US3850107A

US3850107A - Apparatus for securing and transporting heavy loads

Info

Publication number: US3850107A
Application number: US00341721A
Authority: US
Inventors: K Klinkhammer; S Bley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-03-20
Filing date: 1973-03-15
Publication date: 1974-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 1991-11-26
Also published as: SE399682B; IT979878B; GB1404091A; DE2312317A1; JPS4912597A; FR2176841A1; NL7303788A; AT322396B

Abstract

Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supports extending transversely to the length of the load on which are mounted two supporting blocks provided at a space from each other, displaceable relatively to each other and having a flexible supporting band adapting itself to the particular shape of the load automatically with displacement of the supporting blocks relatively to each other and carrying the load.

Description

United States Patent 119 Klinkhammer et a1.

[1 11 3,850,107 [451 Nov. 26, 1 974 APPARATUS FOR SECURING AND TRANSPORTING HEAVY LOADS Inventors: Karl Klinkhammer, 3b Lohbreite,

4800 Bielefeld; Siegfied Bley, 81 Westrasse, 4904 Enger-Westerenger, both of Germany Filed: Mar. 15, 1973 Appl. No.: 341,721

Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 20, 1972 Austria 2326/72 US. Cl 104/134, 61/66, 248/146, 104/23 rs Int. Cl A63g 21/00 Field of Search 104/23 FS, 134; 61/66; 248/146, 149, 150, 105, 106, 49, 60

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Wheeler 248/146 3/1969 ,Olson 3,430,911 61/66 3,513,934 5/1970 Crowley 104/134 3,650,218

3/1972 Losey 104/134 Primary Examiner-M1 Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant ExaminerD. W. Keen Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Frank 1. Jordan ABSTRACT Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supports extending transversely to the length of the load on which are mounted two supporting blocks provided at a space from each other, displaceable relatively to each other and having a flexible supporting band adapting itself to the particular shape of the load automatically with displacement of the supporting blocks relatively to each other and carrying the load.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEL NOV 2 8 I974 sum 2 or 5 PATENTEL KEV 2 6 I974 sneer 3 OF 3- Fig-10 APPARATUS FOR SECURING AND TRANSPORTING HEAVY LOADS The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing a heavy load in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load. The invention relates particularly to apparatus for securing and transporting ships.

In order to fix the position of a ship in a ship hoist or similar lifting mechanism complicated and expensive keel and floats trim have to be carefully and exactly prepared in a complicated and laborious manner, due to the many separate parts, according to the docking plan of the vessel above water.

in operation the supports of the ship lifting mechanism having floats are first lowered into the dock. The ship then moves into the dock, is aligned and disposes itself on the floats during the raising of the supports. The ship is then lifted further until it is at a level above the surface of the water which is at the same height as connecting tracks provided for transport of the ship. The ship can then be transported to the proposed berth by means of suitable displacing means, e.g., trucks.

This known method of securing and transporting is complicated and time-wasting on the one hand requires an extensive track system on the other hand, and determines the relative spacing of the ships by the track gauge, a feature which greatly restricts the berthing capacity.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus by which, in a simple-reliable and rapid manner, heavy loads, more especially ships, can be secured in position for lifting and transporting and which enables the loads to be transported without tracks in any desired direction.

in the case of ships the securing thereof is carried out in' a time-saving manner with simple individual parts the previous and exact arrangement of the floats corresponding to the various shapes of the ship not being necessary. Furthermore, the ship with the securing arrangement is movable in a simple manner on an even surface to many different places.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load comprising a plurality of adjacent supports extending transversely to the length of the load on which are mounted two supporting blocks provided at a space from each other, displaceable relatively to each other and having a flexible supporting band adapting itself to the particular shape of the load automatically with displacement of the supporting blocks relatively to each other and carrying the load.

Preferably, the two supporting blocks of each supporting band are displaceably mounted on the support by means of guides such as rollers and skids acting as tilt-proof counterbearings and guide ribs, tilt-proof in the direction of displacement and acting as security against lateral movement.

The supporting band may be mounted by way of a running surface, preferably a guide drum arranged in the upper end portion of each supporting block and cooperating therewith and at the end thereof secured to each supporting block; at least one end, preferably both ends, of each supporting band is mounted on the supporting block to be-adjustable in the longitudinal direction.

