CARGO HANDLING SYSTEM

Abstract: A system for transporting cargo between a storage area and a cargo carrier. The system includes a bridge (13) and boom (15) spanning between the storage area and the cargo carrier. A first elevator (14) is located at one end of the bridge (13) proximate to the storage area. A second elevator (16) is located at the distal end of the boom (15) positionable relative to the cargo carrier. Trackways (20, 21, 22 and 23) along the bridge (13) and boom (15) interconnect the first and second elevators (14 and 16). Independent cars (24) are provided to carry the cargo. Each car (24) is movable on the first and sec­ ond elevators (14 and 15) and further along the trackways (20, 21, 22 and 23).

Description: This invention relates to cargo handling systems. There are known various constructions of devices for loading and unloading ships and other cargo carriers. Exemplary of such devices is the reknown standard crane which adorns ports worldwide. These cranes are mounted on the quay of a port, or in some constructions to a mobile base. The crane generally is provided with a hook which suitably is configured so as to engage cargo to be loaded to, or unloaded from, a ship moored to the quay. To load, the crane hook engages cargo resting upon the quay and is then moved vertically and horizontally toward the moored ship. The cargo is then deposited at a desired location on the ship and precisely located through independent means. Unloading proceeds via a similar process. This typical construction suffers from a variety of problems. First, inasmuch as the crane hook cannot handle cargo during its return time from the ship back to the quay during loading, efficiency of the process is low. Second, the utilization of independent means, especially during unloading as required on the quay to remove deposited cargo, mandates coordination between handlers which is often difficult to obtain. In the case where the removal of cargo from the quay fails to coincide with the unloading cycle of the crane, either a pile up or extensive "dead time" is experienced. Others have attempted to obviate some or all of these problems. DE-A-1950176 generally discloses a system for transporting cargo between a storage area and a cargo carrier comprising bridge means spanning between the storage area and the cargo carrier, first elevator means located at one end of the bridge means approximate to the storage area, second elevator means located at the other end of the bridge means positionable relative to the cargo carrier, the second elevator means including housing means communicating with a trackway means disposed along the bridge means interconnecting the first and second elevator means, the second elevator means also including a work station lowerable from the housing means, and independent car means for carrying the cargo, the car means being movable on the first and second elevator means and further along the trackway means. In accordance with one aspect of the invention as claimed, the aforesaid generally disclosed cargo transporting system of DE-A-1950176 is characterized by the provision of a cover means supported on the housing means, the cover means being movable elevationally relative to and rotatable about the housing means such that the cover means covers at least a portion of the cargo being transported. DE-A-1950176 also generally discloses an elevator system for transporting cargo between an upper level and a lower level, comprising housing means in fixed relationship with the upper level, a work station lowerable from the housing means to the lower level, means to support the work station relative to the lower level, and carrier means movable between the housing means and the work station for transporting cargo between the upper and lower levels. In accordance with another aspect of the invention as claimed, the aforesaid generally disclosed elevator system of DE-A-1950176 is characterized by the provision of cover means carried by the housing means, the cover means being movable vertically and rotatably relative to the housing means. The invention, in accordance with one or the other of the above-stated aspects, offers the advantage over the system of DE-A-1950176 in that the cover means shields the cargo during its transport. Attention is also drawn to the cargo handling apparatus of US-A-1525950 which discloses an apparatus comprising a bridge, a cantilever arm, a ship leg and a pier leg. The leg members and arm utilize continuous conveyors for conveying the cargo remote from the apparatus. The conveyors comprise trays having concave-grid arm bottoms which move circuitously throughout the entire apparatus. US-A-3952891 and US-A-4172685 provide methods of improved handling of cargo with use of container cranes. US-A-4175908 discloses an apparatus and method of loading