WO2009118636A1

WO2009118636A1 - Straddle carrier for containers

Info

Publication number: WO2009118636A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/005100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luciano Fantuzzi
Original assignee: Luciano Fantuzzi
Priority date: 2008-03-28
Filing date: 2009-03-27
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Also published as: ITMO20080092A1; EP2265538A1

Abstract

The machine (1) for handling various loads, in particular containers in port and interport areas, railway yards or the like comprises an upper perimeter structure (2) which is associated at two side panels (4) with at least a pair of respective vertical side uprights (9), opposite one another and having handling means (10) on the ground, and lifting means (7) which are suitable for lifting/lowering at least a load arranged in the space below the perimeter structure and which comprise at least a first and a second crosspiece substantially horizontal and transversal to the longitudinal direction of the perimeter structure and at a distance the one from the other, each crosspiece having respective grip means (8) of the loads and being associated with elevator means (14) for lifting anά/or lowering with respect to the ground.

Description

STRADDLE CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS

Technical Field The present invention relates to a machine for handling various loads, in particular containers in port and interport areas, railway yards or the like.

Background Art

As known, with particular reference to port areas, the loading and unloading phases of containers from a ship are carried out at an equipped dock on which operate large cranes on rails, in larger ports, or moving cranes mounted on rubber wheels, in the case of smaller ports.

In both cases, operations involve only two highly precise loading and/or unloading systems, or work cycles.

In particular, the handling of the containers in the ports begins with the mooring of the ship to be unloaded and/or loaded at the dock.

Once the ship has moored, the actual unloading or loading phase starts: the dock cranes position with their jibs above the ship, positioned side by side from at least two to at most six (for the larger ships) ready for the subsequent handling of the containers to be unloaded and/or loaded. Once the first work phase has begun, which nearly always consists in unloading, the cranes start to unload the containers:

- directly onto the so-called "trailers" (trailers towed by a prime-mover, or tractor) for their transfer to the storage yards, or

- directly onto the ground, if the port is equipped with machines of the self- loading and self-unloading type for subsequent transport to the yards.

This latter system, though allowing the dock cranes to operate with the utmost speed, being able to unload the container directly onto the ground, is nevertheless slower than the system that utilises the trailers and the reason for this is that during the transport phase of the container from the dock to the yard and of their subsequent stacking the self-loading machines are slower both during the transport phase and the lifting phase. The trailers, in turn, though faster during the transport phase of the containers from the dock to the yard, slow down both the dock cranes during the loading phase, as described above, and the yard cranes during the unloading phase. The self-loading and self-unloading machines currently in circulation are of three types, conventionally known as fork-lift trucks, reach- stackers and straddle carriers.

Thanks to these machines, the dock cranes deposit the containers on the ground enabling them to exploit their speed to the utmost; once placed on the ground, however, the machines have to fasten onto the containers with their so-called "spreaders", lift them by at least 3-4 metres to allow the operators to see the route during the transport phase as far as the yard and, finally, stack them one on top of the other.

Similarly to the trailers, these machines are however no longer able to cater for the modern requirements of large ports, which require increasing performances in terms of ship unloading and loading speed. This is mainly due to the high daily costs of keeping a ship in port, in particular large ships.

For this reason, the ports that first free the ships are those all set to acquire more traffic and increasing numbers of new shipping companies. Consequently, each port is constantly seeking new systems able to speed up the various operations needed to free ships as quickly as possible.

In order to make this possible, the large dock cranes must never stop operating and be free to unload the containers directly onto the ground in the underlying area, area which itself must be quickly freed, during the time interval in which the crane goes to fetch the next containers. Object of the Invention

The main object of the machine according to the invention therefore, is to obtain superior performance levels to those of current machines, in the various container fastening-on, transport and release operations. Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine able to considerably reduce total weight, lifting and transport characteristics being equal, and try and exploit all its construction features to the full. A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine of low overall dimensions and weight, such as to allow transporting containers in conditions of utmost safety and at high speed.

