Abstract:
A modular dynamic lifting framework for a standard ISO block shipping container is disclosed, comprising two side frames which are mounted to the sides of the shipping container, and a number of braces which secure the side frames. Each of the ISO blocks on the shipping container is contacted on at least three sides (in the X, Y, and Z axes) to ensure maximum carrying capacity with minimal effort in loading/unloading during a dynamic lifting situation. The modular construction obviates the need for the entire container to be lifted during installation of the framework, as one side can be installed at a time.

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/161,701, filed May 14, 2015 by C. Wade Navarre II, entitled “Dynamic Lifting Framework.” The disclosure of this provisional application is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Embodiments usable within the scope of the present disclosure relate, generally, to an apparatus and method for loading standardized shipping containers within a framework which can be engaged with a lifting mechanism such as a crane for dynamic lifting, a spreader bar, or forklift 
         [0003]    It is common in the shipping industry for standardized, rectangular shipping containers to be fitted with “ISO blocks,” corner-mounted fittings with a plurality of apertures therethrough. (These are referred to as “ISO blocks” due to the with International Organization of Standardization, whose ISO 1161 publication defines manufacturing standards for freight containers.) These blocks allow containers to be easily aligned and stacked with a small amount of clearance between them to fit forklifts and other lifting mechanisms. 
         [0004]    However, these ISO blocks are often not intended to bear the weight of a shipping container, and utilizing the apertures as a direct load-bearing method during a dynamic lift can lead to mechanical failure. 
         [0005]    As a result, various lifting frameworks have been designed to indirectly lift the container through engaging with the apertures of an ISO block. An example of such a framework can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,497 to Updegrove, et al. 
         [0006]    The manufacturing and configuration of these lifting frameworks are governed by several standards, including but not limited to, EN (European Standard) 12079, IMO (Int&#39;l Maritime Organizattion) 860, DNV (Det Norsk Veritas) 2.7-1, SEPCO (Shell Exploration and Production company) OPS0055, and others. 
         [0007]    However, these frameworks share several drawbacks. In many cases, these containers lift the framework only by the top corner blocks, reducing the amount of weight that can be borne by the lifting apparatus. Alternatively, the frameworks which support the container from the bottom tend to be bulky and require the container to be first lifted onto a weight-bearing portion which is then in turn lifted from above. 
         [0008]    A need exists for a dynamic lifting framework which is light, easily mounted, and maximizes the carrying capacity. A need also exists for a dynamic lifting framework that prevents the mechanical failures associated with the direct loading of ISO blocks by engaging with all eight corners of a container fitted with ISO blocks. A need also exists for a dynamic lifting framework which can accomplish these goals within the various dynamic lifting standards established in the industry. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the apparatus described herein meet this and other needs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    In the detailed description of the embodiments, presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1A  depicts an isometric view of an embodiment of the framework according to the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  depicts an isolated view of one component of the framework depicted in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 1C  depicts an isolated view of another component of the framework depicted in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  depicts a zoomed-in view of a component of the framework depicted in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a side view of the framework depicted in  FIG. 1A  along direction X. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  is a side view of the framework depicted in  FIG. 1A  along direction Y. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of an embodiment of a side frame according to the present disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the side frame of  FIG. 3A  along line B-B. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3C  is a top view of the side frame of  FIG. 3A  along line C-C. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3D  is a zoomed-in view of area D on the side frame of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3E  is a zoomed-in view of area E on the side frame of  FIG. 3C . 
       
    
    
