JPS59176185A - Fixing device for deck loaded container - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cargo handling equipment for use on container ships. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for securing container stacks carried on the deck of a container ship.

With the advent of containers, methods have been pointed out to save the greatest possible amount of working time and labor during cargo handling. However, the realization of this problem required the development of specialized equipment for transporting and handling containers. The most spectacular development has been the development of container shipping, with the concomitant modification of port facilities to be particularly suited to the rapid handling of containerized cargo. Such container ships not only load containers into the hold, but also load containers onto decks to maximize the available space.

Deck containers have several problems.

First, the container stack must be securely fixed in place to prevent it from shifting and resulting damage due to the pitching and rolling of the ship during the voyage. Secondly, the means used to secure the container must be easy to use in order to speed up loading and unloading, otherwise there will be no savings in operating time and labor. It will not be achieved. Sixth, the anchorage should not excessively raise the ship's center of gravity. Ideally,
The anchoring device should be light and have the same height as a deck so that containers can be loaded to the maximum height that will provide stability for the ship. Efforts should be made to construct the device as low as possible, although not ideally. Fourth, the device should be reliable and maintenance-free. In environments where containers, hatch covers and other equipment are typically handled by cranes, the equipment should not be damaged or have downtime.

A primitive method of securing containers is the use of ropes.

The lowest container of the container stack is placed on the deck, or more precisely on the hatch cover, since the very convenient loading deck area is formed by the hatch cover, and the corners of the container are casting(
(casting member), and lateral movement is suppressed.

Vertical locating openings fit into the top and bottom corners of the container, and similarly horizontal locating openings RO are located at the end and side corners of the container. A projection located in a vertical positioning opening in the top of one container engages a similar opening in the bottom of the next container to prevent lateral movement. The entire container stack is then held in place with ropes equipped with turnbuckles and sinuses. As is clear, such rope anchorage requires extremely hard labor and saves valuable dockside.
waste time. Also, ropes require frequent inspection and maintenance during voyage, and often need to be replaced.

Some of the disadvantages of rope tying operations are overcome by providing a stacking frame in place of ropes. However, most such equipment is expensive and must be moved into position by crane, requiring a significant amount of time to load and unload the vessel. In addition, commonly used frames increase the height of the container stack and often raise the ship's center of gravity, which is unacceptable. For example, one typical stacking frame system is 1
This will create a container stack that is 2 feet tall.

Although the difference in the center of gravity seems to be small, the ship becomes extremely unstable, and in such a situation there is no choice but to leave the ship's cargo behind.

Other devices utilize fixed cell guides mounted on the deck. Such guides must be arranged so that the container fits snugly on the guide rails. however,
Containers are usually stacked on hatch covers, so
The cell guide overlaps the hatch cover, making removal of the hatch cover extremely difficult. Therefore, you can either use a fixed cell guide and accept the possibility of damage when removing the hatch cover, or use a removable cell guide and load the guide to upright or remove it. You are faced with the choice of either requiring additional time for loading and unloading.

U.S. Pat. We are trying to solve these problems. A pivot arm is provided for each container in the stack, including the topmost container. This device has two major disadvantages. First, this device does not solve the problem that cell guides have in that even when the swing arm is in the retracted position, it is susceptible to damage during removal of the hatch cover. One can imagine the difficulty of lifting a heavy hatch cover past a series of ejectors. Also, slight variations in wind direction or slight errors by the crane operator will cause the hatch cover to swing and strike the projecting arm assembly, causing damage to the arm assembly. Such equipment has an inherent tendency to have significant downtime due to breakage. Also, the need for a pivot arm arrangement on top of the container raises the ship's center of gravity. Efficient equipment should avoid placing heavier equipment in this vortex position than the deck.

Therefore, various attempts made in the past have not produced a device that meets all of the above criteria. There is a need in the container shipping industry for an effective, easy to use, and compact means for securing containers to decks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fixing device for deck containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that allows for rapid loading and unloading of containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container securing device that allows the hatch cover to be removed without the need to disassemble the device and without risking damage to the device when removing the hatch cover.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an anchoring device that does not significantly raise the center of gravity of the ship.

