Abstract:
The invention relates to a standardized platform ( 1 ) equipped with two beams ( 11, 11′ ) which are transverse relative to its front end and its rear end. The transverse beams extend beyond the lateral edges of the platform, such that the ends of these beams can receive slings ( 24   a - 24   d ) which allow the assembly to be secured to hoisting and handling means of containers. 
     It is thus possible to transport goods ( 21 ) which are both wider and longer than a standardized platform ( 1 ), on this platform ( 1 ). The goods can therefore be handled and loaded by means of hoisting and handling means for containers, i.e. for a cost which is reduced in comparison with oversized transport.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The maritime transport of many goods is assured by means of so-called container ships which can transport standardized containers which are stacked on one another on the ship. 
         [0002]    This method of transport makes it possible in particular to reduce the costs significantly: since the containers have standardized dimensions, they can be placed on top of one another such as to form a compact assembly. 
         [0003]    These standardized containers which are parallelepiped comprise on each of their upper tops a hooking base, which makes it possible to manoeuver them on a loading terminal using standardized hoisting and handling means. 
         [0004]    These hoisting means, of the crane type or the like, comprise a mobile ceiling unit equipped with four hooking units, each of which is engaged in a corresponding hooking base of the container in order to grasp the container then handle it. 
         [0005]    In addition, a container of this type also comprises on each top of its lower surface a hooking base which can be rendered integral with a hooking base of an upper surface of a container on which it is placed. One base is rendered integral with another by means of a removable lock. The containers are thus stacked whilst being attached to one another, which makes it possible to assure that they are transported in satisfactory conditions of safety, and for a significantly reduced cost. 
         [0006]    When the goods to be transported have a height which is greater than that of a container, it is possible to secure these goods to a platform in order to load this platform on the ship by placing it on a container to which it is then attached. 
         [0007]    Specifically, a platform of this type has a rectangular form with the same dimensions as a container in plan view, and it is equipped at the tops of its upper surface and of its lower surface with hooking bases of the same type as those which equip the containers. A platform of this type can thus be handled like a container, i.e. by using hoisting and handling means of the same type as those used for the containers. 
         [0008]    Thus, a platform of this type makes it possible to transport on a container ship goods which are too wide, too long or too high to be accommodated in a container. 
         [0009]    However, when the goods to be transported are both wider and longer than the platform, it is no longer possible to use a platform of this type, since the hooking units of the tops of its upper surface are no longer accessible by the hoisting means once these goods have been secured to the platform. 
         [0010]    Specifically, it is thus not possible to handle a platform of this type if it is supporting goods which are both too wide and too long. 
         [0011]    In practice, goods of this type must therefore form the basis of so-called oversized transport, by being stowed for example in the hold of a cargo ship, which is detrimental with reference to both the volume which is actually monopolized in the cargo ship, and the handling cost. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The object of the invention is to provide a solution which makes it possible to eliminate this disadvantage. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    For this purpose, the object of the invention is a process for loading goods on a container ship, comprising the steps of: 
         [0014]    providing a rectangular platform of the type comprising at the level of each of its tops a hooking base which makes it possible to render the platform integral with a container of the same dimensions, on which this platform is designed to be installed; 
         [0015]    attaching to this platform at least two beams with dimensions which are sufficient for each beam end to be situated beyond the rectangular contour of the platform; 
         [0016]    installing the goods on the support constituted by the platform equipped with the beams; 
         [0017]    placing above the assembly constituted by the support and the goods which it bears a container hoisting and handling device ceiling unit, this ceiling unit comprising four hooking units and being positioned such that each hooking unit is plumb with a base of the platform; 
         [0018]    connecting the ceiling unit to the assembly constituted by the support and the goods which it bears by means of four slings, each of which has one end secured to the ceiling unit and another end secured to a beam end; 
         [0019]    maneuvering the hoisting and handling device in order to lift the assembly and deposit it on a container; 
         [0020]    attaching the assembly to this container. 
         [0021]    It is thus possible to transport goods which are both wider and longer than a standardized platform, on this platform. The goods can therefore be handled and loaded by means of hoisting and handling means for containers, i.e. for a cost which is reduced in comparison with oversized transport. 
