WO2013060778A1

WO2013060778A1 - A device for lifting unitized cargo

Info

Publication number: WO2013060778A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/071159
Authority: WO
Inventors: T.H. Scheijven; W.A.J. Oostwouder
Original assignee: Apm Terminals Bv
Priority date: 2011-10-26
Filing date: 2012-10-25
Publication date: 2013-05-02

Abstract

A spreader configured for handling containers in-between cell guides is disclosed. The spreader includes a base framework defining outer boundaries of the spreader and container engagement means in the form of twist locks. The spreader further includes cell guide leads attached to the base framework. The cell guide leads are configured such that the spreader is, by cell guides, maintained substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cell guides when the spreader is present in-between cell guides.

Description

A device for lifting unitized cargo

The invention relates, according to a first aspect, to an anti-snag spreader configured to vertically convey containers in-between cell guides of a cargo hold compartment.

The spreader is configured to maintain, under conveyance in-between cell guides and without a container, an orientation defining a plane lying virtually perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cell guides, or to the vertical cargo cells defined by cell guides, wherein the spreader is being conveyed.

This prevention of misorientation will prevent the spreader from snagging, or getting stuck, inside the cell guides wherein the spreader is moving. The spreader according to one aspect of the present invention includes:

- A base framework defining outer boundaries of the spreader,

- Container engagement means, such as twist locks or equivalent, at- tached to the base framework. The container engagement means are configured to extend below the base framework,

- Movable container guides, or flippers, attached to the base framework of the spreader. The movable container guides are configured for moving between a first and a second position wherein:

- in the first position, the container guides extend downwardly below the base framework and guide said spreader, outside cell guides, downwards above a container such that the container engagement means may engage container corners of a container, and

- in a second position, the container guides extend upwardly above the base framework such that at least a part of the container guides occupy a position above the base framework of the spreader.

The expression "cell guides" refer to guiding strips, typically angular, provided in cargo holds or in cargos stowage areas. The cell guides assure guidance of the spreader and/or the container when hoisting and/or lowering of the container and/or spreader inside a stacking zone defined by the cell guides.

The expression "spreader" refers to a common device used for lifting con- tainers and unitized cargo.

A spreader can be used on a container crane, a straddle carrier or any other machinery applied to lift containers. A spreader used for container handling is provided with a locking mechanism at each corner. The locking mechanism connects four corners of a container with the spreader. The locking mechanism typically is referred to as a twist lock. A spreader typically is configured for telescoping between various lengths such that the spreader may facilitate handling of containers of different sizes. The typical minimum size of container the spreader is configured for handling is the twenty foot container (TEU) and the typical maximum size is the forty foot container (FEU) or forty-five foot containers.

Further, some spreaders are configured for handling two twenty foot containers in a so-called twin lift configuration. Spreaders configured for twin lift operation may be provided with an additional set of twist locks disposed substantially in the middle of the spreader. For operational reasons, some spreaders are also capable of creating space between 2 x 20ft containers when attached to the spreader, extending another 5ft or more. This functionality is generally called a separating function. Additionally the spreaders are equipped with so called flippers. These are foldable guides, used for guiding the spreader during lowering on top of a container.

Background A spreader typically is made up from a rectangular frame construction enabling easy location or positioning on top a container. The frame construction has, in order to obtain sufficient strength and stability, and also for accommodating technical means, a certain height, i.e. the frame of the spreader define outer boundaries of a rectangular box having a certain height, typically abt. 0,5 - 1 ,0 meters.

The spreader typically operates in-between container holds provided with cell guides and vehicles or other means configured for land transport of the containers. About half the operational time, the spreader is moved without a con- tainer suspended from its twist locks, i.e. the spreader is moved empty within cell guides over significant periods of time.

