DYNAMIC LIFTING FRAMEWORK

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

The manufacturing and configuration of these lifting frameworks are governed by several standards, including but not limited to, EN (European Standard) 12079, IMO (Int'l Maritime Organizattion) 860, DNV (Det Norsk Veritas) 2.7-1, SEPCO (Shell Exploration and Production company) OPS0055, and others.

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.

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.

Embodiments of the apparatus described herein meet this and other needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the detailed description of the embodiments, presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1A depicts an isometric view of an embodiment of the framework according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B depicts an isolated view of one component of the framework depicted in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C depicts an isolated view of another component of the framework depicted in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A depicts a zoomed-in view of a component of the framework depicted in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the framework depicted in FIG. 1A along direction X.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the framework depicted in FIG. 1A along direction Y.

FIG. 3A is a side view of an embodiment of a side frame according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a side view of the side frame of FIG. 3A along line B-B.

FIG. 3C is a top view of the side frame of FIG. 3A along line C-C.

FIG. 3D is a zoomed-in view of area D on the side frame of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is a zoomed-in view of area E on the side frame of FIG. 3C.

One or more embodiments are described below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

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.

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.

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.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, an example of a dynamic lifting framework 10 is shown in FIG. 1A comprising two side frames 20a and 20b, and four braces 30a-30d (30c 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 12a-12h (12d and 12e not visible) thereof. FIG. 1B depicts an exemplar side frame 20 in greater detail, said side frame comprising two top corner fittings 21a and 21b, and two bottom corner fittings 21c and 21d. FIG. 1C depicts an exemplar brace 30 comprising two connecting fittings 31a and 31b, and each fitting can also comprise two apertures 32a and 32b, as shown.

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 20a and 20b, and the braces 30c and 30d (not visible) which allow the container 11 to be dynamically lifted without placing overwhelming stress on any of the ISO corner blocks 12a-12h of the container 11. Forklift holes 19 can be positioned above the bottom braces 30c and 30d for lifting from below. View directions X and Y are present to provide reference for subsequent drawings.

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 2C along view direction X, and FIG. 2C equivalent to 2B along view Y. 2A depicts an expanded view of a corner fitting (in this case 21a) blown up along the X view. FIG. 2B shows the braces 30a and 30c linking side frames 20a and 20b.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2A, connecting fittings 31a and 31b of each brace comprise two apertures, which, for connecting fitting 31a, are labeled as 32a and 32b (shown in FIG. 1C; due to the zoomed-in view only one of the brace connecting fittings will be described in detail.) Apertures 32a and 32b 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.

Additionally, as shown, top corner fitting 21a 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.

FIG. 2C depicts the container 11 and framework 10 of FIG. 2B rotated 90 degrees such that only the side frame 20a is visible, and the braces 30a-30d are head-on (and thus not visible). For clarity, only one of the corner fittings (21a) will be described and numbered in detail. Here it can be seen that corner fitting 21a can comprise two apertures 22a and 22b which can align with a single connecting fitting (31a, not visible) of a brace 30. Also, depicted in FIG. 2C are the two bottom corner fittings 21c and 21d of side frame 20a, each of which also contains two apertures for aligning with a single connecting fitting of a brace. Each of the bottom corner fittings 21c, 21d 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 21a and 21b, pad eye 24 is positioned on top of extrusion 25.)

In addition to the extrusions 25, each corner fitting 21a-21d 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 20a. 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 20a prevents the container from sliding in the Y direction, while the lower horizontal portion of side frame 20a holds the container against gravity during movement in the Z axis (i.e., lifting and lowering). Each corner fitting can additionally comprise apertures 22a and 22b, to align with apertures 32a and 32b of either end 31a or end 32b of brace 30.

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 21a-21d, which are identical except with respect to orientation and top corner fittings 21a and 21b 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 21d, and a closer view of a top corner fitting 21b, respectively. FIG. 3D and 3E utilize dashed lines to help show the full configuration of corner fitting 21 even when obscured by other components.

FIG. 3D depicts each element of the corner fitting, including apertures 22a and 22b, 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.

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 20a, which can then be positioned along with two top braces 30a-30b, and then a second side frame 20b, and the bottom two lifting braces 30c-30d.

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.

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.

Claims

1. A framework for a cargo container comprising:

at least two side frames defining a plane and comprising at least four corners; and

a plurality of braces connecting the at least four corners of one of the at least two side frames with the at least four corners of the other of the at least two side frames, wherein each of the at least four corners of the at least two side frames contacts a corner of the cargo container on at least three sides.

2. The framework of claim 1, wherein one of the at least two side frames further comprises a plurality of apertures along the bottom for receiving a forklift.

3. The framework of claim 1, where each brace of the plurality of braces further comprises an aperture for receiving a fastener therethrough.

4. The framework of claim 1, wherein the plurality of braces and the at least two side frames are welded.

5. The framework of claim 1, wherein each corner of the at least four corners further comprises a vertical extrusion.

6. The framework of claim 5, wherein at least two corners of the at least four corners further comprise a pad eye located atop the vertical extrusion.

7. The framework of claim 1, wherein each corner of the at least four corners further comprises a support brace.

8. The framework of claim 1, wherein the at least two side frames further comprise an outer member located outside the plane.

9. A method of bracing a container block comprising a plurality of corners, wherein each of the corners comprises a corner block, the method comprising:

lifting a first side of the container block;

mounting a first side frame to the first side of the container block, wherein the bottom of the first side of the container block rests on the first side frame;

lifting a second side of the container block;

mounting a second side frame to the second side of the container block, wherein the bottom of the container block rests on the second side frame;

aligning a plurality of braces with the first side frame and the second side frame;

fastening said plurality of braces to the first side frame and the second side frame; and

lifting the first and second side frames.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of lifting the first and second side frames further comprises attaching a lifting mechanism through a plurality of pad eyes located on the top side of the first side frame and the second side frame.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of mounting the first side frame further comprises aligning the container between two outer members located on the bottom of the first side frame.

12. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of mounting the second side frame further comprises aligning the container between two outer members located on the bottom of the second side frame.

13. The method of claim 13, wherein each respective corner block of the plurality of corners is contacted on at least three sides by the first side frame, the second side frame, the plurality of braces, the outer members, or combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of aligning the plurality of braces with the first side frame and second side frame further comprises aligning at least a first aperture in each respective brace of the plurality of braces with a corresponding aperture in the first side frame, and aligning at least a second aperture in each respective brace of the plurality of braces with a corresponding aperture in the second side frame.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of fastening said plurality of braces to the first side frame and the second side frame is accomplished through a plurality of bolts and nuts located within each first aperture in each respective brace of the plurality of braces, and each second aperture in each respective brace of the plurality of braces.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the corner blocks are ISO 1161 standard.