WO2003013998A2 - Lifting cradle - Google Patents

Abstract

A lifting cradle (2; 30; 40) comprising a frame (4), securing means (10, 12; 26) for securing the cradle to lifting means (40), and one or more load-supporting brackets (14) movably mounted, preferably rotatably mounted, on the frame (4) such that the bracket (14) can be moved between a first position in which a load (50) can be supported on the bracket (14), and a second position in which the load (50) may be released from the cradle (2; 30; 40). And locking means (22; 28) for locking the bracket in the first and/or the second position. Preferably, there are two pairs of brackets (14) spaced along the frame (4) from each other such that an elongate load may be supported between them. The securing means may comprise attachments for crane slings (26) and/or mountings (10) for mounting the cradle on a fork-lift truck. Also disclosed are methods for moving loads using the lifting cradles and containers packed with goods using the lifting cradle.

Description

LIFTING CRADLE

The present invention relates to lifting cradles, to methods of moving loads using lifting cradles and to containers packed with goods.

Goods may be transported in bulk by means of containers. Loading and unloading goods from containers may be performed using lifting devices.

Lifting devices including cranes (either mobile or fixed) and lifting jibs attached to fork-lift trucks are generally used in combination with hooks or slings to support the goods. Cranes and lifting jibs are usually used with open top containers and the goods are unloaded or loaded substantially vertically.

As an alternative to using cranes or lifting jibs, the forks of the fork lift trucks may be used as lifting devices in combination with pallets to support the goods and provide insertion points for the forks of the truck. Fork lift trucks are usually used with front opening containers and the goods are unloaded or loaded substantially horizontally. Some goods depots are not provided with cranes or lifting jibs and, in order that goods can be unloaded using fork lift trucks, these depots usually require goods transported to them to be in front opening containers and loaded on pallets. However, pallets occupy space in a container reducing the amount of goods that can be packed in the container. A further disadvantage is that unusually shaped, for example, elongate goods require especially manufactured elongate pallets which may be expensive.

US 1 007 663 discloses a lifting device for cores. The device is intended to be connected to a crane or other device and comprises a frame and core engaging members for supporting concrete or cementitious blocks. Unfortunately, US 1 007 663 does not diclose use of the device with containers, nor for supporting goods different from concrete cores.

It would be advantageous to provide safe, efficient means of moving loads including means that could be used with both open top and front opening containers. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide means that could be used even where the load to be moved comprises unusually shaped goods, in particular goods which are elongate and fragile.

The applicants have discovered that disadvantages of known means of moving goods, including loading and unloading goods from containers, may be addressed by means of a lifting cradle, in particular by a lifting cradle having at least one movably mounted load supporting bracket.

The present invention accordingly provides a lifting cradle comprising, a frame, securing means for securing the cradle to lifting means, at least one load-supporting bracket movably mounted on the frame such that the bracket can be moved between a first position in which a load can be supported on the bracket, and a second position in which the load may be released from the cradle, and locking means for locking the bracket in the first and/or the second position.

Such a lifting cradle is advantageous because it improves the safety of moving goods, especially unusually shaped goods, and it obviates the need for pallets, thus enabling more goods to be packed in containers thereby improving the efficiency (and reducing the cost) of transport and enabling the use of open top containers. Furthermore, efficiency and safety of loading and unloading goods is improved when using both open top and front loading containers. It is also advantageous because locking means improve the safety of use of the cradle because the movably mounted may be locked, reducing or preventing unintended movement of the bracket when in the load release position which may be dangerous or may damage fragile goods. Additionally or alternatively, locking means may reduce or prevent unintended movement of the bracket when in the load supporting position and consequently reduce the chances of supported goods shifting or dropping from the cradle. This is particularly important where the goods to be supported are to be transported in multiple packs (where one component of a pack may fall unless the whole pack is well supported), are fragile or prone to breakage or chipping (for example elongate glass products, in particular those sold by the applicant under the trade mark PROFILIT).

Preferably, the cradle comprises a first bracket and a second bracket, the first and second brackets being spaced along the frame from each other such that an elongate load may be supported between them. This is advantageous because fragile (e.g. glass) elongate loads, for example PROFILIT glass, may be more safely moved.

The cradle preferably comprises at least one pair of brackets and, more preferably, the cradle comprises a first pair of brackets and a second pair of brackets, the first and second pairs of brackets being spaced along the frame from each other such that an elongate load may be supported between them. Pairs of brackets are advantageous because they provide a stronger load supporting surface, allowing heavier loads to be supported. Locking means to lock the at least one bracket in either the first and/or the second position (i.e. lock the bracket in a fixed position relative to the frame) may comprise a locking pin (preferably chained to the cradle to prevent its loss), which may, for example, be inserted into a hole in the handle portion of the bracket to fix the bracket relative to the frame. Additionally or alternatively, locking means may comprise interlocking portions associated with the or each pair of brackets for interlocking the pair of brackets and thereby strengthen a pair of brackets in the load supporting position. The interlocking portions may comprise a protrusion (for example a bolt) on one bracket of the pair and a corresponding notch (for example a notched plate) on the other. Interlocking portions are particularly advantageous when the goods to be transported are fragile (for example, elongate glass goods).

