Abstract: A system for mounting a head frame to a spreader includes a sheave assembly connecting the head frame to a crane so as to permit the lowering of the head frame, mutually cooperating engagement devices for coupling the head frame and the spreader, an actuator arranged to connect mutually engageable transmission connectors on the head frame and spreader, and a registration device for registering the coupling of the head frame and the spreader. The registration device is arranged to prevent engagement of the transmission connector until the head frame and spreader are coupled.

Abstract: A spreader assembly comprising a spreader having container engagement devices for engaging and disengaging a container; a lid engagement device mounted to the spreader, said lid engagement device having an actuator for positioning a lid engagement frame proximate to a lid of said container, said frame arranged to engage said lid so as to permit the actuator to move said lid relative to the container.

Abstract: A flipper assembly for guiding a spreader to engage a container is provided, the flipper assembly comprising a flipper hingedly mounted to the spreader, said flipper moveable between an open and closed position about said mounting; a motor mounted to the spreader distal from said flipper; a spacing assembly located between the motor and the hinged mounting of the flipper, wherein said spacing assembly is capable of transmitting a torque from the motor to the hinged mounting so as to move the flipper between the closed and open positions.

Abstract: A manipulation device (5) for either securing a twist-lock to a shipping container or releasing it therefrom or both, the device (5) comprising an engagement element (20) operative to engage and rotate at least a portion of the twist-lock so as to secure the twist-lock in the shipping container or to release it therefrom; a support member (15) disposed above the an engagement element (20), the support member (15) being arranged to receive and support a mid region of the twist-lock while allowing a lower portion of the supported twist-lock to protect below the member to be engagable with the an engagement element (20), said support member (15) being in the form of a plate incorporating at least one aperture allowing the lower portion of the supported twist-lock to protect below the plate; wherein said support member (15) is selectively movable out of alignment with an axis of rotation of the twist-lock.

Abstract: A detection frame for a lifting device is provided. The frame supports a detection system whilst the frame is attached to a lifting device, the lifting device used for lifting freight, the frame comprising attachment brackets for attaching the frame to the lifting device; at least one platform for mounting the detection system to the frame, such that the frame is in spaced relation to the freight whilst mounted to the lifting device.

Abstract: A head block assembly (105) comprising a first head block (120) having a first pair of cable engaging sheaves (130); a second head block (125) having a second pair of cable engaging sheaves (135); a separation device (140) mounted intermediate the first and second head blocks (120, 125), for effecting relative transverse movement of said head blocks; wherein the first pair of sheaves (130) are selectively disengagable from the first head block (120), and selectively engagable with the second head block (135).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for either securing twist-locks (400) to shipping containers (402) or releasing them therefrom or both, comprises a cradle (11) adapted to receive at least one shipping container and at least one manipulation device (14) operative to secure a twist-lock to the shipping container or release it therefrom, the manipulation device comprising an engagement device (27) operative to engage and rotate at least a portion of the twist-lock so as to secure the twist-lock in the shipping container or to release it therefrom. The manipulation device may form part of a twist-lock handling assembly (12) which includes a storage system for twist-locks (16) and a guide assembly (15) for feeding twist-locks into and out of register with the manipulation device (14).

Abstract: An engagement assembly (1) for mounting to a first head block (2) so as to engage a Second head block (5), said assembly comprising: at least one mounting bracket for mounting the assembly to the first head block (2); a plurality of extendable members each connected at a first end to the at least one mounting bracket, a second opposed end of each extendable member being extendable away from said first head block; a plurality of engagement portions (50 A,B) in communication with the second ends such that extensions of the second ends consequently extends the engagement portions (25), said engagement portions adapted to engage engagement brackets (30) mounted to the second head block (5), wherein on engagement the engagement assembly permits selective relative movement in the horizontal plane and free relative vertical movement.

