WO2011089309A1

WO2011089309A1 - Retaining arrangement for handling of load platforms

Info

Publication number: WO2011089309A1
Application number: PCT/FI2011/050010
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tatu Miikkulainen; Antero Kuusisto; Vesa MERILÄINEN
Original assignee: Tts Liftec Oy
Priority date: 2010-01-22
Filing date: 2011-01-11
Publication date: 2011-07-28
Also published as: FI20105057A0

Abstract

Retaining arrangement for handling of load platforms, whereby a transport platform (2a), such as an essentially built-in lifting transportation rear part with respect to a pulling device (2), a lifting transportation carriage to be coupled separately with a pulling device (2) or like, and that is to be used for handling of load platforms (1)/ such as RoRo, terminal, industrial cassettes and/or the like, is provided with a retaining arrangement in order to prevent unlimited movement of a load platform (1), to be handled at any given time, on a support surface of the transport platform in its longitudinal direction (s). A lower stem structure (R) of the load platforms (1) consists of end beams (R1) and intermediate beams (R2), the beams being crosswise (p) with respect to the longitudinal direction (s) of the load platform and the intermediate beams being a distance apart from the end beams and/or from each other in the longitudinal direction. The retaining arrangement comprises a movement limitation mechanism (Z) in the transport platform (2a), the mechanism operating in a self-powered manner.

Description

Retaining arrangement for handling of load platforms

The invention relates to a retaining arrangement for handling of load platforms, whereby a transport platform,, such as an essentially built-in lifting transportation rear part with respect to a pulling device, a lifting transportation carriage to be coupled separately with a pulling device or like, and that is to be used for handling of load platforms, such as RoRo, terminal, industrial cassettes and/or the like, is provided with a retaining arrangement in order to prevent unlimited movement of a load platform, to be handled at any given time, on a support surface of the transport platform in its longitudinal direction. A lower stem structure of the load platforms, consists of end beams and intermediate beams, the beams being crosswise with respect to the longitudinal direction of the load platform, and the intermediate beams being a distance apart from the end beams and/or from each other in the longitudinal direction. ,

In the purpose described above e.g. in ports or industrial environments it is nowadays known to use pulling devices, either being equipped e.g. according to figure 1 with a built-in lifting transportation rear part and being steerable manually or automatically, like so called AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle ) -devices , or devices to be coupled according to figure 2 with separate lifting transportation carriages by a so called fifth wheel arrangement. These kinds of lifting transportation devices have typically hydrostatically operated actuators for the lifting of load existing on the lifting transportation rear part or carriage. The actuators being used typically comprise actuator organs in connection with wheel assemblies of the lifting transportation rear part or carriage and/or e.g. on the principle shown in figure 2 in connection with an articulation assembly in the fifth wheel arrangement of a separate pulling device, such as hydraulic cylinder arrangements in order to change a ground clearance of the lifting transportation rear part or carriage. The load platforms being used usually in this context for their part have so called lower tunnels, in which the lifting transportation rear part or carriage can be driven when being lowered. The height of the tunnel in the load platform depends on the type of the cassette being used at any given time, whereby the tunnel height of cassettes being used particularly in maritime operations is minimized. In figure 4 is shown as an example a typical load platform, the dimensions of which vary depending of its operational purpose typically within the following limits:

- LI: 2133 mm - 2700 mm,

- L2: 2359 mm - 3000 mm,

- a: 50° - 60° and

- h: 703 mm - 1000 mm.

When handling load platforms, such as RoRo, terminal or industrial cassettes in practice, they are transferred very often on a transport platform, being in connection with a pulling device or being provided therein in a built-in manner, so that movement of the load platform to be handled at any given time, on the support surface of the transport platform is not prevented in the transport platform's longitudinal direction. In practice particularly on rather steep ramps, whereby the inclination may be even 12 - 20 %, it is, however, always possible that the load platform starts to move on the support surface of the transport platform, which risk is emphasized particularly under cold circumstances due to ice or packed snow.