The above objects and others are achieved by the present invention. Generally speaking, the container securing device according to the invention comprises a tower assembly having a plurality of vertical towers connected by transverse members arranged on either side of a container loading area, typically a cargo/ship. It has a three-dimensional shape. A cantilevered platform extends between each tower and is mounted to swing between an upright position and an extended position. The cantilevered platform lies in a plane completely rearward of the plane of the tower assembly in the upright position and extends outwardly from the tower assembly into the loading space in the extended position. Each cantilevered platform is fitted with a plate that overlaps the top of the container. Each plate carries one or more vertical positioning protrusions arranged to engage the vertical positioning apertures of the stacked containers. The cantilevered platform carrying the top container rack of the container stack also carries a locking shaft that engages a horizontal opening in the bottom of the top container.

The container stack is thus held in place without the need for a device to engage the top of the topmost container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A typical apparatus 10 embodying the invention is illustrated in FIG. Although deck stacking containers can also be loaded in the open area of the deck, deck stacking containers are usually stacked on hatch covers. A plurality of hatch covers disposed across the hull and arranged side by side along the length of the hull provide access to the hold area. In this way, the container is loaded into the hold, then the hatch cover is replaced and the container is loaded and secured onto the hatch cover. The typical device illustrated in FIG. 1 uses three hatch covers.

The outboard covers each receive two container stacks,
The central cover carries three container stacks. Therefore, it will be understood that there are two sizes of the arrangement of such containers. The containers form a MIM body in the vertical direction and are therefore aligned in the aquatic direction in container tiers, i.e. a first tier and subsequent tiers (i.e. one or more intermediate tiers and an upper tier). steps) are formed. Although in the embodiment only one assembly is fitted, of course a container ship equipped with the invention would have similar equipment in each loading area.

The container 12 is provided with locating openings 13 at each of the top, bottom, side and end corners. The hatch cover 14 is L
A container guide in the form of a casting or molded member 17 and a protrusion 16 arranged to engage a locating opening located on the underside of the bottommost container of each stack and attached to the deck. do. Such projections and guides provide positioning of the container and prevent lateral movement. In place of such protrusions, the art sometimes uses twist lock devices for engaging the container opening. These two means are functionally equivalent. The term "protrusion" is used herein to include twist locking devices and other similar means.

A tower assembly 18 is disposed proximate the front and back of the hatch rim 150. Although construction details may be varied to suit particular environmental conditions, each assembly is preferably an integral unit extending the width of the hatch. Each assembly comprises a vertical tower 21 attached to a cross member 20 and may be provided with a ladder 22 to facilitate access to the container. As shown, each assembly has four towers, two towers located on the outermost side of the outboard hatch and two other towers located between the center hatch and the other outboard hatches. established in As explained below, each tower is connected by two sets of transverse members, each tower having its top surface located somewhat below the tops of the first and second tier containers. The tower assembly thus defines three storage spaces corresponding to the three hatches. The tower assembly is preferably constructed of conventional structural steel and welded to the deck.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cantilevered platform 26 is carried on the upper surface of the cross member 2o. Each platform generally includes a series of pivoting arms 28 connected by a beam 34. 1 protruding upwards
A plate 30 having one or more projections 32 is provided at the projecting end of each pivot arm. One platform is attached to each cross member, so the total number of platforms depends on the design of the tower assembly. The apparatus of FIG. 1 has six platforms as shown.

The details of the installation method will be explained later, but the platform is
between an extended position 26&, in which the platform protrudes into the Funtenna loading space, and an upright position 26b, in which the platform is recessed, fully rearward of the plane of the tower assembly and in the space between adjacent vertical towers; Please note that there is a pivoting motion at . Furthermore, the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 represents one apparatus according to the invention, and in a complete installation of a container ship there may be several tower assemblies between two adjacent container loading areas. The solid is placed,
It should therefore be appreciated that the tower assembly is configured to carry a cantilevered platform extending into each loading space.

