movably mounting the upper container handling device to the vehicle, the movable mounting means including:

(b) a slide movably mountable to the mast and configured to be lowered and raised relative to the mast, the slide including at least one elongate horizontal support member which is movably mounted to the mast, the slide further including a pair of spaced apart vertical support members, each vertical support member being located proximate to a different one of opposite distal minor ends of the elongate horizontal support member, wherein the upper container handling device is mounted to upper ends of the vertical support members; and (c) elevating means for vertically displacing the slide relative to the mast, the kit may further include:

a pair of additional spaced vertical support members which are connectable to lower end regions of the vertical support members of the slide, thereby to extend a length of the vertical support members of the slide. In said particular embodiment, the kit may further include a number of brace members for bracing a connection between the spaced vertical support members and the additional spaced vertical support members.

The kit may further include horizontal lock displacing means for horizontally displacing the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device. The pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device of the kit may each be in the form of horizontally movable horizontal locks. As such, the horizontal lock displacing means of the lower container handling device of the kit may be configured to provide for the horizontal displacement of the horizontal locks. More particularly, the horizontal lock displacing means of the kit may be configured to displace the horizontal locks between a container engaging condition 10 wherein the horizontal locks extend through the vertical slots of the upper corner blocks of the second container, so as to be located within the interior space of the corner blocks; and a retracted position.

More specifically, the horizontal lock displacing means of the lower container handling device of the kit may be configured for displacing the horizontal locks between a locking condition in which the horizontal locks lockingly engage the corner blocks for locking the horizontal locks to the corner blocks, thereby to couple the horizontal locks to the second container; and an unlocked condition wherein the horizontal locks are unlocked from the corner blocks-The horizontal lock displacing means of the kit may be in the form of a pair of piston-cylinder mechanisms, each piston-cylinder mechanism of the pair of piston-cylinder mechanisms being operable to displace a particular associated one of the horizontal locks.

The kit may include movable mounting means for movably mounting the lower container handling device to the vehicle. The movable mounting means of the kit may include a slidable mounting system for slidable mounting the lower container handling device to the movable vehicle. More particularly, the slidable mounting system may be configured for slidably mounting the lower container handling device in an arrangement wherein the lower container handling device is slidably displaceable relative to the upper container handling device.

In a particular embodiment, each one of the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device of the kit may be configured to be slidingly mounted within a different one of the pair of additional spaced apart vertical support members. As such, the pair of spaced apart additional vertical support members of the kit may each have a hollow tubular configuration. More specifically, the pair of spaced apart additional vertical support members of the kit may each have a slot extending along a length thereof through which the container engaging formations of the lower container handling device may pass, thereby permitting sliding displacement of the lower container handling device relative to the upper container handling device. In the particular embodiment wherein the container engaging formations of the kit are in the form of horizontal lock, the horizontal locks may be configured to be mounted within a different one of the pair of additional spaced apart vertical support members of the slide at a location wherein, in use, the horizontal locks are wholly located within the additional vertical support members when the horizontal lock displacing means displace the horizontal locks into the retracted position.

The kit may further include load bearing means fixedly connected to the pair of additional spaced apart vertical support members for bearing a load from the weight of the second container.

The kit may further include one or more cameras configured and arranged for providing images of the horizontal locks to allow for accurate alignment of the horizontal locks with respect to the slots of the second container. As such, the kit may further include one or more monitors located within a cabin of the vehicle for monitoring images received from the camera. The kit may further include one or more lamps for illuminating the horizontal lock for enhancing the clarity of the images received from the camera.

The mast of the movable vehicle may be a mast as described and defined hereinabove in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

The movable vehicle may further include at least one piston I cylinder mechanisms mounted between a chassis of the vehicle and the mast for hingedly displacing the mast relative to the chassis for adjusting a vertical orientation of the mast. The mast 12 may comprise a pair of parallel spaced support members and a number of cross members extending between the spaced support members.

The slide of the movable vehicle may be slidably mounted to the mast in an arrangement permitting slideable movement of the slide along a length of the mast as the slide is lowered and raised relative to the mast.

