Abstract: Support harnesses and systems and kits including the same are disclosed. A support harness includes a plurality of straps arranged such that a first strap, a second strap, and a third strap are spaced apart from one another, and the third strap extends between the first strap and the second strap. The support harness further includes a first connection piece extending between a proximal end of the first strap and a proximal end of the third strap and a second connection piece extending between a proximal end of the second strap and the proximal end of the third strap. The first strap, the second strap, and the third strap are each positionable around a horizontally positioned subject by wrapping the respective distal ends around a body part of the horizontally positioned subject and coupling the distal ends to the respective portions.

Abstract: A service platform, container handling carrier and method of arranging electrical drive control elements. The platform (8) comprises one or more mounting space between a top and bottom surfaces (15, 19). The mounting spaces may receive electrical components (29).

Abstract: A crane may comprise a mast that includes a base end and a top end located opposite the base end, at least one support beam fixedly coupled to the mast adjacent the top end of the mast, a first runway beam fixedly coupled to the at least one support beam, and a second runway beam spaced from the first runway beam. The crane may also comprise a bridge movably coupled to the first runway beam and the second runway beam, a trolley movably coupled to the bridge, and a hoist coupled to the trolley. In many embodiments, the crane only comprises one mast.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed a construction apparatus and method for lifting structure integrally over the obstacles in vertical direction to a position with different horizontal projection. The apparatus comprises two platform beams placed each other in parallel, two lifting beams laterally relative to the platform beams and a lifter equipped with the lifting beams. Push instrument kits are installed on the platform beams and the lifting beams respectively, and a plurality of sets of baffles installed on both sides of the platform beams to provide the push instrument kits with a counter-force when the push instrument kits work. When the structure encounters obstacles during the process of lifting the structure by two lifters, the posture of the structure can be altered by operating the push instrument kits and the lifters, such that the horizontal projection of the structure will be reduced and the structure can therefore be lifted over the obstacle in vertical direction.

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 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: Embodiments of the present invention include quayside cranes and yard cranes related by a low elevated transfer system and a ground transportation carrier system. The low elevated transfer system includes low elevated transfer subsystems having low elevated rails, the low elevates rails include low elevated crane rails and low elevated flat carrier rails, low elevated cranes are disposed on the low elevated crane rails and low elevated flat carriers are disposed on the low elevated flat carrier rail. The ground transportation carrier system includes ground transportation carrier rails and transportation carriers moving along the ground transportation carrier rails. Embodiments of the present invention transport the containers by rails and use municipal electric as the power supply. A three-dimensional low elevated transfer system and a ground transportation carrier system are provided to implement three-dimensional transportation of containers.

Abstract: A bottom block assembly includes a block having a central vertical axis, a hook secured to the block for attaching a load to the block, a first pair of sheaves rotatably attached to the block, a first rope reeved about the first pair of sheaves, a second pair of sheaves rotatably attached to the block, and a second rope reeved about the second pair of reeves. The first and second pairs of sheaves are each equally spaced about the central vertical axis. The first pair of sheaves are located higher on the block than the second pair of sheave so that a portion of the first rope located between the first pair of sheaves crosses over a portion of the second rope located between the second pair of sheaves. If either rope fails, the other rope ensures the block remains level with a full load attached to the hook.

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: Apparatus for covering a payload of a semitrailer with a tarpaulin cover having an overhead structure including a first travel beam and a second travel beam. A carriage is movable on the first travel beam and second travel beam from a position where the carriage rests over the payload to be covered to a position spaced apart in a side-by-side relation with the payload to be covered. A rotatable drum upon which a cable is wound is mounted to the carriage and the connector is used for connecting a free end of the cable to the tarpaulin. An electric system or hydraulic system is used for selectively locating the rotatable drum in opposite directions.

Abstract: In one example, a radiation scanning system and method rotates a cargo conveyance after removal from a ship for proper orientation with respect to a scanning source and detector, for scanning. A movable carriage may be provided on a crane system, to rotate the cargo conveyance. A rotating flywheel on the carriage rotates in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the cargo conveyance, to counterbalance angular momentum generated by the rotating conveyance, to avoid or minimize twisting of the carriage. Feedback is provided to control the rotation of the flywheel. Once the cargo conveyance is in the predetermined position, the conveyance is moved between the radiation source and detector for scanning by a vertically extending radiation beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting machinery of two reel differential type for two 40 feet container shore crane, comprising: a motor, a reductor and its high speed brake, reels and reel brakes; wherein at least one motor is provided; a planetary differential reductor is used as the reductor connected to the motor output end, the planetary differential reductor has a high speed input shaft, a low speed output shaft and a differential project shaft; the high speed input shaft connects to the motor output shaft, at least one high speed brake is provided on the high speed input shaft; two four project rope reels connect to two low speed output shaft; at least one reel brake is provided on each reel; and the lifting machinery comprises a differential shaft brake consisting of at least two differential shaft brakes provided on two differential project shaft; the revolution of the two differential project shaft of the planetary differential reductor is controlled by the two differential shaft brakes so that power o

Abstract: A gantry crane (10) is configured in a panel turner application. The gantry crane (10) generally includes a gantry crane structure (14) having a first cross-beam (28) and a second cross-beam (30). A first main hoist mechanism (40) and a first auxiliary hoist mechanism (42) are coupled to the first cross-beam (28), and a second main hoist mechanism (44) and a second auxiliary hoist mechanism (46) are coupled to the second cross-beam (30). The crane (10) includes a hydraulic system configured to reduce the lift capacity of the first and/or second main hoist mechanism (40, 44), and to equalize the hoist capacity between the first and second main hoist mechanisms (40, 44) or the first and second auxiliary hoist mechanisms (42, 46) in certain applications. The auxiliary hoist mechanism (42, 46) are configured for powered movement along the respective cross-beams (28, 30).

