The invention relates to a device for a load carrier provided with a support structure and means arranged for connection to a lifting medium, and more particularly in that the support structure comprises one or more shock absorbers provided with a telescoping element, which in an initial position projects downward from an underside of the support structure and is arranged for damped compressive telescoping at the contact of the load carrier with a base.

Load carriers, such as cargo containers, being used for transport of goods between shore and installations offshore, for example exploration or production platforms in a

hydrocarbon field offshore, are often exposed to very large strains when they are moved by means of lifting cranes between a transport vessel and the installation while the ship and possibly also the installation are subjected to wave induced motions. Even if the lifting equipment is provided with heave compensators, the load carrier will often be exposed to heavy impacts when hitting the deck surface of the vessel, and such impacts often inflict extensive damage to cargo and interiors . Special containers such as containers fitted out as store rooms having shelving and other rigidly mounted equipment have an average useful life, at the worst of down to two transport rounds, i.e. two return trips to/from a shore base/installation. Correspondingly other transfer situations may provide the same problem. The problems are thus not only tied to transfer of load carriers between ships and installations in an oilfield offshore.

The problem is in prior art sought solved by the equipment to be protected being provided with shock absorbing means, for example elastic suspension for attachment to the load

carrier. This is costly and often renders limitations in the functionality of the equipment.

The object of the invention is to remedy or reduce at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the prior art.

The object is achieved by the features disclosed in the below description and in the subsequent claims.

In the further description the term "load carrier" is used for closable containers (containers having closed sides and top and having one or more side gates) , open container (open top or one or more open sides) , cargo pallets and cargo frames with or without beams defining the cargo volume.

Common for all types of "load carrier" is that they are provided with a support structure that the cargo is resting on, and that the support structure is provided with hoisting attachments for releasable connection to a cargo crane. The "load carrier" may be provided with support surfaces for bearing against a lifting fork, often arranged as so-called fork pockets provided as horizontal passages in the support structure .

The invention provides in its simplest form a load carrier provided with several telescoping shock absorbers, which in their extended positions project downward from the support structure underside and are arranged to be able to abut supportingly a supporting base, such as a deck. The

telescoping element of the shock absorber is, when the load carrier is not in contact with the base, arranged to be displaced to its maximum extended position, preferably by the weight of own or connected elements, alternatively assisted by one or more actuators .

The telescoping element of the shock absorber is

alternatively connected to a sub-frame arranged under the support structure and arranged to be able to abut the

supporting basis supportingly . The shock absorbers render a vertical displacement of the sub-frame relative to the support structure possible.

The telescoping element of the shock absorber exhibits a large degree of stability against sideways displacement as side guides are incorporated in the shock absorbers.

Alternatively side guides, preventing a horizontal

displacement of the sub-frame relative to the support

structure when side loading is applied to the load carrier, are arranged between the sub-frame and the support structure.

The damping function of the shock absorbers is preferably active when the telescoping element in the shock absorber is displaced in a direction toward the main frame.

The shock absorbers may be incorporated in a vertical

framework bounding the load carrier and possibly forming a connection between the support structure and hoisting

attachments arranged in an upper portion of the load carrier.

Between the main frame and the sub-frame there may be

arranged one or more actuators arranged to apply a pushing force on the sub-frame directed away from the support

structure. The actuator may expediently be incorporated in one or more of the shock absorbers . The invention relates more specifically to a shock absorbing device for a load carrier provided with a support structure and means arranged for connection to a lifting means, characterized in that the support structure comprises one or more shock absorbers provided with a telescoping element, which in an initial position projects downward from an underside of the support structure and is arranged for damped compressive telescoping at the load carrier contacting a basis .

A sub-frame arranged to abut the base supportingly, may be arranged vertically displaceable under the support frame and be connected to the telescoping element of the shock

absorbers. This renders a shock absorbing action at blows against any portion of the load carrier's lower portion.

The shock absorbers may be single acting. The shock absorbing function will thereby to a small degree affect the

displacement of the shock absorbers back to an initial position .

The telescoping element of the shock absorber may be arranged to be able to be displaced to an outward projecting initial position by means of its own weight or that of connected elements, an actuator or a combination of these. There is thereby provided a series of means securing that the shock absorbers take up a correct initial position as soon as the load carrier is lifted clear of the basis.

The shock absorbers may be provided with or be connected to side stabilizing means. The shock absorbers may thereby on their own resist side loading at the load carrier hitting the basis. There may, connected to the sub-frame and the support structure, be arranged side guides preventing a horizontal displacement of the sub-frame relative to the support structure when a side load is applied to the load carrier. This renders the use of a wider spectrum of shock absorbers possible, and the sideways stability is easier to adapt to the needs .

The sub-frame may be provided with one or more side guiding elements in sliding contact with corresponding side guides in the support structure. The sideways stability is thereby upheld with simple means.

The shock absorbers may be incorporated in a vertical

framework bounding the load carrier and forming a connection between the support structure and hoisting attachments arranged in an upper portion of the load carrier. The shock absorbers thereby do not take up much floor space on the load carrier .