The above objects are all achieved by the present machine for handling various loads, in particular containers in port and interport areas, railway yards or the like, comprising at least an upper perimeter structure which is associated at two side panels with at least a pair of respective vertical side uprights, opposite one another and having handling means on the ground, and lifting means suitable for lifting/lowering at least a load arranged in the space below said perimeter structure, characterized in that said lifting means comprise at least a first and a second crosspiece substantially horizontal and transversal to the longitudinal direction of said perimeter structure and at a distance the one from the other, each crosspiece having respective grip means of said loads and being associated with elevator means for lifting and/or lowering with respect to the ground. Brief Description of the Drawings Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a form of preferred, but not sole, embodiment, of a machine for handling various loads, in particular containers in port and interport areas, railway yards or the like, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which: figure 1 is a side view, partially in transparency, of a first embodiment of the machine according to the invention in a work configuration; figure 2 is a view from above of the machine of figure 1 ; figure 3 is a side view of the machine of figure 1, in a different work configuration; figure 4 is a view from above of the machine of figure 3; figure 5 is a front view of the machine of figure 1, with containers on the ground; figure 6 is a side view, partially in transparency, of a second embodiment of the machine according to the invention in a work configuration; figure 7 is a view from above of the machine of figure 6; figure 8 is a front view of the machine of figure 6, with containers on the ground; figure 9 is a side view, partially in transparency, of a third embodiment of the machine according to the invention in a work configuration; figure 10 is a view from above of the machine of figure 9; figure 11 is a front view of the machine of figure 9, with containers on the ground; figure 12 is a front view of the machine of figure 9, with containers raised; figure 13 is a side view, partially in transparency, of the machine of figure 9, in a different work configuration; figure 14 is a view from above of the machine of figure 13; figure 15 is a front view of the machine of figure 13, with containers on the ground; figure 16 is a front view of the machine of figure 13, with containers raised; figure 17 is a side view, partially in transparency, of a fourth embodiment of the machine according to the invention in a work configuration; figure 18 is a view from above of the machine of figure 17; figure 19 is a front view of the machine of figure 17, with containers on the ground; figure 20 is a front view of the machine of figure 17, with containers raised; figure 21 is a side view, partially in transparency, of the machine of figure 17, in a different work configuration; figure 22 is a view from above of the machine of figure 21.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such figures, a machine for handling various loads, in particular containers in port and interport areas, railway yards or the like has been globally indicated by 1.

In the first embodiment, the machine 1 is composed of an upper perimeter structure 2 joined integral with a longitudinal structure 3 made up of two sections 3 a and 3b.

The side and longitudinal panels of the perimeter structure 2 are composed of a pair of beams 4, substantially parallel to the sections of the longitudinal structure 3.

The sections of the longitudinal structure 3 are made integral with the two transversal side panels 5 of the structure 2 and support respective front and rear heads 6.

The heads 6 comprise respective end crosspieces 7a that make up part of the lifting means for lifting and/or lowering a load (container) C below the perimeter structure 2 and which have respective grip means 8a, in particular for fastening onto 40-45 foot containers.

The longitudinal side panels of the perimeter structure 2 centrally support a pair of intermediate bracket supports 7b, arranged substantially parallel with one another and with the end crosspieces 7a and these too having grip means 8b for lifting and/or lowering loads C, in particular 20-foot containers.

The longitudinal beams 4 are associated with pairs of respective side vertical uprights 9, opposite one another and having handling means on the ground 10, of the wheel type or the like.

Advantageously, at the base of the uprights 9, respective horizontal equalizers 11 are fitted with which are associated handling joints that allow the machine 1 to move in all directions, including over bumpy or rough ground.

More precisely, the handling means 10 are composed of pairs of wheels 12 mounted on respective horizontal equalizers 11 of the two side uprights 9.

The wheels are rubber covered, driven by hydraulic motors and all steering, aligned with each other along directions substantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of the perimeter structure 2.

Usefully, to make driving more comfortable and easy, the machine 1 has a driving cab 13 with seat ergonomically adaptable to the weight and build of the operator. The cab is located in the top part of the machine, raised, turning by 180° and in a position such as to allow the operator to easily control all the manoeuvres.

With particular reference to the lifting means, these comprise both the two crosspieces 7a, fixed integral to the perimeter structure 2 at the front and rear heads 6, and the pair of intermediate bracket supports 7b, integral with the beams 4 making up the side panels of the perimeter structure 2 and turned towards the inside of the structure itself.

The vertical side uprights 9 are associated with respective elevator means of the fluid-dynamic operating type 14.

Such elevator means are suitable for lifting and/or lowering the entire perimeter structure 2 which supports integral the sections of the longitudinal structure 3 bearing the end crosspieces 7a and the intermediate bracket supports 7b, so as to allow the lifting and/or the lowering of the containers C fastened on by means of the respective grip means 8a, 8b.

It is therefore clear how the entire structure of the machine 1 lifts up and lowers to allow handling the containers C.

Such solution, advantageously, allows considerably reducing the weight and the overall dimensions of the machine 1, simplifying the entire structure and maintaining all the advantages of the invention unchanged.

The bracket supports 7b are, in turn, associated with regulating means 15 for regulating the height off the ground which are suitable for positioning them between two configurations: - an idle configuration, in which they are placed at the same height as the longitudinal beams 4 of the structure 2 to allow the grip and the lifting/lowering and transport of a 40-foot container C by means of the crosspieces 7a;

- a work configuration, in which they are placed at a height slightly below that of the beams 4 of the structure 2 and suitable for cooperating with the end crosspieces 7a for gripping and lifting/lowering and transporting two 20-foot containers C at the same time.