When the ship moves or rolls, or when the spreader for various reasons move irregularly within the cell guides, prior art spreaders may assume non- perpendicular, or non ideal, orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cell guides. As the frame of the spreader has a certain height, this non- perpendicular, or non ideal, orientation with respect to the cell guides may result in that the spreader scrapes or even snags inside the cell guides resulting in damage to the equipment and precious time lost during cargo han- dling. Most snag or scrape related damages occur during high speed hoisting with empty spreader. A sudden getting stuck or snag often causes substantial damage on the equipment and delay in vessel or cargo handling.

US 4063770 A, by Guthrie, discloses cargo-container spreader provided with retractable guides, or flippers, configured for guiding the spreader in position above a container. The spreader further includes a bell crank and link mechanism for operating the guides which may be substantially contained within the frame region of the spreader. The guides or flippers are, according to the disclosure, adaptable for both power and manual operation. The object of the disclosure is to provide a mechanism for operating the guides or flippers. JP 2000309485 A discloses a spreader for a container crane. The spreader includes elastic guide balls disposed at the corners of the frame of the spreader. The guide balls protrude, via resilient installation, outwardly from the corners of the spreader. The balls rotate during contact with a cell guide upon the spreader being moved up or down inside the cell guides. According to the reference, the guide balls prevent the spreader from scraping against inner faces of the cell guides. The reference does not provide a solution to the abovementioned problem of misorientation, and resulting jamming, of the spreader inside cell guides. In order to avoid snagging or jamming, many of today's spreaders are configured for retracting their frames to overall sizes of e.g. 0,5ft below the minimum size of the container to be handled. This means that a spreader configured for handling TEUs may be configured to retract to 19ft and 6 inches in order to avoid snagging or jamming inside a ships 20 foot cells. As per the above, today's spreaders are complex pieces of equipment, offering container handling flexibility as required on all types of vessels in general, being capable of telescoping from 20ft up to 45ft. The complexity of today's spreaders however has its price in terms of investments and reliability. A spreader alone may be good for some 25% to 40% of operational disturbances during vessel operation. An additional drawback is that the tare weight of an average twin lift telescopic spreader is abt. 12.5 tons or even more.

It is an object of the present invention to set forth a spreader which:

- greatly improves reliability over today's complex spreaders,

- contain few moving parts,

- is lighter, and

- will not snag or jam inside cell guides during empty conveyance in- between cell guides.

Brief description of the invention

The object of the present invention is met by the spreader as set forth in the introductory part of this specification where the spreader further is provided with cell guide leads attached to the base framework of the spreader. The cell guide leads extend upwards above and within the outer horizontal boundaries, or within the projected or encircling outer boundaries of the spreader. The cell guide leads at least partially define spaces to be occupied by the movable container guides below the cell guide leads when the movable container guides are disposed in the second position. Further, the cell guide leads are configured such that the spreader is, by cell guides and when the spreader is present in a vertical cargo cell defined by the cell guides, maintained substantially perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cell guides by the cell guide leads. The cell guide leads prevent, in a simple and efficient manner, the spreader from assuming non-perpendicular orientations with respect to the cell guides wherein the spreader is moving, and consequently, the spreader will not able to be pinched, and thereby snag or jam, inside the cell guides.

The cell guide leads may be configured to engage the cell guides in transverse directions of the spreader as well as longitudinal directions of the spreader, possibly also in a combination thereof. The cell guide leads may be provided as flat profiles and/or as angular profiles configured top contact one or both guiding faces of the cell guides.

Developments in ship building show that usage of 20ft cells in mainstream vessels is decreasing drastically, and as a results hereof, on recent contain- ership new buildings, the number of 20ft cells in fact is zero.

Consequently the need of a telescopic spreader configured for handling the relatively small TEUs is decreasing; hence the spreader no longer is required to telescope from 20ft to 45ft.

Configuring the spreader such that the spreader is required to telescope from 40ft to 45ft only, extricate space for fitting the cell guide leads according to the present invention. It is therefore proposed to increase the size of the base framework, i.e. the dimensions of the base frame and the two opposed distal portions, such that incorporation of cell guide leads are facilitated.