The sub-frame may be provided with means arranged to cover the openings between the sub-frame and the support structure. This reduces the risk for injury to personnel and damage to equipment .

There may, from the sub-frame project upwards cover plates encircling at least a lower portion of the supporting

structure. The covering of the openings between the sub-frame and the support structure may thereby be made with simple means standing up to heavy blows .

In the following is described an example of a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a load carrier hanging above a deck with telescopic shock absorber elements pushed out from the underside of a support structure; Fig. 2 shows a side view of a load carrier hanging above a deck with sub- frame connected to shock absorbers and displaced away from the main frame of the support structure;

Fig. 3 shows the load carrier resting on the deck, as the sub-frame is led to abutment against the main frame ;

Fig. 4 shows in a side view a hanging, enclosed load

carrier with the sub-frame displaced away from the main frame, and the main frame provided with cover plates arranged to prevent foreign objects being crushed between the main frame and the sub-frame.

In the figures the reference numeral 1 indicates a load carrier. In the figures 1, 2 and 3 it is shown as an open cargo frame, and in figure 4 it is schematically shown as an enclosed container. The load carrier 1 is displaced with a lifting means 2, such as a lifting crane, connected to hoisting attachments 131 arranged in a top frame 13. The load carrier 1 is expediently also configured with fork pockets 113 in a support structure 11 for placing of loading forks on a fork truck (not shown) .

The load carrier 1 is arranged to rest on a supporting basis 3, such as a deck on a vessel (not shown) or a floor. The reference numeral 4 indicates schematically a load arranged on the load carrier 1.

The support structure 11 forms a basis for the load 4, possibly shaped as a floor. In the corner portions of the support structure 11 are arranged shock absorber attachments 112, shown here as an integrated part of upward projecting side frames 12. The side frames 12 are in their upper portions joined to a top frame 13 provided with multiple hoisting attachments 131.

To each of the shock absorber attachments 112 is fastened a telescopic shock absorber 15 comprising a cylindrical, liquid filled shock absorber housing 151 containing a displaceable piston 152 provided with a telescoping element in the form of a shock absorber stay 153, which in a fluid sealing way is led through a lower end wall 155. The piston 152 is provided with a flow valve 154 arranged to choke a liquid flow through the piston 152 in a direction from the over- to the

underside, while the flow in the opposite direction is approximately free.

In a first embodiment example according to Figure 1 the shock absorber stay 153 projects in an initial position out from the end wall 155 lying in essentially the same plane as the underside 114 of the support structure 11. To ensure that the shock absorber stay 153 is displaced to its outward

projecting initial position when the load carrier is lifted clear of the base 3, there is to the piston 152 connected an actuator 16, shown schematically here as a spring arranged to apply a pushing force to the piston 152 sufficient to

displace it to its initial position abutting the end wall functioning as an end stop. During this displacement the fluid contained in the shock absorber housing 151 flows approximately freely through the flow valve 154 from the underside of the piston 152 to its overside. The shock absorber stay 153 is stable sideways, i.e. it resists

sideways movement when sideways forces are applied. This is provided by the shock absorber 15 being rigidly attached to the load carrier 1, and the piston 152 and the shock absorber stay 153 being guided by the shock absorber housing 151 and the end wall 155 respectively. In a second embodiment example, see particularly Figures 2 and 3, there is arranged a sub-frame 14 under the support structure 11. The sub-frame 14 has a horizontal extension essentially identical to the support structure 11. The shock absorber stay 153 is attached to the sub-frame 14 in shock absorber anchors 142. Sideways guiding elements 143

projecting upward extend into side guides 111 in the support structure 11 shaped like corresponding recesses that are closed towards the overside of the support structure 11.

In this embodiment example the sub-frame 14 apply a

sufficient load on the shock absorber stays 153 for them to be displaced to their outward projecting initial position when the load carrier 1 is lifted clear of the base 3. In this embodiment the shock absorbers 15 may be pivotably attached to the support structure 11 and the sub-frame 14, as the sideways guiding is taken care of by the sideways guiding elements 143 and the corresponding side guides 111.

In Figure 4 is shown an embodiment example where the sub- frame 14 is provided with cover plates 144 projecting upward and encircling the support structure 11 excepting recesses 145 arranged at the fork pockets 113.

When the load carrier 1 is lifted clear of a base 3, the shock absorbers 15 are displaced to their extended initial positions. In the embodiment examples with a sub-frame 14 it is displaced away from the support structure 11. As the load carrier 1 is lowered again toward a base 3, the first touch will be between one or more shock absorber stays 153,

possibly a portion of the sub-frame 14, and any shocks are dampened by the shock absorbers 15, which, during the

continued lowering of the load carrier 1 toward the base 3, are telescopically shortened with resistance caused by the flow resistance in the choking of the flow valve 154. In the embodiment example shown in Figure 4 the cover plates 144 provides for foreign bodies not being able to come inside and be crushed between the support structure 11 and the sub- frame 14.