WO2017200960A1 - Claw assembly for grasping and transferring shipping containers - Google Patents

Claw assembly for grasping and transferring shipping containers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2017200960A1
WO2017200960A1 PCT/US2017/032770 US2017032770W WO2017200960A1 WO 2017200960 A1 WO2017200960 A1 WO 2017200960A1 US 2017032770 W US2017032770 W US 2017032770W WO 2017200960 A1 WO2017200960 A1 WO 2017200960A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
claw
slider
claw assembly
grasper
forearm
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2017/032770
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
J. Michael Meissner
Glenn LUCKINBILL
Original Assignee
Eaglerail Container Logistics, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eaglerail Container Logistics, Llc filed Critical Eaglerail Container Logistics, Llc
Publication of WO2017200960A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017200960A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
    • B66F9/00—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes
    • B66F9/06—Devices for lifting or lowering bulky or heavy goods for loading or unloading purposes movable, with their loads, on wheels or the like, e.g. fork-lift trucks
    • B66F9/075—Constructional features or details
    • B66F9/12—Platforms; Forks; Other load supporting or gripping members
    • B66F9/18—Load gripping or retaining means
    • B66F9/186—Container lifting frames

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the transfer and movement of shipping containers in port and transfer terminal facilities.
  • the present invention relates to a claw assembly for grasping and transferring intermodal shipping containers to a carrier for transporting the shipping container from one location in the port or terminal facility to another location.
  • ISO containers intermodal containers
  • ISO containers can be up to 53 feet (16.15 meters) long, and can weigh in the range of 35-40 tons (31.8 - 36.3 metric tons). Ground space is often a premium at and around busy ports.
  • An overhead monorail solution provides advantages that would significantly improve container port operations.
  • Conventional container grasping and transfer equipment is also not suited to provide the close tolerance positioning and alignment of a shipping container for transfer to a carrier of a container transportation, particularly an overhead transportation system, and more particularly to an overhead transportation system comprising a monorail.
  • the claw assembly comprises:
  • a top claw portion comprising:
  • the left top forearm hingedly connected to a top lateral sleeve beam via a left top distal joint;
  • a top lateral sleeve beam encasing at least one pair of laterally- extending slider beams, one of the slider beams attached to a left top grasper beam, the one of the slider beams moveable laterally away from the left end of the top sleeve beam when the slider beam extends laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam, the left top grasper beam having at its transverse end a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the other of the slider beams attached to a right top grasper beam, the other of the slider beams moveable laterally away from the right end of the top sleeve beam when the slider beam extends laterally from the right end of top sleeve beam, the right top grasper beam having at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the bayonet fittings insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the top corner castings of a shipping container;
  • a bottom claw portion comprising:
  • a bottom lateral sleeve beam encasing at least one pair of laterally- extending slider beams, one of the slider beams attached to a left bottom grasper beam, the one of the slider beams moveable laterally away from the left end of the bottom sleeve beam when the slider beam extends laterally from the left end of bottom sleeve beam, the left bottom grasper beam having at its transverse end a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the other of the slider beams attached to a right bottom grasper beam, the other of the slider beams moveable laterally away from the right end of the bottom sleeve beam when the slider beam extends laterally from the right end of bottom sleeve beam, the right bottom grasper beam having at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the bayonet fittings insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the bottom corner castings of the shipping container.
  • the top claw portion and the bottom claw portion are each hingedly connected to a claw joint.
  • the claw portions can grasp, either together or independently, the shipping container and facilitate its transfer to a container transport carrier.
  • the container transport carrier to which the shipping container is transferred is an overhead container transport carrier.
  • the overhead container transport carrier can be part of an overhead transportation system, and in particular an overhead rail transportation system and, more particularly, an overhead rail transportation system comprising a monorail.
  • the claw joint is mounted on a vehicle.
  • the claw joint comprises a mounting sleeve.
  • the mounting sleeve is attached at one end to the claw joint and, at the other end, wraps around a mounting tower, such that the claw assembly is supported in an elevated position and can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction by the sliding of the mounting sleeve up and down the mounting tower.
  • the mounting tower can comprise a base portion that has a downwardly-extending roller mechanism for mounting the tower on laterally- extending rails.
  • the supported claw assembly is movable laterally from a first position to multiple positions on the rails.
  • FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a claw assembly for grasping shipping containers.
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the claw assembly of FIG. 1, in which the claw assembly is mounted on a supporting tower.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B are front elevation views of the claw assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 3A shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a half- length (for example, 20 feet) shipping container.
  • FIG. 3B shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a full-length (for example, 40 feet) shipping container.
  • FIGS. 4 A, 4B, 4C and 4D are side elevation views of the claw assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 4A shows the claw assembly, in the which the top and bottom claw portions are in position to grasp a shipping container (not present in FIG. 4A).
