WO2003000544A1

WO2003000544A1 - Transport bed for heavy load, such as steel rolls

Info

Publication number: WO2003000544A1
Application number: PCT/FI2002/000492
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gusten Sundman; Kim Olin
Original assignee: MacGregor Fin Oy
Current assignee: MacGregor Fin Oy
Priority date: 2001-06-25
Filing date: 2002-06-07
Publication date: 2003-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2003-12-25
Also published as: FI20011345A7; FI20011345L; FI20011345A0

Abstract

A transport platform (2) is disclosed for shipping heavy cargo such as steel strip coils (3) in the cargo space of a ship (1), the transport platform having substantially rectangular bottom dimensions. The invention is implemented by way of adapting to the corners of the transport platform (2) or substantially close thereto support legs (4) rotatable separately from each other between two limit positions, denoted as an upper position and a lower position, irrespective of whether the platform has or has not cargo loaded thereon and that the support legs (4) are rotatable along a trajectory passing via the inner space of the transport platform (2), whereby obstacles possibly located about the transport platform cannot hinder the rotation of the support legs.

Description

TRANSPORT BED FOR HEAVY LOAD, SUCH AS STEEL ROLLS

The present invention relates to a transport platform for shipping heavy cargo such as steel strip coils in a ship's cargo space, the transport platform having substantially rectangular bottom dimensions.

Conventionally, heavy cargo in the present case comprising steel coils is loaded on the bottom of the cargo space, where the coils lie above one another and tightly adjacent to each other. A shortcoming of such an arrangement is the large metacentric height, complicated securing of the cargo and substantial damage to the cargo during loading and under heavy sea.

In order to simplify securing of cargo and reduce damage thereto, removable troughs have been used by placing the same on the cargo space bottom prior to the lowering of steel coils thereon. Also this arrangement is hampered by the large metacentric height of the cargo.

To reduce the metacentric height and simplify cargo securement, as well as to reduce damage on the cargo, also stowable intermediate decks have been used having troughs provided thereon for receiving steel coils. This arrangement, however, invokes plural contact of the cargo with the support elements (including loading at the steel mill for land transportation, hauling on land to ship, seaway shipping to port including unloading from ship for land trans- portation, and land transportation to end user). The use of a ship-specific intermediate cargo deck can be accomplished only in ships having equal rigging.

Furthermore to reduce the metacentric height and to simplify cargo securing and reduce damage to cargo, containers specially strengthened for transportation of small steel coils have been used. This arrangement is obviously handicapped by not being suited for transportation of large steel rolls and consuming plenty of space when returned empty. Current types of containers may be stacked above one another only when the containers are empty. Seals in the containers are subject to damage thus as such being unsuited for transportation on the ship's weatherdeck.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport platform of steel coils free from the above-described problems. A steel coil transport platform according to the invention is characterized in that at the corners of the platform or substantially close thereto are adapted support legs rotatable separately from each other between two limit positions, denoted as an upper position and a lower position, irrespective of whether the platform has or has not cargo loaded thereon and, moreover, that the support legs are rotatable along a trajectory passing via the inner space of the transport platform, whereby obstacles possibly located about the transport platform cannot hinder the rotation of the support legs.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the steel coils are loaded, secured and covered on the platform already at the factory so that the transport platform can be stowed into the ship's cargo space in this ready-loaded state and that the ready-loaded transport platform is lowered into the ship's cargo space so as to rest on the upward-rotated support legs of the next underlying transport platform. A benefit of having the transport platform ready-loaded already at the factory gives the benefit of a reduced number of loading cycles, possibility of using simpler securing means and reduced exposure of cargo to weather. The superposed loading of cargo in the hull allows the cargo center of gravity to be placed higher and reduces the ship's metacentric height, whereby also the risk of damage to the cargo is diminished.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the lowermost transport platform is lowered into the cargo space on support legs mounted on the ship's double bottom and/or the sidewalls of the hull. As a result, the ship's center of gravity may be optimized and the support legs can be stored in a minimal space.

A still another preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that when empty the transport platforms are storable in a stack with their support legs rotated into the lower position. As a result, the empty transport platforms can be stowed in a small storage space.

Other benefits of the present invention include the possibility of using the same size of transport platform in all ships suited for container transportation. Thus, the transport system costs are minimized inasmuch the ship's hull can be provided with internal support members. Furthermore, the need for trimming the ship with the help of ballast tanks is reduced. As the transport platform according to the invention can be placed under a container or thereabove, loading in the ship's cargo space may be optimized. A still further benefit of the invention is that the support legs are rotatable also when the cargo already rests on the transport platform, which makes the transport platform yet more versatile in use.

In the following, the invention is described in more detail with the help of an exemplary embodiment by making reference to the appended drawings in which

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinally sectional view of a cargo ship and its cargo space with different variations of the applications of a transport platform according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a cargo ship loaded with steel coils on transport platforms stowed superposed on one another and side by side;

FIG. 3 shows the same view as FIG. 2 but now having the cargo space full of empty transport platforms stowed superposed on one another and side by side;

FIG. 4 shows the lowermost transport platform carrying cargo and a portion of the next superposed transport platform;

FIG. 5 shows a transport platform carrying cargo in an intermediate position between two transform platforms, whereby a portion of the next underlying and next overlying transform platforms is visible;

FIG. 6 shows an empty transport platform with its support legs rotated in two different position; and

FIG. 7 shows two superposedly stacked empty transport platforms.

