Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B27/00—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
  • B63B27/04—Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers of derricks, i.e. employing ships' masts
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
  • B65G65/00—Loading or unloading
  • B65G65/23—Devices for tilting and emptying of containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
  • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
  • B66C1/101—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means for containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
  • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
  • B66C1/22—Rigid members, e.g. L-shaped members, with parts engaging the under surface of the loads; Crane hooks
  • B66C1/223—Rigid members, e.g. L-shaped members, with parts engaging the under surface of the loads; Crane hooks for containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C1/00—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles
  • B66C1/10—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means
  • B66C1/62—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled
  • B66C1/66—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled for engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof
  • B66C1/663—Load-engaging elements or devices attached to lifting or lowering gear of cranes or adapted for connection therewith for transmitting lifting forces to articles or groups of articles by mechanical means comprising article-engaging members of a shape complementary to that of the articles to be handled for engaging holes, recesses, or abutments on articles specially provided for facilitating handling thereof for containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C13/00—Other constructional features or details
  • B66C13/04—Auxiliary devices for controlling movements of suspended loads, or preventing cable slack
  • B66C13/08—Auxiliary devices for controlling movements of suspended loads, or preventing cable slack for depositing loads in desired attitudes or positions

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to the handling of bulk materials, such as ore, coal, grain etc., for shipping purposes. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved system to handle containers where side access is limited.
• a further advantage is that containerisation permits much more precise positioning of the material within the hold compared to conveying bulk material in loose fonri. Even if the bulk material is to be tipped into the hold, the use of containers allows much more precise loading of the material.
• US Patent No. 4,496,275 discloses a tipping adapter that permits a cargo container, which is suspended from a hoisting device (such as a gantry cantilever crane), to be selectively tipped about an axis extending longitudinally through the container so that bulk material, such as coal, grain etc., may be tipped from the container into a ship's hold or other receiving space.
• the adapter includes a drive support frame which connects to the crane or a crane -supported container spreader at the connection points normally used in connecting the container to the spreader.
• a pivotal frame connects to a container in the same manner in which the spreader connects to the container.
• the drive support and pivotal frames are pivotally engaged so that one or more drive motors, mounted on the drive support frame, can be used to selectively pivot the pivotal frame and thereby tip the container.
• Controls are placed at the crane control panel to permit selective container engagement and tipping, and interlocks are provided to prevent tipping of the container before it is properly engaged.
• a difficulty with the above-mentioned tipping adapter is that at least some of the drive mechanisms and the frame need to extend on each side of the container.
• the apparatus cannot engage a container because there is insufficient room to accommodate the tipping adapter. This relates to picking up a container either from the hold of a ship to be tipped out or hoisted from the flat bed of a rail car and tipped out into the hold of a ship.
• the present invention relates to apparatus for delivering bulk material from a cargo container to a designated area by tipping the cargo container.
• the invention relates to apparatus for engaging and handling a cargo container, said apparatus having a frame assembly including:
• each sub-frame having a container support arm pivotally mounted by means of a rotating assembly on its inner face, said rotating assembly connecting the sub-frame to its respective container support arm;
• each container support arm including one or more movable component having an engaging member for cooperation with a cargo container;
• the movable components of the container support arms being movable such that:
• a cargo container engaged by the engaging members is movable between at least two positions with respect to the sub-frames
• the container in the first position, the container being located beyond the space between the two sub- frames and, in the second position, the container being located at least partially between the two sub-frames, and
• the drive means for rotationally driving the rotating assembly may include one or more motor and gear means, which may conveniently be incorporated in or supported by at least one of the sub-frames.