The spreader according to the present invention will maintain:

- full lifting capacity in twin lift mode, - separating function, i.e. 2 χ 20ft containers up to 1 ,6m apart,

- active container guides, e.g. in the form of movable flippers,

- telescoping ability in order to facilitate handling of 45ft containers A spreader based on a 40ft base frame as per the present invention is especially suitable on modern hub visiting vessels where high productivity is required.

Further, following clear advantages are rendered by applying a 40ft base frame over the prior art 20ft base frame:

- reduction of potential breakdowns as the complexity of the spreader is reduced.

- weight reduction leading to increased productivity

- provision of space on top of the spreader for heavy duty steel guides acting as cell guide leads.

The cell guide leads prevent, as already mentioned, the spreader from getting jammed in cells during full speed hoisting / lowering. Due to the fact that more "spreader height" is created along the ship's cell guiding strips, the risk that the spreader gets stuck decrease significantly.

According to one embodiment, the cell guide leads may be disposed at the four corners of the spreader. Alternative embodiments of the spreader may be embodied with only two cell guide leads disposed at, diagonally or not, opposed corners of the spreader.

According to one embodiment, the cell guide leads may be disposed on a face facing upwards when the spreader is suspended from a crane. The sus- pension means may constitute ropes or wires. By disposing the cell guide leads from the face facing upwards when the spreader is suspended pro- vides space below the spreader for handling unitized cargoes such as containers etc.

According to one embodiment, the cell guide leads may extend upwards when the spreader is suspended from the suspensions means. Preferably the cell guide leads may extend upwards above the spreader at least to a height equivalent to that of the width of the spreader.

According to one embodiment, the cell guide leads may at least partially con- stitute, or be provided with, elongated pads or rails. Further, the cell guide contact surface of the cell guide leads may be provided with friction reducing means such as coatings, padding or rolls etc.

According to one embodiment, the cell guide leads may at least partially de- fine a space to be occupied by active container guides, or flippers, when the active container guides are disposed in second position, i.e. the upwardly folded position.

According to one embodiment, the spreader according to the present inven- tion may include four cell guide leads and four active container guides or flippers.

According to one embodiment, the cell guide leads may extend upwards and substantially perpendicular from a plane defined by the base framework, at peripheral corners of the spreader, above the active container guides or flippers.

According to one embodiment, the active container guides may be configured for folding in-between the first position and the second position by means of pivoting. The pivoting may, according to the same or other embodiments, be about axis lying substantially parallel to a plane defined by the base framework.

According to one embodiment, the base framework may include a base frame and two opposed distal portions carrying the active container guides or flippers and the cell guide leads.

According to one embodiment, the distal portions may be configured to move towards or away from the base frame. The movement may be established by means of hydraulic or electric actuators or equivalent.

According to one embodiment, the movement may be established by means of telescoping the distal portions at least partially into the boundaries of the base frame.

According to one embodiment, the base framework may, in a contracted state, have a length of 40ft.

According to one embodiment, the cell guide leads may, in an upper portion, be inclined slightly towards a central part of the spreader. Further, the cell guide leads may be installed on top of the spreader in an adjustable manner such that the inclination may be altered.

According to one embodiment, the cell guide leads may constitute heavy duty steel erected guides configured to prevent the spreader from jamming or snagging in cells guides of a ship during hoisting and/or lowering of the spreader inside cell guides.

According to one embodiment, the cell guide leads may extend at least 1 me- ter above a lower face of the base framework. Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 is a side view of a spreader disposed within cell guides. Figure 2 is a side view of a spreader. Figure 3 is a bottom view of a spreader. Figure 4 is a partial view of spreader disposed within cell guides. Figure 5 is an end view of a spreader. Detailed description with reference to the figures

In accordance with the invention, a spreader configured for preventing the spreader from becoming jammed inside cell guides is disclosed. As can be seen in figure 1 , the spreader 1 is configured to move within cell guides 100. The cell guides 100 typically constitute elongated corner guides configured to facilitate fast and precise handling of not shown containers. The cell guides 100 are disposed at the corners of the containers and the cell guides guide the containers inside container holds or stacking areas. In a ship, the cell guides 100 typically extend from the tank top to a level equal to or above a hatch coaming.