Now referring to FIG. 1 , therein is shown a longitudinally sectional view of a cargo ship 1. Reference letters A-C denote the different parts of the cargo space having the transport platform according to the invention being used in an exemplary fashion in various manners. In compartment A, transport platforms 2 are placed resting on pillars, in compartment B transport platforms 2 are stowed on containers, in compartment C transport platforms 2 are stowed under containers, in compartment D empty transport platforms 2 are stowed superposed on each other and stacked side by side, and in compartment E are stowed only loaded transport platforms 2.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a cargo ship 1 having its cargo space loaded with transport platforms 2 stowed superposed on one another and side by side. In the illustrated case, the cargo placed on the transport platforms comprises steel coils 3.

FIG. 3 shows the same view as FIG. 2 but now having the cargo space of the ship 1 full of superposed empty transport platforms 2 stowed superposed on one another and side by side; FIG. 4 shows the structure of an transport platform 2 according to the invention in an end view. The external dimensions of transport platform 2 are identical to that of a standardized container. Each corner of the transport platform is provided with a rotatable support leg 4. In the cargo-carrying transport platform of FIG. 4, the support leg is rotated into its upper position, whereby the superposed transport platform 2' rests on the erected support legs 4. More precisely, support legs 4 are always erected in their upper position when cargo-carrying transport platforms are stacked on each other or if the platform is protected by a weather-tight cover.

The cargo-carrying floor of the transport platform is trough-like shaped to accommodate sidelong loading of steel coils 3 thereon. The steel coils 3 may have any standardized diameter such as 900, 950, 1000 or 1100 mm, for instance. The trough-like floor of the platform can be provided with rubber flooring to protect steel coil 3 and prevent the same from directly contacting the floor made of steel. The ends of the troughs may further be covered by rubber linings protecting the steel coil from contact to the trough ends during loading and unloading.

The steel coils are loaded, secured and covered on the transport platform already at the steel mill. This kind of ready-loaded transport platform may then be loaded in an uncomplicated fashion into a ship and respectively unloaded therefrom.

FIG. 6 shows a transport platform 2 with its support legs rotated into its two extreme positions, that is, into either the upper position or the lower position.

The lowermost one of transport platforms 2 (see FIG. 4) is lowered onto support legs mounted on the cargo room bottom and/or the sidewalls of the cargo space. The next transport platforms 2 thereabove is lowered onto support legs 4 of the underlaying transport platform (see FIG. 5), whereby the center of gravity of the cargo is elevated to a higher level.

When empty the transport platforms are transported stacked above one another with their support legs rotated in the lower position (see FIG. 7).

Having a fitting placed in the corners, the securing points located below the transport platform 2 correspond to those of a standardized container. Furthermore, the securing point located in the lower flange will be used when empty transport platforms 2 are to be stowed in a stack. When rotated into its upper position, the securing points at the upper end of support leg 4 corresponds to the securing points of a standardized container. The securing point at the upper end of an upright rotated support leg can be used when empty transport platforms are being stacked on one another.

When the transport platforms are loaded in the cargo space stacked on one another and side by side, the transport platforms of a given layer are sideways connected to each other with the most lateral ones being secured to the ship's hull. Alternatively, the transport platforms may be provided with rubber bumpers that transmit the lateral forces to the ship's hull.

Accordingly, the transport platform is loaded with steel coils at the steel mill, whereupon the cargo is also secured to the transport platform and covered from rain and snow. Next, the transport platform is shipped by road or railway transportation. At the port, the cargo is moved to and from the ship by a container crane. Empty transport platforms may also be moved by a roll lift.

For restraining the cargo, the transport platform is provided with securing eyelets suited for restraining coils of different length and size.

The troughs of the transport platform are covered by rubber flooring that protects the steel coil and prevent the same from directly contacting the steel parts of the platform. The ends of the troughs may further be covered by rubber linings protecting the steel coil from contact to the trough ends during loading and unloading.

When equipped with a weather-tight cover, the transport platform may be pressurized to prevent access of water to the interior side of the cover. Also steel pipes can be transported on the platform between the support legs 4.

To a person skilled in the art it is obvious that the invention is not limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but rather may be varied within the inventive spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A transport assembly (2) for shipping heavy cargo such as steel strip coils

(3) in the cargo space of a ship (1), the transport platform having substantial- ly rectangular bottom dimensions, characterized in that at the corners of the transport platform (2) or substantially close thereto are adapted support legs

(4) rotatable separately from each other between two limit positions, denoted as an upper position and a lower position, irrespective of whether the platform has or has not cargo loaded thereon and that the support legs (4) are rotatable along a trajectory passing via the inner space of the transport platform (2), whereby obstacles possibly located about the transport platform cannot hinder the rotation of the support legs.

2. The transport platform of claim 1 , characterized in that the steel coils (3) are loaded, secured and covered on the transport platform (2) already at the steel mill and that the transport platform (2) is moved into the ship (1) in this ready-loaded state and that the ready-loaded transport platform is lowered onto erected support legs (4) of another transport platform already previously stowed in the cargo space, whereby the center of gravity of the cargo is shifter higher.

3. The transport platform of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lowermost transport platform (2) is lowered into the cargo space on support legs mounted on the double bottom of the ship (1) and/or the sidewalls of the hull.

4. The transport platform of any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that when empty the transport platforms (2) are storable in a stack with their support legs (4) rotated into the lower position.

5. The transport platform of any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that cargo-carrying floor of the transport platform (2) is provided with a trough for receiving steel coils (3) to be loaded thereon.

6. The transport platform of claim 5, characterized in that the troughs are covered by rubber flooring or the like material to protect steel coils (3) from damage.

7. The transport platform of claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the ends of the troughs are covered by rubber linings protecting the steel coil (3) from contact to the trough ends during loading and unloading.

8. The transport platform of any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, equipped with a weather-tight cover, the transport platform (2) is pressurized to prevent access of water to the interior side of the cover.