Each supporting band may be formed of a plurality of cables, chains, straps, belts or the like extending in adjacent spaced relationship and secured at both ends in a connecting member mounted directly on the supporting block, or of several supporting band sections of the same length which are connected together detachably and interchangeably by coupling members to form a supporting band.

It is preferable to link the two connecting members of the blocks at the supporting block end of the band to a draw spindle driven by a gear motor, preferably a hydraulic motor, with a worm drive mounted in the supporting block, for changing the length of the supporting band.

In another feature of the present invention, the underside of each support is provide with a plurality of air cushion units arranged in serial and/or adjacent spaced relationship in the longitudinal direction of the support, for moving the loaded supports without tracks, each support being provided on its underside with a plurality of downwardly open chambers in which an air tube arranged in a ring on the bearing plane of the support is provided with air outlets directed towards the area of the chamber enclosed by the air tube and distributed over the entire circumference.

The apparatus of the present invention makes it possible in a simple, economical and reliable manner to secure the position of heavy loads, more particularly ships, in the lifting and transporting thereof and also permits transport of the ships in any desired direction without tracks.

A particularly preferred feature is the construction of the support arrangement by the flexible supporting bands and the supporting blocks holding them since the supporting bands adapt themselves automatically to any form of hull of a ship and align themselves automatically along the centre of the ship, previous exact arrangement of the floats to the particular form of the ship is not necessary, but only an approximate positioning thereof on the supports in the direction of the keel of the ship.

By means of such parts it is possible to adapt the apparatus to all shapes of ships hulls, this individual adap tation being further improved by the displaceable connectionwith the blocks.

The supporting bands are longitudinally adjusted so that they can be adapted to the necessary length depending on the shape of the hull.

The supporting bands are applied to the form of the ship by the draw spindles driven for example by a hydraulic motor and the supporting blocks, which are mobile in the unloaded condition on account of their spring mounted front rollers, are moved against the hull of the ship.

in the raising of the lifting traverses, the supporting bands adapting themselves to the hull press the supporting blocks forwardly and downwardly so that the rollers are retracted and the pressure members or skids are applied forwardly from above and at the stem from below. The blocks are thus locked in position under load, the supporting bands hold the ship fast and, on account of their large bearing surface area and the rubber or plastic reinforcement, they exert only a weak specific pressure on the hull of the ship.

Due to the construction of the positioning apparatus better utilisation of lifting systems is obtained, since the positioning proceeds much faster than in the case of conventional float arrangements.

The fixing device is formed of simple and economically manufactured separate parts which are designed to have a long life.

Another important advantage is seen in the track less mobility of the raised ships because of the air cushion units, whereby the positioned ships can be moved with the fixing device to any desired place no tracks are necessary, but only an even floor, such as a concrete floor.

In addition, such a means of transport enables ships to be disposed close together, thus considerably increasing the berthing capacity.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus for securing and transporting ships, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a supporting block with sup- I porting band and guideson a support;

F IG. 3 is a side view of the supporting block provided on a carrier;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a supporting band formed of a plurality of cables;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the supporting band of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a ship having a plurality of supports extending transversely to the length thereof.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section through the lower portion of the support having an air cushion unit provided therein;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a lower portion of the support comprising several chambers and air cushion units arranged therein;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a portion of a support with rollers which rest on flexible tubes and are driven by a pressure medium introduced into the tubes; and

FIG. 10 is a'plan view of a support comprising rollers in series, arranged in lateral adjacent spaced relationship with a gap between them and a flexible tube associated with each roller, the support being shown in fragmentary view for clarity.

As shown in FIG. 1, an invention for securing a ship 10 in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting the ship has several adjacent, preferably spaced apart supports 11 extending transversely, preferably at right angles in their Iongitu dinal direction, to the length of the ship, and displaceably resting on a bearing surface 12, such as the traverses of a lifting platform, ground surface or the like.

Two supporting blocks 13, provided with a clearance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the supports and being relatively displaceable, are mounted on each support 11 and are connected to a flexible supporting band or belt 14 which automatically adapts itself, with displacement of the supporting blocks 13, to the particular shape of the ship supported thereof and carries said ship 10. The two supporting blocks 13 are prevented from tilting in the direction of displacement by guides 19, l5, l6, l7 and 18 on the ends of the supporting blocks and supports, and are secured to the support 11 to prevent lateral displacement. (FIG. 2).