         [0022]    The invention also relates to a process as previously defined, wherein the slings are attached to the ceiling unit by means of hooking units of the ceiling unit. 
         [0023]    The invention also relates to a process as previously defined, wherein the beams are attached to the upper surface of the platform, and more specifically to the upper surfaces of two consecutive bases of the platform. Optionally, one beam is attached to the front end of the platform, and one beam is attached to the rear end of the platform, each beam being oriented transversely relative to the platform. 
         [0024]    The object of the invention is also a beam comprising a longitudinal body comprising two ends, an upper wall and a lower wall, characterized in that the beam comprises at least two bases on the upper wall, and at least two locking units on the lower surface, and, at least at each end, a hoisting ring and a protective plate, perpendicular to the body of the beam. 
         [0025]    The beam can also comprise two bases which are separated from one another along this beam by a distance corresponding to the length which separates two bases of the platform which are situated at each end of a small side of the platform. 
         [0026]    The object of the invention is also a beam as previously described, comprising at each of its ends at least one hoisting ring. 
         [0027]    Finally, the beam can comprise at each of its ends a plate which is oriented according to a direction which is at right-angles to the beam, each plate having dimensions which are greater than the cross section of the beam, so that this beam is resting on the sections of these plates when it is supported on the ground. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a general view of a platform; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a beam according to the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the beam according to the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a general view in perspective of the platform equipped with two beams according to the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a general view of a loading operation according to the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a lateral view showing an intermediate stage of the process according to the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a view in perspective showing an intermediate stage of the process according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The idea on which the invention is based is to use a standardized platform, by attaching two transverse beams to its front end and to its rear end. These beams extend beyond the lateral edges of the platform, and the ends of these beams receive slings in order to secure the assembly to means for hoisting and handling of containers. 
         [0036]    A platform of this type which is represented in  FIG. 1  and has the reference  1  comprises a rectangular steel frame  2  surrounding a parallelepiped central core  3  which can be made of wood. This platform has dimensions corresponding to those of a standardized container, such as to be able to be attached to the upper surface of a container of this type. 
         [0037]    The frame  2  is formed by two side members  4  and  5 , and by two cross members  6  and  7  in the form of profiles with a cross section in the form of a “U” which are welded to one another such as to surround the periphery of the core  3 . Each top of this frame incorporates a hooking base, these four bases having the references  8   a  to  8   d.    
         [0038]    Each base  8   a - 8   d  substantially comprises a first oblong opening which is oriented according to the longitudinal direction X of the platform  1  and opens into an upper surface  9  of this platform, and a second oblong opening which is oriented according to the longitudinal direction X and opens into a lower surface  10 . 
         [0039]    The platform  1  is designed to be able to be rendered integral with a container by means of its lower surface  10 , by using four removable locks of the type described in patent document WO2005095157. Each removable lock is then interposed between a base of the upper surface of the container and a corresponding base of the platform  1 , in order to render the bases integral with one another. 
         [0040]    According to the invention, two beams which are oriented transversely relative to the direction X are attached to the front end  6  and the rear end  7  of the upper surface  9  of this platform  1 . 
         [0041]    A beam of this type which is represented in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and has the reference  11  is in this case formed by a profile in the form of an “I”. It comprises a longitudinal body  12  comprising two ends, an upper wall  13  comprising two bases  14   a  and  14   b,  and a lower wall  17  comprising two locking units  15   a  and  15   b.    
         [0042]    This beam  11  comprises two hoisting rings  18   a  and  18   b  at each of its ends on the upper wall  13 , and two other hoisting rings  25   a  and  25   b  at each of its ends on the lower wall  17 , as well as square protective plates  16   a  and  16   b  which are perpendicular to the beam body, and constitute the termination of each end. 
         [0043]    The beam  11  comprises on its lower wall  17  two locking units  15   a  and  15   b  which are separated from one another along this beam by a distance corresponding to the distance which separates two consecutive hooking bases of a single small side of the platform, such as, for example, the bases  8   a  and  8   b,  or the bases  8   c  and  8   d.    