In a particular embodiment, the guiding means of the slidable mounting system may include a pair of sliding support structures, each sliding support structure being configured to be slidingly mounted within an associated one the pair of additional spaced vertical support members. Each sliding support structure may be configured to mountingly receive an associated one of the piston-cylinder mechanisms of the horizontal lock displacing means. As such, the guiding means of the slidable mounting system may further include pair of apertured plates, each apertured plate being mounted, in use, within a particular one of the additional pair of spaced vertical support members, the guiding means of the slidable mounting system further includes a pair of rods, each rod extending, in use, through the aperture of an associated one of the aperture plates and each rod having an end region fixed to an associated one of the pair of sliding support structures.

The slide of the movable vehicle may further include a pair of elongate horizontal telescopic member, each elongate horizontal telescopic member being displaceably mounted to a different minor end of the horizontal support member in a telescopic arrangement wherein each elongate horizontal telescopic member telescopes outwardly from said different end of the horizontal support member. The movable mounting means may further include telescopic displacement means to provide for the telescopic displacement of each elongate horizontal telescopic member relative to the horizontal support member. More specifically, each vertical support member may be located at a distal minor end of a different one of the horizontal telescopic members.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, the invention extends to a slidable mounting system as described and defined hereinabove.

In accordance with a forth aspect of the invention, the invention extends also to a method of loading and I or offloading containers as described and defined hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention are described hereinafter by way of a non-limiting example of the invention, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying schematic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1A shows a side view of a known land vehicle for moving intermodal containers;

Figure 1B shows a perspective view of a known intermodal container;

Figure 2 shows a front view of a container handling apparatus in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, illustrated with telescopic members shown retracted and illustrating hidden detail;

Figure 3 shows a front view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 2, illustrated with telescopic members shown extended;

Figure 4 shows a fragmentary side view ofthe container handling apparatus of Figure 2 shown lifting two stacked containers comprising an upper first container and a lower second container;

Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 4 shown lowering the second container onto a flatbed trailer when loading the flatbed trailer;

Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 5 shown after the second container is loaded onto the flatbed trailer of Figure 5, and showing the container handling apparatus raising the first container of Figure 5 ;

Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 6 14 showing the container handling apparatus maintaining a position of the first container of Figure 6 while the flatbed trailer reverses into position;

Figure 8 shows an isometric view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 7, showing the container handling apparatus offloading the first container onto the flatbed trailer; and

Figure 9 shows a fragmentary sectional view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 5, shown sectioned along section lines 9 - 9 of Figure 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings, a container handling apparatus in accordance with the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.

The container handling apparatus 10 is configured for use with an intermodal container 12 of the type commonly known as a shipping container.

Referring to Figures 1A, 1B and 4 of the drawings, the container 12 is parallelepiped in shape having six sides which include a top 14, a bottom 16 and vertical sides 18 extending between the top 14 and the bottom 16. At least one of the vertical sides 18 include a pair of openable and closable doors 20 providing access into an interior of the container for loading and offloading articles stored within the container.

Still referring to Figures 1A, 1B and 4 of the drawings, the container 12 also includes eight cubic corner blocks 22 each rigidly fixed in a different corner of the container 12. Each corner block 22 is typically in the form of a hollow fabricated or cast steel unit, which defines an internal space 24 therein. The external sides of the corner blocks 22 defining openings of standard size and shape which lead into the internal space 24. The openings are in the form of ovaloid slot formations 26 which are configured to cooperatively receive corner block mounting formations, such as orientating pins, latching devices, hooks, twist-locks, connectors or other hardware therein, as will be explained in more detail hereinbelow. For example, the container handler 28 may be in the form of a model DCE, DCF or DCG produced by Kalmar, having its head office 15 care of Cargotech Finland Oy, Porkkalankatu, 5 Fl-001800, Helsinki, Finland. It will be understood that, alternatively, any other suitable handler may be used.

The container handling apparatus 10 includes a movable vehicle such as, for example, a container handler 28 (as shown in Figure 1A) configured for moving containers and a container handling kit which is mountable to the handler 28, as will be explained in more detail hereinbelow.

As shown in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings the handler 28 includes a wheeled chassis 30, an upper container handling device 32 movably mounted to the handler 28, which is configured to lift a first container 34, and movable mounting means in the form of movable mounting system for movably mounting the upper container handling device 32 relative to the wheeled chassis 30 of the handler 28.

The wheeled chassis 30 includes a cabin 38 within which an operator of the handler 28 is accommodated, in use.

