APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF INTERMOD AL

UNITS

Field of Invention

The invention relates to the manipulation of intermodal units such as containers, flat racks and other devices used for containing freight for shipping. It further relates to intermediate units such as spreaders. Li particular, the invention relates to devices and methods for engaging the intermodal units including engaging multiple containers at one time and shifting their relative positions.

Background of the Invention

It is well established that a key economic factor involved in the shipping of containers is the speed by which containers are loaded, unloaded and moved around a container yard. Recently inventions relating to the engagement and movement of more than one container have been suggested. One such system is that disclosed in WO 01/98195, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Here, two containers are engaged at one time and, therefore, can be moved in the same time that a conventional spreader would engage a single container. However, in placement of the containers, the relative position of the containers at the point of being engaged may not fit with that of the point of disengagement. For instance, loading two containers from a wharf, being a flat rigid surface, may be done with relative ease. However, moving these containers to a ship that may be subject to wave and wind action, may not provide the same flat

surface and so making the task more difficult. Consequently, the invention of WO 01/98195 may not provide a real dual carriage benefit as it is not able to place the containers as easily as it was able to engage them.

Another system is disclosed in WO 03/104132, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This reference discloses another system capable of lifting two or more simultaneously. Here a scissor lifter shown in Figure 1 of the document provides for a range of relative positions which may be used in order to vary the relative positions of the containers from the position that which they are engaged to the position which they are disengaged. However, the device 10 shown in Figure 1 is a large, cumbersome device involving significant weight and cost of manufacture.

It would, therefore, be advantageous if a device for engaging multiple containers could achieve the same result of engaging and moving these containers without the considerable infrastructure involve.

Summary of Invention

It is therefore, an object of the invention to provide a method and device for moving two or more containers simultaneously and shifting the relative position of the containers whilst under engagement and further still, that the construction of this device be of lighter construction than that of the prior art.

In the first aspect the invention provides an engagement device comprising a hub; a plurality of discreet projection members mounted to said hub at a respective first ends of said members, said members selectively extendable from said hub; a sheave and engagement apparatus mounted to each projection member, the engagement apparatus for engaging at least one intermodal unit; wherein extension of the projection members moves the respective sheave and engagement apparatus relative to said hub.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a method for extending an engagement device comprising the steps of: extending a first actuator mounted between a hub and a rotational member said rotational member and hub connected through a first pivotal joint; and so rotating the rotational member about the first pivotal joint from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

Thus, the invention provides a central support, being the hub and discreet "arms" projecting outward from the hub in order to engage the spreaders, containers or other intermodal units. By comparison the device of WO 03/104132 includes two substantial head frames for engaging the spreaders, which are connected through a scissor lift, and so does not provide for a central hub.

In a preferred embodiment, the movement of the projection members may be such that, on engagement with more than one intermodal unit, the units may be moved relative to each by extended and retracting the projection members.

Further, by having individual discreet members, it is possible to extend or retract some projection members without affecting others. Accordingly, in addition to moving the relative position of the containers in the transverse direction, it may be possible to shift the relative position of the containers in other dimensions including relative rotation about the vertical axis, by extending (or retracting) one projection member only.

In a preferred embodiment, the device may have at least two fundamental configurations, being a retracted position whereby the device is narrow enough to engage a single spreader, and a first extended position whereby it may engage two spreaders in close proximity.

hi a further preferred embodiment, the device may further extend so as to separate the spreaders, and consequently containers whilst engaged with said device.

The invention is characterized by including near or at the end of each projection member means to engage cables for lifting and lowering the device, and further means to engage intermodal units. In a preferred embodiment, both these features may be included as an integral element, such as a block. The cable engaging element may therefore be a sheave, and the intermodal unit engaging element may be a single or multiple twist lock engaging device.

hi a preferred embodiment, the projection members may be telescopically extendable portion. Alternatively, they may include portions that swing or unfold within the horizontal plane.

In a preferred embodiment, the hub may be smaller than a 20 foot or 40 foot container,. Accordingly, the projection members may project outwards from the hub in a star type formation. Alternatively, the hub may be similar in size, and so the projection members projecting laterally outward, perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hub.