Cell guides 100 may, as already mentioned above, also be found in land based container stacking facilities, and the spreader according to the present invention is equally applicable to these systems. Active or movable container guides, or flippers, 40 are disposed at the corners of the spreader 1 . When the spreader 1 moves within cell guides 100, the flippers 40 are stowed in a position wherein the flippers 40 do not protrude beyond the horizontal boundaries of the frame of the spreader 1 . Typically, the flippers 40 are configured for rotating 180° about not shown axis. In figures 1 - 5, the flippers are shown in a stowed position such that the spreader 1 may move freely within cell guides 100. In a not shown and active state, the flippers 40 protrude downwards and slightly outside the horizontal boundaries of the spreader 1 such that the twist locks 30 disposed at the lower face of the spreader 1 , are guided towards precise engagement with corner casting of a not shown container.

As can be seen in the figures, the spreader 1 is configured to telescope in- between different lengths such that the spreader 1 may engage containers of different lengths, e.g. forty foot containers and forty-five foot containers. Further, the spreader may, as shown in the figures, include twist locks 31 disposed in the central part of the spreader 1 . These centrally disposed twist locks 31 facilitate not shown twin lift operation. In twin lift operation, two short containers, typically two twenty foot containers, may be arranged in continuation of each other such that the spreader 1 may lift the two containers as one unit.

In twin lift operation, centrally disposed twist locks 31 may, via lowering and displacement means 32, be lowered to a level equivalent to that of the twist locks 30 disposed at the outer corners of the spreader 1 , such that containers arranged and handled in continuation of each other engage the spreader via eight twist locks.

In twin lift operation and outside cell guides, the spreader 1 may further be configured for creating space in-between the two containers arranged in continuation of each other. This space, or gap, between the two containers greatly facilitates further handling of the containers. The space between the containers is created by further extending the spreader 1 a certain distance. This is possible as, and as indicated in figures 1 -3, the centrally disposed twist locks 31 are configured for lateral movement inside the spreader equivalent to the length of the further extension of the spreader 1 . The spreader 1 further includes cell guide leads 50 attached to the base framework 10, 20 of the spreader 1 . The cell guide leads 50 are, in accordance with the present invention, configured such that the spreader 1 is, by cell guides 100 wherein the spreader 1 may be present, maintained substan- tially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the cell guides 100, i.e. the spreader 1 is maintained perpendicular with respect to the direction of stowage of containers inside the cell guides 100.

The cell guide leads 50 ensure that the spreader 1 will maintain an orienta- tion in-between four cell guides which, in spite of movements of a ship or irregularities in the hoisting or lowering action of the spreader, is equivalent to the orientation of the spreader inside cell guides 100 when the spreader is lifting or carrying one or more containers. As the spreader is prevented from assuming orientations with respect to the cell guides 100 which prompt a risk that the spreader will snag or jam inside the cell guides 100, the spreader 1 may in an empty state operate securely and fast without risk of damages etc. Although not evident from the figures, the cell guide engagement portions 51 of the cell guide leads 50 may be configured for contacting multiple faces of the cell guides 100, i.e. the cell guide engagement portions 51 may have L- shaped or otherwise suitable cross-sections preventing the spreader from assuming any substantially non perpendicular orientation with respect to the vertical axis of the container bay wherein the spreader is moving.

As shown in the figures, and according to certain embodiments, the longitudinally opposed cell guide leads 50 may define acute angles 57 in-between cell guides 100 and the cell guide leads 50, when the base of the spreader 1 is disposed perpendicular to the cell guides 100. The purpose of the acute angles is to guide the spreader and to provide clearance is case the cell guides is not perfectly vertical, e.g. such when a ship heels or trims. The angle 57 may lie within the range of 1 °- 5°; preferably the angle is about 3°.

