Container loading crane with rotatable hoisting frame

• US 4,286,722 A
• Filed: 06/13/1979
• Issued: 09/01/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hans Tax
• Original Assignee: Hans Tax
• Inventors: Tax, Hans, Hosler, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Paperner, Leslie J.
• Application Number:
  US06/048,048
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 414/626, 212/9, 212/11, 212/14, 212/40, 212/41, 212/125, 212/242, 294/67 R, 294/67 DA, 294/81 SF
• US Class Current: 212/242
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 1/663 for containers fastening of containers on vehicles B60P7/13, B60P7/132
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/08 for depositing loads in desired attitudes or positions

Abstract

The four hoisting cables of a container loading crane which depend from the free end of the crane boom pass axially through a central opening of a turntable mechanism. The upper turntable portion is mounted on the boom and may tilt about a horizontal axis. The lower turntable portion may be moved relative to the upper portion about a vertical axis. The free ends of the hoisting cables extend between two pairs of engaging elements on the lower turntable portion and corresponding two pairs of engaging elements on a container hoisting frame. The pairs of engagement elements at least on the frame are spaced farther apart in the direction of frame elongation than the frame is wide. One engagement element associated with each tension member is a pulley over which the tension member is trained.

Claims

1. In a container loading crane including a a base frame, a boom extending from said base frame and having a free end spaced outwardly from said base frame, a plurality of elongated tension members depending from the free end of said boom, winch means mounted on said base frame and said tension members connected to said winch means and extending therefrom to the free end of said boom for varying the effective depending lengths of said tension members, a horizontally extending, elongated container hoisting frame carrying connector means for rigidly fastening a shipping container to said container hoisting frame, each of said tension members being secured to said container hoisting frame for raising and lowering the frame in response to the varying dependent lengths of the tension member, and turning means for turning said container hoisting frame about a vertically extending axis, the improvement in said turning means which comprises:

(a) a first turntable assembly pivotally mounted about a horizontal pivot axis on the free end of said boom and secured thereto against rotation about the vertically extending axis;

(b) a second turntable assembly mounted on said first turntable assembly for rotation about the vertical extending axis assembly;

(c) drive means for turning said second turntable assembly relative to said first turntable assembly and the free end of said boom about said vertically extending axis,

(1) said turntable assemblies defining respective portions of a vertical passage therethrough,

(2) said tension members extending through said passage;

(d) first securing means on said second turntable assembly and second securing means on said hoisting frame associated with each of said tension members and securing respective, longitudinal parts of the associated tension member to said second turntable assembly and to said hoisting frame;

(e) said first and second turntable assemblies being fixed in the vertical direction with respect to said horizontal pivot axis; and

(f) said plurality of tension members being twisted about said vertically extending axis when said second turntable assembly is rotated with respect to said first turntable assembly.

2. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, the second securing means associated with two of said tension members being spaced longitudinally of said hoisting frame a distance greater than the horizontal width of said hoisting frame.

3. In a crane as set forth in claim 2, the first securing means associated with said two tension members being spaced on said second turntable assembly longitudinally of said hoisting frame a distance greater than the horizontal width of said hoisting frame.

4. In a crane as set forth in claim 3, said two tension members having respective free end portions extending between the associated first and second securing means in substantially parallel alignment.

5. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said tension members extending through said passage in at least approximately parallel alignment.

6. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said second turntable assembly including a turntable member contiguously adjacent said first turntable assembly and a carrier member spacedly suspended from said turntable member and carrying said first securing means.

7. In a crane as set forth in claim 6, suspending means connecting said carrier member to said turntable member and substantially completely preventing relative angular movement of said carrier member relative to said turntable member about said vertically extending axis while a shipping container is fastened to said hoisting frame and said hoisting frame is being raised by said tension members.

8. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, one of said first and second securing means associated with each of said tension members including a pulley member, the associated tension member being trained over said pulley member, the other one of said associated first and second securing means being fastened to a free end portion of the associated tension member.

9. In a crane as set forth in claim 8, said one securing means being said second securing means.

10. In a crane as set forth in claim 9, a guide pulley on said second turntable assembly associated with each of said tension members, each tension member being trained sequentially over said guide pulley and the pulley member of said second securing means, respective longitudinal parts of each tension member diverging from the associated pulley member toward the associated guide pulley and first securing means.

11. In a crane as set forth in claim 8, said one securing means being said first securing means.

12. In a crane as set forth in claim 11, a guide pulley on said second turntable assembly associated with each of said tension members, each tension member being trained sequentially over said guide pulley and said pulley member of said first securing means to the associated second securing means.

13. In a crane as set forth in claim 1, said boom being horizontally extending, said tension members extending from said winch means on said base frame longitudinally of said boom to said free end and depending from said free end.

14. In a crane as set forth in claim 13, said base frame comprising an upright frame, and said boom being pivotally secured to said frame.