Abstract: A device for detecting a position of a hoisting frame includes one or more image sensors connected movably to the hoisting frame and protruding outside a periphery thereof in a position of use. The image sensors can be movable between the position of use and a protected position lying within the periphery of the hoisting frame. The device can be provided with means for biasing the image sensor(s) from the protected position to the position of use. A method for controlling a hoisting frame suspended from a crane includes moving the hoisting frame to a first position under the control of an automatic control system, holding the hoisting frame stationary in the first position, making one or more image recordings of the area around the hoisting frame in the first position and moving the hoisting frame to a second position on the basis of the image recording(s), wherein the image recording(s) is/are made by one or more image sensors connected to the hoisting frame.

Abstract: A device for detecting a position of a hoisting frame includes one or more image sensors connected movably to the hoisting frame and protruding outside a periphery thereof in a position of use. The image sensors can be movable between the position of use and a protected position lying within the periphery of the hoisting frame. The device can be provided with means for biasing the image sensor(s) from the protected position to the position of use. A method for controlling a hoisting frame suspended from a crane includes moving the hoisting frame to a first position under the control of an automatic control system, holding the hoisting frame stationary in the first position, making one or more image recordings of the area around the hoisting frame in the first position and moving the hoisting frame to a second position on the basis of the image recording(s), wherein the image recording(s) is/are made by one or more image sensors connected to the hoisting frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting crack formation in a hoisting member, comprising the steps of measuring a stress under load at two points of the hoisting member, comparing the measured stresses and generating a warning signal when the measured stresses differ too much from each other. The invention also relates to a device for detecting crack formation in a hoisting member, comprising means arranged at two points of the hoisting member for measuring a stress under load, means connected to the measuring means for comparing the measured stresses, and means connected to the comparing means for generating a warning signal when the measured stresses differ too much from each other. Finally, the invention relates to a hoisting frame, comprising a number of hoisting members which are mounted thereon close to its corners, and crack detection devices connected thereto.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hoisting or lowering movement of a load, which is suspended from a hoisting mechanism of a crane by means of at least two hoisting cables trained round cable sheaves on the load, by monitoring the position of the load and braking and/or stopping the hoisting mechanism upon detection of an undesirable position, wherein the cable sheaves are each connected to the load for pivoting about a horizontal axis, and the position of the load is monitored by detecting a pivoting movement of at least one of the cable sheaves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting crack formation in a hoisting member, comprising the steps of measuring a stress under load at two points of the hoisting member, comparing the measured stresses and generating a warning signal when the measured stresses differ too much from each other. The invention also relates to a device for detecting crack formation in a hoisting member, comprising means arranged at two points of the hoisting member for measuring a stress under load, means connected to the measuring means for comparing the measured stresses, and means connected to the comparing means for generating a warning signal when the measured stresses differ too much from each other. Finally, the invention relates to a hoisting frame, comprising a number of hoisting members which are mounted thereon close to its corners, and crack detection devices connected thereto.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hoisting or lowering movement of a load, which is suspended from a hoisting mechanism of a crane by means of at least two hoisting cables trained round cable sheaves on the load, by monitoring the position of the load and braking and/or stopping the hoisting mechanism upon detection of an undesirable position, wherein the cable sheaves are each connected to the load for pivoting about a horizontal axis, and the position of the load is monitored by detecting a pivoting movement of at least one of the cable sheaves.

Abstract: A hoisting frame that can be connected at an upper side to hoisting cables and have a device on an underside for picking up a secondary hoisting frame. The hoisting frame may be adjustable between a retracted position, in which its transverse dimension is equal to that of the secondary hoisting frame, and an extended position. Pick-ups are adapted to pick up a single secondary hoisting frame in the retracted position and to pick up two mutually adjacent secondary hoisting frames in the extended position. A method for transferring containers may include picking up one load at a first location when the hoisting frame is retracted, or two loads when the hoisting frame is extended, lifting, displacing to a second location and then lowering the hoisting frame with the picked-up load(s), uncoupling the load(s) from the hoisting frame, lifting the hoisting frame, moving the hoisting frame from one to another position. A secondary hoisting frame may be coupled or uncoupled and the steps repeated.

Abstract: A device for gripping containers from above, which includes a frame which has a number of corners, twist-locks arranged close to each of the corners of the frame for gripping an upper corner of the containers, and contact elements connected to the frame, which elements are biased to a position located at least partly under the frame and which are adapted to brake the movement of the frame in the vicinity of a container when the frame is placed on the container. The presence of these contact elements allows loads on the frame to be reduced and noise nuisance to be minimized. The contact elements, which may be arranged in or on the frame and may protrude through openings formed in the frame, may be elastically deformable or may be pivotally connected to the frame. Compression springs and/or hydraulic cylinders may be arranged between the frame and the contact elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hoisting frame which can be connected on the upper side to hoisting cables and has means on the underside for picking up a secondary hoisting frame. The hoisting frame is adjustable between a retracted position, in which its transverse dimension is equal to that of the secondary hoisting frame, and an extended position. The pick-up means are adapted to pick up a single secondary hoisting frame in the retracted position and to pick up two mutually adjacent secondary hoisting frames in the extended position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for gripping containers from above, comprising a frame which has a number of corners, means arranged close to each of the corners of the frame for gripping an upper corner of the containers, and contact elements connected to the frame, which elements are biased to a position located at least partly under the frame and which are adapted to brake the movement of the frame in the vicinity of a container when the frame is placed thereon. The presence of these contact elements allows loads on the frame to be reduced and noise nuisance to be minimized. The contact elements, which may be arranged in or on the frame and may protrude through openings formed in the frame, may be elastically deformable or may be pivotally connected to the frame. Spring means and/or damping means may be arranged between the frame and the contact elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hoisting frame, specifically for hoisting containers, including a longitudinally adjustable beam having a plurality of outer pickup elements arranged at ends of the beam and inner pickup elements arranged near a center of the beam. The inner pickup elements are connected to the beam and moveable in longitudinal direction. The inner pickup elements are moveable along the beam in pairs and are arranged in pairs on a saddle placed transversely on the beam and slideable therealong. The invention also relates to a method for transporting containers by use of such a hoisting frame. The method steps include picking up at least two adjacent containers at a first location, lifting the containers and moving them through the air to a second location and lowering the containers at the second location. Additionally, at least one of the containers is moved in a longitudinal direction relative to the hoisting frame between lifting and lowering thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hoisting frame, specifically for hoisting containers, including a longitudinally adjustable beam having a plurality of outer pickup elements arranged at ends of the beam and inner pickup elements arranged near a center of the beam. The inner pickup elements are connected to the beam and moveable in longitudinal direction. The inner pickup elements are moveable along the beam in pairs and are arranged in pairs on a saddle placed transversely on the beam and slideable therealong. The invention also relates to a method for transporting containers by use of such a hoisting frame. The method steps include picking up at least two adjacent containers at a first location, lifting the containers and moving them through the air to a second location, and lowering the containers at the second location. Additionally, at least one of the containers is moved in a longitudinal direction relative to the hoisting frame between lifting and lowering thereof.