and unloading heavy objects. The complex apparatus disclosed therein provides an alternative to harbour cranes or pontoon cranes. According to the method a heavy object is lifted from the quay, or a vehicle driveable along the quay, moved along girders to a position above the hold of a ship, and then lowered into the hold of the ship. While providing a viable method of loading heavy objects, the method suffers from inefficiency and other problems discussed hereinabove. US-A-4293077 is directed to a container handling apparatus which provides an improvement of an existing crane. The apparatus comprises a travelling portal frame having a container transfer space and an elevating device. A truck is also provided as a container transport vehicle. In operation, the portal frame is moved along the quay to a desired position. While providing mobility, such action limits the usefulness of that portion of the quay which must be reserved for this frame movement. A problem, overcome by the invention, in the loading and unloading of ships is encountered when the cargo being handled may not be exposed to the elements. For example, unloading of paper goods in rainy weather may not be accomplished without destruction of at least some of the cargo. In this regard, the aforesaid US-A-1525950 discloses the use of a support means/shield means which is fitted over the hold of the ship. The cargo is not, however, protected from the elements as it is unloaded from the ship to the quay. SU-A-796130 discloses the use of a flexible shield means which is fitted over the hatch of a ship and is interconnected to an enclosed container handler. The shield means however is not capable of being adapted to different sized hatches or at different angles due to the mooring of the ship. In order that the present invention may be well understood there will now be described one preferred embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an elevational schematic view of a preferred cargo handling system embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan schematic view of the cargo handling system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the articulated member of the bridge of the cargo handling system taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the shipboard loading station and hoist platform of the cargo handling system of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the hatch cover shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a top plan view, partially in cross-section, of a transport car of the cargo handling system of Fig. 1. A cargo handling system is indicated generally by the numeral 10 in Fig. 1. Such a cargo handling system 10 is positioned on a quay (Q) to facilitate loading and unloading a cargo shipping vessel (V). The cargo handling system 10 basically includes a portal frame 11 which can travel along the quay (Q) using suitable travel drives 12, known in the art. A fixed bridge structure 13 is carried on portal frame 11. On the dock side of fixed bridge structure 13 is located a dockside elevator 14 as will be discussed more fully hereinbelow. At the opposite side of the fixed bridge structure 13 is a rotating boom structure 15. As will be appreciated hereinbelow, rotating boom structure 15 constitutes an operable extension of fixed bridge structure 13 for purposes of handling the cargo. A shipside elevator 16 is mounted at the distal end of boom structure 15 for movement therewith. Before discussing the details of the present invention, it will be beneficial to appreciate certain features of the structure heretofore described. The cargo handling system 10 is suitable for selective positioning relative to the vessel (V) with which it is being used; and more specifically it is positionable with respect to the particular holds of the vessel (V). The mobility of the cargo handling system 10 is derived from travel drives 12 which enable the cargo handling system 10 to be positioned along the quay (Q) and by rotating boom structure 15 which swings outward from the quay (Q) to position shipside elevator 16 relative to a hatch opening (H) of the vessel (V) as depicted in Fig. 2. Specifically with reference to Fig. 2, the cargo handling system 10 is depicted with boom structure 15 in its stored position (I), shown in solid lines. Such a position permits cargo vessels to be docked and moored alongside the quay (Q) free of any obstruction by the cargo handling system 10. When a cargo vessel has been properly moored, boom structure 15 may be swung outward from its stored position (I) to a partially extended position (II) or a fully extended position (III), each depicted in broken lines in Fig. 2, as necessary to align shipside elevator 16 over a desired hatch opening. Another aspect of the cargo handling system 10 which should be appreciated is the fact that it