US3620427A

US3620427A - Hoisting apparatus for handling cargo

Info

Publication number: US3620427A
Application number: US51917A
Authority: US
Inventors: William S Dodge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-07-02
Filing date: 1970-07-02
Publication date: 1971-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-16

Abstract

Hoisting apparatus for handling cargo including a ball-andsocket joint secured to a support surface and having an upwardly and outwardly extending V-shaped truss consisting of a pair of booms joined at their upper ends by a rigid span. A mast house is disposed rearwardly of the booms and stabilizing lines are connected to both a prime mover and the free ends of the booms. First and second topping lines extend between the mast house, a prime mover, the crosstree on the mast house, and the free ends of each of the booms for respectively raising, pivoting and positioning the booms while first and second hoisting lines extend between the cargo to be hoisted, each of the booms, and a prime mover for respectively raising, transferring and lowering the cargo.

Description

United States Patent 72] Inventor William S. Dodge 408 Fair Haven Road, Alameda, Calif. v 94501 [21] AppLNo. 51,917

[22] Filed July 2, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 16, 1971 [54] HOISTING APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CARGO 11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerFrank E. Werner Attorney-Mellin, Moore and Weissenberger ABSTRACT: Hoisting apparatus for handling cargo including a ball-and-socket joint secured to a support surface and having an upwardly and outwardly extending V-shaped truss consisting of a pair of booms joined at their upper ends by a rigid span. A mast house is disposed rearwardly of the booms and stabilizing lines are connected to both a prime mover and the free ends of the booms. First and second topping lines extend between the mast house, a prime mover, the crosstree on the mast house, and the free ends of each of the booms for respectively raising, pivoting and positioning the booms while first and second hoisting lines extend between the cargo to be hoisted, each of the booms, and a prime mover for respectively raising, transferring and lowering the cargo.

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WILLIAM S. DODGE )YlM ff Y /w%m/ ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHUV 16 I97! SHEET 2 [IF 2 FlG 3 I INVENTOR.

WILLIAM S DODGE W fiVM/a v ATTORNEYS IIOISTING APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CARGO BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to hoisting apparatus; and more particularly, to a cargo rig for ships.

2. Description of the Prior Art Conventional cargo-handling rigs involve complicated cargo-burtoning systems such as two independently goosenecked and guyed booms which often result in collapse and bending as well as intricately involved rigging and high operating, maintenance and securing costs.

It is necessary that such rigs enable a load to be transfered from one surface to another, as for example, from a wharf or dock to a hatch on a vessel, in a fast, safe and smooth fashion with a minimum of rigging and positioning time. It is also desirable that such a rig have as few movable parts as possible and that stress failures due to faulty rigging and positioning of cargo gear be reduced as much as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an improved cargo-hoisting apparatus which requires a minimum amount of rigging, maintenance and securing time.

It is a further object of this invention to provide cargo-hoisting apparatus which can be rigged and positioned by a single operator.

These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a ball-and-socket joint mounted on a support surface and having an upwardly and outwardly extending V- shaped truss consisting of a pair of booms joined at their upper ends by a rigid span. A mast crosstree is disposed rearwardly of the booms and stabilizing lines are connected to both a prime mover and the free ends of the booms. First and second topping lines extend between the crosstree mast, a prime mover, the crosstree, and the free ends of each of the booms while first and second hoisting lines extend between the cargo to be hoisted, each of the booms, and a prime mover for respectively transferring and lowering the cargo.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING I FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of my invention as applied to a marine vessel;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical schematic view of the technique of my invention as applied to a vessel adjacent a wharf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1, shows a cargo-hoisting apparatus which may be used to selectively transfer, hoist and lower cargo in accordance with the teachings of my invention. Thus, apparatus 10 may be associated with a support surface, such as the deck 11 of a vessel 12 having a hatch 13 therein into which it is desired to lower cargo into or, alternatively, hoist cargo out of, using apparatus 10.

A gooseneck 14 is disposed on deck 11 adjacent hatch 13. Gooseneck 14 is a conventional ball-and-socket joint having a ball 15 universally movable within socket 16. A pair of

booms

17 and 18 extend upwardly from ball 15 and are secured thereto by any suitable means.

