Synchronization of spreader twist-locks in twin lift operations
AssigneeBromma Conquip AB
InventorJorgen Bergstrom
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to a spreader comprising inner and outer locks connectable to the corner castings of a single container and to two containers connectable in twin relation to the spreader, the outer lock carried in pairs in the ends, respectively, of extendable beams telescopically supported in a main beam, and the inner lock movable in pairs on the main beam exterior, wherein, in each set of associated pairs of inner and outer lock, the pair of inner locks is operable for displacement through a second drive which is separate from a first drive that is operative for displacement of the outer lock through extension/retraction of the extendable beam.
Claims19
A spreader comprising:
- inner and outer locks configured to be connectable to corner castings of a single container or to two containers connectable in twin relation to the spreader,
- the outer locks carried in pairs at respective ends, of one or more extendable beams telescopically supported in a main beam, and
- the inner locks movable in pairs on a main beam exterior, wherein, in each set of associated pairs of the inner and outer locks, the pair of inner locks is operable for displacement through a second drive which is separate from a first drive that is operative for displacement of the outer locks through one or more of the following:
- extension and retraction of the one or more extendable beams,
- characterized in that the first and second drives are individually powered and separately operated through a control system that is configured to synchronizes concurrent displacements of the outer and inner locks without a mechanical connection being arranged between associated pairs of outer and inner locks in one or more of the following:
- extension movements and retraction movements.
A method for synchronizing concurrent displacements of associated outer and inner locks in longitudinal directions of a spreader designed for single and twin lift operations, comprising:
- feeding power individually to separate first and second drives that are operative for displacement of the outer and inner locks;
- and
- controlling power supplies to the first and second drives for synchronized displacements without connecting mechanically the associated outer and inner locks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.