Nowadays there have been efforts to get the above risk eliminated first of all by using one or more stationary mechanical stoppers in the transport platform of the pulling device, the stoppers projecting from the upper surface of the transport platform typically about 20 - 50 mm. The meaning of the stopper/stoppers in question is to get positioned against a back edge of a lower end beam or one of the intermediate beams of the load platform or in connection therewith, when the load platform is lowered on the transport platform, so that the load platform can not move in an unlimited manner axially on top of the transport platform.

According to figure 3, lower structures of the load platforms being used nowadays differ, however, significantly from each other, so that first of all the structures and dimensions of the end beams and on the other hands also placements and heights of the intermediate beams vary very much. Furthermore in some load platforms flat tie bars are used running along the longitudinal direction of the transport platform, the bars connecting the end beams and/or the intermediate beams with each other by lower edges thereof. Due to the above, when using the type of stationary stoppers in a transport platform as described above, there is in practice such a consequence that, when using a wrong type of load platform on a transport platform, a stopper gets placed under an end beam, an intermediate beam and/or a flat tie bar, so that there occurs distortion of structures by virtue of the heavy mass of the load platform (typically 70 - max. 120 tons) . Thus, when using this kind of retaining arrangements, one must always separately check, whether the load platform to be handled at any given time is applicable for use with a transport platform equipped with the retaining arrangement. When using mutually unsuitable transport platforms and load platforms with each other, damages will be caused for both of the above, which leads to a need for service and maintenance. When the mutual movement clearance between a transport platform and a load platform or a lower tunnel of a cassette is significantly small, typically some ten millimeters, the type of stationary retaining arrangements described above cause problems particularly when the protrusion of the retaining projections is > 20 mm, when the transport platform is driven underneath the cassette or when it is removed from under the cassette. Furthermore the position of the stationary stoppers with respect to the lower crosswise beams of a cassette existing on top of a transport platform, may be in practice too big, so that in case a cassette starts to glide on the support surface, the stoppers are not any more able to stop movement of the cassette due to its high kinetic energy .

In the above purpose, transport platforms have on the other hand also been coated from all over by friction increasing coatings, such as paint coatings including grains of sand. This kind of a coating gets very expensive, particularly due to the massiveness of the load platform, because it needs to be performed as a separate operation by using significantly expensive coating materials. One further disadvantage is the fact that this kind of a stationary coating wears out over time so that the desired friction effect does not exist any more. Wearing out of this kind of a friction coating in certain points is particularly powerful particularly when using load platforms, on the bottom surface of the lower steam structure of which there is a longitudinal flat tie bar projecting therefrom or several of the same side by side.

It is an aim of the retaining arrangement according to the present invention to achieve a decisive improvement in the problems described above, so that an essential improvement with respect to the level of prior art is achieved. In order to carry out this aim, the retaining arrangement according to the invention is mainly characterized by that the retaining arrangement comprises a movement limitation mechanism in the transport platform, the mechanism functioning in a self-powered manner.

As the most important advantages of the retaining arrangement according to the invention may be mentioned simplicity and both technical and economical efficiency of the same particularly thanks to the fact that all kinds of load platforms that are commonly used can be used in connection with all kinds of transport platforms without a risk for structural damages. A crucial advantage of the invention is thus furthermore the fact that when using all kinds of load platform/transport platform-combinations, it is possible to make sure that a load platform that is handled at any given time will remain in place on the transport platform, so that the load platform will not move even on the steepest ramps in a way that there would be caused a risk of the load platform dropping down from the transport platform. The retaining arrangement according to the invention, thanks to its movement limitation mechanism operating in a self- powered manner, needs a very minimized amount of service and maintenance. Furthermore, by providing the movement limitation mechanism with heating, its functioning can be made sure also under cold circumstances without a risk of its parts to get frozen .

