The present subject matter generally relates to lifting systems used in connection with barges or other freight transportation vehicles and, more particularly to lifting systems used to acquire loads during the loading, offloading, transport, and storage of freight on canal and river barges.
Improving the safety of the transport of freight on waterways remains an area of interest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings relative to certain applications. Specifically, existing technology requires dock workers to reach over water to secure and release lifting equipment to and from barge lids. This type of activity presents a certain amount of safety risk in the shipping industry. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology.
According to one aspect, a barge lid lifter system is provided having a horizontal frame, communication equipment indication lights mounted to the horizontal frame, a plurality of vertical beams connected to the horizontal frame, and load engagement mechanisms mounted on the vertical beams. The load engagement mechanisms are configured to retain a lifting eye of a barge lid lifting assembly using a linear actuator, an arm, and a dagger point.
According to another aspect, a load engagement mechanism that is mounted on a vertical beam is provided. The load engagement mechanism has a frame comprising a first side panel, a second side panel, a top plate, a dagger plate, a horizontal pivot pin, and a horizontal pivot pin sleeve. The load engagement mechanism has a linear actuator configured to position an arm over a dagger point on the dagger plate.
According to another aspect, a method of lifting a barge lid is provided. The barge lid lifter system is landed onto a barge lid. The barge lid lifter system may have an upper frame and a lower frame. The lower frame has a plurality of load engagement mechanisms, and a plurality of lifting eyes of the barge lid are positioned between the dagger point and the arm of each of the plurality of load engagement mechanisms. Each of the plurality of barge lid lifting eyes are latched such that each of the arms of the load engagement mechanisms close over each of the dagger points to retain the lifting eyes of the barge lid.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the subject matter of the disclosure relates.
It is necessary to remove and reposition barge lids during loading and offloading of river barge freight. The barge lid lifter system allows workers on shore to land load engagement mechanisms onto a barge lid, acquire lifting hooks, and lift the barge lid off the barge, remotely. It is possible to minimize situations in which workers are required to climb or reach onto the barge by providing a remote communication system that allows the barge lid lifter system to verify that load engagement mechanisms are landed on a barge lid and latched onto barge lid lifting eyes. Less workers climbing onto barges to attach and release barge lids from lifting equipment will increase safety and result in a more efficient process of loading and offloading river barge freight.
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The horizontal frame 102 includes two side beams 110a, 110b and two end beams 112a, 112b. Horizontal corner bracing beams 114a-114d provide support between the side beams and end beams, and horizontal side bracing beams 116a-116c are provided between the side beams 110a, 110b. A first housing 118 and a second housing 120 are mounted between horizontal side bracing beams 116a-116c of the horizontal frame 102. The first housing 118 contains a remote transmitter control system and is preferably water-tight to protect the remote transmitter control system from the elements. The remote transmitter control system includes relays, a programmable logic controller (PLC), radio communication equipment, and wiring. The second housing 120 contains a battery system to power the remote transmitter control system and the load engagement mechanisms 122a-122d of the barge lid lifter system 100. Other means of providing power to the barge lid lifter system 100 may include pneumatic power, hydraulic power, and mechanical power.
Indication lights 130 are provided on the sides and/or ends of the horizontal frame 102 to communicate the status of the load engagement mechanisms 122a-122d to crane operators, dock workers, and others working on land.
Four vertical beams 124a-124d are mounted on the four corners of the horizontal frame 102. A load engagement mechanism 122 is mounted to the bottom of each vertical beam 124.
Vertical corner bracing beams 126b, 126d are provided between the vertical beams 124b, 124d and the side beam 110b of the horizontal frame 102. Vertical cross bracing beams 128a-128d are installed diagonally between vertical beams 124a-124d to provide structural support on the ends of the horizontal frame 102.
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Tag lines, as may be required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, may be attached to the horizontal frame 102 to allow workers to guide the barge lid lifter system 100 as it is lowered into place. Additionally or alternatively, a removable guide system may be provided on the horizontal frame 102. The removable guides may be bolted onto and extend outward from the horizontal frame 102 to align the barge lid lifter system 100 with the sides 152, 154 of a barge 150.
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The clamp portion 144 of the barge lid lifting assembly 134 retains a flange on the side wall of a barge. To remove the barge lid 132, the lifting eye 142 is rotated away from the edge 136a of the barge lid 132 to raise the clamp portion 144. Barge lids having lifting assemblies with a lifting eye and a clamp portion may be sold by certain manufacturers such as Trinity Marine Products, Inc. of Dallas, Tex.
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The linear actuator 164 is provided having a communication portion 180, an electric motor 182, a cylinder 184, a shaft 186, a rear portion 188, and a forward portion 190. The rear portion 188 of the linear actuator 164 is mounted to the first side plate 166 at a rear bracket 192 using a rear pin 194, and the forward portion 190 of the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 is mounted to a rotation elbow 196 at a forward bracket 198 using a forward pin 200. The forward pin 200 and rear pin 194 are held in place by ring pins 202a, 202b and bolts 204a, 204b. Pins used throughout this embodiment of the load engagement mechanism 122 are constructed of a general purpose low carbon steel alloy such as C1018.