Figure 5 is an end view of the spreader. As can be seen, the cell guide leads 50 of one end of the spreader may, for strength reasons, be interconnected via steel structures. Further, and as can be seen in the figures, the transversely opposed cell guide leads 50 may be substantially parallel.

This invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the scope of essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiments are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within meters and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such meters and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embodied by the claims.

The term "comprises/comprising/comprised of when used in this specification incl. claims is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1 . A spreader (1 ) configured for handling containers in-between cell guides (100), said spreader (1 ) includes:

- a base framework (10), (20) defining outer boundaries of said

spreader (1 ),

- container engagement means (30) attached to said base framework (10), (20) and configured to extend below said base framework (10), (20),

- movable container guides (40) attached to said base framework (10), (20), said movable container guides (40) are configured for moving between a first and a second position wherein:

- in said first position, said container guides (40) extend downwardly below said base framework (10), (20) and guide said spreader (1 ), outside cell guides (100), downwards above a container such that said container engagement (30) means may engage container corners of a container, and

- in a second position, said container guides (40) extend upwardly above said base framework (10), (20) such that at least a part of said container guides (40) occupy a position above said base framework

(10), (20),

characterized in that said spreader (1 ) further includes cell guide leads (50), (51 ) attached to said base framework (10), (20), said cell guide leads (50) (51 ) extend upwards above and within the outer boundaries, or within the projected outer boundaries, of said spreader (1 ) and define spaces (55) to be occupied by said movable container guides (40) below said cell guide leads (50), (51 ) when said movable container guides (40) are disposed in said second position, and in that said cell guide leads (50), (51 ) are configured such that said spreader (1 ) is, by cell guides (100), maintained substantially per- pendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cell guides by said cell guide leads (50), (51 ), when present in-between cell guides (100).

2. A spreader according to claim 1 , wherein said cell guide leads (50), (51 ) are disposed at the four corners of said spreader (1 ).

3. A spreader according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said cell guide leads (50), (51 ) are disposed on a face (3) facing upwards when said spreader (1 ) is suspended from suspensions means (5).

4. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cell guide leads (50), (51 ) extend upwards when said spreader (1 ) is suspended from suspensions means (5).

5. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cell guide leads (50), (51 ) constitute elongated pads or rails configured to contact interior faces of the cell guides (100) upon said spreader assuming a non horizontal orientation.

6. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, including four cell guide leads (50), (51 ) and four movable container guides (40) disposed below said cell guide leads (50), (51 ).

7. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cell guide leads (50), (51 ) extend upwards from a plane defined by said base framework (10), (20).

8. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cell guide leads (50), (51 ) extend upwards with an inclination defining an upwardly increasing gap between the cell guides (100), when said spreader (1 ) is disposed in-between cell guides (100), and said cell guide leads (50), (51 ).

9. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said movable container guides (40) are configured for folding or pivoting between said first and said second positions.

10. A spreader according to claim 9, wherein said movable container guides (40) are configured for folding or pivoting between said first position and said second position by means of pivoting about axis lying substantially parallel to a plane defined by said base framework (10), (20).

1 1 . A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said base framework (10), (20) include a base frame (20) and two opposed distal portions (10) carrying said active container guides (40) and said cell guide leads (50).

12. A spreader according to claim 1 1 , wherein said distal portions (10) are configured to move towards or away from said base frame (20).

13. A spreader according to claim 12, wherein said movement is established by means of telescoping said distal portions (10) partially into the boundaries of said base frame (20).

14. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said base framework (10), (20), in a contracted state, has a length of 40 ft.

15. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cell guide leads (50) are, in an upper portion, inclined slightly towards a central part of said spreader (1 ).

16. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cell guide leads (50) constitute heavy duty steel guides config- ured to prevent said spreader from catching or snagging in cells guides (100) of a ship during hoisting and/or lowering of said spreader (1 ).

17. A spreader according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said cell guide leads (50) extend at least 1 meter above a lower face (2) of said base framework.