Booms

17 and 18 form a V with ball 15 and their central longitudinal axes intersect at substantially the center of ball 15 (FIG. 2).

As can be seen in FIG. 1,

booms

17 and 18 are joined at their upper

free ends

19 and 20, respectively, by a rigid span 21. A mast house 22 is mounted on deck 11 rearwardly off booms l7 and 18. Mast house 22 includes a raised base portion 23 having a pair of

upright masts

24 and 25 thereon.

Masts

24 and 25 preferably extend upwardly and inwardly toward the center of span as can be seen in FIG. 1. A

generally horizontally disposed crosstree 26 is mounted on the upper ends of

masts

24 and 25. As can be best seen in FIG. 3, crosstree 26 is preferably disposed on a level below the level of span 21 when the plane encompassing booms l7 and 18 is in a vertical positions with span 21 parallel to crosstree 26. Further, the overall length of crosstree 26 is substantially less than the overall length of span 21 and the midpoint of crosstree 26 is substantially coincident with a centerline passing through the ball 15. In other words, in practice. the midpoint of both crosstree 26 and span 21, when the plane of

booms

17 and 18 is vertical, will be generally coincident with the centerline of vessel 12. Further, the centerline of vessel 12 will also extend through the centerline of hatch 13 and gooseneck 14 as will be discussed further hereinbelow. The length of crosstree 26 is generally not less than the width of hatch 13.

A pair of vang or stabilizing lines 27 and 28 (FIG. 1) are secured to the

free ends

19 and 20, respectively, of

booms

17 and 18 for stabilizing

booms

17 and 18, as will be discussed further hereinbelow A prime mover, as for example, a winch, is associated with the free ends of each stabilizing line. Thus winch 29 is preferably disposed on or below deck 1 l and connected to stabilizing line 27 while winch 30 on or below deck 11 is connected to stabilizing line 27. It might be noted that any suitable prime mover means may be used, even manual means, the specific type of prime mover means forming no part of my invention. However, in a preferred form of my invention, winches 29 and 30, and all the winches and/or prime movers referred to throughout this application, may be hydraulically powered and interconnected in their pressure systems through the use of bypass valves and the like (not shown) so that they may be operated from the same location by a single operator.

A preferred line control arrangement will now be described for selectively transferring, hoisting and lowering cargo and selectively raising, pivoting, positioning and stabilizing the position of booms l7 and 18. A first topping line 31 is secured to a prime mover, such as a winch 32, mounted on the lower end of support 24. Line 31 extends to a single block-and-pulley 33 mounted on base portion 23 of mast house 22. Line 31 then extends vertically upwardly to a single block-and-pulley 34 mounted on substantially the midpoint of crosstree 26, then to a first sheave on multiple block-and-pulley 35 mounted on the free end 19 of boom 17. The line 31 next extends to a single block-and-pulley 36 mounted on the free end 37 of crosstree 26 adjacent the free end 19 of boom 17. Line 31 then extends back to a second sheave of block-and-pulley 35 then to and secured to crosstree 26 at a point 39 adjacent substantially the midpoint of crosstree 26. Obviously, depending on the mechanical advantage required, additional sheaves may be added to

blocks

35 and 36 as required.

A second topping line 40 is secured to a prime mover, such as a winch 41, mounted on the lower end of support 25. Line 40 extends to a single block-and-pulley 42 mounted on base portion 23 of mast house 22. Line 40 then extends vertically upwardly to a single block-and-pulley 43 mounted on substantially the midpoint of crosstree 26, then to a first sheave of multiple block-and-pulley 44 mounted on the free end 20 of boom 18. The line 40 next extends to a single block-and-pulley 45 mounted on the free end 46 of crosstree 26 opposite free end 37 and adjacent the free end 20 of boom 18. Line 40 then extends back to a second sheave of the multiple blockand-pulley 44 on the free end 20 of boom 18. Line 40 then extends to and is secured to crosstree 26 at a point 48 adjacent substantially the midpoint of crosstree 26. As with line 31, additional sheaves may be added to

blocks

44 and 45 as required.