• the container support arms are rotatable through (and even beyond) 360°. That is, they can rotate continuously full circle (and beyond). Once they have rotated full circle, rotation can still continue in the same direction— although possible, it is unnecessary for the direction of rotation to be reversed at that (or any other) point.
• a locking means may be provided, that allows the container support arms to be locked in a preferred position.
• Mechanical or electrical stops may also be provided, to ensure that the container support arms do not rotate beyond a pre-determined position.
• the apparatus may, for example, be suspended from or mounted on a hoisting device, such as a crane, forklift or reach stacker.
• a hoisting device such as a crane, forklift or reach stacker.
• Figure 1 is a front view of container handling apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which enables a container to be pivoted around its longitudinal axis to tip out the contents therefrom, with the container shown in a raised position such that the tipping system is located to either side of the container;
• Figure 2 is a front view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 1, with the container shown in a lowered position such that the tipping system is located above the sides of the container;
• Figure 3 is a front view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 1, where the tipping system has rotated the container through 45 degrees;
• Figure 4 is a front view of the container handling apparatus as in Figure 3, but where the tipping system has rotated the container through 90 degrees;
• Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 1, with various components of the frame removed so as to more clearly illustrate how the container (shown here in a raised position) is held by the engaging member of a container support arm of the container handling apparatus; and
• Figure 6 is another schematic diagram illustrating a a side view of the container handling apparatus of Figure 1, cut away to show how the container is held.
• Figure 1 depicts container handling apparatus 10 as per the present invention, which is adapted to handle a container 12 of bulk material 14.
• the container handling apparatus is suspended from a crane 16, which enables the container handling apparatus (and the container being held by that apparatus) to be re-positioned as required.
• the crane 16 is operable by cables 18 and has one or more twist-lock adapter 20 for engaging the longitudinal support member 22 of the apparatus 10. It is to be understood that there would be various other structural elements that are part of the assembly. However, these are well-known in the art and, for that reason, it is not proposed to recite them individually in this specification.
• the support member 22 extends longitudinally and supports two sub-frames 24, which are spaced apart from each other, and may conveniently be located at (or proximal to) either end of support member 22.
• the drive system whereby a container is rotated will comprise at least one motor 26 and gearbox 28, making up a rotating coupling 30, which may be located within (or associated with) at least one of the sub-frames 24.
• the motor and the gearbox drive a shaft 32, the shaft being linked by means of a boss 33 to a container support arm 34 having an end-piece 36 that engages the container, 12 through the well-known twist-lock system 38.
• a motor 26 and gearbox 28 may be located in each of the sub- frames 24, or in one sub-frame only.
• the gear box(es) 28 may, for example, be off- drive or bevel-drive gearbox(es), which are electronically controlled.
• the motor and the gearbox rotate the shaft 32 and, given that the container is connected to the shaft via the container support arm 34, cause the container to rotate (see Figures 3 and 4), .thereby emptying the contents of the container.
• the rotating coupling 30 will allow the container support arms to be rotated through and beyond 360°. That is, they will be able to rotate continuously full circle and beyond. This can be accomplished by incorporating electrical slip rings in the coupling (in place of wiring, which would restrict rotation). Alternatively, a slew ring, ball bearing race, chain-and- sprocket system or other means may be utilised to enable this continuous rotation.
• the rotating coupling 30 can, for example, be hydraulic or electrical.
• 360° continuous rotation is achieved by using an hydraulic rotating coupling to allow oil to pass through the central rotating shaft 32 and to the twist-lock boxes 38 to facilitate operation of the twist-lock system.
• 360° continuous rotation is achieved by using an electrical rotating coupling to allow electric current to pass through the central rotating shaft 32 and for an electrical signal to operate the twist-lock boxes 38.
• One or more safety brake can be provided.
• one or more brake assembly (preferably, two "off - fail to safety" brake assemblies) may be incorporated to provide positive braking to either side of the container in the event of any type of failure, whether electrical, hydraulic or another type of failure.
• the safety braking system may, for example, form part of the gearbox(es).