Each supporting block 13 is provided at both ends located one behind the other in the direction of displacement, with two lateral rollers 16 rolling on the support 11, by means of which rollers the supporting block 13 can be moved backwards and forwards; it is preferable for at least one pair but preferably both pairs of rollers to be springloaded, so that they can easily carry, in the unloaded condition, the supporting block 13 without resting on the support 11.

In order to prevent tilting of the supporting block 13 in the direction of displacment when the ship is in position the end of the supporting block adjacent to the support 11, has two lateral skids 19 resting on the support 11. The guide 18 for the support 11 and the end of the support 11 remote from the adjacent supporting block 13 also have two lateral skids 15, which position themselves, however, under the guide 18. The two upper and

lower skids

19 and 15 of each supporting block 13, provided at a space from each other, thus form abutments representing the anti-tilting means. It is preferable to form the

skids

19 and 15 by a rocker pivotable about a

horizontal axis

19a and 15a so that a certain inner mobility of the supporting block 13 is available. Instead of the skids, rollers, ribs or the like may be provided as anti-tilting abutments.

In order to prevent any lateral diplacement of each supporting block 13, the area of each

lateral skid

19 and 15 is provided with a vertical guide rib 17 which engages partially over the sides of the support 11 partially over the guide 18 or completely over the guide 18 and retains the skid 15. The guides of the support 11 are formed by ribs or wall deformations projecting from the top of both its side edges.

The supporting band or belt 14 is mounted by way of a running surface, preferably a guide drum 20 arranged at the upper end of each supporting block 13 and is retained at the ends on each supporting block I3. At least one end, preferably both ends of the supporting band 14, are held longitudinally adjustably on the two supporting blocks 13 cooperating with the supporting band 14 so that it is possible to adapt the supporting band 14 to the particular shape of ship by adjusting the lengths of the band 14.

Each supporting band 14 is composed of several cables, chains, straps, belts or the like 22 secured at both ends in a connecting member 21; it is also possible to construct each supporting band 14 of single cables 22 or of a plurality of detachably interconnected length sections.

As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, two groups of cables 22 are combined to form a supporting band 14 and each group of cables is secured at one end in a holder 23; the two holders 23 of each supporting band 14 being pivotably mounted in a connecting member 24, preferably in a rocker by means of a pivot shaft 25 and the connecting member 24 is in trim pivotably connected to a traction member, preferably a motor driven threaded spindle 26. The threaded spindle 26 is displaceably connected at one end to the connecting member 24 by way of a pivot shaft 27 and is mounted in a driving gear 28, preferably a worm gear which is mounted in the supporting block 13. The worm gear 28 receives its driving motion from a hydraulic motor 29 and the threaded spindle 26 is mechanically locked by the worm gear 28 when said worm gear 28 is stopped.

Since ships hulls are generally spherical and taper at one or both ends, supporting bands 14 of different length are necessary for each ship 10. These supporting bands 14 of different lengths may be obtained by connecting a plurality of supporting band sections of the same and/or different lengths, each supporting band section comprising several adjacent cables 22 or the like and detachably connected to the adjacent section by a coupling member 30. Each coupling member 30 may be formed of two connecting bolts 30a extending through the ends of the cables shaped as cord eyes 22a and connecting links 30b holding these apart. For supporting bands 14 of different lengths one or more band sections are therefore extracted from the band 14 or added thereto.

The two terminal supporting band sections are also detachably secured in the cable holders 23 by their connecting bolts 23a engaging their cable ends formed as cord eyes 220.

Similarly to the cables 22 straps, belts or the like may also be connected or, in the case of chains, the coupling members 30 extend through the links of the chain.

In order to ensure application of the flexible supporting bands 14 to the hull of the ship without damage, its cables chains, straps, belts or the like 22 may be provided with a protective layer, such as a rubber or plastic layer.

For securing the ship in a fixed position, a coarse adjustment according to the dock plan is effected by the adjustment of the co-operating supporting blocks l3 at a space from each other and by the selection of the length of the supporting bands (variable by the individual supporting band sections intermediate parts) so that all the supporting blocks 13 necessary for the ship 10, and supporting bands 14 are arranged at a space from each other and are also arranged lengthwise on a support 11 corresponding to the shape of the ship.