Abstract: A hub and distribution system (600) is disclosed. It comprises the steps of: delivering (602) a container via rail to a terminal; assigning (604) a corridor as to where to deliver the container, the corridor including a block of pathways in proximity to a track side location; picking (606) the container from a rail car and placing (608) it in one of the pathways in the corridor; and transporting (610) the container to a desired remote destination. The system provides an efficient, effective and semi-automated post-blocking method, such that each post-blocked group of containers has a similar desired remote destination, so that the containers can be easily located, loaded, handed-off and transported to a desired location.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility includes a storage facility and a production facility. Workpieces are located in the storage facility in temporary storage accommodations, and are moved between the storage facility and stations in the production facility by mobile carrier units. The temporary storage accommodations may be units having a generally circular lading envelope, and an hexagonal optimal packing density. The optimal packing density is such that supports for the accommodation units lies outside the lading envelope circle, but within the corner regions of the hexagons of the packing density pattern. The accommodation units have lifting fittings that are accessible from the corners of the hexagons, whether the same as those of the supports, or different ones. The mobile carrier units may be automated guided vehicles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transfer plant, especially for loading and unloading ISO containers from container ships at seaports, comprising a vertical support which is propped up on the land side and on which a horizontal extension arm is braced. Said horizontal extension arm, along which a horizontal conveying device can be displaced, protrudes across the ship that is to be unloaded on the sea side. The horizontal conveying device cooperates with hoisting and lowering devices which pick up and put down the containers. The aim of the invention is to create a redesigned transfer plant and a method for loading and unloading containers, preferably ISO containers, from container ships in seaports, which allow the transfer rate to be significantly increased and consequently the lay times of the container ships at the pier to be substantially reduced. Said aim is achieved by disposing at least two horizontal conveying devices (9, 10) on the horizontal extension arm (1.4, 1.5, 1.

Abstract: A crane provided with a trolley, a hanging member, a rope member, and a hoisting device. The crane includes a horizontal position displacement detection unit which detects a horizontal positional displacement between at least two corners of the cargo and a landing place of the two corners; and a horizontal position displacement correction unit which corrects a horizontal positional displacement between the at least two corners of the cargo and the landing place of the two corners when the two corners have landed based on a detection signal from the horizontal position displacement detection unit. The horizontal position displacement correction unit corrects the position of a corner of the cargo so that the corner lands at the landing place of the corner, and then corrects the position of another corner so that the corner lands at the landing place of the corner.

Abstract: A self-propelled, steerable straddle carrier (10) includes a main frame (12) supported on transport wheels (14) with a tong table (20) and a plurality of hydraulic lift actuator (34) for raising and lowering the tong table (20) relative to the main frame (12). A pair of front and rear slab tongs (42, 44) are pivotally mounted on the tong table (20) with a pair of front and rear pinch cylinders (43, 45) for opening and closing the slab tongs (42, 44). A pair of coil tongs (52) arm disposed between the front and rear slab tongs (42, 44) with a pair of inverted yoke assemblies for pivotally supporting the coil tongs (52) and a center pinch cylinder (60) for opening and closing the coil tongs (52). A pair of hydraulic actuators (34) interconnect the yoke assemblies and the main frame (12) for raising and lowering the coil tongs (52) relative to the slab tongs (42, 44) to permit the straddle carrier (10) to transport either stacks of steel slabs or a steel coil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting device for increasing the performance of a handling apparatus for ISO containers, in particular for increasing the performance of a container bridge in a terminal having automated inward and outward transport of the containers by means of self-propelled transport vehicles, and having at least one container load-lifting means in the form of a spreader and devices for the intermediate positioning of the containers within the handling apparatus for the purpose of fitting or removing the twist locks, and platforms for the personnel occupied in doing this.

Abstract: A universal rack loading/unloading system and method of using such a system includes a transfer station for receiving the truck bed of a truck. A monorail is fixedly attached to the transfer station. The monorail has at least one snatch winch that is coupled thereto and capable of traversing a length of the monorail. Also, a first rail system is formed by a pair of parallel track members and fixedly attached to the second support frame of the transfer station. A conveyance trolley is slidable mounted to the first rail system. A universal rack being suspended from the snatch winch of the monorail for supporting a load of material to be moved through a processing plant. The truck bed is unloaded and jigged simultaneously at the transfer station for movement of the material through the plant for processing.