The upper container handling device 32 comprises a pair of spaced apart container engaging formations 40.1, 40.2 for engaging an adjacent pair of upper corner blocks 22 of the first container 34, for coupling with the first container 34. It will be appreciated that handler 28 of different models or from different manufacturers may have different types of upper container handling devices fitted thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations 40.1, 40.2 of the upper container handling device 32 are orientated, located and configured to project through the slots 26 disposed on the top 14 of an adjacent pair of upper corner blocks 22 of the first container 34 when coupling with the first container 34. The upper container handling device 32 is hydraulically operated and as such includes a hydraulic system for operating the upper container handling device 32. It will be appreciated that many other types of upper container handling devices, other than the upper container handling device 32, may be used and this disclosure shall not be limited to any particular type of upper container handling device.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 5 of the drawings, the movable mounting system includes a substantially vertically extending mast 44, a slide 46 movably mountable to the mast 16 and configured to be lowered and raised relative to the mast 44, horizontal telescoping means and telescopic displacement means in the form of a telescopic displacement system 48 (the purpose of which will be explained hereinbelow), elevating means in the form of an elevating system for vertically displacing the slide 46 relative to the mast 44 and a pair of piston I cylinder mechanisms 52 mounted between the chassis 30 of the handler 28 and the mast 44 for hingedly displacing the mast 44 relative to the chassis 30 for adjusting a vertical orientation of the mast 44.

The mast 44 is mounted to the handler 28 in an arrangement wherein the mast 44 extends substantially vertically relative to the handler 28, in use. More particularly, the mast 44 is hindgedly mounted to the wheeled chassis 30 of the handler 28 at a lower end region of the mast 44. The mast 44 comprises a pair of parallel spaced supports 54 and a number of cross members 56 extending between the spaced supports 54.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, the slide 46 includes an elongate horizontal support member 56 which is movably mounted to the mast 44, the slide 46 further including a pair of spaced apart vertical support members 58, each vertical support member 58 being located proximate to a different one of opposite distal minor ends of the elongate horizontal support member 56, with the upper container handling device 32 being mounted to upper ends of the vertical support members 58. More specifically, the upper container handling device 32 is mounted to the vertical support members 58 via a telescoping member 59 which is slidingly received within an associated one of the vertical support members 58, the purpose of which will be explained hereinbelow. The slide 46 of the handler 28 is slidably mounted to the mast 44 in an arrangement permitting slideable movement of the slide 46 along a length of the mast 44 as the slide 46 is lowered and raised relative to the mast 44.

As best illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, the slide 46 of the handler 28 further includes a pair of elongate horizontal telescopic members 60, each elongate horizontal telescopic member 60 being displaceably mounted to a different minor end of the horizontal support member 56 in a telescopic arrangement wherein each elongate horizontal telescopic member 60 telescopes outwardly from said different end of the horizontal support member 56.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, the telescopic displacement system 48 provide for the telescopic displacement of the elongate horizontal telescopic members 60 relative to the horizontal support member 56. The telescopic displacement system 48 includes a pair of hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanisms 62 for telescopically displacing the telescopic members 60 relative to the horizontal support member 56 so as to enable the upper container engaging formations 40.1,40.2 of the upper container handling device 32 to be aligned with the top corner blocks 22 of the first container 34, when lifting the first container 34, in use.

The elevating system includes a pair of chains 50 and a pair of hydraulic pistoncylinder mechanisms 51. Each hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanisms 51 is fixedly mounted within a particular one of the pair of parallel spaced supports 54 in an arrangement wherein the chain 51 is operatively connected between an associated one of the hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanism 51 and the slide 46 via a roller (not shown) in an arrangement wherein the piston-cylinder mechanisms 51 are operable to displace the associated chains 50 for vertical displacement of the slide 46 to provide for raising and lowering of the slide 46.

The pair of piston I cylinder mechanisms 52 are configured for displacing the mast 44 relative to the chassis 30 for adjusting a vertical orientation of the mast 44 when handling containers, as best illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 of the drawings.

As best shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 9 of the drawings, the container handling kit includes a lower container handling device 70 (see Figure 9), a pair of additional spaced vertical support members 72, a number of brace members 74 (see Figure 4), lock displacing means in the form of a lock displacing system 76, load bearing means in the form of a load bearing arrangement 80, and mounting means in the form of a slidable mounting system 82 for mounting the lower container handling device 70 to the handler 28, as will be explained in more detail hereinbelow.