The linear actuator 164 is powered by the battery system and controlled by the remote transmitter control system mounted on the horizontal frame 102 of the barge lid lifter system 100. A command is generated remotely by a dock worker or crane operator that is received by the radio transmitter control system. The linear actuator 164 contains internal limit switches used to determine the status of the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 and communicates with the PLC. The PLC controls the indication lights 130 on the horizontal frame 102 that are viewed by the crane operator and other workers on land.
The first side panel 166 of the load engagement mechanism 122 includes a vertical hinge 206 at a forward end. The vertical hinge 206 secures a rotation plate 208 to the first side plate 166 and allows the rotation plate 208 to turn about a vertical axis 210. The rotation elbow 196 is connected to the forward portion 190 of the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 and is welded to the rotation plate 208. The arm 160 is welded to the rotation plate 208 at a first end 212 and has a second end 214 that extends horizontally outward. The second end 214 of the arm 160 extends toward the second side plate 168 in the unlatched position. When the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 extends, the shaft 186 moves forward in the cylinder 184 and causes the rotation plate to rotate about the vertical hinge 206. As the rotation plate 208 turns, the second end 214 of the arm 160 moves over the dagger point 216 and toward the vertical beam 124.
In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 is about 6 inches long and may extend about 4 to 5 inches from the unlatched position to the latched position. In other embodiments the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 may extend only about 3 inches or greater than about 5 inches to reach a latched position. In other embodiments the extension of the linear actuator 164 may be accomplished using the electric motor 182 or the linear actuator may comprise a means for extending such as, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a voice coil (electric cylinder) or a linear motor (linear magnetic actuator using electromagnets).
One or more blocks 218 are attached to the vertical beam 124 to act as stops. The block 218 contacts the first side panel 166 when the load engagement mechanism 122 is unlanded. A gap (not shown) exists between the block 218 and the first side panel 166 when the load engagement mechanism 122 is landed on a barge lid 132 or when the weight of the mechanism frame 162 is otherwise supported from below rather than hanging from the vertical beam 124 (such as when sitting on the ground).
A vertical plate 220 is attached to the vertical beam 124. A gap 222 exists between the vertical plate 220 and a rear surface 224 of the top plate 170 when the load engagement mechanism 122 is unlanded. As the weight of the load engagement mechanism 122 is supported by the barge lid lifting assembly 134, the mechanism frame 162 pivots on the horizontal pivot pin 172 about a horizontal axis 173, and the vertical plate 220 contacts the rear surface 224 of the top plate 170.
In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanism frame 162 pivots approximately 4 to 8 degrees on the horizontal pivot pin 172 about the horizontal axis 173 from the unlanded position to the landed position. In other embodiments the mechanism frame 162 may pivot approximately 2 to 3 degrees or greater than approximately 8 degrees from an unlanded to a landed position (as the top plate 170 contacts the vertical plate 220). Preferably, the frame rotates between about 1 degree and about 45 degrees, more preferably, the frame rotates between about 3 degrees and about 30 degrees, and most preferably, the frame rotates between about 4 degrees and about 15 degrees. In other embodiments the thickness and/or location of the one or more blocks 218 and the thickness and/or location of the vertical plate 220 may be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of rotation about the horizontal axis 173 between the landed and unlanded positions.
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In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 160 rotates approximately 70 degrees from the unlatched position to the latched position. In other embodiments the arm 160 may rotate only 45 degrees or greater than 180 degrees to reach a latched position. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 160 has a thickness that is substantially constant over the length of the arm 160. In other embodiments the arm may have a curved shape and may have a thickness that is not constant over the length of the arm.
As the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 is extended, the arm 160 contacts the lifting eye 142 of the movable portion 138 of the barge lid lifting assembly 134 and the movable portion 138 rotates in the eyelets 146a, 146b toward the vertical beam 124. As the movable portion 138 rotates, the lifting eye 142 is retained below the arm 160, and the clamp portion 144 is raised out from under the barge lid 132.
The extension of the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 may accomplish three distinct actions with one motion. Extension of the linear actuator 164 rotates the rotation plate 208 and simultaneously, 1) rotates the movable portion 138 of the barge lid lifting assembly 134 up and toward the vertical beam 220, 2) unclamps the clamp portion 144 from the barge 150, and 3) secures the lifting eye 142 to the load engagement mechanism 122. The reverse is true when the linear actuator 164 is moved to an unextended position. As the shaft 186 retracts into the cylinder 184, three events take place: 1) the movable portion 138 of the lifting assembly 134 is rotated down and away from the vertical beam 220, 2) the clamp portion 144 is clamped to the barge 150, and 3) the lifting eye 142 is disengaged from the load engagement mechanism 122. All four barge lid lifting assemblies 134a-134d may be engaged by the load engagement mechanisms 122a-122d simultaneously or sequentially.
Each linear actuator comprises a sensor that determines the status of cylinder. When the cylinder is extended, the load engagement mechanism is latched, and when the cylinder is retracted (unextended) the load engagement mechanism is unlatched.