• Electronic proximity sensors may be used to keep track of the rotation of the container support arms 34 and/or the container 12 being handled by the apparatus.
• the sub-frames 24, located on either side of the container handling apparatus 10, occupy an appreciable amount of lateral space, and this could be a problem when the apparatus is picking up a container from (for example) a group of containers that are packed tightly in a horizontal plane. Such a configuration is therefore not appropriate when a container is to be picked up from a group or line of containers which are arranged very close side-by-side.
• This problem may, for example, be at least partially alleviated by locating the pivotal attachment point (e.g. shaft 32) of the container support arms 34 at or proximal to the lower ends of their respective sub-frames 24.
• the container handling apparatus 10 includes movable components (e.g. extendible members 40 which form sub-arms of the container support arms 34), to which the end-pieces 36 are attached.
• the extendible members 40 are, for example, slidingly attached to the container support arms 34 so that they cah be moved from a first position within the perimeter of those arms to a second position where they extend beyond the perimeter of those arms.
• the sliding attachment can be provided by means of a roller or ball mechanism 35 on a track or slide system ' on the container support arms, along which the extendible members can slide. In that way, and as shown best in Figure 2, they enable the end-pieces 36 of the container handling apparatus to be extended beyond the sub-frames 24 and readily engage the container by means of a twist-lock system 38.
• extendible members 40 to be lowered downwards below the lowest point of the sub-frames so that they can engage (by means of the twist-lock system 38) with the container 12, even when that container forms part of a close-packed group or line of containers.
• the extendible members 40 of the container support arms 34 are then moved upwards to raise the container.
• the crane operator simply adjusts the whole container-handling assembly until the sub- frames 24 are above the upper level of the container, whilst ensuring that the twist-locks 38 are still able to engage the container.
• the twist-locks 38 of the end-pieces 36 of the container handling apparatus engage the top rails of the container.
• the container effectively forms a "chassis” and adds to the strength of the container handling apparatus. This allows for the container handling apparatus to be lighter in construction without compromising strength or load carrying capacity.
• the container handling apparatus When engagement has occurred, the container handling apparatus is operated to cause the container to be lifted vertically to a predetermined height or point and, when there is sufficient room, operates so that the extendible members 40 move to position the container at least partially within the space between the sub-frames 24.
• Fail-safe measures such as safety brakes and shaft locking systems, are preferably included in the system to provide positive braking to the rotation of the container 12 in the event of any type of failure.
• devices such as proximity sensors or encoders may be incorporated, to keep track of the rotation of the container support arms 34 and/or the container 12 that is being handled.
• an encoder is preferably included in the system to keep track of the rotation of each of the container support arms 34 and ensure synchronisation of rotation of the container support arms at either end of the container being handled.
• the encoder may be capable of subdividing the 360° rotation cycle into up to 3000 sections (or even more), and track rotation through each of these sections.
• Figures 1 to 6 illustrate the apparatus being suspended from a crane, and with the sub-frames 24 depending downwardly from the support frame 22, in other embodiments (e.g. when mounted on a forklift) the apparatus may, for example, be rotated through 90 degrees so as to be effectively lying on its side (when compared to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 6), and references to raising and lowering of the container or of various components of the apparatus should in such instances be re-interpreted to include the equivalent movement in a different plane e.g. horizontal, rather than vertical, movement).

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)
• Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
• Loading Or Unloading Of Vehicles (AREA)
• Auxiliary Methods And Devices For Loading And Unloading (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (11)

Families Citing this family (6)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2010
  • 2010-10-11 WO PCT/AU2010/001337 patent/WO2011044613A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-10-11 AU AU2010306065A patent/AU2010306065C1/en active Active
  • 2010-10-11 PE PE2012000481A patent/PE20130564A1/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2010-10-11 CA CA2777612A patent/CA2777612C/en active Active
  • 2010-10-11 CN CN201080054440.5A patent/CN102639416B/zh active Active
  • 2010-10-11 BR BR112012008867A patent/BR112012008867A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
• 2013
  • 2013-02-04 HK HK13101511.3A patent/HK1174315A1/zh unknown

Patent Citations (6)

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