         [0044]    Each locking unit  15   a,    15   b  comprises a parallelepiped bottom  19   a,    19   b  which is attached to the lower wall  17  of the beam  11 , and is provided with a rotary knob which extends from this bottom, these knobs having the references  20   a  and  20   b  respectively. 
         [0045]    Each knob  20   a,    20   b  has a form which allows it to be engaged in a corresponding opening in a base  8   a - 8   d  of the platform  1 , and can pivot round an axis which is at right-angles to the surface of the bottom from which it extends. For this purpose, each locking unit  15   a,    15   b  also comprises a maneuvering lever or the like, not represented, which makes it possible to make the rotary knob pivot in the bottom, between an unlocked position and a locked position. 
         [0046]    In the free position, each knob  20   a,    20   b  extends perpendicularly to the beam body, and in the locked position each knob  20   a,    20   b  extends parallel to the beam body, as in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0047]    This beam  11  also comprises two bases  14   a,    14   b,  of the same type as the bases which equip the containers, and extend from its upper surface, these two bases  14   a  and  14   b  being situated at right-angles to the locking units  15   a  and  15   b  respectively. Each base  14   a,    14   b  comprises a metal cube which is welded onto the beam  11 , this cube comprising at the level of its upper wall an opening with an oblong form which is compatible with the removable locks, i.e. which can receive a knob. 
         [0048]    This beam is symmetrical relative to a plane which is situated between its ends, and extends transversely relative to the general direction of the beam body. The bases  14   a  and  14   b  are arranged symmetrically relative to the median plane. The same applies to the locking units  15   a  and  15   b.    
         [0049]    The locking units  15   a,    15   b  of the beam  11  make it possible to render the beam integral directly with two consecutive bases of a small side of a platform, such as, for example, the bases  8   a  and  8   b.  This operation is assured by firstly placing the knobs  20   a,    20   b  of the two hooking units of the beam in the unlocked position by means of maneuvering levers, not represented. 
         [0050]    The beam  11  is then grasped by means of a hoisting device, and is placed plumb with the small side  6  of the platform  1 , such that the knobs  20   a,    20   b  are situated at right-angles to the corresponding bases  8   a  and  8   b.  The lifting device is then controlled in order to lower the beam  11  onto the platform  1 , until it is resting on the latter, the knobs  20   a,    20   b  then being engaged in the openings  8   a  and  8   b.    
         [0051]    The levers or actuators of the two hooking units  15   a,    15   b  are then maneuvered in order to place them in the locked position, so as to attach this beam  11  completely to the platform  1 . 
         [0052]    A second beam, which has the reference  11 ′, and is identical to the beam  11 , is then attached to the opposite small side  7  of the platform  1 , i.e. to its rear end, in order to constitute an assembly which forms a support with the reference  30 , represented in  FIG. 4 . This assembly comprises the platform  1  equipped with the beam  11  attached to the upper surface of its front end  6 , and with the beam  11 ′, which is identical, but is attached to the upper surface of the rear end  7  of this platform  1 . 
         [0053]    As can be seen in this  FIG. 4 , the two beams  11  and  11 ′ extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction X of the platform  1 , their respective ends being situated laterally beyond this platform  1 , the locking units of each beam  11 ,  11 ′ being locked in the corresponding bases of the platform  1 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 5 to 7  illustrate the use of the support  30  in order to handle goods  21  with a length and width greater than the length and width of the platform. These goods, which are installed on the platform by means of plinths  22 , can for example consist of a pleasure boat as in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , or a tank or a cylinder as in the example in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0055]    A ceiling unit  23  of a container hoisting and handling device is then positioned above the support  30  on which the goods  21  are installed, at right-angles to the platform  1 . This ceiling unit  23  constitutes a container grasping unit, and for this purpose it comprises four hooking units with the references  26   a  to  26   d,  which are arranged according to the same arrangement as the hooking bases of a container or a platform. 
         [0056]    In other words, the hooking units of the ceiling unit  23  are situated at each top of a rectangle, such as to engage in the corresponding bases of a container or platform upper surface. 