Before considering the structure of the cantilevered platform in detail, the operation of the present invention will be generally described.

FIG. 1 shows the device in several stages of operation.

Prior to container loading, the cantilever platform is held in an upright position 26b, as seen in the central loading space of FIG. At this time, all of the platforms are located behind the front of the tower assembly. The first stage container is shown loaded in the leftmost loading space in FIG. These containers are
It engages the cast member 17 and projection 16 and is held in place. Once the first stage is loaded, adjacent cantilevered platforms are lowered to their respective extended positions of 1126 m. In this state, the protruding portion of the plate 30 is located at the top of the container, and the protrusion 32 is vertically aligned with the hatch cover protrusion 16. As each next tier of containers is loaded, vertical positioning openings on the underside of each container engage projections 32 on the cantilevered platform to hold each container adjacent to each other. It should be understood that the cantilevered platform is not placed on top of the topmost container. Rather, the cantilevered platform 26e on which the uppermost container is placed, as seen in the uppermost vaulted space in FIG. means for securing the topmost container of each stack without any problems.

Pivoting arm 28 may take any number of forms with common structural features, such as illustrated in FIG. 3a.

The arm is an elongated member 4 formed in the cross section of a box-shaped beam.
formed around 2.

Two 75-inch members are fitted on opposite sides of the elongate member and form shoulders 4o extending rearwardly from the elongate member.

A sleeve opening 38 is formed in the shoulder 4o at a portion remote from the elongated member. A rectangular plate 60 is carried at the forward end of the elongated member. The plate rests on the upper surface of the elongated member and projects forwardly therefrom. One or more protrusions 32, which will be described later, project upwardly from the upper surface of the plate 30. Although the configuration of these protrusions can vary depending on the configuration of the various positioning apertures, each protrusion preferably has a lower portion of rectangular cross-section and a truncated pyramid-shaped portion adjoining the lower portion. The detailed structure of the pivot arm can be selected to suit the charging requirements, but it is important to use structural steel that can be welded together and to ensure that the vertical centerline of the sleeve opening to the centerline of the projection is Preferably, the overall length is about 28 inches.

Based on these common characteristics, four types of pivot arms are used, categorized according to their position on the tower assembly. The first classification feature is that a particular pivot arm
) or in conjunction with an upper stage (eg, platform 26c in FIG. 1).

A second feature is whether the particular pivot arm is located at the end of the platform or inwardly on the platform. Therefore, Figure 3a shows the intermediate stage outer arm 28m, Figure 3b shows the intermediate stage inner arm 28b, and Figure 4a shows the intermediate stage inner arm 28m.
The figure shows the upper outer arm 29a, and FIG. 4b shows the upper inner arm 29b.

The only difference between the inner and outer arms is that each outer arm (288 or 29a) has only one projection 32;
On the other hand, each inner arm (28b or 29b) has two protrusions. The plate 30 carried on the inner arm is, of course, wider than the plate on the outer arm to accommodate the extra protrusion. This arrangement resulted from the need for the -1 inner arm to receive two containers placed on each plate, as can be seen in FIG. Protrusion 3
2 is the same for each type of arm, the difference being only in the number of projections and the width of the plate.

Upper pivot arms 29a and 29b (FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 6) have further important features. In addition to the projections 52, each plate has a mounting block 50. The block is attached to the rear part of the projection and has an opening 51 passing through the block from front to rear parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pivot arm. Preferably, the mounting block has a rearwardly sloped front surface to assist in positioning the container on the vertical projection 32. The mounting block receives and carries a locking shaft 44. The locking shaft 44 engages a horizontal positioning opening in the container located at the bottom corner of the end of the container to hold the container in a vertical position.

