Buffer jib crane for cargo container handling operations

A buffer jib crane for cargo container handling comprising

• an elevated platform forming a landing deck having a multiplicity of predetermined container landing positions formed thereon where containers can be landed and temporarily stored by a quay crane when they are removed from shipboard or where containers picked off ground level transporters can be landed until they are picked up by the quay crane for transport to a ship, said platform being supported by columns, pairs of which are interconnected at the lower ends thereof by sill beams which are supported by motorized transport wheels for independent all-direction movement of said buffer crane,
• a slewing jib crane having at least a pair of armatures mounted on a support post secured to one of the lateral edges of said landing deck, a first of said armatures having its inboard end thereof pivoted on said post for rotational movement in a horizontal plane around said post and a second of said armatures having its inboard end thereof secured to the outboard end of said first armature for rotational movement in a horizontal plane, said second armature supporting cargo container lifting apparatus at the outboard end thereof which can rotate horizontally more than 180 degrees, said armatures and said cargo container lifting apparatus being mounted on said post at a level to pass above cargo containers deposited on said landing deck and remain below the supporting structure of any cargo container quay crane it is positioned under, said jib crane being formed to transfer containers between said landing positions on said platform and cargo container transporters located below or alongside said platform,
• a multiple each of said container landing positions formed on said landing deck and each of said positions having position guides to receive and guide containers being lowered thereonto,
• access openings formed in said landing deck to permit workers to install or remove from below said landing deck interbox connectors which are secured to corners of cargo containers deposited on said landing positions,
• an automated control system for at least partial operation of said slewing jib crane to position said cargo container lifting apparatus over preselected said predetermined landing positions on said landing deck and to move containers with coordinated motion, and
• at least one service platform disposed proximate to said landing deck to permit workers to install and remove IBCs on and from cargo containers deposited on said landing deck.