A first hoisting line 49 is adapted to be secured at one end to the cargo to be hoisted and extends to a single block-and-pulley 50 mounted on the free end 19 of boom 17. The line 49 then extends down boom 17 to a single block-and-pulley 51 mounted on the lower end of boom 17 adjacent gooseneck 14. From pulley 51, the line 49 extends to a single block-and-pulley 52 mounted on deck 11 and then to a prime mover, such as winch 53.

A second hoisting line 54 is adapted to be connected at one end to the cargo desired to be hoisted and extends from the cargo to single block-and-pulley 55 mounted on the free end 20 of boom 18, then down boom 18 to a single block-and-pulley 56 mounted on the lower end of boom 18 adjacent gooseneck 14, then to a single block-and-pulley 57 mounted on deck I l and finally to a prime mover, such as a winch 58 on deck 11.

In operation, positioning of booms l7 and 18 and span 21 is obtained by actuating topping

lines

31 and 40 thereby pivoting ball 15 within socket 16. By selectively actuating

lines

31 and 40, the booms l7 and 18 can be moved through various positions with respect to both the vertical and the horizontal. Trim, once obtained, may be stabilized through the two stabilizing

lines

27 and 28. Hoisting, transferring and lowering of cargo attached to the ends of hoisting

lines

49 and 54 may be accomplished by selectively paying out and reeling in these I lines depending upon the orientation of booms l7 and 18.

As discussed previously, all the prime movers may be hydraulic winches having an interconnected pressure system whereby all may be operated from the same console by a single operator.

FIG. 4 shows one application of the apparatus of 'my invention to the hoisting of cargo to and from the hold of a ship. Here, like numerals refer schematically to the centerlines of various components of FIGS. 1 through 3. A bridle 59 is shown attached to the free ends of hoisting

lines

49 and 54 and to a cargo load 60. A conventional spreader 61 may be associated with bridle 59. Cargo load 60 may be, for example, on the order of 10 tons or so with the length of booms l7 and 18 being approximately 66 feet, for example. The distance from the midpoint or center of ball to the bearing point (i.e., the approximate position of block-and-pulleys 34 and 43) on crosstree 26 is approximately 48 feet. The distance from the center of ball 15 to the center of span 21 is approximately 65 feet.

Generally, the angular relationship between

booms

17 and 18 is related to the width of vessel 12. For example, assuming an angle of 50 between

booms

17 and 18, that is, on each side of the centerline of vessel 12, if

booms

17 and 18 are extended to the extent of the sides of vessel 12, the rigid span 21 may be disposed at any point intermediate the free ends of

booms

17 and 18. The size of hatch 13 is then limited by the top position of

booms

17 and 18 at span 21. Of course, the angular relationship of booms l7 and 18 may be varied in accordance with the size and location of hatch 13. The cargo load 60 may be moved from a position over the wharf 62 to the dotted line position (indicated by like primed numerals) over the centerline 63 of vessel 12 and thus over hatch 13 by manipulating

hoisting lines

49 and 54. The outreach of the apparatus 10 (i.e., the distance O.R. from the centerline through cargo load 60-coincident with line 54-to the adjacent side of vessel 12) is, in the example shown, on the order of 18 feet. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the centerline 63 of vessel 12 extends through the midpoint of hatch l3, gooseneck l4 and crosstree 26. By varying the relationship between mast house 22 and

booms

17 and 18, that is, the distances between both span 21, crosstree 26 and ball 15 as discussed hereinabove, the stresses in booms l7 and 18 may be varied. In other words, stresses in booms l7 and 18 may be relieved by increasing the length and height of

masts

24 and 25 or by decreasing the length of the

booms

17 and 18, and vice versa. The disposition of the

masts

24 and 25 of mast house 22 are such so as to relieve bending moments about the center of crosstree 26.

In summary, a rigid span cargo-hoisting apparatus has been described whereby booms are moved through a variety of positions with relatively little rigging required. Further, the apparatus may be easily operated by a single operator. Although the apparatus has been described with respect to a cargo hatch in a vessel, obviously it is not limited thereto and may be used to move any type of cargo from one place to another.