provides protection to the cargo against weather. In order to provide such protection, the respective cargo passageways of bridge structure 13, dockside elevator 14, boom structure 15 and shipside elevator 16 all are enclosed with protective material. Such material is well known in the art and may include structural metal, or similar building material. Turning now to the specific structure of the invention, fixed bridge structure 13 houses a pair of trackways, designated as lower bridge trackway 20 and upper bridge trackway 21. These trackways, 20 and 21, communicate at one end with dockside elevator 14 and at the other end with corresponding lower boom trackway 22 and upper boom trackway 23, respectively, housed within boom structure 15. As will be appreciated hereinbelow, the foregoing network of trackways constitute a portion of the material handling passageways of the cargo handling system 10, and are suitably configured to permit travel of cargo cars 24 therethrough. Inasmuch as lower trackways, 20 and 22, respectively, are substantially identical to upper trackways, 21 and 23, respectively, discussion will be directed to the latter, with reference being made to Fig. 3. Specifically, each trackway 21 and 23 includes a guide rail, 25 and 26, respectively, to guide cargo cars 24, as will be more fully discussed hereinbelow. A rotatable platform 30 interfaces between bridge trackway 21 and boom trackway 23 and includes a platform rail 31. Rotatable platform 30 serves to accept a cargo car 24 for one trackway, for example bridge trackway 21, and then align it with the other trackway, boom trackway 23, so as to permit cargo car 24 to continue onward, as will be discussed hereinbelow. Rotatable platform 30 is particularly useful whenever boom structure 15 is not aligned with bridge structure 13. Flexible wall members 32 serve to enclose rotating platform 30 to facilitate weatherproofing. The nature of wall members 32 permit substantially unrestricted movement of boom structure 15 relative to bridge structure 13. Dockside elevator 14 provides a means for moving cargo cars 24 between the bridge structure 13 and the quay level (Q) as depicted in Fig. 1. Specifically, a carrier 33 travels within dockside elevator 14 carrying cargo cars 24 between either lower bridge trackway 20 or upper bridge trackway 21 and the quay (Q). Suitable sensors and controllers, known in the art, are provided to stop carrier 33 at the appropriate locations to receive or discharge cargo cars 24. Similarly, shipside elevator 16 provides a means in the form of a carrier 34 for moving cargo cars 24 between rotating boom structure 15 and the cargo hold of the vessel (V). Unlike dockside elevator 14, the housing 35 of shipside elevator 16 does not extend down to the lowermost limit of travel of carrier 34. Rather, housing 35 terminates above the uppermost deck of the vessel (V). The lowermost travel of carrier 34 is defined by a work station 36 which may be lowered from housing 35 into the cargo hold of the vessel (V). With reference to Fig. 4, work station 36 is lowered, and supported by, suitable cables or ropes 40. These may be affixed to the four lower corners of work station 36 and operatively connected to suitable winches to raise and lower work station 36 as desired. Work station 36 preferably has a cubical framework 41 with a pair of foldable platforms 42 and 43, respectively, mounted on opposite sides thereof. Platforms 42 and 43 are suitably configured to support cargo cars 24 when extended, and to fold upright into framework 41 to provide a compact assembly while work station 36 is maneuvered through a hatch opening (H). Once work station 36 is positioned within the cargo hold of the vessel (V), work platforms 42 and 43 may be extended to facilitate handling of cargo, as will be appreciated hereinbelow. Work station 36 also may be provided with at least one suitable jib crane structure 44, which preferably is mounted so as to be foldable against framework 41. Jib crane 44 provides suitable means to facilitate handling of cargo, as will be discussed hereinbelow. Carrier 34 is moved between work station 36 and lower boom trackway 22 or upper boom trackway 23 as desired using suitable cables or ropes 45 operatively connected to suitable winches. As with dockside elevator 14, suitable sensors and controllers are provided to stop carrier 34 at the appropriate locations to receive or discharge cargo cars 24. Inasmuch as carrier 34 travels below housing 35 of shipside elevator 16, it is preferable to use cables 40 of work station 36 as guides for carrier 34. Specifically, as depicted in Fig. 4, cables 40 may be passed through suitable guide openings in carrier 34 such that carrier 34 may slide freely therealong. Cables 40 are maintained taunt against the weight of work station 36 to provide adequate guidance for