In a still further embodiment, each projection member may include a rotational member pivotally mounted to the hub at a first pivotal joint and a sleeve member in sliding engagement with the rotational member, said sleeve member pivotally mounted at a second pivotal joint to the block.

Brief Description of Drawings

It will be convenient to further describe the present invention with respect to the accompanying drawings that illustrate possible arrangements of the invention. Other arrangements of the invention are possible and consequently the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the engagement device in a retracted position according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the engagement device of Figure 1 in a first extended position;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the engagement device of Figure 1 in a second extended position;

Figure 4A is a detail isometric view of the engagement device in the retracted position; Figure 4B is an elevation view of the engagement device of Figure 4A; Figure 5 A is an isometric detail view of the engagement device in a first extended position;

Figure 5B is an elevation view of the engagement device of Figure 5 A; Figure 6 A is a detail isometric view of the engagement device in a second extended position; Figure 6B is an elevation view of the engagement device of Figure 6 A.

Description of Preferred Embodiment

Figures 1 to 3 show the engagement device 5 according to one embodiment in various stages of operation. In particular, Figure 1 shows the engagement device 5 in a fully retracted position whilst in engagement with a spreader 10. The engagement device 5 comprises a central hub 15 to which is mounted projection members 2OA to 2OD which lie intermediate the central hub 15 and sheaves 25A to 25D, with one of said sheaves mounted at an end of each projection member 2OA to 2OD.

In this orientation the projection members 2OA to D are retracted such that the sheaves 25 A to 25D have come into contact with each other. Further the projection members 2OA to 2OD include container engagement portions 21A to 21D. In this embodiment the sheaves and engagement portions 21 A to 2 ID are arranged as a block mounted to

the under portion of the sheaves 25A to 25D. Thus in the retracted position as shown in Figure 1, as the sheaves come into close proximity, the engagement portions 21 A to 21D also come into a retracted portion. In this embodiment the device has retracted to a width which is sufficient to engage a single spreader 10.

Figure 2 shows the same engagement device 5 in a first extended position. Here the projection members 2OA to 2OD have extended out from the hub 15 and so projecting the sheaves 25 A to 25D away from said hub 15. In this position representing a first extended position, the engagement portions 21 A to 2 ID are sufficiently separated so as to engage two spreaders 30, 35 in a side by side orientation. The spreaders 30, 35 are in close proximity whilst the engagement device 5 is in this orientation.

Figure 3 shows a further configuration of the device 5 whereby the projection members 2OA to 2OD have further projected away from the hub 15, whilst the engagement portions 21 A to 21 D are still engaged with the spreaders 30, 35. However, in this second expanded configuration, the spreaders 30, 35 are further separated from each other and have the effect of separating containers which may be mounted to said spreaders 30, 35 through extension of the projecting members 2OA, 2OD outwards from the central hub 15. Figures 4 to 6 will more clearly describe the manner in which the projection members 2OA to 2OD function so as to project outwards from the central hub 15.

Figures 4A and 4B show a detailed view of one end of the central hub 15 focusing on projection members 2OA, 2OC located at that end. It should be noted that the projection

members 2OB, 2OD function in precisely the same way. It should be noted further still that in a further embodiment the projection members 20B ₅ 2OD may not necessarily move at the same time, rate or extension as each other or as those of 2OA, 2OC. Accordingly having varying rates and lengths of extension of said projection members 2OA to 2OD may lead to relative re-orientation of spreaders mounted to said engagement portions 21 A to 2 ID and so shift the orientation of said spreaders and consequently of any containers mounted thereto.

Figures 4A and 4B show the engagement device according to one embodiment of the present invention whereby in this configuration, the sheaves are retracted so as to bring them into close proximity if not in actual contact. In this orientation the engagement portions 2 IA, 21 C are such that the width of said device is sufficient to mount to a single spreader for engagement with a single container. Thus in this retracted position as shown in Figures 4 A and 4B, the engagement device functions similar to a single head block ready for mounting to a spreader for a single container.

In detail, the engagement device 5 comprises the central hub 15 to which are mounted projection members 2OA, 2OC. Each projection member 2OA, 2OC comprises a rotational member 45A, 45C pivotally mounted to the central hub 15.