Other advantageous embodiments of the retaining arrangement according to the invention have been presented in the dependent claims related thereto. In the following description the invention is illustrated in detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which in figure 1

is shown an advantageous use of the retaining arrangement according to the invention, in figure 2

is shown an alternative use of the retaining arrangement according to the invention in a lower position of the transport platform and when the same is lifted, in figures 3

are shown bottom views of ends of lower steam structures of some most commonly used load platforms, in figure 4

is shown one typical load platform as a perspective view, in figure 5

is shown as a perspective view an advantageous embodiment of the retaining arrangement according to the invention in its operational situation, whereby, as a stripped-down view, only one lower crosswise beam is presented of a load platform existing on top of a transport platform, in figures 6a and 6b

is shown as a perspective view and as a side view an alternative embodiment of the retaining arrangement according to the invention in its operational situation, whereby, as a stripped-down view, only one lower crosswise beam is presented of a load platform existing on top of a transport platform, in figures 7a and 7b

is shown as a perspective view the embodiment according to figure 5, when the form pieces belonging thereto are in a stand-by position and in an operating position, and in figures tia and 8b

is shown as a side view movement of the form pieces according to figure 5 and a side view of the form pieces, when the same are in the operating position.

The invention relates to a retaining arrangement for handling of load platforms, whereby a transport platform 2a such as an essentially built-in lifting transportation rear part with respect to a pulling device 2, a lifting transportation carriage to be coupled separately with a pulling device 2 or like, and that is to be used for handling of load platforms 1, such as RoRo, terminal, industrial cassettes and/or the like, is provided with a retaining arrangement in order to prevent unlimited movement of a load platform 1, to be handled at any given time, on a support surface of the transport platform in its longitudinal direction s. A lower stem structure R of the load platforms 1 consists of end beams Rl and intermediate beams R2, the beams being crosswise p with respect to the longitudinal direction s of the load platform, and the intermediate beams being a distance apart from the end beams and/or from each other in the longitudinal direction. The retaining arrangement comprises a movement limitation mechanism Z in the transport platform 2a, the mechanism functioning in a self- powered manner. As an advantageous embodiment of the retaining arrangement according to the invention, the movement limitation mechanism Z belonging thereto consists of stoppers Zl being placed one after the other in the longitudinal direction s, the stoppers being arranged to move in a self-powered manner into an operating position I projecting from the upper surface of the transport platform 2a and/or, the stoppers or a part thereof being arranged to yield downward in a direction of height h by a power influence directed thereto from above. Functioning of the embodiments both according^" to figure 5 and figures 6a and 6b is shown as an example during a situation, where the outermost form pieces Zl; Zl', Zl" of both of the movement limitation mechanisms Z are in a lower position, not preventing movement, by influence of an end beam or an intermediate beam R1/R2 of a lower structure of the load platform 1, being placed on top of the same. The rest of the form pieces Zl existing in the operating position I are placed against a lower support structure R1/R2 or close enough to it, thus preventing movement of the load platform 1 in longitudinal direction s.

In the embodiments shown particularly in figures 5, 7a, 7b and 8a, 8b, the stoppers Z; Zl belonging to the movement limitation mechanism comprise form pieces Zl', being arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction s, the pieces being arranged to move into the operating position I thereof on the principle of eccentricity manifesting itself e.g. in figure 8b. The form pieces are advantageously made of a steel plate, the thickness of which is e.g. about 15 - 30 mm.

The retaining arrangement according to the invention is applicable also for use of load platforms, at least a part of which comprise a flat tie bar T or several of the same side by side in a crosswise direction p, the bar/bars binding the end beams Rl and/or the intermediate beams R2 from below in the longitudinal direction s. With a view to the above, the stoppers Z; Zl consist on the principle, shown e.g. in figures 8a and 8b, of form pieces Zl'a, Zl'b that differ from each other and that are placed advantageously by turns, the pieces being arranged in the operating position I to project from the upper surface of the transport platform 2a at a distance e from each other in the crosswise direction p. With this implementation it is made possible that a lower flat tie bar T of the steam structure in the load platform does not prevent movement of all of the form pieces Zl'a and Zl'b into the operating position I.