carrier 34. As heretofore discussed, work station cables 40 and carrier cables 45 are operatively connected to suitable winches. Such winches may preferably be located in a machinery house 46 remote from shipside elevator 16, as depicted in Fig. 1. Indeed to counter-balance the combined weight of boom structure 15 and shipside elevator 16, machinery house 46 preferably is located diametrically opposite therefrom about the fulcrum point defined by the centerline of rotation of boom structure 15. In such fashion, boom structure 15 and shipside elevator 16 may handle greater cargo loads without exceeding the safe working limits of the structures. Shipside elevator 16 may carry, about the lower end of housing 35, a hatch cover 50 suitable for being placed over the hatch opening (H) of the vessel (V) while the cargo with the hold is being handled. Hatch cover 50 is useful to maintain the weatherproof integrity of the cargo handling system 10 by shielding the cargo hold from inclement weather during loading and unloading processes. Hatch cover 50 also is useful when refrigerated cargo is being handled as it facilitates maintaining the low temperature within the refrigerated hold. Hatch cover 50 is suitably mounted to housing 35 such that it is freely adjustable vertically as depicted in Fig. 1. In this fashion, hatch cover 50 may be fully raised to permit freedom of movement of boom structure 15 as it swings over the cargo vessel (V). Furthermore, as the cargo vessel (V) is loaded or unloaded the displacement thereof in the water may change and the vertical movability of hatch cover 50 assures proper securement thereof over the hatch opening (H) throughout the cargo handling process. In addition to vertical movement, hatch cover 50 is rotatable about housing 35 and also is expandable, as depicted in Fig. 5. Such mobility enables hatch cover 50 to be usable on many different size hatch openings (H) and when boom structure 15 is oriented at different angles over the vessel (V). It should be appreciated that the present invention heretofore described provides a structure ideally suited for efficiently handling cargo in a weatherproof environment. Actual movement of the cargo through the foregoing structure is accomplished by means of cargo cars 24. Specifically a plurality of cargo cars 24 are utilized to transport the cargo through the system. These cargo cars 24 may be designed primarily to travel in a straight line and can be driven using a mechanical drive system independent of cargo cars 24. However, it may be more preferable that each cargo car 24 be substantially self-contained with its own drive system utilizing an on board power source, such as batteries, or an external power source, such as an electrified collector system. In any event, it is preferred that cargo cars 24, specifically the movement thereof throughout the system, be controlled and tracked using a suitable programmable logic controller system. In this manner, the unmanned cargo cars 24 may be properly controlled at all times. With reference to Fig. 6, the structure of cargo cars 24 can be appreciated. Principally, each cargo car 24 provides the structural framework to support and move a load of cargo. The travel drive assembly provides the means for moving cargo car 24 from one location to another. The wheels 51 are driven by a suitable drive motor 52 and gear train assembly 53. Guide roller assemblies 54 are located at each end of cargo car 24 to engage the guide rail system, as for example bridge guide rail 26, to assure proper guidance at all times during movement of cargo car 24 throughout the cargo handling system 16. Inasmuch as cargo cars 24 preferably are unmanned, an emergency stop system should be provided to prevent collisions with adjacent cars or any unplanned obstruction. Such an emergency stop system may employ a safety bumper rail 55 on each end of cargo car 24 which is integrated with the drive system so as to stop movement of cargo car 24 immediately whenever bumper rail 55 contacts an obstruction, so that the body 56 of cargo car 24 does not contact the obstruction. Pallet supports 57 are provided along the top surface of body 56. These supports 57 are suitably arranged in such a manner as to permit easy access of standard forklift tines from all sides while maintaining adequate support for the load. It also may be preferable to provide adequate depth between pallet supports 57 to permit insertion of special load handling devices which may be used during the handling process. In addition to the emergency stop system, and to facilitate unmanned operation of cargo cars 24, the cargo handling system 10 may have suitable position sensors mounted throughout the cargo car path. Such position sensors indicate and confirm the location of each cargo cars 24 at all times. Similarly, slow down sensors, stop