Abstract: A trolley assembly (200) comprising means for supporting a spreader assembly (300), said means including cables (20), said spreader assembly (300) adapted to engage at least one freight device; a first carrier portion and a second carrier portion; the supporting means adapted to connect the spreader assembly (300) to at least one of said carrier portions and; a trolley separation means for selectively varying the relative position of the first and second carrier portions wherein the adjustment of the trolley separation means is such that the cables (20) are maintained in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A head block assembly (105) comprising a first head block (120) having a first pair of cable engaging sheaves (130); a second head block (125) having a second pair of cable engaging sheaves (135); a separation device (140) mounted intermediate the first and second head blocks (120, 125), for effecting relative transverse movement of said head blocks; wherein the first pair of sheaves (130) are selectively disengagable from the first head block (120), and selectively engagable with the second head block (135).

Abstract: An engagement device (5) comprising a hub (15); a plurality of discrete projection members (20A-20D) mounted to said hub (15) at a respective first ends of said members, said members selectively extendable from said hub (15); a sheave and engagement apparatus (25A-25D) mounted to each projection member (20A-20D), the engagement apparatus for engaging at least one intermodul unit; wherein extension of the projection members (20A-20D) moves the respective sheave and engagement apparatus (25A-25 D) relative to said hub (15).

Abstract: A hoist frame (150) for engaging a pair of spreaders in an expanded position and a single spreader in a retracted position comprising, a first and second head frame (65a, b), each for engaging a lifting device; a rigid first frame (160a) fixed to the first head frame and a rigid second frame (160b) fixed to the second head frame; a plurality of assemblies (155a,b) pivotably mounted to each fixed frame so as to be intermediate the head frames, wherein, each assembly comprises an upper horizontal member (175), a first inclined outer member (165) pivotally mounted to the first fixed frame and pivotally mounted to a first end of the upper horizontal member, a second inclined outer member (185) pivotally mounted to the second fixed frame and pivotally mounted to a second end of the upper horizontal member, a first inclined inner member (170a) pivotally mounted to the first fixed frame and pivotally mounted to a mid-point of the upper horizontal member so as to be parallel to the first outer inclined member in a fi

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for either securing twist-locks (400) to shipping containers (402) or releasing them therefrom or both, comprises a cradle (11) adapted to receive at least one shipping container and at least one manipulation device (14) operative to secure a twist-lock to the shipping container or release it therefrom, the manipulation device comprising engagement means (27) operative to engage and rotate at least a portion of the twist-lock so as to secure the twist-lock in the shipping container or to release it therefrom. The manipulation device may form part of a twist-lock handling assembly (12) which includes a storage system for twist-locks (16) and a guide assembly (15) for feeding twist-locks into and out of register with the manipulation device (14).

Abstract: A spreader (1) for lifting a freight container (7, 17) comprises a frame (3, 4, 11) and two pairs of pickup elements (5). Each pair of pickup elements (5) are mounted at opposite ends of the frame (3, 4, 11) and the frame (3, 4, 11) is adjustable to adjust the separation of the two pairs of pickup elements (5). A detector (8) is movably mounted on the frame (3, 4, 11) for movement between a first position in which the detector (8) is closer to one pair of pickup elements (5) and a second position in which the detector (8) is closer to the other pair of pickup elements (5). The detector is adapted to detect a discontinuity in an object (7, 17) located below the spreader (1).

Abstract: A latch mechanism (7) includes a latch member (8) movable between a release position and a latched position, an operating member (34) movably coupled to the latch member (8), the operating member (34) being movable between a first position and a second position and the latch member (8) being in the release position when the operating member (34) is in the first position and the latch member (8) being in the latched position when the operating member (34) is in the second position. An actuating member (32) movable from a first position to a second position. Movement of the actuating member (32) from the first position to the second position causing the operating member (34) to move from the first position to the second position. A lock member (41) locks the operating member (34) in the second position and the lock member (41) moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position when the operating member (34) is moved from the first position to the second position.