The front portion of the locking shaft that engages the container has a rectangular cross section. The locking shaft flares outwardly from this forward portion to a rearward portion of circular cross section adapted to be carried by the mounting block. Once the shaft is inserted into the mounting block, the locking shaft is held in place by the retaining pin 46. The retaining bottle is a round rod member bent at right angles and can be inserted into a transverse hole 47 formed in the rear part of the locking shaft. The position of the hole is such that the locking shaft protrudes sufficiently forward from the mounting block.
(Fig.), are selected to achieve the positioning function of the container 12. For ease of handling, a chain 49 connecting the holding bin to the locking shaft and a handle 49 located at the rear end of the positioning shaft can be provided.

As with the lower pivot arm, two types of upper pivot arms are used (Figures 4a and 4b), the upper outer arm 29a has one projection and one mounting block (4m). On the other hand, each of the upper inner arms 29b has two protrusions and a double mounting block 55 (4th b).

Each pivot arm pivots on a hinge 52 secured to the cross member 20. As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, two vertical members project upwardly from the hinge base;
Fits inside the pivot arm shoulder 40. Hinge shaft 55 (second
(Figure) connects the pivot arm to the hinge so that the pivot arm can rotate between an upright position and an extended position.

The pivoting movement of the cantilevered platform is achieved by a hydraulic rotary actuator 3.
6. One actuator is provided for each platform and is attached to the inner pivot arm (FIG. 2). In the pivot arm carrying the actuator, the arm and the hinge are connected to the actuator shaft 5 extending to carry the actuator.
Connected by 4. One end of the torque arm 56 is suitably attached to the face of the actuator, and the other end is secured between the U-shaped seven langes of an anchor 58 attached to the cross member. The actuator may be keyed or otherwise suitably attached to the shaft 54, and the torque arm may be bolted to the actuator and connected to the anchor 58 with a pin 60. The anchor and hinge base are preferably welded to the cross member, and the hinge base can also be bolted as shown. The rotary actuator is, for example, a Bird-Johnson model MS, which is readily available in the industry.
-15-280 rotary actuator.

The operation of the device is as follows. As mentioned above, the first stage container is loaded, and the cast molded part 1 is placed on the spot.
7 and a deck projection 16. During loading, all cantilevered platforms are held in an upright position to avoid potential damage to the platform due to collision with the container. The cantilevered platforms of the second lever are then lowered into their respective extended positions. As can be seen, the cross member 20 must be located at substantially the same level as the bottom level of each successive tier of containers, so that the plate 60
When the pivot arm is positioned above the container, the pivot arm is substantially horizontal. Next, the protrusion 32 is connected to the deck stacking container 1.
6, so that when a second tier of containers is loaded and engages the protrusion, one series of stacked containers will be placed exactly on top of the other. ,
This process is repeated until the topmost container is loaded. Although FIG. 1 shows equipment for stacking containers in three tiers, the present invention may be used to stack more or less than three tiers of containers using other equipment. When loading is carried out on the top shelf,
A locking shaft 44 is inserted through the mounting block 50 and into a horizontal positioning opening in each container. By fitting the holding bin in place, the topmost container, and therefore the entire stack, is held against vertical movement.

The present invention solves a long-pending problem in the art. First, the container is held in place without any damage. Second, the device is easy to use. The present invention allows fastening operations to be carried out as quickly as containers can be loaded.

Furthermore, no maintenance of the equipment is required to hold the container stationary during voyage. Sixth, the device only minimally raises the ship's center of gravity. Since no mechanical equipment is required above the topmost container, the device can maintain maximum stability. Fourth, the device itself is durable and inherently free of problems. The cantilevered platform is fully retractable behind the face of the tough assembly, allowing container handling, centering and repositioning of hatch covers without fear of damage to the equipment.