  • FIG. 4B shows the claw assembly, in the which the top and bottom claw portions are grasping a shipping container.
  • FIG. 4C shows the claw assembly, in the which only the top claw portion is grasping a shipping container, while the bottom claw portion is in a retracted position.
  • FIG. 4D shows the claw assembly, in the which only the bottom claw portion is grasping a shipping container, while the top claw portion is in a retracted position.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are top views of the claw assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • FIG. 5 A shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a half-length shipping container.
  • FIG. 5B shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a full-length shipping container.
  • FIGS. 6 A through 6F are a sequence showing the steps in the operation of the claw assembly, mounted to a vehicle, in which a shipping container is transferred to a carrier suspended from an overhead monorail assembly.
  • claw assembly 110 consists of a top claw portion 120 and a bottom claw portion 150, which are hingedly connected independently to claw joint 114.
  • top claw portion 120 includes left top base arm 122a and right top base arm 122b, which both extend from claw joint 114.
  • Left top base arm 122a is hingedly connected to left top forearm 124a via top elbow joint 126.
  • right top base arm 122b is hingedly connected to right top forearm 124b via elbow joint 126.
  • Left top forearm 124a is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 128 via left distal joint 125a.
  • right top forearm 124b is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 128 via right distal joint 125b.
  • Lateral sleeve beam 128 encases two pairs of laterally-extending slider beams (not shown in FIG. 1).
  • Left top grasper beam 128a is attached to one pair of slider beams, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the left end of sleeve beam 128.
  • right top grasper beam 128b is attached to the other pair of slider beams, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the right end of sleeve beam 128.
  • left top grasper beam 128a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 130a, 130b, which are insertable and lockable within openings formed in the left top corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 1).
  • right top grasper beam 128b has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 130c, 130d, which are insertable and lockable within openings formed in the right top corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 1).
  • the bayonet fittings can be twist- lock devices in which a rotatable tongue is inserted into a corresponding opening formed in a casting located on the corners of the shipping containers.
  • bottom claw portion 150 includes left bottom base arm 152a and right bottom base arm 152b, which both extend from claw joint 114.
  • Left bottom base arm 152a is hingedly connected to left bottom forearm 154a via bottom elbow joint 156.
  • right bottom base arm 152b is hingedly connected to right bottom forearm 154b via elbow joint 156.
  • Left bottom forearm 154a is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 158 via a left distal joint (not shown in FIG. 1).
  • right bottom forearm 154b is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 158 via a right distal joint (not shown in FIG. 1).
  • Lateral sleeve beam 158 encases two pair of laterally-extending slider beams (not shown in FIG. 1).
  • Left bottom grasper beam 158a is attached to one pair of slider beams, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the left end of sleeve beam 158.
  • right bottom grasper beam 158b is attached to the other pair of slider beams, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the right end of sleeve beam 158.
  • left bottom grasper beam 158a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 160a, 160b, which are insertable and lockable within openings formed in the left bottom corners of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 1).
  • right bottom grasper beam 158b has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 160c, 160d, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the right bottom corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 1).
  • mounting posts 112a, 112b connect claw assembly 110 to a supporting tower (not shown in FIG. 1).
  • Mounting posts 112a, 112b can also connect to a vehicle.
  • claw assembly 110 is mounted on a support tower 102.
  • Support tower includes a base portion 104, a tower portion 106 and a post sleeve 108.
  • Mounting posts one of which is shown in FIG. 2 as mounting post 112a, are connected to post sleeve 108 of support tower 102.
  • the claw assembly travels vertically up and down along the tower via the post sleeve.
  • claw assembly 110 consists of top claw portion 120 and bottom claw portion 150, which are hingedly connected via claw joint 114.
  • Base portion 104 can be configured with a downwardly-extending roller mechanism for mounting on laterally- extending rails such that claw assembly is capable of being moved laterally from a first position to a second position on the underlying surface such as, for example, a dock in a port facility.
  • top claw portion 120 includes left top base arm 122a, which extends from claw joint 114.
  • Left top base arm 122a is hingedly connected to left top forearm 124a via top elbow joint 126.
  • Left top forearm 124a is, in turn, hingedly connected to top lateral sleeve beam 128 via left top distal joint 125a.
  • Top lateral sleeve beam 128 encases two pairs of laterally-extending slider beams, one pair of which is shown in broken lines as top slider beams 129a, 129b.
  • Left top grasper beam 128a is attached to slider beams 129a, 129b, and is moveable laterally away from the left end of top sleeve beam 128 when slider beams 129a, 129b are extended laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam 128.
  • left top grasper beam 128a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 130a, 130b, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the left top corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 2).