The regulating means 15 are of the fluid-dynamic operating type, but alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out.

Usefully, the sections 3a and 3b of the longitudinal structure 3 are associated with respective adjustment means 16 for adjusting their length and are suitable for allowing the adjustment of the distance between the respective heads 7a, so as to allow gripping both 40-foot containers C (figures 1 and 2) and 45-foot containers C (figures 3 and 4).

The adjustment means 16, e.g., can be of the telescopic type, the sections 3a and 3b being made up of at least two substantially coaxial elements sliding one in the other and with in between actuator means 17 of the fluid-dynamic type or the like. Alternative embodiments of such adjustment means 16 cannot however be ruled out.

In the second embodiment of the machine according to the invention shown in the figures from 6 to 8, the perimeter structure 2 is double and supports in substantially central position a double pair of intermediate supports 7b integral with one another and supported by a single central crosspiece 18 suitable for ensuring greater machine sturdiness and stability.

There are two longitudinal structures 3, parallel and positioned side by side, these too made up of respective pairs of sections 3 a and 3b at the extremities of which the end crosspieces 7a are supported integral, in turn interacting with each other two by two and, if necessary, with the respective intermediate supports 7b for the lifting/lowering of the containers C.

Usefully, such second embodiment of the machine, though being of greater weight and overall dimensions than the first embodiment, permits handling two 40-45 foot containers at the same time or, alternatively, four 20-foot containers

C, with obvious benefits in terms of loading/unloading and transport time and speed.

The second embodiment of the machine according to the invention also has the sections 3a and 3b of the two longitudinal structures 3 associated with respective adjustment means 16 for adjusting their length which are suitable for allowing the adjustment of the distance between the respective heads 7a, so as to allow both the gripping of 40-foot and 45-foot containers C (figures 6 and 7).

In both the embodiments shown of the machine 1 according to the invention, inside the longitudinal beams 4 are obtained one or more tanks for containing both the motor fuelling fluids for the operation of the entire machine 1, and the supply fluids of the entire hydraulic system, and any other fluid needed by the machine 1 to operate further primary or auxiliary devices.

Such solution permits conveniently exploiting the spaces available on board the machine 1, and helps further minimise overall dimensions. It is also emphasised that the machine 1 is sized so the distance of the perimeter structure 2 off the ground is substantially only a little higher than the standardised height of the container to be handled, to allow raising the containers themselves off the ground.

In point of fact, to perform transport, the height of the structure 2 is such that the end crosspieces 7a and the intermediate supports 7b in fully raised position are arranged slightly above the containers C resting on the ground. The distance between the opposite uprights 9 supporting the wheels 12 is substantially bigger than the standardised width of the containers to be handled, in particular to allow the easy fitting of the machine 1 astride the container to be fastened onto, lifted and transported. This makes it possible to leave room for manoeuvre between the equalizers 11 of the wheels 12 and the containers C, thus allowing the wheels themselves to steer correctly in all conditions of use.

It can consequently be deduced that the machine according to the invention is particularly compact and with limited overall dimensions both in terms of height and width and can be used in an easy, practical way and in conditions of great efficiency and safety, without any risk of turning over on bends taken at high speed.

Alternative embodiments of the present invention cannot however be ruled out in which the height of the structures 2 and 3 off the ground is increased with respect to what is shown in the illustrations. The machine can in fact be sized so as to be able to load the containers on the trailer of a truck, for direct delivery to the customer, without affecting all the handling features, both during the loading and the unloading of a ship. In this respect, it cannot even be ruled out that the machine be built, on request, with an upper structure 2 able to lift the containers to such a height as to be able to stack the containers one on top of the other or on top of another row of containers, by simply extending the vertical uprights 9, keeping these fixed, or making them telescopic.

In the first two embodiments described and shown, the machine according to the invention does not require the spreader because for lifting it uses the same perimeter structure bearing the various crosspieces.

For all known machines, the spreader is not an accessory, but is rather indispensable, with enormous drawbacks due to the dead weight (10-12 tonnes of ballast to be transported) and to the swinging of same and of the transported container.