The lower container handling device 70 is movably mountable to the handler 28 so as to be located, in use, beneath the upper container handling device 32. The lower container handling device 70 is configured to lift a second container 84 and includes a pair of spaced apart container engaging formations in the form of horizontal locks 18 for engaging an adjacent pair of upper corner blocks 22 at a vertical side 18 of the second container 84, for coupling with the second container 84.

The pair of spaced apart horizontal locks 86 of the lower container handling device 70 are orientated, located and configured, in use, to project through the slots 26 disposed on the vertical sides 18 of an adjacent pair of upper corner blocks 22 of the second container 84, when coupling with the second container 84, in use, as best shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

The pair of additional spaced vertical support members 72 are connectable to lower ends of the vertical support members 58 of the slide 46, thereby to extend a length of the vertical support members 58 of the slide 46, as best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, the brace members 74 include brace members 74.1, 74.2 and 74.3 and are configured for bracing a connection between the spaced vertical support members 58 and the additional spaced vertical support members 72, as best shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

Referring to Figure 9 of the drawings, the lock displacing system 76 of the kit is configured for displacing the pair of horizontal locks 86 of the lower container handling device 70, as will be explained in more detail below.

Still referring to Figure 9 of the drawings, the lock displacing system 76 of the lower container handling device 70 of the kit includes horizontal lock displacing means in the form of a pair of horizontal lock displacing piston- cylinder mechanisms (PCM) 88.

Each horizontal lock displacing PCM 88 is configured to provide for the horizontal displacement of the horizontal lock 86 associated therewith. More particularly, each horizontal lock displacing PCM 88 of the kit is configured to displace the associated horizontal lock 86 between a container engaging condition wherein the horizontal lock 86 extends through a particular one of the slots 26 of the upper corner blocks 22 located a vertical side 18 of the second container 84, so as to be located within the interior space 24 of the corner block 22; and a retracted position.

As shown in Figure 9 of the drawings each one of the pair of horizontal locks 86 of the lower handling device 70 of the kit is mounted within a different one of the pair of additional spaced apart vertical support members 72. The pair of spaced apart additional vertical support members 72 of the kit each have a hollow tubular configuration and each have a slot 94 (see Figure 2) extending along a length thereof through which the horizontal locks 86 of the lower container handling device 70 pass, in use, thereby permitting displacement of the lower container handling device 70 relative to the upper container handling device 32, even when the horizontal locks 86 are displaced out of their retracted positions as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

As shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, the horizontal locks 86 are mounted within a different one of the additional pair of spaced apart vertical support members 72 at a location wherein the horizontal locks 86 are wholly located within the associated additional vertical support members 72 when the associated horizontal lock displacing PCM 88 displace the associated horizontal lock 86 into the retracted position.

As best illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings, the load bearing arrangement 80 comprises a pair of rigid solid supporting members 96 fixed to the additional pair of spaced apart vertical support members 72, as will be explained hereinbelow.

As can be seen from Figures 2 and 9 of the drawings, the pair of rigid solid supporting members 96 each comprise a bar and a bracket welded to the bar. In use, the bar of each supporting member 96 is slidingly received in a complementary slot provided therefor in a different one of the additional pair of spaced apart vertical support members 72. The bracket of each of the support members 96 is then bolted to the vertical support member 72 associated therewith.

Referring to Figure 9 of the drawings, the slidable mounting system 82 is configured for slidably mounting the lower container handling device 70 to the handler 28. More specifically, the slidable mounting system 82 is configured for slidably mounting the lower container handling device 70 to the additional pair of spaced vertical support members 72 in an arrangement wherein the lower container handling device 70 is slidably displaceable relative to the upper container engaging formations 40.1,40.2 of the upper container handling device 32.

The slidable mounting system 82 includes guiding means in the form of a pair of load bearing sliding boxes 98, a pair of apertured plates 99 and a pair of steel rods 92, the slidable mounting system 82 further including biasing means in the form of a helical spring 101, the purpose of which will be explained herein below.

Each load bearing sliding box 98 is configured to mountingly receive an associated one of the vertical lock displacing PCMs 88. More particularly, the cylinders of each vertical lock displacing PCM 88 is bolted to the associated load bearing sliding box 98 whilst the horizontal locks 86 are fixed to the pistons of the associated one of the vertical lock displacing PCMs 88.