Those skilled in the art will be able to modify the details of the device to meet specific requirements. For example, the present device can be easily applied to equipment that requires stacking containers in more than six tiers. Similarly, different ship widths can be accommodated by varying the number of container stowage spaces and the number of stacks held within each stowage space. It is to be understood that these and other modifications may be accomplished within the scope of the invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of one of the inventions used on a container ship. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cantilevered platform. Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views of the inner and outer intermediate stage pivot arms. Figures 4a and 4b are perspective views of the inner and outer upper pivot arms. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the pivot arm mounting structure and rotary actuator. FIG. 6 is a front view of the locking shaft and the mounting block. 10: Container heavy body fixing device 12: Container 13: Positioning opening 14: Hatch force bar 16: Projection 17: Casting 18: Tower assembly 2〇2 Lateral member 21: Vertical member 28: Pivoting arm 30 Nibrate 32 Nibrate protrusion 34 : Beam 36: Hydraulic rotary actuator 44: Locking shaft 50: Mounting pull 52: Name of hinge agent: Motohiro Kurauchi

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A plurality of container stacks formed by stacking a plurality of containers are arranged on a ship, and each container stack:
The bottommost containers of each container stack are horizontally aligned to form the bottommost container layer, and each container located above the bottommost container of an adjacent container stack is also horizontally aligned. A device for securing a plurality of container stacks to a ship's deck for a ship loading equipment arranged to form successive tiers, the plurality of container engaging means being arranged in the lowermost tier. at least two spaced apart tower assemblies are mounted on the deck to define a container loading space, said tower assemblies being mounted on the deck to engage each container of each tier of containers; a plurality of vertical tower members connected by a transverse member disposed at a height substantially corresponding to the bottom of each container, with a plurality of cantilevered platforms pivotally mounted on said transverse member; and each said platform is
each of the towers is configured to be pivotable between an upright position in which the tower assembly is fully recessed between adjacent tower members and an extended position in which the tower assembly extends into a loading space; The platform carries a plate, the plate being arranged so that each container of the container stack rests thereon when the platform is in the extended position, and the plate directing horizontal movement of the containers. having upwardly projecting projection means for engaging an existing opening formed in the bottom of each container to prevent
Furthermore, a locking shaft is disposed on the platform located adjacent to the bottom of the topmost container, and the locking shaft engages with an existing opening formed in the lower part of the topmost container to load the container. A container stack fixing device designed to prevent vertical movement of heavy objects. 2) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising power means for moving the platform between an upright position and an extended position. 3) The lowermost container is engaged with means formed on the deck to prevent lateral movement, and the containers are stacked one after another to form a plurality of container stacks on the lowermost container. A plurality of containers are arranged in the loading space such that the containers are arranged in the loading space, and a tower assembly is arranged adjacent to the loading space, and each tower is provided with means for securing each container stack. , a plurality of container stack securing devices, wherein said securing means is pivotally mounted between two abutting towers and in an upright position fully recessed behind the face of said tower assembly; the platform is pivotable between an extended position extending outwardly into a loading space, the platform further having at least two pivoting arms having extension members and secured to a rear portion of the extension members; a shoulder member for attaching to the hinge; a plate secured to and projecting from the upper surface of the forward end of the elongate member; and at least one plate carried by the plate for engaging a bottom locating opening of the container. the platform comprises two upwardly projecting projections, at least one beam connecting each of the pivot arms, and power means for pivoting the platform;
each said platform mounted at each height location on the tower assembly corresponding to the bottom of each tier of containers and further located adjacent to the bottom of the topmost container of the container stack; A pivot arm is secured to the plate rearwardly of the projection and has a mounting block with a vertical opening therethrough and engages an existing container bottom horizontal positioning opening to prevent vertical opening of the container stack. A container stack fixing device comprising: a locking shaft carried by the mounting block for locking the container stacks; 4) The device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the power means is hydraulically driven. 5) a container stack in which a plurality of spaced apart tower assemblies are disposed adjacent to the container stack and pivot means are attached to the tower assemblies for engaging existing vertical openings in the containers; A device for vertically securing a heavy object on a ship's deck, the device comprising: a locking shaft arranged to engage an existing opening formed in the bottom of the topmost container of a container stack; 1. A container stack securing device comprising four mounting blocks arranged to carry a stop shaft, whereby the container stack is prevented from moving in a vertical direction.