       [0022]    One or more embodiments are described below with reference to the listed Figures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Before describing selected embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein. The disclosure and description herein is illustrative and explanatory of one or more presently preferred embodiments and variations thereof, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in the design, organization, order of operation, means of operation, equipment structures and location, methodology, and use of mechanical equivalents may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0024]    As well, it should be understood the drawings are intended to illustrate and plainly disclose presently preferred embodiments to one of skill in the art, but are not intended to be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products and may include simplified conceptual views as desired for easier and quicker understanding or explanation. As well, the relative size and arrangement of the components may differ from that shown and still operate within the spirit of the invention. 
         [0025]    Moreover, it will be understood that various directions such as “upper,” “lower,” “bottom,” “top,” “left,” “right,” and so forth are made only with respect to explanation in conjunction with the drawings, and that the components may be oriented differently, for instance, during transportation and manufacturing as well as operation. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C , an example of a dynamic lifting framework  10  is shown in  FIG. 1A  comprising two side frames  20   a  and  20   b,  and four braces  30   a - 30   d  ( 30   c  not visible). The lifting framework  10  may be positioned outside the ISO container  11  (partially cut away) and can engage with the ISO corner blocks  12   a - 12   h  ( 12   d  and  12   e  not visible) thereof.  FIG. 1B  depicts an exemplar side frame  20  in greater detail, said side frame comprising two top corner fittings  21   a  and  21   b,  and two bottom corner fittings  21   c  and  21   d.    FIG. 1C  depicts an exemplar brace  30  comprising two connecting fittings  31   a  and  31   b,  and each fitting can also comprise two apertures  32   a  and  32   b,  as shown. 
         [0027]    As depicted in  FIG. 1A , it can be seen that the container  11  rests entirely off the ground and on lifting framework  10 . The primary weight-bearing portions of the framework  10  are, specifically, the lower portions of the side frames  20   a  and  20   b,  and the braces  30   c  and  30   d  (not visible) which allow the container  11  to be dynamically lifted without placing overwhelming stress on any of the ISO corner blocks  12   a - 12   h  of the container  11 . Forklift holes  19  can be positioned above the bottom braces  30   c  and  30   d  for lifting from below. View directions X and Y are present to provide reference for subsequent drawings. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , these drawings depict side-on views of the framework  10  and ISO container  11  depicted in  FIG. 1 , with  FIG. 2B  equivalent to  2 C along view direction X, and  FIG. 2C  equivalent to  2 B along view Y.  2 A depicts an expanded view of a corner fitting (in this case  21   a ) blown up along the X view.  FIG. 2B  shows the braces  30   a  and  30   c  linking side frames  20   a  and  20   b.    
         [0029]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 2A , connecting fittings  31   a  and  31   b  of each brace comprise two apertures, which, for connecting fitting  31   a,  are labeled as  32   a  and  32   b  (shown in  FIG. 1C ; due to the zoomed-in view only one of the brace connecting fittings will be described in detail.) Apertures  32   a  and  32   b  are sized to accommodate fasteners  33  and  34 , depicted in this embodiment as a bolt  33  and nut  34 , although it can be appreciated that other forms of fastening known in the art are included within the scope of this disclosure. Alternatively, the components may be welded together directly. 
         [0030]    Additionally, as shown, top corner fitting  21   a  can comprise a pad eye  24  for dynamic lifting via a sling or spreader bar or other appropriate lifting means. This avoids placing undue stress on the ISO corner fitting of the container  11 , and as the container  11  is lifted, the weight will be borne by the framework  10  rather than the corner fittings of container  11 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2C  depicts the container  11  and framework  10  of  FIG. 2B  rotated 90 degrees such that only the side frame  20   a  is visible, and the braces  30   a - 30   d  are head-on (and thus not visible). For clarity, only one of the corner fittings ( 21   a ) will be described and numbered in detail. Here it can be seen that corner fitting  21   a  can comprise two apertures  22   a  and  22   b  which can align with a single connecting fitting ( 31   a,  not visible) of a brace  30 . Also, depicted in  FIG. 2C  are the two bottom corner fittings  21   c  and  21   d  of side frame  20   a,  each of which also contains two apertures for aligning with a single connecting fitting of a brace. Each of the bottom corner fittings  21   c,    21   d  additionally comprises a small extrusion  25  on the outside vertical edge to provide a degree of clearance from the ground and to provide additional strength to the corner connection. It has been observed that such a configuration assists in transferring weight from the horizontal to the vertical members. Forklift holes  19  can be positioned above framework  10  and utilized for lifting. (On top corner fittings  21   a  and  21   b,  pad eye  24  is positioned on top of extrusion  25 .) 
         [0032]    In addition to the extrusions  25 , each corner fitting  21   a - 21   d  can additionally comprise a support brace  27 , as well as a connecting plate  28  affixing outer member  26  to the vertical portion of side frame  20   a.  These elements can allow the framework  10  to tightly fit the container  11  along all three dimensions and prevent sliding. Outer member  26  braces the container from sliding in the X direction, by sitting outside the plane of the side frame  20  as depicted in  FIG. 2A . The vertical portion of side frame  20   a  prevents the container from sliding in the Y direction, while the lower horizontal portion of side frame  20   a  holds the container against gravity during movement in the Z axis (i.e., lifting and lowering). Each corner fitting can additionally comprise apertures  22   a  and  22   b,  to align with apertures  32   a  and  32   b  of either end  31   a  or end  32   b  of brace  30 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3E , an isolate view of a single side frame  20  is provided along several directions.  FIG. 3A  depicts a side frame  20  along a similar view to that depicted by  FIG. 2C . Side frame  20 , as earlier, comprises four corner fittings  21   a - 21   d,  which are identical except with respect to orientation and top corner fittings  21   a  and  21   b  having pad eyes  24  placed on the top extrusion  25 .  FIG. 3B  depicts  FIG. 3A  along the B-B direction, in a similar orientation to  FIG. 2B .  FIG. 3C  depicts  FIG. 3A  along the C-C direction from above.  FIGS. 3D and 3E  are zoomed in views of  FIGS. 3A and 3C , depicting a closer view of bottom corner fitting  21   d,  and a closer view of a top corner fitting  21   b,  respectively.  FIG. 3D and 3E  utilize dashed lines to help show the full configuration of corner fitting  21  even when obscured by other components. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3D  depicts each element of the corner fitting, including apertures  22   a  and  22   b,  extrusion  25 , outer member  26 , support brace  27 , and connecting plate  28 . Extrusion  25  and support brace  27  are also visible in  FIG. 3E , along with pad eye  24 . Outer member  26  and connecting plate  28  are located below extrusion  25  in  FIG. 3E , as indicated by the dotted lines. 
         [0035]    In addition to being a modular, resulting in an easily customized fabricating process involving simple individual elements, the present invention also provides for easier loading within a framework. Rather than completely lifting the container  11 , the container need only be lifted on one side at a time, and only to a degree sufficient to accommodate one side frame  20   a,  which can then be positioned along with two top braces  30   a - 30   b,  and then a second side frame  20   b,  and the bottom two lifting braces  30   c - 30   d.    
         [0036]    Although several preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing specification, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that additional embodiments, modifications and alterations may be constructed from the invention principles disclosed herein. Significantly, no particular dimensions or materials are claimed or inferred by way of this disclosure, which may be adapted to different needs as warranted by the weight and density of the cargo to be lifted. 
         [0037]    Additionally, it can be appreciated that while the detailed embodiments are described with respect to a standard shipping container fitted with ISO blocks, this framework can be easily adapted and utilized with non-standard containers, racks, etc., while still falling within the scope of the disclosed invention.