Crane with a gripping device for handling slabs

A gripping device for handling slabs to be deposited side by side in storage means, the device comprising:

• a. a mobile crane at least part of which is disposed over the storage means and which is displaceable in a direction transverse to slabs stored therein;
• b. a bridge structure vertically displaceable relative to said mobile crane;
• c. at least two gripper means carried by said bridge structure and disposed at spaced locations with respect to the stored slabs, both gripper means being disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the planes of the slabs;
• d. each gripper means including a vertical support rod which can be lowered into the storage means, each vertical support rod having at least one controllable load support member at the lower end thereof for selectively engaging under or releasing the slabs;
• e. vertical guide rod means coupled with said bridge structure and profiled holder means mounted on said guide rod means for free vertical movement relative to said bridge structure between a low end position defined by an abutment on said guide rod and a high end position defined by the height of the slab being handled, the storage means including a plurality of compartments for holding slabs in generally parallel array, the profiled holder means being of such dimension as to extend transversely over two adjacent compartments whereby said holder means prevents tilting of the slabs when supported by said gripper means and whereby, upon lowering of said bridge structure, said profiled holder means engages an upper end of the slabs to be handled.