Abstract: An adjustable system for lifting and transferring load containers which comprises a frame, a container lifting device, and a cable attached to the frame and lifting device. A first actuator is provided for raising and lowering the lifting device, which lifting device has a plurality of remotely controllable latches for engaging and disengaging latchable portions of the containers, to permit grasping and lifting of containers by the lifting device. New features of adjustability are provided, to permit the system to lift containers of varying sizes. Also, the lifting device preferably carries an electrically operated location sensing device for sensing and signalling to the operator a proper location of the latches relative to the latchable portions, to permit such latching.

Abstract: The present invention is a goods handling system incorporating a mobile unit for loading and unloading goods, preferably positioned on load carriers, to and from a ship. The unit incorporates at least one substantially horizontal transport arm with at least one transport track arranged along it and at each end of a first and a second substantially vertical lifting device with a vertically adjustable loading platform. The second lifting device is constituted by a line system arranged in the upper part of the transport arm having a free-hanging loading platform. The loading platform is provided with control means for guiding the platform into a receiving station at the end of a lifting phase to level with the transport track.

Abstract: The plant is mainly designed to increase the productivity of freight handling operations--for instance containers, in any kind of depot--to simplify the engineering works supporting the mobile crane (1) having a transversal boom (2), to eliminate stressing working conditions for the operator of the mobile crane (1) and to make essentially automatic the freight handling operations; the mobile crane (1) runs on a track (11) placed at the top of a fixed longitudinal frame (10) having stanchions (20) which transmit the loads to the ground at fixed positions constituted advantageously by foundation plinths (21) on piles (22); the cabin (12) is independent of the upper trolley (3) of the mobile crane (1); an intermediate trolley (13) receives the containers (7) from a shuttle trolley running longitudinally on a shelf (9) of the frame (10) and transfers them onto lorries (16) and trolleys (17, 162) of a conveyor ring (18, 154) of the depot assisted by bridge cranes; in maritime depots, the hold covers of ships may b

Abstract: An intermodal container positioning system for facilitating loading or positioning of intermodal containers via overhead crane or the like. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a system for positioning, in a precision matter, an intermodal container or the like upon the deck, or in the hold, of a ship or the like, or another transportation vehicle or storage area, wherein there is provided an array of electromagnets in various, alternative positions in the vicinity of the container, such that the electromagnets may be selectively utilized to engage adjacent structure, or other containers, in the vicinity of the container lock down or storage area, in such a manner as to manipulate the position of the container, to align same with other containers, a container holding area, lock down area, or the like.

Abstract: A hoist assembly is provided for an overhead crane adapted for pivoting wide panels and the like between horizontal and vertical positions. The hoist assembly is supported on an elevated horizontal beam and includes a main trolley, supporting a main lifting cable, and an auxiliary trolley, supporting an auxiliary lifting cable. The main trolley is mounted for positively drivable movement along the horizontal beam, while the auxiliary trolley is freely slidable along the horizontal beam. The freely slidable auxiliary trolley automatically moves along the beam in response to a horizontal force component of cable tension when a load is being pivoted, so that the auxiliary trolley maintains a substantially vertical position over its lifting point on the load. A method for pivoting a load with the hoist assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A retractable traversing trash rake is provided for cleaning weedscreens or bar grates at an installation for generating power, filtering water, or the like. The trash rake includes a frame carrying a troney movable from a position inside the frame to a position outside the frame. The trolley carries a trash rake which may be lowered to clean the weedscreen, and the trolley may be moved to a position within the frame, where the trash rake may be opened to deposit collected debris into a hopper. The hopper is pivotally mounted for tilting in opposite direction to provide multiple dumping options. A method of cleaning weedscreen by using a retractable traversing trash rake is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent railcar tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars and/or boats or trucks in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one vehicle such as a railcar on a first of the railcar tracks and placing the load on another vehicle such as a railcar on a second of the railcar tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected railcars and other vehicles.

Abstract: A track-bound mobile crane with a vertically-adjustable carrying device arranged on a vehicle frame and to which a guide carrier is attached. The guide carrier consists of two vertically-adjustable columns arranged across from one another at each end of the vehicle on both sides of the vehicle longitudinal axis. The guide carrier can be raised and lowered by the vertically adjustable columns.

Abstract: An adjustable system for lifting and transferring load containers which comprises a frame, a container lifting device, and a cable attached to the frame and lifting device. A first actuator is provided for raising and lowering the lifting device, which lifting device has a plurality of remotely controllable latches for engaging and disengaging latchable portions of the containers, to permit grasping and lifting of containers by the lifting device. New features of adjustability are provided, to permit the system to lift containers of varying sizes. Also, the lifting device preferably carries an electrically operated location sensing device for sensing and signalling to the operator a proper location of the latches relative to the latchable portions, to permit such latching.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vertically telescoping an automatic shuttle used for cargo container transfer in a cargo container handling gantry crane for reducing container handling cycle times.

Abstract: A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent rail car tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one rail car on a first of the rail car tracks and placing the load on another rail car on a second of the rail car tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected rail cars.