On request, the machine according to the invention can also support one or more spreaders, while in any case making it possible to maintain a generally compact structure and with reasonably small overall dimensions and low weight, which are the main particular features of the invention. By way of example, but without being limitative, the figures from 9 to 16 show a third embodiment of the machine according to the invention, identical to the preceding ones as regards the main features, in which the double perimeter structure 2 and the longitudinal structures 3 support at least a pair of spreaders 19 of known type for gripping and transporting the containers C. The spreaders 19 are supported in such a way as to allow gripping containers C of variable height and length equal to 40-45 feet (figures 9, 10, 11 and 12) or 20 feet (figures 13, 14, 15 and 16). The lifting/lowering of the entire perimeter structure 2 and of the longitudinal structures 3 is determined by their sliding along the respective uprights 9. In a fourth possible embodiment of the machine according to the invention, as shown in the figures from 17 to 22, the spreaders 19 are supported by the double perimeter structure 2 and by the two longitudinal structures 3 so as to be independent the one from the other in the respective height movements with respect to the ground below.

In this case, the structure of the machine 1 is fixed and the spreaders are associated with respective operating means 20, independent the one from the other, for their lifting/lowering with respect to the load-bearing structure and the grip of the containers C.

These too, as in the previously described and illustrated version, are able to handle containers of various lengths (from 20 up to 40-45 feet) and variable heights.

It has in point of fact been ascertained how the described invention achieves the proposed objects.

In particular, this machine permits speeding up and rationalising the handling of the containers in the entire port area, interport area, railway yard or the like, avoiding the blockages due to the presence of several containers on the ground.

A further innovative strong point of the invention is represented by the peculiarity of the machine whereby it does not necessarily require the spreader, to be used if necessary as an additional but not indispensable accessory, as occurs on the other hand for any machine in circulation today that performs container handling operations (straddle-carrier, reach-stacker or fork-lift truck) which must necessarily be accessorized with a spreader in order to handle the containers.

Another object achieved by the invention is to obtain a single and rigid structure, so as to ensure the utmost stability during container transport, very high transport speeds, even higher than those of the trailers themselves, and reduce, if not eliminate, the risks of overturning both in loading and unloading conditions.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

Furthermore all the details can be replaced with others that are technically equivalent.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements without because of this moving outside the protection scope of the following claims.

Claims

1) Machine for handling various loads, in particular containers in port and interport areas, railway yards or the like, comprising at least an upper perimeter structure which is associated at two side panels with at least a pair of respective vertical side uprights, opposite one another and having handling means on the ground, and lifting means suitable for lifting/lowering at least a load arranged in the space below said perimeter structure, characterized in that said lifting means comprise at least a first and a second crosspiece substantially horizontal and transversal to the longitudinal direction of said perimeter structure and at a distance the one from the other, each crosspiece having respective grip means of said loads and being associated with elevator means for lifting and/or lowering with respect to the ground.

2) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said perimeter structure is associated with a longitudinal structure comprising at least two sections substantially parallel to said side panels and protruding from said perimeter structure and suitable for forming with it a single integral and bearing structure, substantially horizontal.

3) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first crosspiece is mounted near said first section of the longitudinal structure.

4) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second crosspiece is mounted near said second section of the longitudinal structure.

5) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lifting means comprise at least a pair of intermediate supports, substantially horizontal which are associated with said perimeter structure, have respective grip means of loads and are suitable for cooperating with said crosspieces for lifting and/or lowering at least a load with different dimensions than the load which can be lifted and/or lowered by said crosspieces. 6) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elevator means are suitable for lifting and/or lowering said perimeter structure. 7) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance of said perimeter structure off the ground is substantially higher than the standardised height of a load to be handled.

8) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between said opposite side uprights is slightly bigger than the standardised width of a load to be handled.

9) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a driving and control cab for an operator.

10) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cab is located in the top part of said perimeter structure.

11) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said handling means on the ground comprise a plurality of wheels.

12) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said handling means on the ground comprise series of wheels associated with said respective side uprights, the wheels of each series being aligned along a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal direction of said perimeter structure.

13) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that respective equalizers are placed in between said wheels and said uprights. 14) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said series of wheels are made up of pairs of wheels.

15) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wheels are rubber wheels.

16) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said wheels is a motorized wheel.

17) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said wheels is a steering wheel.

18) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a tank for a fuelling fluid of the motor and/or of the entire hydraulic system.

19) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tank is obtained inside at least one of said side panels. 20) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said perimeter structure is double.

21) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two of said longitudinal structures side by side with each other. 22) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said sections of the longitudinal structure comprises length adjustment means.

23) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjustment means are of the telescopic type. 24) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said sections of the longitudinal structure comprises at least two elements sliding one in the other, with actuator means in between.

25) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said actuator means are of the fluid-dynamic type. 26) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least a spreader for gripping said loads.

27) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spreader is supported by said longitudinal structure.

28) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two of said spreaders.

29) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spreaders are independent the one from the other. ~

30) Machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said spreader is associated with operating means for lifting/lowering and gripping said loads.