Each apertured plate 99 is fixedly mounted within a particular one of the additional pair of spaced vertical support members 72 by any suitable means, such as, for example by welding thereof.

Each rod 92 is located, in use, so as to extend through the aperture of an associated one of the pair of apertured plates 99, such that each apertured plates 99 guides the sliding displacement of each rod 92 relative to the associated plate 99. An end region of each rod 92 is fixed to an associated one of the load bearing sliding boxes 98, for example by welding thereof, such that each rod 92 and the associated apertured plate 99 guides sliding displacement of the associated load bearing sliding box 98.

The helical spring 101 is configured to positively locate the horizontal locks 86 ofthe lower container handling device 70 relative to the slots 26 disposed on the vertical sides 18 of the adjacent pair of upper corner blocks of the second container 84, when the upper container handling device 32 is moved into the correct position for lifting the first container 34. In this regard it will accordingly be understood that containers come in standard heights of 2.5 meters or 2.9 meters. In use, the if the helical spring 101 is configured for positively locating the horizontal locks 86 when lifting two stacked 2.5 meter high containers, the container handling apparatus can still be used for lifting taller containers, for example, 2.9 meter containers because the of the fact that the 21 upper container handling device 32 is mounted to the vertical support members 58 via the telescoping member 59 which is slidingly received within the associated one of the vertical support members 58. More specifically, because the upper container handling device 32 is mounted to the vertical support members 58 via the telescoping member 59 which is slidingly received within the associated one of the vertical support members 58, it is possible to engage the first container 34 with the upper container handling device 32 and then move the slide 46 downwardly so as to permit the telescoping member 59 to telescope upwardly, while the horizontal locks 86 are moved into an alignment position for lifting the second container 84.

In use, because the load bearing arrangement 80 is fixedly connected to the pair of additional spaced apart vertical support members 72, the load bearing arrangement 80 is configured for bearing a load from the weight of the second container 84 when the associated load bearing sliding box 98 rests thereon.

In this regard, it will be understood that when an attempt is made, in use, to lift the second container 84, the engaged horizontal locks 86 will bear more and more of the weight of the container causing the horizontal locks 86 and the load bearing sliding box 98 connected thereto to be displaced in a downward direction until the load bearing sliding boxes 98 come to rest on the bars of the support plates 96 which are fixedly bolted to the additional spaced vertical support members 72. As such, the bars of the support plates 96 which are fixedly bolted to the additional vertical support members 72 support the weight of the container, in use, when the second container 84 is lifted.

It will also be appreciated that, in use, the elevating system will be used to lower the second container 84 onto a substrate surface such as, for example, the load bed of a truck. During lowering of the second container 84 onto a substrate surface, the slidable mounting system 82 described hereinabove protects the container handling apparatus 10 from getting damaged when offloading the second container 84. More specifically, it will be appreciated that as the slide 46 is lowered by the elevating system to lower the second container 84, and when the bottom of the second container 84 contacts the load bed of the truck, and as the slide continues to move down, more and more weight of the second container 84 will be transmitted to the load bed of the truck.

At this point, it will be understood that while under load, the load bearing sliding boxes 98 is currently supported by the bars of the support plates 96. It will also be understood that as the slide continues to slowly move down, more and more weight of the second container 84 will be transmitted to the load bed of the truck until the full weight of the container 84 is carried by the load bed. At this point it will be understood that once the container 84 is resting on the load bed, there will be no load on the load bearing sliding box 98, and accordingly any further downward movement of the slide 46 will result in the load bearing sliding boxes 98 being displaced in an upward direction (because the horizontal locks 86 are in the locking condition). In this way, the slidable mounting system 82 advantageously prevents shock or impulse forces generated when the container 84 is offloaded from being transmitted to the container handling apparatus 10.

The kit further includes a hydraulic fluid pressuring system (not shown) including hydraulic cables for delivering pressurized hydraulic fluid for individual displacement of the horizontal lock displacing system piston- cylinder mechanisms (PCM) 88.

The kit further includes controls (not shown) located in the cabin for independently controlling displacement of the horizontal lock displacing system piston- cylinder mechanisms (PCM) 88.

The kit further includes a pair of cameras 102, each camera 102 configured and arranged for providing images of a different one of the horizontal locks 86 to allow for accurate alignment of the horizontal locks 86 with respect to the slots 26 of the second container 84.