The bearing surface 12 in the form of traverses representing a lifting platform or the like is then lowered, with the support 11, supporting blocks 13 and the supporting band 14 arranged thereon, by a lifting mechanism into the water of the dock. The ship 10 can then enter the dock and is centrally aligned on the securing device formed by the support 11, supporting blocks 13 and the supporting bands 14. By operating the hydraulic motors 29 the supporting bands 14 are tightened by the mechanically lockable traction spindle 26 by way of the guide drums 20, and the bands 14 locate themselves around the hull, simultaneously drawing the supporting blocks 13 together. Each band 14 adapts itself.

to the shape of the hull near which it is disposed and the supporting blocks 13 are also drawn together correspondingly thereto. Each supporting band 14 forms a trough extending above the support 11 in which band the ship is secured in position (FIG. 1).

The supporting blocks 13 also dispose themselves on the hull near their guide drums and can no longer be displaced when the ship is received, since they are held by the supporting bands 14.

During the subsequent synchronous lifting of the traverses 12, the ship 10 lies fast in the bands 14 which are mechanically locked by the threaded spindle 26 and the bands 14 adapt themselves by the blocks 13 automatically to the shape of the ship with regard to any possible deviations in the measurements from the dock plan.

between the

skids

19 and 15 and the support guide 18, the front (ship end) rollers 16 being retained under load.

The following trouble-free application of the supporting bands 14 to the shape of the ship is reliably controlled by the supply of pressure medium from the motors 29.

For moving the supports 11 after the raising of the ship 10, each support 11 is provided on its underside with a plurality of air cushion units which make it possible to move the ship 10 without tracks laterally of the traverses (in the longitudinal direction of the traverses) and then to move the ship 10 in any desired direction.

Instead of the air cushion units 31, in another embodiment (not shown) each support 11 is provided with a plurality of rollers which enable the supports 11 to be moved. These rotatable rollers are mounted rigidly on the underside of the supports or secured to rotate or pivot on the support 11 about a vertical axis so that displacement of the support in any direction is possible by the displaceable or pivotable mounting of the rollers.

According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 each support 11 has a plurality of rollers 32 in spaces serial relationship in the longitudinal direction of the supports or are one behind the other and laterally displaced relatively to each other, for moving the support 11.

At least one preferably several, rollers 32 is associated with a flexible tube 33, preferably a plastic tube, inflatable by a pressure medium, such as water, air or the like and which, when inflated, exerts a thrust on the rollers 32 resulting in rotation of the rollers 32 and displacement of the supports 11.

The tube or tubes 33 are disposed in the path of movement (lifting traverse, floor surface 12) and the rollers are then supported and run on these tubes 33.

For example, each support 11 may be provided with one roller 32 as driving roller, occupy at least almost the entire width of the support, with which roller a tube 33 is provided corresponding in its width to the length, so that, when the tube 33 is inflated, this roller 32 is rotated by the pressure and thereby displaces the support 11 and the other rollers 32 rotate therewith.

However, it is preferable to provide the support 11, as shown in H6. 10 with a plurality of rollers 32 arranged in serial spaced relationship in the longitudinal direction of the supports and laterally displaced relatively to each other and to associate a tube 33 with each of the rollers 32. Since the rollers 32 have a gap between them several tubes 33 may extend adjacently to each other relatively to the rollers 32 arranged in spaced serial relationship in the longitudinal direction of the supports without a tube 33 being restricted (the flow of pressure medium being interrupted or the tube squeezed).

The pressure medium is forced into the individual flexible tubes 33, and the pressure medium in each tube 33 advances to the roller 32 associated with the tube 33, is then blocked by the roller 32 as it flows on and then causes the tube 33 to expand; the now expanded tube 33 is provided with more pressure medium, with the result that the additional pressure medium exerts a The blocks 13 are retained by frictional engagement thrust on the roller 32 and the roller 32 is thereby rotated until it rolls on the tube 33. The expanded portion 330 of the tube in contact with the roller 32 represents a thrust surface which moves in the longitudinal direction of the tube by means of the additional pressure medium and ensures the rotation of the roller 32 over the entire length of the tube. Due to these inflatable tubes 33, simple and easy displacement of the individual supports 11 with load is achieved.

The individual tubes 33 are each connected to a specific, preferably a common device, such as a pump, delivering the pressure medium.

The rollers 32, driven by the tubes 33 filled with pressure medium, extend for example over an end portion of the support; however, they may also be distributed over the entire extension of the supports.