  • bottom claw portion 150 includes left bottom base arm 152a, which extends from claw joint 114.
  • Left bottom base arm 152a is hingedly connected to left bottom forearm 154a via bottom elbow joint 156.
  • Left bottom forearm 154a is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 158 via left bottom distal joint 155a.
  • Bottom lateral sleeve beam 158 encases two pairs of laterally-extending slider beams, one pair of which is shown in broken lines as slider beams 159a, 159b.
  • Left bottom grasper beam 158a is attached to slider beams 159a, 159b, and is moveable laterally away from the left end of top sleeve beam 158 when slider beams 159a, 159b are extended laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam 158.
  • left bottom grasper beam 158a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 160a, 160b, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the left bottom corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 2).
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B are front elevation views of the claw assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the individual components of claw assembly 110 are numbered consistently with the equivalent components described above with respect to the foregoing figures.
  • FIG. 3 A shows claw assembly 110 configured to grasp a half-length shipping container, which would typically be a 20-foot (6.1-meter) shipping container.
  • left top slider beams 129a, 129b are in their retracted positions within top sleeve beam 128.
  • right top slider beams 129c, 129d are in their retracted positions within top sleeve beam 128.
  • FIG. 3B shows claw assembly 110 configured to grasp a full-length shipping container, which would typically be a 40-foot (12.2-meter) shipping container.
  • left top grasper beam 128a is attached to slider beams 129a, 129b, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the left end of sleeve beam 128.
  • Right top grasper beam 128b is attached to slider beams 129c, 129d, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the right end of sleeve beam 128.
  • FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are side elevation views of claw assembly 110.
  • the individual components of claw assembly 110 are numbered consistently with the equivalent components described above with respect to the foregoing figures.
  • FIG. 4A shows claw assembly 110, in the which top claw portion 120 and bottom claw portion 150 are in position to grasp a shipping container (not present in FIG. 4A).
  • Top claw portion 120 includes left top base arm 122a, which extends from claw joint 114.
  • Left top base arm 122a is hingedly connected to left top forearm 124a via top elbow joint 126.
  • Left top forearm 124a is, in turn, hingedly connected to top lateral sleeve beam 128 via left top distal joint 125a.
  • Top lateral sleeve beam 128 encases two pairs of laterally- extending slider beams, one pair of which is shown in broken lines as top slider beams 129a, 129b.
  • Left top grasper beam 128a is attached to slider beams 129a, 129b, and is moveable laterally away from the left end of top sleeve beam 128 when slider beams 129a, 129b are extended laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam 128.
  • left top grasper beam 128a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 130a, 130b, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the left top corners of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 4 A).
  • bottom claw portion 150 includes left bottom base arm 152a, which extends from claw joint 114.
  • Left bottom base arm 152a is hingedly connected to left bottom forearm 154a via bottom elbow joint 156.
  • Left bottom forearm 154a is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 158 via left bottom distal joint 155a.
  • Bottom lateral sleeve beam 158 encases two pairs of laterally-extending slider beams, one pair of which is shown in broken lines as slider beams 159a, 159b.
  • Left bottom grasper beam 158a is attached to slider beams 159a, 159b, and is moveable laterally away from the left end of top sleeve beam 158 when slider beams 159a, 159b are extended laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam 158.
  • left bottom grasper beam 158a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 160a, 160b, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the left bottom corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 4A).
  • FIG. 4B shows claw assembly 110, in the which top claw portion 120 and bottom claw portion 150 are grasping shipping container 101 at the top via left top bayonet fittings 130a, 130b and at the bottom via left bottom bayonet fittings 160a, 160b.
  • FIG. 4C shows claw assembly 110, in the which only top claw portion 120 is grasping shipping container 101 at the top via left top bayonet fittings 130a, 130b, while bottom claw portion 150 is in a retracted position.
  • FIG. 4D shows claw assembly 110, in the which only bottom claw portion 150 is grasping shipping container 101 at the bottom via left bottom bayonet fittings 160a, 160b, while top claw portion 120 is in a retracted position.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are top views of claw assembly 110.
  • the individual components of top claw portion 120 are numbered consistently with the equivalent components described above with respect to the foregoing figures.
  • FIG. 5 A shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a half-length shipping container, which would typically be a 20-foot (6.1 -meter) shipping container.
  • left top slider beams 129a, 129b are in their retracted positions within top sleeve beam 128.
  • right top slider beams 129c, 129d are in their retracted positions within top sleeve beam 128.
  • FIG. 5B shows top claw portion 120 configured to grasp a full-length shipping container, which would typically be a 40-foot (12.2-meter) shipping container.
  • left top grasper beam 128a is attached to slider beams 129a, 129b, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the left end of sleeve beam 128.
  • Right top grasper beam 128b is attached to slider beams 129c, 129d, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the right end of sleeve beam 128.