I claim as my invention:

1. Hoisting apparatus for handling cargo comprising:

a ball-and-socket joint having a ball universally movable within a socket, said socket being secured to a support surface;

a pair of upwardly extending V-shaped booms connected to said ball, the central longitudinal axes of both said booms intersecting at substantially the center of said ball;

a rigid span connected to the free ends of said booms opposite the point of attachment of said booms to said ball;

a mast house rearwardly of said booms secured to and extending upwardly from said support surface and having a longitudinally extending crosstree at the upper end thereof;

a first topping line secured to a prime mover disposed on the lower end of said mast house and extending about first pulley means secured to said support surface, then about second pulley means secured to said crosstree substantially adjacent the midpoint thereof, then about third pulley means secured to the free end of one of said booms, then about fourth pulley means rotatably secured to the free end of said crosstree adjacent said free end of one of said booms, then back about said third pulley means and then fixedly secured to substantially the midpoint of said crosstree;

a second topping line secured to a prime mover disposed on the lower end of said mast house and extending about fifth pulley means secured to said support surface, then about sixth pulley means secured to said crosstree substantially adjacent the midpoint thereof, then about seventh pulley means secured to the free end of the other of said booms, then about eighth pulley means secured to the other free end of said crosstree adjacent said free end of the other of said booms, then back about said seventh pulley means and then fixedly secured to substantially the midpoint of said crosstree;

a first hoisting line adapted to be secured at one end to said cargo and then extending about ninth pulley means secured to the free end of one of said booms, then about 10th pulley means secured to the end of said one of said booms adjacent said joint and then to a prime mover;

a second hoisting line adapted to be secured at one end to said cargo and then extending about 11th pulley means secured to the free end of the other of said booms, then about 12th pulley means secured to the end of said other of said booms adjacent said joint, then to a prime mover whereby by selectively actuating all of said prime movers, the booms may be universally pivoted about said balland-socket joint while cargo may be transferred, hoisted and lowered as desired; and

stabilizing means associated with said booms for stabilizing said booms at any desired position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support surface includes an open cargo hatch therein disposed between the free ends of said boom and spaced forwardly from the point of con nection of said socket to said support surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mast house includes a pair of upwardly extending masts secured at one end to said support surface and at the other end to said crosstree, the pulleys means on the lower end of said mast house having the first topping line therearound being disposed on one of said masts and the pulleys means on the lower end of said mast house having the second topping line therearound being disposed on the other of said masts.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said masts are secured to said support surface on a portion of said surface raised with respect to the point of attachment of said joint to said surface; and

each of said masts extends from a point on said raised surface disposed on each side of the point of intersection of said booms, then upwardly and inwardly with respect to the point of intersection of said booms to substantially the midpoint of said/crosstree.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stabilizing means include first and second stabilizing lines extending between rime mover means and the free ends of each of said booms for stabilizing said booms in a relatively steady condition.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said prime mover means includes a pair of prime movers, one of the pair of prime movers having one of the stabilizing lines connected thereto and being mounted on said support surface in a substantially vertical line with respect to the free end of said boom to which said stabilizing line is connected; and

the other one of the pair of prime movers having the other of said stabilizing lines connected thereto and mounted on said support surface in a substantially vertical line with respect to the free end of said boom to which said other of said stabilizing lines is connected.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein all of said prime movers are winches having means thereon for selectively reeling in and paying out lines attached thereto.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support surface is the deck of a vessel floating on the surface of a body of water; and

the centerline of both said ball-and-socket joint and said hatch and the center of both said crosstree and said span when the plane of said booms is substantially vertical and parallel to the central longitudinal axes of said crosstree lie along substantially the central longitudinal axis of said vessel. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the length of said crosstree is at least as long as the width of said hatch.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said crosstree is generally horizontally disposed with respect to said deck and below the level of said rigid span when the plane of said booms is vertical and said span is parallel to said crosstree.