The kit further includes a pair of monitors (not shown) located within the cabin 38 of the handler 28 thereby allowing the operator of the container handling apparatus 10 to monitor images received from the cameras 102.

The kit further includes a pair of lamps 104, each lamp 104 is arranged for illuminating a different one of the horizontal locks 86 for enhancing the clarity of the images received from the cameras 102.

The kit further includes a position sensor (not shown) at each horizontal lock to sense a position of the horizontal lock to sense whether the horizontal lock is in the locked or unlocked condition. As such, the kit further includes a signal light (not shown) which is mounted in the cabin and on the handler to indicate that the condition of the horizontal locks as detected by the position sensor.

The advantageous use of the container handling apparatus 10 is illustrated in Figures 4 to 8 of the drawings.

Figure 4 shows the container handling apparatus 10 lifting two stacked containers comprising the upper first container 34 and the lower second container 84. It will be appreciated that the container handling apparatus 10 is configured to lift the stack of containers 34,84 simultaneously by simply aligning the container engaging formations 40.1, 40.2 of the upper container handling device 32 with the upper corner blocks 22 of the first container 34 such that the horizontal locks 86 of the lower container handling device 70 are aligned with the upper corner blocks 22 of the second container 84. Once alignment has been achieved, the upper container handling device 32 and the lower container handling device 70 can then lock the corner blocks 22 of the first container 34 and second container 84, respectively. In this manner, the stack comprising the first container 34 and the second container 84 can be lifted together in a single operation. There is accordingly no need to first lift the first container 34 and thereafter lift the second container 84. The Applicant has found in this regard that there is a substantial time saving in lifting the first and second container together in a stack without having to lift them individually.

As shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, the second container 84 is then lowered, in use, onto a flatbed trailer for loading the flatbed trailer. It will be appreciated in this regard that the second container 84 can be released individually of the first container 34, as such, the container handling apparatus 10 can release the second container 84 onto the flat bed and thereafter can lift the first container 34 a bit higher, as shown in Figure 6, to permit the flat bed to reverse.

As shown in Figure 7 the container handling apparatus 10 can then simply maintain its position while the flatbed trailer reverses into position so as to orientate the flatbed 24 trailer with respect to the container handling apparatus 10 such that the first container 34 is correctly located above a suitable loading zone on the flatbed trailer.

As shown in Figure 8, the container handling apparatus 10 can then offload the first container 34 by simply lowering the first container 34 onto the suitable loading zone of the flatbed trailer and can thereafter release the first container 34.

The Applicant has found that the container handling apparatus 10 significantly reduces loading times and offloading times when compared to other container handlers which are not capable of individually lifting two stacked containers simultaneously and in a single operation and I or individually releasing each container in a stack of containers.

More specifically, the Applicant has found that in use, the configuration of the lower container handling device 70 and the configurations of the horizontal locks 86 , advantageously permits the container handling apparatus 10 to lift the second container 84 even when the first container 34 is stacked upon the second container 84. As such, the container handling apparatus 10 is advantageously configured to couple with the first container 34 and the second containers 84 while the first container 34 is stacked upon the second container 84.

The kit as described and defined hereinabove can advantageously be retro-fitted to existing container handlers, or spreaders and advantageously greatly increases the functionality and efficiency of the container handlers I spreaders having the kit mounted thereto. The inventors have found that container handlers I spreaders having the kit fitted or mounted thereto can handle containers far more efficiently and particularly, stacked containers, thereby greatly increasing the performance of container terminals. More specifically, loading and offloading times are greatly reduced due to the increased functionality of container handlers I spreaders having the kit mounted thereto.

The inventors have also advantageously found that it is particularly important to provide for independent operation of the displacement of the upper container handling device 32; container engaging formations 40.1,40.2, pair of piston I cylinder mechanisms 52, hydraulic piston-cylinder mechanism 62, horizontal locks 86 , via 25 horizontal lock displacing system piston- cylinder mechanisms (PCM) 88 and the elevating system of the container handling apparatus.

It will be appreciated that the exact configuration of the container handling apparatus 10, and the kit, in accordance with the invention, may vary greatly while still incorporating the essential features of the invention as described hereinabove.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container handling apparatus including:

a movable vehicle;

2. The container handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower container handling device further includes horizontal lock displacing means for horizontally displacing the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations.