Furthermore as an advantageous embodiment particularly with reference to the implementation shown in figures 6a and 6b, the stoppers Z; Zl belonging to the movement limitation mechanism consist of retaining pieces Zl", being placed one after the other in the longitudinal direction s, the pieces being arranged to move into the operating position I thereof in a spring and/or pressure medium operated manner. The retaining pieces Zl" existing in this embodiment, as well as the second form pieces Zl'b shown in figure 8a of the embodiment according to figure 5, are arranged to yield downward in the direction of height h by influence of an upper structure, such as a crosswise beam Rl, R2 that gets placed on the same spot. The rest of the retaining pieces Zl" remain in this case in the operating position I thus preventing movement of the load platform 1 in the longitudinal direction s.

The retaining arrangement according to this embodiment is also applicable for use of load platforms, at least a part of which comprise a flat tie bar T or several of the same side by side in the crosswise direction p, the bar/bars binding the end beams Rl and/or the intermediate beams R2 from below in the longitudinal direction s. In this case the retaining pieces Zl" of this embodiment are arranged at different points in the crosswise direction p, when viewed from above, such as in an oblique line with a view to the longitudinal direction s with respect to each other, which makes possible placement of the longitudinal flat tie bar T in a way that it presses down one or several retaining pieces Z"^' hitting the same spot, while the rest of the retaining pieces Zl" remain in the operating position I and taking care of retaining of the longitudinal placement of the load platform.

Furthermore as an advantageous embodiment, the movement limitation mechanism comprises a monitoring assembly Z2 in order to notice an operating position I of one or more stoppers Z; Zl by mechanical, pressure medium operated, electrical and/or optical actuators, when the transport platform 2a is loaded with a load platform 1„ These kinds of implementations have not been presented in the appended drawings in greater detail, because the monitoring assembly in question may be carried out by very many kinds of implementations, such as by simple electromagnetic micro switches as such or else by e.g. optical, such as laser-operated arrangements.

Furthermore as an advantageous embodiment of the movement limitation mechanism, it comprises electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically and/or by heat from combustion gases operated heating means 3, which means have not, however, been presented in greater detail in the appended drawings.

Furthermore as an advantageous embodiment particularly with reference to figures 6b and 8b, an effective length Le of the retaining arrangement in one or several parts is between 300 - 1000 mm, and its protrusion u from the upper surface of the transport platform 2a is between 20 - 60 mm. Furthermore as an advantageous embodiment with reference to the implementation shown particularly in figures 7a and 7b, the movement limitation mechanism comprises operating means 4 in order to move all stoppers Zl simultaneously by mechanical, pressure medium operated and/or electrical actuators into a lower stand-by position II and/or into the operating position I. Due to the second form pieces Zl'a, being used in the embodiment particularly according to figure 8, this kind of operating means is necessary, so that the form pieces can be pressed into a stand-by position according to figure 7a before the load platform 1 will be placed on the support surface of the transport platform 2a (and in a corresponding manner before the transport platform 2a will be pulled from below the load platform or out of the tunnel of the cassette) . After this the operating means 4 are released and the form pieces raise into the operating position I according to figure 7b except the ones, that will remain loaded from above. It is naturally possible to carry out both of the form pieces of the embodiment according to figure 8a in a way that they will yield into a lower stand-by position by influence of power from above or the embodiment according to figures 6a and 6b, so that the retaining pieces Zl" belonging thereto can be operated simultaneously by operating means functioning as described above.

The operating means 4 described above can be used also for moving of the stoppers Zl into the operating position I by exploiting auxiliary power, in case it is noticed that, when the transport platform 2a is unloaded, all stoppers will not for some reason return to their operating position above the transport platform.

It is clear that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown or described above, but instead it can be modified within the scope of the ground idea of the invention according to the load and transport platforms being used at any given time. So, it is first of all clear that the retaining arrangement according to the invention can be exploited in connection with transport platforms of work machines, being meant for handling of products to be manufactured e.g. in environments concerning e.g. steel, paper or concrete industry. On the other hand, it is also possible to exploit transport platforms deviating from the ones in the appended drawings, in which increasing of the ground clearance of the rear part of the transport platform is carried out e.g. by lifting mechanisms in connection with the wheel arrangements and/or by a holding joint between the pulling device and the transport platform or else e.g. by a lift assembly being coupled with the frame of the lifting transportation device, which moves the support surface existing on the lifting transport rear part in a direction of height with respect to the body e.g. on the principle shown in figure 2. Furthermore on grounds of the alternative implementations shown e.g. in figures 5 and 6a/6b, either one of the same can be complemented by actuators and mechanisms operating on mutually corresponding principles.