sensors and start sensors may be located at each end of cargo car 24 to slow, stop and start, respectively, cargo car 24 at appropriate locations as designated by the programmable logic control system. Of course, if desired, operation of cargo cars 24, and the cargo handling system 10 overall, may be controlled manually. The use of a suitable logic controller, however, which currently are available in the art, frees the system to act somewhat automatically and provides for a more efficient handling of cargo with the cargo handling system 10. The cargo handling system 10 as heretofore discussed may be more fully understood and appreciated by considering the operation of the same in conjunction with the unloading of a cargo vessel (V) which has been moored to the quay (Q) on which the cargo handling system 10 is located. Shipside elevator 16 is positioned over an open hatch (H) by maneuvering portal frame 11 and boom structure 15. Hatch cover 50 is lowered onto the deck so as to close the hatch (H) and protect the contents of the hold from weather elements. Cargo cars 24 are released in the system 10 from the designated temporary storage areas on bridge trackways 20 and 21. Specifically, cargo cars 24 which are located on upper bridge trackway 21 are loaded onto carrier 33 of dockside elevator 14 which lowers them to, and discharges them onto, lower bridge trackway 20. Cargo cars 24 then travel to rotatable platform 30 which aligns the cargo cars 24 with lower boom trackway 22, where they proceed to shipside elevator 16. During the repositioning of cargo cars 24, or prior thereto, work station 36 is lowered into the cargo hold via cables 40. As the hold generally may be filled with palletized cargo, work station 36 is suspended immediately above the top of the cargo. Work platforms 42 and/or 43 are extended outward and work station 36 is ready to begin transporting cargo. Carrier 34 receives a cargo car 24 from lower boom trackway 22 and lowers it down to work station 36 where it moves outward onto one of the platforms 42. Carrier 34 returns to lower boom trackway 22 to receive and lower another cargo car 24. While this is taking place, the first cargo car 24 on platform 42 may be loaded using jib crane 44 to lift the cargo from the hold and set it onto cargo car 24. By the time the first cargo car 24 is loaded, the next cargo car 24 has been lowered to work station 36 and moved out onto platform 43 for loading. The loaded cargo car 24 is moved onto carrier 34 which raises it to upper boom trackway 23 where the cargo car 24 is discharged. Carrier 34 then proceeds downward to lower boom trackway 22 to receive an empty cargo car 24 to transport down to work station 36, thereby continuing the cycle. The loaded cargo car 24 which is discharged onto upper boom trackway 23 proceeds to rotatable platform 30 where it is aligned with upper bridge trackway 21. The loaded cargo car 24 proceeds therealong to be received by carrier 33 of dockside elevator 14 which lowers it down to a transfer station which permits unloading the cargo car and/or cargo for subsequent handling outside of the system 10. Carrier 33 then returns empty cargo car 24 to lower bridge trackway 20 thereby continuing the material handling process. Returning to the activity at work station 36, as more cargo is unloaded from the hold, work station 36 continually is lowered until it rests on the inner deck of the hold. When sufficient cargo has been removed from the hold, forklift trucks (F) may be carried into the hold from the quay (Q) via empty cargo cars 24 to facilitate handling of cargo within the hold and to load cargo cars 24 at work station 36. It should be appreciated that work station 36 provides a highly maneuverable platform to facilitate handling of cargo. Indeed, it may continually be repositioned, vertically and horizontally within the hold to accommodate the workers handling the cargo therein. When the cargo handling system 10 achieves a consistent operating rythm -- loaded and unloaded cargo cars 24 are moving consistently through the system -- efficient cargo handling is achieved. Indeed, the cargo handling system 10, with four forklift trucks (F) operating within the hold of the vessel (V), is capable of moving one cargo car load per minute from the hold. Such capacity generally is accomplished when the system utilizes the aforesaid programmable logic control system to monitor and control the position and movement of the cargo cars 24, carriers 33 and 34, and work station 36. To load a cargo vessel (V) utilizing the disclosed cargo handling system 10, the operation sequence heretofore described is reversed with obvious modifications. Namely, loaded cargo cars 24 are moved into the hold while empty cargo cars 24 are returned to the quay (Q). Work station 36 is raised as the hold becomes filled with cargo.

