Elastic fins for container coupling elements

Abstract

The flippers consist of a new type of flippers which operate as a rigid assembly in the usual operation thereof, but which elastically yield against impacts and overloads, recovering the usual operation afterwards. This flexibility is achieved two ways, which exclusively affect the flipper itself, not the connection thereof with the spreader or the possible driving system thereof. Mainly: use of elastic materials and use of geometries which are stable against service loads but are readily deformed against impacts.

Claims

1. A flipper for container spreaders, comprising: a first end attachable to a spreader; a second end configured to act as a centering element; a central area connecting the first end and the second end, the central area comprising a plurality of spring plates, each spring plate comprising a plurality of elastomeric sheets, providing a profile which buckles when reaching a load by flexure, torsion or pressure, wherein the flipper is constructed with elastic material or elastomeric material, having a homogeneous composition or reinforced with textile, plastic or metallic fiber.

2. The flipper for container spreaders according to claim 1, wherein a rigidity of the flipper is obtained by increasing a width of the spring plate, wherein two or more elastomeric sheets are placed in parallel to each other.

3. The flipper for container spreaders according to claim 2, wherein the spring plate is constructed with only an elastomeric material, the total width of the sheets forming the spring plate is between 40 and 100 mm.

4. The flipper for container spreaders according to claim 1, wherein more than one type of elastomeric material is used for manufacturing the spring plate, said spring plate is configured in layers comprising: two or more outer layers, longitudinally ribbed with steel wire, with an approximate thickness between 1 and 10 mm, featuring a smooth or ribbed sheet geometry; and one or more inner layers with an approximate thickness between 40 and 60 mm.

5. The flipper for container spreaders according to claim 1, wherein the spring plate is an elastomeric material, wherein the central area forms crossed arms, I profile, H profile, C profile, or grooved profile, open or closed, which buckle because of flexure, pressure, torsion or pressure when undergoing overload or impact.

6. The flipper for container spreaders according to claim 1, wherein the central area comprises a rigid framework made of metallic or plastic material which allows flexibility when embedded in an elastomeric material.

7. The flipper for container spreaders according to claim 1, wherein the central area comprises a lattice made of plastic, metallic, textile, plastic or other fibers embedded in the elastomeric material.

8. The flipper for container spreader according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material is rubber, gum, vinyl, textile, or combinations thereof.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES CONTENT

(1) FIG. 1Spreader 2, container 1, flipper 3 in a retracted position and latching twistlock.

(2) FIG. 2Detail of the twistlock and socket.

(3) FIG. 3Impact between the flipper 3 and the container 1 because of misaligned vertical approximation.

(4) FIG. 4Impact between the flipper 3 and the container 1 because of incorrect horizontal approximation.

(5) FIG. 5Model of a flipper 3 being formed by three screwed portions.

(6) FIG. 6Commercial models of flippers 3.

(7) FIG. 7More basic embodiment of the idea.

(8) FIG. 8Example of an embodiment using sheets.

(9) FIG. 9Example of an embodiment formed as a cross arm.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(10) The basic exemplary embodiment of the invention consists of substituting the intermediates plates in the flipper 3 (see FIG. 6) by two or more elastomeric material sheet, of the type of synthetic rubber, for example FKM (Fluorocarbon Rubber). In this case, the bolt arrangement is respected and the total thickness is increased, from 50 to 100 mm according to the type of service. The embodiment will be limited, in this case, to a pair of parallel assemblies, as that shown in FIG. 7.

(11) A more elaborated variant consists of using at least three layers of material in each spring plate or central area 4 of the pair (see FIG. 8). The two outer thin layers are made of a composite material plus one or more soft rubber inner layers. The outer layers can be, by way of example, 5 mm thick, based on synthetic rubber comprising textile lattice and being longitudinally ribbed with steel wire. The purpose thereof is to resist traction and to provide the core with protection from sunlight, dust, dirt, etc. The inner layers, featuring a total thickness of about 40 or 60 mm, are in charge of providing rigidity for the usual operation and of making the elastic recovery easier after impact or overload deformation. For the outer layers, ribbed sheets rather than smooth sheets can be used.

(12) A third variant is to use an elastic piece as the core which is cross-shaped, I profiled, H profiled or may have other geometries, which features a considerable geometric rigidity but which buckles against overload or impact. The variant is represented in FIG. 9. Finally, the possibilities with best perspectives are those combining the above variants: Flippers 3 (in one-piece or removable parts) the central area 4 of which is made of an elastic material comprising a deformable framework embedded therein, or else a lattice made of textile, metallic, plastic fibres or fibres of any other type. Thus, a more resistant, long-lasting and rigid assembly is achieved under normal operation; keeping the collapsible geometry characteristic against impacts, and always keeping the shock absorbing material capacity of the assembly.

(13) All the variants mentioned above may be modified by making the whole flipper of an elastic material, or else render the flipper 3 central area 4 and centering element as one piece, or any other conceivable variant thereof that follows the concept of the elastic flipper 3 developed herein.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

(14) The invention can be applied in all those activities involving container 1 transport, lifting or handling operations. For example, container 1 terminals (maritime, railway or land), ships, spreader 2 manufacturers requiring the use of positioning flipper 3 arms, and big business the supplies or goods of which are supplied in containers 1 and use container 1 handling machinery.