  • FIGS. 6 A through 6F are a sequence showing the steps in the operation of the claw assembly mounted on a vehicle, in which a shipping container is transferred to a carrier suspended from an overhead monorail assembly.
  • the claw assembly approaches the shipping container with the top and bottom claw portions extended transversely in their grasping positions.
  • the bottom claw portion has been rotated to its retracted position, while the top claw portion is grasping the shipping container.
  • FIG. 6C the shipping container has been lifted by the top claw portion and the bottom claw portion has been rotated to its grasping position.
  • the shipping container has been aligned with the carrier of an overhead monorail carrier, the top claw portion has been rotated to its retracted position, while the bottom claw portion is grasping the shipping container.
  • the shipping container has been transferred to the overhead carrier, and the claw assembly has been lowered with the top claw portion still in its retracted position and with the bottom claw portion still in its grasping position.
  • the shipping container is shown suspended from the overhead carrier for transport by monorail to a desired location in the port facility.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Load-Engaging Elements For Cranes (AREA)

Abstract

A claw assembly (110) for grasping a shipping container (101) includes top and bottom claw portions (120; 150). Each claw portion has a base arm hinged to a forearm (see: 124a, 124b & 154a, 154b) via an elbow joint [126; 156]. The forearm is hinged to a lateral sleeve beam, which encases a pair of lateral slider beams, each of which is attached to a grasper beam that moves laterally. Each grasper beam has fittings that insert and lock within corner castings in the shipping container (101). The top and bottom claw portions (120; 150) are hinged such that the claw portions can grasp the shipping container (101) and transfer it to a container transport carrier.

Description

CLAW ASSEMBLY FOR GRASPING AND TRANSFERRING
SHIPPING CONTAINERS
Field of Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the transfer and movement of shipping containers in port and transfer terminal facilities. In particular, the present invention relates to a claw assembly for grasping and transferring intermodal shipping containers to a carrier for transporting the shipping container from one location in the port or terminal facility to another location.
Background of the Invention
[0001] Approximately 90% of non-bulk cargo worldwide is transported via intermodal containers (ISO containers) arranged on ships. When these containers arrive at ports (either by land or by sea) they must be moved onto or off the ships, trains, and trucks.
[0002] Transferring containers from one mode of transportation to another is time and energy intensive. Loading/unloading ships is often conducted at the ground level with various mechanical machines such as cranes, trucks, forklifts, and straddle carriers. Often these machines burn fossil fuels and are not efficient.
[0003] One particular problem with current methods for transferring intermodal shipping containers is that they require a large amount of ground space for maneuvering the containers into place. ISO containers can be up to 53 feet (16.15 meters) long, and can weigh in the range of 35-40 tons (31.8 - 36.3 metric tons). Ground space is often a premium at and around busy ports.
Another problem with current methods for transferring ISO containers is that the large amount of time taken to unload ships often leads to port congestion and container backlog.
[0004] To alleviate some of these problems, the use of overhead rail transportation systems has been suggested. Overhead rail systems have their own particular types of challenges, particularly where the overhead
transportation system comprises a monorail. An overhead monorail solution provides advantages that would significantly improve container port operations.
[0005] One particularly problematic aspect associated with current equipment for handling intermodal shipping containers is the grasping and transferring of the shipping containers from one transport system in the port facility to another transport system. Conventional container grasping and transfer equipment can be cumbersome, difficult to operate, and prone to instability, particularly when manipulating large and heavy containers.
Conventional container grasping and transfer equipment is also not suited to provide the close tolerance positioning and alignment of a shipping container for transfer to a carrier of a container transportation, particularly an overhead transportation system, and more particularly to an overhead transportation system comprising a monorail.