Claims: A system for transporting cargo between a storage area (Q) and a cargo carrier (V) comprising bridge means (13, 15) spanning between the storage area (Q) and the cargo carrier (V), first elevator means (14) located at one end of the bridge means (13, 15) approximate to the storage area (Q), second elevator means (16) located at the other end of the bridge means (13, 15) positionable relative to the cargo carrier (V), the second elevator means (16) including housing means (35) communicating with a track way means (20-23) disposed along the bridge means (13, 15) interconnecting the first and second elevator means (14, 16), the second elevator means (16) also including a work station (36) lowerable from the housing means (35), and independent car means (24) for carrying the cargo, the car means (24) being movable on the first and second elevator means (14, 16) and further along the trackway means (20-23), characterized by the provision of a cover means (50) supported on the housing means (35), the cover means (50) being movable elevationally relative to and rotatable about the housing means (35) such that the cover means (50) covers at least a portion of the cargo being transported. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising frame means (11) movable relative to the storage area (Q), the bridge means (13, 15) being supported by the frame means (11). A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge means (13, 15) includes a bridge structure (13) and a boom structure (15) movable relative to the bridge structure. A system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising frame means (11) movable relative to the storage area (Q), the bridge structure (13) being supported by the frame means (11). A system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the first elevator means (14) is carried by the bridge structure (13) and the second elevator means (16) is carried by the boom structure (15). A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the trackway means (20-23) includes bridge trackway (20, 21) along the bridge structure (13) and boom trackway (22, 23) along the boom structure (15). A system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising platform means (30) interposed between the bridge structure (13) and the boom structure (15) to present an interface between the bridge trackway (20, 21) and the boom trackway (22, 23). A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bridge trackway (20, 21) includes an upper track (21) and a lower track (20), and the boom trackway (22, 23) includes an upper track (23) and a lower track (22), the platform means (30) communicating the upper track (21) of the bridge trackway (20, 21) with the upper track (23) of the boom trackway (22, 23), the platform means (30) further communicating the lower track (20) of the bridge trackway (20, 21) with the lower track 22 of the boom trackway (22, 23). A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the second elevator means (16) further includes a carrier (34) for moving the car means (24) between the trackway means (20-23) and the work station (36). A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the car means (24) include independent drive means to move the car means (24) along the trackway means (20-23). A system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising means (25, 26, 54) to control the position of the car means (24). A system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control means (25, 26, 54) includes rail means (25, 26) along the trackway means (20-23), the car means (24) being guided along the rail means (25, 26). A system as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the control means (25, 26, 54) includes means to control the speed of the car means (24). A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the means to control the speed includes sensors on the car means (24) to detect obstructions in the path of the car means (24). An elevator system for transporting cargo between an upper level and a lower level, comprising housing means (35) in fixed relationship with the upper level, a work station (36) lowerable from the housing means (35) to the lower level, means (40) to support the work station (36) relative to the lower level, and carrier means (34) movable between the housing means (35) and the work station (36) for transporting cargo between the upper and lower levels, characterized by the provision of cover means (50) carried by the housing means (35), the cover means (50) being movable vertically and rotatably relative to the housing means (35). An elevator system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the work station (36) includes at least one platform means (42, 43) extensible therefrom to receive cargo. An elevator system as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the work station (36) further includes crane means (44) for handling cargo. An elevator system as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the carrier means (34) slidably engages the support means (40). An elevator system as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the support means (40) includes a plurality of flexible cable means (40).

Inventors: BREWER BRUCE L, BREWER, BRUCE, L.
Applicants: CUSTOM TECHNOLOGIES INC, CUSTOM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B65G63
IPC codes: B65G47, B65G67