ll. Hoisting apparatus for handling cargo comprising: a universally pivotable V-shaped truss having a pair of booms mounted in a universal joint on a support surface; a rigid span connecting the free ends of said booms; a mast house mounted on said support surface rearwardly of said booms; topping means extending between said house and said booms for universally pivoting the booms about said joint; hoisting means extending between said booms and said cargo for selectively transferring, raising and lowering said cargo with respect to said support surface; and stabilizing means connected to the boom to stabilize the booms at any desired position.

i i i i i

Claims

1. Hoisting apparatus for handling cargo comprising: a ball-and-socket joint having a ball universally movable within a socket, said socket being secured to a support surface; a pair of upwardly extending V-shaped booms connected to said ball, the central longitudinal axes of both said booms intersecting at substantially the center of said ball; a rigid span connected to the free ends of said booms opposite the point of attachment of said booms to said ball; a mast house rearwardly of said booms secured to and extending upwardly from said support surface and having a longitudinally extending crosstree at the upper end thereof; a first topping line secured to a prime mover disposed on the lower end of said mast house and extending about first pulley means secured to said support surface, then about second pulley means secured to said crosstree substantially adjacent the midpoint thereof, then about third pulley means secured to the free end of one of said booms, then about fourth pulley means rotatably secured to the free end of said crosstree adjacent said free end of one of said booms, then back about said third pulley means and then fixedly secured to substantially the midpoint of said crosstree; a second topping line secured to a prime mover disposed on the lower end of said mast house and extending about fifth pulley means secured to said support surface, then about sixth pulley means secured to said crosstree substantially adjacent the midpoint thereof, then about seventh pulley means secured to the free end of the other of said booms, then about eighth pulley means secured to the other free end of said crosstree adjacent said free end of the other of said booms, then back about said seventh pulley means and then fixedly secured to substantially the midpoint of said crosstree; a first hoisting line adapted to be secured at one end to said cargo and then extending about ninth pulley means secured to the free end of one of said booms, then about 10th pulley means secured to the end of said one of said booms adjacent said joint and then to a prime mover; a second hoisting line adapted to be secured at one end to said cargo and then extending about 11th pulley means secured to the free end of the other of said booms, then about 12th pulley means secured to the end of said other of said booms adjacent said joint, then to a prime mover whereby selectively actuating all of said prime movers, the booms may be universally pivoted about said ball-and-socket joiNt while cargo may be transferred, hoisted and lowered as desired; and stabilizing means associated with said booms for stabilizing said booms at any desired position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support surface includes an open cargo hatch therein disposed between the free ends of said booms and spaced forwardly from the point of connection of said socket to said support surface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said masts are secured to said support surface on a portion of said surface raised with respect to the point of attachment of said joint to said surface; and each of said masts extends from a point on said raised surface disposed on each side of the point of intersection of said booms, then upwardly and inwardly with respect to the point of intersection of said booms to substantially the midpoint of said crosstree.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stabilizing means include first and second stabilizing lines extending between prime mover means and the free ends of each of said booms for stabilizing said booms in a relatively steady condition.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said prime mover means includes a pair of prime movers, one of the pair of prime movers having one of the stabilizing lines connected thereto and being mounted on said support surface in a substantially vertical line with respect to the free end of said boom to which said stabilizing line is connected; and the other one of the pair of prime movers having the other of said stabilizing lines connected thereto and mounted on said support surface in a substantially vertical line with respect to the free end of said boom to which said other of said stabilizing lines is connected.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support surface is the deck of a vessel floating on the surface of a body of water; and the centerline of both said ball-and-socket joint and said hatch and the center of both said crosstree and said span when the plane of said booms is substantially vertical and parallel to the central longitudinal axes of said crosstree lie along substantially the central longitudinal axis of said vessel.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the length of said crosstree is at least as long as the width of said hatch.

11. Hoisting apparatus for handling cargo comprising: a universally pivotable V-shaped truss having a pair of booms mounted in a universal joint on a support surface; a rigid span connecting the free ends of said booms; a mast house mounted on said support surface rearwardly of said booms; topping means extending between said house and said booms for universally pivoting the booms about said joint; hoisting means extending between said booms and said cargo for selectively transferring, raising and lowering said cargo with respect to said support surface; and stabilizing means connected to the boom to stabilize the booms at any desired position.