Summary of the Invention
[0006] Shortcomings of conventional transfer equipment for handling shipping containers are overcome by a claw assembly for grasping and transferring shipping containers. The claw assembly comprises:
[0007] (a) a top claw portion comprising:
[0008] (1) a left top base arm hingedly connected to a left top
forearm via a top elbow joint, the left top forearm hingedly connected to a top lateral sleeve beam via a left top distal joint;
[0009] (2) a right top base arm hingedly connected to a right top forearm via a top elbow joint, the right top forearm hingedly connected to a top lateral sleeve beam via a right top distal joint;
[0010] (3) a top lateral sleeve beam encasing at least one pair of laterally- extending slider beams, one of the slider beams attached to a left top grasper beam, the one of the slider beams moveable laterally away from the left end of the top sleeve beam when the slider beam extends laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam, the left top grasper beam having at its transverse end a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the other of the slider beams attached to a right top grasper beam, the other of the slider beams moveable laterally away from the right end of the top sleeve beam when the slider beam extends laterally from the right end of top sleeve beam, the right top grasper beam having at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the bayonet fittings insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the top corner castings of a shipping container;
[0011] (b) a bottom claw portion comprising:
[0012] (1) a left bottom base arm hingedly connected to a left bottom forearm via a bottom elbow joint, the left bottom forearm hingedly connected to a bottom lateral sleeve beam via a left bottom distal joint; [0013] (2) a right bottom base arm hingedly connected to a right bottom forearm via a bottom elbow joint, the right bottom forearm hingedly connected to a bottom lateral sleeve beam via a right bottom distal joint;
[0014] (3) a bottom lateral sleeve beam encasing at least one pair of laterally- extending slider beams, one of the slider beams attached to a left bottom grasper beam, the one of the slider beams moveable laterally away from the left end of the bottom sleeve beam when the slider beam extends laterally from the left end of bottom sleeve beam, the left bottom grasper beam having at its transverse end a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the other of the slider beams attached to a right bottom grasper beam, the other of the slider beams moveable laterally away from the right end of the bottom sleeve beam when the slider beam extends laterally from the right end of bottom sleeve beam, the right bottom grasper beam having at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the bayonet fittings insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the bottom corner castings of the shipping container.
[0015] In the foregoing claw assembly, the top claw portion and the bottom claw portion are each hingedly connected to a claw joint. In operation, the claw portions can grasp, either together or independently, the shipping container and facilitate its transfer to a container transport carrier.
[0016] In one embodiment, the container transport carrier to which the shipping container is transferred is an overhead container transport carrier. The overhead container transport carrier can be part of an overhead transportation system, and in particular an overhead rail transportation system and, more particularly, an overhead rail transportation system comprising a monorail.
[0017] In one embodiment of the claw assembly, the claw joint is mounted on a vehicle.
[0018] In another embodiment of the claw assembly, the claw joint comprises a mounting sleeve. The mounting sleeve is attached at one end to the claw joint and, at the other end, wraps around a mounting tower, such that the claw assembly is supported in an elevated position and can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction by the sliding of the mounting sleeve up and down the mounting tower. The mounting tower can comprise a base portion that has a downwardly-extending roller mechanism for mounting the tower on laterally- extending rails. The supported claw assembly is movable laterally from a first position to multiple positions on the rails.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0019] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a claw assembly for grasping shipping containers.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the claw assembly of FIG. 1, in which the claw assembly is mounted on a supporting tower.
[0021] FIGS. 3A and 3B are front elevation views of the claw assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3A shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a half- length (for example, 20 feet) shipping container. FIG. 3B shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a full-length (for example, 40 feet) shipping container.
[0022] FIGS. 4 A, 4B, 4C and 4D are side elevation views of the claw assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4A shows the claw assembly, in the which the top and bottom claw portions are in position to grasp a shipping container (not present in FIG. 4A). FIG. 4B shows the claw assembly, in the which the top and bottom claw portions are grasping a shipping container. FIG. 4C shows the claw assembly, in the which only the top claw portion is grasping a shipping container, while the bottom claw portion is in a retracted position. FIG. 4D shows the claw assembly, in the which only the bottom claw portion is grasping a shipping container, while the top claw portion is in a retracted position.
[0023] FIGS. 5A and 5B are top views of the claw assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 5 A shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a half-length shipping container. FIG. 5B shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a full-length shipping container.
[0024] FIGS. 6 A through 6F are a sequence showing the steps in the operation of the claw assembly, mounted to a vehicle, in which a shipping container is transferred to a carrier suspended from an overhead monorail assembly.
Detailed Description of Illustrative Embodiment s)
[0025] Turning first to FIG. 1, claw assembly 110 consists of a top claw portion 120 and a bottom claw portion 150, which are hingedly connected independently to claw joint 114.
[0026] As further shown in FIG. 1, top claw portion 120 includes left top base arm 122a and right top base arm 122b, which both extend from claw joint 114. Left top base arm 122a is hingedly connected to left top forearm 124a via top elbow joint 126. Similarly, right top base arm 122b is hingedly connected to right top forearm 124b via elbow joint 126. Left top forearm 124a is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 128 via left distal joint 125a.
Similarly, right top forearm 124b is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 128 via right distal joint 125b. Lateral sleeve beam 128 encases two pairs of laterally-extending slider beams (not shown in FIG. 1). Left top grasper beam 128a is attached to one pair of slider beams, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the left end of sleeve beam 128. Similarly, right top grasper beam 128b is attached to the other pair of slider beams, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the right end of sleeve beam 128.
[0027] As further shown in FIG. 1, left top grasper beam 128a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 130a, 130b, which are insertable and lockable within openings formed in the left top corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 1).