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one load-supporting bracket is rotatably mounted on the frame such that the bracket can be rotated between a first position in which a load can be supported on the bracket, and a second position in which the load may be released from the cradle. This is advantageous because moving the bracket between the two positions by rotation efficiently uses space. Preferably, the load supporting bracket is rotatably mounted about an axis transverse to the frame, and, more preferably about an axis substantially orthogonal to the frame (for example, about an axis substantially vertical in use).

The, or each, bracket will usually comprise a handle portion, and preferably the handle portion will have a fixed alignment with respect to the load supporting portion of the bracket so that a user of the cradle can ensure by positioning of the handle portion that the load supporting portion of the bracket is correctly positioned even if it is hidden from the user e.g. by the sides of a container or by goods.

The securing means for securing the cradle to lifting means may comprise any suitable means known to the skilled person and suitable for the purpose. However, preferably, the securing means comprises one or more attachments for slings, or alternatively, hooks of a crane or lifting jib. The attachments may be hoops suitably arranged on the frame to take account of the centre of gravity of the cradle when either loaded or unloaded. Alternatively, the securing means, preferably, comprise one or more mountings for mounting the cradle on one or both forks of a fork-lift truck. Suitable mountings include sockets for receiving one or both forks (i.e. fork pockets). The sockets may conveniently comprise hollow, open-ended members of the frame. The mounting will usually also comprise fork retaining means (e.g. bolts) for securing retaining the forks in position.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a method of moving a load using a lifting cradle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the method comprising, bringing the cradle adjacent to the load to be moved, moving at least one bracket into a first position in which the load is supported on the bracket, using locking means to lock the bracket in the first position, moving the cradle with the supported load, disconnecting the locking means, and moving the at least one bracket into a second position in which the load may be released from the cradle.

Using the lifting cradle of the present invention to move a load into a container will result in a container packed with the goods. To support the load, and to provide the necessary clearance for loading and unloading the goods from the container, the goods are preferably supported using packing material. Suitable packing material will vary according to the goods to be packed but may, for example, comprise expanded polystyrene blocks. The distribution of goods and placement of packing material in a container loaded using the lifting cradle of the present invention will be determined by the clearance necessary for bringing the cradle adjacent to the load and the movement of the, or each, load supporting bracket into the load supporting position. For example, if the load supporting brackets are rotatably mounted on the frame, the packing material will be arranged (i.e. placed) so that the area which is swept out by the load supporting bracket(s) moving into the load supporting position is not impeded by packing material.

Thus, in a third aspect, the present invention provides a container packed with goods in such a way that a lifting cradle as herein described can be used to move the goods from the container.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lifting cradle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a top, plan view of a lifting cradle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a side view of a lifting cradle according to the second embodiment. Figure 4 shows an end view of a lifting cradle according to the second embodiment.

Figure 5 a and b show perspective views of a lifting cradle according to a third embodiment of the present invention with the brackets in the load supporting position and the load release position respectively.

Figures 6a and 6b show top plan views of the lifting cradle according to the first embodiment with the brackets in the load release position and the load supporting position respectively.

Referring to Figure 1, a lifting cradle 2 according to a first embodiment comprises a generally rectangular frame 4 consisting of two elongate frame members 6 and two crosswise frame numbers 8. The elongate frame members 6 project a substantial way beyond the frame 4 and each are hollow, the open, projecting ends of the elongate frame members 6 thereby forming sockets 10 for receiving the forks of a fork-lift truck. Spaced from the ends of the sockets 10, along the length of the elongate frame members 6, are securing bolts 12 for securing the forks in the sockets 10.

The ends of each cross- wise frame member 8 project beyond the frame 4 on each side of the frame 4. Each projecting end has a load-supporting bracket 14 rotatably mounted thereon. Each bracket 14 comprises a rotatable spindle 16 passing through the end of the cross-wise frame member 8 connecting a handle portion 18 situated above the frame and a load supporting portion 20 situated below the frame. The handle portion 18 and load supporting portion 20 are aligned so that a user of the cradle 2 can ensure by positioning the handle portion 18 that the load supporting portion 20 is correctly positioned even if it is hidden in a container or by a supported load

Each bracket 14 has an associated locking pin 22 connected by a chain to the corresponding cross-wise frame member 8. Each locking pin 22 fits into an aperture in the handle portion 18 to lock the handle portion 18 in position in either the open (i.e. load release) or closed (i.e. load supporting) position.

The brackets 14 can be independently rotated between the load supporting position (as shown in Figure 1) and a load release position. The arrangement of the brackets 14 in two pairs spaced along the frame from one another improves the ability of the cradle 2 to support elongate loads, for example elongate glass goods sold under the trade mark PROFILIT, thereby improving both the safety and the efficiency of moving such loads. Each pair of brackets 14 (i.e. the two brackets 14 at either end of the same cross- wise member 8) have interlocking portions (not shown) at the free ends 24 of the load supporting portions 20 to interlock the brackets in the load supporting position and thereby strengthen the brackets. The pair of brackets 14, once interlocked, form a platform on which fragile goods or packs containing multiple goods may be effectively and safely supported.

Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 4, a second embodiment of the lifting cradle 30 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 and the same reference numerals refer to corresponding parts of the cradle. However, the second embodiment of the lifting cradle 30 has four upwardly projecting attachment loops 26 fixed to the cross-wise frame members 8. The attachment loops 26 are suitable for attachment to the slings of a crane, a lifting jib of a fork lift truck or other lifting means. Thus, the second embodiment of the lifting cradle 30 may be used with either a fork-lift truck with forks inserted in the sockets of the elongate frame members or with a crane by attaching the crane to the attachment hoops 26.

Figure 4 shows the interlocking portions 28 of the brackets 14. The interlocking portions comprise a bolt 28a and a notched plate 28b situated respectively on the free ends of each load supporting portion 20 of the pair of brackets. When the load supporting portions 20 of the brackets 14 are rotated from the load release position to the load supporting position, the notched plate 28b and bolt 28a interlock, thus strengthening the load supporting surface.

Referring to Figure 5a and 5b, a third embodiment of a lifting cradle 40 is similar to the second embodiment and the same reference numerals refer to corresponding parts of the cradle. However, the third embodiment of the lifting cradle 40 has shorter elongate frame members 6 than the second embodiment which improves the manoeuvrability of the cradle 40 when attached to slings of a crane or other lifting device. Figure 5a illustrates the cradle in the load supporting (i.e. closed) position, which by rotating the brackets 14 in the direction indicated by arrows A, can be put in the load release (i.e. open) position of Figure 5b. In this third embodiment of the lifting cradle, the load supporting brackets 14 on the same side of the frame are rotated in opposite directions into the load release position so that the free ends 24 of the load supporting portions 20 are adjacent when in the load release position. In other embodiments, the load supporting brackets 14 on the same side of the frame may be moved into the load release position by rotating them in the same direction. Referring to Figures 6a and 6b, the method of moving a load 50 using a lifting cradle 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention involves, inserting the forks 42 of a fork-lift truck 40 into the hollow ends of the elongate frame members 6 of the cradle. When the forks 42 are in position the securing bolts 12 are tightened to secure the forks 42. With the handle portions 18 and load-supporting portions 20 of the brackets 14 in the load release position (i.e. substantially parallel to the elongate frame members 6) the fork-lift truck moves the cradle into a position so that the load supporting portions 20 are on either side of the load 50 to be moved (Figure 6a). The load 50 is supported on packing material (not shown) in such a way that there is clearance for the load supporting portions 20 to be moved underneath the load 50. The handle portions 18 are turned in direction B to move the load supporting portions 18 under the load 50 (Figure 6b) where the interlocking portions (not shown in Figure 6a or visible in 6b) of the brackets 14 interlock, strengthening the load supporting surface.. The locking pins 22 are inserted to lock the handle portions 18 in position. The forks 42 of the fork-lift truck 40 can then be lifted thereby moving the cradle 2 and supported load 50. When the load 50 has been moved to the desired position the cradle 2 may be released from the load 50 in the reverse of the operation described above.

Claims

1 A lifting cradle comprising, a frame, securing means for securing the cradle to lifting means, at least one load-supporting bracket movably mounted on the frame such that the bracket can be moved between a first position in which a load can be supported on the bracket, and a second position in which the load may be released from the cradle, and locking means for locking the bracket in the first and/or the second position.

2. A lifting cradle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cradle comprises a first bracket and a second bracket, the first and second brackets being spaced along the frame from each other such that an elongate load may be supported between them.

3. A lifting cradle as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cradle comprises at least one pair of brackets.

4. A lifting cradle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cradle comprises a first pair of brackets and a second pair of brackets, the first and second pairs of brackets being spaced along the frame from each other such that an elongate load may be supported between them.

5. A lifting cradle as claimed in either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the locking means comprises interlocking portions for interlocking the or each pair of brackets.

6. A lifting cradle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one load-supporting bracket is rotatably mounted on the frame such that the bracket can be rotated between a first position in which a load can be supported on the bracket, and a second position in which the load may be released from the cradle.

7. A lifting cradle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one bracket comprises a handle portion.

8. A lifting cradle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the securing means comprises one or more attachments for slings.

9. A lifting cradle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the securing means comprises one or more mountings for mounting the cradle on one or both forks of a fork-lift truck.

10. A method of moving a load using a lifting cradle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, the method comprising, bringing the cradle adjacent to the load to be moved, moving at least one bracket into a first position in which the load is supported on the bracket, using locking means to lock the bracket in the first position, moving the cradle with the supported load, disconnecting the locking means, and moving the at least one bracket into a second position in which the load may be released from the cradle.

11. A container packed with goods in such a way that a lifting cradle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10 can be used to move the goods from the container.

12. Use of a container as claimed in claim 11 to transport goods.