The rotational members 45A, 45C are accordingly pivotally mounted to the central hub 15 through pivotal joint 6OA, 6OC about which the rotational member 45 A, 45C may rotate. The rotational members 45A, 45C are further mounted to the sheaves at a pivotal joint 6 IA, 61C. In this fully retracted position, the rotational members 45 A,

45C are directed upwards so as to fold out of the way of the sheaves retracting inwards. In this embodiment, the rotational members 45A, 45C being vertical permit the alignment of the pivotal member and rotational member 6OA, C, 61 A, C along a vertical axis. Accordingly the engagement members 21A, 21C which define a "width" of the device 5, are brought into closer proximity and accordingly the "width" between the external portions of the engagement members 21 A, 21 C is equal to a conventional width of a spreader. It follows, therefore, that in the retracted position, the device 5 acts as a single head block for engaging a single spreader through engagement members 2 IA, 21C.

Turning to the projection members 2OA, 2OC, each of said members include the aforementioned rotational member 45A, 45C. Within each rotational member is sleeved a further member 65A, 65C as shown in Figures 5A and 5B. This sleeved member includes the connection of the sheaves to the projection members through the pivotal members 6 IA, 61C. It is further connected to the rotational member through an actuator 5OA, 50C located within the projection member 2OA, 2OC and aligned along an axis of the projection member. At an opposed end of the sleeved member 65 A, 65C is a further actuator 40A, 4OC which connects the sleeved member to the sheaves at a portion adjacent to the engagement member 21 A, 21 C.

In this retracted position as shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the device 5 extends out through operation of the various actuators associated with the projection members, hi particular, the extension process involves actuators 55A, 55C which are mounted

between the hub 15 and the rotational members 45 A, 45C. The extension process commences with these actuator 55 A, 55C extending and so applying a force to the projection member 2OA, 2OC so as to cause a rotation 57A, 57C of the rotational members 45 A, 45C about the pivotal joints 6OA, 6OC.

Figures 5A and 5B show the result of activation of the first hydraulic ram 55 A, 55C. In particular it shows the full extension of the actuators 55 A, 55C and the result in the full rotation 57A, 57C of the projection member. Here the projection member 2OA, 2OC is now horizontal, resulting in the extension of the sheaves 25A, 25C outwards from the central hub 15. Because of the twin rotational joints 6OA, C, 6 IA, C, rotation of the extension members 2OA, 20C results in a lowering 62 of the central hub so as to bring the rotational and pivotal joints into the same horizontal plane. This permits subsequent extension of the sheaves outward from the central hub 15 on activation of the various actuators.

In this first extended position as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the engagement portions 21A, C are now separated so as to provide sufficient clearance to engage two spreaders and subsequently two containers in close proximity. Thus the position shown in Figure 5A and 5B is the first position for which the device 5 may be used to engage two separate spreaders. This is in contrast to the retracted position, as shown in Figure 4B, whereby the device is of such a width that the portions 22A, 23A, 22C, 23C of engagement members 21 A and 21 C are used to engage a single spreader. Li this first extended position, as shown in Figure 5B, each spreader will connect to the two

engagement portions of each engagement member, that is, the portions are divided with one set 22 A, 23 A used for one spreader and the second set 22C, 23 C used for the second.

Figures 6A and 6B show the result of extension of the second actuator 5OA, 5OC within the projection members 2OA, 2OC. As will be seen in the figures, the sheaves are further extended 7OA, 7OC outward from the hub 15 resulting in further extension of the spreaders and containers attached thereto (not shown), resulting from this further extension. .

Additional actuators 4OA, 4OC are mounted between the sleeve members 65A, 65C and sheave 25A, 25C. These additional actuators 4OA, 4OC serve as damping cylinders as well as keeping the sheaves 25A, 25C level with the ground. As rotational member 45A, 45C rotates from retracted to the first extended position. The additional actuators change in length and to rotate the sheaves about the pivotal joint 6 IA, 61 C to maintain the sheaves level with the ground. The variation of the actuator length is achieved either by a hydraulic damping circuit or active cylinder position control.