Similarly, right top grasper beam 128b has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 130c, 130d, which are insertable and lockable within openings formed in the right top corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 1). The bayonet fittings can be twist- lock devices in which a rotatable tongue is inserted into a corresponding opening formed in a casting located on the corners of the shipping containers.
[0028] As further shown in FIG. 1, bottom claw portion 150 includes left bottom base arm 152a and right bottom base arm 152b, which both extend from claw joint 114. Left bottom base arm 152a is hingedly connected to left bottom forearm 154a via bottom elbow joint 156. Similarly, right bottom base arm 152b is hingedly connected to right bottom forearm 154b via elbow joint 156. Left bottom forearm 154a is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 158 via a left distal joint (not shown in FIG. 1). Similarly, right bottom forearm 154b is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 158 via a right distal joint (not shown in FIG. 1). Lateral sleeve beam 158 encases two pair of laterally-extending slider beams (not shown in FIG. 1). Left bottom grasper beam 158a is attached to one pair of slider beams, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the left end of sleeve beam 158. Similarly, right bottom grasper beam 158b is attached to the other pair of slider beams, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the right end of sleeve beam 158.
[0029] As further shown in FIG. 1, left bottom grasper beam 158a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 160a, 160b, which are insertable and lockable within openings formed in the left bottom corners of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 1). Similarly, right bottom grasper beam 158b has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 160c, 160d, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the right bottom corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 1).
[0030] In FIG. 1, mounting posts 112a, 112b connect claw assembly 110 to a supporting tower (not shown in FIG. 1). Mounting posts 112a, 112b can also connect to a vehicle.
[0031] Turning now to FIG. 2, claw assembly 110 is mounted on a support tower 102. Support tower includes a base portion 104, a tower portion 106 and a post sleeve 108. Mounting posts, one of which is shown in FIG. 2 as mounting post 112a, are connected to post sleeve 108 of support tower 102. The claw assembly travels vertically up and down along the tower via the post sleeve. As in FIG. 1, claw assembly 110 consists of top claw portion 120 and bottom claw portion 150, which are hingedly connected via claw joint 114. Base portion 104 can be configured with a downwardly-extending roller mechanism for mounting on laterally- extending rails such that claw assembly is capable of being moved laterally from a first position to a second position on the underlying surface such as, for example, a dock in a port facility.
[0032] As further shown in FIG. 2, top claw portion 120 includes left top base arm 122a, which extends from claw joint 114. Left top base arm 122a is hingedly connected to left top forearm 124a via top elbow joint 126. Left top forearm 124a is, in turn, hingedly connected to top lateral sleeve beam 128 via left top distal joint 125a. Top lateral sleeve beam 128 encases two pairs of laterally-extending slider beams, one pair of which is shown in broken lines as top slider beams 129a, 129b. Left top grasper beam 128a is attached to slider beams 129a, 129b, and is moveable laterally away from the left end of top sleeve beam 128 when slider beams 129a, 129b are extended laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam 128.
[0033] As further shown in FIG. 2, left top grasper beam 128a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 130a, 130b, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the left top corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 2).
[0034] As further shown in FIG. 2, bottom claw portion 150 includes left bottom base arm 152a, which extends from claw joint 114. Left bottom base arm 152a is hingedly connected to left bottom forearm 154a via bottom elbow joint 156. Left bottom forearm 154a is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 158 via left bottom distal joint 155a. Bottom lateral sleeve beam 158 encases two pairs of laterally-extending slider beams, one pair of which is shown in broken lines as slider beams 159a, 159b. Left bottom grasper beam 158a is attached to slider beams 159a, 159b, and is moveable laterally away from the left end of top sleeve beam 158 when slider beams 159a, 159b are extended laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam 158.
[0035] As further shown in FIG. 2, left bottom grasper beam 158a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 160a, 160b, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the left bottom corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 2). [0036] FIGS. 3A and 3B are front elevation views of the claw assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIGS. 3 A and 3B, the individual components of claw assembly 110 are numbered consistently with the equivalent components described above with respect to the foregoing figures.
[0037] FIG. 3 A shows claw assembly 110 configured to grasp a half-length shipping container, which would typically be a 20-foot (6.1-meter) shipping container. In FIG. 3 A, left top slider beams 129a, 129b are in their retracted positions within top sleeve beam 128. Similarly, right top slider beams 129c, 129d are in their retracted positions within top sleeve beam 128.
[0038] FIG. 3B shows claw assembly 110 configured to grasp a full-length shipping container, which would typically be a 40-foot (12.2-meter) shipping container. As shown in FIG. 3B, left top grasper beam 128a is attached to slider beams 129a, 129b, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the left end of sleeve beam 128. Right top grasper beam 128b is attached to slider beams 129c, 129d, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the right end of sleeve beam 128.