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A second light 246 is green and becomes illuminated when the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 is extended to signal a latched position. The second light 246 is off in an unlatched position. A third light 248 is red and is illuminated when the shaft 186 of the linear actuator 164 is unextended to signal an unlatched position. The status of the linear actuator 164 is sensed by limit switches inside the linear actuator that are connected to the communication portion 180. The latched or unlatched status is communicated to the PLC which controls the indication lights 242.
As the barge lid lifter system 100 is moved into position, each load engagement mechanism 122 is in the unlanded and unlatched position. The first indication light status 250a shows an unlanded and unlatched position. The yellow and green lights are off, and the red light is illuminated (in each successive status shown in
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The barge lid lifter system 300 includes an upper frame 302 connected to an oblong link 304 using a cable bridle 306, and a lower frame 303 connected to the upper frame 302 by a plurality of cables 327a-327d. The oblong link 304 can be attached to a crane hook (not shown) or other lifting means. The illustrated embodiment shows cable anchor points 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d attached to the upper frame 302. The oblong link 304 is configured to accept a hook suspended from a crane or an overhead hoist. Alternate embodiments may include a frame with different anchor points configured to accept plate lifters, grapplers, container spreaders and other lifting systems for lifting balanced or unbalanced loads when weight is distributed over several points.
When the barge lid lifter system 300 is landed on a barge lid, the lower frame rests on the barge lid, which creates slack in one or more of the cable that join the upper frame and the lower frame. This two-piece frame allows the crane to support the upper frame such that only the weight of the lower frame needs to be supported by the barge lid.
The upper frame 302 includes two side beams 310a, 310b and two end beams 312a, 312b. Horizontal bracing plates 314a-314b provide support between the side beams and end beams, and horizontal bracing beams 316a-316b are provided between the side beams 310a, 310b. A first housing 318 and a second housing 320 are mounted between horizontal side bracing beams 316a-316b of the upper frame 302. The first housing 318 contains a remote transmitter control system and is preferably water-tight to protect the remote transmitter control system from the elements. The remote transmitter control system includes relays, a programmable logic controller (PLC), radio communication equipment, and wiring. The second housing 320 contains a battery system to power the remote transmitter control system and the load engagement mechanisms 322a-322d of the barge lid lifter system 300. Other means of providing power to the barge lid lifter system 100 may include pneumatic power, hydraulic power, and mechanical power.
Indication lights 330 are provided on the sides and/or ends of the horizontal frame 302 to communicate the status of the load engagement mechanisms 322a-322d to crane operators, dock workers, and others working on land.
The lower frame 303 comprises two curvilinear side beams. The curvilinear side beams include upper anchor points 328a-328d and are joined by connecting rods 334a-334d. The ends of the connecting rods are retained in spherical bearings mounted on the curvilinear side beams. Each bearing housing 360 is mounted by a bearing housing support plate 361 that is welded to the upper and lower flanges of the curvilinear side beam 332. See
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An operator uses a crane to position the barge lid lifter system 300 so that the load engagement mechanisms 322a-322d are positioned over each of the barge lid lifting assemblies located on the either edge of the barge lid. Once in position, an operator will verify the status of the load engagement mechanisms 322a-322d (unlatched). The worker may lower the barge lid lifter system 300 down onto the barge lid once all four of the load engagement mechanisms are verified to be in the unlatched position.
A guide system is provided on the lower frame 303. Each guide post 338 may be bolted onto and extend outward from each vertical beam 324 of the lower frame 303 to align the barge lid lifter system 100 with the sides 152, 154 of a barge 150. A vertical guide is attached to each guide post via a spring system 340 which includes a spring and a hinge.
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The spring system 340 includes a bolt 344 mounted through the vertical guide 338 and the bracket 337. A spring 342 is mounted around the bolt 344 and may be compressed between the vertical guide and the bracket as the vertical guide moves in relation to the bracket which in turn causes movement about the hinge. A spacer 348 and a nut 350 are mounted on the bolt 344 to adjust the spring system 340. The hinge includes a hinge pin 352 that is retained in a set of lugs 354a, 354b mounted to the vertical guide 338 and a set of lugs 353a, 353b mounted to the bracket 337. A spring is retained in a bolt above the hinge. A castle nut 350 secures a spacer 348 (or a series of flat washers) on the bolt 344.
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The embodiment(s) detailed above may be combined, in full or in part, with any alternative embodiment(s) described.
Important advantages of the barge lid lifter system include load engagement mechanisms that use arms to retain the lifting eyes of barge lid lifting assemblies, linear actuators for deploying the arms, and a horizontal frame capable of hoisting a barge lid. Another important advantage of the lift beam system is the combination of remote communication to verify the status of load engagement mechanisms and remote latching to engage barge lid lifting eyes without putting a dock worker over water.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar references in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure.
Numerous modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Various embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure. It should be understood that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/328,234, filed Apr. 27, 2016, entitled “Barge Lid Lifter System and Method” (Atty. Docket No. C0461/40836), the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62328234 | Apr 2016 | US |