US 6,835,035 B1Granted

Method and device for securing horizontally loaded cargo units to a vessel

AssigneeFinnlines Oyj

InventorsMikko Hänninen, Martti Salokannel, Markku Seppälä

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Abstract

The invention relates to a method for securing horizontally loaded cargo units on a vessel, in which method the cargo units (13) are handled and secured for transporting the cargo units (13) on the vessel. The cargo unit (13) is secured to the vessel and/or to an adjacent cargo unit (13) by means of securing elements extending in the longitudinal direction of the cargo unit such that securing parts (11, 12) of the securing element (10) fixed to a bulkhead (15) of the vessel and to the cargo unit or to adjacent cargo units form an interlocking coupling, whereby the cargo unit (13) that is secured remains in place in the securing position. The invention also relates to a device for securing horizontally loaded cargo units on a vessel, which device is used for securing the cargo units (13) for transport on the vessel. The device is formed as a securing element (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of the cargo unit, which securing element comprises securing parts (11, 12) fixed to adjacent cargo units or to a cargo unit and a bulkhead (15) of the vessel adjacent to the cargo unit, which securing parts form an interlocking coupling such that the cargo unit (13) that is secured remains in place in the securing position.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for securing horizontally loaded cargo units on a vessel, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of cargo units defining a longitudinal driving direction;
arranging a first securing mechanism on a first longitudinally-extending vertical side of each of the cargo units;
arranging a first locking mechanism on the first side of each of the cargo units;
arranging a second securing mechanism on a second longitudinal-extending vertical side of each of the cargo units, the second securing mechanism being arranged to engage with the first securing mechanism on another one of the cargo units, the first and second longitudinal sides being on opposite sides of the cargo unit;
arranging a second locking mechanism on the second side of each of the cargo units, the second locking mechanism being arranged to engage with the first locking mechanism on another one of the cargo units to prevent vertical movement of engaged cargo units relative to one another;
and
securing each of the cargo units to an adjacent one of the cargo units in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by
positioning each of the cargo units alongside the adjacent one of the cargo units such that the first side of the cargo unit faces the second side of the adjacent one of the cargo units,
engaging the first securing mechanism on the cargo unit with the second securing mechanism on the adjacent one of the cargo units,
engaging the first locking mechanism on the cargo unit with the second locking mechanism on the adjacent one of the cargo units to thereby form an interlocking coupling between the cargo unit and the adjacent one of the cargo units;
and
constructing the first and second securing mechanisms to enable the cargo units to slide along each other in the longitudinal direction until the first locking mechanism engages the second locking mechanism.

9 more elements

A method for securing horizontally loaded semitrailers which are attached to a trestle on a vessel, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of semitrailers defining a longitudinal, driving direction;
arranging a first securing mechanism on a first longitudinally-extending vertical side of each of the trestles;
arranging a first locking mechanism on the first side of each of the trestles;
arranging a second securing mechanism on a second longitudinal-extending vertical side of each of the trestles, the second securing mechanism being arranged to engage with the first securing mechanism on another one of the trestles, the first and second longitudinal sides being on opposite sides of the trestles;
arranging a second locking mechanism on the second side of each of the trestles, the second locking mechanism being arranged to engage with the first locking mechanism on another one of the trestles to prevent vertical movement of engaged trestles and therefore the semitrailers relative to one another;
and
securing each of the trestles to an adjacent one of the trestles in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by
positioning each of the trestles alongside the adjacent one of the trestles such that the first side of the trestles faces the second side of the adjacent one of the trestles,
engaging the first securing mechanism on the trestles with the second securing mechanism on the adjacent one of the trestles, and
engaging the first locking mechanism on the trestles with the second locking mechanism on the adjacent one of the trestles to thereby form an interlocking coupling between the trestles and the adjacent one of the trestles.

7 more elements

In a horizontally loaded semitrailer attached to a trestle, the trestle extending in a longitudinal direction and having at least two longitudinally-extending vertical sides opposite and parallel to one another, a device for securing the trestle and therefore the semitrailer to another trestle and therefore another semitrailer or to a vessel comprising:

a first securing mechanism arranged on a first one of the longitudinally-extending vertical sides;
a first locking mechanism arranged on said first side;
a second securing mechanism arranged on a second one of said longitudinal-extending vertical sides, said second securing mechanism having a form engageable with said first securing mechanism;
and
a second locking mechanism arranged on said second side, said second locking mechanism having a form engageable with said first locking mechanism and such that relative vertical movement between engaged ones of said first and second locking mechanisms is prevented,
said first and second securing mechanisms and said first and second locking mechanisms being structured and arranged to enable the cargo unit to be secured to an adjacent cargo unit in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction by positioning the trestle alongside the adjacent trestle such that said first side of the trestle faces the second side of the adjacent trestle, engaging said first securing mechanism on the trestle with the second securing mechanism on the adjacent trestle, and engaging said first locking mechanism on the trestle with the second locking mechanism on the adjacent trestle to thereby prevent relative vertical movement between the trestles and therefore the cargo units.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.