         [0057]    At this stage, four slings  24   a - 24   d  which can be seen in  FIG. 7 , and are provided with loops at their ends, are installed in order to render the ceiling unit  23  integral with the assembly. Each sling is attached by means of a first end to one of the four rings  18   a,    18   b  situated at the ends of each beam  11 ,  11 ′, and by means of its other end to a hooking unit of the ceiling unit  23 . 
         [0058]    The slings can have their upper end hooked directly on a hooking unit of the ceiling unit  23 , or by means of an additional element. Each upper sling end can also be attached to the ceiling unit  23  by means of a shackle engaged in a ring of the ceiling unit  23  situated in the vicinity of the hooking unit, a ring of this type being able to be offset for example by approximately ten centimeters or more relative to the hooking unit. 
         [0059]    The beams  11  and  11 ′ have lengths which are greater than the width of the platform and of the goods  21  transported, so that once the slings  24   a - 24   d  have been hooked on, they do not interfere with the goods  21 . The beam  11 , the slings  24   a  and  14   b  and the ceiling unit  23  form respectively the base, the sides and the top of a trapezium in front view according to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0060]    The assembly is then lifted by raising the ceiling unit  23 , and is deposited on a container which acts as a base, and is previously placed in the container ship. The support  30  is attached on the base container using removable locks previously placed on hooking bases of the upper surface of the base container. The slings  24   a - 24   d  are then detached from the rings  18   a - 18   b  and are brought back down to the ground for further use. 
         [0061]    In the example in the figures, the assembly is suspended from the ceiling unit  23  by means of slings. A sling means any means which makes it possible to suspend the assembly from the ceiling unit  23 , such as, for example, ropes, straps, chains or cables. 
         [0062]    Optionally, the assembly constituted by the support  30  and the goods  21  is prepared on a so-called setting-up area situated at a certain distance from the container ship. This assembly is transferred to the loading area equipped with the container hoisting and handling device, this transfer being assured for example by means of a gantry crane or travelling means. 
         [0063]    In the example which has been described, each beam  11 ,  11 ′ is attached to the platform  1  directly by means of the hooking units which equip this beam. However, it is also possible to attach one and/or the other beam to the platform  1  by means of the hooking bases  14   a,    14   b  which equip these beams, by using removable locks, not represented, which are firstly attached to the corresponding bases of the platform  1 . A removable lock of this type typically comprises a parallelepiped bottom which is provided with two rotary knobs on its opposite surfaces. 
         [0064]    The beam is then placed at right-angles to the removable locks installed on the bases of the platform, such that the two bases of this beam are at right-angles to the two locks. The beam is then lowered onto the locks so that the upper knobs of these locks engage in the attachment bases of the beam. 
         [0065]    The removable locks are then actuated by an operator in order to go into the locked position, such as to render the beam completely integral with the platform. 
         [0066]    The beam  11  also comprises rings  25   a  and  25   b  on the lower wall  17  which are identical to the hoisting rings  18   a  and  18   b  of the upper wall  16 , and make it possible to use the beam  11  once it has been turned round. In this configuration, the beam is rotated by 180° relative to its longitudinal axis so that the bases  14   a  and  14   b  face the ground. The beam  11  can then be attached by means of the bases  14   a  and  14   b  on the upper surface  9  of the platform  1  by means of removable locks. Thus, if the hooking units  15   a  or  15   b  become damaged, the beam  11  could be used according to the process previously described. 
         [0067]    In the example in the figures, the ends of the slings  24   a - 24   d  are attached directly to the hooking units of the ceiling unit  23 , but they can also be attached to the ceiling unit  23  by means of complementary elements attached to the hooking units of the ceiling unit  23 . 
         [0068]    As far as the protective plates  16   a,    16   b  which constitute the ends of each beam end are concerned, these protect the rings  18   a,    18   b,  the bases  14   a,    14   b  and the locking units  15   a,    15   b  which equip the beam, when this beam is deposited on the ground. 
         [0069]    For this purpose, these protective plates  16   a,    16   b  have dimensions which are sufficient such that, with the beam  11  placed on the ground supported on the sections of the protective plates  16   a,    16   b,  the different elements which equip this beam are spaced away from the ground.