[0039] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are side elevation views of claw assembly 110. In FIGS. 4 A, 4B, 4C and 4D, the individual components of claw assembly 110 are numbered consistently with the equivalent components described above with respect to the foregoing figures.
[0040] FIG. 4A shows claw assembly 110, in the which top claw portion 120 and bottom claw portion 150 are in position to grasp a shipping container (not present in FIG. 4A). Top claw portion 120 includes left top base arm 122a, which extends from claw joint 114. Left top base arm 122a is hingedly connected to left top forearm 124a via top elbow joint 126. Left top forearm 124a is, in turn, hingedly connected to top lateral sleeve beam 128 via left top distal joint 125a. Top lateral sleeve beam 128 encases two pairs of laterally- extending slider beams, one pair of which is shown in broken lines as top slider beams 129a, 129b. Left top grasper beam 128a is attached to slider beams 129a, 129b, and is moveable laterally away from the left end of top sleeve beam 128 when slider beams 129a, 129b are extended laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam 128.
[0041] As further shown in FIG. 4A, left top grasper beam 128a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 130a, 130b, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the left top corners of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 4 A).
[0042] As further shown in FIG. 4 A, bottom claw portion 150 includes left bottom base arm 152a, which extends from claw joint 114. Left bottom base arm 152a is hingedly connected to left bottom forearm 154a via bottom elbow joint 156. Left bottom forearm 154a is, in turn, hingedly connected to lateral sleeve beam 158 via left bottom distal joint 155a. Bottom lateral sleeve beam 158 encases two pairs of laterally-extending slider beams, one pair of which is shown in broken lines as slider beams 159a, 159b. Left bottom grasper beam 158a is attached to slider beams 159a, 159b, and is moveable laterally away from the left end of top sleeve beam 158 when slider beams 159a, 159b are extended laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam 158.
[0043] As further shown in FIG. 4A, left bottom grasper beam 158a has at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings 160a, 160b, which are insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the left bottom corner castings of the shipping container to be grasped (not shown in FIG. 4A).
[0044] FIG. 4B shows claw assembly 110, in the which top claw portion 120 and bottom claw portion 150 are grasping shipping container 101 at the top via left top bayonet fittings 130a, 130b and at the bottom via left bottom bayonet fittings 160a, 160b.
[0045] FIG. 4C shows claw assembly 110, in the which only top claw portion 120 is grasping shipping container 101 at the top via left top bayonet fittings 130a, 130b, while bottom claw portion 150 is in a retracted position.
[0046] FIG. 4D shows claw assembly 110, in the which only bottom claw portion 150 is grasping shipping container 101 at the bottom via left bottom bayonet fittings 160a, 160b, while top claw portion 120 is in a retracted position.
[0047] FIGS. 5A and 5B are top views of claw assembly 110. The individual components of top claw portion 120 are numbered consistently with the equivalent components described above with respect to the foregoing figures. FIG. 5 A shows the claw assembly configured to grasp a half-length shipping container, which would typically be a 20-foot (6.1 -meter) shipping container. In FIG. 5 A, left top slider beams 129a, 129b are in their retracted positions within top sleeve beam 128. Similarly, right top slider beams 129c, 129d are in their retracted positions within top sleeve beam 128.
[0048] FIG. 5B shows top claw portion 120 configured to grasp a full-length shipping container, which would typically be a 40-foot (12.2-meter) shipping container. As shown in FIG. 3B, left top grasper beam 128a is attached to slider beams 129a, 129b, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the left end of sleeve beam 128. Right top grasper beam 128b is attached to slider beams 129c, 129d, and is, in turn, extendable laterally away from the right end of sleeve beam 128.
[0049] FIGS. 6 A through 6F are a sequence showing the steps in the operation of the claw assembly mounted on a vehicle, in which a shipping container is transferred to a carrier suspended from an overhead monorail assembly. In FIG. 6A, the claw assembly approaches the shipping container with the top and bottom claw portions extended transversely in their grasping positions. In FIG. 6B, the bottom claw portion has been rotated to its retracted position, while the top claw portion is grasping the shipping container. In FIG. 6C, the shipping container has been lifted by the top claw portion and the bottom claw portion has been rotated to its grasping position. In FIG. 6D, the shipping container has been aligned with the carrier of an overhead monorail carrier, the top claw portion has been rotated to its retracted position, while the bottom claw portion is grasping the shipping container. In FIG. 6E, the shipping container has been transferred to the overhead carrier, and the claw assembly has been lowered with the top claw portion still in its retracted position and with the bottom claw portion still in its grasping position. In FIG. 6F, the shipping container is shown suspended from the overhead carrier for transport by monorail to a desired location in the port facility.