Only individual rollers 32 of each support 11 are driven by the tubes 33.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide only one tube 33 of plastics material for all the rollers to be driven, which tube is divided longitudinally, however, into separate chambers shut off from each other, so that a separate tube chamber is thus associated with each roller 32.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, wherein the invention comprises a plurality of adjacent support members, said support members extending transversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, and a flexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load.

2. Apparatus as'recited in claim 1, in which each supporting band is formed of a plurality of elongated flexible elements, said plurality of flexible elements extending in adjacent spaced relationship and both ends of each of said flexible elements being secured in a connecting member, said member beomg mounted directly on said supporting block.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which each said supporting band is formed of a plurality of sections of the same length, said sections being detachably and interchangeably connected by coupling members.

4. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent support members, said support members extending transversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other, automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load, two connecting members provided at said end of said supporting block connected to said supporting band for changing the length of each supporting band, and a draw spindle mechanically locked in a worm gear of each supporting block and driven by a gear motor with said worm gear mounted in said block, said connecting members being linked to said draw spindle.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, in which each said supporting band is formed of two groups of a plurality of cables extending in adjacent spaced relationship, a

holder being provided in said connecting member, each said group of cables being secured at both ends in said holder, each holder of the supporting band being mounted so as to pivot about an axis in a rocker-like connecting member, each connecting member being connected to a threaded spindle so as to pivot about an axis.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which said cables of the individual sections of said supporting band are detachably connected together by a coupling member formed by two connecting bolts extending through the adjacent ends of said cable formed as cord eyes and a plurality of connecting links holding the connecting bolts together.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which each cable is provided with a cover layer.

8. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent support members, said support members extending transversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, each of said support members, being provided on their upper two longitudinal edges with lateral projecting ribs acting as guides, and a flexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other, automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load.

9. Apparatus forsecuring a heavy load, more particularly a ship,,in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent support members, said support members extending transversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other, automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load, said two supporting blocks of each supporting band being displaceably mounted on said support members by means of guide members in order to prevent tilting and lateral displacement of the load, said guide members being located at the sides of said supporting blocks and said support members.

10. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent support members, said support members extending transversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other, automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load, said supporting blocks each being displaceably held in series in the direction of displacement on said support member at both ends of said support member by two rollers, each of said supporting blocks being secured against tilting on said support member at said one end facing said adjacent supporting block co-operating therewith, by two lateral skids resting on said guide member of said support member and at said other end by two lateral skids engaging under the guide member of said support member, each of said support blocks also being securely held against lateral displacement on said support member by lateral guide ribs provided near said skids and engaging over said guide member of said support member.

11. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent support members, said support members extending transversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other, automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load, a running surface provided in the upper end portion of said each supporting block, said surface co-operating with said block, one end of said surface being secured to each supporting block, said supporting band being mounted on said running surface, and at least one end of each supporting band being longitudinally adjustably secured to said supporting block.

12. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent support members, said support members extending transversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load, each of said support members being provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers arranged in series spaced relationship in the longitudinal direction of the support members or displaced one behind the other and laterally relatively to each other, and a tube inflatable by a pressure medium exerting on the rollers a thrust for displacing said support members and disposed under said particular roller is associated with at least one relatively displaced roller. l

Claims

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which each supporting band is formed of a plurality of elongated flexible elements, said plurality of flexible elements extending in adjacent spaced relationship and both ends of each of said flexible elements being secured in a connecting member, said member beomg mounted directly on said supporting block.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, in which each said supporting band is formed of two groups of a plurality of cables extending in adjacent spaced relationship, a holder being provided in said connecting member, each said group of cables being secured at both ends in said holder, each holder of the supporting band being mounted so as to pivot about an axis in a rocker-like connecting member, each connecting member being connected to a threaded spindle so as to pivot about an axis.

9. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent support members, said support members extending transversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other, automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load, said two supporting blocks of each supporting band being displaceably mounted on said support members by means of guide members in order to prevent tilting and lateral displacement of the load, said guide members being located at the sides of said supporting blocks and said support members.

12. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent support members, said support members extending transversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load, each of said support members being provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers arranged in series spaced relationship in the longitudinal direction of the support members or displaced one behind the other and laterally relatively to each other, and a tube inflatable by a pressure medium exerting on the rollers a thrust for displacing said support members and disposed under said particular roller is associated with at least one relatively displaced roller.