3. The container handling apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device are each in the form of horizontally movable horizontal locks.

4. The container handling apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the horizontal lock displacing means are in the form of a pair of piston-cylinder mechanisms, each piston-cylinder mechanism of the pair of piston-cylinder mechanisms being operable to displace a particular associated one of the horizontal locks.

5. The container handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container handling apparatus further includes movable mounting means for movably mounting the upper and lower container handling device to the vehicle, the movable mounting means including a slidable mounting system for slidably mounting the lower container handling device to the movable vehicle.

6. The container handling apparatus as claimed in claims 5, wherein the slidable mounting system is configured for slidably mounting the lower container handling device in an arrangement wherein the lower container handling device is slidably displaceable relative to the upper container handling device.

7. The container handling apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the slidable mounting system includes guiding means for guiding the slidable displacement of the lower container handling device relative to the upper container handling device.

8. The container handling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the slidable mounting system further includes biasing means for biasing the lower container handling device.

9. The container handling apparatus as claimed in claims 8, wherein the biasing means are configured to positively locate the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device relative to the slots disposed on the vertical sides of the adjacent pair of upper corner blocks of the second container, when the upper container handling device is moved into the correct position for lifting the first container.

10. The container handling apparatus as claimed claim 7 and in so-far as claim 5 depends from claim 4, wherein the movable mounting means includes:

(b) a slide movably mountable to the mast and configured to be lowered and raised relative to the mast, the slide including at least one elongate horizontal support member which is movably mounted to the mast, the slide further including a pair of spaced apart vertical support members, each vertical support member being located proximate to a different one of opposite distal minor ends of the elongate horizontal support member, wherein the upper container handling device is mounted to upper ends of the vertical support members; and (c) elevating means for vertically displacing the slide relative to the mast, and wherein the guiding means of the slidable mounting system includes a pair of sliding support structures, each sliding support structure being configured to be slidingly mounted within an associated one the pair of spaced vertical support members and each sliding support structure being configured to mountingly receive an associated one of the piston-cylinder mechanisms of the horizontal lock displacing means.

11. The container handling apparatus as claimed claim 10, wherein the guiding means of the slidable mounting system further includes a pair of apertured plates, each apertured plate being mounted, in use, within a particular one of the pair of spaced vertical support members, the guiding means of the slidable mounting system further including a pair of rods, each rod extending, in use, through the aperture of an associated one of the aperture plates and each rod having an end region fixed to an associated one of the pair of sliding support structures.

12. A container handling kit which is mountable to a movable vehicle configured for moving containers, the vehicle having an upper container handling device movably mounted to the vehicle, the upper container handling device being configured to lift a first container, the kit including:

13. A container handling kit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the movable vehicle includes movable mounting means for movably mounting the upper container handling device to the vehicle, the movable mounting means including:

(b) a slide movably mountable to the mast and configured to be lowered and raised relative to the mast, the slide including at least one elongate horizontal support member which is movably mounted to the mast, the slide further including a pair of spaced apart vertical support members, each vertical support member being located proximate to a different one of opposite distal minor ends of the elongate horizontal support member, wherein the upper container handling device is mounted to upper ends of the vertical support members; and (c) elevating means for vertically displacing the slide relative to the mast, and wherein the kit further includes: a pair of additional spaced vertical support members which are connectable to lower end regions of the vertical support members of the slide, thereby to extend a length of the vertical support members of the slide.

14. A container handling kit as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the kit further includes horizontal lock displacing means for horizontally displacing the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device

15. A container handling kit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the kit further includes a number of brace members for bracing a connection between the spaced vertical support members and the additional spaced vertical support members.

16. A container handling kit as claimed in claim 13 or 15, wherein each one of the pair of spaced apart container engaging formations of the lower container handling device of the kit are configured to be slidingly mounted within a different one of the pair of additional spaced apart vertical support members.

17. A container handling kit as claimed in any one of claims 13,15 or 16, wherein the pair of spaced apart additional vertical support members of the kit may each have a hollow tubular configuration.

18. A container handling kit as claimed in any one of claims 13 or 15 to 17, wherein the pair of spaced apart additional vertical support members of the kit may each have a slot extending along a length thereof through which the container engaging formations of the lower container handling device may pass, thereby permitting sliding displacement of the lower container handling device relative to the upper container handling device.