Patent GB-1141588-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to cargo-handling installations for use on ships
IPC: B63B29/12
Filed: 1967-11-27
Abstract: 1,141,588. Cranes. P. BASTIDE. 27 Nov., 1967 [29 Dec., 1966; 28 March, 1967], No. 53824/67. Heading B8B. [Also in Division F1] A crane or derrick installation is supported on at least one column 1, Fig. 1, which is telescopically fitted in a cylinder 2 pivotally mounted at deck level in a ship 7 and extending within the ship, and means are provided enabling the column to be pivoted into different angular positions relative to the vertical. The column 1 is guided in the cylinder 2 by a gland 3 and a piston 4, the cylinder being supported by journals 11 mounted in bearings 12. A spherical member 13 on the cylinder 2 co-operates with a resilient fluid-tight hood 14 on the deck. The lower end of the cylinder 2 carries an hydraulic or electric motor 15 which drives a pinion 16 meshing with an arcuate rack 17, and the cylinder has stirrups 21 provided with shoes engaging a guide track 22. The cylinder 2 may be mounted for universal movement, Fig. 2 (not shown), the rack 17 having a pedestal mounted for rotation about a vertical axis and driven by a motor through a pinion and rack drive. A derrick installation is shown in Fig. 4, and comprises derrick arms 39, 39a having shoes 41, 41a of partcylindrical form engaging complementary guides on the column 1. The arms 39, 39a are moved vertically by ropes 43, 43a. The shoes 41, 41a may be fitted one above the other. A travelling crane installation is shown in Fig. 6. The columns are inclined at different angles to accommodate the constant length of the crane which may extend longitudinally or laterally of the ship. In a second crane embodiment, Figs. 9 to 12 (not shown), the crane is movably supported on beams extending longitudinally of the ship and mounted on telescopically movable columns, the crane comprising a support having ends which can be pivoted inwards to allow the support to pass the columns. If the deck of the ship is not level the columns 1 are extended to different heights to position the crane horizontally, and so that the columns are extended vertically means are provided for adjusting the lengths of the beams. Adjacent beams may be kept aligned by locking means so that the crane can pass from one to the other. In a third crane embodiment, Fig. 15 (not shown), the beams are disposed transversely of the ship and have folding end extensions so that the crane can be positioned above a dockside. When the extensions are folded back a carriage can be moved from its bridge support on to the bridge support of an adjacent crane. Each column 1 may support a further telescopically movable extension piece 81, Fig. 19, the column housing an hydraulic pump 92 driven by an electric motor 85 for moving the extension piece 81. The pump drives fluid from a compartment 93 through a valve 97 to raise the extension piece 81 and the latter is moved downwards by gravity after an electromagnetically controlled valve 100 has been opened. The column 1 may be moved relative to the cylinder 2 by a similar hydraulic circuit. In an alternative construction, Fig. 18 (not shown), the extension piece 81 is moved by a threaded shaft which is driven directly or through reduction gearing such as a coaxial epicycloidal gear by an electric motor, the shaft engaging a tapped portion of the extension piece 81. The electric motor is supplied with electricity through a socket in the wall of the column 1 co-operating with a plug which is removable to allow the socket to pass into the cylinder when the column is retracted. The extension piece 81 may be rotatable about its axis. In use the installation may be collapsed on to the deck of the ship or, in the case of an overhead crane installation it may be used to secure cargo on the deck, the columns securing the cargo laterally and the crane securing it from above.