Claims

Claims :

1. Retaining arrangement for handling of load platforms, whereby a transport platform (2a) , such as an essentially built-in lifting transportation rear part with respect to a pulling device (2) , a lifting transportation carriage to be coupled separately with a pulling device (2) or like, and that is to be used for handling of load platforms (1), such as RoRo, terminal, industrial cassettes and/or the like, is provided with a retaining arrangement in order to prevent unlimited movement of a load platform (1), to be handled at any given time, on a support surface of the transport platform in its longitudinal direction (s) , and whereby a lower stem structure (R) of the load platforms (1) consists of end beams (Rl) and intermediate beams (R2), the beams being crosswise (p) with respect to the longitudinal direction (s) of the load platform, and the intermediate beams being a distance apart from the end beams and/or from each other in the longitudinal direction, characterized in that the retaining arrangement comprises a movement limitation mechanism (Z) in the transport platform (2a) , the mechanism functioning in a self-powered manner.

2. Retaining arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement limitation mechanism (Z) consists of stoppers (Zl), being placed one after the other in the longitudinal direction (s), the stoppers being arranged to move in a self-powered manner into an operating position (I) projecting from the upper surface of the transport platform (2a) and/or, the stoppers or a part thereof being arranged to yield downward in a direction of height (h) by a power influence directed thereto from above.

3. Retaining arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stoppers (Z; Zl) belonging to the movement limitation mechanism comprise form pieces (Zl¹) being arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction (s), and the pieces being arranged to move into an operating position (I) thereof on the principle of eccentricity.

4. Retaining arrangement according to claim 3 while using load platforms, at least a part of which comprise a flat tie bar (T) or several of the same side by side in a crosswise direction (p) , the bar/bars binding the end beams (Rl) and/or the intermediate beams (R2) from below in the longitudinal direction (s) , characterized in that the stoppers (Z; Zl) consist of form pieces (Zl'a, Zl'b) that differ from each other and that are arranged in the operating position (I) to project from the upper surface of the transport platform (2a) at a distance (e) from each other in the crosswise direction (p) .

5. Retaining arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stoppers (Z; Zl) belonging to the movement limitation mechanism consist of retaining pieces (Zl"), being placed one after the other in the longitudinal direction (s), and the pieces being arranged to move into an operating position (I) thereof in a spring and/or pressure medium operated manner.

6. Retaining arrangement according to claim 5, when using load platforms, at least a part of which comprise a flat tie bar (T) or several of the same side by side in a crosswise direction (p) , the bar/bars binding the end beams (Rl) and/or the intermediate beams (R2) from below in the longitudinal direction (s), characterized in that the retaining pieces (Zl") are arranged at different points in the crosswise direction (p) when viewed from above, such as in an oblique line with a view to the longitudinal direction (s) , with respect to each other.

7. Retaining arrangement according to any of the preceding claim 1-6, characterized in that it comprises a monitoring assembly (Z2) in order to notice an operating position (I) of one or more stoppers (Z; Zl) by mechanical, pressure medium operated, electrical and/or optical actuators, when the transport platform

(2a) is loaded with a load platform (1) .

8. Retaining arrangement according to any of the preceding claim 1-7, characterized in that it comprises electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically and/or by heat from combustion gases operated heating means (3).

9. Retaining arrangement according to any of the preceding claim 1-8, characterized in that an effective length (Le) of the retaining arrangement in one or several parts is between 300 - 1000 mm and that its protrusion (u) from the upper surface of the transport platform (2a) is between 20 - 60 mm.

10. Retaining arrangement according to any of the preceding claim 1-9, characterized in that it comprises operating means (4) in order to move all stoppers (Zl) simultaneously by mechanical, pressure medium operated and/or electrical actuators into a lower stand-by position (II) and/or into the operating position (I).