[0050] While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A claw assembly for grasping and positioning a shipping container for transfer to a transport carrier, the assembly comprising:
(a) a top claw portion comprising:
(1) a left top base arm hingedly connected to a left top forearm via a top elbow joint, said left top forearm hingedly connected to a top lateral sleeve beam via a left top distal joint;
(2) a right top base arm hingedly connected to a right top
forearm via a top elbow joint, said right top forearm hingedly connected to a top lateral sleeve beam via a right top distal joint;
(3) a top lateral sleeve beam encasing at least one pair of
laterally-extending slider beams, one of said slider beams attached to a left top grasper beam, said one of said slider beams moveable laterally away from the left end of said top sleeve beam when said slider beam extends laterally from the left end of top sleeve beam, said left top grasper beam having at its transverse end a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the other of said slider beams attached to a right top grasper beam, said other of said slider beams moveable laterally away from the right end of said top sleeve beam when said slider beam extends laterally from the right end of top sleeve beam, said right top grasper beam having at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, said bayonet fittings insertable and lockable within corresponding openings formed in the top corners of a shipping container;
(b) a bottom claw portion comprising:
(1) a left bottom base arm hingedly connected to a left bottom forearm via a bottom elbow joint, said left bottom forearm hingedly connected to a bottom lateral sleeve beam via a left bottom distal joint;
(2) a right bottom base arm hingedly connected to a right bottom forearm via a bottom elbow joint, said right bottom forearm hingedly connected to a bottom lateral sleeve beam via a right bottom distal joint;
(3) a bottom lateral sleeve beam encasing at least one pair of laterally-extending slider beams, one of said slider beams attached to a left bottom grasper beam, said one of said slider beams moveable laterally away from the left end of said bottom sleeve beam when said slider beam extends laterally from the left end of bottom sleeve beam, said left bottom grasper beam having at its transverse end a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, the other of said slider beams attached to a right bottom grasper beam, said other of said slider beams moveable laterally away from the right end of said bottom sleeve beam when said slider beam extends laterally from the right end of bottom sleeve beam, said right bottom grasper beam having at its transverse ends a pair of oppositely disposed bayonet fittings, said bayonet fittings insertable and lockable within corresponding fittings formed in the bottom corners of said shipping container; wherein said top claw portion and said bottom claw portion are hingedly connected to a claw joint, whereby said top and bottom claw portions are capable of grasping, either together or independently, said shipping container, thereby facilitating the transfer of said shipping container to a container transport carrier.
2. The claw assembly of claim 1, wherein said container transport carrier is an overhead container transport carrier.
3. The claw assembly of claim 2, wherein said overhead container transport carrier is part of an overhead rail transportation system.
4. The claw assembly of claim 1, wherein said overhead rail transportation system comprises a monorail.
5. The claw assembly of claim 1, wherein said claw assembly is mounted on a vehicle.
6. The claw assembly of claim 1, wherein said claw assembly comprises a mounting post, said mounting post attached via a vertically sliding sleeve to said claw assembly, said mounting post attachable at the other end to a mounting tower, whereby said claw assembly is supported in an elevated position.
7. The claw assembly of claim 6, wherein said mounting tower comprises a base portion, said base portion comprising a downwardly-extending roller mechanism for mounting said tower on laterally-extending rails, whereby said supported claw assembly is movable laterally from a first position to a different position on said rails.
PCT/US2017/032770 2016-05-16 2017-05-15 Claw assembly for grasping and transferring shipping containers WO2017200960A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US201662337321P 2016-05-16 2016-05-16
US62/337,321 2016-05-16

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111825019A (en) * 2020-08-12 2020-10-27 石河子大学 Plate mounting machine

Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3606053A (en) * 1969-12-15 1971-09-20 Midland Ross Corp Grappler-spreader for cantilever-boom trucks
DE3621648A1 (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-14 Erich Behn Maschinen Und Feins Loading tool, in particular spreader, and method for coupling containers thereto
WO2003104132A1 (en) * 2002-06-01 2003-12-18 Stinis Beheer B.V. Hoisting frame and method for its use
WO2006083230A1 (en) * 2005-02-02 2006-08-10 Nsl Engineering Pte Ltd An improved head frame

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3606053A (en) * 1969-12-15 1971-09-20 Midland Ross Corp Grappler-spreader for cantilever-boom trucks
DE3621648A1 (en) * 1986-06-27 1988-01-14 Erich Behn Maschinen Und Feins Loading tool, in particular spreader, and method for coupling containers thereto
WO2003104132A1 (en) * 2002-06-01 2003-12-18 Stinis Beheer B.V. Hoisting frame and method for its use
WO2006083230A1 (en) * 2005-02-02 2006-08-10 Nsl Engineering Pte Ltd An improved head frame

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN111825019A (en) * 2020-08-12 2020-10-27 石河子大学 Plate mounting machine

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