US3598440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotatable container-hoisting apparatus
Assignee: Fruehauf Corp
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Filing: 1969-03-18
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1989-03-18
Abstract
Abstract Hoisting apparatus for cargo containers that permits the containers to be oriented in any rotative position so that containers can be positioned as desired in container cells, on dock surfaces, and like locations. A cable guiding system in which the spacing between the several vertical cable runs in the system can be altered between a relative widely spaced, highly stable position and a relatively closely spaced position at which the cable guiding structure can enter into container cells without contacting the walls that define the cell. An auxiliary frame adapted to be mounted between the cable guiding structure and a conventional container-engaging spreader frame, which auxiliary frame is adapted to rotatively position a spreader frame and container engaged thereby. The auxiliary frame includes sensors to determine the degree of load imbalance, if any, of a container engaged thereby, and a counterweight and a drive system for the counterweight that positions the counterweight so as to compensate for any imbalance arising from an eccentrically loaded container.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles D Ramsden
- 👤 George W Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:36
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66C; B66C13/00; B66C13/04; B66C13/08; B66C1/00; B66C1/10; B66C1/101; B66C19/00; B66C19/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
In combination with a generally rectangular spreader frame that includes thereon means for engaging a cargo container and means connected to the frame at at least two spaced-apart points thereon for raising and lowering the frame, the improvement that includes apparatus for counteracting such imbalance as may exist in a container engaged by the frame, said apparatus comprising a counterweight, means for mounting said counterweight on said spreader frame for movement along a path intermediate said spaced-apart points, means for comparing the force due to gravity at said two points, and means responsive to said force comparing means for moving said counterweight toward the one of said two points that has the least force applied thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
In combination with a generally rectangular spreader frame that includes thereon means for engaging a cargo container and means connected to the frame at at least two spaced-apart points thereon for raising and lowering the frame, the improvement that includes apparatus for counteracting such imbalance as may exist in a container engaged by the frame, said apparatus comprising a counterweight, means for mounting said counterweight on said spreader frame for movement along a path intermediate said spaced-apart points, means for comparing the force due to gravity at said two points, and means responsive to said force comparing means for moving said counterweight toward the one of said two points that has the least force applied thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
149 words
The invention of claim 1 in combination with first and second blocks attached to said frame, each said block including a yoke pivotally mounted therein, a sheave supported in each said yoke, said sheaves being positioned at said two spaced-apart points on said frame, means for limiting the degree of pivotal movement of said yokes so that the force on said limiting means is proportional to the tension on cables trained around said sheaves supported in said yokes, a hydraulic load cell mounted to each said limiting means, said load cells constituting an element of said force comparing means and having hydraulic outputs at a pressure proportional to the force applied thereon by said yokes, means including electrical contacts for closing said contacts in response to a pressure differential in said hydraulic outputs, and a motor connected in circuit with said contacts for driving said counterweight along said path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 2 in combination with means including a normally closed contact for opening said contact when a differential pressure exists between said load cells, said normally closed contact constituting an interlock circuit which is opened when an unbalanced condition is sensed by the apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
206 words
Container-hoisting apparatus for raising and lowering a container that has a relatively long length dimension and a relatively short width dimension into a vertically elongate open top stowage cell that has similar dimensions in a horizontal plane, said hoisting apparatus comprising a rectangular spreader frame having length and width dimensions approximately equal to the container and the cell, means on said spreader frame for engaging the container, means for hoisting the spreader frame, said hoisting means including at least two depending tension members attached to the spreader frame at at least two points that are spaced apart by a distance no greater than the width of the cell so that said spreader can be lowered into the cell without interference, said hoisting means further including first and second means for guiding said tension members into at least two depending runs at the upper end of said two depending tension members; and means for positioning said first and second means towards and away from one another to adjust the space between said depending tension members at their upper end to a distance that is no greater than the width of the cell, and a counterweight movable relative said frame for compensating for unbalanced loads in said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
206 words
Container-hoisting apparatus for raising and lowering a container that has a relatively long length dimension and a relatively short width dimension into a vertically elongate open top stowage cell that has similar dimensions in a horizontal plane, said hoisting apparatus comprising a rectangular spreader frame having length and width dimensions approximately equal to the container and the cell, means on said spreader frame for engaging the container, means for hoisting the spreader frame, said hoisting means including at least two depending tension members attached to the spreader frame at at least two points that are spaced apart by a distance no greater than the width of the cell so that said spreader can be lowered into the cell without interference, said hoisting means further including first and second means for guiding said tension members into at least two depending runs at the upper end of said two depending tension members; and means for positioning said first and second means towards and away from one another to adjust the space between said depending tension members at their upper end to a distance that is no greater than the width of the cell, and a counterweight movable relative said frame for compensating for unbalanced loads in said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
173 words
Container-hoisting apparatus for raising and lowering a container that has a relatively long length dimension and a relatively short width dimension into a vertically elongate open top stowage cell that has similar dimensions in a horizontal plane, said hoisting apparatus comprising a rectangular spreader frame having length and width dimensions approximately equal to the container and the cell, means on said spreader frame for engaging the container, means for hoisting the spreader frame, said hoisting means including at least two depending tension members attached to the spreader frame at at least two points that are spaced apart by a distance no greater than the width of the cell so that said spreaDer can be lowered into the cell without interference, and a counterweight movable relative said frame for compensating for unbalanced loads in said container, and means operably connected to at least a plurality of said depending tension members for detecting the difference in tension at said plurality of tension members and means responsive to said detected tension differences for positioning said counterweight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
173 words
Container-hoisting apparatus for raising and lowering a container that has a relatively long length dimension and a relatively short width dimension into a vertically elongate open top stowage cell that has similar dimensions in a horizontal plane, said hoisting apparatus comprising a rectangular spreader frame having length and width dimensions approximately equal to the container and the cell, means on said spreader frame for engaging the container, means for hoisting the spreader frame, said hoisting means including at least two depending tension members attached to the spreader frame at at least two points that are spaced apart by a distance no greater than the width of the cell so that said spreaDer can be lowered into the cell without interference, and a counterweight movable relative said frame for compensating for unbalanced loads in said container, and means operably connected to at least a plurality of said depending tension members for detecting the difference in tension at said plurality of tension members and means responsive to said detected tension differences for positioning said counterweight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |